Politics & Government

SD Mayor Faulconer Encourages City Employees to Step Forward with Great Ideas [Video]

The mayor said that his major priorities are road repairs. recruitment and retention of police officers, assisting the homeless, improving emergency response times, and expanding after-school programs at libraries and recreation centers.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer distributed his first video message to the city's employees today, encouraging them to step forward with ideas to make the government perform better and calling for "creativity and innovation" to be rewarded.

The video, which is available on YouTube, begins with Faulconer thanking City Council President Todd Gloria for guiding San Diego out of "a very difficult time" while serving as interim mayor. He also lauded city employees for "continuing to serve our city under such trying circumstances."

The mayor told city workers in the video, which runs for 3 minutes and 11 seconds, that his major priorities are road repairs. recruitment and retention of police officers, assisting the homeless, improving emergency response times, and expanding after-school programs at libraries and recreation centers.

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He also wants to create what he calls "Economic Opportunity Districts" to encourage investment by the private sector in San Diego's older neighborhoods.

Faulconer said he has been tapping department directors and labor leaders for their ideas on improving city government, but wants to hear from the rank-and-file, too.

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"If you have an idea on how we could do things better, I want to hear from you," Faulconer says in the video. "If there's something I can do to make it easier for you to do your job, I want to know. It's time that creativity and innovation are rewarded at the city."

He also said he wants to restore cuts made in previous budgets so that employees will have the tools they need to succeed.

—City News Service


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