It has been my honor to serve this City as a council member since 2000, and now, for the third time, as your mayor for 2013.  I love Santa Clarita and want to do everything in my power to help keep this community safe, clean, healthy and strong – a city we all can be proud of.

Over the last 25 years, our city and its partners, including other government agencies, business leaders, educators and residents, have been successful in creating one of California’s best cities.  As we move forward, our goal is to build upon the success of our first quarter-century, making sure  Santa Clarita continues to be a top-notch place where businesses and families feel at home.

In 2013, the City Council, city staff and I will be implementing a work plan that includes millions of dollars in capital projects and programs aimed at sustaining and improving our quality of life.  We will be working to resolve the Cemex mega-mining issue and the Whittaker-Bermite property cleanup issue: both long-term and complex, but critical for our community.

We will also continue working with the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District to challenge the state’s salt regulations for the Santa Clara River, while ensuring chloride levels are compliant with limits specified in the Federal Clean Water Act.

We recognize the importance of caring for Santa Clarita’s seniors and will continue to support our local Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center to ensure our most vulnerable population’s needs are met.  The arts will also remain a priority for the City Council and the Arts Commission, as we install new projects throughout the community and add new programs to inspire creativity and collaboration.

I am proud of Santa Clarita’s efforts in the area of economic development.  We are a leader among California cities, working hand in hand with local business leaders and educators to develop a skilled workforce that attracts employers.  We will continue to make job creation a priority in our community so that residents have increased opportunities to earn a living close to home.

Drug use among our young people is another important issue we will continue to address in the coming year.  Through our heroinkills.org outreach and education program, and Drug Free Youth in Town (DFYITSCV.com) program in all of the junior and senior high schools, the city, the county, the Sheriff’s Department, the school districts and area nonprofit organizations will be doing everything we can to dramatically reduce drug use in our valley.

I’m very pleased to tell you that in the coming year, the city will continue to make improvements, spending millions on projects and programs that will improve traffic flow, add bike lanes, improve safety and enhance Santa Clarita’s aesthetics.  You will see me at a series of Town Hall meetings in 2013, and I hope you will join me to share more about your thoughts and what you see as important projects for Santa Clarita in the coming years.  Based on the valuable feedback we receive, we will create a multifaceted action plan for our community.

Your input and volunteerism are key components in the success of our city.  I hope you will consider participating in helping our city through the sharing of your ideas and good work.

As always, please feel free to email me directly at bkellar@santa-clarita.com, or if your schedule permits, I hope you’ll join me at an upcoming meeting.

Thank you in advance for your support, I look forward to working with you for the betterment of our city in 2013.

Bob Kellar is mayor of the city of Santa Clarita.