While he peppered his speech with some good news, Mayor Don Darling was pretty blunt in his first State of the City address. He says costs are rising and revenues are flat.
He says we need bold actions, not small adjustments and that we are vulnerable as 92 percent of our revenue comes from property taxes and the unconditional grant.
He adds that he loves Saint John and he believes the city has lots to celebrate but we also need to improve the fundamentals and our competitiveness.
Mayor Don Darling:
We need 4-5% growth to keep up with our expenses. #sjstateofcity pic.twitter.com/UowZNJrHXv— CHSJ News (@chsjnews) July 6, 2017
Darling also said we need 4 to 5 % growth to keep up with our expenses.
Darling’s wife Patti and his mom were on hand to watch the speech and he was introduced by a 10 year old girl named Haleema who consider the mayor he friend and sends him encouraging notes.
#sjstateofcity starts with an “aw” moment as 10 year old Haleema introduces Mayor Don Darling. pic.twitter.com/gJAF0nw9bg
— CHSJ News (@chsjnews) July 6, 2017
Mayor Darling gets a standing ovation. #sjstateofcity pic.twitter.com/UQCVE8N60z
— CHSJ News (@chsjnews) July 6, 2017
