Mayor Looks Toward 2012

By Larry Kramer

With the countdown to a new year underway, I want to share my excitement and some hopes for the coming year. We are fortunate to live in a small town with a big soul.  Passionate and involved citizens, rich history and culture make for a special community that I am proud to call home. I am honored to serve on the City Council and as your mayor for the coming year and look forward to another year of progress and moving our city forward. 

In 2012, maintaining a high quality of life will continue to be our top priority. In this coming year, you will see more government transparency and more public involvement. We will continue to work on improving both the city coffers and public services. You will see the completion of traffic-easing projects like the Del Obispo Street bridge-widening and the I-5 ramps at Camino Capistrano.  You could see the start of construction on the . 

We'll continue our quest to provide a more pedestrian-friendly, vibrant downtown with the process. That process includes more public hearings in January and February, with a council hearing anticipated in March. The is expected to open early in 2012. Ground has been broken for the first phase of the . Next year, you will see the construction of a . It is being constructed by the Open Space Foundation and then will be maintained by the city. 

Public safety in San Juan Capistrano will be enhanced by the recent additions of a and an administrative sergeant, who will help Police Services to create a more robust community-policing program.  This new Crime Prevention/Community-Oriented Policing unit will foster an improved and stronger relationship between law enforcement and the community as a whole through the development of Neighborhood and Business Watch programs; town hall meetings; and a myriad of other community outreach events designed to educate folks by partnering with local law enforcement. 

In the spirit of greater government transparency, residents will soon be able to on our city’s website.  This will help to expand our outreach and help people to keep tabs on issues and how their government is working for them. I have also scheduled office hours to afternoons to provide another avenue for residents' concerns to be heard. 

Our has come a long way in this past year, and we'll move it even further in 2012. Our Utilities Department will rehabilitate the plant's greens and filter vessels as the final last step toward bringing the plant up to its 5.14 million gallons-per-day capacity. Our city will continue to implement water-efficiency projects to reduce water losses and imported water costs.  A major project for 2012 will be the development of a detailed and comprehensive financial plan that will guide the department toward fiscal health and stability.  

Youth activities will be enhanced in the coming year with the revival of a roller hockey program at Marco Forster Middle School. Our seniors will benefit from an innovative program offering free, enlightening activities such as health-and-wellness seminars, hula dancing, fitness "journey walks" and more. 

Yes, in the year ahead, we have much to look forward to and much to accomplish. I am optimistic that 2012 will be a great year for the residents of San Juan Capistrano. As mayor, I look forward to working with my colleagues, city staff and our community for the betterment of San Juan Capistrano. I wish you all a very happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.