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<br />LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE WRAPS UP <br /> <br />8A <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Close to 2,000 city officials gathered at the San <br />Diego Convention Center on September 6-9, for <br />the league of California Cities' 1 08th Annual <br />Conference. <br /> <br />Under the theme of "All Politics is Local," - a <br />statement that emphasizes the importance of city <br />officials working together toward our common <br />goals - the annual conference's opening general <br />session included addresses by keynote speaker <br />Kevin Carroll, League President Alex Padilla and <br />league Executive Director Chris McKenzie. <br /> <br />League President Alex Paditla presided over <br />the opening session on September 6 and dis- <br />cussed the League's activities over the past year. <br /> <br />"We have had another challenging year, but <br />have achieved some remarkable successes," said <br />Padilla. "Key among these was working with the <br />Legislature and Gov. Schwarzenegger to get a <br />package of infrastructure bonds on the November <br />ballot Passage of these measures is critical to <br />efforts by cities and the state to rebuild California, <br />and protect our precious resources for future <br />generations. " <br /> <br />Padilla also announced the 2006 winners of <br />the League's prestigious Helen Putnam Awards, <br />given to cities that develop programs that signifi- <br />cantly increase the level of service for their com- <br />munities. A total of 27 cities were honored, includ- <br />ing grand prize winners Carlsbad, Cathedral City, <br />Livermore, Long Beach, Santa Barbara and Signal <br />Hill. <br /> <br />League Executive Director Chris McKenzie <br />spoke regarding the league's legislative efforts <br />during the year, including its work on telecommuni- <br />cations reform, infrastructure, housing, and Propo- <br />sition 90. <br /> <br />"It has been an important year, anchored by <br />our victory on infrastructure and our ongoing <br />efforts to defeat Prop. 90," McKenzie said. "No one <br />can doubt that the League has earned 'a place at <br />the table' in Sacramento." <br /> <br />National League of Cities' (NLC) President <br />James Hunt, a council member in Clarksburg, <br />West Virginia, also addressed the general ses- <br />sion. Hunt thanked the California League and its <br />members for their support in working to preserve <br />federal funding for Community Development <br />Block Grants, and for lobbying Congress on <br />federal telecom legislation. <br /> <br />Hunt briefed the delegates on NLC's "inclusive <br />communities" program. Applauding the diversity of <br />individuals that comprise cities, Hunt urged the <br />delegates to "make your city an inclusive commu- <br />ity" <br />n . <br /> <br /> <br />Author Kevin Carroll delivers the opening <br />keynote address. <br /> <br />Author Kevin Carroll delivered the keynote <br />address at Wednesday's general session. The <br />author and motivator remarked on the traits <br />people must possess to take publiC office. <br /> <br />"Everyone here has courage and is a risk- <br />taker," Carroll said. "But you also have to remem- <br />ber the value of play and have passion in what you <br />do." <br /> <br />Annual Conference Continues <br /> <br />The League's annual conference continued on <br />Thursday, September 7. Keynote speaker John <br />Avian, a columnist for the New York Sun and <br />author, spoke to the crowd about the future of <br />centrists in American politics. <br /> <br />Continued on Page 4 <br /> <br />Visit the Leaaue's Official Website-www.cacities.ora <br /> <br />PRIORITY FOCUS. PAGE 3 <br />