By Eugene T. Lowe
June 19, 2006

Cardell Cooper, newly appointed Executive Director of the National Community Development Association, came before the Monday Business Plenary Session June 5 and asked the mayors for their help in saving the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the relentless attacks on the program over the last several years. Cooper, a former mayor of East Orange, New Jersey (NJ), and former HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development (CPD) with the Clinton Administration said that he understands CDBG and the vital role that it plays in cities. But he said, “If there is any success, it is because of mayors.”

He commented on the administration’s proposal last year to eliminate CDBG and transfer its remnants to the Department of Commerce, and the latest proposal this year to cut the program by a billion dollars. Most recently, HUD released a plan to reform CDBG which changes the formula program and cut more than 300 cities from direct allocations. Cooper decried this is not a partnership with mayors. He said one partner doesn’t develop a plan and then publicly announced it to the other partner without discussing the plan first.

Speaking of the actions being taken at the Conference of Mayors 74th Annual Meeting, he said that what has been done by way of policy resolutions can’t stay in Las Vegas. He said that mayors have always done great things. People have been move from the edge, but with federal cuts and other policies, they are back there again. He exhorted the mayors: “Let no one question your patriotism when you speak for the needs of the people. Let us stand together – USCM and NCDA.”