By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The new Philadelphia City Council President took the stage and set a positive tone, during Inauguration Ceremonies at the Academy of Music on Monday.

Incoming Council President Darrell Clarke promised to listen to proposals from the six new members of council, whom he’ll treat as fairly as outgoing Council President Anna Verna treated him when he was first elected.

He also singled out another mentor, former Mayor John Street, whose council district he inherited. Clarke said Street instilled in him the will to work hard and pay attention to detail.

‘”If i can work as hard as John Street, and be as fair as Anna Verna, I’ll have a solid foundation with which to lead this council,” he said.

Clarke promised to ‘work cooperatively and think creatively’ with the Nutter administration, especially in practicing fiscal responsibility. That includes taking steps to confront the city’s unfunded pension liability.

Clarke said he’ll work with the Mayor, Pension Board and the city’s municipal unions to fix the program.