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CITY OFFICIALS INVITED TO APPLY FOR ETHICS EDUCATION TASK FORCE When it met in Oakland February 7 — 8, the League board of directors authorized President John Russo to appoint an Ethics Education Task Force to evaluate current education offerings by the League for elected and appointed city officials concerning ethics. This action implemented a strategy in the League's 2002 -2003 strategic plan as part of the board's adopted strategic goal to "Restore Public Confidence in City Government." Mr. Russo announced his appointment of Danville Mayor Mike Doyle, representative of the League's East Bay Division on the board of directors, to chair the task force. In explaining the importance of this assignment, Russo said: "The Declaration of Independence reminds us we 'govern with the consent of the governed,' and the public has the every right to expect the best from its officials. I have asked Mike to lead this important Task Force because ethical city government really is the cornerstone of our democracy. The League has a great reputation for education, and this Task Force, under Mike's leadership, will help us identify ways in which we can improve our ethics educational programming for elected and appointed city officials alike. " Although a number of city officials have already requested consideration for appointment to the Ethics Education Task Force, any interested elected or appointed city official is invited to submit a letter of interest in being appointed. Letters should be addressed to John Russo, President, League of California Cities, c/o Mimi Sharpe, Executive Assistant, and sent by fax (916/658- 8240) or email to SharoeM @cacities org The Task Force is tentatively scheduled to meet for the first time on April 23, 2003 and will most likely meet 2 - 3 more times this year. It may be extended into 2004 as the need requires. Participants or their cities will pay their expenses of attending and participating in meetings. INLAND EMPIRE DIVISION PROMOTES SAVE OUR SERVICES (SOS) FUND Fontana city council member and Action for Better Cities (ABC) board of directors member Janice Ruther- ford has been working diligently over the past few months to make sure that her region of the state is at the forefront of protecting city revenues. By working with city council members from neighboring cities, contact- ing supporters in the business and labor communities and serving as a source of information on ABC activities, Rutherford's activities have built strong momentum in the Inland Empire. ABC is the League's political action arm. The SOS fund was established to support a League sponsored ballot measure to strengthen constitutional protections for local revenues. A three -day 10-city swing through the division in the middle of February with ABC executive director, Mike Madrid, culminated in a unique press conference on Felbm=y3.T. Mayor Pro Tem Rutherford and Fontana Mayor Mike Nuami organized an announcement that representatives from Young Homes and Arrowhead Credit Union — two considerable business interests in the Inland Empire — had heeded to the call for action on behalf of cities. With contributions of $5,000 and $2,000 respectively, these corporate partners signaled a new era of involvement between business representatives recognizing the detrimental effects of cuts to city services on their customers and elected officials leading the fight. The event also involved representatives from orga- nized labor: Melissa Omelas from Teamsters local 911 and San Bernardino City Professional Firefighters member Richard Lewis. All agreed that this unprec- edented coalition of labor, management, business, elected officials and advocates had laid It- foundation for a strong and determined fight to protect ,.;✓ govern- ment from raids by the state government. "The proposed state budget cuts have mobilized an unprecedented coalition of people who care about local govemment services," said Rutherford who also serves as the President of the Inland Empire region for the League of California Cities. "Our labor unions, public safety organizations and business leaders are joining the effort to protect the services their residents rely on.' If you would like to learn more about the SOS fund program, visit Action for Better Cities' website at www.bettercities.org or call Mike Madrid at 916 -658- 8272. PAGE 2 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org