Durham Mayor Elected Chair of N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition

DURHAM, N.C. – City of Durham Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell has been elected as chair of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, a group of mayors committed to promoting strategies to advance North Carolina’s urban centers.

Founded in 2001 by large-city mayors, the Coalition today represents the state’s 26 largest cities and more than three million citizens. The Coalition remains a nonpartisan, mayor-driven organization advocating on issues that affect large cities in a fast-growing and urbanizing state.

Mayor Bell was elected chair of the Coalition at its 2010 Winter Meeting last week in Wilmington, N.C. Mayor Bell is joined by Vice Chair Susan Kluttz, mayor of the City of Salisbury; Treasurer Terry Bellamy, mayor of the City of Asheville; and Past Chair Allen Joines, mayor of the City of Winston-Salem. At-Large elected officials also include Mayor Bill Knight with the City of Greensboro; Mayor Scott Padgett with the City of Concord; Mayor Bill Saffo with the City of Wilmington; and Mayor Becky Smothers with the City of High Point.

In addition to electing the 2010 officers, the Coalition also set its 2010 advocacy agenda, which includes:
• Defend against attempts to shift state responsibilities to local governments and protect local revenues;
• Continue to improve the relationship between N.C. Department of Transportation and local government ;
• Explore ways to partner with the State to build and maintain a robust transportation system;
• Reduce gang violence;
• Strengthen the state’s judicial system;
• Support efforts to advance North Carolina’s biotech industry and grow related jobs;
• Preserve local government ability to engage and lead in communication public enterprises;
• Maintain a cost-effective way to manage growth, provide services, and ensure all who benefit from the heart of their community also share in the cost; and
• Preserve local authority and decision-making related to support public sector employees and oppose state and federal efforts to allow public sector collective bargaining.

Members of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition include the Town of Apex; City of Asheville; Town of Boone; City of Burlington; Town of Carrboro; Town of Cary; Town of Chapel Hill; City of Charlotte; City of Concord; City of Durham; City of Fayetteville; City of Gastonia; City of Goldsboro; City of Greensboro; City of Greenville; City of Hickory; City of High Point; Town of Huntersville; City of Jacksonville; City of Kannapolis; City of Raleigh; City of Rocky Mount; City of Salisbury; City of Wilmington; City of Wilson; and the City of Winston-Salem.

For more information contact Julie White, director of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, at (919) 715-7895 or via e-mail at jwhite@nclm.org.

About the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition
The North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, a group of mayors committed to the growth of North Carolina’s cities, deals with national and state issues affecting local governments. Founded in 2001, the coalition promotes the interchange of ideas and experiences among municipal officials for the continued development of urban areas. In addition, the Coalition works with state officials to encourage the expansion of urban areas as livable, environmentally sound, and economically viable. To learn more, visit http://ncmetromayors.com/.

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CITY OF DURHAM
Office of Public Affairs
101 CITY HALL PLAZA
DURHAM, NC 27701

News Release
For Details, Contact:
Amy Blalock
Sr. Public Affairs Specialist
(919) 560-4123 x 11253
(919) 475-7735 (cell)
Amy.Blalock@durhamnc.gov

For Immediate Release: March 2, 2010