News
6/1/2011 - Freeholder Participates In Conference Call
Cumberland County Has a “Seat at the Table” At White House Forum
Three weeks after participating in a White House meeting for county officials with the President, Vice-President and a number of key cabinet members, Cumberland County Freeholder Louis N. Magazzu served as a panelist Thursday afternoon in a follow-up national conference call.
The call, which involved county leaders from across the nation, was the next step in an effort by the White House Intergovernmental Affairs Office to open up dialogue with leaders of county governments.
Louis Magazzu |
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Freeholder Magazzu was one of a small handful of panelists chosen to offer opening remarks on the core agenda topics. Magazzu spoke on infrastructure and sustainability – specifically on how there needs to be more regional collaboration between counties, municipalities and other agencies.
“We need more cooperation and less competition for federal funds,” said Magazzu. “Our constituents don’t care which jurisdiction is getting the money or providing the service, they just want to see results.”
Magazzu told White House representatives and the other county leaders it’s time to take advantage of regional models of economic development. “We need to remove silos and work together.”
The White House is hoping the May 3rd meeting in Washington and today’s call will build a bridge between the White House and local governments and to make sure that the voices of county officials are heard by senior policymakers in the White House and across the federal government.
At the May 3rd meeting, President Obama spoke of the importance of county government and highlighted and his commitment to winning the future by out-educating, out-building, and out-innovating our competitors.
Topics on Thursday’s call included: Poverty and Recidivism, Infrastructure and Sustainability, and Health Reform and Medicaid.