GOOD EVENING . . . . THANK
YOU FOR ATTENDING THE GLENDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL DINNER. IT’S
GREAT TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU THIS EVENING AT THE BEAUTIFUL RENAISSANCE
GLENDALE HOTEL AND SPA.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE
CHAMBER’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS NEW PRESIDENT ROBERT HEIDT FOR
PROVIDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT MY ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY
ADDRESS AT THIS EVENT.
TONIGHT, I’M GOING TO
FOCUS MY SPEECH ON THREE VERY IMPORTANT TOPICS TO THE CITY OF GLENDALE .
. .
. . . . AND THEY ARE:
THE PRIORITIES . . . .
AND, FINALLY, THE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE CITY
((pause))
WE HAVE TWO POPULAR SAYINGS
IN THIS COUNTRY. THE FIRST ONE IS "AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR
AWAY." AND ANOTHER IS "I’VE GOT GOOD NEWS AND BAD
NEWS."
UNFORTUNATELY, TONIGHT’S TALK DOESN’T INVOLVE APPLES . . . BUT THERE
IS SOME BAD NEWS I NEED TO SHARE WITH YOU.
AND, I’VE DECIDED TO START
WITH THAT BAD NEWS LARGELY BECAUSE THERE IS NO BIGGER ISSUE FACING THE
CITY RIGHT NOW THAN OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SAY
THIS THAN --- GLENDALE IS FACING ONE OF ITS WORST BUDGET SHORTFALLS IN
THE CITY’S HISTORY.
A HIGH DEBT LOAD IS STRAINING GLENDALE’S OPERATING BUDGET. AND TWICE
IN THE PAST YEAR OUR CREDIT RATING HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO REFLECT A
DETERIORATION OF THE CITY’S FINANCIAL POSITION.
AS A RESULT, THE CITY’S
BUDGET DEFICIT IS NOW PROJECTED TO GROW TO MORE THAN 30 MILLION DOLLARS
ANNUALLY IN THREE YEARS.
((pause))
I’M SURE ALL OF YOU WILL
AGREE THAT 30 MILLION DOLLARS IS A VERY BIG NUMBER, ESPECIALLY
FOR A CITY OUR SIZE.
GLENDALE’S PENDING BUDGET SHORTFALL DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE CITY’S
GENERAL FUND. THIS IS THE FUND THAT PAYS FOR DAY-TO-DAY SERVICES, SUCH
AS POLICE, FIRE, LIBRARIES, PARKS AND REC CENTERS.
BUT, IT’S PROBABLY DIFFICULT FOR MOST OF US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS
REALLY MEANS IN THE OVERALL SCHEME OF THINGS.
TO GIVE YOU A BETTER IDEA OF
WHAT THE CITY IS DEALING WITH, I’VE STOLEN AN IDEA FROM MY GOOD FRIEND
KEN BENNETT, WHO IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ARIZONA.
A FEW YEARS AGO, SECRETARY
BENNETT USED TISSUE BOXES TO VISUALLY EXPLAIN THE STATE’S FINANCIAL
SITUATION WHICH, AT THE TIME, WASN’T MUCH DIFFERENT THAN GLENDALE’S.
SO NOW, I’D LIKE TO ASK
THAT YOU PLEASE TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE LARGE VIDEO SCREENS.
((step away from podium))
((video plays))
((at podium))
I HOPE THE VIDEO HELPS
ILLUSTRATE AND PUT INTO BETTER PERSPECTIVE THE REALITY OF WHERE OUR CITY
IS TODAY.
GLENDALE’S FINANCIAL PROBLEM IS REAL . . . AND IT IS VERY SERIOUS.
THE ISSUES THAT CREATED THIS SITUATION EXISTED BEFORE MANY OF US ARRIVED
IN OFFICE. BUT NOW IS THE TIME TO STOP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND
ACTUALLY DEAL WITH THE FINANCIAL MISTAKES OF THE PAST.
WE MUST TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM.
((pause))
I HAVE TO BE HONEST
WITH YOU, THIS BUDGET CHALLENGE THE CITY IS FACING JUST SICKENS ME TO NO
END.
BUT, I ALSO REALIZE IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND NO ONE ELSES. WE NEED
TO FIX THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL. AND LIKE IT OR NOT, GETTING TO 30 MILLION
DOLLARS WILL REQUIRE DIFFICULT DECISIONS BEING MADE.
MY FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS AND I MUST COME TOGETHER AS ONE TO PROVIDE THE
LEADERSHIP NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT REAL SOLUTIONS.
I KNOW THAT OUR CITY MANAGER BRENDA FISCHER WILL WORK WITH HER TEAM TO
ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES UNDERSTAND THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS WE
ARE DISCUSSING IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THIS MATTER.
((pause))
THE SECOND TOPIC I’D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT IS UPDATING YOU ON
SOME OF MY MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES AS MAYOR OF YOUR CITY.
I’M SURE ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT GLENDALE WILL BE HOSTING THE SUPER BOWL
NEXT YEAR ON FEBRUARY 1, 2015.
((pause))
AS WE ALL KNOW, THIS HUGELY POPULAR NATIONAL EVENT BRINGS WIDESPREAD
EXPOSURE TO AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD AS WELL AS GENERATES REVENUE FOR
THE STATE OF ARIZONA.
DURING THE LAST SUPER BOWL IN 2008, VISITORS TO THE STATE SPENT A TOTAL
OF 213 MILLON DOLLARS ON NEW DIRECT TAXABLE PURCHASES. THIS CONTRIBUTED
TO GENERATING NEARLY 370 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE ARIZONA ECONOMY.
THAT’S THE GOOD NEWS . . . . THE BAD NEWS IS THE CURRENT MODEL OF
HOSTING MAJOR EVENTS IN ARIZONA OBLIGATES THE LOCAL HOST CITY TO
PROVIDE AND PAY FOR THE SIGNFICANT POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES THAT ARE
REQUIRED BOTH BEFORE THE GAME AND ON GAME DAY ---- SERVICES THAT COST
MILLIONS TO PROVIDE.
WHEN WE LAST HOSTED THE SUPER BOWL, GLENDALE SPENT MORE THAN 2 MILLION
DOLLARS ON PUBLIC SAFETY COSTS ALONE.
AND FOLKS, IN THE WAKE OF THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING LAST YEAR AND WITH
ALL THE SECURITY SCARES AT THE RECENTLY COMPLETED WINTER OLYMPICS, THE
SECURITY COSTS REQUIRED TO HOST THESE TYPES OF EVENTS ARE INCREASING
YEARLY!
IN FACT, THE BID THE ARIZONA SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE SUBMITTED TO THE
NFL ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN THREE MILLION DOLLARS MAY BE NEEDED FOR
NEXT YEAR’S SUPER BOWL.
THESE COSTS ARE THE NECESSITIES – REQUIRED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES SUCH AS
THE FBI AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. SO THERE ISN’T A WAY
TO CUT CORNERS OR OPT OUT.
((pause))
PRIOR TO MARICOPA COUNTY
VOTERS PASSING A PROPOSITION FOURTEEN YEARS AGO THAT PROVIDED FUNDING TO
BUILD THE STADIUM, REGIONAL AND STATE LEADERS HAD ALREADY DETERMINED
THAT ARIZONA WAS GOING TO COMPETE TO HOST THESE NATIONAL EVENTS.
WOULD IT MAKE MORE SENSE THAT THE STATE – BEING THE LARGEST BENEFACTOR
– HELP PAY FOR THESE NATIONAL EVENTS THAT ARE HELD IN ARIZONA?
UNFORTUNATELY, THE PUBLIC
SAFETY COSTS ARE SO LARGE THE HOST CITY ENDS UP LOSING MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS EVEN AFTER ACCOUNTING FOR REVENUES THAT COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TASK FOR A CITY LIKE GLENDALE THAT MIGHT
BE FORCED TO ELIMINATE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO SHORE UP OUR BOTTOM
LINE. FOLKS, WE SIMPLY DON’T HAVE THE MONEY!
I MEAN, HOW DEVASTATING WOULD IT BE IF THE STATE AND THE PHOENIX METRO
AREA WERE NOT ABLE TO EVEN BID ON THESE EVENTS IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THE
HOST CITY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR REQUIRED POLICE OFFICERS AND
FIREFIGHTERS?
((pause))
IT WOULD BE A SHAME AND A HUGE BLOW TO OUR STATE’S COFFERS AS WELL AS
TO ARIZONA’S TOURISM INDUSTR Y . . . AN INDUSTRY THAT RANKS AS ONE OF
THE LARGEST IN THE STATE.
((pause))
OTHER STATES THAT
FREQUENTLY COMPETE AGAINST ARIZONA TO HOST THESE TYPES OF EVENTS HAVE
ALREADY FIGURED THIS OUT ----- THEY’VE COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT
PLACING THE BURDEN ON THE HOST CITY TO PAY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY COSTS IS
NOT A SUSTAINABLE MODEL. SO, THESE OTHER STATES PAY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
COSTS WHEN THEY HOST NATIONAL EVENTS.
WE DON’T THINK ARIZONA’S CURRENT MODEL IS FAIR AND A LOT OF OTHER
PEOPLE AT THE STATE, REGIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS DO NOT THINK IT’S FAIR
EITHER.
THAT’S WHY I’VE MADE THIS MY #1 PRIORITY THIS YEAR. WE NEED TO GET
STATE LEGISLATION PASSED THAT WILL REIMBURSE HOST CITIES FOR THESE
SECURITY COSTS.
THE COMMITTEE CHAIR AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE ---- RECOGNIZING THE
IMPORTANCE OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS HOUSE BILL 2547 --- HAS ALREADY PLACED AN
AMENDMENT ON THE BILL.
THE AMENDMENT WILL MAKE THE STATE’S REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM A ONE-YEAR
PILOT PROGRAM. THIS WILL ALLOW GLENDALE TO SEEK UP TO 2 MILLION DOLLARS
IN PUBLIC SAFETY REIMBURSEMENT COSTS FOR THE 2015 SUPER BOWL.
FOLLOWING NEXT YEAR’S GAME, A MAJOR EVENTS STUDY COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW
ALL THE INFORMATION REGARDING COSTS AND REVENUES FROM THE SUPER BOWL.
THE COMMITTEE WILL THEN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHETHER THE PROGRAM
SHOULD CONTINUE AND IN WHAT FORM.
NOW, I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR
THIS BILL IS ONLY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY – PERIOD!
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THE MAJOR EVENT IS HELD IN PHOENIX, TUCSON,
SCOTTSDALE, TEMPE OR GLENDALE . . . . OR IF THEY ARE SPORTS OR
NON-SPORTS RELATED.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW ANY CITY IN THE STATE TO BE
REIMBURSED FOR PROVIDING POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES. THIS APPLIES FOR SUCH
EVENTS AS THE
N-B-A OR M-L-B ALL-STAR GAME, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
CONVENTIONS, THE FINAL FOUR OR OTHER MAJOR EVENTS.
THE REAL BEAUTY OF THIS
STATE BILL IS THAT THOSE REIMBURSEMENT DOLLARS WOULD COME DIRECTLY FROM
TAX COLLECTIONS THE STATE RECEIVES FROM THE EVENT ITSELF. SO, IF ARIZONA
DOESN’T HOST A NATIONAL EVENT, THE STATE SIMPLY ISN’T OUT ANY MONEY.
((pause))
BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I
NEED TO CLARIFY SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THIS BILL --- I’VE HEARD SOME
PEOPLE SAY: "WHY IS GLENDALE GOING OUT AND BIDDING ON THESE EVENTS
IF THEY CAN’T AFFORD THE PUBLIC SAFETY COSTS."
TO BE CLEAR, THE CITY OF GLENDALE DOES NOT BID FOR THESE LARGE
MEGA EVENTS.
GLENDALE DID NOT SUBMIT THE BID FOR THE SUPER BOWL IN EITHER 2008 OR
2015. AND WE DIDN’T SUBMIT THE BID FOR THE NATIONAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME THAT WILL BE PLAYED HERE IN 2016.
RATHER, THESE COMPETITIVE
BIDS ARE PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM SUCH GROUPS AS
THE ARIZONA SPORTS AND TOURISM AUTHORITY - - - - THE ARIZONA
SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE - - - - THE ARIZONA CARDINALS - - - -
THE GREATER PHOENIX CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU - - - - ARIZONA
STATE UNIVERSITY - - - - AND THE ARIZONA HOTEL AND LODGING
ASSOCIATION.
NOW THINK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT
THE LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS I JUST MENTIONED.
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THEY
ALL HAVE IN COMMON?
THAT’S RIGHT -- THEY ARE
ALL STATE AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.
((pause))
THE LATE, GREAT VINCE
LOMARDI IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE GREATEST COACH OF ANY SPORT OF ALL TIME.
ONE OF HIS GREATEST QUALITIES WAS LEADERSHIP.
COACH LOMBARI ONCE SAID:
"PEOPLE WHO WORK
TOGETHER WILL WIN, WHETHER IT BE AGAINST COMPLEX FOOTBALL DEFENSES OR
THE PROBLEMS OF MODERN SOCIETY."
((pause))
WE TOO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER
TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
IT’S GOOD FOR ARIZONA . . . IT’S GOOD FOR THE REGION, AND IT’S
GOOD FOR GLENDALE. AND FOLKS, IT’S TIME TO SUPPORT OUR HOME TEAM!
((pause))
WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, OUR FOREMOST PRIORITY WILL ALWAYS BE TO KEEP OUR CITIZENS
AND COMMUNITY SAFE.
I’D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE FIRE CHIEF MARK BURDICK AND ALL THE
FIREFIGHTERS, EMTS AND SUPPORT STAFF FOR THE GREAT JOB THEY DO EACH AND
EVERY DAY.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
POLICE CHIEF DEBORA BLACK AND THE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN OF THE
GLENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THEIR EFFORTS HAVE NOT GONE UNNOTICED. FROM THE OFFICER ON THE STREET,
TO THE DISPATCHER TAKING THE 9-1-1 CALL TO THE FOLKS LOCKING UP THE BAD
GUYS, THEIR EFFORTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I’M PLEASED TO SHARE WITH
YOU THE IMPACTS OF THEIR HARD WORK, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT
REDUCTION OF CRIMES OCCURING IN OUR CITY. VIOLENT CRIMES AS WELL AS
PROPERTY CRIMES DECREASED IN GLENDALE IN 2013.
VIOLENT CRIMES DECLINED
NEARLY 20 PERCENT WHILE PROPERTY CRIMES DECREASED 9 PERCENT COMPARED TO
THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IN FACT, THE LEVEL OF
VIOLENT CRIME TODAY IS AT THE LOWEST LEVEL WE’VE SEEN IN FIVE YEARS!
THIS REDUCTION IS
SIGNIFICANT AND MY GOAL OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS FOR EVERYONE – OUR
RESIDENTS . . . OUR BUSINESS OWNERS . . . OUR VISITORS TO
"FEEL" SAFE – WHETHER THEY ARE IN THEIR HOMES, GOING TO WORK
OR ENJOYING ONE OF THE MANY FESTIVALS THE CITY OF GLENDALE HAS TO OFFER.
I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN
OUR FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR ABILITY TO FUNCTION AS A
HIGHLY TRAINED AND PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM.
((pause))
ON A RELATED NOTE, I ALSO
WANT TO THANK THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY FOR THEIR GRANT THAT
ENABLED THE CITY TO PURCHASE 18 NEW POLICE VEHICLES. FIVE OF THESE
VEHICLES WERE RECENTLY CONVERTED TO PROPANE.
THIS WAS DONE AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO EXAMINE THE COST AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF USING PROPANE AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL. THIS INITIATIVE
HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LOWER OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AS WELL AS DECREASE FUEL
COSTS TO OUR TAXPAYERS.
((pause))
HOW ABOUT IF WE LIGHTEN
THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT NOW AND TALK ABOUT OUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
GLENDALE STILL REMAINS THE CITY OF CHOICE IN THE REGION – ESPECIALLY
WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION.
IN FISCAL YEAR 2013, WHICH
ENDED LAST JUNE – GLENDALE FACILITATED MORE THAN 1,200 NEW JOBS COMING
TO OUR CITY. AND SINCE THAT TIME, NEARLY 2,000 ADDITIONAL JOBS HAVE BEEN
CREATED.
ALL THIS DEMAND SPURRED THE CITY TO HOST A JOB FAIR IN NOVEMBER IN AN
EFFORT TO FILL MORE THAN 1,000 JOBS WITH OUR RESIDENTS.
THE MOST-RECENT COMPANY TO BRING IN THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF JOBS WAS
EMPEREON MARKETING. THE NATIONAL CALL CENTER HIRED MORE THAN 750
EMPLOYEES TO WORK AT ITS FACILITY AT 51ST AVENUE AND BELL ROAD.
ALL THIS POSITIVE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY HAS HELPED LOWER GLENDALE’S
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TO 6.2 PERCENT. THIS IS LOWER THAN BOTH THE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS.
((pause))
AS I ALLUDED TO IN MY VIDEO EARLIER THIS EVENING, THE CITY HAS TO
INCREASE ITS REVENUES IN ORDER TO STABILIZE OUR FINANCIAL PROBLEM.
AND GLENDALE HAS BEEN DOING JUST THAT.
ONE NEW COMPANY, WHICH IS PLANNING TO START CONSTRUCTION ANY DAY NOW,
WILL SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE CITY REVENUES. AND, THAT COMPANY IS AMERICAN
FURNITURE WAREHOUSE.
BUT THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL RETAILER AS AMERICAN FURNITURE WAREHOUSE
WILL OCCUPY 600,000 SQUARE FEET AT 99TH AVENUE AND BETHANY HOME ROAD.
FOR ALL YOU SHOPPERS OUT THERE -- THAT’S ROUGHLY HALF THE SIZE OF
ARROWHEAD TOWNE CENTER! NOW THAT’S HUGE!
IT IS ESTIMATED THIS STORE WILL GENERATE MORE THAN
3 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE CITY’S GENERAL FUND DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF
OPERATION --- AND APPROXIMATELY
2.5 MILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER! TO SAY THIS NEW REVENUE IS
MUCH NEEDED TO HELP SUSTAIN CITY SERVICES WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
AMERICAN FURNITURE
WAREHOUSE, WHICH WILL EMPLOY ABOUT 300 PEOPLE, IS EXPECTED TO OPEN THIS
SEPTEMBER.
((pause))
WE ALSO HAD A NUMBER OF COMPANIES MOVE OR EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS INTO
OUR CITY LAST YEAR. SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES WERE:
- CANADIAN-BASED ZYTECH BUILDING
SYSTEMS
BARRON LIGHTING GROUP
ARROWHEAD CADILLAC
PERFORMANCE STEEL
TERMINIX
NORTHERN PIPELINE
HARVARD DRUG GROUP
AND HENSLEY BEVERAGE
COMPANY
ALL THESE NEW BUSINESSES WILL HELP STRENGTHEN GLENDALE’S ECONOMY WHILE
CREATING NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
((pause))
THIS IS ALL VERY GOOD NEWS
. . . BUT THERE’S MORE!
NOW I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME EXCITING WAYS GLENDALE IS THINKING OUTSIDE
THE BOX. IN FACT, YOU MIGHT SAY WE’RE RECYCLING THE BOX.
JUST LAST WEEK,
COUNCILMEMBER SAM CHAVIRA AND I PARTICIPATED IN A RIBBON CUTTING
CEREMONY FOR A NEW SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT AT OUR CITY-OWNED LANDFILL.
THE RECYCLING CENTER IS THE FIRST OF TWO PHASES THAT REPRESENTS A NEW
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND VEE – ES – TEA
ENERGY.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO PROCESS UP TO 180,000 TONS
OF TRASH EACH YEAR AND PULL OUT ABOUT 26,000 TONS OF RECYCLEABLE
MATERIAL FROM THIS TRASH. THE TRASH TURNED COMMODITY WILL THEN BE SOLD
TO RECYCLERS AT MARKET PRICE.
AND I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT,
WHICH WILL CONVERT TRASH INTO ELECTRICITY. NOW THAT’S REALLY COOL!
THIS PROJECT HAS SEVERAL POTENTIAL KEY BENEFITS:
- IT PROMOTES ENVIRNOMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP
IT COULD EXTEND THE LIFE
OF OUR LANDFILL BY DIVERTING THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF RECYCABLES
OUT OF THE TRASH THAN WE CURRENTLY GENERATE.
THE AGREEMENT WITH VEE-ES-TEA
GUARANTEES MORE THAN 500,000 DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN NEW REVENUE FOR THE
CITY.
((pause))
THIS IS JUST A SNAPSHOT OF
SOME OF THE RECENT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT IS HAPPENING IN GLENDALE.
THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS THAT WILL ALSO OCCUR THIS
YEAR.
BUT, YOU CAN ALL RELAX AND QUIT LOOKING AT YOUR WATCHES BECAUSE I’M
GOING TO WAIT AND COVER THAT IN MY STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS NEXT YEAR.
BEFORE I END THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS PORTION OF MY SPEECH, THERE ARE SOME
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS HERE TONIGHT THAT I’D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE.
THESE VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE ARE THE GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS LEADERS
RESPONSIBLE FOR MOVING OUR GREAT COUNTRY, OUR GREAT STATE AND OUR GREAT
CITY FORWARD.
DUE TO THEIR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY, I’D LIKE TO ASK
EACH OF THEM TO PLEASE COME UP ONTO THE STAGE WHEN I CALL THEIR NAME. I
WILL THEN PRESENT EACH OF THEM WITH A SPECIAL COIN THAT REPRESENTS MY
VERSION OF THE MAYOR’S "KEY
TO THE CITY."
((pause))
FIRST, PLEASE HELP ME
WELCOME MARICOPA COUNTY SUPERVISOR CLINT "THE EGGMAN" HICKMAN.
((lead applause))
GOVERNOR OF THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY GREGORY MENDOZA. THANKS FOR
YOUR SUPPORT AND GENEROUS GRANT THAT PAID FOR THE 18 NEW POLICE
VEHICLES!
((lead applause))
ALSO WITH US TONIGHT IS PRESIDENT OF THE SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN
COMMUNITY DIANE ENOS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND GENEROUS GRANT FOR
A BRAND NEW FIRE TRUCK!
((lead applause))
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF
MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY DR. KATHLEEN GOEPPINGER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN GLENDALE AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE OPENING OF
THE STATE’S FIRST VETERINARY SCHOOL THIS COMING FALL.
((lead applause))
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF AMERICAN FURNITURE WAREHOUSE JAKE JABS. THANK YOU
FOR MAKING GLENDALE YOUR CITY OF CHOICE FOR YOUR NEXT MEGA RETAIL
LOCATION.
((lead applause))
AND FINALLY, IT’S MY
PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE BRIGIDIER GENERAL AND THE COMMANDER OF THE 56TH
FIGHTER WING AT LUKE AIR FORCE BASE . . . . . MY "WINGMAN"
MICHAEL ROTHSTEIN.
((lead applause))
((present coins to
distinguished guests on stage))
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AS MY GUESTS – IT
REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME.
NOW, THERE ARE A FEW OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS THAT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
TONIGHT.
((pause))
THIS SPECIAL PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO I AFFECTIONATELY REFER TO AS GLENDALE’S
FIRST LADY ---- MY BRIDE OF 31YEARS SANDY.
((pause))
NOW, I WASN’T SURE IF MY
NEXT VIP WAS GOING TO MAKE IT TONIGHT AS HE HAD A PRIOR COMMITMENT LAST
YEAR. AFTER ALL, YOU NEVER KNOW IF ONE OF YOUR SPECIAL GUESTS IS GOING
TO ATTEND THESE TYPES OF EVENTS ---- ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE STILL IN
DIAPERS!
BUT, HE IS HERE TONIGHT. SO PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME GLENDALE’S FUTURE
MAYOR – MY GRANDSON CONNER, WHO IS ACCOMPANIED BY MY LOVELY DAUGHTER
CHRISSY.
((pause))
AS I WRAP UP MY SECOND
ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS, I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS . . . .
SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR, I’VE BEEN ACTIVELY
WORKING TO BRING NEW ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO GLENDALE.
IN JUST MY FIRST YEAR, I’VE HELPED THE CITY OBTAIN MORE THAN ONE
MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS . . .
I HAVE FORMED A MAYOR’S BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP MADE UP OF KEY
BUSINESS LEADERS FROM GLENDALE AND SURROUNDING CITIES.
I’VE HOSTED AN EVENT TO HELP OUR MILITARY VETERANS . . . BROUGHT BACK
FIREWORKS ON THE FOURTH OF JULY . . . AND ESTABLISHED AN ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS PARADE TO PROMOTE AND BRING EVEN MORE VISITORS TO HISTORIC
DOWNTOWN GLENDALE.
THESE EVENTS HAVE IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS, INCREASED
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE CITY AND – MOST IMPORTANTLY – DID NOT USE
ANY TAXPAYER MONEY.
((pause))
AS I’VE OUTLINED TONIGHT,
THERE IS TREMENDOUS WORK AHEAD OF US.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, 2014 WILL BE A VERY CHALLENGING YEAR.
BUT IF THE COUNCIL AND I ARE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, SET ATTAINABLE GOALS
AND WORK HARD TO ACHIEVE THEM, THIS WILL BE THE YEAR WE GET GLENDALE
BACK ON THE ROAD AND MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THIS IS GLENDALE’S UTMOST PRIORITY.
AND, WE HAVE TO EARN BACK OUR CITIZENS TRUST IN THEIR CITY GOVERNMENT.
AND, WE HAVE TO GET OUR CITY EMPLOYEES ONCE AGAIN BELIEVING IN THE
ORGANIZATION THEY WORK FOR.
SO, WHAT I’M ASKING FROM CITIZENS, CITY EMPOYEES, BUSINESSES AND EVERY
ONE IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT IS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND INTEREST IN
THE CITY . . . . AND TO NOT GIVE UP ON US AS WE MAKE WHAT WILL BE SOME
VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS.
WITH THAT . . . I’LL LEAVE
YOU WITH ANOTHER QUOTE FROM COACH LOMBARDI. AND THAT IS:
"INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT
TO A GROUP EFFORT – THAT IS WHAT MAKES A TEAM WORK . . . A COMPANY
WORK . . . A SOCIETY WORK . . . A CIVILIZATION WORK."
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE
GOING TO SOLVE THE CHALLENGES FACING US AND GET GLENDALE BACK ON SOLID
FINANCIAL FOOTING ONCE AGAIN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT ----
GOD BLESS!
Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily
Planet
Bette
Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet
Bette Sharpe/Glendale
Daily Planet
In his second State of the City address, Mayor Jerry Weiers pulled no punches regarding Glendale’s dire financial outlook as the keynote speaker of the 63rd annual dinner meeting of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce Feb. 27 at the Renaissance Hotel & Spa.
