‘A strong city with strong families.’ Newark Mayor Ras Baraka delivers State of the City address
The mayor touched on many key topics that have plagued Newark but also talked about the innovations and advancements the city has made.
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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka delivered the State of the City address Tuesday night. In his speech, the mayor reflected on the last 10 years and laid out his vision for the city.
The mayor touched on many key topics that have plagued Newark but also talked about the innovations and advancements the city has made in addressing those issues. However, Baraka says there's still much work to be done.
The theme of the night was “Newark and Proud of It.” The mayor addressed the people of the city he's served since 2014.
"A community that is not falling apart and a place we all call home. A strong city with strong families with so much to offer,” Baraka said.
The mayor talked for well over an hour and reflected on the advancements the city has made.
"Businesses did not leave the city and development did not cease. Take a look at what's happening in our city. We have billions of dollars worth of development that has happened and that is happening right now,” he said.
Crime prevention in the city and the decline of crime through the creation of offices like the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, as well as the issue of chronic homelessness took center stage.
"We can make developers build affordable housing and give houses to residents for a dollar. We can build hope villages for residents without addresses and get our youth to build homes in neighbors they live,” Baraka said.
Just last month at a Black History Month event, the mayor announced he wanted to run for governor. Fellow politicians who are also vying for the office or new positions were in attendance at Tuesday evening’s event in support – politicians like Rep. Andy Kim who is running to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate.
"I'm looking forward to be able to work alongside the mayor and many others to be able to get things done and whatever positions we end up here in New Jersey, it's still all about public service in the end and try to deliver for the people,” Kim said.
Baraka’s address wasn't just him talking about what he's done and what he hopes to do. It was a love letter to the city and a chance to renew the vow he made to the city a decade ago.
