Ryan Gives State of the City Address

2/27/2013 (Updated 11:21:14 PM)

A progressive legacy we can build on, that was the theme of Mayor Ryan's eight and final "State Of The City" speech on Wednesday.

"The county cannot and will not flourish without strong urban centers," says Ryan.

Mayor Ryan reflected on the initiatives he says he brought to City Hall  during his two terms that have helped revitalize the area. 

Ryan highlighted his battle against blight.  He says the City has secured over $8 million in grants to remove or restore 120 dilapidated properties.

"120 properties across our City that are back on the tax roll, stabilizing our tax, beautifying our neighborhoods and improving our quality of life," says Ryan.

Mayor Ryan says the technology within City Hall has dramatically increased.

"From rotary phones to carbon copy in accounting, the City was well behind the curve and we knew that we had to change," says Ryan.

City council member and possible mayoral candidate Teri Rennia agrees.

The Mayor says now that fiscal order has been restored in the County, he'll push for the County Executive to bring back the 50-50 sales tax split.

"It's time to go back to that 50-50 split.  It means so many villages, towns and cities are struggling with finances and we need to share the pain," says Ryan.

Ali Warner, Fox 40, HD News.