Danville mayor: 'All is well'

Despite high unemployment and decreased real estate values, Mayor Sherman Saunders still believes that “all is well in the City of Danville.”

Saunders presented his annual “State of the City” address at the Chamber of Commerce Business at Breakfast meeting at the Stratford Conference Center on Tuesday morning.

While admitting that Danville and Southside Virginia face many challenges, Saunders said the city is working hard to solve them.

“Because these (problems) are happening all over the nation, does Danville simply say — oh well?” he asked, then answered emphatically, “No! Absolutely not!”

He said that City Council members “work extremely well together” with plenty of “good, open and honest debate” before votes are cast.

“I am here this morning to declare that we are moving in the right direction; that we are making real progress; and that we have a great team,” he said.

Saunders focused on several of Danville’s successes, beginning with the city’s response to the collapse of its textile and tobacco economic base.

“We had two choices in responding to the recent collapse of our long-standing industries — do nothing, by throwing up our hands, or pull together and take charge of our own future,” he said. “With your help, we chose to move ahead and create a stronger, diversified, more forward-looking economy. Despite the global recession that has hit us just as hard as any other community, we have plenty to be proud of.”

He cited many of the reasons that Danvillians can be proud: the city and deputy city manager have more than 60 years of combined city management experience; the 1,250 city employees are the “best and most talented” found anywhere; the city is in an “excellent financial state” with low taxes and fees, low debt and “healthy cash reserves;” and an A-rating by Moody’s, Standard & Poors and Fitch.

Saunders also cited the new businesses and industries that have moved to the city in recent years and investments in existing businesses that have resulted in more than 5,000 new jobs and $780 million in investments over the past five years.

“We (also) have a unique cooperative relationship with Pittsylvania County with jointly owned industrial parks, including the new 3,600-acre Mega Park, to handle all the prospects we are courting,” he said, adding that the chamber members would all be invited to the wedding and party that would follow.

Saunders also listed several new projects in the works: Danville Community College’s Foundation Hall currently being built, a new Robertson Bridge, the addition of the new Sustainable Energy Technology Center at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and other new and expanding businesses in the city.

Saunders addressed the issue of high utility rates, noting that rates throughout the nation have increased as energy costs have skyrocketed.

“We now have very competitive rates in general, and our natural gas rates are the lowest in the region,” he said. “You should know that you would have paid 8 percent more for the same amount of utility services in Roanoke or Martinsville; 14 percent more if you lived in Lynchburg; 24 percent more in Richmond; and a whopping 54 percent more in Charlottesville.”

Saunders said the city is not “sitting on (its) hands” but is installing smart meters, and “buying into electric power generation projects” to stabilize the rates while moving forward.

He said the city was also expanding its advanced fiber optic network, maintaining and expanding recreation and fitness opportunities, including the new Abreu-Grogan Park that will accommodate canoeing, boating and fishing, festivals, concerts, athletic tournaments and walking and biking trails.

“Danville is one of only three communities in Virginia designated as a ‘Playful City,’ and you can understand why,” he said.

Saunders also mentioned the City’s programs charged with improving the conditions of neighborhoods and the physical appearance of the community areas, as well as the reduced crime rate and excellent fire service rating.

In closing, he assured the residents that each member of the Danville City Council takes the job seriously and welcomes any ideas, enthusiasm and help in continuing to conclude that “all is well in the City of Danville.”