City Manager's Annual Report 2017 | A Year In Review | Page 14

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3.
Citizen safety and prosperity
have been among the
FORUM ON RACE primary missions of American
RELATIONS & governments at all levels,
including cities. The City of
INCLUSION Port St. Lucie, has much to
be proud of in this regard. PSL is the safest large
City in Florida and a growing City for all ages and
all people, not just in words but in statistical facts.
However, if the City is to maintain and enhance
these high standards, the entire community must
be prepared to proactively address one of the great
challenges of our day.
Across the country, acts of violence stemming from
racial tensions, terrorism, intolerance and hate,
among other things, are resulting in death, loss, fear
and civil unrest. To avoid these negative outcomes
here and to continue to deliver on the promise to be
a safe and prosperous community for ALL people,
the City held its first Forum on Race Relations &
Inclusion event in November 2016. The success of
the Forum prompted City officials to make it an annual
event. In 2017, two separate forums were hosted – a
LGBTQ+ session, focusing on issues facing youth, and
a Gaining Appreciation by Adjusting Perspectives
session focusing on residents’ interactions with law
enforcement.
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE
C O M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T
The goal of the Forum is to bring the people of Port St.
Lucie together to listen, share concerns, learn, plan, act
and report on progress in maintaining and enhancing our
promise of being a City for all. This Forum was the launching
point for the City’s ongoing efforts to address issues on race
and inclusion, both inside City Hall and in the community.
The Forum has garnered national attention. In June
2017, Mayor Gregory J. Oravec received an Outstanding
Achievement Large City 2017 Livability Award at the U.S.
Conference of Mayor’s 85th Annual Meeting in support of
the Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion. The Forum also
has been recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2017
Hermes Creative Awards and an award of commendation
from the Public Relations Society of America, Sunshine
District.

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2017