1998 LOVERIDGE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

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We should celebrate our unique citrus heritage, our four outstanding colleges and universities, our revitalized downtown, our many good neighborhoods, our health5' economy, our exceptional arts and culture, our extensive open spaces, our varied community festivals, and our strategic location-though an edge ci~', we are the center point to the mountains, desert, and beaches. We should also celebrate Riverside's remarkable civic capital. In striking contrast to the current national media script of Riverside as a community divided by racism and ignorance, the City is a better place because we have civil conversations, share the roles of leadership, look for win-win solutions, and share responsibility across sectors and political boundaries. If I could appoint a task force of John North, Frank Miller, S.C. Evans, Charles Chaney, and perhaps even Lawrence Livingston and John Blayney. .. they would likely say "a job well done for the 20th Century." Or in the words of historian Tom Patterson, "John Wesley North could find much to admire in the city he founded." 21st Century Chess However, as the 20th Century ends, Riverside-along with most large cities-faces risk and uncertainty. What are the obligations.., the oppormnities...the pathways that we should take to link Riverside to the 21st Century,? Can we evaluate and find advantage in our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats? Belbre identifying specific pathways, let's consider the setting and context before us in 1998. They are indeed different from those of the small citrus town of the early 190Os. As California political writer Dan Walters powerfully reminds us, "Southern California is now the most diverse and complex economic, social, and political society in the history of mankind." Region Over 15 million people now live in southern California. And this number will increase by about 7 million in the next 20 years. This is like adding two Chicagos. And many of these new residents will live in the Inland Empire. Competition As a City, we face intense competition for residents and business. This competition is more compelling and more serious than in the past. Many choices exist-and they are made daily! We must compete-and do so successfully--for the consequences of failure are simply not acceptable. In the 21st Century, there will be clear winners and losers among the cities in southern California. 2