WHITE ROCK - For the third and final time in his term, White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin held his State of the City Address, highlighting the importance of the arts, the controlled development and the purchase of the city's water supply as key to the city's future.
Before a crowd of about 60, Baldwin took to the lectern to espouse some of the work done by council during the current term and what's left to be tackled in the time remaining.
Baldwin began by focusing on the growing arts community and how it really is the arts that defines a city's personality to the world.
"Arts have a crucial impact and play an important role for learning (in the community)," said Baldwin, adding that the city's progress in promoting the arts was going well. "We have strong partnerships with Semiahmoo Arts and the business community and have facilitated such events as International Artists Day."
Later, Baldwin spoke about the city's pursuit of purchasing the water utility from Edmonton-based operator EPCOR.
Prefacing his comments by saying EPCOR does a great job at operating the city's water supply, Baldwin explained how the company sends profits back to Edmonton, at the expense of local taxpayers.
"This (water supply) is what in economy is called a money machine," said Baldwin, explaining that the city is at the mercy of ECPOR when it comes to rate increases and the like.
Finally, Baldwin touched on the crucial role the community plays in making White Rock one of the greatest cities and thanked the citizens for placing their trust in him for these past three years.
"I've come to realize it's really the people... everything else is just the setting."
cpoon@thenownewspaper.com