Letter to Citizens of Monrovia

By Mary Ann Lutz

I am proud to have served as Monrovia's Mayor for the past six years and as a City Council member for six years before. My term as Mayor came at one of the most challenging financial periods in our city's history. A steady, consistent hand on the helm has pulled us through these hard times with our finances secure, our homes and streets safe, and our future as bright as ever.

My area-wide involvement, including work on such issues as water quality, energy and waste management, has helped bring Monrovia new businesses, new programs and new funding, leveraging and strengthening the community's resources and maintaining its role as a regional leader. It is important that we continue that long-standing policy of regional engagement if we are to maintain the advances we've made and the opportunities we've identified.

Crime is down, the lowest in decades! Our budget is balanced. We have come through hard times with minimal disruption and our economy is growing again. Nearly 200 new businesses were added to the tax base last year! Our playgrounds are getting new equipment through grants and donations. Master plans for sewer and water upgrades are in the works and a comprehensive, affordable and citywide program of sidewalk, street, curb and gutter improvements has already begun. The new infrastructure project at Station Square is using proceeds from the sale of land for the Gold Line Maintenance and Operations Campus + along with $24 million in grants - to improve streets and sidewalks in and around the station. And we've also included public gathering spaces and a new park! There is more than $1 million of those grants earmarked for restoration of the historic train depot.

We will spend much of this year evaluating our neighborhoods, discussing how to balance new development with our treasured historic housing. All Monrovians are invited to be part of these discussions and I look forward to a collaborative result.

Monrovians deserve a Mayor who has the proven ability to partner with our School District and Chamber of Commerce as well as cultivate strong regional relationships. Our city cannot afford a mistake, the stakes are too high: with the recession over, the next steps cannot be left to someone lacking proven experience, vision and leadership qualities that I bring to this very important job.

I ask for your vote on April 14, 2015. Please join me at LutzforMonrovia.com or at Facebook.com/MayorMaryAnnLutz as we work to keep Monrovia the dynamic community it is today!

My Best,

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz Leadership with Impact --- Delivering Results for All Monrovia!