During the event, Mayor Pat Furey informed the public of the numerous accomplishments of the City of Torrance this year. The Torrance Chamber of Commerce hosted the packed event at Hilton's Doubletree, filled with business, local government & charitable organization leaders. The mayor showered praise on the City's finest: its award-winning police and fire departments, dedicated educators and health care professionals, and creative business owners who have chosen to center their trade in the City of Torrance.

He stressed that Torrance continues to be a powerful commercial hub. Sanrio, makers of the Hello Kitty line, recently chose Torrance for its future 21,000 sq. foot American headquarters. The City is now the home of the startup CANOO, the first subscription only electric vehicle company, with its flagship headquarters located near City Hall. Torrance is also the home of businesses - such as Torrance Bakery, Bluestem Boutique Hotel and Sage Millimeter - that have won most influential family owned businesses awards. Breweries in Torrance continue to expand in size and number. Brews from Smog City are now found everywhere. Even the comedian/actor George Lopez is opening Brews Hall near Del Amo Mall. Torrance also remains a favorite location for the film industry and has a team that facilitates the filming procedures. Learning too late that the TV series Homecoming had been shot in Torrance, Furey lamented not getting to meet the actress, Julia Roberts. 

The City, according to Furey, offers a safe environment to conduct business. Crime rates are falling; sidewalks, reconstructed; 67 new handicap ramps, installed. Torrance Memorial and Providence are two of the top 30 hospitals in the State (out of 425) and top 1000 hospitals in the Nation, according to US News and World Report. With the help of Supervisor Janice Hahn, the City is also the home to the new West Coast Mobile Strike Unit, a team that individualizes outpatient treatment for stroke victims. In addition, Torrance has achieved the impressive CPSE accreditation - "an all-hazard, quality improvement model based on risk analysis and self-assessment that promotes the establishment of community-adopted performance targets for fire and emergency service agencies." Most recently, Torrance has put online an air quality measurement site called Torrance Air to make the public aware of any health risks.

The City, according to Furey, also has a supportive business environment. He quoted a 3.8% unemployment rate and has received a $500,000 grant to aid in the re-employment of our veterans. With its prime venues for enterprise start ups and recent implementation of regional broadband, Torrance can expect its commercial sector to continue to grow. 

The City of Torrance is a balanced city - industrial, commercial and residential wise - and one of its goals is to make children want to remain living in Torrance when they mature. Torrance has become an attractive and fun place for young families to visit as well as raise their kids. Many families are attracted to the area because of its new Splash Pad in Wilson Park, concerts in the park (even live feed opera), and Del Amo Mall's interactive attractions like the Foodie Place, California Welcome Center (Discover Torrance), and upcoming ethnic food and music festival. Torrance Unified School District provides top-notch schools that send 71% of its student body to college and has fostered 1071 new young voters this year. In its goal to make schools a safe environment, TUSD recently installed the  RAPTOR system to better screen its visitors. North and South high schools now have new auditoriums, and the TUSD's  tennis courts have been resurfaced.

Torrance also attracts the elderly. By 2060, the population of people over the age of 65 is expected to double. The City of Torrance was voted 82nd out of over 303 senior friendly places to live and holds the number two spot on the best place to retire poll.

Not without its problems, Torrance is trying to be proactive in dealing with some hot issues. To combat the coyote problem, it has set up a 24-hour coyote hotline, staffed by interactive communication officers. Moreover, it has created a coyote sighting survey, also used by other cities. To address the growing homeless issue, the City has a just received a report outlining a plan for homelessness by its Social Services Commission and has scheduled a public meeting to hear the public’s take on the situation. 

Although the City of Torrance, like all cities, faces challenges in the future, it has proved itself once again to be a dynamic, powerful city with much to offer businesses and residents.

Thanks to Athena Paquette for organizing the League of Women Voters Torrance Area table at the State of the City. Our table was the most festive of the lot, decorated with a "Pump It Up" theme by the Torrance Business Association. 

LWVTA Members Eunice Hargrove and Jackie LaBoeuff, catching up and  enjoying the festive autumn-inspired lunch.

Attendees from the Hollywood Riviera and Southwood Districts' Homeowners Associations were  Ruth Vogel, Pam Popovich, Amy Strauss Josefek, Judi Brunetti and Tricia Blanco.

Our colorful centerpiece up close