Marlene Feist, Interim Communications Director, 509.625.6505
Friday, February 7, 2020 at 3:14 p.m.
In front of a crowd of more than 450 people and even more watching live on the web and social media, Mayor Nadine Woodward delivered her inaugural State of the City Address.
During the speech, the Mayor laid out her focus on the priorities of the citizens.
“Our citizens, through face-to-face conversations, texts, emails, and phone calls made their priorities clear – reduce the number of our homeless, increase housing opportunities, expand on our economic growth, and improve public safety,” the Mayor said.
She noted that these priorities are all interrelated and will drive the City’s work for the coming year. The Mayor is working to create advisory groups made up of community members and supported by City employees to lead dialogue and develop solutions that work for Spokane.
During her first five weeks in office, Mayor Woodward said she has focused on improving relationships with the City Council and filling key leadership roles, including hiring a new City Administrator, Wes Crago. She even turned the microphone over to Crago, who served as the City Administrator in Ephrata, Washington, for 16 years, for a few minutes during her speech.
“I’ve witnessed how a community’s success springs from pulling together powerful teams, effectively collaborating, and building each other up,” Crago said. “Mayor Woodward and I are here to work for all of you.”
Mayor Woodward emphasized that point. “It’s our belief that by coming together, collaborating in an open and honest discussion, we can take on key issues and find solutions that will work for our community,” the Mayor said.
Watch the Mayor’s State of the City Address.
