Mayor Barnett’s New Year’s Message

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett Reflects on 2017 and Looks Forward to 2018

It’s amazing how quickly a year can race by isn’t it? Or several really. When I first became Mayor my oldest son was just turning two and still in diapers. This fall he will be a freshman at Rochester High School. Time flies when you’re having fun. No matter how many years go by there’s something about the start of a new year. It propels us to take stock of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we need to go improve in order to meet our goals.

You have probably read recently about a Rochester Hills woman who knows a thing or two about making her goals a reality. Sandy Stiner, determined to run every street in Rochester Hills, mapped out her strategy to succeed, put in the hard work to log the 500+ miles, and became the first person to achieve this feat in our city’s history. Her goal was innovative. Her execution was focused. Her commitment was unwavering. Innovative. Focused. Committed.  Just like the city from which she hails.

Whether it’s plowing the streets on Christmas Day, being in the strongest financial position among Michigan municipalities, or developing the region’s coolest new accessible park, we love being focused on the business of serving our residents and are committed to investing in our collective quality of life.

For Rochester Hills, 2017 was another banner year. USA Today named Rochester Hills the #1 place to live in Michigan and for the second year in a row we were named the Safest City in Michigan. Best and Safest in our state. Simply outstanding.

Of course, these accolades don’t happen by accident. The credit goes in large part to the amazing team of employees here at the city and to you, our residents, who get involved in creative ways like Sandy Stiner did, to make this place better in your own way.

So what will 2018 look like for our community? Let me assure you that we are continually considering innovative ways to enhance and improve the good things we have happening here in Rochester Hills.

Best and Safest in 2017 but not resting on our laurels in 2018. I am thrilled to report that we have raised and received nearly one million dollars in private donations for Innovation Hills Park and should see it transform this summer. We have strengthened our response in emergency situations by recruiting seven additional firefighters and by adding two additional Oakland County Sheriff Deputies. Additionally, plans are already underway to improve roads, add sidewalks, and beautify neighborhood entrances. These plans are all designed to increase your enjoyment and pride in our remarkable city.

There is certainly a tendency to slow down when you are close to your goal. I am sure there were days when Sandy Stiner just didn’t want to run. When she could have colored in her map and no one would have known the difference. But that’s not what innovative, focused, and committed people do. They dig deeper, run faster and strive for more. And while we are over the moon with how well our city performed last year, we know our goal remains just a bit farther than our reach. In 2018 our team will be singularly focused on serving our residents and delivering on our promise to be the preeminent place to live, work and raise a family, not just in Michigan, but anywhere in America. Let’s make it an incredible run.