Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo

Inaugural Speech
It’s a great pleasure to be here at this blue-ribbon school talking to the future of Oneida County. The students here at JFK already know what many adults are still learning – the bonds that unite us are far more important than any superficial differences we allow to divide us. As someone who has devoted his life to public service, I want you to know that every one of you, if you believe in your dreams enough to work for them, can change your world through the power of your commitment, energy, and idealism. You will hear that things can’t be changed, that you are too young and a lot of other nonsense. If you want to live your dreams, you have the power to make them happen. That’s what public service is all about; that’s what leadership is all about.

As I begin my term as Oneida County Executive, my message to the people of Oneida County is that this is our time of opportunity. With hard work and partnerships, we can create the climate that will attract new jobs and new momentum to our region. Through a commitment to making government cost less, we can achieve tax stability and pursue tax relief for the families and employers of Oneida County. Using honest, open dialogue that brings everyone to the table, we can create innovative solutions, programs and policies that will make Oneida County a region of creativity and energy.

All this is possible. Today is a beginning. We have just begun shaping our strategies to transform hopes into realities; increase the integrity of government, but not its size or cost; and bring new ideas and new voices into the decision-making process. Next month, in my State of the County speech, I will focus on programs and policies to move Oneida County forward. But no program, no policy, no legislation can bring about the greatest need in this county. Our first task is not to find the right program that gives us instant success, but to infuse this county with the right attitude, and to bring us together in pursuit of our common vision.

As John F. Kennedy – the man whose name and legacy lives on in this school -- said: "I am certain, that after the dust of centuries has passed from our cities, we too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit."

Our spirit has been tested. We have experienced hard times, but we have not lost hope. We have experienced fear for our future, but we have still kept faith in one another and in our area’s ability to weather the storms of life. Those storms have been severe. The changes sweeping through our world, our nation and our economy have transformed the realities of our times. The world we knew as little as three years ago, before 9/11, is gone. In a fast-paced world of change, we have to be ahead of the curve, not focused on the past. Our vision must look beyond today and focus on tomorrow. The spirit of adventure and action, which is part of our Mohawk Valley heritage, is needed again in our public life.

We need that spirit because we have work to do -- hard work to deal with challenges that will not be conquered in a week, a month or a year. But we have a tremendous resource – hundreds of people who care deeply about their communities, who are committed to making a positive difference and who are willing to join together to make Oneida County a greater place to live and work.

Embracing change means accepting risks, taking bold steps, and using failure as a learning experience, not as an excuse to give up. As a former mayor whose city was thrown into an ocean of change and forced to sink or swim, I know this is not an easy or comfortable process. But we can adapt, we can rise above our challenges. We must. We will.

The challenges Oneida County faces as we begin 2004 are no more daunting than those faced, and overcome, by the generations who built our region’s heritage. Success has never been handed to this region on a silver plate. It has been clawed out of adversity by bands of determined men and women who refuse to give up.

Unity and teamwork were the keys to survival when Oneida County was America’s frontier. They still are today. As partners, we must build a winning attitude; an understanding that when the team wins, we all win. As we fight for economic security, community preservation and a long-term economy that will provide opportunity for generations to come, we need to set aside the differences that divide us in favor of the goals that unite us. Divisive dialogue diverts our time and effort from forging the unity every team needs to beat the competition.

We are one people. The streams that flow through our communities and join in the Mohawk River are a symbol of that unity. All villages, towns and cities must share in the success of Oneida County. When we grow jobs, everyone must benefit. When we hold down taxes, everyone must gain. When we design the ways to provide services, all the parts of our population must have their needs met.

Cooperation thrives in a climate of open, honest dialogue. Our public policy arena must allow all ideas their chance to grow. Political rhetoric for the sake of private goals pollutes the atmosphere and blocks out progress. Our competition is not the next town or the other party, but the hundreds and thousands of other counties and region trying to get ahead of us in the competition to stake out a share in the future growth of the greatest country on earth – our nation.

Last fall, as I met thousands of people from across this county in my campaign, I could sense a desire for action, for change, and above all for leadership that would make the hard decisions. I accept that responsibility.

Abraham Lincoln, that great American whose life knew so much hardship, and who persevered through the fiery trial of America’s Civil War, knew there was always a time when the wheel would turn. "I will prepare," said Lincoln, "and some day my chance will come." We are now preparing for the changes we must make, so that when our opportunity comes, we will be ready.

To ensure that this opportunity becomes reality, we must dare to be bold, to have a vision and to stick with that vision even in the face of disappointment and discouragement. I ask all of my partners here – students, teachers, Republicans, Democrats, residents of cities, villages or towns – to join me in the bold actions we need to go beyond preconceived limitations, lay the foundation for dynamic economic growth, and meet our challenges with creativity, vision, teamwork, dedication and leadership.

Today, I took an oath to lead the people of this county, and I pledge to bring action, energy, leadership, accountability and innovation to County Government. But above all, I will not give up the never-ending battle to help all the people of this county achieve their dreams. We have work to do. Working together, we can get the job done.

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo being sworn in by Judge Grow, looking on are his parents