Webb Challenges Candidates, Congress to Support “A New Agenda for America’s Cities”

By Ed Somers

Conference President Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb formally unveiled “A New Agenda for America’s Cities” during the opening plenary session of the 68th Winter Meeting on Thursday, January 27. As outlined by Mayor Webb, the 10-point plan calls on the next President of the United States to focus on key national priorities which impact citizens in cities and counties, and which will continue to allow metro economies to grow.

The priorities expressed in the New Agenda reflect Conference policy, and were developed during the Denver Leadership Meeting in September of 1999. As Mayor Webb stressed, the points also reflect the input of the business community represented by the Mayors Business Council.

In an important development, Mayor Webb thanked the National Association of Counties (NACo) for adopting the New Agenda. Leadership from NACo actively participated in the Denver Leadership Meeting, as well as the important events on Wall Street earlier in the week. (See story on page 64.)

Mayor Webb asked his fellow mayors to help put the agenda before the candidates for President, as well as Congress.

“This New Agenda reinforces the role of mayors as CEOs of cities, and will support our work at the local level,” Mayor Webb said.