Ramblings 2 2 2010

[Garland, Lorie]

Ramblings - Feb 2, 2010   Happy Ground Hog Day!

 

We had a special treat today.  Mayor Woody McDuffie did our program!  

He reported that the City of Delray, despite the bad economy, has a lot
of things going for it.  We are in good financial shape.  Business is
still strong here.  The Delray community is strong. The Avenue is still
thriving.  There are many events to attract and engage families.
Visitors are still coming back.  The city supports the Art Festival, the
100 ft Christmas tree, the 4th of July festivities, Jazz on the Avenue.
During the Pro Bowl celebrations, NFL football players came here to
visit the pediatric ward at Bethesda Hospital.

 

The challenge is to continue to think of new things to keep making
Delray even better.  We do rely on downtown and the beach a good deal.
The other challenge is that the economic environment has affected Delray
just like everywhere...Revenues were down while expenses were
up...Property taxes account for over half of the revenue to the city.
We have experienced a 14.65% drop in property values while at the same
time interest income from the city's investment dollars has decreased
significantly.  The city struggles to keep its services at full force to
protect and serve the citizenry.

 

Surveys done show the citizens of Delray rank the city highly as a great
place to live and for the quality of life here.  Even with the downturn,
new businesses like Linda Beans Lobster Roll have opened up shop.  To
the east, the new Seagate Hotel has opened.  We continue to work on
getting pavers all the way to I-95. There are new luxury rental condos
available.  Downtown is funded, safe, and fun.

 

The City of Delray is going to continue to market and have more global
visibility so we can attract people from everywhere.  Francisco Perez is
in charge of economic development to help attract more corporations.  We
have 16.5 square miles of CRA owned property that can be used for
corporate relocations to our area.  We have reserves for natural
disasters.  

 

We need to attract more corporate business to Delray.  In order to do
that, we must examine what executives look for in an area.  First, they
want a strong sense of community and diverse background acceptance.
They want quality recreation and cultural activities.  Delray has
recently re-surveyed and replaced historical markers.  

One other important aspect of a corporation's decision to locate to any
area is the quality of the school system.   

 

Delray's schools have increased their overall grade and continue to
offer great programs to their students.  The graduation rate for
incoming high school students at Atlantic High is 94% today.  Carver
Middle School has implemented a morning program.  We have an active
Mayors Literacy Program.  The after school-mentoring program continues
to be strong.  Delray has its own Youth Council that has 25 kids as
members that speak to city members on what they need and what's on their
minds.

 

Delray is trying to go Green where it can.  Some city vehicles will be
replaced with hybrids where possible.  Most noteworthy, since 1965, the
city has been pumping 16.5 million gallons of reclaimed sewage per day
into the ocean.  As of April 1, 2009, the outfall was completely shut
off!  The city is giving back green spaces to the public.  They leased
Hilltoper Stadium and have a great place for youth soccer and football. 

 

Palm Beach County is establishing an Ethics Committee with an inspector
general.  This will add cost onto each government contract but it will
also help police public officials.  Gifts of over $100 will have to be
reported.  The cost of not having an Ethics Committee is greater than
the cost of implementation.

 

All in all, Delray is in great shape!

 

Green Hat today was $243.00  #534, Linda Parker drew but didn't get the
ever illusive Ace!  Better luck next week!

 

 

 

 

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