Published: November 18, 2008 07:55 am      

Richmond Mayor elected League of Cities president

Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson has been elected president of the Kentucky League of Cities, making her the third female president of the organization in the past 10 years.

Lawson will preside over three executive officers, including Jackson Mayor Mike Miller, Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker and Williamstown Mayor Glenn Caldwell.

The KLC is a membership organization of more than 380 Kentucky cities with headquarters in Lexington and Frankfort. The organization provides legislative advocacy, legal, financial, policy development, technology, training and online training services.

Lawson was sworn in during the KLC annual convention and expo conducted Oct. 16-19 in Louisville.

“It’s an honor to represent Kentucky’s cities, elected officials and employees,” Lawson said. “KLC has a lot of clout in Frankfort advocating in the best interest of our communities.”

Lawson was quick to become a favorite among her peers after being elected mayor, said Sylvia L. Lovely, KLC executive director.

“Her warmth, innovative solutions and citizen-focused approach to governing have lead to great successes for Richmond,” Lovely said.

Serving as KLC president will allow Lawson to serve both the Richmond community and communities throughout the state.

“We’ve got to keep ahead of the curve if we want our cities to compete economically,” she said. “My first priority is always Richmond, but what’s important to remember is that when we work together, everyone benefits.”

Leading the KLC for a one-year term as president is not the only challenge Lawson faces.

She signed up Oct. 28 to take the National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families’ Mayor’s Action Challenge for Children and Families.

By taking the challenge, Lawson wants to learn how to work with children and families to encourage them to seek out new opportunities for success in life, and learn good ideas from other communities “for an even better Richmond,” she said.

The challenge encourages mayors to set a timetable for local action to help achieve the aforementioned goals by collaborating with the school districts, local and state law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations and other community leaders.

“Municipal governments have become centers of leadership and innovation in a host of key areas, including school readiness, after-school programming, access to postsecondary training and education, family and youth violence prevention, community wellness and family economic success,” according to the challenges Statement of Principles.

Lawson also wants to use the challenge as a way to “... create a youth commission with representatives from government, service agencies and churches to address the needs of youth.”

Visit www.mayorsforkids.org for more information about the challenge.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.