 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 15 * August 9, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Gray will focus on helping By Kevin Wilcox and Mary Ann Barton
When you talk about politics with C. Vernon Gray, NACo’s new president, the conversation always seems to come back to the people he has helped. There’s the man who was able to have a heart transplant because Gray intervened with his insurance company. There’s the family that was able to go abroad because Gray spent hours on Christmas Day helping them track down a birth certificate for their newborn child. "A number of people wanted me to run for the state legislature," Gray said of the early 1980s, when he was considering his first run for office. "I’d say at the state level, you’re dealing with lobbyists. At the local level you’re dealing with people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. That’s what I like." "I served in a lot of community organizations before I became a county official," said Gray, who has been on the Howard County, Md. Council for more than 16 years. "Some of the things I was doing from a community standpoint were ephemeral, not long lasting. And I realized that if you get into government, you can make some permanent changes, pass laws, make things happen."
"I told the staff two weeks ago, I want to know everything," Gray said. "I’m open to ideas, criticism and suggestions that people might have. As I see this endeavor, it’s not just Vernon Gray attempting to be successful. It’s the organization attempting to be successful, as well." Economic development is at the top of Gray’s agenda this year. Devolution is giving counties greater responsibility, Gray said, as well as the opportunity to become the economic engines of the country. "We must stand ready to take up the mantle of leadership and provide economic opportunities," Gray said. "We can promote growth and sustain it and provide economic opportunities for our citizens and we do this because we want to enhance the quality of live for our citizens." One of the first things Gray wants to do as NACo president is conduct a survey of counties about their economies. In spite of the national economic prosperity, some counties are being left behind. "I want to join with President Clinton on this New Markets Initiative and begin looking at counties that need some assistance," Gray said. "I think NACo can play a role."
"I sympathize with farmers today," Gray said. "I share their concerns. I really plan to work with them closely. I understand the situation. Those are my roots, basically. My values." Gray’s political roots extend back to the family farm, as well. His parents were politically active and took their son to rallies and to the polls. "They were great," Gray said. "There were very caring, very loving. They took us to church morning, noon and night. I was fortunate." Gray relentlessly pursued an education that culminated with a Ph.D. in government and politics from the University of Massachusetts. In the early 1960s he met his wife, Sandra. They have two grown children, Michael Vernon and Angela. He has worked at the Joint Center for Political Studies and the Congressional Black Caucus and has taught at several universities, including Morgan State University, where he has chaired the political science department for more than 15 years. "Being a political science professor gives me a certain kind of vision and understanding of what’s going on," Gray said. "I bring a certain practical approach to the classroom. In the political realm, I tend to look at things with a theoretical position, trying to piece it together and see what the meaning is."
"Again, the bottom line is we serve people," Gray said. "We’re here to better the quality of life for our citizens. We’re not here for ourselves. I work with people. I make things better for people." The inaugural ceremony was bittersweet for Gray. His mother, Virginia, passed away in April. She had been a regular at his political events over the years. "She came to everything – every time I was sworn in, my political fundraisers. So it was tough with her not being here because this was kind of the crowning achievement." But Gray always tries to focus on the positive. And the positive is that his father, Major, boarded an airplane for the first time in his life to see his son take the reins of NACo. "That meant so much to me." |