Photo by Jon Lewis.
Mayor Rick Bosetti delivered his third and final State of the City address Tuesday, liberally sprinkling in baseball references as he cited statistics and gave updates on city projects that lined up with his overriding theme of “Good Things are Happening.”
The city of Redding is not without its challenges, including a slow climb out of the Great Recession (a challenge that figured prominently last year as well when he addressed a packed Civic Auditorium), but Bosetti urged this year’s crowd not to get discouraged “with a setback here or a bit of bad news there.
“Today, I would like to step back and look at the ‘big picture’—the whole ballgame if you will. In doing that, I think you’ll find that, in our city, good things are happening.”
Redding remains in the black, with a healthy 12 percent reserve—“not many cities can say that”—and sales tax receipts, the city’s largest revenue source, are up 5 percent from the previous year. Construction is up and unemployment is edging down.
“There is an elephant in the room: crime,” Bosetti said. “That elephant is out and walking around and everyone seems to be talking about it.” The spike in property crimes and transient-related issues is on a lot of people’s minds, and the retiring mayor noted that early in his speech, tossing out the quip that “we haven’t seen this many people in an audience since (Redding Police) Chief Paoletti’s last town hall meeting.”
The state of California is not doing much to help combat crime on Redding’s streets, despite a resurgent statewide economy, “and it won’t,” Bosetti said. “We, the City Council, heard you. We rolled up our sleeves and we have worked to address this issue.”
At the top of the list is Measure F, a proposed quarter-cent sales tax increase to exclusively fund more officers and jail space. It goes before Redding votes on Nov. 4 and requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
“As I said, the state will not ride to our rescue, even though it has caused much of this problem. This is your chance to determine Redding’s future,” Bosetti said to the audience, which was chock-a-block with elected officials, business owners and civic leaders.
While waiting for Measure F’s fate to be decided, Bosetti said the city has been active in the fight on crime. He noted the work of Police Chief Rob Paoletti in creating a course of action, the countywide implementation of “Shasta County’s Most Wanted” and restaurateur Ed Rullman’s Redding Merchants Crime Watch.
Redding’s police officers will soon have a new station, Bosetti said, and the Fire Department is in line for two new fire engines and the use of an engine purchased by the state Office of Emergency Services.
Other good news items included:
–The opening of the $1.2 million Turtle Bay East, which includes 40 acres of open space south and east of the Highway 44 bridge, a covered picnic pavilion and a mile of riverfront trail.
–The renovation of Tiger Field, including the addition of 500 seats. “You know, we did build it and they did come,” said Bosetti, who moonlights as the general manager of the Colt .45s, the baseball team of college-aged players who make their home at Tiger Field. Attendance at Colt .45 games more than doubled this year to 16,000.
–Clover Creek Preserve will soon be home to public restrooms and a Shasta-Trinity Flyfishers lodge.
–Redding’s Community Services Department orchestrated a highly entertaining 10-year anniversary party for the Sundial Bridge, including a performance by the Bandaloop vertical dance troupe, a music festival and raft race.
–Redding Municipal Airport’s $9.2 million remodel of its terminal is nearly complete and more than $1 million has been committed to a travel bank fund in the ongoing campaign to woo additional airline service to Redding.
–A $215,000 state grant will fund a community-based traffic and parking plan for downtown Redding, and a separate $275,000 grant will help pay for a Downtown Specific Plan.
“We all know what this city can be. Great things are happening—far too many to mention in this short time,” Bosetti said in conclusion. “With the great people in Redding, I’m confident they’ll continue for a long time.”
Prior to the State of the City address, Bosetti yielded the microphone to Councilwoman Missy McArthur, who presented the Past Mayors Philanthropy Achievement Award to Dugan and Terry Barr.
Redding Major Rick Bosetti congratulates Dugan and Terry Barr, recipients of the Past Mayors’ Philanthropic Award.
McArthur cited Terry Barr’s volunteer work with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mercy Foundation North and other nonprofit organizations. Dugan Barr, a longtime Redding attorney and a frequent contributor to A News Café, was recognized for his generous support of a variety of organizations.
McArthur also noted the attorney’s penchant for playing guitar and singing songs on St. Patrick’s Day at a local pub.
“With the exception of the guitar part, all of the rest was what my dad calls ‘paying your dues,’”
Dugan Barr said. “Pay your dues, folks.”
Jon Lewis is a freelance writer living in Redding. He has more than 30 years experience writing for newspapers and magazines. Contact him at jonpaullewis@gmail.com.
