SOUTHERN CITY QUARTER 2 2022 28 continued from page 27 The session “Dangerous Crossroads Ahead” covered police-citizen interactions in the cell phone camera age—a standout topic for recent times. Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy noted the past two years’ expressions of protest and public calls for racial equity and justice in the aftermath of police-involved shootings. “As elected officials, all of us have—or likely will—come to play crucial roles in responding to these demands for change,” said Mayor Hardy during the Dangerous Crossroads session. “At the same time, we have a duty to provide for the public safety of our residents, to create safe communities where people can learn, live, work and enjoy a good quality of life… As such, it is important that we understand the rights of the people who live within our communities, and how those rights intersect with the need to provide for public safety.” Fellowship continued as the City of Wilmington welcomed conference-goers to its host-city event, Rendezvous on the River, where it was food and fun at the stunning Live Oak Bank Pavilion, an outdoor music venue located on a riverfront park, developed upon a 6.6-acre tract the City of Wilmington bought in 2013. As the sun set on the river, the legendary Chairmen of the Board performed for the CityVision crowd. This is the most important thing: that you’re here. 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. » Michael Lazzara, North Carolina State Senator As the three-day conference wound down, the outgoing president, Mayor Alexander, dialed into the persisting theme of togetherness in her conference address. “I’m proud to say that we not only managed to survive; we actually thrived,” she said, referring to the pandemic times that disrupted how communities and leaders connected and which prompted fast, creative thinking. “This organization is stronger than ever, because of you. Like steel forged through fire, we have been tested and have come through the fire more effective, more adaptive, with stronger bonds… We make each other stronger.” “Isn’t it great that we’re now being able to come and do this together?” President Neisler said during his inaugural speech. “I have learned so much at this [conference]. It’s been absolutely super.” CityVision 2023 is set to take place in Concord. “Mayor Saffo, you set the bar high,” Concord Mayor Bill Dusch told his Wilmington counterpart of CityVision 2022. “But I cannot wait until you are in Concord.” CityVision 2022
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