A New Day

This evening marks the beginning of the new City administration and the the newly composed Board of Alderman, with Vic joining the other three alderman who have already served. Straightforward, here is my wish list for the coming year which begins tonight, 7PM at City Hall.

1. A fiscally responsible approach to our City budget. Our income is limited, our needs are great. Our reserves are low (in my opinion). Costs of goods and services are bound to increase. Any money spent not in the current budget needs to be scrutinized very carefully. Our survival as a City depends on providing the services and amenities taxpayers want within their ability or desire to pay.
2. Treasure our city employees. We are lucky to have a cadre of full and part-time employees, many long time employees. We need to ensure they have the equipment and training to do their jobs. We need to ensure wages and benefits are at least competitive with those in the area. We need to ensure the work environment is positive and enjoyable. Most importantly, we need make sure they know we value their service to the community.
3. Continue the great working relationship with WLIC. There are boundaries between municipal entities and private corporations, but in the end we are all the same, taxpayers of the City and members of WLIC. Alan York and Joe Ennett have worked together to continue a positive relationship. This will be very important as the Barry Road project continues to creep towards WL.
4. Keep our government small. Our structure as a fourth class city allows us to be light and nimble. I have yet to see a governmental organization that gets bigger...and better. Elected officials, do the job you were elected to do. Consensus is great, but in the end you have to decide what is best for everybody.

Simple. Right? Not really, but with hard work achievable.