Best Wishes at the Close of a Great Year!

At this special time of year, full of traditions and diverse celebrations, we take time to reflect on our recent accomplishments as we anticipate the year ahead.

2007 has been a remarkable year for the City of Edmonton.

We are seeing the city transformed in some really significant ways. Both through the ongoing record breaking investment in our core - $1 billion in 2007 alone has helped to move the LRT further south, upgrade neighbourhoods, resurface roads and build new police stations, fire halls and libraries and other vital services.

And we are seeing it in the nature of our City, with Edmonton proudly recognized as the Culture Capital of Canada in 2007.

And we’ve maintained our focus on the nature of Edmonton as a city that cares about the quality of its environment and its communities.


Ambitious 2008 Agenda

There’s no doubt we have an ambitious agenda for 2008.

Top of the list, we hope, will be the beginning of a new chapter in our region – with 25 municipalities of our region, finally working toward a common plan and integrated infrastructure and services for the more than 1 million people we serve.

In addition, we can now be assured that our newly approved $2.5 billion operating budget will support many integral services and projects in the coming year.

I am pleased that council was able to come up with some resourceful ways to save money while keeping up with the increased demands on our growing city. As a result, the city has accepted a 7.5 per cent property tax increase which is a significant reduction from the previously suggested 10.9 per cent tax hike.

In 2008, we will also look ahead towards seeing many new housing projects take shape along the entire continuum of social housing, to that which is made more attainable to young families and first time buyers.

And our efforts to integrate our northeast land with the northeast industrial development will continue to be a priority and the extension of the LRT will be a top-of-list priority.

Only by striving to achieve in all of these areas can we maintain our solid standing as one of the best cities to live in the country.

I extend to you and your family my warmest best wishes for a safe and Merry Christmas and happy, healthy holiday season.