RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Mayor Garrett Gatewood’s message for this year’s Rancho Cordova State of the City address was an enthusiastic, full-of-personality update for leaders and citizens who crowded into City Hall last week. The November 3^rd annual review he presented was of a successful fiscal year for the City, and for what lays ahead, with increasing housing permits, developing shopping centers and civic projects in the making.

The mayor wished to highlight the important financial tools that were ensuring an ever more, self-sufficient City: “Because of Measure H and Measure R, we now no longer have to go to federal or state [governments] for money. Our citizens, our bootstrap city, pulled ourselves up and we now can take care of our roads forever! We will always be in that position.” He thanked residents for their support of the measures.

“We’ve completed construction on the Final Phase of Folsom Boulevard,” Mayor Gatewood told the audience, adding with a sigh of relief “THANK GOD!” that the long project was finally over.

Gatewood continued to speak to those concerned about the economic recovery and job market, announcing: “If you are interested in training, Rancho Cordova has something for you… we are the place… Rancho Cordova will find a way to train and employ you.”

With his now signature “Big Dreams” theme, Gatewood reiterated to the audience, “Big Dreams are becoming realities right here in Rancho Cordova, and that’s thanks to the hard work of many individuals.” He gave a public welcome to the newly appointed Rancho Cordova Chief of Police, Brandon M. Luke, and told the crowd, “You live in one of the safest cities in the region.”

Finally, Gatewood turned to the upcoming holidays which won’t be cancelled this year due to COVID, exclaiming, “I am happy to announce that the events are BACK, BABY! And, SO AM I! including the best one, the one I became Mayor for,” he said humorously, “which is the lighting of the Christmas Tree. I want to be there to turn the switch. I’ve waited five years for this, people! This is it; THIS IS MY YEAR!”

Shelly Blanchard, Executive Director of Cordova Community Council, said, Gatewood’s message for the year had a “special meaning” after “all the twists and turns caused by the coronavirus pandemic… and that it contrasted to the negative message we are usually bombarded with in the national news.”

For more details on Mayor Gatewood’s Address see the mayor’s column in the pages of the Grapevine Independent or watch it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZl0sZuXqdc