MAYOR CLAY HIGHLIGHTS

Our first priority was to avoid filing bankruptcy. In order to do so, our administration reduced to fiscal budget by $62 Million. Yes, it's true, we out-sourced garbage disposal resources for the greater good of the city, consolidated staff responsibilities, and minimized spending for sustainability – and it worked.
We've strengthen our infrastructure by conducting more than 124 demolitions of abandoned and delapadated buildings. In addition, our administration negogiated a $2.8 Million grant which brought funds to our city from three entities. The American Recovery and Re-Investment Act, Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission, and the Indiana Department of Transporation System enabled our administration to pave 88 streets in Gary from 2010 throughout 2011.
Despite our limited revenue and resources, we managed to place stronger emphasis on public saftey than any administration within the past two decades. We've employeed over 300 police and reserve officers, which exceeds the number of officers we've had on the streets of Gary in over 20-years. We've also purchased 124 new public saftey vehicles to accommodate these officers. As a direct result, people, the crime rate is down 43%.
Our final priority during the previous four years revolved around economic development. We've fostered a welcoming environment for the New Truck City of Gary, County Fresh Market, Peoples Bank, Walgreens, Denny's, Stadium Buffet, Senior Living Facility, and multiple other businesses, great and small.