Thursday was the end of an era at Erie City Hall. The city’s outgoing mayor held a press conference on Thursday to reflect on years of leadership and challenges that came with the job.

After years in office, Thursday marked the outgoing Mayor Joe Schember’s review and remembrance of all he did while he was in office. He used the moment to look back but also to look forward to the city’s future.

In what will be one of his final press conferences, Mayor Schember addressed his past accomplishments during his two terms in office.

Those include supporting small businesses with the Flagship Fund Business Grant and reshaping the bayfront.

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Mayor Schember said that while he was the one reading all these accomplishments, he couldn’t have done it by himself.

“I’m most proud of the work I’ve done with other people,” Schember said. “And actually, I couldn’t have accomplished even a fraction of what we accomplished without my team. So, I’m constantly thankful for the team that I work with. They’re incredible.”

Mayor Schember also said that taking the role of mayor changed him as a person.

“Personally, it’s made me much more open, I think, and much more willing to share ideas with people and talk with people,” Schember said. “It’s just been an incredible experience.”

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As Mayor Schember plans to step away from office, Thursday’s press conference wasn’t just about what he’s done, but what he still believes lies ahead for the city of Erie.

With his final days approaching, Mayor Schember said he plans to step away proud of the work done and confident in Erie’s future under Mayor-elect Daria Devlin.

“Yeah, we’ve had at least one conversation so far,” Schember said. “I think we will have a couple more going forward. And I know she’s got a get-together, I think it’s the Friday after she’s sworn in, I was invited to that. I plan to go to that. So, I hope that she can continue a lot of what we’re doing and make it even better.”

New Mayor-elect Daria Devlin sent a statement saying, on behalf of her entire team, she extends her sincere thanks to Mayor Schember for his years of service, and that they are appreciative of his support and collaboration during the transition.

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Devlin will take office on Jan. 5.

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