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SALT LAKE CITY — Mayor Ralph Becker is taking his plans for improving Salt Lake City to a new crowd — the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders of Whittier Elementary School.
"Since it's been my experience that adults aren't the best listeners, I thought you — as young, up-and-coming residents and the future leaders of Salt Lake City — might be a better audience for this year's State of the City speech," Becker told the giggling crowd of about 275 students Wednesday.
Despite the lighthearted tone of the speech, the Salt Lake City mayor criticized Gov. Gary Herbert and state legislators as he listed the five points on air quality he outlined last year in his State of the City address. Becker said he was "disappointed in the adult leadership in this state" for not making progress on them.
"I asked the governor and state legislators to take action or, as an alternative, to let the cities and towns of Utah take our own actions. Not much happened. I didn’t have good luck with the adults last year, which is part of the reason I’m here talking to you this year," Becker said.
Becker has called for cleaner gasoline to reduce pollution, providing more bus and train service, increasing the state's gasoline tax, improving energy efficiency of buildings, and allowing Utahns to make state-specific air quality rules.
Comparing his goals to rays of sunshine, Becker outlined his plans to improve air quality, encourage residents to protect and enjoy nature, expand public transit, provide affordable housing, ensure access to education in all parts of the city, improve economic prosperity, and treat one another with civility.
The speech included cues for the students to provide sound effects, a wiggle break and an appearance from the Utah Jazz Bear.
Throughout the presentation Becker paused to read "wishes" submitted by the students, several of which focused on cleaner air and caring for the homeless. Others, however, asked for "less deaths" and cheaper ice cream.
I asked the governor and state legislators to take action or, as an alternative, to let the cities and towns of Utah take our own actions. Not much happened. I didn't have good luck with the adults last year, which is part of the reason I'm here talking to you this year.
–Mayor Becker's SOTC address to kids
Asking whether the students believed their families could try some environmentally friendly tips like turning off the lights when they leave a room or walking to school instead of driving, the children were joined by the dozens of adults in attendance as they shot to their feet.
Each of the children received a reusable water bottle from the mayor's office and a map of the Jordan River recreation area, along with encouragement to explore the outdoors and be conscientious of water issues in the state.
Becker told the children he is known as "the mayor who rides his bike to work" and "the mayor who wants to add more streetcars." His mobility goals for the city include extending streetcar lines and lengthening TRAX and bus routes and hours.
The mayor did not elaborate on plans for affordable housing, saying only that the city is working on "something pretty big and new" to provide homes for low-income residents and residents with disabilities. More details about the program will be announced in coming weeks, he said.
As downtown neighborhoods grow, Becker offered his committment to providing accessible education.
"With the great efforts of the school board and the Salt Lake City School District, we will be working to ensure that we have multiple school options for our downtown families, so that young people who are living downtown and having children won’t have to move out just to be closer to a school," he said.
Economic prosperity, the mayor explained to the students, weighs the city's ability to pay for both the things it needs to do and the things it wants to do. Salt Lake City's goal for 2015 is to fund fair housing and support the arts.
Addressing civility, Becker applauded Councilman Charlie Luke, who served as the City Council's chairman in 2014, for his anti-bullying efforts for children in the city.
Luke, who joined members of the council who came to hear the mayor's speech at the elementary school, called the speech "engaging."
"Those points that he talked about are also points we talked about as a City Council last year, and I know we're going to be talking about them this year as well," he said. "They're points that are relevant for everyone in the city regardless of age."
Newly elected City Council Chairman Luke Garrott, who will likely challenge Becker's bid for a third term as mayor, issued a statement later in the day challenging Becker's positions. Garrott criticized Becker's push for mobility, arguing that the Sugar House streetcar has drawn low ridership while bus service has been reduced.
"Missing from Ralph's record on mobility are the neighborhood services that allow residents to travel within their neighborhoods not just across town," Garrott said.
He also said the mayor hasn't done enough for affordable housing or air quality in the city.
Becker ended his remarks with a request that the children continue their education and community involvement.
"In this room, there is very likely at least one of you who will be a mayor or who will run for public office someday. But I’m hoping that, no matter what, all of you will get involved in your communities," he said. "I encourage you … to take pride and ownership in where you live as if you were going to be mayor one day. This is your city."
Amy Rowland, with the National Development Council, said she believes addressing the children brought a new energy to the mayor's goals. The nonprofit group consults on economic and community development issues.
"They mostly had wishes that fit really well with his speech. I thought that was cute, a great twist," Rowland said. "I thought it was great that the kids picked up on the need for food and shelter and clean air. Clearly they understand that and it tells you how basic those concerns are. I wish the solutions were that simple."
