SALISBURY -- There is another historic first in local politics as the City of Salisbury officially named its first African-American woman as mayor, Al Heggins.

Heggins says she decided to run for city council after violence erupted in the city.

The council is still dealing with tough issues from race relations, to transparency disputes, but Heggins says now is the time to work together to move the city forward.

"I feel like we have a really good council, a very good team." says Heggins. "Now it's not just going to be team council, but it's going to be team Salisbury."

Heggins says her goal is to continue to get citizens to stay active in city government and to push forward solutions to help stop violence in the area.