Officials Seem Optimistic About City's Future At Legislative Day

Officials Seem Optimistic About City's Future At Legislative Day
By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 04/05/2008

Despite "a perfect storm" of negative financial circumstances engulfing the Vallejo area, California and the nation, some local leaders expressed optimism Friday about the region's future.

The common theme at the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce's annual Legislative Day - besides the challenging economic times - was the intention of most officials to revamp troubled public institutions. From the Vallejo City Unified School District, to transportation, to job development, major changes are either under way or planned, the speakers said.

But what's most needed in Vallejo, besides budget repair, is an attitude adjustment, said Mayor Osby Davis.

"It's not doom and gloom. It's opportunity," Davis said. "We need to be proud to be in Vallejo. We're down, but we're not out. We can do it. We can make this city the kind of place we want it to be."

Mary Bull, Vallejo school superintendent, acknowledged the city's public schools are statistically only working for about 30 percent of its students. In a state ranking at or near the bottom educationally, Vallejo's large percentage of low-income students translates to a high percentage of children entering school unprepared. She therefore backs a longer day for kindergarten students.

Bull said she plans to improve the district with changes that include physical education programs, parental outreach, conflict resolution and inter-district academic and sports competitions, designed to ensure the district produces successful adults and a viable workforce.

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, meanwhile, said there is little reason Vallejo can't live up to its potential.

"Vallejo's perfectly situated to have an economic boom in the next few years, but when businesses are looking for places to locate, they ask if there's an educated workforce available and if their children can get a good education," Evans said. "And when they look at Vallejo, they need to be able to say, 'yes.' "

Transportation experts spoke about efforts to ensure that Vallejo's interests are protected in clean-up legislation involving the state's takeover of the city's ferry system.

In his remarks, Mayor Davis said he plans to do everything in his power to help the city avoid bankruptcy.

Citing Touro University's plans for Mare Island's north end, Lennar Mare Island's commercial project, and possibilities for developing the fairgrounds for which a newly formed committee has begun meeting, Davis said, "we need to be focused on new ideas."

Vallejo faces limitless, exciting opportunities, he said.

"We need a paradigm shift in Vallejo," Davis said. "We have to start believing these things can happen."

• E-mail Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at RachelZ@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6824.