March 06, 2000
Mayor Williams Calls For Critical Investments In Education And Neighborhoods In State Of District Address
(Washington, D.C.) In his first State of the District address, Mayor Anthony A. Williams outlined budget priorities for fiscal year 2001. The priorities - education, safe neighborhoods, health communities and making government work - were developed in response to citizen participation in Neighborhood Action, a year long initiative that began in November with the Citizen's Summit.
During the address, the Mayor called upon the entire city to join with him and parents, teachers and educators to make our schools one of the best educational systems of any big city in America. As a first step, the Mayor committed to full funding for District of Columbia Public Schools.
"I believe educating our young people is no more and no less than the central driving force for any community that aspires to greatness," said Mayor Williams. "Make no mistake, my budget for next year is an education budget-with full funding for D.C. Public Schools and a substantial increase for Public Charter Schools. "
The Mayor acknowledged the improvements made in schools by Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.
In his speech, the Mayor also made a strong commitment to improving public safety in our neighborhoods.
"We must move officers out from behind desks and out of courtroom hallways so they can spend their time patrolling our communities," said Mayor Williams. "We must make our young people safe and we're going to get more guns off the streets."
The Mayor selected Ballou High School for the State of the District to emphasis his commitment to young people.
"This school, these kids and this community, symbolize the State of our District. Ballou embodies our hopes and our most profound challenges; our deepest passions, our pains, and our potential," said Mayor Williams.
The Mayor also made commitments to:
- Increase economic development in neighborhoods, particularly East of the River
- Expand health care coverage through Medicaid.
- Increase the number of drug treatment slots.
- Continue service delivery improvements at the Departments of Public Works and Motor Vehicles.
In addition to outlining his budget commitment to his major initiatives, Mayor Williams also issued a 'scorecard' to citizens in an effort to be accountable for accomplishing specific goals. These goals include: construction of new recreational facilities, boarding up nuisance properties, collection of trash, groundbreaking for a supermarket East of the River and expansion of insurance coverage for children.
More than 800 people attended the State of the District address. Each received a publication "Making the Vision a Reality," which outlines the Mayor's budget priorities and Strategic Plan.
