A number of people have asked what I plan to accomplish in the upcoming year as your mayor. I learned long ago in my former career as a police officer not to bite off more than I can chew nor make promises I cannot keep. Setting realistic goals and objectives and maintaining your focus is essential if you hope to realize your agenda.
I will tell you without hesitation what my number one priority is, our budget. My ambition is to see that we balance the budget once again. I also want to see our City coffers maintain the healthy sum of cash reserves we have come to rely upon as our comfort margin.
Moreover, as far as promises go I can promise you I will address the issues you bring to my attention. The phone number listed below is my home telephone number. In the event you should call and find that I am not at home, please leave a detailed message. It is my policy to return all phone calls as soon as I am able to do so. The matters you bring to my attention do not have to be big nor do they have to be small. What matters to me is that they are of concern to you and relate to the function of city government.
I attended a holiday season luncheon last week attended by some of the other mayors and council members in San Mateo County. While having lunch we traded comments concerning the issues facing our respective cities. One council member expressed concern over their city’s storm drains while another brought up the problematic issues regarding their sewers and so the stories went until it came to me. I elected to spend my turn eating my lunch. Because when it comes to “What’s going on in Foster City?,” I have to admit I feel like a kid at show and tell without anything to show or tell.
Feeling the polite need to contribute something or anything for that matter, I paused, reflected for a moment and thought, the only concern we have is the concern there are not any major issues to be concerned about. What I ended up saying is, “There’s really nothing of significant concern going on in Foster City.” I truly believe one of the reasons our City lacks the issues facing so many other cities is because your City Council and City staff have done the work to insure that we are on sound footing financially and administratively.
We are truly very fortunate, because even though our City has a short history, we have been blessed with sound management. Our sewers flow smoothly thanks to our elaborate system of lift stations. Our police and fire departments break everyone’s records for response times. The lawns in parks are all well irrigated and green and we offer one of the most comprehensive recreation programs available. In addition, our streets do not have potholes.
On a final note, we have our money (aka your tax dollars) safely in the bank. These are things I really do not like to flaunt but since we are all members of the same community, I hope you will allow me the opportunity to share these things with you particularly during a holiday season when it is appropriate to reflect and be thankful.
If you have any questions or remarks please feel free to call me at 650-349-2316 or e-mail me at jkiramis@fostercity.org.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
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