We considered a lot of factors and took the appropriate time to make this important decision. In the end, we decided that North Port is a wonderful place in which to live and work.
Current and past City Commissioners, City staff and especially you, the citizens of North Port, all share the credit for working so hard to build a City that has captured the hearts of so many.
North Port is truly a phenomenal place. Our City has grown from a few hundred residents in the 1950’s to about 50,000 today. And much of our growth has occurred in just the last few years. In fact, the Census Bureau tells us no Florida city over 20,000 in population grew faster than North Port in the period 2000—2004.
Measured by any standard of civic achievement you choose, I believe North Port is now poised to become an even greater City. In fact, there is little doubt that growth, within a framework of thoughtful planning guided by community standards, will continue to change our community for the better.
The continuing changes we are seeing in North Port have not come without some challenges, and yet those challenges are not insurmountable. I am confident we will meet those challenges: together. We have every reason to look toward our future with confidence because we are blessed with a dedicated, perceptive City Commission, engaged and caring citizens, and great employees, whose talent and energy will ensure a better future for us all.
In order to carry out the directives of the City Commission, I believe it is essential that we give our employees appropriate resources, engage their minds, seek their input and hold us all accountable for designated outcomes, as we implement workable strategies to cope with our good fortune. Achieving designated outcomes is obviously important, but HOW we achieve those outcomes is important as well.
We need to understand what our desired outcomes are, and continually reevaluate what we are doing to achieve those outcomes. If what we are doing is not working, we, like all successful organizations, need to learn and adjust in order to move forward.
I believe that one measure of success for any City government is how it treats each and every citizen. You have my personal assurance that improving customer service will be a continuing priority for all city employees.
I also believe that while the health and welfare of North Port citizens must remain our first and highest priority, the Commissioners and staff believe that it is important to continue to work with neighboring communities and regional agencies to solve mutual problems.
I welcome the privilege and the opportunity to serve the citizens of North Port as we move toward the kind of future we all want for ourselves.
Your voice is important, so please do not hesitate to contact me or drop by to express your ideas and opinions.
Sincerely,
Steven S. Crowell, Jr.
City Manager
City of North Port
