Text of Mayor Charles Washington's Remarks to the City Council, during the 2017 Reorganization Meeting
I would like to thank everyone for coming to share this day with City Council and me as we reorganize for a new year.
As we move forward into this year we have great reason to be optimistic concerning the state of our city. City Council and I have worked diligently to address several areas of need that will lend to the sustained recovery of our community in key sectors such as housing, economic development and quality of life. For several years we have spoken of hope that lay in the vision of this leadership and inspired by the committed constituents deserving of a brighter tomorrow. Today we can speak of hope that is tangible enough to be seen in our city, felt in our homes and inspired by a pride to be recognized as a community of prominence for current residents as well residents to come.
Last year we entered into agreement with Future Systems, an agency that specializes in tallying vacant properties, database formation and code enforcement modernization. In phase one of this partnership the city has been able to tag all vacant properties, create a database for those properties and fine absentee property owners for negatively impacting the quality of life due to their property condition, ultimately creating a new revenue stream for the city. This newly found revenue will be reinvested into phase II where we will utilize the database to identify sections of our city for homeownership, low and moderate income housing.
The goal is to take vacant properties in highly populated owner occupied sections and scatter low and moderate income housing in those areas with the thought that homeowners will display the neighborhood pride that is to be role modeled by tenant and landlord. The pockets of our community that have high tenant occupancy; we will offer homes owned by the city to qualified buyers at below market value to increase homeownership and put those homes back on the tax rolls increasing revenue for the city. Through this housing initiative we intend to strategically balance the disproportionate levels of tenant occupied housing within the city. In addition; Phase II is estimated to more than double the revenue gained in Phase I with projections ranging from
$80,000 to $100,000.
Douglas H Everett said "There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."
For the past two years Council and I have talked and strategized on a pathway forward for our City related to economic development. A pathway that would take the dream we have to see our city thriving economically and turn it into reality. On this journey forward we all agree it's imperative that the City leads and informs stakeholders along the way encouraging them to follow. We have carved out our pathway with the creation of our Commerce Department and a plan of redevelopment for our Port District. The Commerce Department is a federally recognized Economic Development Office with authority through Council to shape the future of our community.
More importantly; it allows all local agencies and investors to use the EDO as a conduit for building with and in the City of Salem. The Commerce Department will provide a platform for all community stakeholders having projects that will create a footprint in the city to speak to the synergy between their project and the City's vision. Through the Commerce Department we can ensure that no agency is wasting their resources moving projects along that do not have support of the governing body because their projects fail to create confunction with City vision. Furthermore; it will permit all agencies to work across their respective sectors to jointly move infrastructural projects forward allowing for optimal funding opportunities.
The second piece to our economic recovery is the Port Redevelopment Plan which has two components to generate revenue as the plan itself lays out desired port development. I believe if you don't want something to be forgotten it's your responsibility to speak of that matter and to do it often. For the past 23 years our port has been the forgotten resource not only of Salem City but Salem County. Under this administration we have spoken loudly, often and clearly about our port; attracting the attention of both county and state legislatures willing to support our efforts.
The first component to our plan is a proposal currently awaiting approval with the state that will finally generate revenue from our port. This proposal is a shared revenue agreement where the City will receive revenue through the use of our Foreign Trade Zone. This is significant because our Foreign Trade Zone allows for products to be stored and manufactured tax free until it is transported from the site. There have been ports and manufacturing centers over the years that have benefited from our FTZ status and for 23 years the city has never asked for or received a dime. Under this administration that has changed; we've asked for half of every dollar collected for use of our FTZ because our status entitles us to it, it's owed to us and it's the right thing to do.
Our second component is a proposal lobbying the state to give our city a comparable pilot in relation to Paulsboro and Camden ports. Our city through the current pilot of the port has been receiving only $30,000 for 23 years and no administration prior to this one has petitioned SJPC to increase the Pilot. While our port is not as active as the aforementioned ports, the slightest consideration of our proposal could bring in at minimum a quarter of a million dollars.
Finally; the redevelopment plan at large simply identifies assets in the area of our port district and speaks to the type of manufacturing and investment we want in that area. The primary goal is to inform investors of what we want to see in our Port District sequentially creating livable wage jobs and increasing our tax base in the city.
Through the hard work of our Commerce Department, collaborative efforts from Council and County leadership; I am proud to announce the addition of Empire Blended, the first industrial business in our port district in several decades. This manufacturer mixes dye into cement base and is currently operating in Phase I of its plan employing about a dozen workers. By 3rd quarter 2017 the factory will be operating at full capacity employing 130 people with livable wage earning jobs. Empire Blended is a testament to how unwavering faith, strategy, vision and collaborations can materialize into quality earning jobs right here in our city. We also negotiated with Empire Blended to work with them during their hiring process to ensure that Salem City residents get first preference when staffing their facility.
It's always exciting news to hear that people and organizations believe in the vision and community enough to invest; giving our residents opportunities to provide for their families and be productive citizens. But no organization or individual will make an investment without knowing that their investment will be protected. In order to encourage outside investment we have to first invest in ourselves. City Council and I have been consistently increasing the number of officers in our City since my first term in office. Since 2012, this administration has hired 5 officers to a department that has been depleted through attrition. In 2017 we still have one more vacancy in our police department that will not be filled until we can fill it with a minority candidate.
We believe that we should have a diverse police department that accurately reflects the community it serves.
While we are doing our part we acknowledge that there is still more left to do until we can provide every resident on every street a safe and drug free place to live in our city. If we're going to be honest it's going to take more than just council and me to bring to fruition the change we want to see. It's going to take this governing body as well as the community. There is an African proverb that says many hands make light work. While our community is facing the same challenges as many others across this country I'm optimistic that if we work together we can turn our community around. Tragedy has a way of bringing people out to start much needed dialog and working together for common causes that unite us.
Council and I are once again taking advantage of the opportunity to have the community play a more active role in the resolve they seek. We have created a neighborhood watch program that will work with law enforcement to be the eyes and ears of the community and voice of those who have been too fearful to speak. We encourage everyone who is serious about changing our city to do less finger pointing and more participating. Programs like these success is dependent upon community involvement; changing a community is not a spectator sport and change doesn't happen from the side line but by active participation and working together.
We've seen what can happen when we come together to help one another. This year Council and I hosted the first circus in Salem in over 30 years. The circus was sponsored by a number a local businesses and supported by many throughout the community. All the proceeds from that event went to support recreational programs and our kids. We've worked together with the state to secure a $500,000 grant (free money) to stabilize our water system preventing future taste and odor issues. There are positive things that happen when governments, agencies and people work together.
It's been said that a dark cloud looms over our city; our city is the reason for its own condition. I will submit to you that our city has never been; nor will it ever be anything more that the people that reside here. If we want our city to respected then the people must first respect themselves, if we want our city to be prosperous then the people must take advantage of every opportunity to create wealth for themselves and their families, If we ever want to be more than the negative press coverage in the newspaper then we must raise the standard of acceptable living and value life in our community.
There is a story I read about a couple that wanted to bear children found in the 1st chapter of Luke. The woman (Elizabeth) was barren and she and her husband (Zacharias) had sorrow and we can imagine anger due to their desire to give birth to something that had been denied them. Through consistent prayer and unwavering faith their petition was heard; a miracle happened in their life and they gave birth to a child that they named John and with the birthing came joy and gladness.
Ladies and gentleman I would submit to you that Salem may have seen some barren days but I am persuaded that we are embarking on our miracle and in 2017 Salem is going to give birth to change that is going to bring joy and gladness with it. We will see restoration to our housing sector, new development in our commercial & industrial sector, job creation, irreproachable community pride and a beacon oflight shining brightly upon our city. Salem's best and brightest days are not behind her but yet still ahead of her. We will see our city rise and the joy and gladness we desire will no longer be denied us so long as we keep our sleeves rolled up and stay faithful in our petition.
Thank you God Bless you and God Bless the City of Salem.
As we move forward into this year we have great reason to be optimistic concerning the state of our city. City Council and I have worked diligently to address several areas of need that will lend to the sustained recovery of our community in key sectors such as housing, economic development and quality of life. For several years we have spoken of hope that lay in the vision of this leadership and inspired by the committed constituents deserving of a brighter tomorrow. Today we can speak of hope that is tangible enough to be seen in our city, felt in our homes and inspired by a pride to be recognized as a community of prominence for current residents as well residents to come.
Last year we entered into agreement with Future Systems, an agency that specializes in tallying vacant properties, database formation and code enforcement modernization. In phase one of this partnership the city has been able to tag all vacant properties, create a database for those properties and fine absentee property owners for negatively impacting the quality of life due to their property condition, ultimately creating a new revenue stream for the city. This newly found revenue will be reinvested into phase II where we will utilize the database to identify sections of our city for homeownership, low and moderate income housing.
The goal is to take vacant properties in highly populated owner occupied sections and scatter low and moderate income housing in those areas with the thought that homeowners will display the neighborhood pride that is to be role modeled by tenant and landlord. The pockets of our community that have high tenant occupancy; we will offer homes owned by the city to qualified buyers at below market value to increase homeownership and put those homes back on the tax rolls increasing revenue for the city. Through this housing initiative we intend to strategically balance the disproportionate levels of tenant occupied housing within the city. In addition; Phase II is estimated to more than double the revenue gained in Phase I with projections ranging from
$80,000 to $100,000.
Douglas H Everett said "There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."
For the past two years Council and I have talked and strategized on a pathway forward for our City related to economic development. A pathway that would take the dream we have to see our city thriving economically and turn it into reality. On this journey forward we all agree it's imperative that the City leads and informs stakeholders along the way encouraging them to follow. We have carved out our pathway with the creation of our Commerce Department and a plan of redevelopment for our Port District. The Commerce Department is a federally recognized Economic Development Office with authority through Council to shape the future of our community.
More importantly; it allows all local agencies and investors to use the EDO as a conduit for building with and in the City of Salem. The Commerce Department will provide a platform for all community stakeholders having projects that will create a footprint in the city to speak to the synergy between their project and the City's vision. Through the Commerce Department we can ensure that no agency is wasting their resources moving projects along that do not have support of the governing body because their projects fail to create confunction with City vision. Furthermore; it will permit all agencies to work across their respective sectors to jointly move infrastructural projects forward allowing for optimal funding opportunities.
The second piece to our economic recovery is the Port Redevelopment Plan which has two components to generate revenue as the plan itself lays out desired port development. I believe if you don't want something to be forgotten it's your responsibility to speak of that matter and to do it often. For the past 23 years our port has been the forgotten resource not only of Salem City but Salem County. Under this administration we have spoken loudly, often and clearly about our port; attracting the attention of both county and state legislatures willing to support our efforts.
The first component to our plan is a proposal currently awaiting approval with the state that will finally generate revenue from our port. This proposal is a shared revenue agreement where the City will receive revenue through the use of our Foreign Trade Zone. This is significant because our Foreign Trade Zone allows for products to be stored and manufactured tax free until it is transported from the site. There have been ports and manufacturing centers over the years that have benefited from our FTZ status and for 23 years the city has never asked for or received a dime. Under this administration that has changed; we've asked for half of every dollar collected for use of our FTZ because our status entitles us to it, it's owed to us and it's the right thing to do.
Our second component is a proposal lobbying the state to give our city a comparable pilot in relation to Paulsboro and Camden ports. Our city through the current pilot of the port has been receiving only $30,000 for 23 years and no administration prior to this one has petitioned SJPC to increase the Pilot. While our port is not as active as the aforementioned ports, the slightest consideration of our proposal could bring in at minimum a quarter of a million dollars.
Finally; the redevelopment plan at large simply identifies assets in the area of our port district and speaks to the type of manufacturing and investment we want in that area. The primary goal is to inform investors of what we want to see in our Port District sequentially creating livable wage jobs and increasing our tax base in the city.
Through the hard work of our Commerce Department, collaborative efforts from Council and County leadership; I am proud to announce the addition of Empire Blended, the first industrial business in our port district in several decades. This manufacturer mixes dye into cement base and is currently operating in Phase I of its plan employing about a dozen workers. By 3rd quarter 2017 the factory will be operating at full capacity employing 130 people with livable wage earning jobs. Empire Blended is a testament to how unwavering faith, strategy, vision and collaborations can materialize into quality earning jobs right here in our city. We also negotiated with Empire Blended to work with them during their hiring process to ensure that Salem City residents get first preference when staffing their facility.
It's always exciting news to hear that people and organizations believe in the vision and community enough to invest; giving our residents opportunities to provide for their families and be productive citizens. But no organization or individual will make an investment without knowing that their investment will be protected. In order to encourage outside investment we have to first invest in ourselves. City Council and I have been consistently increasing the number of officers in our City since my first term in office. Since 2012, this administration has hired 5 officers to a department that has been depleted through attrition. In 2017 we still have one more vacancy in our police department that will not be filled until we can fill it with a minority candidate.
We believe that we should have a diverse police department that accurately reflects the community it serves.
While we are doing our part we acknowledge that there is still more left to do until we can provide every resident on every street a safe and drug free place to live in our city. If we're going to be honest it's going to take more than just council and me to bring to fruition the change we want to see. It's going to take this governing body as well as the community. There is an African proverb that says many hands make light work. While our community is facing the same challenges as many others across this country I'm optimistic that if we work together we can turn our community around. Tragedy has a way of bringing people out to start much needed dialog and working together for common causes that unite us.
Council and I are once again taking advantage of the opportunity to have the community play a more active role in the resolve they seek. We have created a neighborhood watch program that will work with law enforcement to be the eyes and ears of the community and voice of those who have been too fearful to speak. We encourage everyone who is serious about changing our city to do less finger pointing and more participating. Programs like these success is dependent upon community involvement; changing a community is not a spectator sport and change doesn't happen from the side line but by active participation and working together.
We've seen what can happen when we come together to help one another. This year Council and I hosted the first circus in Salem in over 30 years. The circus was sponsored by a number a local businesses and supported by many throughout the community. All the proceeds from that event went to support recreational programs and our kids. We've worked together with the state to secure a $500,000 grant (free money) to stabilize our water system preventing future taste and odor issues. There are positive things that happen when governments, agencies and people work together.
It's been said that a dark cloud looms over our city; our city is the reason for its own condition. I will submit to you that our city has never been; nor will it ever be anything more that the people that reside here. If we want our city to respected then the people must first respect themselves, if we want our city to be prosperous then the people must take advantage of every opportunity to create wealth for themselves and their families, If we ever want to be more than the negative press coverage in the newspaper then we must raise the standard of acceptable living and value life in our community.
There is a story I read about a couple that wanted to bear children found in the 1st chapter of Luke. The woman (Elizabeth) was barren and she and her husband (Zacharias) had sorrow and we can imagine anger due to their desire to give birth to something that had been denied them. Through consistent prayer and unwavering faith their petition was heard; a miracle happened in their life and they gave birth to a child that they named John and with the birthing came joy and gladness.
Ladies and gentleman I would submit to you that Salem may have seen some barren days but I am persuaded that we are embarking on our miracle and in 2017 Salem is going to give birth to change that is going to bring joy and gladness with it. We will see restoration to our housing sector, new development in our commercial & industrial sector, job creation, irreproachable community pride and a beacon oflight shining brightly upon our city. Salem's best and brightest days are not behind her but yet still ahead of her. We will see our city rise and the joy and gladness we desire will no longer be denied us so long as we keep our sleeves rolled up and stay faithful in our petition.
Thank you God Bless you and God Bless the City of Salem.