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STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

Cites Strengthening Business Environment; Optimism for Future

BUFFALO - Mayor Byron W. Brown today delivered his first State of the City address before 1,200 attendees during a 12:00 noon luncheon at the Buffalo Convention Center.

"The State of the City of Buffalo is strong and will continue to get stronger," said Mayor Brown during the speech. "The continued investment of companies like New Era, Hydro Air, M&T Bank and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York are testament to Buffalo's ability to attract and retain business that will strengthen our economy."

Mayor Brown articulated his vision for Buffalo, including: good paying jobs for all our young people, so they can live and work here; a fully redeveloped and vibrant waterfront; neighborhood business districts thriving in all parts of the City; the relocation of companies to Buffalo becomes common place; decent, affordable housing for all city residents in safe and secure neighborhoods of choice; the Buffalo Public Schools offer an excellent education for all children; a new wave of optimism washes through our community to sweep away the often heard naysayers; the divisions that sometimes separate us are broken down so that we truly are one community with a shared vision; and finally, there is no longer a need for a control board, with its wage and hiring freezes and oversight of city operations. 

"But most of all," said Mayor Brown, "my vision is of a City of Buffalo that will reclaim its rightful place among the great cities of the United States."

The Mayor recounted successes of the past year, including the launching of CitiStat Buffalo, the city's management accountability initiative, the Administration's quick effort to convince Hydro Air to remain in Western New York rather than accept relocation offers from Pennsylvania and South Carolina and the creation of the Police Department's permanent Mobile Response Unit following the success of the Department's 100-day Operation Strike Force effort.

"We witnessed great progress during 2006 and my Administration will add to that progress with new programs and initiatives in 2007 that will help continue that momentum," said Mayor Brown.

The Mayor cited a new law enforcement-based program, Safe Streets, Secure Neighborhoods that is modeled after the highly successful Safe Streets, Safe City initiative launched in New York City in the 1990's.

Buffalo's Safe Streets, Secure Neighborhoods is designed as a comprehensive law enforcement effort based in combating and preventing crime throughout the city.  Mayor Brown has called upon the Governor and the State Legislature to support Safe Streets, Secure Neighborhoods like their governmental predecessors did for New York City in the 1990's.

Helping to solidify the city's quality of life, the Mayor announced a new homeownership initiative known as Neighborhoods of Choice, which will be created in conjunction with Citizens Bank, the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors and the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association.

Neighborhoods of Choice will provide homeownership opportunities first in targeted areas of Buffalo's East side and West side.  The effort already has $3.5 million in combined private and public funds for the new program.

The Mayor also reiterated his determination to create 2,500 summer jobs this year for city youth.  He stated the city will also provide job readiness training to prepare these young people to enter the workforce.

"I am reaching out to local businesses to hire these young workers directly or to contribute to the Mayor's Fund to Advance Buffalo that will fund jobs for our City's young people this summer," said Mayor Brown. 

The Mayor concluded his State of the City Address by reemphasizing his Administration's commitment to its three guiding principles -- enhancing economic development, improving quality of life and providing government accountability.
 
"Today, I challenge all Buffalonians to take back the responsibility of defining our city," stated the Mayor.  "We no longer have time to be consumed by petty differences. We must be united in our common interests to reestablish this City as the hub of our region."