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Government Specialist Richard Piatt reportingMayor Rocky Anderson has a list of project he wants to start. Projects he is expected to outline in his State of The City speech to City Council tonight.
Keep in mind: 2003 is an election year for Rocky Anderson.
He certainly has it in mind, but insists he has the city's best interest in mind with the ideas he plans to unveil tonight.
The mayor has stirred a lot of negative emotions up over the last year--mostly over the Main Street Plaza issue.
That's why we expect the mayor will spend very little time talking about that--and more time talking about what he wants for the future.
Political realities are creeping in for the mayor now: he already has two people ready to challenge him for his office.
And political analists say the clock is ticking when it comes to winning over disenfranchised voters.
Ted Wilson/Hinckley Institute Of Politics " THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT MAYOR ANDERSON TO PROJECT A VISION INTO THE FUTURE. AND THAT MEANS A LOT IN AN ELECTION YEAR. SO I THINK IT IS A GOOD YEAR TO WATCH THE MAYOR, IT'S A REAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HIM. AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF HE MEETS THE CHALLENGE."
The mayor is trying to talk about timely issues: Like the drought; encouraging new water rates to promote conservation.
Future development is an on-going concern for the mayor---he'll outline what's next when it comes to getting businesses downtown.
He'll talk about plans to expand and improve the airport, and efforts to bring the internet into every home.
And he wants to celebrate 1 year after the Olympics with winterfest, coming up in a few weeks.
The Mayor is well known for cramming a lot into his speeches, and this year is no exception.
This year, a lot is at stake--both for the city and for him politically.
