Despite the number of speakers – 22 – Mayor Bonnie Rietz’s State of the City address flew by Thursday as she and each speaker reflected on 1999 and looked ahead into the future.

Friday, January 21, 2000

Despite the number of speakers – 22 – Mayor Bonnie Rietz’s State of the City address flew by Thursday as she and each speaker reflected on 1999 and looked ahead into the future.

While the mayor pointed at successful projects completed, begun or continued in 1999, she alternated with the 22 other speakers speaking of the many positive attributes of Austin. The speech was conducted in front of a packed house in the council chambers at City Hall.

"1999 was also one of the biggest years Austin has ever had in terms of construction valuations and building permits," Rietz said. The city had 2,480 building permits with a construction value of more than $34 million.

"Austin is booming," the mayor said.

She listed the seven years the city has gone without a tax increase as one of her and the council’s proud achievements.

KAUS news director Dan Conradt spoke of the media’s role in reporting the news, and artist Jim Wegner congratulated Austin on having so many art options.

Some of the speakers were longtime Austin residents talking about the things they have seen come and go, or the new businesses they will be opening. Miguel Garate, a Quality Pork Processors employee, spoke of his hopes that Hispanics would continue to find their role in Austin, with greater access to all services.

The day’s youngest speaker, Miles Edwards, took a moment to quote the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in expressing his fervent desire that racism would end.

Storyteller Michael Cotter got the biggest laugh of the day by deviating from the script a little and mentioning: "The first thing the mayor asked me was, ‘Do you think you could keep it short?’ when she invited me to be a part of this. Did everyone else get asked this?"

In conclusion, the mayor turned to the words spoken by one of the evening’s first speakers: "I vote for the people of our Austin community as ‘an inspiration’ with the kind and intelligent spirit they sustain and nurture."