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The state of the city Mayor Brenda Halloran sets out plan for 2008 in first annual speech is year will be remembered I for more than just its recordâ€" breaking snowfall or the number of potholes that line city streets. It‘s the year Waterloo will start building on its strategic priorities, said Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloâ€" ran, during her first annual state of the city address last week. "There‘s a lot of work to be done," she said. "What I want to drive home today is the theme that collaboraâ€" tion and partnerships are key to these next few years of implemenâ€" tation. "We, as a community, all need to be on the same page and we all have to work together to achieve sustainability." Halloran addressed 200 people at Luther Village on the Park last Thursday in an event hosted by the Rotary Club of Waterloo and the City of Waterloo. She began with an overview of 2007 â€" a year when Waterloo celeâ€" brated â€" its sesquicentennial anniversary and was named the Intelligent Community of the Year. "We are at a point where we must work together to address the direction and future of Waterloo," she said. It was also a time when the role arts and culture play in building a prosperous community and econoâ€" my was brought to the forefront. "We are at a pivotal turning point where Waterloo has a global association. "And we are going to build on this turning point and use the leverage we have as being an intelâ€" ligent, innovative community and expand our city." The city will spend the next couâ€" ple of years implementing its strategic priorities: environment, health and safety, commitment to excellence, economic vitality, and partnerships and collaboration. The environment Waterloo is known for its enviâ€" ronmentâ€"first policy, and it will continue to improve upon these measures and reduce its environâ€" mental footprint, the mayor said. To achieve these goals, several initiatives will be undertaken, including revisiting the environâ€" By Jennirer Ormston â€"__ Chronicle Staff Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran delivered her first annual state of the city address to a crowd of 200 at Luther Village on the Park last Thursday. Portions of city hall‘s atrium glass have already been transâ€" formed into solar panels, and a green ro%f has been installed, choices that Halloran said have been both economically and enviâ€" ronmentally friendly. mental strategic plan, enhancing its purchasing policies and possibly putting silver bins in the uptown to reduce trash and encourage recyâ€" cling. Improving air quality and reducâ€" ing carbonâ€"dioxide emissions are also on the agenda. Council recentâ€" ly approved a plan to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent within two years of the project‘s start date, she said. Among other initiatives, the city has appointed a pesticide bylaw task force to give input and guidâ€" ance on the creation of a cityâ€"wide pesticide bylaw. In addition to the environment, the city‘s social wellâ€"being, particuâ€" larly health and safety, is also a priâ€" ority. A healthy and safe community The area is short on doctors â€"a CITY NEWS "I want to continue on with my healthâ€"care initiatives to ensure that children, seniors, families and women will have more readily available access to physicians and healthâ€"care professionals." problem compounded by its growâ€" ing population. s _"As a former healthâ€"care profesâ€" sional, I am aware of the growing crisis that is present," Halloran said. As a starting point, the first mayor‘s round table on healthâ€"care opportunities and solutions was held in November 2007. And city staff will continue expanding adult day and homeâ€"support services for area seniors. Waterioo has demonstrated its commitment to creating a safe and healthy community by calling for a plebiscite in the next municipal election on water fluoridation, Halâ€" loran said. Housing costs and living condiâ€" tions are other areas of concern for the mayor. She said she will continâ€" ue to meet with the local home builders‘ association and new developers in an effort to keep housing costs affordable for the general public. Commitment to excellence Waterloo will explore ways to leverage technology to better serve the public as part of its pledge to excellence, Halloran said. _ And a software program is being implemented to assist city staff in providing customer service. Its eâ€"service initiatives, for instance, will expand, allowing people to pay tickets online. _ Economic vitality The state of the economy â€" specifically plant closures and reductions on the local front â€" has been addressed in the media a lot lately. "However, our local economy continues to do what it historically has always done, and that is to adapt to the changing times," Halâ€" loran said. Education will continue to play a role in shaping the city, which must solidify its partnerships with the universities, college and school boards, she said, adding she‘s proud of the city‘s role in the Balsilâ€" lie School of International Affairs. "It is by attracting and retaining bright minds that Waterloo will WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, March 5, 2008 * 3 FILE PHOTO continue to prosper." The city, meanwhile, can‘t be complacent, and must attract inbound investment and take advantage of opportunities in its technology and construction secâ€" tors. One of Halloran‘s priorities is to continue to support the "exciting and vibrant uptown core." As for dealing with Waterloo‘s infrastructure deficits, the city has lobbied other levels of government for more funding. It is also creating a capital infrastructure reserve, and shaved $500,000 from its budgâ€" et this year. "This is just the beginning," Halâ€" loran said. "We must continue to revisit our priorities and recognize the importance of investing in the infrastructure that keeps our city moving." "We will be working with multiâ€" cultural groups like never before," Halloran said. Waterloo does face some chalâ€" lenges, Halloran admitted, citing the growing population within a hardâ€"edged boundary as an examâ€" ple. Development and redevelopâ€" ment of the uptown can create a thriving city centre, she said. "And as many know, a healthy core helps to make a healthy city." and collaborations This year, Halloran plans to expand partnerships and "bridge gaps between groups" in various areas, including arts and culture. More funding needs to reach local museums, galleries and theatres, she said. As well, efforts will be made to promote interaction among people of all cultures and ethnicities. She also touched upon the Mayor‘s Student Advisory Council, a new group of postâ€"secondary stuâ€" dents who want to give back to the community. _ Transit, and finding alternatives to the current system, also remains a concern. But Halloran doesn‘t seem that worried. "I am not denying the fact that we face challenges, but we are ahead of the game by addressing these headâ€"on‘and working togethâ€" er for solutions," she said. "Going forward, Waterloo will soar to new heights."