 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 15 * August 9, 1999 Table of Contents | Next story Gray to promote counties as economic St. Louis Annual Conference draws another By Beverly A. Schlotterbeck
Dallas County (Texas) Commissioner Ken Mayfield defeated Saunders County (Neb.) Supervisor Doris Karloff, 3,857–719, to become NACo second vice president and the newest member of the executive committee during elections at NACo’s Annual Business Meeting, Tuesday, July 20. Also unanimously elected to new office were: Howard County (Md.) Council Member C. Vernon Gray, NACo president; King County (Wash.) Council Member Jane Hague, president-elect; and Santa Fe County (N.M.) Commissioner Javier Gonzales, first vice president. Their election capped NACo’s five-day 64th Annual Conference, which posted a six-year high for attendance with 5,200 delegates and their families in hot, steamy St. Louis, Mo.
Reminding his audience of supporters and well-wishers that President Clinton had recently proposed a new federal economic development program, Gray went on to remark that "as well intentioned as the President’s plan is, or other plans might be, they will fail without county leadership." Gray said he wants counties to become the innovators and implementers of sustained economic growth. "As we enter a new millennium, there is no more important job for America’s county leaders than sustaining economic growth."
The resolution drew near immediate attention from the business community. An article in the July 21 Wall Street Journal reported on NACo’s position in a story about the FCC’s intervention in a court case where AT&T is appealing a decision that allowed Portland/Multnomah County, Ore. to require open access to Internet service providers. NACo delegates also came down firmly on collecting sales taxes on items sold through the Internet. A bylaws change was also adopted. The change involves the Board’s Designated Building Options Funds, which was created in 1998. The new bylaw specifies eligible uses for the fund.
American City and County Magazine presented its County Leader of the Year Award to Mike Wolford, Contra Costa County, Calif. public works director. The magazine presents its award annually at NACo’s Annual Conference. The Women Officials in NACo (WON) presented its Presidential Scholarship to Emily Ann Quarterman, who is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Wyoming. The WON Presidential Scholarship is underwritten by VALIC and is awarded to a female student who plans a career in public service. The scholarship was initiated by former NACo and WON President Barbara Sheen Todd.
For U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, there was no question about the importance of county governments. She thanked them effusively during her speech at Monday’s General Session, as she credited them with saving the Summer Youth and Employment Training Program and helping to pass the Workforce Development Act. Bill Ivey, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, wants counties to use the arts as economic engines for their communities. "A county that possesses a healthy inventory of the arts attracts new business," said Ivey. "After 35 years, we know the arts contribute to our communities." At the final general session, delegates were treated to lively presentations from two of the country’s most famous political operatives Republican Mary Matalin and Democrat James Carville. Matalin and Carville, who toiled on opposite sides of the 1992 presidential campaign, told delegates they are proud of working for politicians. Carville summed it up best: "I’ve never spent one second of my life being ashamed of what I do or who I am," Carville said. "I’ve worked for mayors, parishes, presidents and prime ministers. By and large, most people who serve do it for the right reasons. I’d like to see some acknowledgement of that." (The separate section, A Special Report on NACo’s 64th Annual Conference, contains complete coverage of the conference plus a photo review.) |
