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Wow, what a month! Team ILG has been busy, out and about, sharing information with policymakers from Sacramento to Washington DC. I had the honor of being part of the delegation that attended the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap program, where local government leaders in the State Capital Region, traveled to Washington DC with business leaders, advocates, and other nonprofit organizations to build a shared regional vision and advocate for policies and funding to create an inclusive economy and connected region. I was honored to serve on the Workforce Development Committee where we highlighted initiatives like ILG’s work to improve pathways into the public sector through programs like Registered Apprenticeships.
Team ILG also participated in the Cal Cities’ City Leaders Summit and CSAC’s Legislative Conference, which included a joint event where city and county leaders came together for a reception with state policy makers and business partners to discuss many of the challenges and opportunities facing California communities. Both were such important events to be a part of and so meaningful as we enter Public Service Week, which begins on May 5.
This is the week we set aside each year to honor the many people we work with everyday who selflessly dedicate their lives to public service. From those trailblazing new paths through innovative policies to those resurfacing the roads we travel on; we want to pay tribute to all the devoted public servants who make our communities better.
As Clean Air Month, May is also a wonderful time to stop and soak up everything mother nature has to offer – take a bike ride and celebrate the incredible advances we’re making in mobility or check out the trees growing and being planted throughout the state to advance the air quality goals of so many communities of concern.
Holidays like Memorial Day also give us the opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices made for our free and democratic process. In an election year, and at a time when so many local leaders are struggling with online harassment, threats of violence and lack of civility, we must harken back to our shared values of civil discourse and finding common ground.
We applaud all the local public servants, both staff and elected officials, who are willing to lead by example -- and demonstrate through their integrity -- the vital role of local government in building vibrant, equitable and sustainable communities.
We hope you have a great month, and we hope to see you at some of our upcoming events!
Erica L. Manuel
CEO & Executive Director
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