October 11, 1999
Mayor Williams gives First Radio Address Calls on Citizens, Businesses, Community Groups to Join Citywide "Neighborhood Action" Initiative
(Washington) Mayor Anthony A. Williams today delivered his first monthly radio address, calling on citizens, neighborhood associations, businesses, foundations, universities, and the faith community to mobilize behind Neighborhood Action, the Mayor's strategic initiative to improve neighborhoods. In his address, the Mayor urged citizens to attend the kickoff for Neighborhood Action, a Citizen Summit to be held at the Convention Center on November 20th.
In his address, the Mayor highlighted the potential impact of Neighborhood Action. "Every church in the city might be responsible for adopting five homeless people. Businesses in a neighborhood might decide to share responsibility for sprucing up a commercial corridor. Foundations will be more inclined to donate more if they know a project has broad citywide and neighborhood-based support. Volunteer organizations can choose projects knowing that their involvement might be the final ingredient necessary for success," he said, "And every citizen will know that they are part of the plan for the new future of their neighborhood."
The mission of Neighborhood Action is to empower citizens to improve their communities by mobilizing and coordinating the resources of government, business, nonprofits, the faith community, neighborhood leaders, and the citizens themselves. The initiative will:
- Build on existing neighborhood plans;
- Set realistic, but aggressive, timelines for visible results;
- Align the District's budget priorities with citizen's priorities; and
- Develop a strong, working partnership that will provide long-term sustainability.
