This last year has been very challenging for most of us. Families and businesses have had employment, income and sickness issues. They have had remote learning for their children. Some have been fortunate to experience fewer problems in these areas than others. But for all, it has been a very different experience with all the economic, health and political turmoil we have had to deal with. My sincere hope and wish for all of you is that 2021 will be a vast improvement over 2020 and bring you much joy, happiness and prosperity!
The city has had its own ups and downs this year as well. Our challenges have been dealing with the normal desires of wanting to do more with less. You citizens have high expectations for your government and rightfully so. We try to meet those expectations with flattened revenue streams, increasing costs and an abundance of employee sick days. And on top of that there has been the everyday issues of mask wearing and conducting most of our meetings remotely over Zoom. But families and businesses have all experienced these issues. It has just been a year of adjustment. But thankfully, I think our community has dealt with it well.
As we enter 2021, I look forward to an effective vaccine, a flattened COVID curve, getting rid of the masking mandate, a fully staffed Police Department (which is budgeted for), the completion of the Jackson Street 5 lane project, enjoyment of the recently finished Riverside Bridge, the completion of the downtown utility and street renovations and the opening of the Mill Restaurants at Finley Farms. Thank you for all your patience as we press forward toward making Ozark better every day.
I wish you the very best of everything in 2021.
Rick Gardner
