District Attorney Seth Williams, City Controller Alan Butkovitz and a slew of Philadelphia judges took their oaths of office this morning at a sparsely attended ceremony at the Academy of Music.
Butkovitz, a rumored mayoral hopeful beginning his third term as the city's fiscal watchdog, rattled off his past accomplishments but spent the most time discussing tax policy, poverty and other big-picture issues.
"We are truly becoming two cities," he said of the city's growing inequality.
He drew applause for a line criticizing the closing of dozens of Philadelphia public schools in recent years.
His speech clashed with one right before it by Mayor Nutter, who touted the city's economic progress and declining homicide rate in recent years.
Nutter and Butkovitz often butt heads, but the mayor had offered something an olive branch in his remarks.
"We're not adversaries. We're actually advocates for the public," Nutter said. "I will continue to acknowledge when he has a good idea to save city tax dollars."
Williams, kicking off his second four-year term, highlighted the city's higher conviction rates and lower homicide rates during his speech, repeating the phrase, "What a difference four years can make."
He drew the biggest reaction, however, for a part of his speech that wasn't scripted.
"I can spout a butt load - that was actually a 'boatload' - of statistics," Williams said to laughter. "After everything I said … that will be in the paper tomorrow."
The district attorney was introduced by another Williams: his longtime friend state Sen. Tony Williams, who like Butkovitz is eyeing the 2015 mayor's race.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille and Council Majority Leader Curtis Jones Jr. led the ceremonies.
But most other Council members, including President Darrell Clarke, were not present. Only Jones, Bobby Henon and Kenyatta Johnson showed up.
Congressman Chaka Fattah was apparently scheduled to attend but didn't: When introducing those on stage as the ceremony began, Jones said Fattah's name, looked around and added, "Well, maybe not."
The auditorium appeared about half-empty for the rainy Monday morning affair.