JERSEY CITY -- Mayor Steve Fulop was sworn in for a second term at a City Hall ceremony this afternoon, promising to continue the policies his administration has implemented since he was first elected four years ago.

Fulop, 40, said is committed to fight for progressive values while driving what he called "the strongest local economy in the region."

"We've certainly made our share of mistakes, but as we start the next four years together, I am a better individual, a better mayor, and we are a better city with an even brighter future as we start this new term," he said.

Fulop has previously said his second term would bring more of the same, and his speech tonight echoed his past statements. He pledged to create more parks, build more affordable housing and hire more police officers.

He also patted himself on the back for his November re-election, when voters returned him to office with a record-breaking 77 percent of the vote.

"In a city full of diverse residents, with differing viewpoints and ever-changing needs, this result clearly proves that the vast majority of residents believe in our progress during the past four years, and are committed to working together to move Jersey City forward during the next four, too," he said. "I am beyond grateful to have earned your confidence during my first term, and I promise that I will never let you down."

The inauguration, in front of a crowd of more than 500 assembled inside City Hall's council chambers, included the swearings-in of all nine members of the City Council. Five are returning to the legislative body -- Rolando Lavarro, Daniel Rivera, Joyce Watterman, Rich Boggiano, Michael Yun and Jermaine Robinson -- while four are new to elective office: Denise Ridley, Mira Prinz-Arey and James Solomon.

The subsequent council re-organization meeting provided more drama than the preceding inaugurations.

One of the first orders of business was appointing a council president for the next two years. Lavarro and Watterman had been lobbying for the title, but the council voted 7-2 on a motion to reappoint Lavarro. Watterman, who was hoping to become the first black woman council president in the city's history, voted no, as did Rivera.

The result stunned many of the roughly 100 people who remained in the chambers following the inauguration. Watterman's daughter, Jennifer Watterman Moore, heckled the council from her front-row seat in the chambers following the vote.

"She should have been president!" Watterman Moore said. "That's terrible. You guys cannot keep your word."

Both Watterman Moore and Rivera blamed Yun, saying he told Watterman in recent days that he would support her for council president. Yun has clashed with Lavarro over the last four years but when Solomon made a motion to appoint Lavarro as president, Yun seconded.

Yun told The Jersey Journal it isn't true that he agreed to support Watterman and changed his mind at the last minute. He said he met with both candidates and decided Lavarro's experience gave him the edge.

Asked to respond, Rivera said, "Yun is a liar."

"That is horrible, ugly politics," Rivera said.

The council meets next for a caucus on Monday, Jan. 8.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.