Governor Napolitano Hosts first Arizona Mayors summit

GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO HOSTS FIRST ARIZONA MAYORS SUMMIT

Topics include water, transportation, economic development, homeland security

Governor Napolitano tomorrow will host Arizona's first-ever Mayors Summit to discuss issues mayors suggested are among their top priorities: water, transportation and economic development. The Governor also plans to use the summit, which will take place at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, as an opportunity to discuss emergency preparedness with the mayors and
focus on ways state and local governments can cooperate in emergency planning and response.

"When I testified before Congress about emergency preparedness today, I asked the federal government to serve as a key partner in state and local efforts. State and local governments are the ones in the best position to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters." Governor Napolitano said. "I now want to continue working with mayors, local leaders and first responders to ensure that Arizona is prepared to handle any emergency that comes our way."

Arizona mayors were invited to submit their top three choices for discussion at the summit, in addition to emergency preparedness. Water, transportation and economic development were the issues that garnered the most interest. Directors and staff from Arizona state agencies as well as Governor Napolitano's policy advisors will lead focus groups on these three topics and mayors will present their recommendations to the Governor at the summit's end.

Some of the hot topics the Governor plans to discuss include Moving Arizona Forward: Strategies for Success, her 10-year economic development plan, the transportation challenges associated with Arizona's rapid population growth, and ways in which cities and towns can improve their water infrastructure and meet new federal guidelines for safer drinking water.

The inaugural Mayor's Summit falls at the end of Cities and Towns Week, a week Governor Napolitano designated to celebrate local governments' contributions to Arizona's quality of life.

http://www.governor.state.az.us/press/2005/0510/NR%7E101905%7EMayorsSummit.pdf