By
August 4, 2003

Former Salt Lake City (UT) Mayor Ted Wilson has announced his retirement from his position as director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics in the College of Social Behavioral Science at the University of Utah. As director of the Institute for 18 years, Wilson said that he hates the idea of leaving a job he loves so much but that it is time for someone else to take the reins. Wilson's retirement is effective September 1, 2003. Wilson was the mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976 to 1985.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin announced a new plan to assist religious and charitable groups in feeding the homeless. The new plan is part of the city's comprehensive effort to address homelessness and its 100-day downtown initiative. "We want to ensure that when food is provided to those in need that it is in a healthy and dignified manner. Public food distribution causes public safety problems related to health, litter and traffic — and also violates the Fulton County Health Code," said Franklin. "However, it is important for those who are called to serve, such as church and civic organizations, to have a way to accomplish their compassionate task."

In an article from The Tulane University alumni magazine for Spring 2003, the publication profiled New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, a 1994 Master's of Business Administration graduate.

According to the article, the Mayor has been trying to preserve the character of the city by upgrading business buildings to fit the rest of the city. "As for having the character and uniqueness that New Orleans has, there's no better place in the world than our city," Nagin said. "we're working to create a New Orleans that is not only a good place to [play], but also a good place to live and work as well."

Nagin is planning on adding manufacturers to the ports in order to increase the productivity of the area. Currently New Orleans leads the nation in the import of coffee, plywood, raw metal, rubber and steel, yet coffee is the only item from that list that is processed in New Orleans.

Also on the New Orleans agenda, Nagin plans on expanding the city's Louis Armstrong International Airport to have more than just the two existing international flights so that New Orleans can get more regional cooperation.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino heads a city that is credited with urban leadership in creating a highly responsive emergency medical response system. In a July 30 story, USA TODAY gives Menino high marks for forging a system that is highly effective. Mayor since 1993, the article says Menino took over a sluggish response EMS system, determined to improve its performance and response record. That was done, following Menino's determined steps to improve performance. USA TODAY's article, part of a thorough series on EMS systems, chronicles EMS performance records in America's 50 largest cities.

Honolulu Wins Budget Presentation Award

A national organization of government finance professionals has honored the City and County of Honolulu with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Mayor Jeremy Harris announced July 25.

"This is a significant award because it recognizes our commitment to the highest principles of government budgeting," the mayor explained. "It also reflects the exceptional professionalism and dedication of everyone who works on our city budget, especially the staff of our Budget and Fiscal Services Department."

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), a nonprofit association that serves 14,000 government finance professionals throughout North America, presented the award. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national award program in governmental budgeting.

The GFOA said the city qualified for the award after its budget was rated "proficient" as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.

"Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America," the GFOA explained in a released statement.