'We have much to be proud of in this great city': Mayor gushes about workers, lower crime, economy

Mayor Keith James declared West Palm Beach to be "strong and robust" during his annual State of the City address Friday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

James, first elected mayor in 2019, was making his fourth State of the City address.

"I'm happy to report it won't be my last," he said, alluding to a recent Palm Beach County Circuit Court ruling that disqualified businessman Rodney Mayo, the only candidate who had challenged him for re-election.

The mayor is set to be sworn in for a second, four-year term on April 6. He'll be joined by city commission members Shalonda Warren and Joseph Peduzzi, who each picked up another two-year term without opposition.

James, 65, touted the economic development that has continued to bloom in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and said violent crime — a major trouble spot in some cities — is at a 20-year low in West Palm Beach.

"We have so much to be proud of in this great city," James said. "The secret is out."

As he did last year, when he happily embraced the "Wall Street South" moniker some have used to describe West Palm Beach, James noted the steady stream of new businesses and residents who are moving here from the chilly Northeast.

"They want to go beyond visiting here to working here and staying here," James said.

Mayor: Utility workers went 'above and beyond' to save a man's life

The mayor, occasionally brusque and no-nonsense on the city commission dais, grew emotional at times during Friday's remarks.

His voice wavered when he discussed city utility workers who, responding in May to the pleas of a young boy, saved the life of a man who had attempted to commit suicide.

The ballroom audience quieted as James relayed what happened.

"This team was called to service an underground utility structure when they suddenly heard blood-curdling screams for help from a nearby home," the mayor said. "A young boy ran over to the team, begging for help and led them to the site of the commotion. The group ran to the scene only to tragically find a man hanging from a tree who had attempted to take his own life."

The utility workers, James said, "worked quickly to get the resident out of danger, called emergency services and provided comfort to the family as they waited on first responders. Thankfully, the resident recovered, and he later met with the team to express his gratitude for them saving his life."

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Hearing what had happened, the mayor decided to honor the workers.

"I thought it was only appropriate that I recognize the men for going above and beyond their usual duties," James said. "During the recognition ceremony, the men were so humble and unassuming. They simply said, 'Mayor, it's no big deal. We're just doing our job.' "

The mayor told the audience: "Well, you know, it's a big deal to me. Their jobs as utility workers was not to save lives."

James then had the men — Charles Baker, Rojay Johnson, Max Rodgers, Mac Miller, Brandon Joe and Kyle Burrell — stand as the audience gave them a sustained standing ovation.

"These are some of our everyday heroes, your everyday heroes, who had the courage to go beyond the call of duty," he said.

West Palm in 2023: Drainage improvements, $23 million streetscape projects, new golf course will debut

Throughout his address, James mentioned the various projects that are on the drawing board or in various phases of development.

He mentioned that the city is making drainage improvements at Roosevelt Estates, a neighborhood near Clear Lake that has long been plagued by flooding problems.

James discussed the $23 million streetscape and infrastructure improvements along Tamarind Avenue and the upcoming renovation of Currie Park, which he said will be kicked off with a groundbreaking this year.

There's an open house for the new Fire Station 8 on Northlake Boulevard on Feb. 11, and, in early April, there will be a ribbon cutting on West Palm Golf Park, the rebuilt course along Forest Hill Drive that, for generations, was known as the West Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course.

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The new golf park will focus on junior golf and will allow duffers to learn the sport at reasonable prices, James said.

West Palm Beach's most recent budget, which included raises for city employees and a tax-rate reduction for residents, was also a point of pride.

"We held the line on taxes and fees and reduced the millage rate for the first time in 15 years," James said.

That budget was made possible by soaring property values.

Property values are up more than 25% so far during his time as mayor, James said, including an 18% increase over the past year.

In May 2021, the city's water customers had to use bottled water for a week after tests showed unsafe levels of an algal toxin. James, heavily criticized in the aftermath of the contamination, said the city only learned of the problem because its testing regimen is more stringent than required by state or federal law.

On Friday, he pledged that his administration would continue to monitor the drinking water.

"I would do anything and everything I can to protect the city's drinking water," James said.

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In closing his address, James again became emotional discussing the city he has represented for eight years as a city commissioner and another four as mayor.

"I stand here today full of praise and gratitude for the past year," he said. "Last year, we had the courage to work together to create a stronger, safer and more fiscally sound community. Our future is bright, and I'm confident that, if we continue to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, we'll indeed make West Palm Beach a community of opportunity for all."

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter @waynewashpbpost. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: State of the City: West Palm Beach mayor talks about crime, economy