The first task of local government is to balance the budget and work every day to improve the police, fire, road, water, sewer, solid waste, and storm water services that residents expect, that residents deserve. Residents should have trust in the water that comes from their taps and if they have an emergency that public safety employees will be there for them. As long as I'm Mayor, this will be my constant focus.

Sustainability demands environmental stewardship, but it is so much more. It is the recognition that what we do today must not compromise the ability of future generations to meet the needs of tomorrow. Sometimes that means making an unpopular choice, sometimes it means accepting some present hardship for a future benefit. We are stewards of Ann Arbor for residents yet to come. It is our obligation to make them proud.

Our values set Ann Arbor apart from other cities. It's one of the things I love about our home. We are a community that values pluralism, that welcomes and embraces people of all kinds, no matter age, race or ethnicity, nation of origin, religion or its absence, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability. In Ann Arbor we have faith in a common future and love for our neighbor. We will not give up on either.