State of the City 2014
We have a unique spirit that you don’t find many places… it’s our unique spirit that sets us apart… it’s our history that defines us as a city,” Mayor Berwin Hanna said on April 8th at the 2014 State of the City Address hosted by the Norco Area Chamber of Commerce.
Taking place at Nellie Weaver Hall, Mayor Hanna, covered topics from tourism to the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial. After the presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 999, Chante and Michelle Olivas performed the National Anthem, followed by an invocation from Pastor Fred Griffin of the Corona Church of the Open Door. NACC Chair Pamela Smith of Coffee News welcomed citizens of the city as well as several special guests, including Mayor Pro Tem Herb Higgins, City Councilmembers Kathy Azevedo, |
|
Kevin Bash, and Greg Newton, Eastvale Mayor Ike Bootsma, Jurupa Valley Mayor Frank Johnston, Western Municipal Water District Director S.R. “Al” Lopez, Riverside Community College District Trustee Nathan Miller, CNUSD Board of Education Members Bill Newberry, Cathy Sciortino, and John Zickefoose. Other attendees of note included Norco City Manager Andy Okoro, CNUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Lin, Norco College President Dr. Paul Parnell, CRC Warden Cynthia Tampkins, and Captain Eric Ver Hage, Commander Wayne Goveia, and Mr. Anthony Winicki from Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and its Norco detachment.
Smith then introduced former mayor and current city councilwoman Kathy Azevedo to the stage. Azevedo updated the audience on Norco’s 50th birthday and related events, specifically, the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial.
Azevedo played a video created by fellow councilmember Kevin Bash “in honor of George Ingalls and to understand the hero that Ingalls was.”
The Norco citizen joined the U.S. Army in 1966, served in Vietnam, and gave his life on April 16th of 1977 when he smothered a hand grenade to protect those around him. For his service and selflessness, Ingalls was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
After recognizing Ingalls and his sacrifice for our country, Azevedo continued to share a few words about Mayor Hanna before calling him to the stage, referring to him as “the real deal,” and that “there is never a doubt in the room who is representing Norco, Horsetown USA” at away meetings.
Mayor Hanna was raised in Texas, and moved to Norco more than twenty-eight years ago. Hanna is a founding member of the Norco Horsemen’s Association and the Norco Animal Rescue Team. The mayor joined the city council six years ago, and has been the chairperson for Day of the Cowboy for the past seven years.
Hanna then joined Azevedo on stage, greeted the audience, and began his address to the city and its residents. He addressed economic issues within the city, and made clear that Norco “will not compromise [its] lifestyle” to fix financial woes, but utilize them instead.
Hanna pushed the idea of tourism – that events such as Horseweek, horse shows, and rodeos will have visitors “fill our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and shop in our stores.” He stressed the importance of this, remarking that sales tax revenue would be generated and benefit the city’s general fund.
He continued to say that as a city, we must push for the Ingalls Equestrian Center to be the main arena for horse-related events in Southern California.
New stores such as Winco Foods, Hobby Lobby, and Tractor Supply Co. were recognized for the strength they bring to Norco’s economy and the campaign mentality of “Shop Norco.”
Hanna also pointed out that more businesses are opening, such as the much-awaited Fairfield Inn & Suites, that auto dealers are growing, foreclosures are down, and the general fund of the city has increased from 3.3 million dollars in 2006, to 5.3 million dollars today.
In regards to the city’s 50th birthday, Hanna mentioned the brick program in order to fund the Veterans memorial, and the importance of the city coming together in order to make this gift to the city happen.
Another main topic was Norco’s trail system, described by the mayor as “the most extensive in the nation,” and the importance of maintaining it. Although the city currently cannot afford to maintain the trails, the mayor stated that city officials are working to find a solution.
On a community level, the mayor emphasized the strength of youth clubs and participation in the city, including Norco Jr. All American Football League, Future Farmers of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the Norco High School football and softball team, as well as the thriving competitive rodeo community.
Hanna closed his address by calling last year “an encouraging one,” although it is vital that we celebrate the city’s 50th birthday “in a year of optimism,” and that “the change we see in the future needs to be in the favor of our lifestyle.”
After Hanna’s address, the NACC presented the mayor with a check for $4,000.00 as a donation to the construction of the Veterans memorial. Additional funds raised by a silent auction held by the chamber at the event will be presented at a future City Council meeting.
Councilman Kevin Bash then took the stage to welcome a founding member of the city of Norco and its third mayor, Dr. John Koning.
Koning was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and Gratitude from the city of Norco for his help in fighting to establish Norco’s cityhood in 1964.
Bash then unveiled a framed newspaper headline that read “Norco is a city” on the front page. The newspaper will be displayed in the Norco City Hall for all to see.
Concluding the night was the announcement of the NACC Silent Auction winners, from which all funds collected benefit the George A. Ingalls Veterans memorial.
The event was sponsored by Norco Valley Dental, Waste Management, Southern California Edison, AFS Printing, Howard-Johnson Norco, TSYS Merchant Services, McDonald’s of Norco, and Circle City Roofing.
Smith then introduced former mayor and current city councilwoman Kathy Azevedo to the stage. Azevedo updated the audience on Norco’s 50th birthday and related events, specifically, the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial.
Azevedo played a video created by fellow councilmember Kevin Bash “in honor of George Ingalls and to understand the hero that Ingalls was.”
The Norco citizen joined the U.S. Army in 1966, served in Vietnam, and gave his life on April 16th of 1977 when he smothered a hand grenade to protect those around him. For his service and selflessness, Ingalls was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously.
After recognizing Ingalls and his sacrifice for our country, Azevedo continued to share a few words about Mayor Hanna before calling him to the stage, referring to him as “the real deal,” and that “there is never a doubt in the room who is representing Norco, Horsetown USA” at away meetings.
Mayor Hanna was raised in Texas, and moved to Norco more than twenty-eight years ago. Hanna is a founding member of the Norco Horsemen’s Association and the Norco Animal Rescue Team. The mayor joined the city council six years ago, and has been the chairperson for Day of the Cowboy for the past seven years.
Hanna then joined Azevedo on stage, greeted the audience, and began his address to the city and its residents. He addressed economic issues within the city, and made clear that Norco “will not compromise [its] lifestyle” to fix financial woes, but utilize them instead.
Hanna pushed the idea of tourism – that events such as Horseweek, horse shows, and rodeos will have visitors “fill our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and shop in our stores.” He stressed the importance of this, remarking that sales tax revenue would be generated and benefit the city’s general fund.
He continued to say that as a city, we must push for the Ingalls Equestrian Center to be the main arena for horse-related events in Southern California.
New stores such as Winco Foods, Hobby Lobby, and Tractor Supply Co. were recognized for the strength they bring to Norco’s economy and the campaign mentality of “Shop Norco.”
Hanna also pointed out that more businesses are opening, such as the much-awaited Fairfield Inn & Suites, that auto dealers are growing, foreclosures are down, and the general fund of the city has increased from 3.3 million dollars in 2006, to 5.3 million dollars today.
In regards to the city’s 50th birthday, Hanna mentioned the brick program in order to fund the Veterans memorial, and the importance of the city coming together in order to make this gift to the city happen.
Another main topic was Norco’s trail system, described by the mayor as “the most extensive in the nation,” and the importance of maintaining it. Although the city currently cannot afford to maintain the trails, the mayor stated that city officials are working to find a solution.
On a community level, the mayor emphasized the strength of youth clubs and participation in the city, including Norco Jr. All American Football League, Future Farmers of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the Norco High School football and softball team, as well as the thriving competitive rodeo community.
Hanna closed his address by calling last year “an encouraging one,” although it is vital that we celebrate the city’s 50th birthday “in a year of optimism,” and that “the change we see in the future needs to be in the favor of our lifestyle.”
After Hanna’s address, the NACC presented the mayor with a check for $4,000.00 as a donation to the construction of the Veterans memorial. Additional funds raised by a silent auction held by the chamber at the event will be presented at a future City Council meeting.
Councilman Kevin Bash then took the stage to welcome a founding member of the city of Norco and its third mayor, Dr. John Koning.
Koning was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and Gratitude from the city of Norco for his help in fighting to establish Norco’s cityhood in 1964.
Bash then unveiled a framed newspaper headline that read “Norco is a city” on the front page. The newspaper will be displayed in the Norco City Hall for all to see.
Concluding the night was the announcement of the NACC Silent Auction winners, from which all funds collected benefit the George A. Ingalls Veterans memorial.
The event was sponsored by Norco Valley Dental, Waste Management, Southern California Edison, AFS Printing, Howard-Johnson Norco, TSYS Merchant Services, McDonald’s of Norco, and Circle City Roofing.