Charleston’s Riley takes oath for 10th term

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The longest-serving mayor in Charleston’s more than 300-year history has taken the oath of office for the 10th and final time.

A crowd of about 500 gathered in balmy January weather Monday before City Hall to see Joe Riley take the oath.

Riley easily defeated four opponents in November in an election that centered largely on the controversy over the city’s cruise ship industry.

Riley said Monday a planned new cruise terminal will be an asset and he promised not to rest until the Charleston Harbor shipping channel is deepened to 50 feet.

The mayor also said Interstate 526 through Charleston’s western suburbs must be completed and should not be blocked by what he called a small group of vocal opponents.