Hogsett rides the bus to first day of work

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Joe Hogsett says his new administration will be up to speed in a week or so.

The Mayor of Indianapolis is still interviewing potential department heads.

Hogsett took the bus to work Monday on his first full day in the mayor’s office. He tweeted photos so that voters will know that he wants to see improvements made in the transit system.

“That’s number one,” he said. “We’re gonna have a very important referendum in November, but secondly, I hope it sends a message that I want to be the kind of mayor that’s open, accessible and available to the people of the city.”

Hogsett followed up Friday’s swearing-in with a public safety forum on Saturday, where he announced plans to target 1,400 people who are named in felony warrants.

He didn’t use the city’s private suite at Sunday’s Colts game, instead, letting former mayor Greg Ballard use it.

“I thought it was a gesture that was appropriate given the fact that he served our city well for eight years,” Hogsett said. “He loves the Colts, as we all do.”

A number of Ballard aides are still on staff, at least on an interim basis, but change is coming.

“Yeah, there’ll be a lot different, but the point that needs to be underscored is that Indianapolis has been well served by four or five different mayors consecutively,” he said. “This is going to be an exciting four years.”

Look for new directors to be named in the near future for the Department of Public Works and the Department of Metropolitan Development.