Councilwoman Peggy Neely
Inaugural Remarks
Jan. 4, 2010
Thank you and welcome.
I am so honored to be here with you today. Before I begin, I must recognize my family members, who are so important to me. Thank you to my daughters Gloria and Mackenzie. My mother. Carolyn and my brother Allan. And a special thank you to my husband Brian. Without you and your unwavering support, I couldn’t be up here today.
As I reflect on the good work we have done together over the past eight years, I am excited by what we have accomplished. We have seen many exciting additions to our communities and the city.
I am proud of this work, but like you, I realize that "times have changed" over the last eight years. Phoenix has grown tremendously, and with the current downturn in the economy, the City Council has had to make some tough decisions that have affected us all. And as we look forward, I know that we have more tough choices to make. In spite of these tough times, I am optimistic. I know our future is bright.
For me, the way forward is an obvious one. The question is whether we will be bold enough and focused enough to embrace a plan that can make it happen. We can no longer do business as usual. We must explore new approaches and embrace changes.
And in everything we do, we must ensure that what government does makes sense and is worth the taxpayers’ investment. The citizens of Phoenixdeserve nothing less. I believe Phoenicians are ready to accept the challenge. To make the best of our situation and use this time to plan for our recovery.
So what's this plan – what’s the roadmap for recovery for the next four years?
New jobs
I believe it starts and ends with bringing new, high-paying jobs to the city of Phoenix. Let’s use the New Year as an opportunity to take aggressive action to jump-start the economy and create more jobs. Let’s make it our New Year’s resolution.
Today, numerous corporate giants have chosen to locate in District 2. Mayo Clinic. American Express. Republic Services. SUMCO. APL. AXWAY . Gore. Humana. Plus a lot of great small businesses. If you haven’t heard of all of these companies, you will in the future. Each is a leader in their respective industry. And each is providing good jobs, or better yet, bringing new jobs, to the area. Collectively, these companies employ over 4,000, people. But now is not the time for us to stop and rest.
We must have more dialogue with existing companies, to enlist their help expanding our existing job base. We must also reach out to others who might be looking for a better place to do business and a better home for their employees.
To this end, I plan to launch a Job Creation Committee made up of CEOs and company presidents to focus on growing existing businesses. I want every corporate leader to help us think of ways to bring more jobs to the city. I know many of them have their hands full making sure their companies stay viable during these tough times, but more jobs means better business for everyone. And by the way, our outreach should and will include not only large corporations, but those entrepreneurial individuals who are just starting up a new small business.
In addition, I will be asking the new city manager to report on his vision for the city's economic development and what his expanded plan is for attracting new employers and new jobs to the city over the next year. I will work very closely with him to help develop that plan. In addition I will also ask that the city manager evaluate the tools he is currently using and bring forth a comprehensive plan to ensure the city is on the fast- track to bring more quality jobs to Phoenix. We must continue to use and protect all economic development tools allowed under state and federal laws. I promise you, other cities are thinking about the same thing. I believe we must be proactive. I want those jobs in Phoenix, not somewhere else in the southwest.
I will continue to take a proactive, hands-on approach in talking to companies and bringing these new jobs to the city. My goal, and what I have worked hard to do, is make sure we are not only securing new jobs, but also retaining our existing businesses. In addition we must welcome these new companies and ensure we are meeting their needs while they are in the process of locating to Phoenix. This approach is something we need to expand on a citywide basis. And remember, new jobs in District 2 haven’t just benefited District 2 residents, they benefit the city as a whole.
There is no doubt in my mind that the job before us will be a challenge, when all we hear about is how companies are cutting back. But it is a challenge we are up to. As you and I know, Phoenix has so much to offer. I believe now is the perfect time to plan; then, we can roll up our sleeves and get to work on our plan, bringing more quality jobs to Phoenix.
The budget
Speaking of being creative, and responsible, we have a lot of work to do on the city budget. This economy has dealt us all a poor hand. No one knows this better than you, our residents. We have had to make cuts where we didn’t want to. Some city services have had to be reduced. Going over the city budget with a fine-toothed comb is responsible, regardless of the economic times.
Over the last two years, I believe I have led by example by not considering my office’s budget untouchable. I have buckled down and made the necessary cuts that have been required. We all must walk the walk, and do what is needed.
As city council members, we have a fiduciary responsibility to always put the best interests of the city and the taxpayers first. In the future, we will find new ways of looking at the budget. At the same time, we must view the city budget as what it is—public funds, which must be spent wisely. All city departments, including the mayor and city council, must weigh the benefits of programs and initiatives, and set priorities, the same way we all must do when balancing our family’s expenses.
The severity of the budget is such that these are cuts that have never happened before. Going forward, there will be no such thing as “sacred cows.” We must do a thorough review of the city. All segments of the budget must be looked at and reviewed. Failing to do so would mean we are not meeting our fiduciary responsibility.
Overall, I think we have done a fair and thorough job of controlling costs. But we must keep at it. This is especially true, because we are facing deeper budget cuts than ever before. As we develop the budget, we must be mindful of making sure we maintain critical services at a level that allows us to provide city services with integrity.
Please, take the time to learn about the city’s budget balancing proposal. attend a community budget hearing, and share your input. As a city council member, your help and input guides me every step of the way. Let us know what programs and services are priorities for you. And equally important, let us know where you think reductions are possible. I will be listening to all of your comments across the city.
Lobbyist reform
Another priority for me is seeing that we tackle lobbyist reform this year. I have heard from an overwhelming majority of residents who want more transparency in city government. Openness in government is a good thing. This is more important now than ever, when we are making tough decisions that lead to reductions in services or the allocation of scarce funds.
I am asking today that we have a full review of lobbyist reporting procedures to ensure lobbyist reporting is being done in a timely manner and that reports are expeditiously available online, so the public can see that its government is seamless and transparent.
In addition we must make sure that all Candidates, Council members and Mayors Yearly Financial Disclosure Forms are made available online just like our campaigning finance reports. It is our job as elected representative of government to be open and transparent in everything we do.
Regional approach
We don’t have to do all of this alone. Every city in the Valley, and state, is dealing with the same set of challenges. I want to see us ramp up our efforts to reach across city limits to tackle some of the most pressing issues that affect Phoenix. The issues confronting us are serious and do not have boundaries; we shouldn’t either.
As chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council, I have successfully led a review of the operating rules of MAG, to enhance regionalism. Phoenix is the biggest city in the state and therefore bears significant responsibility when it comes to encouraging regional cooperation. We drive not only our own economy, but that of the region and the state. The quality of life for our residents reflects upon every resident of the state of Arizona.
As we are addressing budget issues and the economy, public safety is always on the top of my mind. I know it is on yours as well. In this new term, I want to carefully examine the direction of public safety and criminal justice in our region. I will be making a request that MAG do a comprehensive study of this issue in the coming weeks, with the goal being not only to benefit Phoenix, but our entire region.
Although the economy is in a downturn, I believe now is the time to plan and continually be working on our vision for the future. We especially need to plan for the next transportation plan in the Valley, which should and will include expansion of light rail but also both commuter rail and high speed rail. Our plans must be inclusive of the three major counties – Maricopa, Pinal and Pima—to ensure we are meeting needs of the Sun Belt Corridor. Very soon I will be asking the MAG Regional Council to begin looking at ways we can plan for this to happen in the near future.
I am committed to leveraging all of the tools available through MAG for Phoenix’s benefit. At the same time, I know that a cooperative approach can benefit not only the city of Phoenix, but smaller cities and our state as a whole. Lets make this model of regionalism something we’re all proud of.
Summary
We will emerge from the economic downturn. We already are. How long it takes will depend on our determination and creativity. I am determined and will spend the next four years seeing this plan through.
When we are successful in our efforts, our residents will be the winners. By making sure we have enough good jobs and a healthy business community, we will benefit from a stronger sense of ownership and pride in our neighborhoods. We already have that in many of our neighborhoods and we will continue that important work.
And so we are back where we started, talking about jobs and the economy. Without good jobs or the prospect of more work for our residents, everything else you hear today is just empty rhetoric.
By working together, we will create more jobs and economic opportunities. We will find ways to spend revenues wisely so we are meeting our commitments to our residents. We can and should expect more transparency and accountability from our local government. And we will develop the ideas that will show us the way to better days.
I really look forward to working with the Mayor and Council as I have in the past and the work that’s ahead of us. Together, we will make Phoenix an even stronger city and an even better place to live. That is the challenge before us, and we are up to it.
Thank you.