I'm the managing director here at Hartford Stage.

We're so honored that the mayor and his team decided to get the annual city of the city address here.

And to be at Hartford Stage, really just representing all the incredible arts organizations in Hartford, from Real Art Ways, to Theater Works, to CT Improv, to the Wadsworth, to the Bushnell, and on and on.

I have left out several.

I'm thrilled that we are here.

It is so important what's going on in our city, and we want to make the very best of everything here in downtown Hartford.

So we're glad you came out on a Monday night.

I have the honor then of introducing TJ Clark, the council president, to kick us off this evening.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you very much.

Good evening to everyone.

Uh thank you for gathering here today.

Uh we're looking forward, we kick everything off.

We'd like to introduce uh our Steam Council colleagues that we have here, uh, Councilwoman Mirla Rosetti, Councilman John Gale, we have our Thomas City Clerk here at Loosa, our council majority leader, uh, Kelly Villadu, Councilman Alex Thomas, and Councilwoman Marilyn Rosetti, uh, friends and family.

I'm sorry.

What did I say?

It's the light.

Rosado.

How did I mess that up?

I think the two R's.

Um, as you are, as you know that the mayor is start over again.

Uh the mayor is required to deliver an annual state of the city, and we are thankful that he has selected this location uh to do so.

And with that said, I would like to introduce our 68th mayor of the city of Hartford, Mayor Arun Auralapala.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you to all of the council colleagues for all that you do for our city.

Thank you to the Hartford Stage for hosting us.

We as a city are so fortunate to have a cultural institution like this in the heart of our city, and it is part just one part of an incredible array of institutions that I like to say is among the best of any art scene in any mid-sized city in America.

And we're so proud of it.

And I will say that is why we created the Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment to be able to connect and foster the incredible art scene we have in the city and to be able to tell the story of the cultural institutions that make this city special.

I also want to say thank you to the Hartford Parking Authority for allowing Hartford residents to park for free tonight.

Their board was out there with their staff invests, they were going above and beyond.

And to me, that is indicative of the city and the love that the city employees put into the city.

We have incredible city employees all across the city of Hartford.

And I just wanted before I start asked everybody who works for the city of Hartford, would you just say it for a moment and be recognized?

Well, as I begin my third state of the city, I've got to start by saying this.

It is the privilege of a lifetime to get to serve this city in good times and in difficult times.

And Hartford, we've have had some very difficult times in the last few weeks.

I want to start tonight by talking about Everett Walker and Stephen Jones and the tragic incidents that took their lives.

Let me start by saying something that shouldn't be divisive.

Their lives mattered.

They are sons, they are brothers.

Mr.

Walker's case, a husband and father.

They are children of God.

And we mourn their loss, we search for answers, and we commit ourselves to doing better.

As a father and a resident of the city, I'm deeply hurt and angry.

And just like this community, I want real accountability.

But as mayor of the city, I know real accountability only comes from a process that is transparent.

And that is the work that we are doing.

I know that too often in the past, you've been asked for your understanding and your patience.

Instead, I would simply ask for your confidence that we will make sure that justice is served and that we will work entirely to ensure that tragedies like this are prevented in the future.

Hartford, the only way through this pain, the only way forward is through this pain.

But we must rise to meet this challenge and every challenge together as one Hartford.

Together, we must dream of a better and brighter future for our city.

To provide quality housing for all, to build a brighter future for all of Hartford's children, and to ensure safer, stronger neighborhoods all across the city.

Let's start by talking about public safety and the threats that come from outside.

People often say to me, it must be hard to stay hopeful as a mayor when you've got to highlight this president.

And they're right.

But when I feel down, when I feel the weight of the deep divisions of our society and the cruelty and chaos of Trump administration, I focus on the things that are special to me close to home.

I look at my wife, my kids, and each of you who I have the honor to serve.