|
In Lyon, France, the second largest city in the French Republic, Conference President Wellington E. Webb opened the first Trans Atlantic Summit of Mayors. This meeting involved for the first time German, French and USA mayors in an open dialogue which centered on globalization, brownfield redevelopment, and the immigration of people from other countries who are settling in cities of Europe and America. In France, Mayor Webb continued his theme that American mayors today are the captains of their own globalization policy. Some reporters have referred to the Webb vision and what he has done in promoting Denver as to being Mayor of a city with its own foreign policy. When you listen to his story, how he unabashedly goes to Europe to talk to Air France, Lufthansa, and British Airways, you will have to agree. When it comes to trade and when it comes to business deals, Mayor Webb does not ask the governor of Colorado, United Airlines or the State Department for permission. For trade and business he’s what we call “out of the box,” recognizing that his city is landlocked; he does not have a port, but he does have a huge airport which he calls his port. Mayor Webb is the new public CEO breed of mayors who has his vision and moves to implement it. As he speaks in France and leads the American delegation, one appreciates his vision. Other mayors in the American delegation cite their own experience as they recognize that the end of the Cold War coupled with the new world of electronic communication and commerce gives their cities many new opportunities. The meeting in Lyon raised the
question of the role of the mayor in the ever-changing world in which we live.
Every mayor from the United States, France and Germany has had to accept the
changes in his or her city caused by the results of decisions in other nations.
For years we have been concerned about decisions made in our state houses and in
Washington that affect us. Today, with globalization, American cities and cities
throughout the world feel the effects of decisions made beyond their borders. Mayor Webb’s message is that cities today must take advantage of these changes. The diversity and multiracial aspect of USA cities puts us in a somewhat better position than many others in different parts of the globe. The diversity of our cities coupled with the growing partnership mayors continue to build with their business community will call for a stronger international component to our ongoing initiatives within the Conference of Mayors. For our first Trans Atlantic Summit of Mayors, we are most grateful for the support and vision of our own Ambassador to France, Mr. Felix Rohatyn. Ambassador Rohatyn came to our Washington Winter Meeting in 1999 and urged us to join with him in supporting our vision for a meeting with the European mayors. We are also appreciative for the cooperation given by our German Ambassador, John C. Kornblum. On behalf of the nation’s mayors, we can say we are fortunate we have two distinguished Americans who are recognized as major international players, but also are truly committed to an international policy that provides a stronger role for our cities here in the USA and Europe. Charleston/Mayor Riley/The Flag The nation has been drawn to the
State of South Carolina where our past president and Mayor of Charleston, Joe
Riley, led a 120-mile march from Charleston to Columbia to protest the flying of
the Confederate battle flag over the State Capitol under the American and South
Carolina flag. This was an issue within the Republican and Democratic
Presidential primaries and while it is no longer being discussed in the
Presidential campaign, the flying of the Confederate battle flag is still an
issue in South Carolina. Economic boycotts have been established among national
groups and as a result, millions of tourism dollars are being lost in the state
as each month passes. Mayor Riley’s statement is, “Every religious
denomination, every business organization, every civil rights organization,
college boards of trustees and presidents and athletic directors and average
citizens rank and file, have said remove the Confederate battle flag. And our
legislature, with only a few more days left in the legislative session, hasn’t
even begun to debate the bill. They are out of step with the people of South
Carolina.” Once again, Joe Riley has stood for his beliefs. Those of us who
know him and have worked with him since he was elected in 1975, know that on
matters of tolerance and race his integrity is beyond reproach. It’s one thing
for Presidential candidates to go to South Carolina and stir up an issue. It
takes a mayor like Joe Riley to literally hit the road and lead a political
movement for change in a state still challenged from the wounds of another era. As U.S. Mayor goes to press, the South Carolina legislature is considering a resolution on this matter. Let us hope this issue is soon resolved and that the state legislature resolves this issue that is being brought up by Mayor Riley, other mayors and the thousands of citizens of South Carolina. Webb/Today Show/April 18 Please tune in to The Today Show on
NBC, Tuesday April 18. Mayor Webb, as our President, will unveil on national
television our Wall of Death — one year after the Columbine High massacre. Gore’s Coming to Seattle Vice President Gore, the unofficial Democratic nominee for President, has informed us that he will definitely address the 68th Annual Conference of Mayors, Friday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m. Please make your plans accordingly to be in Seattle in order to hear the Vice President give us his vision for cities if he is elected President. We are pursuing Governor George W. Bush to be with us. Mayors - Democrat and Republican - are encouraged to help us get Governor Bush on our schedule. We have every reason to believe he is joining us in Seattle. He has spoken out on education issues and brownfield initiatives. Both of these are issues Republican mayors are involved in developing an urban/suburban policy that Governor Bush will carry forward to Seattle and throughout the Presidential campaign this fall. We want both candidates to have a strong pro-city policy. That is our goal and that is why it is important for all Presidential candidates to be with us at our Annual Meeting in Seattle in June. Again, register now for our 68th Annual Meeting. Contact Carol Edwards at (202) 293-7330.
|
Return to Previous Page
