By Jim Hunt for the News and Journal
As you read this column, I’ll be en route to Florida for the National League of Cities
Annual Conference in Tampa, the state’s third-largest city. The National League of Cities
gathers each year in a different city, and this year’s conference was nearly derailed by
Hurricane Milton. As the hurricane churned in the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters predicted
a path directly through Tampa. Although nearby areas sustained significant damage, the
downtown core of the city fortunately avoided a direct hit.
Some may question the prudence of moving forward with plans for the conference, yet
canceling major events would only add to the region’s economic distress by leaving
thousands out of work.
This year’s conference in Tampa marks a milestone in the National League of Cities'
history, as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary. Founded on December 12,
1924, in Lawrence, Kansas, the National League of Cities originated as the Association
of State Municipal Organizations. Later renamed the American Municipal Association, it
eventually evolved into today’s National League of Cities, which now encompasses 49
of the 50 states and includes over 3,000 member cities. Hawaii is the only state without
a municipal league, as its single city, Honolulu, is consolidated with the county of
Honolulu.
My personal journey with the National League of Cities began in 1985 when I was
elected to the Clarksburg City Council. Councilmembers would attend both the annual
conferences and the spring legislative conference in Washington, DC. My first
conference experience was in Washington, where I felt like a small boat in a big ocean,
surrounded by thousands of city officials from across the country. Gradually, I became
acquainted with other officials and served on several committees, connecting with like-
minded colleagues.
After two years on the Board of Directors, I decided to run for the 2nd Vice-President
position but lost to my good friend Charlie Lyons, a Selectman from Arlington,
Massachusetts. Ironically, that loss turned out to be one of the best things that could
have happened. The following year, Mayor Anthony Williams of Washington, DC, ran for
the same position and encouraged me to stay involved and try again. In 2004, I did just
that, setting me on a path that led to my presidency of the National League of Cities in
2006.
Over the years, I’ve met remarkable people through the National League of Cities,
including mayors, councilmembers, U.S. senators, congressmen, and even several U.S.
presidents. My involvement also opened doors to travel across the United States and to
dozens of countries through the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), an
international organization that unites municipal officials from around the world.
The National League of Cities remains at the forefront of innovation and technology for
local governments, spearheading initiatives that shape our communities. I may not be
around for the 200th anniversary, but I am honored to have been one of the city leaders
privileged to lead this remarkable organization.