Lynwood Mayor Highlights Past Year's Accomplishments at State of the City Address

Over 200 local officials and residents poured into Lynwood's Bateman Hall, last Thursday evening, to listen in on the mayor's annual state of the city address. 

Among distinguished guests were representatives for assembly member Ricardo Lara, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and State Senator Alan Lowenthal. 

Other guests included public safety personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department, and Sheriff's Department, including Sheriff Lee Baca. 

Mayor Jim Morton presented the individuals with appreciation awards for their work for the city that included grants won for city projects such as a $100,000 transportation grant and a $5 million improvement grant for Ham Park. 

Novel to this year's state of the city address, was a video showcasing the many programs and projects city staff has worked on within the last year.

The video, which ran about 15 minutes, showed the city's public works department on top of an array of reparation and maintenance projects throughout the city.

It also revealed new technological advances including a smart phone application that allows for residents to report graffiti with a snap of a picture and description of the location.

The city was also able to attain, for the contracted Sheriff's Department, a second K-9 dog. The newest addition is a weapons dog and will be working alongside the narcotics dog dedicated to Lynwood as well. 

"Never in the history of the city of Lynwood has so much been done in so little time," said Parks and Recreation Director Perry Brents. 

The mayor also expressed interest and efforts to address continuing city problems such as parking, especially in school zones, and a hope to install LED (light-emitting diode) lighting in the city which uses less energy and is cost-effective.

Mayor Morton promised to continue providing an open and transparent government, a motto which he campaigned under. 

"My colleagues and I have dedicated ourselves to bring honesty and open government to try to make up for what we have gone through in the past," said Mayor Morton referring to the corruption scandals that have plagued the city in recent years.  

Mayor Morton, who applauded the work of every personnel, related his motto for the city address, "the future is now."

"Simply put, progress is not something you position for the future, it's something you desire for the present because tomorrow may be too late," said Mayor Morton. 

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