Mayor Payne on the Virtual State of the City

Mayor plans to cut city's deficit

Web-posted Mar 8, 2005

By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY

Of The Daily Oakland Press

Mayor Willie Payne promised future prosperity in a state of the city address that was positive in the midst of budget deficits.

Payne said major reductions will be incorporated into a comprehensive 2005-2006 deficit reduction plan developed with the City Council.

The city has a deficit of at least $5.2 million in the general fund.

"It is safe to say that any plan that incorporates a reduction of major proportions will be painful to all involved. Yet it is something that we must do ourselves, as our pain will certainly be greater if it must be done by others," the mayor said.

He cited several successes during the past year, including new police programs, new housing, new development and a downtown stereoscope under way.

Payne also announced Oakland Plaza medical clinic, planned on an 18-acre site adjacent to Great Lakes Crossing, has partnered with General Electric. As a result the planned 40,000-square-foot medical facility planned by Dr. Chukwudi Okonmah has evolved into a 200,000-plus-square-foot state-of-the-art fully digitalized ambulatory care facility.

"It is the first of its kind in the nation... The unique showcase for demonstrating outpatient care of the 21st century will regularly host GE clients from around the country and the world," he said.

In addition, Payne also reported his office is launching a 20-20-20 program with the school district that includes a "City-Wide Quiet Time from 6:30-8 p.m. during which parents will eliminate distractions such as televisions, radio, telephones and visitors and reserve 20 minutes for reading, 20 minutes for math and 20 minutes for quality time, plus dinner."

"We have to stay positive," said Council President Everett Seay. "We've got the dots, we've got to connect them. The state has said it will work with us on this. Services will continue," he said.

But former Deputy Mayor Leon Jukowski, was not so generous.

"He's got some really serious problems and ignoring them won't make them go way," he said.

Conway Thompson, who led an unsuccessful recall campaign against Payne, noted the mayor said early in his administration he knew there was a deficit but never had an audit done to determine the city's financial standing.

"You running your household, would not be writing checks without knowing how much is in the account," Thompson said.