James M. Baker James M. Baker’s inauguration to a historic third term as Wilmington’s Mayor on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 during a Special Meeting of the Wilmington City Council marks a milestone in his long and distinguished career in public service. The Mayor’s career of service to citizens began in the mid-1960s when he was assigned to Wilmington as a volunteer with the VISTA national community service organization. Mayor Baker initially worked with youth groups, among them the Wilmington Youth Emergency Action Council (WYEAC) as a VISTA volunteer and then held staff and executive positions with a number of private and governmental |
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agencies during his early years in Wilmington, including the Model Cities Program, the Northeast Federal Credit Union, the Governor's Office, and Community Action of
Greater Wilmington.
Prior to beginning his first term as Mayor in 2001, Jim Baker served as President of the Wilmington City Council since 1984, the first African-American elected to that post, and had been a Member of City Council since 1972. Mayor Baker’s first eight years as Mayor have been marked by an emphasis on strong fiscal management, a slate of initiatives to stabilize and strengthen Wilmington’s neighborhoods through increased homeownership, new and expanded business development throughout the City and continued development of the City’s riverfronts. The Mayor’s terms in office have resulted in a period of growth and prosperity not seen in the City of Wilmington since World War II. ... read more | |