HomeMy WebLinkAboutState of the Town 2011 April 1, 2011
Mayor Ed Honea's State of the Town speech
Good afternoon and thank you for joining me on April Fools' Day. I promise
there will be no practical jokes today. At least not until I am finished giving this speech. I
am excited to stand before you and talk about this great community.
Many years ago, a large clothing manufacturer sent two sales representatives to
the Australian outback to drum up business. Some time later, the company received
telegrams from both agents. The first man was obviously discouraged. He wrote,
"No business here. No one wears ties." But the second man saw things differently. He
wrote, "Great opportunity here. No one wears ties!"
Marana is a lot like that second sales rep. We are willing to open doors to seek
new opportunities.
Marana's future is looking brighter every day. We have accomplished a lot, even
in these hard times. I hope you leave here today sharing my enthusiasm for Marana's
future.
The state of our town is excellent. Those of us who serve Marana's citizens work
hard every day to reach that goal. Our business leaders and residents deserve a local
government that finds innovative ways to work both with and for you. Opportunities exist
around every corner.
Of course, we will make our share of errors along the way. You can not be afraid
to fail when you set out on an aggressive path to success. We must be willing to take
calculated risks to achieve long -term success. Creating dynamic partnerships is one way
for us to leverage our resources. Let me give you two examples.
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The first is the award - winning Twin Peaks Interchange project. Many of you
used it to get here today. Twin Peaks is a public - private project done right. We were able
to connect Continental Ranch with Dove Mountain in just 18 months. This project was
completed on time, on budget, with more than a dozen partners. This new corridor is
opening up many exciting economic development opportunities. I would like to thank the
members of the Town team who made this project a reality. In addition, I want to
recognize Ron Barber for his work in securing federal dollars for the Twin Peaks project.
Not to mention, he is a great representative for Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who
continues to be in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you, Ron.
Marana Health Center is my second example today. The Health Center is an
integral part of our community. It has been for more than 50 years. It provides services
to thousands of people from across the region. A new 74,000 - square -foot facility is proof
of the demand for those services. The Town believes in quality health care. We have
supported the project in many ways. All that cooperation is paying off. The new building
will be dedicated May 21 across the street from the Marana Municipal Complex.
These partnerships were forged during tough economic times. We could not be a
successful partner without first having our house in order. We had the courage to make
tough decisions to structurally balance our budget without raising taxes. Employee
innovation and sacrifices led to creative ideas to keep expenses in balance with revenues.
We balanced our budget without affecting core services our citizens deserve. Those core
services were determined using simple concepts: Safe, clean, healthy. Safe means a
quality police force and safe roads. Clean means removing graffiti, trash and weeds.
Healthy means keeping our parks and trails open and accessible.
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To keep our budget healthy in the future, we need to focus on creating jobs and
promoting commerce. Marana is a community of 35,000 people. This is not an accident.
Our citizens were drawn to Marana because this is an excellent place to live and do
business.
We have completed our first economic roadmap with help from the community
and business leaders. The roadmap identifies the types of industry we would like to see in
Marana and where those businesses would best be located. It serves as our blueprint for
attracting commerce.
Last week, the roadmap received a national award from the American Planning
Association. It was chosen for its quality and initial results.
One of those results was the Marana Job Creation Incentive Program. A company
that creates jobs by relocating or expanding in Marana generates construction revenues.
The Marana Job Creation Incentive Program sets aside those revenues for three purposes.
One, the company's new employees get relocation incentives to purchase homes in
Marana. Two, the company may beautify the community by enhancing its landscaping
along the Interstate 10 corridor. Finally, the company may provide internship and training
opportunities for Marana's high school or college students.
Sargent Aerospace was the first company to put the Job Incentive Program into
action. Sargent has been a part of our community for more than 20 years. Anyone who
took Interstate 10 today noticed construction on the west side of the highway near
Cortaro. That construction is a large, new building to house Sargent's expanded
operation. It will be the workplace for many more employees in the coming years. I
would like to welcome representatives from Sargent who are here with us today.
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Several other companies have approached us about being part of the program and
we are enthusiastic about talking with them. Other cities and towns have even spoken
with us about establishing similar programs. We are proud to help other municipalities
contribute to a stronger Arizona.
Public and private sectors can work together for the benefit of all who live in the
region. Marana is living proof of that. We work with solid partners. FLSmidth Krebs and
Lasertel are two companies that plan to expand their operations in Marana. They
complement our community's vision and values. They provide quality jobs for our
residents. I would like to welcome representatives from FLSmidth Krebs and Lasertel
who are here with us today.
Commerce is Marana's top priority. We do more than talk about it. We take
action.
Today, I am pleased to announce another new Marana business. The Ridgetop
Group. Ridgetop develops complex electronic systems for aerospace and automotive
applications. They work closely with NASA, Boeing, and Lockheed. Ridgetop is
expanding its operations to include a new facility in Marana. This means another 30 to 40
high - paying jobs. We are proud to have them join our growing high -tech community.
I would like to welcome Ridgetop representatives who are here with us today.
The PGA TOUR is another business partner. Marana has successfully hosted the
Accenture Match Play Championship for the past five years. Attendance and TV numbers
soared this year. The PGA TOUR was obviously impressed. The event is coming back to
Marana in 2012.
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To continue having these types of successful partnerships in the future, Marana is
taking steps to fully manage its water resources. Wastewater is a major element of our
water portfolio. Marana has been working for several years to operate its own sewer
utility. Using all water resources at our disposal reduces the Town's need to pay ever -
increasing costs to acquire potable water from outside sources.
Every city and town outside of Pima County operates its own sewer utility.
Legislation was introduced this year to give Marana the same ability to own and operate
its sewer utility. This legislation, Senate Bill 1171, will allow local decisions to be made
by local decision - makers.
What does this mean for you? Marana's control of its sewer utility will make us a
one -stop destination for development.
The council and I thank the members of the Southern Arizona legislative
delegation who sponsored this bill. Please help me thank these outstanding legislators for
their efforts.
These men and women sponsored Senate Bill 1171 because they know that
economic development is more critical than ever in Arizona. It is good legislation put
together by good people who know the value of self - determination and sustainable
economic development.
Marana is constantly preparing for the future by seeking ways to improve how we
serve our constituents. We refuse to rely on outdated models that no longer work.
Success is achieved when bold visionary ideas are put into action. To take our
organization to the next level, we have established a new team to focus on strategic
initiatives. This team tracks and implements the Town's Strategic Plan and Economic
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Roadmap. This type of innovative thinking and responsible action makes a community
great.
How does innovative thinking help our business partners? Let me tell you.
We are partnering with the Marana Chamber of Commerce to create a business
development center. Here, an entrepreneur or business owner will secure the necessary
permits and licenses to start a project. The Town will be a single point of contact for
business needs.
We are also promoting workforce development. Successful companies need
talented employees who are well trained and prepared to work. We need to do everything
we can to help our young people find opportunities in Arizona. As an old Irish proverb
goes, "Praise youth and it will prosper." We can not afford the brain drain when the best
and brightest young minds leave our community.
The biggest driver of growth in local industry is talent acquisition. With that in
mind, the Town is working with The University of Arizona and Arizona State University
to build bridges between industry and education.
In January, the Town held a partnership meeting between The University of
Arizona and Marana industry leaders. Four of the Town's largest employers and eight
U of A departments attended. The meeting is already beginning to produce results.
Students are being offered internships and jobs.
Another example of innovative partnering with higher education involves Arizona
State University. ASU's Center for Sustainable Tourism is developing a tourism program
for Marana and Oro Valley. In February, the Town Councils of Marana and Oro Valley
held a joint meeting and directed staff to work with ASU to develop new outdoor
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recreation maps and a visitor guide. Marana and Oro Valley are great tourist destinations.
This effort will let the outside world know what we have to offer.
Everyone in this room is a stakeholder in Marana's future. We all benefit when
our business community succeeds. Those of us who serve the Town will continue
creating meaningful and lasting commerce.
As the great American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "If a man can write
a better book or preach a better sermon or build a better mousetrap than his neighbor,
though he builds his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door."
Marana is that house in the woods. People used to consider us just a rural farming
and ranching community. Not anymore. We have become innovative and self - reliant.
People have discovered us. All of you in this room today are proof. You are here because
you believe in Marana. You see that we find ways to encourage the growth of commerce.
You have found our house in the woods. You help us become a town that achieves what
it sets out to do. Marana has all of the factors that make a great community. More
businesses will follow the path to our door. With your help, we will continue working
toward our goal of becoming the most business - friendly local government in the state.
All of this has happened because of the leadership of the Marana Town Council.
I commend the council members for their service and ask them to stand and be
recognized. Vice Mayor Herb Kai ... council members Russell Clanagan ... Patti
Comerford ... Carol McGorray ... Jon Post ... and Roxanne Ziegler. These men and
women are dedicated to serving our citizens and ensuring that Marana remains the type of
place all of us enjoy living, working and raising our families.
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I would also like to welcome the council's newest elected member, Dave Bowen,
who is here today with his wife, Sherel.
Before I finish, I want to thank my wife, Jan, for being my biggest supporter. She
accepts the fact that I am a full -time mayor because she loves Marana and wants to see
the Town succeed.
Thank you for attending our State of the Town Address. May God bless the Town
of Marana and God bless you, each and every one.
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