"State of the City Address" by Mayor Mary Ann Nihart

 
City politics are bipartisan.  Pacifica Democrats hosts the event, and all are welcome.

Date:  Saturday, July 16th, 2011 (RSVP optional).
Time:  9:30am, door opens at 9:00am (the parking lot fills-up, street parking and walk-in if needed).
Place:  Sharp Park Golf Course banquet room, a good breakfast or coffee/tea are available.

Pacifica Tribune/Barbara Arietta, 7/7/11.  "On Saturday, July 16, Mayor Mary Ann Nihart will deliver an updated "State of the City" speech to the Pacifica Democrats at their monthly breakfast meeting, held in the rear banquet room of the Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant, Francisco and Sharp Park Blvds, in Pacifica. The Mayor's main focus will be on the current financial situation and the present and future economic development plans for the City of Pacifica.

Since the Mayor's annual "State of the City" speech in January, much has happened, including the failure of the much-needed fire assessment tax earlier this spring, leading to a precipitous loss of city jobs, scaling back of administrative positions, and an inevitable diminishment of city services. It has been a very challenging time for the City Manager, the City Council and the staff of the various city departments, as well as for the citizens of Pacifica.

What are some of the changes that have taken place in the last several months? To name a few: Pacifica no longer has an in-house city attorney. That function will be handled through contracted services. The Pacifica Police Department no longer has an in-house police dispatch unit. That function has been transferred to South San Francisco. The Department of Public Works staff has been seriously cut back. There have also been layoffs which have occurred within the other various city departments. Some programs that the City Council once funded have been either eliminated or reduced. This is not a complete list of everything that is occurring, but it gives one a pretty good idea of the very serious cutbacks now happening throughout the city.
 
The situation is quite challenging for all concerned, but not without hope. The mayor will inform the Pacifica Democrats of all that has transpired these past six months since she first spoke to them in January. She will also give them an indication of what is presently being done and what needs to be done in the future,to help navigate Pacifica's "ship of state" to smoother waters and a safe harbor.

All Pacifica Democrats meetings are open to the general public. It is not necessary to be either a club member or a Democrat to attend. A full breakfast is offered for $12; continental for $6 and coffee only for $3.  Doors open at 9 a.m. Seating is between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Meeting runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Barbara Arietta, president, at (415) 246-0775 or barietta@hotmail.com ."

Posted by Kathy Meeh