Take a trip down to the riverfront at dawn and look east or across the state line into Oklahoma at dusk. The sky is filled with vibrant orange, red, pink, purple and blue sky. With genuine pride, Mayor George McGill called it one of “the most beautiful sights you’ve ever laid your eyes on.”

It’s not just the sunrises and sunsets he’s proud of, though. McGill’s first State of the City address Wednesday at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith was filled with adoration for the city he loves.

“We’re strong. We’re proud. We’re getting ready to move forward,” McGill said.

The 51st mayor said Fort Smith has a rich history and endured a lot in more than 200 years. He mentioned the closing of the Fort Chaffee military base, when Whirlpool relocated and the progress still needing to be made.

“People thought we would die,” McGill said about Fort Chaffee’s closing. It hasn’t.

The 188th Wing of the Air National Guard, a unit of the United States Air Force, is considered a top example for other units across the country, McGill said. Jobs have been recovered through the opening of businesses such as Mars Petcare and Glatfelter Advanced Materials. Fort Smith is home to two major health systems, a university and osteopathic medical college.

McGill continued to brag on the city, encouraging people to see the growth at Chaffee Crossing, visit the new 906 Lounge downtown, or take a walk down one of the miles of trails in the city.

The state of the city, he emphasized, is strong. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement, though. McGill said he hopes to see citizens and leadership communicate, collaborate with neighboring cities, listen and get things done.

McGill understands things aren’t always great. He mentioned the strong odor that’s been in the air for several weeks due to the cleaning of an organic materials storage lagoon in Crawford County. “How does it smell here today?” he said with a laugh, noting the halt of work until after the Fort Smith Marathon and wind changes.

McGill talked about the many utilities customers who have faced issues with rising water and sewer bills. He addressed the city’s effort at complying with the federally mandated consent decree while trying to get much-needed relief. The streets and water treatment systems aren’t perfect, but McGill noted the work of both departments and Tuesday night’s board approval for more employees to work on waterline leaks.

The new mayor thanked the residents who have kept “the flame of hope burning, even when it’s hard” and encouraged those who have lost hope. McGill said where the city is today used to be the future. Now, it’s a starting point for greater growth that he is partnering with residents to accomplish.

“We tend to forget what we have and who we are,” McGill said of longtime residents. “(But) Fort Smith is the lifeblood of the River Valley.”

People and businesses come to Fort Smith when they see the kindness, generosity and hard work of its citizens. They see a positive future through its ever-evolving education system, economic development and its location near Interstate 40, Interstate 49 and the Arkansas River, McGill said.

McGill was called an “invaluable public servant” by UAFS American Democracy Project Chairman Williams Yamkam. He wants to be the city’s greatest cheerleader and its residents’ most outspoken advocate, Yamkam said.

“I know he will be an excellent leader for Fort Smith in the coming years, and I look forward to seeing this community thrive during his tenure,” said UAFS Interim Chancellor Edward Serna. “I have great faith in the city of Fort Smith.”

McGill — inaugurated a little more than one month ago and focusing more on service than title — said he’s mostly just proud that citizens are also excited about Fort Smith’s future. He’s taking it to mean they’re looking forward to how they can personally contribute to its growth and improvement.

“When we all come together, when we braid our ideas and energy, we become a great city; we remain a great city,” McGill said. “We become who want to be, and we have a chance to determine the future for ourselves.”