Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima's Holiday Message

Editor's Note: The following opinion piece was submitted to Patch by Mayor Jeff Scrima.

Things are getting brighter. During the last two years we have made significant progress.

In 2011…

• Our city tax levy increased by zero percent.
• The National Recreation and Park Association granted Waukesha their “Gold Medal Award.”
• The Wisconsin Library Association designated our Public Library the “Wisconsin Library of the Year.”
• The League of Wisconsin Municipalities and Arts Wisconsin granted us their “Arts in Community Award.”
• In 2011 and 2012, America’s Promise Alliance ranked Waukesha one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People” in the United States.
• With city incentives, SPX Waukesha Electric and Weldall Manufacturing expanded adding 325 new family supporting jobs to our community.
• For 2012, our city tax levy came within .12 of 1 percent in meeting our zero percent increase goal.

In 2012…

• Money Magazine ranked Waukesha, as the only city in Wisconsin, to make its list of the “100 Best Places to Live” in America.
• Gibson Guitar Corporation designated Waukesha for their nationally acclaimed “GuitarTown” community art and music project, which raised over $100,000 for local charity.
• With city incentives, Woodman’s Food Market broke ground, with its store opening in 2013 and will add more than 200 jobs to our community.
• GE Gas Engines expanded adding more than 100 new family supporting jobs to our community.
• With city incentives, Gaco Western broke ground for expansion, which will add new technology jobs.
• The new Kendal Lofts, Third-Ward-style residences, began construction downtown on the river.
• ProHealth Care renovated Waukesha Memorial Hospital and opened a new Community Health Center.
• Carroll University expanded programs, dorms and enrollment.
• The Shoppes at Fox River expanded.
• We opened a new fire station.
• We created a new Civic Volunteer Corp, as a way for citizens to connect with and renew their community.
• We created a new citizen-friendly city website – check it out at: www.ci.waukesha.wi.us       
• For 2013, our city tax levy came within .42 of 1 percent in meeting our zero percent increase goal.

Looking ahead…

• Our downtown will continue and expand our community front porch events – including Freeman Friday Night Live Music, the Farmers Market, Art Crawls, GuitarTown and more.
• We will continue to focus on new business and investment opportunities.
• We will progressively pursue perfection in providing a better quality of life at a more conservative price.

Our goal is for Waukesha to become the No. 1 rated Best Small City in America by 2018.

This is a big dream for a small city. We can do it by focusing on our sense of community. On our neighborhoods. On our homes. On our families. On our values of empathy, responsibility and creativity. For those things to come to light, we would be wise to focus on the good and look out for others so that others will look after us.

Things are getting brighter in Waukesha. Please join us. Together our holidays and new year will shine!

Jeff Scrima
City of Waukesha Mayor                                                                           December 2012