Politics & Government

Mayor Stepper Presents State of the Town

The event at the Crow Canyon Country Club detailed the last year in Danville.

Town officials, business owners and residents gathered at the  on Thursday afternoon for an update on the "state of the town." 

Mayor Karen Stepper delivered the address with a slide presentation covering everything from her recent trip to the in Washington, D.C., economic development and public safety in town, parks, capital projects and the 2030 General Plan. 

She invited attendees to look at plans for the and .

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Stepper noted it is projects like these that will continue to bring people to downtown Danville to dine, shop and spend.

"We are driven by the businesses in our town," said Stepper.

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She noted that the Veteran's Memorial Building project — its concrete foundation was poured last week — would "welcome home veterans for the next 100 years."

The mayor spoke of Danville residents' donations to the project. She encouraged others to donate and "make a difference in the building."

Stepper noted that sales tax revenues declined in the last fiscal year. Town revenues also went down in the last year by 1.1 percent.

However, she said , put in place last year, have helped businesses stay strong. Forty-five grants for marketing and 27 grants to improve facades were given, she said.

"All of the businesses that took advantage of these grants are still in business," Stepper said. "I want you to remember that Danville is a really stable place economically."

She reminded residents to shop locally and take advantage of the town's many great events.

She also encouraged business owners to participate in a . The program is a partnership of the , the Town of Danville, Sustainable Danville Area, and Shop Danville First.

The Danville Police Department and Police Chief Steve Simpkins, , were recognized for the department's 43 percent case-closure rate. The decrease in auto and residential burglaries in the last year indicated the town's safety, the mayor said.

Danville's fiscally conservative practices and the willingness of residents to get involved were noted as factors in its success in the last year despite the recession.

"We do more with less, by partnering with you," Stepper said."We really do live in a very special place only because of people like you."


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