Waluk Resigns, Winthrop Elected Mayor of Newport

Councilor Henry Winthrop was sworn in as Mayor of Newport and Chairman of the Newport City Council on Wednesday evening after being unanimously elected by his fellow councilors.

Just before Winthrop was sworn in, Mayor Stephen C. Waluk had offered his resignation to the council due to a of Chief Clerk of Rhode Island District Court.

Waluk gave an emotional speech at the end of the council meeting, thanking several friends and colleagues, as well as his grandparents and mother.

"My love for Newport will never diminish," he said. "I will remain active as possible because this city is so great and it’s been so  great to me."

His fellow councilors offered their well wishes, as well as thanks for his many years of service to the City of Newport.

 “I will continue to be fair, firm and consistent on how I conduct business in Newport," Winthrop said about fulfilling the term as mayor, which will last until January 2013.