Politics & Government

Mayor Gatt: State of Novi is Vibrant, Focused

Novi Mayor Bob Gatt gave the State of the City address Thursday afternoon.

Mayor Bob Gatt gave a glowing review of Novi Thursday afternoon as he addressed more than 200 people in his 2013 State of the City speech at the Baronette Renaissance.

"You are focused, as are we, on making Novi all it can be—the best city in the state and the best city in the country," Gatt said.

A video spoof of Gatt hosting "The Late Show" started off the address with several laughs. Part of the video showed Gatt interviewing local residents in public places, asking them if they knew facts about Novi and who the mayor was.

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After warming up the audience with the light-hearted video, Gatt got serious to talk for 40 minutes about the accomplishments Novi has made during the past year.

Here's how Gatt summarized Novi in 10 keywords:

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  1. Inclusive: Gatt praised the city's collaboration with local schools, businesses, residents and other local cities. He said 92 percent of citizens rated Novi's quality of life as excellent or good in a survey.
  2. Responsible: Gatt commended the city on its fiscal responsibility. He pointed out that Novi's assets are strong and it is reducing its long-term debt. He also boasted that Novi is one of the only cities in the state that lowered its millage rate in 2012—and without any reduction in services.
  3. Innovative: Gatt said the staff has been innovative this past year in projects such as increasing road funding, coordinating the Nine Mile Pathway, snow removal, and the repaving of Grand River Avenue.
  4. Vibrant: Gatt mentioned several business developments in Novi this past year, including the revitalization of Novi Town Center with the addition of Walmart. He also said the removal of the old Novi Expo Center sets the stage for future development. Gatt also said that the construction of the new Hyatt Place Hotel at Suburban Collection Showplace poses the center to become "the center" in the metro area when it opens this summer. The Showplace also brought vibrancy to the city this past summer, Gatt said, when it hosted 50,000 people at the Great Lakes State Fair.
  5. Diverse: "I'm proud of everything Novi stands for and does, but one thing I am most proud of is our diversity," Gatt said. Novi hosted India Day, the Festival of Chariots, Ethnic Taste & Tune Fest and the Japan Festival this past year. Diversity in schools increased from 8 to 46 percent in the past five years. Novi's Asian population doubled to nearly 16 percent, according to the census, Gatt said, while the Hispanic population grew by 67 percent. Gatt also mentioned the Japanese School of Detroit, which has classes in Novi every Saturday. 
  6. Progressive: Gatt said the Novi Public Library has developed a new five-year plan, which included a new teen space for students to use in the library after school. The library also recently opened a Business Resource Center to help local business leaders.
  7. A leader: For six years, Novi has been awarded with a Gold Promoting Active Communities Award from the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness—the only city in Michigan to do so. Gatt said Novi is dedicated to the overall health and well-being of its citizens. The mayor also celebrated the city's schools, congratulating Catholic Central High School on being named one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the country. 
  8. Active: Gatt said Novi continues to offer residents the best in parks, trails, arts and culture. Improvements are being made to Pavilion Shore Park on Walled Lake, and Novi was recognized for hosting a national girls' softball tournament. Gatt also mentioned the newly planned art and cultural center.
  9. Safe: "We are fortunate to have the very best men and women serving our city in our police and fire departments," Gatt said. The mayor mentioned the city's new partnership with CEMS, as well as its new partnership with the City of Wixom to provide mutual fire aid. He also said the Novi Police Department has maintained a 39 percent clearance rate of all Part A crimes, which is nearly double the state average. He also said that the violent crime rate has decreased by more than 20 percent in the past year.
  10. Focused: "Novi is focused not only on the needs and services of today, but continually looking forward and focused on the future," Gatt said. He said the city is focused not only on its services, but its citizens and their needs. "These 10 words could also be used to describe you and your commitment to Novi," he said. 

"Novi is a city which we are all part of. The heart, the soul, the mind, and the spirit. It is up to us to continue down this path, take these 10 words and not only build upon them, but add to them," Gatt concluded.

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