(Because questions weren't always audible, they are paraphrased. The answers are verbatim.)

Question: Will you take any of the mayor's staff?

Answer: I just want to emphasize what's been done right now. Those types of personnel decisions will come later. What's important is that we have a smooth transition and that means an assessment. As I said, I've asked for the department heads, agency heads to provide the status reports so we can do an assessment and have an orderly transition.

Q.: Have you asked the police commissioner and fire chief to stay on?

A.: Yes.

Q.: And why?

A.: I'm impressed with Chief Clack's honesty, his commitment and his determination to provide safety to the citizens of Baltimore and to his officers. I think that he provides good counsel on the limits to which we can cut his budget without interfering with public safety, and that is a quality that is vital in a position of leadership in public safety. And Commissioner Bealefeld's numbers speak for themselves. We have made great strides. If you look at the last 10 years of the last century and the first 10 years of this century, you will see a safer Baltimore. A city where in many communities, when I was graduating from college, you wouldn't walk in those neighborhoods. And now they're some of the highest-rent districts in the city. So we've made progress and I want to protect and work off of that momentum.

Q.: What can you tell the business community about what they can expect?

A.: They can expect what they've gotten from me as council president, and that is an open door. I know that jobs will create a way out of this great recession and I depend on the business community to stay committed to Baltimore and to do just what I ask for all citizens, to pay attention to this transition, to send us ideas, to help us work together to make a better Baltimore.

Q.: Do you think the city will have a better relationship with the Obama administration?

A.: I have started conversations toward that end.

Q.: Will you be going to Annapolis next week to unveil the city agenda?

A.: I will not unveil the legislative package. I will be participating in the opening of the session, with some nostalgia.

Q.: In the next month, how much is going to be Mayor Dixon's responsibility and how much will be yours?

A.: It's interesting that you say that. The reason I want to make it very clear about the preservation of e-mails, documents, of getting to my office as soon as possible the status of things going on, is the reality is that once she made that decision I'm now the watchdog and I take that responsibility very seriously.

Q.: The charter says you get the job and you become the mayor. But do you want the job and have you always wanted the job?

A.: It's interesting that on this day you would ask that question. I am focused on preserving public safety and essential services. I think that for me to make a comment about anything other than that in this day, in this time, would be in poor taste and not in the best interest of the city. We are going to get through this. But not because in the back of my mind I'm thinking about political ambitions. My ambition is for the city.

Q.: When do you expect to name a transition team?

A.: Next week.

Q.: Do you think you have a lot of work to do to restore confidence among voters?

A.: I'm standing here with a group of solid elected officials, public servants who want the best for their constituents. I stand with them, pledged to make sure that the confidence that they have given to us, that we continue to deserve.

Q.: What about Baltimore City public schools?

A.: You're giving me my way out of these questions because I think in my office Dr. Alonso is waiting. We've made so much progress. I keep saying all the time that when I was in school, when I graduated from Western, I knew that there were people that lived in the county who were sometimes doing it the correct way, and sometimes not - sneaking in - because they knew how vital it is to get that good education. I know for a fact that there are students... I met one that's coming in every day from Delaware because his family moved. But they want to continue the child's education here. That means something. Our enrollment is going up, our test scores are going up. If you take a look around our schools, whether it's the standard public schools, the charter schools, the transformation schools, you will feel the difference. And I intend to work from that momentum and work from those strengths to continue to provide excellent quality public education for Baltimore's children.

Q.: When did you find out you were becoming Baltimore's mayor?

A.: I found out by telephone from a person on my staff very shortly before the news started to come over the AP, and I think it was Marc Steiner, I think he was the first one.

I cannot thank you enough for being here and I again encourage you to work with us to succeed in getting past this difficult time to reach the full possibilities for Baltimore. Thank you.