In the best of times, public service is a thankless job. In lesser times, it takes an extraordinary person to withstand the relentless slings and arrows. We thank our Mayor, Gina-Louise Sciarra, an extraordinary person.

Among numerous duties, the mayor’s most important responsibility is to craft a budget that addresses short-term spending needs while simultaneously facilitating long-term growth. Growth and future programming is addressed in annual five-year capital improvement plans, and in the various enterprise and stabilization funds.

The city’s AAA S&P rating is not earned due to fund balances, but rather to our persistent reliance on the financial planning policies that maintain these balances. Mayor Sciarra has resisted enormous pressure to ignore the prudent budgeting philosophy that protects our financial well-being and makes future opportunities possible. She has not succumbed to the pressure. Mayor Sciarra has nurtured an environment where business owners can plan for their future.

Education is the city’s top priority. That Mayor Sciarra has delivered increased funding to the public schools each year is remarkable, especially considering we are in a declining enrollment era.

Students are our future. There are other residents with important needs. Mayor Sciarra has not forsaken anyone. She can be seen every year participating in the Hot Chocolate Run and supporting many other causes.

Finally, Mayor Sciarra’s support of Picture Main Street assures that our future downtown streetscape will work better for the stakeholders who rely on a healthy, safe, vibrant downtown environment. Downtown simply does not work well now. Streets are too wide; cars go too fast; pedestrians feel unsafe crossing the streets; sidewalks lack vitality. 100-year-old pipes need to be replaced. The amenities provided by Picture Main Street will encourage longer visits, retail opportunities, a safer, more enjoyable experience for all. Increased pedestrian activity on our sidewalks will benefit our businesses.

We have been around long enough to have observed several cycles of good and bad times. We know that it takes strong leadership to negotiate challenging times. Mayor Sciarra is a strong, compassionate, forward-thinking leader. We support her re-election.

Robert Boulrice and Richard Cooper

Florence