By Ed Somers
July 16, 2007

In two emotional addresses to his colleagues, friends and family, Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer extolled the leadership being provided by mayors across the country saying, “The times make the man or the woman…. and I believe that this is the time for mayors.”

Palmer was slated to assume leadership of the organization in June of this year, but instead began his term as President in December of 2006 following the untimely death of former USCM President Mayor Michael A. Guido of Dearborn, (MI).  Mayor Palmer will serve as President until the end of the Annual Meeting in June of 2008, to be held in Miami.

Mayor Palmer honored the memory and legacy of Mike Guido, whom he credited for having the vision to develop a three-year strategy to take the policy priorities of mayors to the presidential candidates.

Palmer thanked Conference Vice President Manny Diaz of Miami for his strong support, partnership, and leadership.

And he thanked Executive Director Tom Cochran saying, “I had no idea how hard this man works,” and all of the USCM staff for their efforts on behalf of mayors and cities.

Palmer stressed that each and every member of the Conference, regardless of the size of their community, plays a key role in moving forward the agenda of the nation’s cities.

Palmer thanked the USCM leadership for helping develop the priorities contained in the Mayors’ 10-Point Plan on Strong Cities, Strong Families, for a Strong America, … and he pledged to continue the push to get action on each issue including climate protection; a new energy and environmental block grant, restoring COPS funding, workforce, housing, and education.

“We are going to push this 10-Point Plan, because it is what America is all about,” he said.

There has already been progress on a number of the priorities in the Plan — such as full Senate and House committee passage of the new energy block grant, preliminary increases in crime funding, and restoration of public housing funding — but much more work remains.

“One person, one Mayor can make a difference, and we are going to continue to make a difference each and every day in our cities,” Palmer said, adding, “There are always going to be challenges facing America’s cities, and there will always be Mayors ready to lead.”