The Mayors Are In Town  ... 1 of 5 >
Jan. 24-26, 2018 - New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu speaks during a plenary session of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 86th Winter Meeting at the Capital Hilton Hotel.  The Conference brings together mayors from cities with populations of 30,000 or more.  They meet in working sessions on subjects such as public safety, homelessness, food policy, education and workforce development, climate change, and preparing for the next census.  During plenary sessions the mayors hear from additional speakers; at this meeting, for example, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) spoke on partisanship and Second Lady Karen Pence talked about her art therapy initiative.  These meetings afford mayors an opportunity to learn about current developments, network with each other, and highlight issues facing cities, and they also interact with representatives of various trade associations and businesses.  While the mayors were in town some of them also met with President Trump (+).
Karen Flint, mayor of Flint, MI since 2015, said the city has made great progress in addressing the lead problem but still needs resources to replace pipes in individual homes.  She also touted Lear Corporation's construction of an automotive seat manufacturing plant in Flint.
Doing an interview Boston Mayor Marty Walsh addressed a reporter's question about his city's efforts to attract Amazon 's second headquarters.  Amazon recently announced 20 finalists to host its HQ2, and Boston is considered among the favorites.  Also of note, Boston is to host the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Annual Meeting in June 2018.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is said to be considering a run for president in 2020, had a high profile during the meeting.  He appeared at the opening press conference on Jan. 24.  On Jan. 25 he appeared at a press conference to announce a new nationwide effort to invest in affordable housing; led a discussion on DACA; spoke on the importance of gender equity during the plenary luncheon; hosted an Infrastructure Task Force discussion; and appeared at a What Works Cities ceremony.  Additionally in the evening he spoke at the Latino Leaders Network's 28th Tribute to Mayors dinner.  (Garcetti's lapel pin marks one of his successes, that of leading Los Angeles' bid to the Olympic Games; the city had originally sought to host the Games in 2024 but accepted 2028).
Mayor Garcetti presided over the discussion on infrastructure that included DJ Gribbin, Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure Policy.  Infrastructure is expected to be a major theme of President Trump's State of the Union Address next week.
Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait talks with Tom Gatton, director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Council on Metro Economies and the New American City.
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, immediate past president of the Conference, was honored.  After serving four terms as mayor Cornett, a Republican, is running for governor of Oklahoma (campaign slogan "Fix the Mess").
Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the U.S.Conference of Mayors.  He has worked for the Conference since 1969 and became executive director almost 30 years ago in March 1987.
Willie Brown, who served as Mayor of San Francisco from 1996-2004, delivered a moving tribute to Ed Lee, the San Francisco Mayor who died suddenly in Dec. 2017.
Spotted in the luncheon audience were former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (served 2002-10) and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb (served 1991-2003).
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