CityVision2015, the League's annual conference held earlier this week in Winston-Salem, became an energized and enthusiastic kick-off of cities' vision for themselves for 2030. The conference focused on that vision with NCLM Board members Jennifer Robinson, a Cary Town Council member, and Jody McLeod, mayor of Clayton, discussing the findings from the year-long League and UNC School of Government-led effort to examine how cities and towns can adapt to meet the demographic, financial and technological challenges ahead of them for the next 15 years. Councilwoman Robinson and Mayor McLeod -- in a sharp presentation that focused on defined dilemmas and how cities and the League as an organization can meet them -- noted the challenges include both the political, like declining public trust in government, and the financial, such as increasing infrastructure needs.
Incoming League President Lestine Hutchens thanks outgoing President Ronnie Wall for his service
Their Monday morning presentation was preceded by a comic performance from Michael Huie, a Winston-Salem actor and Wake Forest University theater instructor, and Wake Forest theater student Solomon Jordan in which Huie portrayed a "municipal visioning expert" whose notions in fact were stuck in 19th century. It didn't take long for the League delegates and others in the crowd to catch on after Huie began asking, "What Would Grandpa Do?" After a presentation by League Executive Director Paul Meyer, attendees got to preview this video focusing on the League's coming media campaign to highlight city-led economic development efforts.
On Monday night, the League's officers for the 2015-2016 year were installed. Elkin Mayor Lestine Hutchens was sworn in as president; Zebulon Mayor Bob Matheny as 1st Vice President; and Jacksonville Mayor Pro Tem Michael Lazzara as 2nd Vice President. The League Board of Directors and membership also approved constitutional and bylaw changes intended to make the organization more nimble to meet the goals stemming from the visioning process. At Monday's luncheon, Wake Forest Athletics Director Ron Wellman served as keynote speaker and discussed the ability to make changes on the fly as a key to success in athletics and other endeavors.
Jessie's Girls plays into the night at NCLM Awards Celebration
Sunday's events included the Host City Dinner and a musical performance, "The Glory of Gospel," performed by the North Carolina Black Repertory Company. There were also concurrent sessions examining a variety of municipal-related issues, and two mobile workshops in which attendees explored Winston-Salem's Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, or Lexington redevelopment efforts. Of course, spending time with friends and colleagues from other cities and towns, and discussing common challenges, was again one of the best parts of the conference.
All of us on the League's Governmental Affairs Team and the entire League staff would like to thank everyone who attended and focused on a common goal -- to keep cities and towns vital and strong. We also want to thank Burlington Mayor Ronnie Wall for his past year of service as League president, including his tireless efforts to advocate on behalf of city needs. And thank you to the City of Winston-Salem, Mayor Allen Joines, and to the volunteers from the city who helped make CityVision 2015 a great experience for everyone.
League members attend concurrent issues session
