City employees:
Go bold or go home. That is the approach I bring to the mayor’s office. I knew coming in that we were going to be facing challenges. The upside of challenges is overcoming them. As I approach the end of my first 90 days in office, there is much work to be done, but I feel pretty good about where we are headed and it is due to each of you.
City departments came together to make my pothole initiative a success. Various departments are also working together to educate our residents about protecting themselves from mosquitos and the Zika virus. Likewise, our pension system, employee unions, department directors and City Council are scrubbing the budget and looking for efficiencies for the coming fiscal year. We are developing new approaches for fighting crime and restructuring the Department of Neighborhoods. Improved customer service is the goal in all of this.
I know you may be worried about the things you have been reading and hearing in the media recently. Don’t get caught up in the rumors. Trust me and trust that I have your best interests at heart. My commitment is to do everything I can to minimize employee layoffs. It is my absolute last resort, but avoiding it will require everyone engaging in shared sacrifice.
This is a great city. It is a dynamic city and it is a maturing city with many needs that must be met. As I said on Inauguration Day, tomorrow will be better than today. That will be because of you. I value each and every City employee and I’ve seen how hard you work. I am lucky to have you working by my side. We will get through this together!
-Mayor Sylvester Turner
Learn more about Mayor Turner by reading his biography.
Read a full script of Mayor Turner's inaugural speech.
Photos courtesy of Mayor Sylvester Turner's official Facebook page.
