Full video of Mayor Ron Littlefield's 2009 State of the City Address.
Read a transcript of the Chattarati liveblog after the jump.
Daniel Ryan: Anyone having trouble viewing the stream please email me dryan@dryan.com or DM me on Twitter @dryan
David Morton: still testing video quality
David Morton: Donald just made lower thirds for some of our speakers. It's almost like we know what we're doing.
John Hawbaker: Cameron Adams is roaming the reception snapping pics of City Council members and other notable guests.
David Morton: Full spread at the Doubletree. Donald recommends something called 'meat-wrapped asparagus' for all the peeps following along at home.
David Morton: Anita Ebersole is handing out some City of Chattanooga swag
David Morton: Council members present so far: Rico, McGary, Robinson, Ladd, Scott. City Attorney Mike McMahan as well.
David Morton: About to get a bunch of reception photos from Cameron Adams in the livefeed. Stay tuned.
Daniel Ryan: Flickr's API appears to be lagging a bit. Photos may show up a few minutes behind, just scroll down to check.
David Morton: People are starting to file in now. We'll be up with video in 10 minutes.
David Morton: Cameron's photos are up. Scroll down to see them.
David Morton: We're starting to roll with the video.
Daniel Ryan: Boy Scout color guard. Nice.
David Morton: Hit reload (lower left) on the UStream window for video.
David Morton: Great rendition of the National Anthem by Roshanda McClain
David Morton: Ok. Minor glitch aside, we're up and rolling
David Morton: If you're having a problem with the feed, let us know. You might need to hit the refresh on the UStream window (lower left corner button)
David Morton: Claude Ramsey talking about VW announcement
David Morton: "There will be more coming"
David Morton: Ramsey: "I see so many people work to turn things around this community. Not by accident that it's happened. It's hard work that made it happen"
David Morton: Ramsey said he agreed to intro mayor only if Littlefield didn't talk about annexation.
David Morton: Ramsey: "This community has to come together as one"
David Morton: Welcomes Ron Littlefield to the stage. Standing ovation.
David Morton: Ron Littlefield speaking
David Morton: "Whatever your political leanings, whatever your chosen path in life, whatever your economic status...you must admit that we live in interesting times."
David Morton: Discussing rapid change in the world during the last year. Giving props to digital revolution.
David Morton: "As an observer of urban life and as an active participant in the art and science of building cities for the past four decades, I have never seen such a time."
John Hawbaker:
"[the] venerable institutions of the Third Estate, those pillars of journalism would find themselves challenged by bloggers"
That's what the kids call a "shout out."
David Morton: "Other countries on other continents are meeting the present crisis with infrastructure programs of their own, so - as the line goes - we must run faster just to stay even."
David Morton: "'It's time to break the mold,' Crisis can raise awareness, focus attention, and even spawn opportunity."
John Hawbaker: Here's a link to Pivot Point, the Ernst & Young publication that Mayor Littlefield just referenced 5:54 p.m.
Talking about the recession's impact on local and state infrastructure, energy, and development
David Morton: Urban Planning is the key to success
David Morton: "Chattanooga can bring new life to the UT Planning School and the presence of such students and their studies can bring new life to Chattanooga."
David Morton: Referring to U.S. Conference of Mayors
John Hawbaker:
"More than ever before, Chattanooga is being recognized." -Mayor Ron Littlefield
David Morton: "I can say without exaggeration or reservation that Chattanooga is well served by a team of skilled veterans that are quite likely the finest group of professionals that I have ever had the privilege to work with - it is truly a dream team."
John Hawbaker: On the Chattanooga Police Department's accomplishments:
"In 2008, the Police Department handled 208,246 calls for service, worked 11,414 accidents, produced 122,966 incident reports and arrested more than 15,000 suspected criminals - 14,147 adults and 904 juveniles."
David Morton: On recycling, "We are going in the right direction"
John Hawbaker: Good financial work by the city benefits taxpayers:
"The Finance Department succeeded in obtaining an upgrade in the city's bond rating issued by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services from AA to AA+ a very significant achievement in today's financial climate and one that pays dividends to taxpayers in lower interest charges."
John Hawbaker: We're 100 feet away and can hear Will Carr broadcasting live while the mayor is still speaking.
John Hawbaker:
"You are well served by the departments and the professional administrators that lead them. Chattanooga has never been in better hands especially in these challenging and interesting times."
David Morton: "for local governments the future must be about determining how services can be delivered most effectively and efficiently."
John Hawbaker: Good laugh from the crowd when the mayor joked about "consolidating governments."
David Morton: "public education will remain the dominant big idea that can move cultures and communities to new and better lifestyles."
David Morton: "Ladies and gentlemen, the state of the city is good."
David Morton: Talking about Urban Growth Map. "My brother, I did not say the A-word" (motions to Claude Ramsey)
John Hawbaker:
"It's time to dream big dreams, see new visions and make those visions our new reality."
David Morton: Talking about YPAC and Chattanooga Stand.
David Morton: Standing ovation on mayor's conclusion.
John Hawbaker: The ceremony closed with a prayer for "the peace of the city." The live video stream is now over, and we'll follow up with interviews on the scene to be posted later.
David Morton
John Hawbaker
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