Mayor Martin Ch†vez says he sees a bright future for graduating UNM students while he is mayor of Albuquerque.
Patricio Serna, chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, swore Ch†vez into office Friday in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 at the Kiva Auditorium.
Local judges also swore in five new city councilors.
During his inauguration speech, Ch†vez said that he realizes that students in New Mexico leave the state to pursue their careers primarily because of a lack of high-paying jobs.
"Children are too often choosing to leave New Mexico to realize their dreams," Ch†vez said. "Never again should any Albuquerquean have to leave to realize their dreams."
Ch†vez, a UNM graduate, said many students get degrees but have to move to other states to find jobs that will pay them for their talents.
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He said he will work to attract new businesses to the state that will hire qualified students from New Mexico.
"I don't want to see UNM students expanding their horizons somewhere else when New Mexico values them," Ch†vez said.
Karen Witherbee, who attended the inauguration, has two daughters and said she sometimes worries about their future.
"I liked what the mayor said about the future of our children," Witherbee said. "We need new business in town, we need to bring jobs into the community or the future may look dismal."
Ch†vez also talked about his plans to balance the city's budget, promote community- based policing and secure Albuquerque's water future.
Ch†vez said Albuquerque is very different since the Sept. 11 attacks, but that he will do his best to make the city move forward.
"We will be drawing lessons for years to come but we already know this," Ch†vez said. "Government does matter and we are so much better united than divided.
"I pledge to you this evening that I will work tirelessly to be a mayor who unites Albuquerque. The bickering is over. We are one community."
