Innamorato sworn in as Allegheny executive, asking county not to fear change

The family of new Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato stands with her for a photo after her historic inauguration for the role on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2023, at the Byham Theater in downtown Pittsburgh. From left is Innamorato’s great uncle, Walter Gardner, her mother, Kim Innamorato, Innamorato herself, her niece, Olive, 2, and her sister, Nicole Schaffer. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource) Innamorato is Allegheny County’s first new chief executive in 12 years, and she described a county government that has fallen short on social services and more. by Charlie Wolson, PublicSource Sara Innamorato asked local leaders at her inauguration ceremony Tuesday not to fear change as she begins trying to cure what she sees as major shortcomings in county government. Hundreds witnessed Innamorato take the oath of office as the fourth Allegheny County executive at Downtown Pittsburgh’s Byham Theater, including former Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who finished his 12th and final year as executive Tuesday morning. Movers and shakers in the local Democratic party were on hand to watch the start of a new era for county government as it switches hands from Fitzgerald’s more moderate, development-minded approach to Innamorato, a leader of the progressive movement that has seized power in...