By Rhonda Spears Bell
October 18, 2004

On the eve of the vice presidential debate in Cleveland (OH) and the last presidential debate in Tempe (AZ), leaders from three national organizations - The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the National Association of Counties (NACo) — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents — came together to urge the candidates to address in detail domestic and economic issues. The mayors and local officials say these are the real issues that are important to the American people.

Their plea to the candidates did not begin overnight. Over the last few months, the nation's mayors and other local elected officials have been calling on both presidential candidates to address the issues that matter the most to the citizens of this country. Most recently, USCM toured the state of Ohio and St. Louis (MO), and issued two metro economy and jobs reports that highlighted significant job losses and forecast future job growth. NLC released a new survey outlining what people think is the American Dream and whether or not they can attain it. Additionally, NACo has raised the question of affordable housing in America with their "Paycheck to Paycheck Report".

At a joint, bi-partisan press conference on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, the site of the vice presidential debate, and at a location in Tempe overlooking the site of the final presidential debate at Arizona State University on October 13, these national leaders, representing rural, suburban, and urban America, challenged both President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry to lay out their specific plans for the domestic and economic issues that critically impact the citizens of this country.

"As mayors, city and county officials, we work with the people of our communities everyday, and they want to hear more about the real issues that directly affect them — job creation, education, transportation investment, housing, healthcare, and public safety," said Conference President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic.

"In my state, the battleground state of Ohio, we rank 50th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in both economic and employment growth. The country has lost more than 600,000 good-paying jobs over the last four years. The American people want to know — and deserve to know — the specific plan President Bush and Senator Kerry have to improve this significant job loss. Our people are suffering and they need real answers now," he added.

NLC President Charles Lyons, selectman from Arlington (MA), echoed Plusquellic's sentiment; "After three debates, we are still not getting answers to the profoundly important issues facing our communities — what are the candidates planning to do to improve the job market, boost the quality and quantity of affordable housing, assist us in securing a better education for our young people?"

"The time for partisan bickering and mudslinging is long past. We need to know what their administration will do in the coming four years to ensure that every American has a real chance to achieve, enjoy and sustain something we call the American Dream," Lyons said.

NACo President Angelo Kyle and Lake County (IL) Board Member expressed his growing frustration with all of the candidates in discussing domestic issues.

"I have been frustrated that the presidential and vice presidential candidates have not clearly defined their positions on domestic issues. I know that we are at war and we face problems around the world, and I appreciate those concerns, but we must not neglect our problems at home," Kyle said.

Kyle went on to express his concerns about the disparity of housing and health care in the country. "The presidential candidates must address eliminating the disparities in the health care system and increasing quality home ownership opportunities. The men and women who police our streets, fight our fires and educate our children deserve the opportunity to live in the communities in which they work.

"The elimination of health disparities is also an urgent issue facing our country today. Racial and ethnic minorities, as well as individuals with lower incomes, those from rural communities, the elderly, and those with disabilities, do not have access to quality health care. The candidates must accept the federal government's partnership role with local governments to provide services to our citizens," he concluded.

In Cleveland, Conference Advisory Board Chair Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido highlighted the importance of brownfields redevelopment to overall economic development. "We want the presidential candidates to take a hard look at continuing smart investment in brownfields. We know first hand that putting these abandoned sites back into productive use can serve as a catalyst for local economic revitalization and create thousands of jobs in our communities."

Conference Vice President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill challenged the candidates to give their specific plans on increasing homeland security and port security in Tempe.

"If our economy is to grow and create jobs, and our people are to be safe, we must increase homeland security. While progress has been made, mayors remain very concerned with the speed of federal money reaching our first responders, and the overall level of support for protecting our people and key infrastructure. Our police, fire, and emergency response professionals deserve the best equipment, the most up to date training, and the latest intelligence. We are not yet where we need to be on homeland security as a nation."

O'Neill, whose city is the home to the second largest port in the country went on to say, "For example, not enough is being done about security at our ports. Our ports remain exposed to large'scale acts of terrorism.

"Before September 11, only 2 percent of containers were screened in ports. Since then, that number has increased to only 5 percent, and that just isn't enough with an estimated 21,000 containers entering our ports every day.

"The American people — the people who live in our communities — are very concerned about our ability to prevent attacks in this nation. We must do more to make sure that every possible action is taken to keep them safe," O'Neill concluded.

In Tempe, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz expressed his concern for the candidate's lack of focus on the Hispanic residents in the country.

"The Hispanic vote on November 2nd is going to be critical to our country's future. In 2000, nearly 6 million Hispanics voted, a 136 percent increase over 20 years ago. We anticipate that over 7 million Hispanics will turn out on November 2nd. This will be a dramatic increase. There is no doubt that our Hispanics in our metro areas and in rural areas will be a deciding factor in an election that is slated to be so close." Diaz continued, "It is clear that if the nation is going to have future decades of economic growth, it is U.S. metro cities that will lead the way. We need to hear specifics from the presidential candidates on how they are going to help our cities lead the nation in the next decade of growth."

"How will they help provide more homeownership opportunities for Latinos and African Americans? We need fewer clichès and more concrete ideas from the candidates on how to make economic opportunity a reality for all of us."

Plusquellic concluded, "America's strength has always been locally driven, in its communities. As local leaders we know that the presidential election is the single greatest opportunity for America to direct its future. We need true partnership that will deliver real results for the American people."

Plusquellic, Lyons, Kyle, and Bill Hansell, President-Elect of NACo and Commissioner from Umatilla County, Oregon participated in both press conferences in Cleveland and Tempe.

Those who participated in the Cleveland press conference on October 4th included Dearborn Mayor Michael A. Guido, Chair, USCM Advisory Board; Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell; Peter Lawson Jones, President of the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners; Lakewood (CO) Mayor Steve Burkeholder, Member NLC Advisory Council.

Additional participants in the Tempe press conference on October 12th included Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and Minnetonka (MN) Mayor Karen Anderson, NLC Past President.