Keokuk, IA – Keokuk Mayor Dave Gudgel delivered his 6th State of the City Address to a crowd of more than 50 people this week. He spoke for more than 40 minutes about the city's accomplishments over the past year and provided a look ahead to the next 10 and 1/2 months in Keokuk. Throughout the speech, the over-riding themes were progress, hope, and growth. Keokuk has taken a hit, financially, in recent years due to cuts from the state and a loss of jobs and incentives. During that stretch, Gudgel was known to say that if there is a light at the end of the tunnel facing Keokuk, he hoped it was not a train. These types of speeches tend to be filled with lofty goals and plans for the future and while this was no different, Gudgel's address had a sense of confidence and assuredness that was felt by those in the crowd.
You can listen to Mayor Dave Gudgel's entire speech by clicking on the audio link above.