 | COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: December 10, 2010 |
Councilmember Priscilla Tyson Attends National Conference to Find
New Ideas and Solutions for Columbus
Columbus, Ohio – Councilmember Priscilla Tyson joined thousands of fellow leaders from across the country for the 2010 National League of Cities’ (NLC) annual Congress of Cities and Exposition in Denver, Colo. The conference offered sessions and workshops to learn and share innovative ideas and solutions for their city’s economic development, infrastructure, sustainability and public safety needs.
Joining more than 2,000 municipal officials, including her Columbus City Council colleague Charleta Tavares, Tyson heard from nationally-known experts such as L. Hunter Lovins, president and founder of Natural Capitalism. Lovins spoke with delegates about tools and strategies to create more sustainable local governments. Of interest was also former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Harvard University political scientist Robert D. Putnam who discussed steps that governments can take to form successful relationships between immigrants and their new communities.
Councilmember Tyson worked on several resolutions passed by the Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee, that were adopted as a part of the National Municipal Policy, which serves as an official statement of policy goals from local governments across the country as they work within the rules and statutes promulgated by the Federal Government. An important resolution made recommendations for funding of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and requested consultation with local governments before any proposed changes in performance measures take effect. Other resolutions dealt with support for green affordable housing and financing proposals and support for sustainable development in cities and towns through Living Communities Act and the Enhancing Livability for All Americans Act.
In addition to supporting these policy initiatives, Councilmember Tyson was appointed to the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. NBC-LEO is the oldest black caucus in the country and was created in 1970 to represent the interests of African American elected officials. NBC-LEO's objectives include increasing African American participation on the NLC's steering and policy committees to ensure that policy and program recommendations reflect African American concerns and benefit their communities. Tyson was honored to vote Charleta Tavares into the role of Caucus President, and is eager to continue the prominent role that Columbus City Council members have played in the caucus.
“Charleta Tavares is a wonderful member and the NBC-LEO members voted her as our President so that her leadership would be marked with the distinction,” remarked Councilmember Priscilla Tyson. “She resigned as President to take on her role at the statewide level as she becomes a member of the Ohio Senate. The local elected officials will miss her diligent focus, but we are all excited to have her as an ally, understanding local needs, when serving in a state legislative role come January.”
Each year at the Congress of Cities, local officials make connections and learn about resources to help move their communities forward. Tyson met with thousands of peers and colleagues from around the country to discover cost-saving programs, products and services; replicate effective programs and create innovative solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges. She also participated in leadership training seminars and learned about innovative and award-winning programs for cities and towns through the City Showcase.
The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
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