A mayor speech is a seven to nine minute persuasive speech that uses a problem-solution format. The term “mayor” has a linguistic origin with the military rank of major, and it is derived from the Latin maior.
The mayor of a city or town serves as the chief executive officer and ceremonial figurehead of the local government. In many cities, the mayor is elected or appointed. Some municipalities use a council-manager system, where the mayor has a reduced role and serves only as head of the city council.
In this year’s State of the City address, Mayor Freddie O’Connell set aspirational goals for a city with forward momentum and reliable services. He also defended his budget proposal against protesters who oppose the city’s plan to increase property tax rates.
Some mayors are using their annual speeches to highlight national issues, including discussing the impact of federal tax laws, addressing immigration policy and expressing views on public safety. They are also highlighting the ways in which their cities are taking steps to solve these challenges and calling on the national government to do more.
For example, some cities are encouraging ridesharing services to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. They are promoting incentives, and ensuring that these services are accessible to all residents. They are also focusing on upgrading utility infrastructure to ensure that residents have modern water, sewer and stormwater systems. In addition, they are promoting efforts to improve community health through better nutrition and increasing access to healthy food.