By Ed Somers
December 12, 2005

Conference of Mayors President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill brought greetings to the National League of Cities (NLC) during their 82nd Congress of Cities on December 6-10, hosted by Charlotte (NC) Mayor Pat McCrory.

O’Neill congratulated outgoing NLC President Mayor Anthony Williams of Washington (DC) for a successful presidency, specifically his partnership with the Conference of Mayors to save the Community Development Block Grant.

Williams used his final address to focus on his legacy with the NLC, the National City Network, which is a web-based portal for cities to share best practices, hold on-line forums, and access technical assistance.

O’Neill used this opportunity to discuss her “Cities for a Strong America” summits being held across the country.

“Our Metro Economy Reports prove beyond a shadow of a doubt the impact that cities and counties, together, have on the well-being of our nation. Metropolitan areas represent more than 80 percent of employment, income, and production of products and services in the United States,” O’Neill said.

“Our industries and businesses help fill the state and federal coffers, and we have the right to insist that now is the time to invest in our communities and give us the tools we need to strengthen America’s economy,” she added.

Specifically, she praised the coalition built by the Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties and other local government organizations which saved CDBG, and said, “As we continue to fight for CDBG funding, we have strong support from many members who do not have a long history of focusing on our priorities, but who know that CDBG is a partnership that strengthens working families, builds affordable housing, and creates jobs.”

“Moving forward, we must continue to innovate at the local level, and then push our state and federal governments to support our innovation. We must focus on the big, difficult issues like education, energy, transportation, crime, and taxes that will impact our communities for decades to come,” she said.

“It is vitally important that we remain united in support of the rebuilding of New Orleans - and Biloxi - and Gulfport - and all the cities devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” O’Neill said.

She added, “I have seen the commitment from those mayors and those citizens to rebuild stronger, more vibrant communities.”

O’Neill then concluded, “I believe that our national resolve to rebuild the Gulf Coast will have major implications for our national resolve to support investment in cities across the country.”

Speaking at a plenary panel on lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said, “This nation does not have a process to address major events. FEMA is overwhelmed, outmanned and has regulations that are outdated.”

Both Nagin and Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. said that there must be a stronger role for the military in the immediate response to a major event, with a quick sunset. “Saving lives is more important than a power argument,” Nagin said.

During the meeting, Clarksburg (WV) Councilman Jim Hunt assumed the Presidency of the NLC, and Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson moved up to First Vice President. As U.S. MAYOR went to press, the NLC Second Vice President had not yet been approved by the body.