September 27, 2006

Artesia News

State of the City Address Delivered with Bacon, Eggs, and Potatoes



As Artesia’s City Manager Maria Dadian spoke of the Filipino delicacy named ‘balut’, the Filipinos in the room couldn’t help but snicker. 

At one table, friendly comments about the duck fetus appetizer arose from ABC Unified School District’s Board of Education President Armin Reyes and Boardmember Cecy Groom, both Filipino-Americans.

The topic of balut as a code enforcement challenge was only one small part of a much larger State of the City address given by Mayor John P. Lyon and City Manager Maria Dadian to city residents, officials from different cities, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, business owners, and representatives of varying levels of government. 

“These are the types of issues one faces in a culturally diverse city such as ours,” said Dadian. The issue centers around Health Department concerns.

In all, about 100 people attended to share breakfast with the mayor, and to listen to the annual Address. Lyon touched the surface on Artesia’s plans to revitalize the downtown area, beautify the city, fashion a historical district, and gave an overview of city-sponsored events.  Lyon attributes much of Artesia’s strength to the city’s diversity.

“It’s been said that in the United States, California is the most diverse state.  And in California, the Los Angeles area is the most diverse city.  And the most diverse region of Los Angeles is right here in Artesia, with 39 languages spoken daily here in the city,” explained Lyon.  “We’re very proud of that.”

Of the city events, Veterans Day was one of the most successful.  “News agencies and regional papers have said that our Veterans Day Event is one of the best offered in Los Angeles County.  I hope to see you out there this Veterans Day, as it only promises to be bigger and better,” said Lyon.

Lyon then introduced City Manager Maria Dadian, who explained the plan to revitalize the downtown area.  Dadian is the woman whom Lyon attributes the success of the City.  “We in the city council have visions, and she takes our visions and makes them realities,” said Lyon.

While Dadian ran into some technical difficulties with her PowerPoint presentation, she recovered from the setback with a detailed analysis of the “Downtown Revitalization Master Plan,” the name given to the City’s plan to change the face of Pioneer Blvd. and focus on its strengths.

The plan involves incorporating a center kiosk for shops and making that section of Pioneer between South and 183rd accessible primarily by pedestrians rather than vehicles.  Pioneer will remain a through street, but commuters will find that an alternative route would be beneficial.

A parking structure is proposed to be built on adjacent abandoned railroad tracks, Pioneer Blvd. is proposed to decrease to two lanes (one each direction), and to have the sidewalks extended for outside dining.

“We are doing this, of course, to make our downtown more appealing to visit and to raise sales tax dollars,” said Dadian.  Additionally, Artesia has increased its sales tax revenue by almost 26 percent since last year.

Dadian added that none of this could be possible without her staff.  “I refer to us as Team Artesia, and without that line of thinking, none of this is even feasible,” she said.

The State of the City was also the last event for Artesia’s Special Assignment Officer, Sergeant Jeanette Duran-Dingillo.  Her replacement, John Burton, also attended the State of the City, and was welcomed warmly.

Lyon concluded, “We are blessed as a great city, we’re unique because we move forward while never forgetting the past.”

 

 

 

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