NCLM.ORG 27 continued from page 25 Special guest speakers included State Treasurer Dale Folwell, National League of Cities President and CEO Clarence Anthony, and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) CEO Maurice Smith. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo welcomed all to Wilmington for the occasion. “He’s got one of the most beautiful cities in all North Carolina,” Sen. Michael Lazzara said of Saffo during the conference’s President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony, April 28. Senator Lazzara of Jacksonville along with Rep. John Bell of Goldsboro were named the League’s Community Champions, which are annual awards given to legislators who demonstrate their understanding of issues affecting municipalities and help with solutions. Lazzara, prior to his Senate service, while mayor pro tem of Jacksonville, had served an extended term as president of the League. “I’m known as the ‘League Guy’ (at the General Assembly),” Senator Lazzara told an applauding audience during his acceptance speech. He said his time in municipal government and as a League Board of Directors member gave him unique but essential knowledge and perspective when he transitioned to the Senate. He urged conference attendees to remain informed and engaged with League and legislative activities. “This is the most important thing: that you’re here,” Senator Lazzara said. “There is absolutely nothing more important as a municipal leader than to be engaged in your League and to attend these events, to get to know your legislators, to make time, to communicate, to build relationships… It’s extremely important… We have common goals and common challenges.” The CityVision annual conference always puts timely matters on the agenda for the hundreds of municipal officials who attend. Smith, the LGFCU CEO, led an all-seats-filled session, titled, “Leadership as a Service,” which examined the common characteristics of leadership and Smith’s own observations on the subject. Breakout sessions for municipal officials in attendance included “10 Critical Elements That Will Make Tomorrow’s Communities” and “Telling Your Story: Why Sharing Your American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding Plan Matters.” These sessions offered solid takeaways. With local ARP money, Morrisville Town Council Member and NCLM Board of Directors member Satish Garimella said it’s important for local governments to share how they’re spending it and how those expenses will ripple. “By highlighting those success today, we ensure that we remain in the good graces of state and federal policymakers tomorrow,” Garimella said. “And we ensure that we emphasize this American Rescue Plan as the partnership that it is—at the federal, state and municipal level—to improve the lives of our citizens.” Dr. Amanda Martin of the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency led “Building Climate Resilience in North Carolina Communities,” representing an issue affecting so many cities and towns. A session that brought together the League’s Working Group on Racial Equity and Emerging Municipal Issues included a panel discussion and breakout groups that put participants together for frank talk. continues on page 28 This was the most engaging CityVision in memory, and part of that was the fact that we could come together, as one. » Rose Vaughn Williams, Executive Director of the League CityVision 2022
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