About the Mayor

May 15, 2000

District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams was featured on CBS "60 Minutes" April 30th with CBS Anchor Morley Safer. Safer described the mayor's job as "on of the most visible jobs in the country." The lengthy interview described Mayor Williams' goal of restoring basic services to the nation's capital after serving, prior to election, as chief financial officer for the city. Describing the complexity of his city, with a dominating federal presence, Mayor Williams compared his task as being "maitre'd with a restaurant of 525,000 people."

Pittsburgh Mayor Thomas Murphy has rolLed out an ambitioUs plan for his downtown's retail district. The pros and cons of his redevelopment project was featured in a lengthy profile in the May 2 New York Times. Mayor Murphy's plans call for razing 61 buildings in what the article says is the "tattered old retail core of downtown Pittsburgh." In it's place, the mayor envisions a cluster of new restaurants, national stores, and abundant parking with the goal of restoring vitality to center city.

While the project has drawn opposition from preservation groups, Mayor Murphy believes his Market Place area can be completed in two to three years rather than ten.

Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot will be the GOP standard bearer in the fall election for North Carolina's gubernatorial elections. Vinroot won the Republican primary May 2nd and will face Democratic opponent Attorney General Mike Easley.

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson on May 3rd announced that his city was awarded $150,000 in funds from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for his city's Brownfields Redevelopment Program. The funds will be used to identify brownfield sites, and undertake community out reach efforts, according to a news release from city hall.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley hailed Illinois Governor George Ryan and thousands of residents who worked to re-enact state passage of the Safe Neighborhoods Act. A Chicago city hall April 13 news release praises the new law which restores tough penalties for a number of crimes including gun-running, child pornography and domestic violence, and additional crimes.

Hempstead Mayor James A. Garner participated in a May 1st press event in Westbury (NY) sponsored by the Safe Schools Organization to announce a new toll free hotline for children, parents or teachers to report suspected gun possession by children. By calling 1-888-382-2002, persons can anonymously report suspected guns in schools. A Safe Schools volunteer will take the information and notify the local law enforcement agency. In addition to sponsoring the toll free number, the Safe Schools Organization is launching a National Petition Drive to help pass common sense gun safety legislation to reduce school violence.

Conference of Mayors President Simultaneously Holds Top Spot at Black Mayors' Organization

Conference President Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb was also installed as the new President of the National Conference of Black Mayors, during the organization's annual convention in Dallas from April 25-30. This marks the first time any mayor has simultaneously held the top position in both The United States Conference of Mayors and the National Conference of Black Mayors. Webb also serves as Vice-Chair of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors.

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