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Learning From Other Cities' Successes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 19, 2008

The National Civic League was founded in 1894 by Theodore Roosevelt and Louis Brandeis to address widespread municipal corruption. The organization sought to "raise the popular standards of political morality" and is still at work, seeking to help communities adopt practices that will empower people and improve their quality of life.

As part of its efforts, the league presents the All-America City Awards to communities particularly astute at problem solving. So there should be much to learn when the Civic League holds its annual gathering in Tampa, June 4-6.

Attendants will learn how other cities attracted new businesses, expanded their tax bases, increased tourism and improved their finances. More information on the organization and the awards can be found at www.ncl.org.

A large part of the league's focus is directed at street-level solutions. Tampa - which won an All-American City Award in the 1990s, in part for the police department's drug-fighting Quad Squad team - is sadly no longer involved.

The conference will enable city officials and neighborhood activists to view some of the best municipal innovations around the country. They should take advantage of the opportunity.

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