It was the one and only time the famous television host Larry King has ever sworn in a mayor, but it’s only the best for the nation’s highest-ranking Iranian born office holder in the United States, Mayor Jimmy Delshad.

“Perhaps to mark this occasion we should make a trade: how about my handkerchief for a pair of your suspenders? Deal or no deal?” Delshad asked King.

“Deal,” King said as he began taking off his suspenders in the middle of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences building.

Only for Delshad, King said.

A staple in American history books and a strong presence in national media, Delshad made headlines in 2007 when he was installed as Beverly Hills’ mayor, making him the first Iranian-American to ever hold the office.

The media dubbed the mayor as not only a City administrator, but also a cultural ambassador who is a source of pride for Iranian emigrants around the world.

He’s championed on behalf of American Iranians as he’s made sure the City has not invested retirement funds or City contracts in companies doing business involved with Iran’s nuclear program.

“Let the world know the people of Beverly Hills have spoken loudly in support of the people of Iran’s quest for freedom against Iran’s barbaric regime,” he said.

Once again, the dynamic Delshad will take his seat at the dais as the City’s mayor, after a special installation ceremony Tuesday that was marked by a special performance by Iranian-American singer Farshid Amin and proclamations from Assemblyman Mike Feuer and West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land.

His inaugural speech touched on his sentiments from three years ago, as he rededicated his commitment to continue his SMART City campaign.

“Five years ago, I launched a smart initiative campaign to advance our City into what I called the ‘Smart City’ era by introducing technologies designed to encourage more innovative ways of delivering outstanding services.”

With his leadership, the City has installed smart cameras, smart solar parking meters, smart sprinklers and smart water meters.

“Of course we also have the Automated License Plate Recognition and UNITE programs, which have increased the rate of stolen car recoveries by 56 percent and helped arrest more than 37 people.”

He will incorporate newly sworn in Vice-Mayor Barry Brucker’s efforts to turn Beverly Hills into a Green City into the Smart campaign through a new program that offers low-interest, long-term home loans to residents who install solar panels, smart electric meters, and other appliances to bring utility costs down.

He recognized that being a “Smart City” has helped brand Beverly Hills, which he believes is vital to maintain its cache.

Polaroid, Arthur Anderson, Pan Am, all captains of their industry, now are extinct. “It can happen to cities too.”

He’s suggested elevating the brand in the next year by celebrating days like Sept. 2, 2010 (9/2/10) as 90210 day with a special “Celebrate Beverly Hills” event with grand scale festivities.

This year, Beverly Hills will also participate in the Rose Parade, taking the brand “more global” to the millions who watch the annual telecast.

“I also intend to extend our relationship with our sister cities around the world to encourage them to visit us more,” he said. On May 2, the City will celebrate the naming of the Theodor Herzl Street here, the namesake of Beverly Hills’ sister city Herzliya in Israel.  

Delshad affirmed his efforts to increase international tourism and shopping. For this, he was thanked by the Consul General of China, who hopes to work with Beverly Hills to attract more Chinese tourism.

 The evening also thanked Councilwoman Nancy Krasne for her term as mayor. Krasne, who opened the installation ceremony, stated she was proud of the City’s ability to maintain transparency in the midst of the economic crisis. She highlighted that despite the $18.3 million cuts to last year’s budget, the City maintained its services.

Krasne acknowledged the council’s efforts to bring to the City a new manager, Jeff Kolin, this year. She also thanked the community for its hard work to bring the City its first performing arts center, which broke ground in the last week of her term.

“The visitors who cross the Beverly Hills boarders are creating a dream… if they stay here long enough they might be able to catch the spirit of this incredible community,” she said.