This project was designed for elected officials, academics, journalists, career civil servants in local government and public administration, and NGO representatives working on governance issues.
Its project goals were:
· To introduce the U.S. federalist system of government, with emphasis on the division of authority and responsibility among federal, state, and local governments;
· To explain how local and state governments function in the United States, and how they interact with the federal government; and
· To demonstrate successful models of cooperation among state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, community organizations, and the business sector.
To meet these goals in northwest Florida, City of Pensacola Councilman Sam Hall gave the group an orientation where he discussed demographics, current issues, and local challenges and successes. Attorney Janet Lander and Former Justice Ken Bell gave an overview of the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission and of Escambia All for One. Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford gave the group a detailed explanation of procedures for voter registration and in-person, absentee, and mail-in elections; and a meeting with Escambia County Public Office Administrator Sonya Daniel highlighted the role of the county in guaranteeing public access to government. A visit to the Emergency Operations Center with Brad Hattaway focused on local government services while time with Chief Bearheart of the Perdido Tribe Creek Indians focused on their partnership with Escambia County.
The group also observed a city council committee meeting in Pensacola. Later, Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins answered the group’s remaining questions on local government. He also covered campaign contribution guidelines and the Florida Sunshine Laws before presenting the visitors with certificates of honorary citizenship with the city. In Milton, the visitors observed a city council meeting and met Mayor Guy Thompson.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this project a success, including Brian & Vicki Barlow, Richard Hough, Bradley Proctor, and Susan Smart who hosted the visitors to dinners in their homes and to Jack Kichler who met the group at the airport.
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