“Even with all that we’ve achieved, there is so much more that can be done,” said Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora during his fourth State of the City Address live from City Council chambers on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. “We need to unite for the betterment of the City.”
Highlighting the tremendous Olympic Gold Medal victories of Trenton Central High School Alum Athing Mu this summer, Mayor Gusciora called for the city to nurture a spirit of unity as the community celebrates Trenton’s other successes this year.
The Mayor’s key focus areas included the $73 million to Trenton that Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman helped secure from the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan and efforts to improve public safety, including Director Wilson’s assignment of more officers to target violent crime offenders in historic hot spots.
In addition to initiatives with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to expand youth programs, the Mayor addressed economic development imperatives including Housing Director Andre Daniels’ focus on supporting the businesses that are already here, adding new businesses, bringing developers to the City, and tackling the large number of vacant properties.
“But none of this progress will last until we root out the blight that cripples economic
opportunity and weighs down the spirit of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Gusciora, siting efforts to bolster demolition projects that will “open up these neighborhoods for critically needed development.”
The Mayor thanked Pastor Rodriguez at the Pentecostal Church on North Clinton Avenue for his tremendous assistance in efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in the city. He also thanked Dr. Lopez and Health Officer Yvette Graffie Cooper, “who have had considerable support from OEM Director Grady Griffin and Director of Recreation Maria Richardson.”
Mayor Gusciora finished his address expanding on major improvements at Trenton Water Works; exciting updates with respect to Trenton’s Parks, Recreation and Culture; and major capital city aid and transitional aid to help move the city forward.
“God bless America, and God bless the City of Trenton,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Let’s continue to lift this city together.”
You can check out the full video recording and transcript of the Mayor’s speech on Facebook at facebook.com/cityoftrentonnj, via the City’s website at trentonnj.org, or in Spanish via the Latino Spirit at facebook.com/thelatinospirit.