MAYOR ROTHSCHILD TAKES HIS SEAT

posted by Michael Chihak

By LUCY VALENCIA, Arizona Week Intern

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild hit the ground running as soon as his term began today. Rothschild, wo already had been working at City Hall in the transition since he was elected last month, met this afternoon with Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry to begin working on inter-governmental cooperation.

Rothschild, 56, was sworn in at 10 a.m. today in a ceremony at City Hall.

The Tucson native, lawyer and father of three believes the only way to improve the economy is to help put people to work. He wants to give University of Arizona graduates a reason to stay in Tucson after earning their degrees.

He served as treasurer of the Pima County Democratic Party, was on the board of Casa de los Niños, Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging and Temple Emanu-El.

Rothschild has a 180-day plan to boost small business interests in Tucson, beginning with revamping the 1,000-page land-use code.

He promises 14-hour work days that will include roundtable meetings with the business community, educators and politicians from many neighborhood groups and jurisdictions.

Hear more about how Rothschild will approach his job on Friday's Arizona Week in one of two interviews with big city mayoral newcomers in the state. Also interviewed will be Phoenix Mayor-elect Greg Stanton, who will take office in January.