It’s all good El Paso: Mayor Oscar Leeser gives State of the City address

It was the 18th annual State of the City Wednesday evening. It’s Mayor Oscar Leeser’s third, and according to him, El Paso is in good shape.

This address had a different feel, but Leeser’s message is consistent. His focus is on El Paso’s economy and it’s paying off.

It was flashier than previous State of the City’s, with sponsors, videos, including a cameo from former Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith, floors directors, timers that lead to commercial breaks, and applause cards.

ABC-7 asked about the glitz and glamour, the city said Leeser wanted his message to be live and to reach as many people as possible — because he’s proud of it.

“The unemployment rate when I took office was 9.1 percent,” Leeser said. “Now it’s 4.4 percent.”

This past year, 9,100 jobs were added to El Paso’s job market, some from new businesses such as the Alamo Draft House, Hotel Indigo and Fred Loya’s expansion on the Eastside. It’s a total of $600 million in investment from outside business.

“We weren’t ever looking for jobs, we were looking for a future,” Leeser said.

Notably absent from the speech, mentions of council controversy, including an ethics investigation of City Manager Tommy Gonzalez and former Rep. Larry Romero’s abrupt resignation. Leeser touched on the delayed finish of San jacinto Plaza, but added, the quality of it was worth the wait.

Overall, the city has an end of year savings of $9 million put toward parks. The city’s completed 40 Quality of Life bond Projects, with the Children’s Museum, Mexican-American Cultural Center, and Performing Arts Facility on the way.

“We’ve accomplished a lot of great things today and I’m very proud of our council, our city manager,” Leeser said.

The city has also added 80 cadets to the police academy, as well as more overtime for officers and weekend patrols.

Leeser also noted he donates his salary. Since taking office he’s donated $130,000.