Ten Reasons Why Cities Mattered in 2004

Ten Reasons Why Cities Mattered in 2004

12/28/2004 5:03:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Sherry Conway Appel, 202-626-3003 or John Pionke, 202-626-3051, both of the National League of Cities

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- As we approach the end of the year, the staff of the National League of Cities looked at the most important domestic news stories of 2004 and developed our list of 'Ten Reasons Why Cities Mattered in 2004.' In no particular order we found that 2004 brought:

1) Disastrous hurricanes: In the paths of Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, local law enforcement, emergency services, public works and other municipal officials implemented strict evacuation plans, conducted land and water rescues, coordinated after-event disaster planning and assisted in the clean up resulting in fewer deaths and restoration of business as usual within a relatively short period of time. Congrats for these often heroic efforts to cities such as Pensacola, Port Saint Lucie, Fort Myers, Orlando and Gulf Breeze in Florida and the coastal towns and cities in Alabama.

2) The Presidential Campaign: Cities and towns such as Waco, Texas, Columbus, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri, were called upon many times during 2004 to ensure a safe campaign, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars with each visit to support additional police, fire and emergency personnel.

3) The Conventions: The cities of Boston and New York rolled out the red carpet for the Democratic and Republican Conventions this summer. The first Presidential election year since the September 11th attacks, the host cities faced numerous added security risks and were able to provide sufficient resources and strategic planning. Both Conventions went off without a hitch.

4) The War in Iraq: Thousands of municipal employees who are active in the Reserves and National Guard have been posted to Iraq. Overall, one-in-five cities were affected by significant National Guard and Reserve deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. With longer deployments and more Guard and Reserve units being mobilized, the trend is expected to continue.

5) Shortages of Flu Vaccine: City leaders worked with local health officials across the country to set priorities and advise the public on ways to reduce the threat of transmission. In A City Official's Guide to Public Health, NLC offered guidelines adopted by municipal officials on the best methods to prepare for public health emergencies. Southbury, Conn., First Selectman Mark A.R. Cooper has stopped shaking hands during the flu season to underscore his concerns with 'hand hygiene' and cold and flu transmission.

6) Information technology in transition: The city of Philadelphia joined others in offering their citizens ubiquitous high-speed Internet access. (On the down side, the General Assembly adopted a bill preventing other cities in Pennsylvania from offering this same service.) The Center for Digital Government named the most technologically advanced cities in America in four population categories: Virginia Beach, Va; Des Moines, Iowa; Denton, Texas and Ogden, Utah (tied); and Redmond, Wash.

7) Tighter Border Security in the Wake of 9/11: NLC leaders went to Nogales, Arizona to develop an action plan for local governments concerned with border security. Challenges facing these cities include drug trafficking and day laborer issues to thwarting terrorism. NLC is stressing greater collaboration between the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and local homeland security authorities.

8) Steep Oil Price Increases: Cities already strapped for cash had to dig deeper to pay for gasoline for their buses and vehicles, heating oil for their buildings and schools, and pass- through shipping and other costs as the price of oil rose to $50 a barrel. In 2004, three of five US cities and towns were less able to meet their financial obligations and expectations for 2005 are equally dismal.

9) No Child (or Teenager) Left Behind: As the President launches his effort to raise standards at middle and high schools, the National League of Cities is already working with five cities--Corpus Christi, Tex, Hartford, Conn., Phoenix, Ariz., San Jose, Calif., San Antonio, Tex.--to expand options and innovations in high school education. NLC's Network of Mayors' Education Policy Advisors (EPAN) represents 60 of the largest cities in 31 states and is assisting mayors in their efforts to be stronger advocates for K-12 school reform and school improvement, as well as to increase their awareness about innovative options in high school for their cities.

And Last But Not Least:

10) Cicada Invasion: As Brood X arrived on the trees, buildings and lawns in the Eastern United States, cities and towns from the eastern seaboard to Indiana and Tennessee provided the clean up.

Source: U.S. Newswire : Releases : "Ten Reasons Why Cities Mattered in 2004"