Conference of Mayors Second Vice President Mesa Mayor Scott Smith welcomed more than 3000 delegates gathered for the 88th National League of Cities (NLC) Congress of Cities Conference on November in Phoenix.

Smith recognized host Mayor Phil Gordon, who will finish his second term as mayor of Phoenix in December 2011. He also congratulated NLC President Charlotte Councilmen James Mitchell for a successful presidency.

During his welcome remarks, Smith said, “The task that lies before each of us as local elected officials, who are constantly challenged to find ways to elevate our voices in DC, is that we must work together and collaborate with like-minded groups to influence public policy.” In citing transportation and infrastructure as a top priority for the Conference of Mayors, Smith said, “Congress needs to pass a long-term transportation reauthorization bill; a long-term, focused program for infrastructure investment that will benefit our communities.” He continued, “This isn’t just a city issue. This is a business issue and this is a labor issue. The time is now to invest in our critical infrastructure that is vital for the movement of goods, services and workers that will reignite the American economy.”

The U.S. Conference of Mayors concluded its fall membership drive by hosting an exhibit booth at the NLC Congress of Cities November 9 –10. During the meeting, Conference of Mayors staff had an opportunity to meet with current members, non-member mayors, and city officials, and distributed information on membership benefits and current programs to preserve funding for programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) and other programs that benefit cities directly. Conference Advisory Board Members Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, Hallandale Mayor Joy Cooper, and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin assisted at the exhibit booth touting the “Common Sense Jobs Agenda” and promoting the upcoming 80th Winter Meeting January 18-20, 2011 in Washington (DC).

Before adjourning the three-day meeting, the membership of the NLC named Bluffton (IN) Mayor Ted Ellis as the organization’s new President for 2011-2012. They also elevated Avondale Mayor Marie Rogers Lopez to First Vice President and selected Saint Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman as Second Vice President.

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