Mayor Elaine Scruggs’
2006 State of the City Business Address

February 9, 2006
Glendale Civic Center

(Find a specific section of the speech by clicking the links below:
Introduction | Downtown | Jobing.com Arena | Westgate & Zanjero
Stadium | Annexation | Jobs | City Council Goals)

LIKE THE GRAND AVENUE INTERSECTION I SPOKE OF, THE BARRIERS ARE GONE.

BEFORE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MIGHT HAVE SAID, “WHY WOULD I GO TO GLENDALE?” NOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS SAYING, “WHY WOULDN’T I GO TO GLENDALE?”

I AM PROUD BEYOND BELIEF. I AM GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU WHO SAW OUR POTENTIAL AND HELPED US REACH THIS MOST PROSPEROUS TIME IN OUR CITY’S HISTORY.

WE HAVE A LOT ON OUR PLATES RIGHT NOW --- BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THE NEXT RIGHT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THE NEW PARTS OF OUR CITY AND REBUILD THE OLDER PARTS OF OUR CITY.

THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL HAS DEVELOPED SIX STRATEGIC GOALS THAT WILL BE ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION AT AN UPCOMING MEETING. THE STRATEGIC GOALS WHICH WILL GUIDE OUR POLICY AND FUNDING DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE ARE:

• ONE COMMUNITY WITH STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS
• ONE COMMUNITY WITH QUALITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• ONE COMMUNITY WITH A VIBRANT CITY CENTER
• ONE COMMUNITY WITH AN ACTIVE PARTNERSHP WITH LUKE AIR FORCE BASE
• A CITY WITH HIGH QUALITY SERVICES FOR CITIZENS
• A CITY THAT IS FISCALLY SOUND

AND I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN THAT I TOLD YOU I WOULD ADDRESS THE DOWNTOWN PARKING ISSUES. COUNCIL HAS DIRECTED OUR CITY MANAGER TO EARMARK FUNDS FOR A PARKING STRUCTURE AND BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007.

SO WHEN WE GATHER AGAIN NEXT YEAR I EXPECT THAT TO BE A TOPIC IN MY STATE OF THE CITY BUSINESS ADDRESS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE CITY OF GLENDALE. WE HAVE HAD A GREAT TAKE-OFF AND NOW WE ARE CLIMBING FAST. LET’S ENJOY OUR FLIGHT TO THE TOP TOGETHER.