Mayor retires, thanks Edmontonians

Mayor Stephen Mandel is retiring from politics  and thanks Edmontonians for their support.

Here’s his public service farewell piece he posted on his Facebook account yesterday:

Thank You, Edmonton

by Mayor Stephen Mandel

September 18, 2013

Today marks the last City Council meeting before the upcoming election. As my third, and final, term as Mayor of Edmonton is coming to a close, I have been reflecting on the remarkable changes we have seen across our city. When I ran for Mayor in 2004, I did so on the platform of becoming a capital city again and inspiring Edmontonians to believe that Edmonton is worthy of our pride and investment. Today, I think we have gone a long way in accomplishing that goal. The change in our city and the excitement about Edmonton’s future is palpable.

I have to extend my deepest thanks to my Council colleagues over the past nine years. It has only been through a fundamentally strong and united City Council that we have been able to see our shared vision through from the planning stages to implementation. We have all recognized that there is no worthier investment – and no better partners – than the people we serve. Our mutual commitment to developing and nurturing partnerships has seen us reach out into the community and have the community reaching back.

The work we have done four years into our 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, for instance, involves countless partners from other orders of government, the Homeless Commission, Homeward Trust and many more. Through their passionate commitment, 2325 people have been housed to date, and the October 2012 Homeless count showed a 29% reduction since the 2008 count prior to launch. There is still much to do, but I know that the momentum and the will is there.

REACH Edmonton, too, has become an important community hub helping to create a culture of community safety. And places like the Africa Centre and the YMCA Welcome Village have become living examples of the unique heritage and multicultural atmosphere of our city that makes it such an open, welcoming and vibrant place.

The arts is one area we have been able to make that city-wide vibrancy tangible. We have demanded a higher standard in our architecture and development, and made both financial and symbolic investments in Edmonton’s art and culture. From instating a Poet Laureate and Historian Laureate, to celebrating our wondrous talent at the Annual Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts, to investing in our cultural institutions, we have begun to curate the things that define what kind of city and people we are.

We have aggressively tackled the challenge of aging infrastructure to the tune of $9 billion – $2 billion into our roads alone – with the responsible use of taxes and debt management. Major, transformational projects completed and ongoing include Quesnell bridge, the 23rd Avenue overpass, the 41st Ave interchange, the connections to the Anthony Henday, and the new Walterdale Bridge. The result is that Edmontonians are able to move throughout the city easier, faster, and more safely.

City Council has shown foresight in the creation and investment of $135 Million per year into the country’s only Neighbourhood Renewal Program, which will ensure the infrastructure needs of our neighbourhoods continue to be met in the coming years. And we have recognized the importance of hubs in the growth of strong, inclusive, and healthy communities. We have built or are building five recreation centres and seven libraries, the first of either in decades, as well as numerous upgrades to existing facilities.

We are now seeing our Downtown beginning to take shape as the true heart and soul of our city. It has been thrilling to see the signs of development: the tracks of the Northeast LRT to Nait, cranes erected, demolition of the old post office to make way for the new Royal Alberta Museum, and the sign announcing the new arena site. And just east of downtown, work to realize the revitalization of The Quarters and Boyle Renaissance is underway.

Three terms is not a long time to accomplish what we have, but it is long enough to understand that the job is never done. Without continual evaluation and investment in the priorities that will move the city forward, we will fall behind. So it is my hope that the next Council also has a bold and ambitious vision for Edmonton’s future and the courage to see it through.

I feel incredibly honoured to have had your support over the past nine years. I would like to thank my wife Lynn, who has a tremendous passion for making a difference in this city, and my family for their love and support. It has been a privilege, thank you Edmonton.