Friday, January 18, 2002
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Friday, January 18, 2002 |
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Mayor: 'Union City Express' ready to roll By JANET
McGREGOR
Union City Mayor Ralph Moore was sworn in for his third term by State Court Judge Susan Forsling at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Council members Barbara Bohanan and Shirley Jackson were sworn in by City Attorney Dennis Davenport. Moore's inaugural address was a heartfelt call for a "revival of community spirit." He reminded the audience of one of his favorite statements when he first took office: "Growth isn't here now, but just stay tuned." According to Moore, Union City now ranks among the top ten fastest growing cities in the state and is an economic hub for South Fulton County. He noted that the growth was partially the result of "sound governmental principles that says, 'Provide a safe and clean city with efficient delivery of services, and they will come.'" Calling the city a "shining city on the hill," he said the city is one that is written about and is an example to others. Referencing the effects of recent growth and the influx of new residents on the community spirit, he asked, "Has our spirit to reach out to each other been lost in the pictures painted by Norman Rockwell?" He enjoined the citizens of Union City to interact with their neighbors and participate more in the lives of others less fortunate. He said, "Our city must get beyond the convenience of avoidance. Not to do so only results in a city that is just a fish bowl of addresses." To "overcome our inability to bridge the silent gap between us," Moore said residents must first make a commitment to get to know their neighbors, by organizing into neighborhood associations, forming social clubs or using the local PTO. He suggested that churches, temples and mosques open their doors to nonmembers for social and civic gatherings. Mentioning a number of city-sponsored events, he noted a need for recreation programs to be supported to "facilitate a growing demand by our increased population." The mayor then switched gears, focusing on what he considered "a very important and fundamental issue that has become a very challenging topic in our city" how to reestablish the city's economic competitive edge. He said there is a "cloud of incompleteness in the form of an under-served community for retail and service amenities." He continued, "A very true reality for Union City is that there are very few tools available to government to attract businesses to our city, and the ones available lack the fullness to address the service and retail industries." To correct the deficiency, Moore said that Union City must be willing to make a financial commitment toward an economic program. He stressed that the economic development program could be supported by other resources but "should never, and I mean never, take second position to other jurisdictional goals, no matter how well intended. Citing his concern that retail and service companies are overlooking Union City, Moore called for Union City to develop an outreach program to go to targeted establishments to "let them know our market is just as vibrant and lucrative as any market." He emphatically said, "Let other communities toot their own horn if they wish, but we can no longer let others ride on this bus. This is the Union City express. Either you can get on board and ride to that land of abundance, or you can stand at the bus stop and wave as the bus takes off. Or you can get caught in the way of this bus. But this bus will roll." He closed on a positive note, saying the city remains one of the "safest in the metro area, one of the cleanest and one of the most prosperous," and again challenged his fellow citizens "not to depend on someone else to make the difference."
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