Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 9, 2000

Release #173-00

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958
   

MAYOR GIULIANI WELCOMES MAYORS FROM
ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO NEW YORK CITY

Hosts Conference on the Challenges of Making Government Competitive

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today spoke about the revitalization of New York City, on the second day of a two-day conference entitled Making Government Work: Best Practices in Competitive Government. The conference, which is sponsored by the Center for Competitive Government at Temple University's Fox School of Business and Management, and the National League of Cities, brought together mayors from 31 cities to explore the opportunities and obstacles of making local government more competitive.

In addition, the conference coincided with the publication of Making Government Work: Lessons Learned from America's Governors and Mayors (Rowan & Littlefield), edited by Temple University Professors Paul Andrisani and Simon Hakim, Co-Directors of the Center for Competitive Government at Temple's Fox School of Business and Management.

The 237-page volume (the first of a two-volume set) contains chapters by 16 of the nation's most innovative governors and big-city mayors, describing how they successfully implemented cost-efficient, progressive solutions to a broad spectrum of challenges facing America's States and Municipalities. Chapter 13, Reforming New York City: A New Chapter in Reinventing Government, was written by Mayor Giuliani and focuses on the overwhelming success his Administration's policies have had in New York City. As a result of many of these innovative policies, today New York City's streets are safer and cleaner than they have been in a generation. The City welfare rolls have been cut nearly in half since 1995, and in 1999 New York City enjoyed its strongest private sector job growth in more than 40 years.

"When the political history of our time is written, I believe that one of the most significant stories will be the revitalization of America's Cities from the brink of disaster," said Mayor Giuliani. "A decade ago, New York City was known for its empty lots; unclean streets populated by unemployed people and lined with derelict buildings; and the constant, threatening presence of drugs and gangs.

"Our success over the past six years in changing these trends and turning New York City around serves as an example to cities around the world," the Mayor continued. "Over the past six years, New York City has received four Innovations in Government Awards, given by the Ford Foundation, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the Council For Excellence in Government - more than any other city. By reinventing the way the City does business, we have made New York City a better place to live, work and visit. And New Yorkers today, more than ever before, are more optimistic about the future of their City."

Other speakers at today's conference included Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler, San Diego Mayor Susan Golding and Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory. The conference was funded in part by PricewaterhouseCoopers Endowment for Business of Government.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us


Go to Press Releases | Giuliani Archives | Mayor's Office | NYC.gov Home Page
Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Statement | Site Map