2012 LOVERIDGE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

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First Election - Running against four other candidates, I was elected to the Council with 63% of the vote in 1979. I studied the best of campaign texts. I took an early survey -- out of 226 voters in Ward One, I was liked by twelve and disliked by one. All others did not know who I was. I knocked on nearly 5,000 doors. This was the Proposition R election. For the first time in the City's history, no incumbent council members were reelected. Across the City, the election was a defining call for a change in direction. Restoration and Reopening of the Mission Inn - There was an extraordinary community effort to save the Mission Inn. The Mission Inn reopened in 1992; the highest kudos go to Duane Roberts, Keeper of the Inn. With his personal commitment, genius, and financial resources, the Mission Inn is back, and better than ever. It is the iconic key to the rebirth of downtown and surely the primary reason why most people visit Riverside. Good Neighborhood Program - Since 1979, I have emphasized that neighborhoods are the building blocks of a good city and have sought their improvement. As Mayor, my signature effort is our monthly Mayor's Night Out; they now number 160. In 2000, I proposed a Good Neighborhood Program; most of its 22 proposals are being implemented. Two Parks - The Citrus State Park and the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park deserve special mention. In the early 1980s, Riverside competed with other major citrus areas to become the State site for the Citrus Park. A great place to visit, it captures the time when citrus was king in Southern California. And, we will keep it open! Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park is 1,800 acres, the largest wilderness park in any city dedicated after World War Two. It is a wonderful location for hiking and biking. University Research Park - The University Research Park is a different kind of park. Established in 1997 by a partnership between the City, County, and UCR, it is a 56 -acre campus for technology transfer. Led by Bourns and Surado, the Park is a dynamic contributor to high tech start ups in Riverside. All - America City - In 1998, Riverside was selected as an All- America City. The message -- we can be a leader in the 19,000 cities and towns in America. Thirty cities were invited to present their story and 10 were selected by a panel of expert judges. The President of the National Civic League, Senator Bill Bradley -- and my second political hero -- called out Riverside as an All- America City. Shooting at City Hall - On October 6, 1998, Joe Neal fired over 20 shots in the Council Board Room. Chuck Beaty and Laura Pearson courageously fought back, and Chuck was seriously wounded. I was shot first, receiving a slight wound to the back of my neck. At high personal risk, the police officers at the scene decided to force the door to the Council Board Room; this decision saved my life -- I would not be here except for their courage and skill. The shooting was a nightmare on Main Street yet a miracle at City Hall. Let me read a Press Enterprise letter written by my wife: "It was one of those glorious fall days in Riverside. The Santa Ana winds of Monday had calmed down, the sky was incredibly clear and blue, the morning chill was being nudged aside by the rising sun. As I enthusiastically pursued my daily hike up Mt. Rubidoux I was thinking: This is the best time of year -- the enervating heat of the summer is over, the holidays lie ahead, fall is like a fresh start. As I rounded the southern curve of the down road I could hear sirens, then more sirens. "There must a terrible fire someplace," I thought. Soon after I returned home the doorbell rang, and there stood Ann Gore. She took my hand and said words that stopped my heart: "Ron's been shot ... but he's OK." 2