Friday morning former councilman Tom Martin took the oath of mayor before a crowded City Council chamber.

Martin supporters hail this as the beginning of a new positive era at City Hall.

Like a trial by fire, Martin will have to jump right into the the budget process next week.

Martin says the most important issues are the Lake Alan Henry Pipeline and looking out for the tax payers.

"I'm convinced with some innovations, and maybe some new ways of doing things, that we can hold the line on one of the biggest expenses people have, and that's their city taxes," said Martin.