By Rhonda Spears
June 23, 2003

During his inaugural speech on Tuesday, June 10 in Denver, Conference President Hempstead Mayor James A. Garner began his remarks by expressing how special The United States Conference of Mayors has become to him during his tenure as a mayor since 1989. "What is so unique about this organization is that mayors come together from small and large cities, democrats and republicans, liberal and conservative. We come together to speak with one voice to Congress, the Administration and all of America. It is this spirit of cooperative enterprise that makes this organization so vibrant and so strong," he said.

Garner went on to say that mayors are the Public CEOs of the world. They are the Chief Executive Officers of their respective communities. "To be effective Public CEOs in the global economy, mayors need to have a comprehensive, tolerant and inclusive vision for their cities. And, if we are to remain competitive today and into the future, that vision must be sustainable."

"This means that every mayor should strive to ensure that his or her community is a place that welcomes and supports business, as well as a place that each of our citizens can proudly call -HOME-," he continued.

Garner added, "This is why I have made Sustainable Development the goal, platform and focus of my administration."

Garner announced that during his year as president, the Conference will develop, refine and offer a Sustainable Development Initiative that will focus on creating a Master Plan that will give life to long-term visioning. This Master Plan must be comprehensive, fully-developed, well-defined and well-balanced. Garner went on to say that the objective of a Sustainable Development Initiative is to make America's cities more manageable, productive and competitive, as well as attractive and livable. "With this initiative, mayors will have a sustainable development vehicle both for today, and for generations to come."

In summarizing his agenda, Garner identified the key areas of sustainable development that will be the focus of his presidency. They include the development of a lasting smart transportation plan designed to move people to where the jobs are. Also included is the creation of mixed-use urban plans where working people will live within walking distance of jobs, housing, transportation, recreation, entertainment, sports venues, art and culture centers, and houses of worship.

Brownfields redevelopment is also a key component in building a sustainable community. It is pro-environment, pro-business, pro-neighborhood, pro-jobs, and pro'smart growth.

Garner's sustainable development plan will also include pragmatic approaches to crime and public safety issues that plague many communities. Garner continued by discussing his concern and the importance of Homeland Security funding. "We must continue to seek direct Homeland Security funding for our cities. We cannot expect to continue to absorb security costs when the money allocated for that purpose is sent to Statehouses instead of to our city halls. The last thing we need is one more layer of bureaucracy between the safety of our communities and the security dollars we need to protect them," Garner said.

On the issue of the nation's economy, Garner said that mayors must continue to educate the Congress, and advise the President about the importance of metro economies. "We must ensure that they never forget that mayors are the driving force behind this nation's health and wealth. They must be continually reminded that our cities are the economic engines that drive this great nation."

"Since we provide 80 percent of the national wealth, I submit to you that we should get back 80 percent of the nation's resources for reinvestment into our cities. It is simply good economic policy to support American cities," he continued.

In conclusion, in the coming months, Garner will convene a Strategic Mayoral Leadership meeting to begin the formulation of a national, bi-partisan Action Agenda that will identify and prioritize key issues and make specific proposals. Mayors will continue to develop the Action Agenda in October at the Fall Leadership meeting in Miami Beach.

"As our nation moves into the forthcoming presidential election, we are obligated to educate and communicate our goals and visions for implementing sustainable communities throughout this nation," Garner said.

Later this fall, Garner will convene a summit with mayors and major corporations to release the Action Agenda. "We will stand together with our partners and announce the strategies we have developed for meaningful debate in the Congressional and Presidential elections. Our Action Agenda will ensure that the candidates know, up front, the issues that are of key importance to American cities.

"We must let them know that our cities are the political and economic engines driving this nation. We represent growing and diverse populations. We are the nation's sustainable cities charging forward for the continued long-term prosperity of America," he added.