Mayor Jim Smith touts Helena’s opportunities

– 01/27/04

"Helena is on the move," declared Mayor Jim Smith.

Growth, economic development and quality of life were the major themes of his annual "State of the City" address Monday night.

During the half-hour address, Smith catalogued the city’s past year and thanked all employees and volunteers for their efforts.

By Jason Mohr – IR Staff Writer

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/01/27/helena/a01012704_04.txt

He quoted ex-Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphery on civic duty, reminisced about his Sixth Ward home where his daughter was born, closed with a toast in memory of his Butte-born father. He received a standing ovation.

Like other Montana cities, Helena is becoming a regional economic hub, Smith said.

"As I said a year ago, we’re faced with insurmountable opportunities," he said. "Government’s job is to provide services and to resolve conflicts…The business of government provides a strong economic foundation."

Smith ticked off the city’s high points: safe drinking water, improved roads, a "gem" of a parks system and new affordable housing.

Projects like Home Depot and expansions of Power Townsend, St. Peter’s Hospital and Carroll College were part of $50 million in construction last year, he said. And he said, efforts will be continued to make development easier.

Interstate 15 upgrades will drive further growth. Smith promised his mother, who lives near the proposed south Helena interchange, that she won’t recognize her future, mixed-use neighborhood.

Smith pledged to uphold whatever the courts decide on the Clear Indoor Air Ordinance, hoping the "city’s efforts will result in a more healthful city."

He also promised a new effort to combat downtown vandalism.

Smith noted the city’s increased emphasis on counter-terrorism planning – "We live in an open society and we’re proud of that, but it makes us vulnerable" – and honored soldiers stationed in Iraq.