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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Mayor Tony George said he wants officials to work together for the betterment of the city, but he chose to be sworn into office alone on Monday.</p><p>George, a 64-year-old Democrat, took the oath of office at City Hall. He scheduled the ceremony at 8:45 a.m. so all city employees could start on time at 9 a.m.</p><p>But the new mayor, for reasons unknown, broke protocol and had Luzerne County Judge Bill Amesbury administer the oath of office in the city council&#8217;s chambers. City council members were to be sworn in Monday evening at 5:30 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, along with the city controller.</p><p>I guess working together is different than being sworn in together.</p><p>First impressions last forever, they say. It was a crowded scene as Tony took the oath. And when it was over, there was a lot of cheering and a sustained round of applause. It had the feeling of a new beginning &#8212; that fresh-start appeal of a positive change.</p><p>Some familiar faces filled the room:</p><p>&#8226; Former mayor Tom McGroarty was there, along with his former city administrator, Jim Hayward.</p><p>&#8226; City businessman Thom Greco.</p><p>&#8226; City Crime Watch coordinator Charlotte Raup.</p><p>&#8226; Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy.</p><p>&#8226; Former NAACP chapter president Ron Felton.</p><p>&#8226; City Parking Authority member Bob Jabers.</p><p>&#8226; City council members Bill Barrett and Tony Brooks.</p><p>&#8226; Assistant City Attorney Bill Vinsko.</p><p>&#8226; Former city police officers Tom Merlie and Tom Unvarsky.</p><p>Quite a cross-section, wouldn&#8217;t you say. Are there any indicators there as to what Tony is planning for his administration?</p><p>Outgoing Mayor Tom Leighton was not there. He said he already wished Tony well.</p><p>Tony said he will have a press conference later this week, probably on Thursday, to make some announcements. He said he was going to start his term by meeting with current city administrative staffers to find out &#8220;where we&#8217;re at.&#8221; He said he needs to know some things like equipment needs in the police and fire departments.</p><p>Lest we forget, Tony reminded us that he is not a politician. &#8220;I&#8217;m a policeman,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I&#8217;m a beat cop.&#8221;</p><p>Well, Tony is on the mayor&#8217;s beat now. He must patrol the rank and file and decide who he will keep, who will go and, most importantly, who he will bring in. His decisions will come under intense scrutiny. His logic will no doubt be questioned. His wisdom will be debated.</p><p>&#8220;I will restore law and order,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Our city is in crisis. Wilkes-Barre needs a cop.&#8221;</p><p>He asked City Council and all city officials to work with him. He could have done that in person if he joined them at their swearing in later in the day.</p><p>Tony said he has already begun meeting with state and federal elected officials. He said U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will be in City Hall Friday for a meeting with the new mayor.</p><p>And Tony said he is aware of the need to work with Luzerne County. &#8220;As Wilkes-Barre goes, so goes Luzerne County,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Tony said he has his &#8220;game plan&#8221; prepared; it&#8217;s now a matter of reviewing it and implementing it. He declined to offer any details, telling us we will know more come Thursday.</p><p>&#8220;At the end of the week, everything will be set,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Tony&#8217;s mind was elsewhere Monday morning. He and Maureen, parents of three children, are awaiting the birth of their fifth grandchild at any time. Their very pregnant daughter, Amy, was at the ceremony. Maureen said Amy can deliver at any time.</p><p>&#8220;By the end of today, we should have a new grand daughter,&#8221; Maureen said.</p><p>Maureen said she is very proud of her husband. She said she knows he will do a good job.</p><p>&#8220;He&#8217;s going to be great for the city,&#8221; she told me. &#8220;He will bring it back, especially the neighborhoods.&#8221;</p><p>It&#8217;s a time of anticipation in Wilkes-Barre. There are expectations of good things to come from this &#8220;regular guy&#8221; who is now the mayor.</p><p>Visions of increased crime prevention and protection, cleaner and safer neighborhoods, economic development, cordial relationships with taxpayers and the general public, and hard work from all city employees dedicated to making the city, as Tony said, &#8220;better and safer.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;Today we start,&#8221; Tony said. &#8220;All join me.&#8221;</p><p>Tony threw some good fastballs on Monday. We will wait to see if he has a curve or two in his repertoire.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">In Focus Bill O&#8217;Boyle </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_Columnshot-1-1-3.jpg</photo0><caption0>In Focus Bill O&#8217;Boyle </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL010515MayorTony-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Shortly after taking the oath of office, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George greeted supporters in the Wilkes-Barre Council Chambers. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL010515MayorTony-3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Shortly after taking the oath of office, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George greeted supporters in the Wilkes-Barre Council Chambers. </caption1><photoCredit1>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

In Focus: Tony George takes his first steps walking a new beat