Welcome
Welcome
When I took office in July 2005, it was the culmination of a dream to serve the City that has shaped my life. And no city in America faces greater risks or rewards than Los Angeles. We have taken the attitude that our future as a great global city depends on our willingness to dream big and to confront our most daunting challenges. This is our chance to expand economic opportunity to every neighborhood and to unite Angelenos behind the idea that our similarities run deeper than our differences.
It’s also a chance to create a different kind of government – one that is fiscally responsible and socially progressive, one that recognizes environmentally sustainable growth is not a luxury, but a necessity, and one that understands we can no longer afford to leave thousands of young people behind without a high school diploma.
We’re showing that government can become more efficient while delivering the services residents expect. We’ve reduced the structural deficit and have made a commitment to improving public safety by hiring 1,000 police officers.
And at a time when the nation is feeling the effects of market fluctuations, Los Angeles is moving straight ahead, protected by our diverse economy. We’re beckoning investment like never before as crime rates drop. Tourism and international trade are at all time highs and catalytic projects are taking shape along subway lines. We are planning new transit-oriented development areas that will combine housing, walkable streets, and mixed-use development near transit options that will reduce our reliance on driving.
Just as important, Los Angeles is on track to become the cleanest and greenest big city in America. We have increased our use of clean, renewable energy and developed a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35%. We are beginning to restore the Los Angeles River and reduce air pollution from the Port to protect public health.
We have lifted expectations and changed the debate about public education in Los Angeles by engaging communities and developing a policy framework for change. We forged a historic partnership between the City and the District that will bring fundamental reform to LA’s neediest schools.
I am particularly proud that we helped bring more than 100,000 people together in the spirit of service to community, investing time and energy to build a stronger city.
We are making progress because we dared to dream big. By refusing to trim our expectations – and like generations of Angelenos who came before us – we imagined a brighter future, and we are on our way.
Los Angeles is unquestionably a global city of the 21st century with unprecedented wealth, talent and resources. Our challenge remains to bring prosperity and opportunity to every Angeleno.
Join me in dreaming of a stronger Los Angeles – and more importantly– in making it happen.
Very truly yours,
Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Mayor