| Four
years ago, you elected me to serve as your Mayor. In 2002, you completed
the council team necessary to carry out your vision. Since then,
we have made tangible progress, restored civility to government, returned
the city to you, and begun projects and plans to better our city's future.
I ask for your support to continue this progress.
We have developed a unified
Council Vision Statement, hired a new City Manager, who is working to implement
this Vision Statement, and recruited a successful heritage tourism professional
as our new Director of Tourism & Business Development. The City
purchased the Executive Plaza, affording much needed space for city workers
currently housed in leased spaces. In the last two years, Fredericksburg
has attracted 377 new businesses, realizing a 34% jump in sales tax revenues. |
We have begun
a number of significant projects that I would like to see to completion
in my next four years, including:
-
The Dixon Street Recreation
Complex & Swimming Pool
-
The rehabilitation of Maury
School under a private-public partnership with Mary Washington College
and George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation
-
The construction of two new
state-of-the-art public schools
-
The removal of the Embrey Dam
-
The donation of easements to
the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and The Nature Conservancy on almost 5000
riparian acres above Fredericksburg, to ensure that the Rappahannock River,
a precious natural resource, will be protected forever.
-
Ongoing improvements to our
riverfront in the city, with expanded views of the river and strengthened
erosion control.
In addition to the projects
above, I have improved relations with Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties.
I believe by strengthening regional cooperation, we can more effectively
address issues that impact our overall quality of life.
In the next four years, I
see growth as continuing to be a major issue facing Fredericksburg.
For the first time, the growth pressures that have dramatically changed
suburban Fredericksburg are now being felt in our historic downtown.
Large construction projects are being proposed in the historic district
for the first time in generations. While this renewed development
interest attests to the success of our historic district, we must be absolutely
certain that each new addition in our downtown is a positive one, complimenting
the quality, character and livability of the heart of Fredericksburg.
New projects, properly designed and built, will make Fredericksburg a proud
example of historic preservation that enhances contemporary living.
I have always been involved
in Fredericksburg's future. From preservation to business, from individual
citizens to region-wide organizations, I have maintained a balanced vision
of Fredericksburg's past, present, and especially our future. The
first independent businessman in decades to become Mayor, I am a grandfather
to five children, whose future -- and that of your children and grandchildren
-- is most important to me, as a parent, grandparent, citizen and public
servant. I have a proven ability to bring together the community,
the City Council and our City Staff to make good things happen for Fredericksburg.
Please vote for me on May 4th to continue our significant progress in support
of our Vision Statement.
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