By Ed Somers
December 13, 2004

During the 81st Congress of Cities held in Indianapolis November 30 to December 4, Washington (DC) Mayor Anthony Williams was elected the 80th President of the National League of Cities.

During his inaugural address, Williams said, "This is an historic time for us as local officials and members of NLC. After decades of decay and depopulation, our cities are undergoing a second renaissance. People are moving back. They are feeling safer in our streets, more confident in our leaders."

"Yet in the wake of such progress, the most difficult issues remain: homeland security, education, public safety, affordable housing, and local revenue authority," Williams added.

Williams also promoted NLC's new National City Network of communications vehicles including the NLC website, conferences and seminars, Nation's Cities Weekly and cable programming that will provide knowledge for cities and towns and the people who live in them to enable them to address the challenges of improving their communities.

Plusquellic Pledges Support

Conference President Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic brought greetings to the National League of Cities during a plenary session on December 3. Plusquellic congratulated outgoing President Charlie Lyons of Arlington (MA) for a successful presidency, and his great vision on behalf of all the people that live in cities across the nation. Plusquellic also said he looks forward to working with Williams and the new NLC leadership.

Reflecting on joint Conference of Mayors and NLC efforts during the recent election, Plusquellic said, "We used every opportunity to focus media and political attention on the need to: create jobs, improve crumbling infrastructure, increase public safety, and reduce unfunded mandates."

"But let's be honest. Despite our best efforts, our issues never rose to the top of the discussion during the debates or in the campaigns of either candidate. So, now we must work even harder," the mayor added.

Plusquellic urged that partnerships with the private sector be strengthened saying, "Business leaders understand the importance of metro economies, and we must leverage their support for shared priorities."

Plusquellic said that local leaders must also be willing to fight hard for key programs such as the Community Development Block Grant which is facing major cuts next year.

Mayor O'Neill Named Municipal Leader of the Year

Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill was presented the Municipal Leader of the Year Award by American City and County Magazine during the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Indianapolis.

O'Neill was credited for her leadership in rebuilding the Long Beach economy after the U.S. Navy left town.

O'Neill, Conference of Mayors Vice President, used the opportunity to speak of the passion that mayors and local leaders bring to their jobs to improve the cities they love and overcome adversities. (See back page of U.S.MAYOR for more information on this award.)