|
Over the last year, I have been asked by everyone from international students to national media -
<br />- What is Riverside's competitive advantage? My answer is consistent -- our educational
<br />institutions, our public utility, our historic downtown and our community spirit. Yes, we are
<br />competing, and yes, we are winning! I hope you agree, there has never been a better time to live
<br />and do business in Riverside.
<br />Our residents are represented well and have pride in our city. I know this because I have spent
<br />time with every council member in their ward.
<br />Our employees work diligently, and have pride in their service. I know this because I have ridden
<br />along and visited with many of our city departments, divisions, and offices.
<br />Our economy is growing, and our commerce is dynamic. I know this because I have visited
<br />dozens of businesses across the city.
<br />Our teachers are highly competent and our students are engaged. I know this because I have
<br />visited 31 different, public, private and parochial schools.
<br />Our communities of faith trust and support what we are doing, and where we are going as a city.
<br />I know this because I have visited 20 diverse places of worship.
<br />Our city is a player on the national stage. I know this because I have travelled to Washington DC
<br />and Philadelphia, to represent Riverside at the National League of Cities and on the Mayor's
<br />Task Force for Education Reform.
<br />Our neighbors are more engaged, and our neighborhood organizations are more active than ever.
<br />I know this because I have walked, biked, read, spoken with, and listened to, more than 30,000
<br />residents in all 26 neighborhoods.
<br />Our city is the capital of Inland Southern California, and others look to us for leadership and best
<br />practices. I know this because I have reached out to Mayors, Supervisors and other
<br />representatives of our region. Together, we must support March Air Base, the Naval Surface
<br />Warfare Center, Corona, and Ontario International Airport.
<br />In the coming weeks, your city's leadership team will convene a policy workshop — something
<br />we haven't committed to in more than 8 years. We will use the city's charter and mission
<br />statement to prioritize the strategic vision, policy goals and values and provide clear direction to
<br />the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and their staff This effort will help us govern more
<br />effectively, on your behalf. We are better together, when we are all on the same page.
<br />On behalf of the city council, thank you to our spouses, for enduring the time away, and the
<br />stress involved, in serving our city. To my wife, Judy, thanks for supporting me, and for being
<br />such a great mom to our beautiful girls, Elizabeth and Julia. Let me also pause for a moment to
<br />thank an old friend who left us this year. During his 104 years on this Earth, he was my
<br />grandfather's treasured friend, my father's inspiration, and my role model. His impact on our city
<br />will last, for generations. Thank, Justice John Gabbert.
<br />
|