By Jonathan Reid, The Republic | azcentral.com
Gilbert Mayor John Lewis on Tuesday gave his state of the town address, highlighting new commercial projects underway, the town’s improved financial standing and the family-friendly reputation built under his leadership.
Keeping with his tradition of addressing residents by video rather than with a traditional in-person speech, viewers filed into the SanTan Village Harkins Theatres to watch the presentation. The address has been delivered digitally since 2013. Lewis was first elected in May 2009.
Gilbert Manager Patrick Banger touted the town’s four credit rating upgrades in 2014 and the money it saved in the video.
“Over the three years we saved $26 million in interest by managing our debt,” Banger said in the video. “We also came in under our budgeted general fund by $800,000.”