September 2007

Mayor Kathy Taylor traveled recently to New Jersey to meet with mayors from around the country as part of the leadership of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Mayor Taylor is part of the USCM Advisory Board which helps develop policies and priorities for the national organization.

Mayor Taylor then left with a delegation for an economic development trip to India, where they will visit with officials of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and executives from many corporations in Delhi, India. The trip, her impressions and the activities they do is documented here in Mayor Taylor’s journal.

Friday, September 14
USCM Advisory Board meeting, New Jersey

I began my trip on Friday, September 14, with a group of 40 mayors from cities across the country as we discussed the issues common to us all.  Mayor Ryback of Minneapolis discussed the problems with infrastructure across the country—most recently evident in the bridge tragedy in Minneapolis. Mayors across the country talked about the needs in their communities for not just streets but also replacement and maintenance of aging water and sewer lines.

Mayor Hannemann of Honolulu led a detailed discussion about the need to balance security needs with tourism needs as international tourism has decreased 35 percent over 5 years.  As Chicago proceeds with its bid to host the Olympics, mayors agreed to work together to ensure that the needs of security are balanced with the task of being a welcoming community. 

The mayors discussed the USCM’s Ten Point Plan for Strong Families and Strong Cities. This is a program we are working to implement which includes support for reduction in crime, ideas for youth employment and adult training, infrastructure, energy and the environment.

The Mayor Kilpatrick of Detroit discussed the issues related to subprime market and the foreclosure rate.  The mayors are continuing to work with lenders and borrowers to provide education and to ensure that when home mortgages are foreclosed, lenders keep their obligation to maintain properties so that they do not negatively impact the value of the other homes in the neighborhoods.

Delhi, India

Nearly one year ago, when I was asked to address the Indo-American Chamber at their 4th annual economic development conference, I was intrigued. The fastest growing democracy in the world is in India and Tulsa has a strong and successful Indian business community. When I studied the economy and saw the aerospace focus, the manufacturing needs, and the need for career technical education, I knew it was a visit I should try to make. The region also has environmental success to provide cleaner air to their citizens by transforming the entire bus and cab fleet to CNG. When I sent letters out to those in our community whom I thought might be interested, the response was overwhelming. So, a few months later, 20 of us boarded planes from Chicago and Newark, all at our own expense, and flew to Delhi. It is an amazing and diverse delegation with representatives from the fields of architecture, engineering, real estate, education, healthcare, the arts, and a global consultant for non-profit and small businesses. The leaders have told us a U.S. mayor has never attended this conference, and they have never hosted a delegation so intent on fulfilling the theme of the conference: Building Strong Partnerships.

The relationships we are building in India in these few short days — across the country in many of their states — will be invaluable as this country and America move into stronger partnerships to address the problems of our cities and towns. While Tulsa has less than one million people and India has one billion, the problem of infrastructure, transportation, energy, clean air, education, poverty and small business truly transcend the continents.

Sunday, September 16

We headed to India to meet the other members of our economic development delegation.  We arrived to a great Indian welcome with flowers, rose petals and leis. As we drove to the hotel, a great green plaza area was alive, despite the late hour. Our hosts explained that as the evening cools, vendors of ice cream, balloons, flowers and other festive items are displayed and citizens come out to enjoy the evening.   The hotel LeMeridien provides an ultra modern environment for this international economic development conference.  Today, all of our delegation has arrived, as well as their luggage and after a quick sleep, we have now boarded a bright orange bus (we are told OSU did not call ahead~) and we are headed to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.  As we left, we noticed the many who provide transportation through the crowded city of Delhi were still asleep in their carriages attached to bicycles. 

We pass through Haryana, a state which came into being about 40 years ago, at 5 a.m. and the many markets on the road are opening to serve those coming to work in the manufacturing facilities.  A man rides by on a motorcycle with a woman in a complete beautiful green sari glowing in the beautiful beginning of the sunrise.  We stop to be checked by the official of the state—as you cross state lines, (India is a series of states much like the United States) you must verify your right to pass.

The discussion among the delegation even at this early hour is spirited.  We share our experiences. Many have families from India, some have families from Russia, and for some of us it is our first trip to India—one of the most significant economic forces in the world. On each of the international economic trips I have taken, I have found that one of the best things we take back is a greater commitment from various groups to work together in Tulsa and a sharing of knowledge we simply don’t have the time or share while we are home.

Mayor's Presentation given to Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Summit