State of the city looks strong

Sue McSweeney In a speech that called for celebration, unity and vision, Westlake Village Mayor Sue McSweeney gave her end-of-the-year State of the City address on Tuesday before an audience of nearly 200 people.

The annual event, sponsored by the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce, gives the mayor an opportunity to review the year's accomplishments and look at future challenges facing the city.

This year's State of the City speech was delivered at the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel. It was the first time the address has been given inside the city of Westlake Village. In the past, the event had been at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza in Thousand Oaks. McSweeney recognized Four Seasons owner, David Murdock, who attended the event.

"Thank you for your vision, for your belief in the concept of this hotel and health and wellness, and for being a good neighbor to the city of Westlake Village," McSweeney said.

A slide show titled "Who Is Mayor McSweeney?" kicked off the speech. Students at White Oak Elementary, where McSweeney runs a kindergarten enrichment program, were asked about the mayor. Their answers delighted the audience.

"She is one of the best darn mayors ever," and "She's done a really good job, but I don't live in Westlake," were some of the children's remarks. One said, "I don't know who she is."

The rest of the mayor's presentation focused on "Westlake Village in 2006: A Special Year Connecting the Past, the Present and the Future."

As Westlake celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, McSweeney attributed the success of the city to its amenities, its wide boulevards and infrastructure improvements, the existence of a single master developer, and the perserverance of the city's homeowner associations.

"They have acted and continue to act as neighborhood councils, continuing a long-standing tradition of working with the city to improve services and programs," McSweeney said.

McSweeney reviewed Westlake's recent accomplishments, including the overhaul of the city's website, online simulcasting of council meetings, the renovation of Berniece Bennett Park, and the success of local fire and emergency crews in putting out two brush fires that threatened private property.

She also applauded the city's financial health. She said last June the city had $4.6 million in its general fund and almost $9 million in its capital improvement fund.

McSweeney also addressed the Measure Z initiative that divided the community. A proposed Lowe's home improvement store was defeated in the November election.

"This matter is behind us now," McSweeney said. "It's time for our community to get back together and remain the envy of Southern California and probably the whole nation in terms of civility and friendliness."

As for the future, McSweeney said she would like to see Westlake Village become a model city in the promotion of health issues.

A 17-year Westlake resident, McSweeney was elected to the City Council in November 2001 and reappointed four years later in an unchallenged election. Her term ends in 2009.

In concluding her address, McSweeney asked the audience to raise their glasses in a toast to the city. "We look ahead to a promising future for our special community," McSweeney said. "May the next 25 years be as happy as the past 25 have been."