While the wind and rain beat against the windows of the Hult Center’s lobby Tuesday evening, the crowded room remained illuminated and warm, filled with hope and gratitude.
The ambiance resulted from Mayor Kitty Piercy’s State of the City address, an annual summary of the past year’s accomplishments and the goals for the new year.
Eugene City Council President Alan Zelenka, who introduced Piercy as the “hardest working mayor we’ve ever had,” began the event by thanking a multitude of city and state officials along with University President Richard Lariviere. Zelenka listed a few of the hardships the city has faced this year, comically adding the recent Rose Bowl loss to the list.
In her address, Piercy focused on ten major goals for the next year, while applauding the city’s current triumphs during troubled times.
“It’s time for us to celebrate the end of a rotten year and turning the corner into this new year,” Piercy said.
She summarized the extensive work the city has been putting in to take charge of the economy through a “three-pronged strategy:” bringing federal stimulus dollars to the region, protecting local businesses and planning how the city can emerge from the recession.
Over the last year, the city received about $101 million in stimulus funds distributed throughout local programs ranging from homeless prevention to constructing bike paths.
Piercy also mentioned the importance of revitalizing the city’s downtown area.
“I feel like a broken record here, but my commitment is unerring,” Piercy said. “We deserve a downtown to be proud of.”
Piercy announced the partnership the city has built with Lane Community College to fill the empty pit across from the Downtown Library with an LCC downtown branch, as well as the needed improvement of public safety, especially downtown.
Hearty applause followed when Piercy said, “top on (the Eugene Police Department’s) list will be our city’s Taser policy.”
Piercy also covered another much-discussed issue concerning the downtown area: homelessness. She said the city was invested in affordable housing and medical assistance for those in need.
Piercy brought up one of her primary initiatives, climate change awareness, applauding the city park’s 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and the wastewater division’s new “green” fleet.
“We’ll complete our climate and energy action plan (this year) … and escalate our commitment to reducing global warming,” Piercy said.
In addition, Piercy recognized Lane Transit District for its work in cutting carbon emissions and the city’s award-winning bike system.
Of the areas in the city that provided the most assistance during the recession, Piercy recognized two programs: the Eugene Public Library, which now serves 40,000 members, and the city parks, which offers “stay-cation” activities for families.
Piercy noted the gaping $12 million budget hole the city faced last year, adding that 2010 brings another $6 to $8 million deficit.
State Sen. Chris Edwards (D-Eugene), one of several state officials at the event, praised the city’s strength through the recession period.
“The biggest achievement is that we survived the economic downturn,” Edwards said. “I hope that 2010 brings more jobs to Eugene and sees the same community commitment to the city.”
Piercy ended by thanking the council, city staff and the community for their steadfast dedication during the tumultuous year.
“2010 is the beginning of all our tomorrows,” Piercy concluded. “There is much to do.”
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