By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Tonight's annual State of the City address will focus on cooperation and partnerships, but not on some of the strained relationships the city has had in the past year.

Instead, City Manager Scot Lahrmer says he'll focus on partnerships that led to some of the year's largest successes, such as working with the school district to open the community center last March.

"It will be an affirmation of what we've done," Lahrmer said of the third annual speech. "I'm always careful about not creating any agendas for others."

Lahrmer also will highlight the city's collaboration with Warren County on various road projects; with Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and the investments in the Warren-Clinton Drug Task Force and transportation.

Mayor Peter Beck, in his address after the speech, also will highlight what can be improved in 2004, including communication with Mason Municipal Court. The relations have been tense, and the municipal court judge charged the police chief with contempt of court for not transporting a prisoner from the county jail.

Charges were dismissed against the chief.

"I think the communication needs to improve and will improve in the future," Beck said Wednesday.

Residents who attend the public event at the community center also should expect to hear about downtown revitalization, which received attention from City Council last year. The city has adopted a plan to improve traffic, bring in local business and make the area pedestrian-friendly, and now officials are looking to hire a downtown/small business coordinator.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com