Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder hit the nail on the head when, in his State of the City Address this past week, he said that it was the people of the Friendly City that power the engine of its success. At the end of his speech, Magruder reviewed the many investments that have been made in the Friendly City.

“These investments matter,” he said, “but they are not our greatest asset. That distinction belongs to the people of Wheeling — resilient, hard-working and deeply committed to this community.”

Much of Magruder’s speech was focused on triumphs of the last year and honoring people who have helped make Wheeling a city to be proud of.

There’s Bill Bryson, who helped found the Fantasy In Lights Parade, what is now one of the most cherished holiday events in the Ohio Valley. There’s Rabbi Joshua Lief of Temple Shalom, whose devotion to Wheeling is shown in his taking the lead on numerous interfaith services and the annual Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony.

There’s John Moses, who has spent decades helping the less fortunate in Wheeling and providing assistance to countless families in the city. There’s John Larch, whose tireless work with Wheeling’s military veterans banner program has added a wonderful aspect to the city.

There’s Kim Florence, whose leadership at the Wheeling Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has created a major economic driver and a fantastic philanthropic organization. There’s Dave Rotriga, who has supported and created countless fundraisers for children and families, as well as organizations like Easterseals and Miracle League.

When we look at what makes Wheeling great, we look toward these people and so many others.

Yet while it always is good to reflect on how we got here, it also is important to look toward what is next. If there was anything missing from Magruder’s speech, it was a deeper look at the city’s future.

There was some discussion of Wheeling’s next steps. His announcement of a new housing development task force was welcome news. Among the hurdles Wheeling faces in regrowing and injecting youth into its population is a lack of affordable, newer housing, especially for young families.

The last thing families with young children need are countless home projects, which often is the case when they purchase more affordable homes in the city. This new task force hopefully will help recruit development companies to build new homes in the area that those young families can afford and grow roots in.

It was also good to hear him acknowledge that mental illness and addiction are key causes for homelessness, and that the city should play a part in bringing treatment centers into its borders. These are the things that Wheeling’s residents need to hear, that city officials will be proactive in improving the city in the future. And, in future State of the City Addresses, more of those discussions would be welcomed.

Overall, Magruder was right. There is a bright future to the Friendly City. And with the people who call it home, there is a great chance for hopes to become reality.