By Brad Atzinger
Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson credited the University of Louisville for its part in the city’s development in a speech Friday.
“Great universities make great cities,” Abramson said.
Abramson visited U of L’s University Club Friday for the 2007 Mayor’s Reception presented by the Metro Louisville American Society for Public Administration and the U of L School of Urban and Public Affairs.
He also offered praise to the public affairs students, referring to them as the “folks in the trenches” who make a difference in their communities through public service and other methods of involvement.
“We try to advance excellence in all forms of public service,” said Dr. Steven Bourassa, chair of the Dept. of Urban and Public Affairs.
Abramson said that students who choose to stay and serve in their communities deserve the respect of the entire city.
“I have 700,000 residents in Louisville. I don’t have 700,000 citizens- only residents,” Abramson said.
In the question and answer session that followed his address, Abramson mentioned the library tax that was defeated in last week’s election. “Louisvillian’s showed last week that they want less and less taxes, but more and more services,” Abramson said. Partnerships between the city and non-profit organizations, though, will continue to be important.
Abramson continued to say that the real excitement in politics is not at the state and federal level, but at the local level. “The real action is in the community,” he said.
The mayor also pointed to recent city improvements including bike lanes and expanded parks as examples of both public administration and competitive incentives for businesses interested in moving to Louisville.
