March 13 State of City Address filled Playhouse

By Kaylee Arca

In a lighthearted yet informative State of the City address, Mayor Mark Turner celebrated Morgan Hill’s achievements, tackled tough challenges, and unveiled ambitious initiatives for a healthier and more vibrant community.

He delivered his public performance review to local dignitaries, community members, and high school civics students March 13 to a standing room audience at the Community Playhouse.

“Tonight, I’m going to share with you some good things that are going on in this great community of ours,” Turner said. “I’ll share with you some of the challenges we face, along with some opportunities that lie before us as well.”

Peppered with jokes and anecdotes, the address covered the construction of pickleball courts and a Chick-fil-A in addition to community literacy, housing, and health initiatives. He also addressed the city council top priorities of developing tourism, the downtown and local economic opportunities.

“Downtown is the social center of our community,” the mayor said. “With fine dining, retail, the farmers market, sidewalk Saturdays, and other activities, our downtown has become one of the finest destination locations around.”

Last April, the city council approved redirecting $200,000 for a downtown park to instead make downtown more accessible and inclusive for free family events and to support businesses. This became the Fourth Saturday Downtown Street Series. These events included the Doggy Days of Summer in August, the Makers Market and Car Show in September, and the Kidz Fest and Safe Trick-or-Treat in October.

Each event brought about 2,000 community members downtown.

Turner shared public safety statistics from Morgan Hill Chief of Police Shane Palsgrove.

“The Morgan Hill Police Department is the first department in Santa Clara County to train officers in Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE), a program in partnership with Georgetown University to prepare officers to successfully intervene, prevent harm, and to create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention.”

Last year, MHPD had a clearance rate (the number of solved cases) of 74 percent for crimes against persons. The statewide average is almost half at 41 percent. In 2023, the MHPD submitted more than 1,500 cases to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, a 47 percent increase from 2022 and a 68 percent increase since 2021.

“No one likes the fact that criminal activity is on the rise,” Turner said.

Turner took a moment to appreciate and honor the more than 400 nonprofit and 501(c) organizations. They pick up trash on the weekends, prepare food boxes, and work with kids at the Boys and Girls Club. They rescue animals, raise funds for the YMCA, and stand outside grocery stores selling Girl Scout pack cookies.

“Morgan Hill is a place we call home,” the mayor said. “Most of what’s great in this community comes from the goodness of those who live and work here. It’s our people who make the difference.”

To promote community health, a new initiative called Healthy Morgan Hill will address the growing fentanyl crisis, obesity, mental health issues, and other local health challenges. It focuses on four goals: improve the health and well-being of Morgan Hill residents; integrate policy and planning with bonus efforts while ensuring project sustainability; elevate the city of Morgan Hill as a hub for healthy and economic vitality; and ensure effective and ongoing engagement with community stakeholders.

“I believe there is more right with Morgan Hill than wrong with it,” Turner said, “There’s nothing wrong with Morgan Hill that can’t be cured by what’s right with Morgan Hill.”

Kaylee Arca is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter.