Photo: Todd GillBest and worst of times, mayor says
For Mayor Lioneld Jordan’s state of the city address last night, he recalled Charles Dickens’ famous line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
In the best of times column, he cited the establishment of the Satellite Campus of the UAMS medical school in Fayetteville, improvements to the city’s website, and expansion of infrastructure, including the district court building.
The primary goal for this year would be to secure funding for establishing a green jobs training center in Fayetteville, the mayor said.
Mayor Jordan delivers his speech
“That is my top priority for 2010,” Jordan said.
The mayor also extended his full support for the ballot measure that would change the Hotel-Motel and Restaurant (HMR) tax to be used for park maintenance.
The city will also facilitate a series of public hearings for long-term solutions to the parking problem in the entertainment district, Jordan said.
On the “worst of times” side, the mayor noted the worst financial climate since the Great Depression.
Fayetteville has had to deal with a drop in revenue, but the city has worked to improve efficiency to help offset the financial shortfall, the mayor said.
Click below to hear “2010 State of the City Address” by Mayor Lioneld Jordan
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Download the 2010 State of the City Address (PDF)
More from the Web
Make sure to check out Christopher Spencer’s coverage of last night’s meeting at Ozarks Unbound.
Chris has a video of Mayor Jordan’s entire speech as well as a point-by-point overview that includes plenty of links to keep you occupied.
Mary Robbins is a contributor for the Fayetteville Flyer. She declared Fayetteville as her hometown upon moving here for college. She is a Journalism graduate who enjoys live music, the outdoors and attending city council meetings. For more of Mary’s contributions, visit her author page.
Comments
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Raven Jorn
January 20, 2010
What parking problem? There is a gigantic empty parking garage!
The real problem is that there isn’t anything to do in the entertainment district? Also, shouldn’t the city be encouraging walking and biking instead of trying to get more SUVs and trucks parked off of Dickson?
jcentennial
January 20, 2010
Right on Raven Jorn. We should study what great, vibrant cities do. Portland has an incredible biking route system. We should figure out what works in Fayetteville.
Barney
January 21, 2010
We like people to park downtown,drink,party.drink,drive,DWI
all there is to do on dickson is get impaired.More money to hire more cops.
David Franks
January 21, 2010
Interesting. In thirty-some years of availing myself of the charms of Dickson Street, I’ve never lacked for non-alcoholic entertainment.
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