Bell elected chairman of Metropolitan Mayors Coalition (The Durham Herald Sun)
DURHAM – Durham Mayor Bill Bell has been elected as chairman 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 represents the state’s 26 largest cities and more than 3 million residents. It is a nonpartisan organization advocating on issues that affect large cities in a fast-growing and urbanizing state.
Bell is joined by Vice Chairwoman Susan Kluttz, mayor of the Salisbury; Treasurer Terry Bellamy, mayor of Asheville; and Past Chairman Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem. At-Large elected officials also include Mayor Bill Knight with Greensboro; Mayor Scott Padgett with Concord; Mayor Bill Saffo with Wilmington; and Mayor Becky Smothers with High Point.
The coalition’s 2010 agenda includes:
— Defending against attempts to shift state responsibilities to local governments and protect local revenues.
— Continuing to improve the relationship between N.C. Department of Transportation and local government.
— Reducing gang violence.
— Supporting efforts to advance North Carolina’s biotech industry and grow related jobs.
— Maintaining 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
— Preserving local authority and decision-making related to support public sector employees and oppose state and federal efforts to allow public sector collective bargaining.
