NACo News
New president outlines goals for the coming year
Tarrant County, Texas Judge Glen Whitley was elected as NACo’s new president at the as- sociation’s annual business meeting in Washoe County, Nev. in July. In his acceptance speech Whitley outlined a six-point agenda for his term and set as a goal “not only to be a voice in Washington, but a choice for Washington.” Whitley’s inaugural address is presented in the
following paragraphs: My friends... I am honored by your support and humbled by your mission. For 75 years, NACo has been the voice of county government. Tis organization has listened to its members... and spoken up in Washington. We’ve brought our unique perspective to the table when nation- al issues are discussed. Our nation is better off because of the strong advocacy of NACo. As president of this organization, I will ap-
proach every issue with this simple belief: that county government is unlike any other govern- ment in America. Where sometimes national politics is focused on what divides us, county government centers on what unites us. As all of you know, the nation’s 3,068 coun- ties do so much for so many. We maintain the documents that record mile- stones in the lives of the people – like birth cer- tificates and marriage licenses... We build the roads and bridges that take people to work and return them home safely at night...
And we help take care of the sick with our
safety net clinics, hospitals and our public health institutions. Simply put, every day in every county in America, County Government Works solving problems. We don’t have time to fight and bick- er like they do in Washington. We are too busy building the future. And as your president, I am committed to seeing our organization do even more to bring our spirit of cooperation and progress to the na- tional debates in Washington. My goal is for NACo to not only be a voice
in Washington, but a choice for Washington. We want DC policy-makers to see that our way of doing business works. We want them to see that there is another way to address policy issues without getting too political or too personal. In that spirit, I will pledge to you that as your
COUNTY LINES, FALL 2010
The Hon. Glen Whitley (right), installed in July as President of the National Association of Counties, is introduced at the recent AAC summer conference by AAC Board President Mike Jacobs, Johnson County Judge. Judge Jacobs was getting the conference guest and speaker to the lectern to lead the huge Arkansas delegation in “calling the Hogs”.
Whitley earns national recognition Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley was
honored as County Leader of the Year by Penton’s American City and County maga- zine. He was presented the distinction at the National Association of Counties an- nual conference in Reno, Nevada. “Whitley’s ability to bring together di-
verse groups to resolve issues is the hall- mark of his leadership style, sorting out the issues, listening to all points of view, yet insisting, in the end, that a solution must be identified and rallied around,” the mag- azine said in its story.
president we will pursue an agenda in Washing- ton that will strengthen our organization and benefit our country. First, we will raise public awareness about how County Government Works. We want more people to know about who we are and what we do. We want to remind policy-makers in Washington that county gov- ernment is where the rubber meets the road. In fact, county government is who usually builds the road. We need to brand our organization and our counties so that everyone knows what county government is all about. Second, we will push hard to always be at
the table in Washington. We want policy-makers in Washington to
know that they may make laws, but local gov- ernment is who implements them. Everything Washington does impacts us for better or for worse. And only by having a seat at the table can we ensure that it’s for the better. Tird, we will push to Restore the Partner-
ship. Until 1994, a National Commission on In-
tergovernmental Relations existed that gave us a venue for weighing in on federal policy debates. It’s time that commission came back. Tis will give us a platform from which to oppose un- funded mandates, to support transportation and to promote county priorities in any economic recovery legislation. Fourth, we will continue to focus on im- migration.
Tis is a federal responsibility... but a local re-
ality. We are the ones who deal with the failures of Washington to resolve this issue. And we will continue to push for solutions that preserve our unique status as a land of immigrants but also a nation of laws. Fifth, we will find ways to welcome home
our veterans and watch over their families while they are away.
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