Mayor Jay Beckby, (City of Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — Hastings Mayor Jay Beckby called for a shift in focus during his second State of the City address during the city council meeting during the evening of Monday, March 9.
Mayor Beckby appeared before those in attendance at the meeting to deliver his second address.
Beckby began by saying that the Hastings community can take an honest look at where they have been to help direct where they will go in the future. He said the residents share the responsibility of helping shape the future of their city.
He noted Hastings has faced challenges in the past, where growth slowed or even stagnated. He said hesitation and overregulation caused opportunities to go elsewhere. Beckby said change had been resisted “when it came too close to home.”
Beckby said he faced his own challenges and learning curve during his first year as mayor and added that this was a valuable time for him. He said he is ready to shift from learning to action.
For a long time, Beckby said that the focus in Hastings had been on housing but now wishes to see a shift to jobs, industry and other employment opportunities. He asked that the next phase look to support job growth, retail expansion and recruitment of new opportunities to the community.
He said Hastings has many advantages and said that they matter, “only if we promote them.” Beckby also said that the community “cannot wait for opportunity, we must go find it.”
Beckby said that Hastings must learn from its past, he noted that the “not in my backyard” mentality has cost the city real opportunity. When development is blocked, those opportunities go elsewhere.
Beckby said Hastings need to focus on “fair and consistent” development policies, or as he put it another way, “favorable development not developmental favors.”
He also noted that “when decisions are driven by rumor and not facts,” the entire community pays the price. He said the spreading of conspiracy theories regarding development harms the community. Beckby said that “Trust is essential for growth.”
Beckby said that Hastings is growing, with new housing development and new industries being built. He added that focus should not only be on new development but supporting existing businesses, which is “just as important.”
Looking to the future, Beckby highlighted the proposed 150,000 square foot fieldhouse facility, which is now entering the preliminary planning phase.
Beckby said that his learning period is over and is ready to hit the ground running with a focus on fairness and transparency.
