Mayor Gordon, fellow City Councilmembers, guests, friends and family members, first giving thanks to God.
For it has been an outstanding eight years of service, dedication and commitment to District 8. Through His grace, we have remained impervious to enhancing and developing a healthier liveable community. But, we never could have made it without Him.
Introduces Melissa Wright with Phoenix's Family Advocacy Center to sing an uplifting song.
Thank you, Melissa.
I love District 8 and I love the people who have lived here for generations and those who are new to the area. I love that residents are taking care of their properties and the neighborhoods. Although some of our neighborhoods are at risk, people are not giving up and we won't give up on them. In fact, concerned citizens keep our neighborhoods alive in every district throughout the city.
At this time, I would like to take a moment to present the "I Luv District 8 Award" to several local citizens who have demonstrated their love for District 8.
- Ms. Kim Carrol: Community preservation, redevelopment of 44th Street and McDowell Road.
- Ms. Ann Malone: RequireThePrior.org and the Indian School Road Block Party and her recent appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning supporting public safety and the community.
- Ms. Kay Shepard: Long-time community activist dedicated to the development and preservation of the community.
- Mr. Gordon Stoa and Mrs. Jackie Stoa: Dedicated to supporting public safety and the conservation of the community.
- Ms. Faye Gray: President of the Hermosa Park Association who has enhanced and improved the quality of life for their community.
- Judge Armando Gandarilla: Retired probation officer and past president of The Grant Park Neighborhood Association committed to protecting and preserving the community. Now serving as a Justice of The Peace
- Ms. Hilaria Lopez: Sky Harbor Neighborhood Association developed funding to build sidewalks in the area and a community park which will be built in the near future.
- Ms. Barbara Barnes: Long-time District 8 resident and community activist dedicated to improving the quality of life for the residents.
Thanks to all of you for all that you do.
I also love and admire the neighborhood groups who have helped us reduce crime. People are protecting each other and their communities. There are individuals who won't let the gangs win, who won't tolerate graffiti or other forms of vandalism and who won't let their children or their families become victims. With their help and collaboration, we were able to place more police officers where they were needed the most. Because of this effort, crime is down in District 8, especially violent crimes against people.
I love the business people and entrepreneurs who have brought jobs and tax revenues to the district and to the inner city. We have new enterprise areas and new manufacturing companies. We have seen new job opportunities become available for local residents at businesses like Go Daddy, Clear Channel and Astrazeneca. We have new sit-down and family-friendly restaurants where people can relax like IHOP, Applebees and Gallagher's. We have new retail shopping: Target, Ace Hardware, Anna's Linens, Walgreens, CVS, The Shops at Raven and PetsMart, just to name a few. We have new banking establishments like Wells Fargo, Chase and Bank of America.
During this most difficult economic time, people and businesses are still choosing to invest in District 8.
I love those District 8 citizens who have challenged us to do more and to do better. They asked when we were going to repair streets and we made those repairs. They asked why so many of their neighborhoods had no sidewalks, so we installed sidewalks. They asked where their children could safely play, so we built and rebuilt new parks. And they helped us do it on shoestring budgets during a terrible economy. We were able to accomplish these things because we all worked together.
District 8 is the most socially and economically diverse district in the city. On the streets of our district you might hear beautiful music from various cultures, you might hear dozens of different languages, and meet people from all over the world. I love that we are united as a community and willing to work together as one. We know that times are tough and money is tight, but we also know that we can keep moving forward and making progress. We know that progress doesn't come easy.
We know Phoenix is going to take another serious budget hit. Although services might be cut and jobs might be lost, we have to keep fighting together to make sure we continue to provide vital services that our citizens need and deserve. We will fight to keep low response times for our police officers and firefighters, so the lives and property in District 8 are protected. In fact, the people in District 8 will fight to protect every neighborhood, every street and every family. The District 8 residents I know and love will not settle for anything less.
If businesses are looking for a home or entrepreneurs are looking to establish themselves, we will continue making sure they know District 8 welcomes them with open arms. We'll help them find the land or the building they need, and we have plenty of people willing to work hard to make sure those businesses succeed.
I know some have said we haven't done enough in District 8. But it is those people who continue to ignore the progress we're making and continue to spout the same old stereotypes about our district. I would say to these people, "You simply haven't been paying attention."
In the last eight years, the average household in District 8 has increased, unemployment has decreased and we have more new businesses providing more jobs to local residents. There is new development along Baseline Road, including Legacy Village at Baseline Road and 24th Street, new retail at 44th Street and McDowell Road and in the Indian School Road Corridor.
We've continued support for the Hope VI Project at Henson Village by bringing new hope to an impoverished area. We're helping to expand Sky Harbor International Airport, we've rebuilt the Convention Center, built the Car Rental Center. We've built the Children's Museum and improved the Science Center. We've witnessed growth and development of a vibrant downtown. We've increased the number of small, minority and local businesses involved in major construction projects from nine percent to over 20 percent. We're receiving more Community Development Block Grant Funds, more funding from HUD and more help preventing home foreclosures from Washington D.C.
We've worked with the Bond Committee to address our District 8 residents requests to include the development of a regional park, upgrades to Saguaro Library and Harmon Library, the need for a new library and new inner city parks. We also are working to develop land banking for future business development.
Budget cuts won't be enough to stop us. A slow economic recovery won't be enough. The pessimists and naysayers won't be enough. Even a legislature completely adrift will not be enough. This is different District 8, determined to continue moving forward to provide a glimmering future for its children. We've had some struggles and we're won those fights. We've faced some challenges and we've met them.
However rocky the road ahead, we're ready for the journey. This is our moment and our residents intend to seize it. We've made progress and we're continuing to move forward.
As you can see, this is why I love District 8.
I know the people in District 8 will find a way. It is in our nature. It's why we'll continue being successful regardless of the hurdles in our way.
I love District 8 and am proud to call it home.
Thank you.