Nation's Cities - November 21, 2011

4 NATION’S CITIES WEEKLY
November 21, 2011

NLC Board Calls for Civility in Public Dialogue

by Cyndy Liedtke Hogan
NLC’s Board of Directors
passed a resolution urging local
leaders, cities and towns and
public leaders at all levels to
promote and model a more civil
public discourse.

Democracy can be messy, she said, but that does not mean it can’t include common courtesy and respect.

“The nation’s forefathers
believed the democratic pro-
cess should be a respectful dia-
logue,” Beltramini said. “This
resolution is a great opportunity
for collaboration and promise.”
In part, the resolution states,
“The National League of Cities
reaffirms the principle of civil-
ity as a foundation for democ-
racy and calls on local leaders to
promote and model civil public
discourse, setting an example
for others in resolving differ-
ences constructively and with-
out disparagement of others.”
The resolution continues,
“The National League of Cities
urges all government officials
and employees, political parties,
the media, advocacy organiza-
tions and candidates for politi-
cal offices and their supporters,
to strive toward a more civic
public discourse in the conduct
of political activities and in the
administration of the affairs of
government.”
NLC has a strong history of
leadership in promoting and
modeling civility, having estab-
lished the CityFutures Panel for
Democratic Governance nearly
a decade ago. In the aftermath
of the January 2011 shooting of
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords,
NLC published a guide for
local officials, “Beyond Civility,
From Public Engagement to
Problem Solving: An Action
Guide for City Leaders.”
The best examples of demo-
cratic governance are those that
engage a diverse array of people
and institutions in learning
more about community issues
and working together to arrive
at solutions.

Mitchell Reflects on Year as NLC President, Honors Members

by Cyndy Liedtke Hogan

2011 NLC President James E. Mitchell Jr., council member, Charlotte, N.C., reflecting on his year as president, thanked those he led during tough economic times and once again called on Congress to work together to put people to work.

“We must continue to call on Republicans and Democrats in Congress to set aside their partisan differences and put the country first by passing a jobs plan,” he said during the opening general session of the Congress of Cities and Exposition in Phoenix. “A plan from Congress to accelerate jobs and economic growth is overdue. A 9 percent unemployment rate is unacceptable to our country and our communities.

“We need Congress to say
yes to a jobs plan ... and we
need it now,” Mitchell contin-
ued. “We need Congress to say
yes to comprehensive immigra-
tion reform, and we need it
now. We need Congress to pass
a new transportation bill, and
we need it now.”
Throughout his year as presi-
dent, Mitchell had the opportu-
nity to travel across the country
and see innovation at work.
He praised the work cities do
to thrive during the economic
crisis.

Winners of the NLC Wall of Fame with 2011 NLC President James E. Mitchell Jr../ Photo by Steve Schneider

2011 NLC President James E. Mitchell Jr., speaks during the opening general
session of the Congress of Cities and Exposition in Phoenix./ Photo by Steve
Schneider

Mitchell recognized those who contributed to NLC this past year with a new honor, the National League of Cities Wall of Fame.

“These individuals and organizations on the Wall of Fame have demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership, vision and support for NLC,” Mitchell said.