January has been quite a month for Joi Washington, writes Denali Sagner for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
She was sworn in on Jan. 5 as Media’s first new mayor in 30 years, and its first Black woman mayor.
On Jan. 25, Media had a snow emergency after 9.3 inches fell in the Philadelphia region.
Washington put in parking restrictions and sent out the plows.
It was “fascinating,” she said of her first time running a municipal government.
The first weeks as mayor have been a “whirlwind,” Washington said, filled with watching webinars, reading police reports, shaking hands, and getting valuable advice from her predecessor, Bob McMahon.
For her, learning to be a good mayor is about “being a good neighbor.”
The Democrat is not new to politics. She was elected to Media Borough Council in 2021 and served until she began her term as mayor last month.
The 39-year-old campaigned on expanding public transit options, supporting local businesses, and making streets safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
She continues efforts to bring visitors to the borough to shop and dine and make Media a Delco destination.. Media recently secured grants to enhance walkability and improve Barrall Community Park.
Read more about Media Mayor Joi Washington’s first few weeks in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
