Amid optimism, Lantigua takes office in Lawrence

Surrounded by city and state officials, including Governor Deval Patrick, Lantigua said his goal for the next four years is to bring back trust in government.

In a speech that lasted nearly an hour, Lantigua switched from English to Spanish and told the crowd he was prepared to work with city officials to address the financial woes.

“The challenges we face today as a city are very, very real, and the problems that we face are many and they are very, very serious. They will not be fixed in a short time. . . . The one thing I will guarantee you is that we, the people of our administration, will take those issues seriously and those problems will be fixed,’’ he said.

“Please be assured that my duty in the upcoming days is to find out what part of government is working,’’ he continued. “Those that are working, we will continue to support, but the areas that are failing our city we will stop immediately.’’

He focused on job creation and small business.

“Things are not going to be easy, but I do see better days ahead and I ask you to join me tonight to make our city a better place,’’ he said.

For many, it was the first time they heard Lantigua officially lay out his vision for the city. Despite his refusal to debate opponents or answer questions about his plans, Lantigua, 54, defeated nine candidates and came in first during the September preliminary. Riding a wave of change powered by voters, who for the first time were represented by a Latino majority, Lantigua, a sitting state representative and popular community activist, was easily elevated to the city’s top spot in November.

The Dominican-born Lantigua will now lead this city of 72,000 people, about 70 percent of whom are Latino.

“This is an unforgettable night for me,’’ said Nuris Javier. As Hispanics, “we are very confident in him and his ability to do both jobs here and as a state representative. He is honest, responsible, and for me this is a historic night.’’

Vertilia Fabian said she is confident Lantigua can tackle the city’s challenges.

“He has shown us that he is a person who can lead change,’’ said Fabian.

Lantigua inherits a budget deficit of at least $17.5 million and will face an anticipated budget gap in the next fiscal year.

Help may come in the form of legislation filed by Patrick that would allow Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million over the next 20 years to balance budgets for the current and the next fiscal years. If the city is unable to balance the fiscal 2011 budget before Jan. 31, 2011, a state finance control board could take over.

The bill also requires the city to have a state-appointed fiscal overseer work with elected officials on a three-year financial plan.

If the bill fails and no further state action is taken, Lawrence will run out of money by spring, according to Patrick’s office.

Despite his popularity among Lawrence residents, Lantigua has drawn criticism around the state for his decision to keep his legislative seat, which he can do legally. As mayor, Lantigua will earn an annual salary of $100,000, and at least $61,400 as a state representative. He has indicated that he is considering giving one of the salaries to charity.

In the meantime, city workers have been told layoffs are an inevitable part of the upcoming overhaul at City Hall.

Lantigua described the night as “very special, very historic,’’ but added, “being the first [Latino mayor] is insignificant in some way. What will be significant to me is that when my days are over at City Hall, those who write history will write, William Lantigua was the best mayor the city ever had. And by the way, he happened to be a Latino.’’