Alvin Brown officially began his four-year term as Jacksonville’s mayor Friday after being sworn in by County Judge James A. Ruth (right) before his wife, Santhea (center), and a crowd at the Osborn Center. Following the ceremony and in his first official speech as mayor, Brown discussed ways to make the city “a place of greatness” through working together, being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, protecting local natural resources and investing in the port, Downtown, public safety and education. Brown said he would deliver City Council a balanced budget on July 15, one without an increase in taxes or fees and one that would include cuts and “shared sacrifice.” A prevailing theme throughout his speech regarded unity, which he said will be needed to help Jacksonville prosper.