Mayor hits on budget cuts, tax increases in state of city address

Excerpts from Dianna M. Náñez - Nov. 10, 2009   

 The Arizona Republic  

It was not a traditional State of the City Address.  No major development announcements.  An abbreviated list of city accomplishments, compared to years prior.  And instead of focusing on the city's goals for the next year, the estimated 320 people in the audience listened to Mayor Hugh Hallman spotlight the Tempe people and agencies that are working to lift the city out of a financial crisis that has left families across the nation reeling and states and cities facing massive budget cuts.   

After thanking Tempe's faith community for helping the city's struggling families through the recession, Hallman introduced Pastor Sang-Hoon Yoo. Hallman praised Yoo for his efforts with "For Our City," an interfaith group that was partnering with the city and other organizations to expand services for needy residents. "Now is the time to be called into serving the needy instead of just serving the people in the church," Yoo said in a video. "I think the main thing is how the city government can work with the faith community to serve the community better."