Mayor Gives State of City Address

MORENO VALLEY>> During the State of the City Address by Mayor Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, he gave a speech and stated the state of the city is strong, with renewed energy and focus. He began his speech by thanking those in attendance, business leaders, educators, health care providers, churches and charitable organizations and community groups. Gutierrez referenced a New York Times article that said Moreno Valley was once characterized as a city that was struggling and had a city of neighborhoods where “nearly every family had been hit with pink slips.” However, he said the city has now reduced its jobless rate by as local employers have created several thousand new jobs, home foreclosures have declined and is a city that has cut in half the ranks of its poor families with children, while offering a number of programs to help its neediest residents improve their lives. “This is what we mean when we declare that Moreno Valley is in fact where dreams soar,” Gutierrez said. “Of course, dreams cannot soar on a wing and a prayer. Our City must continue to be proactive if we are to make life better, richer and fuller for our 200,000 residents. And this is precisely what we are achieving together.” Gutierrez also spoke about he recent strategic plan, Momentum MoVal, the City Council recently adopted for Moreno Valley, which we call Momentum Momentum MoVal is built around six major priorities identified by the city council and community stakeholders including economic development, public safety, library services, infrastructure, beautification, community engagement, quality of life and youth programs. "To start, our Economic Development program will meet Moreno Valley's current and emerging needs by expanding the local economy through new business opportunities, job creation, strategic partnerships and workforce development," Gutierrez said. "Moreno Valley is one of California's most business-friendly cities." The mayor mentioned the new development of the city's victory in the World Logistics Center legal challenge in which a judge affirmed the city council's adoption of voter initiatives approving the World Logistics Center. "This marks another step forward for the WLC project, which will generate an estimated $2.5 billion in economic activity while creating more than 30,000 construction and permanent jobs in a variety of skill levels," he said. During his speech, Gutierrez said Moreno Valley had the lowest increase in overall crime last year out of Riverside, Palm Springs, Temecula and Rancho Mirage. "Our city is on the right track when it comes to public safety," he said. "On behalf of the city council, I want to thank our public safety partners in the Sheriff's Department, CalFire, and of course Mike Hestrin and his staff in the District Attorney's Office." Gutierrez said the city council continues our dedication to ensuring the after school care, supervision and education of students through the $5 million contract with Think Together. "Partnering with both school districts on 43 sites is a perfect example of how separate public agencies, and a non-profit can work effectively together in support of our youth," he said. The mayor ended his address by saying Moreno Valley is no longer the city it was when portrayed in a most unflattering way on the front page of the New York Times years ago. "We have weathered the worst of times, now we are welcoming the best," he said. That is a story worth telling. That is the story of Moreno Valley."