By
April 14, 2003

On March 27, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz gave his annual State of the City Speech, focusing on the great progress the city has made in the last year. Mayor Diaz announced his new citywide master plan, "Miami 21," which he called "a plan for the 21st century that will place Miami at the lead not only in America, but globally." Diaz and other city officials are pleased with the completed restoration of city hall, which now appears as originally constructed in 1931 when it was originally used as a Pan American Sea Plane Base and Terminal. According to the Miami Herald, the $1.6 million renovation includes the actual former terminal space, which has been transformed into a state-of-the-art meeting space for the City Commission.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has announced a new plan to alleviate the city's homeless problem. The seven-part plan calls for a city-run emergency shelter, emergency financial aid for rent, mortgage, and utility bills to prevent homelessness, group homes for recovering alcoholics or addicts, travel aid for those who wish to return to their families, church sponsors for the homeless, a permanent home for 50 mentally ill or drug-addicted homeless, and an expanded community court to offer alternatives for homeless arrestees. The plan is estimated to cost $10 million for building construction and $4.6 million for annual operational cost. Franklin said a new "Quality of Life Task Force" will help her lead the way in assisting the city's homeless population.

Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, President of Republican Mayors and Local Officials, was named to the national membership advisory board of the Young Republicans. The April 10 appointment makes McCrory the only mayor on the board, which includes former President Gerald R. Ford and Senator Bob Dole, as well as other Republican luminaries.

Rochester's Johnson Is Candidate for Monroe County Executive

Rochester (NY) Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. announced March 29 that he will run for Monroe County executive with a focus on ending the divisive relationship that exists between the city and county. The mayor is expected to become the official Democratic candidate for the office when the party convention is held next month. His candidacy marks the first time that a sitting mayor in Rochester has run for county executive. The election will be held in November.