Mayor: Oswego Weathered Hard Times; Now Facing A Bright Future

by Steve Yablonski | March 11, 2013 9:44 pm

OSWEGO, NY – The Port City “is poised for dramatic growth,” Mayor Tom Gillen said Monday night in his 2013 State of the City address.

“Our city has weathered the recent recession. Some of our local companies went under, along with small businesses, promising startups, and beloved neighborhood shops. We watched our family, our friends and our neighbors struggle, while our home values dropped and our retirement savings dwindled,” he said.

“In moments like these, you can learn something about yourself and the people you share a community with,” he continued. “We learned we are resilient, we are determined, we are innovative, and we are passionate about this city we love.”

However, he cautioned, “The hard times aren’t over. But we have been making progress.”

Gillen went on to highlight the positive strides being made in the city.

He praised the Common Council for its support.

He said it was an “Uncommon Council” in that they have set aside the political actions that have historically divided the community.

“They have instead focused on how we can best work together to serve all the people of Oswego,” he pointed out. “Our common goal will continue to be how best to make our city a better place for us all to live in, work in and a safer place in which to raise our families.”

Council President Ron Kaplewicz said

“I give the mayor lots of credit. He has been working very hard to improve the city. His thoughts, what he outlined in the State of the City, that’s who he really is,” he said. “And, when he called this a very ‘Uncommon council,’ I take that as a great, great compliment. The council and the administration are on the same page. Together we are doing whatever it takes to make Oswego a great city.”

Kaplewicz said the mayor is doing a great job, adding that the mayor is correct when he said there is more work to be done.

“We have a lot of very tough decisions ahead of us, not just this year, but in the years to come,” he said. “But as long as we continue to work together, I think everything is going to be alright.”

“…we are working hard to build a culture of responsiveness in city government. Responsiveness is not only about maintaining the quality of life that we hear so much about,” Mayor Gillen said. “It is also about supporting economic activities that will lead to strong economic growth.”

Oswego offers the location and resources that will play a major role in the economic development of Central New York as well as the entire region, the mayor said.

“Our future is bright and it will bring many new and bold challenges to our people” he added.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/mayor-oswego-weathered-hard-times-now-facing-a-bright-future/

---