It’s probably too soon to blame newly elected Mayor Keith Hobbs for anything. Still, I thought he missed a golden opportunity when he delivered his State of the City address on Feb. 11.
He could have singled out some of the current challenges like the wind farm or the waterfront project as the legacy of the previous council. Mr. Hobbs could easily have shrugged his shoulders and wagged his finger at the returning councillors.
However, our new mayor is a good sport and did not point any fingers of blame during this address.
Unfortunately, he also fell short of pointing out exactly which direction he will lead his new council and the City of Thunder Bay.
His speech was heavy with good intentions but a little light on details and action steps.
I was hoping for more information about the actual state of the city in the Mayor’s State of the City address. The message was clearly intended to be upbeat and positive and it appeared to be a slightly modified version of his election campaign.
During the mayor’s debate last fall Lynn Peterson was in the best position to explain the programs that were already in place to deal with urgent financial and social issues. It was a lengthy list and it appeared as if action steps were being taken on several fronts
It may be a little early to expect our new mayor to get down to business, but he should have had time to assess city operations and offer his view of what’s going on.
You know, the state of the city.
Or would it be better if we caught up with him on a Wednesday?
Speaking of hump day, Mayor Hobbs is quite proud of his walkabout Wednesdays or, in one case, East End bus Wednesday. He likes to be among his people and is comfortable with the common man. He may even be one himself.
On future walkabout Wednesdays Mayor Hobbs said he hopes to learn about the concerns of big and small business in the city. This got me thinking. Shouldn’t a newly elected mayor already be familiar with the business community?
I guess it doesn’t really matter. Again, thinking back to the debate, some of the candidates at that table seemed very well informed and in-the-know about local and provincial business matters. I remember Mr. Hobbs saying he would call them after the election.
He’s lucky to have that resource available to him.
He will need all the help he can get as the lawyers and bill collectors come knocking at city hall.
First of all there’s that wind farm thing. That could get expensive. And lately there’s been some talk about a $15 million infrastructure shortfall. Mr. Hobbs was quick to point out that Thunder Bay residents expect good roads and bridges.
And let’s not overlook that ticking financial time bomb at Marina Park. We’re already stealing the marina money from phase two to pay for phase one. Mayor Hobbs must be wondering how that was allowed to happen. Maybe this project does need micromanagement.
We’ve been told that it’s too late to turn back now on our waterfront dream. I don’t like the sounds of that. Prepare yourself Mr. Mayor. There could be more surprises waiting for you in this money pit
Even though this dilemma is not of Mayor Hobbs’ making, it’s his baby now. It may not be what he bargained for but as they say, reality is what happens to you while you’re making other plans.
Unfortunately I didn’t hear the mayor deliver his address in person but I did read the transcript and I imagined myself listening to him on a Wednesday somewhere. In my mind I was riding on the mainline with him. He was friendly and optimistic.
“Neighbors, partners and friends” – that was how he started. It reminded me of “Friends, Romans and Countrymen.” Kudos to the mayor’s speech writer. Hopefully Mr. Hobbs’ will avoid the same fate as Caesar. But beware the Ides of March just in case.
I am looking for Mayor Hobbs to take bold, new steps. To bravely go where no mayor has dared to go before. He certainly gave me that impression during his campaign.
In summary, the mayor put it very succinctly. “Less poverty. Less crime and disorder. More jobs. More economic diversity. More acceptance.”
It seems like we’ve explored that quadrant before but what the heck?
Make it so, Hobbsy.
He could have singled out some of the current challenges like the wind farm or the waterfront project as the legacy of the previous council. Mr. Hobbs could easily have shrugged his shoulders and wagged his finger at the returning councillors.
However, our new mayor is a good sport and did not point any fingers of blame during this address.
Unfortunately, he also fell short of pointing out exactly which direction he will lead his new council and the City of Thunder Bay.
His speech was heavy with good intentions but a little light on details and action steps.
I was hoping for more information about the actual state of the city in the Mayor’s State of the City address. The message was clearly intended to be upbeat and positive and it appeared to be a slightly modified version of his election campaign.
During the mayor’s debate last fall Lynn Peterson was in the best position to explain the programs that were already in place to deal with urgent financial and social issues. It was a lengthy list and it appeared as if action steps were being taken on several fronts
It may be a little early to expect our new mayor to get down to business, but he should have had time to assess city operations and offer his view of what’s going on.
You know, the state of the city.
Or would it be better if we caught up with him on a Wednesday?
Speaking of hump day, Mayor Hobbs is quite proud of his walkabout Wednesdays or, in one case, East End bus Wednesday. He likes to be among his people and is comfortable with the common man. He may even be one himself.
On future walkabout Wednesdays Mayor Hobbs said he hopes to learn about the concerns of big and small business in the city. This got me thinking. Shouldn’t a newly elected mayor already be familiar with the business community?
I guess it doesn’t really matter. Again, thinking back to the debate, some of the candidates at that table seemed very well informed and in-the-know about local and provincial business matters. I remember Mr. Hobbs saying he would call them after the election.
He’s lucky to have that resource available to him.
He will need all the help he can get as the lawyers and bill collectors come knocking at city hall.
First of all there’s that wind farm thing. That could get expensive. And lately there’s been some talk about a $15 million infrastructure shortfall. Mr. Hobbs was quick to point out that Thunder Bay residents expect good roads and bridges.
And let’s not overlook that ticking financial time bomb at Marina Park. We’re already stealing the marina money from phase two to pay for phase one. Mayor Hobbs must be wondering how that was allowed to happen. Maybe this project does need micromanagement.
We’ve been told that it’s too late to turn back now on our waterfront dream. I don’t like the sounds of that. Prepare yourself Mr. Mayor. There could be more surprises waiting for you in this money pit
Even though this dilemma is not of Mayor Hobbs’ making, it’s his baby now. It may not be what he bargained for but as they say, reality is what happens to you while you’re making other plans.
Unfortunately I didn’t hear the mayor deliver his address in person but I did read the transcript and I imagined myself listening to him on a Wednesday somewhere. In my mind I was riding on the mainline with him. He was friendly and optimistic.
“Neighbors, partners and friends” – that was how he started. It reminded me of “Friends, Romans and Countrymen.” Kudos to the mayor’s speech writer. Hopefully Mr. Hobbs’ will avoid the same fate as Caesar. But beware the Ides of March just in case.
I am looking for Mayor Hobbs to take bold, new steps. To bravely go where no mayor has dared to go before. He certainly gave me that impression during his campaign.
In summary, the mayor put it very succinctly. “Less poverty. Less crime and disorder. More jobs. More economic diversity. More acceptance.”
It seems like we’ve explored that quadrant before but what the heck?
Make it so, Hobbsy.
