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And given those enduring advantages, let’s recognize that crisis creates opportunity – the opportunity to take big steps forward. Taking the right bold steps in a time like this could propel us into a new age of prosperity, if we have the foresight and political will to do it.

The key for us as leaders is to act with the forest – not the trees – in mind. How can we capitalize on our strengths – use this opportunity to do the big, important, positive things that will matter long into the future – and resist wasting our time and energy on minutiae?

I’d like to propose a course of action that has three parts, each one critical to a comprehensive vision for Summit’s future:

Number one – Restructure to control costs. Innovative, aggressive cost management is an absolute must, and we must take it to a deeper level as we figure out how to provide effective city services in an era of constrained revenues. Shared services are a huge part of the answer here. Successful cost-sharing between city departments and across neighboring communities saves money not just for one year, but year after year after year – building economies of scale into the service structure. Summit is already sharing health services, fire dispatch, and equipment with nearby towns; proposals are on their way to Council to capture many more opportunities, for example involving municipal courts, recycling, tax assessment and more. If we seize these opportunities, we could shave hundreds of thousands of dollars more off our annual costs.

Any rise in taxes will be unwelcome in these times, though pension and contract pay commitments tie our hands and push costs up. Last year we were able to break the trend of seven percent tax increases, with a rise of slightly more than five percent. That downward trend must continue.

Number two – Revitalize downtown Summit. A strong downtown works for everyone, and a weak downtown is a disaster – effectively wasting two of the city’s core strengths, location and transportation access. We need the tax revenues that a downtown hub creates, which relieve the tax burden borne by residents. And I believe that the right vision can bring in development that enhances our community with the services and options that people really want, while preserving the town’s character.

What we should do first, and fast, is build a new parking garage to spur downtown investment. Fully 98% of our downtown parking spaces are filled at peak periods every day, according to the parking study just completed. It’s a nightmare for visitors, employees, residents – and also the environment, as cars cruise two or three times longer than necessary to find parking. (I’ll come back to sustainability in a minute.) I believe we have an opportunity to work with the developers of the old Summit Medical Group site, now Parmley Place, on a plan for them to build their garage first and let the city rent it for public use -- while their own project is being completed and while the city is constructing a new downtown municipal garage. We should act with urgency to get this project off the ground in the first quarter of 2009. It’s a rare chance to create a new facility without losing precious parking spaces during construction. The point, again, is to encourage investment that will enhance the value of a key asset, our downtown. Colleagues, I realize that this decision will be controversial, but the people of Summit expect and deserve bold leadership in difficult times.

Another prerequisite for revitalizing our downtown is to make the Department of Community Services a model of responsive efficiency. This is where business owners go to get permits, inspections, and advice when they are setting up shop, renovating or expanding. The better we serve them, the quicker people will be to invest in Summit, and the more cooperative they will be with the city in addressing common challenges. Community Services has initiated improvements in the past year, for instance speeding the resolution of property maintenance problems and introducing satisfaction surveys. We need to step up progress even more, with clear goals and performance benchmarks for initiatives such as early and late hours and streamlined approval processes. This department is literally our front door to those investing in our town. Let’s make sure we provide state-of-the-art service.

Finally, we need to creatively and visibly market downtown Summit throughout the region as a desirable location. Quite frankly, our merchants are in the best position to take the lead in this effort – and the city should stand ready to support them. It’s no time to be penny-wise and pound-foolish. I’d like to see the Summit Chamber of Commerce, the Suburban Chamber, and Summit Downtown Inc. pool their energies and resources much more strategically to take advantage of Summit’s existing Special Improvement District designation, or SID. This is a tool that other towns, from Westfield to West Orange, have used effectively – and at the moment, here in Summit, it’s a tool sitting on the shelf. The SID effectively gives Summit merchants the power to raise money to support joint marketing initiatives. With vision, leadership, and genuine cooperation, our business community could play a hugely constructive role and advance its own interests. I ask our downtown business leaders to take up this challenge.

Number three in my proposed action plan for Summit is investing in our community.

What makes people come to Summit? I’ve already talked about the enduring advantages of location and transportation – on the premise that New York will continue to be a center of creativity and commerce, even as it evolves from the current debacle in the world of finance. The third advantage we have as a community, education, must also be nurtured. I don’t think people will stop wanting the best education for their children. So our schools must continue to be a priority in our planning and funding.

It was an eventful year in the school system, as we welcomed a new president of the Board of Education, Pat Calhoun, a new superintendent and assistant superintendent of schools, Dr. Nathan Parker and Julie Glazer, and new middle school principal Matt Block – while opening two new primary centers! All working out splendidly for Summit.

Beyond education, I am totally convinced that active programs to promote a sustainable environment are not only right in themselves, but will help promote Summit as a forward-thinking community, a magnet for the next generation of people who want to live outside yet still work in or near Manhattan. If we align our values with theirs, we are building the right foundation for the future of this wonderful city. So we want bicycle racks, hybrid vehicles, solar roofs and, yes, efficient parking – among many other sustainability initiatives. In fact, let’s make our own municipal buildings, starting right here in City Hall, models for our community. We have the ability to accomplish this; the only question is, do we have the will?

And our community wants and needs more affordable housing. Residents up and down the income scale understand that this is both right and desirable for community vitality. As a step in the right direction, we have an attractive proposal from our clergy and Habitat for Humanity that I hope Council will act on very soon. And we must move forward from there. The overcrowding problem in some neighborhoods persists, with painful evidence provided by the terrible fire last month near the hospital. We’re determined to do everything in our power to crack down on landlords who exploit the need for affordable housing and fail to maintain safe dwellings. We need to make it known that we will not stand for “stacking” in our community and will prosecute violators to the fullest extent of the law.

In these dark times, there is, believe it or not, a silver lining for the city in this respect: It’s an excellent time for us to make investments in infrastructure – we are seeing bids for road work, for example, that are 20% or even 30% lower than they were a year ago. Common Council got a good start last year on infrastructure projects, often not exciting but capital-intensive and vital – for instance, the Springfield Avenue bridge, which finished early, and the bridges on Ashland, Blackburn and Division Avenue. Council has agreed to address flooding problems throughout the city and consider drainage in all future road and capital improvements. And our playing fields came fully on stream, to the improved safety and enjoyment of our kids.

Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that, despite the dismal real estate market, Summit remains a location of choice for real estate investment. We are seen as a town that will be among the first to emerge from this crisis, and one likely to retain a competitive edge as a desirable place to live and work.

In fact, ironically, 2008 is likely to be remembered as a year of extraordinary interest by developers in our town. Sure, many investment decisions were made before the crisis, but unlike other places we have seen continued active interest, though some of the parties have changed and some progress has slowed. I mentioned the Parmley Place – old Summit Medical Group – project, which has received approval and will go forward. The Claremont Properties site – the former Brough Funeral Home – has new office construction well under way. Across from Schering, Diversified Properties built new commercial and residential space. Just recently, the Planning Board recommended to 6 Council a residential development for the Salerno Duane property on Broad Street as the Gateway 2 zone. Still pending is the disposition of proposed development on Franklin Place, at the old Infiniti dealership; on Springfield Avenue near St. John’s; and for the Bagel Chateau building in the heart of downtown.

Clearly, developers have confidence in our community. And there’s no question that these projects will add to Summit’s health and vitality, provided we set the right parameters to protect residential neighborhoods and architectural character.

I would be remiss not to thank Andy Lark and the Council for their service in 2008, and congratulate Ellen Dickson on becoming Council President -- even as I challenge Common Council to work with me and the city staff to truly embrace the unprecedented challenges and opportunities that 2009 presents. I do look forward to working with you, Ellen, as a partner in grappling with the issues. Thanks of course to all our city employees, especially those who keep us safe and secure – the police and fire personnel – and the unsung heroes who go out of their way to help our residents, whatever the occasion.

Looking ahead, as we begin the work of the coming year here in Summit, let’s ask ourselves: What do we want to be remembered for? During the 1930s, the Mayor of Summit gathered people who were out of work to begin a big municipal project. They carved out Memorial Field – a lasting community treasure. What can we do to leave a comparable legacy? I’ve suggested an ambitious plan to preserve and enhance our resources of location, transportation, education – and community. Let’s debate it vigorously, but not too long, and have the courage to act.

Thank you to the people of Summit for your support. Your ideas and efforts in so many volunteer capacities are remarkable and so much appreciated. I certainly pledge to do my best to rise to the occasion as we try to navigate through this storm – and focus on the big decisions that will set us on a positive path for the future.

From my family to yours, Happy New Year.

- Mayor Jordan Glatt