Florida League of Cities 78th Annual Conference held
Story and Photos by Richard C. Schulman

The Florida League of Cities 78th Annual Conference took place at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Florida on August 19, 20, and 21, 2004.

Some 1,400 Florida municipal city officials and guests representing more than 200 cities attended this conference. The city of Sunny Isles Beach was represented by Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Vice Mayor Gerry Goodman, Commissioner Roslyn Brezin, and Commissioner Danny Iglesias. Many city officials throughout the state of Florida were first-time attendees due to their recent elections.

Some of the conference sessions over the weekend included the following:

• First-time attendees orientation addressing how to get involved in local and regional league, policy, and other municipal services.
• "Working, living, and dealing with different and difficult people."
• Issue leadership: moving minds, hearts, and votes," successfully converting our policy vision into ordinances and actions.
• Leadership development.
• Stormwater implementation around the state.
• Financial strategies for cities.
• "Managing change to manage growth."
• FLC Policy Committee Meetings including, criminal justice, environmental quality, intergovernmental relations, municipal finance and taxation, retirement, personnel and collective bargaining, transportation and urban administration.
• International relations committee.
• Resolutions committee.
• A mock commission meeting with participation of attendees and mixed with many humorous moments which everyone in attendance enjoyed.
• Technology strategies for cities.

Noted speakers highlighted this year's conference, including former chairman of Godfather's Pizza and motivational speaker Herman Cain, world renowned commentator, journalist, and public servant David Gergen, and noted professor and columnist Scott Pain. The Florida League of Cities concluded the conference by hosting a forum for U.S. Senate Democratic and Republican candidates.

This year's conference was highly informative and successful. Clay Ford, Mayor Pro Tem of Gulf Breeze, Florida was sworn in as President of the League for the coming year. The 2005 conference will be held in Orlando, Florida.

 

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