MAYOR MADRID’S PERSPECTIVES: THE PAST YEAR, THE NEW YEAR, AND THE FUTURE OF LA MESA

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2010 (La Mesa)--In an exclusive interview, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid offered his perspectives on the past year and the coming one. Despite challenging economic times for communities across America, La Mesa has weathered the storm in better shape than many.  Mayor Madrid provides insights into the city’s successes, future challenges, and new initiatives on the horizon—including consolidating some services with neighboring communities, revitalizing the downtown village, starting a community garden, and gearing up for the city’s centennial celebration in 2012.

Mayor Art Madrid doesn’t make New Year’s Resolutions. But he does have a goal for the coming year—many of them, in fact. “For 2010, my commitment is to continue the ongoing work we’ve undertaken for the past number of years in making La Mesa the safest and most livable city in the entire region,” he told ECM.

He expressed pride in La Mesa for gaining recognitions from the National League of Cities and American Society of School Administrators for its programs to combat childhood obesity and diabetes, numerous awards for design of its new public buildings, infrastructure and other improvements.

 

The City also took leadership in two areas, he noted: “pension reform which saves the city $1 million annually, and the merger of certain fire services with the cities of El Cajon and Lemon Grove, which will save our city an additional $250,000 annually.” In addition, he said, “We’re proud of our record of receiving millions of dollars for infrastructure upgrades and improvements.” The City has also aggressively pursued grants, such as funds for a high-tech crime-mapping program to aid police in crime prevention.

Despite those success, the past year has been the most challenging on record. The City grappled with the economic crisis impacting cities across America.

“2009 was a defining year for every man, woman and child throughout the country as our national economic markets collapsed, leaving many in a state of despair that rivaled the Great Depression of 1929,” Mayor Madrid said in a presentation at the City’s 2009 audit report session recently. That year comes on the heels of ten years which Madrid predicts historians will someday refer to as the “lost decade”, an era of serious problems confronting our nation.

He faults Wall Street for causing problems felt today on Main Street and also predicts state legislators will continue a “raid on revenues dedicated for local government programs.” But he observed, “The Chinese sign for crisis and opportunity are the same.” While being mindful of financial troubles, he added, “We will focus on the challenges and opportunities they present.”

La Mesa also lost several long-time employees through retirement or relocation, including City Manager Sandy Kerl, Director of Administrative Services Gary Ameling, and Fire Chief Dave Burk. The City now has fewer employees than in 1987, though La Mesa’s population has grown 14%.

Yet there are many bright spots. Madrid praised residents for approving a ¾ cent sales tax increase via ballot initiative—an action he said “saved this city from terminating 55 employees, closing our community pool, severely reducing the maintenance of our parks and medians, reducing the staffing at one of our three fire stations and a host of other critical cuts.” Citizen volunteers also saved the city $854,397.

Serious crime dropped 10%. A new library (photo, left) and fire station have been completed, a new fire engine purchased, and a new police headquarters is on track for completion this year, thanks to a bond measure.

A plan to improve the downtown village streetscape was also approved, to be funded with $300,000 from the downtown parking fund. “We will recruit more storefront businesses for our downtown village,” said Madrid. If successful, the move could boost sales tax revenues and prove a wise investment. Plans include improving streetscape on Allison Avenue and upgrading the entire downtown village as a commercial destination point, including improvements to sidewalks, streets, lighting and landscaping.

“I will also be requesting our Council to consider establishing a community garden,” Madrid disclosed to ECM. “A community garden will complement the strategies of our `live well initiative’ and add social value by bringing our school-aged children and adults together,” he noted.

The community garden will be located in a 2 ¼ acre fenced lot across the street from Maryland Avenue Elementary School. “I had a very positive meeting with the owner, Bill Gilmore, and he was very generous in offering that site to me for our community garden,” said Madrid. “Mr. Gilmore is one of those individuals who gives back to the community because in his words, `The City of La Mesa has always been very helpful and supportive my parents on an issue.” Gilmore is a resident of Crest, he added.

The first Mayor in East County to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Change pledge, Madrid also takes pride in the City’s Environmental/Sustainability Commission and its second annual Environmental Fair to promote recycling and educate the public on environmental sustainability, which drew 500 attendees.

In 2010, construction of a bridge and elevators to connect Grossmont Center with the trolley station below are slated to commence. The plan would improve access also for residents at the Fairfield/Grossmont Trolley Center, where buildings on the west side are 89% occupied. Construction of buildings on the north side should be finished this spring.

The Mayor declined to comment on a developer’s request for the City to waive height limits and allow a proposed 18-story high rise project. He noted that any Councilmember who voices an opinion before the measure comes before Council could be requested to recuse himself or herself from voting. But he observed, “I’ve always said anyone can ask for anything, but it doesn’t mean that they will get it. The City has zoning rules and regulations that we abide by. People can also ask for a variance for their projects.”

Madrid plans to explore cost savings programs in 2010 by merging with other East County jurisdictions to eliminate duplication of services while improving service delivery, similar to the fire services merger last year. To cite one example, he calls for participation in a “region-wide graffiti tracking system to eliminate the blight created by graffiti and tagging.”

In his audit report speech, Madrid noted that cities “have entered an era where survival means collaboration and partnership with others while maintaining our independence as a city and not jeopardizing or destroying the character and personality of La Mesa.”

For the coming year, Madrid told ECM, he also wants to “assure passage of a statewide ballot initiative, a constitutional amendment, to prohibit the state from taking dedicated monies for local government programs”. He also wants to assure that all La Mesa residents complete the U.S. Census Bureau questionnaire “so this region receives its fair share of revenues from Washington D.C.”

He called on communities to offer a helping hand amid these trying times. Volunteer drivers with La Mesa’s Rides 4 Neighbors program, for example, provided 5,250 rides for older adults and people with disabilities to medical and personal care appointments last year—double the number of rides given in 2008.

“Considering the many challenges we face because of the economic crisis, it’s more important today to look after our residents and neighbors who are less fortunate than others and assist wherever possible,” said Madrid, who has served as La Mesa’s Mayor for 20 years and as a Councilmember for four years before that.

He also wants to see a regional effort made to be a global good neighbor for quake survivors in Haiti. “I would like for all of East County residents to establish a central point where clothing and other essential needs are collected and sent to the earthquake victims,” he said.

The Mayor expressed disappointment in a Union-Tribune story earlier this week, which said that the City’s police union leader, Jeff Raybould, objected in a heatedly worded letter to a comment reportedly made by Madrid following a labor discussion. Madrid pointed out that La Mesa is a pleasant place to live and noted that it should count for something, since “our employees aren’t being shot at,” according to the Union-Tribune story. Raybould added the police in La Mesa “don’t spend all of our time scooping up inebriated public officials,” an apparent reference to a past incident in which police escorted home the Mayor and a companion. (The Mayor has apologized for the incident and stated he believes one mistake should not negate his 24 years of public service in La Mesa).

Asked about the Union-Tribune article, Madrid told ECM, “I did not, repeat, did not say what the police union president accused me of. They are angry that in its wisdom, this Council couldn’t justify a salary increase under our present financial constraints,” he said, adding that he believes the union is trying to discredit the City and himself.

Long-time La Mesa resident Kristin Kjaero, who was at the meeting, backs Madrid’s contention. “There was no "war of words" between the Mayor and Police Officers Association at the Council meeting 1/26/10,” she wrote, noting that the POA representative berated the whole Council. Kjaero suggested the Union tried to “preemptively target the most effective individual potentially between them and raises in upcoming negotiations” and chastised the newspaper's reporter for not questioning why a group of "tough police officers" would take offense at an alleged comment praising city safety.  She added “Thank goodness La Mesa broadcasts meetings live and records them so the public can judge for itself.” (Videos are not online but may be viewed at City Hall).

 

Madrid will seek reelection in November he confirmed. He added that he is pleased with “positive responses” including positive campaign pledges received so far.

He hopes to be in office on February 16, 2012, when La Mesa will celebrate its centennial. To mark the occasion, the City Council has formed a planning committee to create a year-long celebration for the community—and welcomes participation by groups and individuals, Madrid disclosed in his recent report to Council and community members.

La Mesa’s long-time Mayor concluded, “It is never too early to plan for your 100th birthday.”
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Comments

thanks to both

It is great to see a balanced article about the Mayor. Thanks for that.
As for Mr. Madrid and the City Council, keep up the good work.

Congratulations Mr Mayor

You seem to be doing a very great job out there. It's people like you that our communities need. Once again thanks for your good works