STATE OF THE CITY- CARLISLE, OHIO 2003



AS WE REVIEW THE EVENTS OF 2002 AND LOOK FORWARD TO 2003 WE DO
SO IN THE SHADOW OF FEDERAL AND STATE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS,
AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF A POSSIBLE WAR, AND IN THE AFTERMATH
OF THE COLUMBIA CATASTROPHE.


2002 SAW THE COMPLETION OF THE LONG AWAITED UNDERPASS PROJECT
AND PLANNING FOR THE REMAINING 123 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS. 2003
WILL SEE THESE IMPROVEMENTS FINALIZED AND THE 123 CORRIDOR
ENHANCED.


2002 SAW THE ADDITION OF A NEW MAJOR EMPLOYER, VORK TRUCKING.
AS WE SPEAK, OTHER BUSINESS START UPS HAVE BROUGHT NEW
EMPLOYEES AND AN EXPANDED TAX BASE TO THE CITY. I WOULD BE
REMISS IF I DID NOT THANK THE STAFF FOR ITS WORK IN FINALIZING THE
VORK DEAL. A SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO FIRE CHIEF GREG WALLACE FOR
HIS EFFORTS IN RELOCATING VORK TO CARLISLE. 2002 SAW THE WATER
LINE EXPANDED TO KEEP OUR ONE MEDICAL FACILITY IN TOWN.


2002 SAW SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WE
ANALYZED THE OPERATIONS AND NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT. CHIEF
PIEPER AND HIS FORCE ARE WORKING NOW TO IMPLEMENT THOSE
FINDINGS AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPROVING THE POLICE SERVICES
WE OFFER OUR CITIZENS. WE VIEW NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN
PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS FROM CRIME. WE POSSESS THE ELEMENTS
OF A FINE DEPARTMENT AND IT IS OUR GOAL TO FINE TUNE THOSE
ELEMENTS THIS YEAR.


2002 SAW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET IMPROVE WITH A SOFT BILLING
COMPONENT FOR FIRE RUNS. WE STILL FACE MAJOR BUDGET QUESTIONS
IN THE DEPARTMENT TO INSURE THE CONTINUATION OF OUR EXCELLENT
FIRE SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR HATS SHOULD GO OFF TO CHIEF
WALLACE AND HIS EXCELLENT DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR CONTINUED
EFFORTS.


GAYLON BROWN AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FACED AN EVER
GROWING WORK LOAD IN 2002. ALONG WITH MANAGING MAJOR PROJECT
IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY, THE DEPARTMENT DID AN EXCELLENT JOB
MAINTAINING THE BUILDINGS, AND THE PARKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
DESPITE MANPOWER NEEDS THE DEPARTMENT HAS PERFORMED IN AN
EXCELLENT MANNER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.


MY THANKS GO OUT TO BRAD, RON, FLO AND THE STAFF AT TOWN HALL
FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS ON THE BUDGET, THE COURT, TAXES, UTILITIES,
AND THE MULTITUDE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIL THAT ACCOMPANIES
THE GOVERNING OF A CITY. THE CITY HAS INDEED BEEN MANAGED WELL
BY COMPETENT PROFESSIONALS. THE VORK DEAL, THE FINALIZATION OF
THE UNDERPASS PROJECT, THE EXPANSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL PARK,
THE WATER SYSTEM EXTENSION, AND CONTINUED EFFORTS TO RECRUIT
AND MAINTAIN BUSINESSES ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
WE CAN CREDIT TO OUR TOWN HALL STAFF.


I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR
THEIR EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF, TO
SET COHERENT AND LOGICAL POLICIES TO GUIDE OUR CITY, AND FOR
THEIR LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN
WHICH OUR CITY MAY OPERATE.


AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO 2003, THE CHALLENGE WILL BE TO OPERATE
WITHIN THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY THE FEDERAL AND
STATE GOVERNMENTS, AND BY THE FALTERING ECONOMY. OUR STATE
REVENUE WILL SHRINK, LESS FEDERAL DOLLARS WILL BE AVAILABLE,
LOCAL TAX REVENUES WILL BE DOWN, AND WE MUST UTILIZE OUR
FUNDS WISELY TO FINALIZE THE MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
WE ARE COMMITTED TO, AND TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SERVICE
LEVELS TO OUR CITIZENS.


ON A PERSONAL NOTE I WANT TO THANK THE VICE MAYOR, COUNCIL,
THE STAFF, AND THE CITIZENS OF CARLISLE FOR THEIR CARDS, LETTERS,
PRAYERS, AND THOUGHTS DURING MY RECENT ILLNESS. I LOOK
FORWARD TO A FULL TIME RETURN TO MY DUTIES.


AS WE MOVE THROUGH 2003, I AM SURE WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROGRESS
AS A CITY. TOGETHER WE WILL HAVE A GOOD YEAR IN 2003.