State of the City-After

As expected, Mayor Steve Williams’ state of the city address included the topics that were in the preview article. However, there were many more topics that were not included.

Having not questioned Williams more about his speech when he answered student’s questions last Wednesday, Feb. 11, I was unable to fully predict the topics that would be included in the state of the city address today.

In addition to the development projects, and budget, a new reform development plan for Harris Riverfront was proposed, crime and drug traffic issues, competition against other river cities, diversity progress and the LGBT and black communities.

The Harris Riverfront plan is expected to take six to 10 years in three phases to complete. It is from a partnership with Superior Marie that embraces a long-term development plan recently created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The plan is to bring commerce to the riverside of the floodwall by developing.

“It will include a 260-slip marina and dry dock, a boat repair and retail facility and a boardwalk with retail and dining facilities, potential condos, a spray and splash park, a skate park and RV camping facilities,” Williams said.   

Williams then said the city’s single largest issue was drug addiction. He said that the focus the past few years have been on dealers and less on addicts. The goal is to eventually help the addicts and their families. Williams said that it is time to for the Office of Drug Control Policy with partners in government agencies, recovery programs and houses, hospitals, medical centers and personnel, clergy and elected officials to act and organize a plan.

“The level of addiction in our city is a burden that will prevent us from achieving the heights which we are capable of accomplishing. It is time for us to act,” said Williams.

The mayor also said that the city would be entering America’s Best communities competition, sponsored by Frontier Communications and DISH Network.

            “Communities with populations between 10,000 and 80,000 within Frontier’s footprint are eligible to enter. It will be a rigorous competition of cities like Huntington across the country. We expect to win,” Williams said.

            Finally, the mayor said that he has promoted inclusiveness and diversity in the city the past few years and still has some who have feelings of loneliness and the pain of exclusion come and to him. Williams has formed an LGBT advisory committee that meets monthly, and said that there is more work to be done in regards with race relations. A Community Coalition on Public Safety is being organized. Along with meeting with the local Black Pastors Association and creating a Committee on Diversity.

"We don't have time or luxury to exclude anyone from community affairs and field of mutual ambition," Williams said. "My vision for our city is that we embrace diversity and seek inclusiveness as we learn to stand as one people celebrating our differences."