Since becoming Butler's mayor a year ago, Maggie Stock has given 12 keynote speeches, presided over six weddings and appeared in five parades.

But it is the day-to-day challenge of running a city on the brink of financial ruin, like a canoe against the current of a waterfall, that has Stock paddling hard with the help of city council and residents.

"Every day is different and I like that. I would not survive a normal 9-to-5 job," said the Butler County Community College professor, who just completed her 21st year of teaching.

Stock has focused her efforts on learning what needs to be done to find new revenue for the city and how to make the city more presentable to visitors and residents alike.

With Stock serving on many committees, such as the Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Butler Arts Council and organizations that Stock has personal ties to such as the Blazing Star Chorale Society, which she helped found, it is often hard to find her in her offices at either the City Building or BC3.

But it is her efforts — and those of council this year — to improve communication between city government, its employees and residents, for which Stock is most proud.

"I think we've made tremendous progress this year. We have twice-monthly department head meetings, which help us all know what's going on in the city," Stock said.

A senior volunteer now sits at a desk in the front hallway of the city building, helping visitors find the department or person they need.

The Pride Project, which uses people convicted of driving under the influence to clean and paint buildings and neighborhoods in the city, has worked well, and Stock hopes to expand the program this year.

"We've been aggressive about trash pick up and getting rid of abandoned properties," she said.

"We've been working to streamline events held in the city to bring down police costs. We understand there are economic limitations, but we did have the smoothest budget process ever," Stock said.

In 2007, Stock plans to continue looking for new sources of revenue for the city, as well as ways to trim costs, in particular, using a state consultant's guide to bring down public safety costs.

"We got a grant to continue with joint municipal planning with Butler and Penn townships. I'd also like to update our information technology, get a real Web page and support economic development," she said.

"We (council) want to continue to work with the end goal making Butler better or the best it can be for the residents," Stock said.

"I think she's doing a great job," Councilman Jim Kraus said.

Kraus noted that, besides having a new mayor, city government also had two new council members, Mike Kelly and Kathy Kline, in 2006.

"I think all of them, individually and collectively have brought a new perspective, a new spirit to city council," Kraus said. "I think Maggie has done a great job of bringing this new group together and refocusing the priorities of the city."

Kraus said the meeting every other week with department heads has kept the mayor informed.

Fire Chief Larry Christy agreed the meetings have helped.

"She's been very supportive of our department," Christy said.

Councilman Mitch Ufner said, "She seems to have a feel for the most important projects."

He said Stock has dedicated herself to serve the city, yet still "can kick off her shoes and enjoy sitting there between projects."

"Council is working well together," Ufner said. "I think she's done an excellent job with council."

Eagle staff writer Jeff Andrasovsky contributed to this report..