01/12/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. MAYOR'S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS ~ Mr. Gleason introduced Mayor Keller to deliver the State of the City Address. "We've just recognized a total of 188 years of service to the City of Eugene, and we can take pride in the energy and spirit with which these people have served. One "retireell we haven't mentioned is former City Manager Charles Henry. We will all have an opportunity to salute, to kid, and heckle Mr. Henry on the evening of January 27, when we, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, 'are sponsoring a going-away party for Mr. Henry at that time. e e "But, you know, not all the people who have served long and well are retiring. During the last year a number of staff gave an extra effort for the City of Eugene. Don Allen took time out from directing the Public Works operation to serve as, interim Assi stant City Manager. Greg Page and Cathy Briner worked with the council for months on the City Manager selection. Planners Jim Farah and Jim Croteau put in hundreds of hours assisting the council with the Metro Plan Update. We are proud of all our staff, but these folks performed with what I fe 1t was II above and beyond" in the year of 1980. "I'd also like to recognize two other individuals who've given outstanding service over the past four years. I mentioned them earlier. Jack Delay and Scott Lieuallen, our outgoing City Councilors, took time from their work to volunteer their services to the City of Eugene. It wasn't always glamorous work: they went to hundreds of meetings, sat through public hearings, spent hours on the telephone or in person listening to citizens and trying to find ways to build a better city. . . and, fortunately I feel for this community, they're not retiring from public life. They are just moving on to serve our citizens in other capacities. We, all of us, the citizens of Eugene, I think need to say thank you and wish you both well. I would also like to welcome back Brian and Betty who will serve another four years after their re-election. We are looking forward to their continued service to Eugene. We will also be starting the new year with two new councilors and a new City Manager, and more citizens involved in government than ever before. You were officially sworn in last Monday but I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you, Cynthia, and you, Mark, and to Mr. Gleason. We are pleased to have you in City government. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead. Mr. Gleason has been here a whole week today and unfortunately, I have yet to see him walk on water. We are looking forward to that, Mr. Gleason. But, most of all, we are extremely pleased and proud to have you as a part of the local government scene here in Eugene. "I sometimes wish I could say something new or sensational on occasions like this, especially at the beginning of the new year, but though it's not sensa- tional, I am encouraged by the steady achievements and progress I see us making toward the goals that we have set for ourselves and for our community. liThe goals in 1980 were as follows: energy conservation, additional revenues, downtown housing, and economic development. Other goals focused on planning, capital projects, intergovernmental relations, and double taxation. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 12, 1981 Page 3