2017 State of the City Address Emphasizes Community Partnerships
artnerships make it possible in West Chicago was a sentiment proven repeatedly during the 2017 State of the City Address delivered by Mayor Ruben Pineda.
Before launching into a litany of impressive community partner accomplishments, though, Mayor Pineda began by mentioning the significance of the date, April 17th. "Five years ago today, our City lost a great man and a great Mayor - and I lost a great friend. Mayor Michael Kwasman, or as I was fond of calling him, 'Kwasie', left us too soon. His record of passionate service was driven by his great love for this community and his legacy will benefit generations to come," he said.
The Address, which was sponsored by the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, continued with an emphasis on the highlights of 2016 which included a report on the City's fiscal health, infrastructure projects, marketing and communications advancements, and business growth; plus, provided an opportunity in which to commend and acknowledge the service and dedication of West Chicago's first responders, its police force and firefighters. "Our first responders are a brave group of men and women who run into burning buildings or potentially deadly altercations rather than away from them. They are who we call when the worst thing possible happens to us or our families. And they take their lives in their hands doing it for us," Mayor Pineda said.
Education, health, arts, media and volunteer partners were called out for their contributions to the community. A full and detailed list of these contributions may be found in the original transcript of the Address, now posted here.
Topping off the Address, Mayor Pineda gave a final call out to West Chicago veterans and mentioned the upcoming Honor Flight Chicago fundraiser at the DuPage Airport, sponsored by the DuPage Veterans Foundation, scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. "This allows our treasured veterans to visit their memorials in Washington D.C. It costs $55,000 to send a plane of veterans to Washington and we've been able to accomplish that feat every year since we began," he said.
Mayor Pineda concluded the Address with the affirmation that, through partnerships, anything is possible. "We know that when we work together, we work more effectively and with more intention. Partnerships in West Chicago run deep and make it all possible. And that, my friends, is a great reflection on the state of our City."