Sedona AZ (September 10 2010) – More than 900 city and town officials from all parts of the state, legislators, business leaders and guests gathered in Glendale Arizona for the 2010 League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference in early September.
Among those in attendance were Mayor Rob Adams, Vice Mayor Cliff Hamilton, Councilor Barbara Litrell, Councilor Dan McIlroy, and Councilor Mike Ward of the City of Sedona. The conference is held annually in late summer and provides an opportunity for local officials to attend training sessions designed to aid in more effective and efficient management of Arizona’s municipalities, to hear from state and legislative officials, as well as share common concerns and ideas for problem solving.
Mayor Adams stated, “I was honored to serve as facilitator for two training sessions at the League conference this year. These sessions provide opportunities for elected officials to get updates and ideas from other municipalities throughout the state that may be applicable to our own city. The idea of the “For Our City” program, which is collaboration between the City and faith leaders in the community, came from last year’s conference and this October it will be brought forward.”
2010 Conference highights included:
§ An opening general session on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 that included an update from National League of Cities (NLC) President Ronald O. Loveridge and a keynote address by economist Lowell Catlett, Ph.D., on putting today’s economy into perspective and prospects for the future.
§ More than 20 concurrent sessions throughout the four-day training, including a panel of legislative leadership recapping the 2010 session, discussions with state agency officials, an update from Arizona Town Hall, and sessions on topics such as economic development, public transportation funding, exploring public-private partnerships, and redistricting implementation, among others.
§ Recognition of key legislators who supported local governance during the 2010 legislative session. Additionally, U.S. Senator John McCain, Governor Jan Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard addressed attendees.
§ An all-day youth program for youth delegates and chaperones from across the state. More than 100 participated in this program focused on youth leadership and civic engagement.
§ A closing forum of candidates for statewide office on Friday, August 27, 2010. Co-presented by the Arizona Capitol Times, forum participants included:
§ Rodney Glassman, Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate
§ Terry Goddard, Democratic Nominee for Governor of Arizona
§ Ken Bennett, Incumbent and Republican Nominee for Secretary of State
§ Felecia Rotellini, Democratic Nominee for Attorney General
§ Andrei Cherny, Democratic Nominee for State Treasurer
§ Penny Kotterman, Democratic Nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction
In addition to the many educational sessions and networking events at the conference, mayors and council members from across the state met during the event to develop resolutions for the League’s 2011 Municipal Policy Statement. The policy statement represents the collective interests of cities and towns statewide and will guide the League of Cities and Town’s lobbying efforts during the upcoming legislative session that begins in January 2011.
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is a voluntary association of all the 91 incorporated cities and towns in the state of Arizona. It provides policy and legislative advocacy, information and inquiry services, along with publications and educational programs to strengthen the quality and efficiency of municipal government. It was founded in 1937 to serve the interests of cities and towns and to preserve the principles of home rule and local determination.
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