By Jocelyn Bogen
March 20, 2006

After receiving 235 applications, The United States Conference of Mayors-Waste Management 2006 City Livability Awards Program has announced the 30 first round finalists.

City Livability Awards honor mayors and their cities for outstanding programs that contribute to the quality of life of their citizens. Participating cities submitted an initial application of 500 words, which briefly described their program, indicated when and why it was created, how it has improved the quality of life of the community, and why it is outstanding or innovative.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, in describing his 2005 First-Place City Livability Award for cities over 100,000, said, “In Seattle, global warming isn’t an abstract concept. We rely on snowfall in the mountains for the water we drink and to drive the hydroelectric turbines that power our city. Over the past fifty years, our snow pack has fallen 50 percent on average. Last winter was the worst on record. When I invited mayors around the country to join with Seattle in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, I knew it would resonate in the Pacific Northwest. What I didn’t expect was the overwhelming reaction from the rest of the country and the world. I’d like to thank U.S. Conference of Mayors and Waste Management for recognizing Seattle’s Climate Change Protection Initiative.“

Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, who received the First-Place Award for cities under 100,000 stated, “Our Youth Advocacy Cabinet is a leadership network comprised of a who’s who of decision makers who can leverage resources for holistic youth development.  By listening and responding to the emerging needs of parents and youth, the Cabinet created and expanded the SCOOP program, which now has registered more than 5,000 young people for a growing array of enrichment programs accessible via a free bus system.  The Cabinet has addressed tough issues of access, equity, and violence prevention – and its impact is ongoing. The concept is to draw together the city’s top-level decision makers across every sector and charge them to set policy, identify systematic approaches, and allocate resources for Trenton youth aged seven and older. ”

From the initial applications, 30 finalist cities in each of two population categories were selected. These finalist cities will then submit a more detailed application, due on March 31. An independent panel of judges will select the winners in mid-April. Award winners will be announced in June at the 74th Annual Conference of Mayors in Las Vegas.

The 20 City Livability Awards are presented in two population categories – ten Awards to cities of less than 100,000 people, ten for cities of 100,000 or more.

Every municipality in the United States is eligible to nominate one or more city government programs in any policy area, regardless of whether the municipality has applied for or received a City Livability Award in previous years. All programs initiated by the city government are eligible, including those developed and implemented in cooperation with private sector and/or community group participation.