Mayor Ron Littlefield’s annual “state of the city” address might have lingered on the costly effects of the Great Recession to the city’s budget and capacities, or, conversely the economic potential spawned by Volkswagen’s promising future. Instead, the mayor used the occasion for the far more constructive purpose of calling for an era of bold and fundamental change in our broad civic infrastructure here over the course of his remaining tenure, and throughout the new decade.
He based his forward-looking appeal on a vision of environmental leadership in our built environment, tax equity in our county’s jurisdictional relationships, and efficient consolidation of core urban services – fire, police, parks, building standards, sewers and water utilities – to promote both our quality of life and our broad economic prosperity.
Model for civic interest
Leaders not just in the city, but also in county government and the nine other municipalities that share public responsibility for the course of Hamilton County and our broader metropolitan area, would do the community a great service to stand behind Mr. Littlefield’s call.
For the most part, his address was ecumenical in its outreach, appealing for its vision, and instructive regarding the specific tasks and directions he says he intends to actively pursue.