When I took office two years ago, it was the culmination of a dream to serve the City that has shaped my life. The road from City Terrace – the neighborhood in East Los Angeles where I grew up – to City Hall was not always straight or easy, but it was a journey made possible by inspiring teachers, unshakable faith, and the indomitable spirit of my mother. Without reservation, being Mayor is the greatest honor of my life.

 No city in America faces greater risks or rewards than Los Angeles. Over the last two years, my partners on the City Council and my entire team of staff, commissioners, and general managers have taken the attitude that our future as agreat global city depends on our willingness to dream big and to confront our most daunting challenges. This is our chance to expand economic opportunity to every neighborhood and to unite Angelenos behind the idea that our similarities run deeper than our differences. It’s also a chance to create a different kind of government – one that is fiscally responsible and socially progressive, one that recognizes environmentally sustainable growth is not a luxury, but a necessity, and one that understands we can no longer afford to leave thousands of young people behind without a high school diploma.

 In two years, we’ve shown that government can become more efficient while delivering the services residents expect. With two balanced budgets, the structural deficit is down by over $200 million and the balance of our savings account is up. We made a commitment to improving public safety by hiring 1,000 police officers. To date, 300 officers have been added, bringing the total police force to more than 9,500 for the first time in twelve years.

These new officers will be instrumental in continuing the dramatic reductions in crime Los Angeles has experienced over the past five years. They will also implement our new comprehensive gang reduction strategy that combines increased law enforcement with a wiser use of the $168 million Los Angeles spends on job training, education, youth development, and intervention programs. In just six months, our efforts are already bearing fruit – gang-related homicides are down 32% this year compared to 2006.

 Tourism and international trade are at all time highs, and an expanding economy is building a new Los Angeles. More than 85 high-rise buildings are in the development pipeline across the City. Catalytic projects – such as LA Live, the Grand Avenue Redevelopment Project, and NBC/Universal City – are taking shape along subway lines. We are planning 60 new transit-oriented development areas that will combine dense housing, walkable streets, and mixed-use development near transit options that will reduce our reliance on driving.

Just as important, Los Angeles is on track to become the cleanest and greenest big city in America. We have more than doubled the use of clean, renewable energy and developed a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35%. More than half of City vehicles are hybrids or run on alternative fuels, and we are planting a million trees to green Los Angeles and clean the air. We are beginning to restore the Los Angeles River and reduce air pollution from the Port by 45% to protect public health.

We have lifted expectations and changed the debate about public education in Los Angeles by organizing thousands of parents and developing a policy framework for change. And while our school reform legislation did not survive a court challenge, we elected a new reform majority on the LAUSD Board, and we are forging an historic partnership between the City and the District that that will bring fundamental reform to LA’s neediest schools.

I am particularly proud that we helped bring more than 100,000 people together over the last two years in the spirit of service to community. At neighborhood cleanups, hospital wards, and elementary schools, thousands of Angelenos invested their energy and time to help those in need and build a stronger city. We will continue to promote and support community service because I believe that real solutions are not found in government programs, but in the commitment we make to our neighbors.

We made progress because we dared to dream big. By refusing to trim our expectations or hedge our bets – and like generations of Angelenos who came before us – we imagined a brighter future, and we are on our way.

 Los Angeles is unquestionably a global city of the 21st century with unprecedented wealth, talent, and resources. In the next two years, let’s train our sights on even greater goals. Our challenge remains to bring prosperity and opportunity
to every Angeleno from Arleta to Watts. Join me in dreaming of a stronger Los Angeles – and more importantly – in making it happen.

Very Truly Yours,

Antonio R. Villaraigosa