October 13, 2008

Berkley (CA) Mayor Tom Bates was selected as the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) 2008 Americas Award Laureate for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability on September 17.

Bates was recognized for his work on the Berkeley’s Climate Action Campaign, which began in November 2006 when 81 percent of Berkeley voters passed Measure G to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas admissions. The UNITAR Selection Committee recognized the Climate Action Campaign as “a best practice on how a community-based effort has served to identify and implement strategies that achieve Berkeley’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.”

Said Bates, “I am passionate about implementing a far-reaching plan that promotes solar, reduces car usage, encourages density on transit corridors, and decreases waste. While our federal government debates the merits of global warming, it is incumbent upon city leaders to take immediate action to protect our environment. We can’t afford to wait.”

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is awaiting a city council vote that would allow him to seek a third term. New York has a 1993 term limits law, which if left in law, would require him to leave office in December 2009.

The October 10 New York Times reported that Bloomberg aids are already mapping out an aggressive re-election strategy that would involve spending $80 million or more. Some of the funds would be used against the likely opponent, Representative Anthony D. Wiener, a Democrat who represents Brooklyn and Queens.

In prior interviews, Bloomberg has emphasized his business expertise as a key factor in deciding to run for a third term. He believes his background is needed at this time, given the calamitous economic situation in the country, but particularly impacting on Wall Street.

Bloomberg has been active with The United States Conference of Mayors and was host to the second of five Action Forums in New York City on infrastructure.

Immersed in disaster recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Ike, Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden won re-election October 4 by nearly a three-to-one margin over is three opponents. The voter turnout in the Louisiana city was 39 percent. A democrat, Holden became Baton Rouge’s first black mayor in 2004.