LIHU‘E — Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. will depart for Washington, D.C. today to attend the 78th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. Mayor Carvalho will join over 1,200 other mayors as they convene in the nation’s Capitol to
LIHU‘E — Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. will depart for Washington, D.C. today to attend the 78th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Mayor Carvalho will join over 1,200 other mayors as they convene in the nation’s Capitol to discuss a wide range of topics facing U.S. cities and counties, a county news release says.
During the conference, the mayors will meet with President Barack Obama and senior administration officials and advocate for a national bipartisan agenda that deals with major issues, including: unemployment; climate protection and energy; as well as transportation.
Mayor Carvalho will also attend a special session for “Mayors Who Value Parks” hosted by the National Parks and Recreation Association.
While in DC, the mayor will meet with Hawai’i’s congressional delegation: U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye.
In addition, he is scheduled to meet with the county’s DC lobbyist, The Ferguson Group.
On the way back to Hawai‘i, the mayor will stop in San Francisco joining Finance Director Wallace Rezentes Jr. and George Costa, director of Economic Development.
The Kaua‘i contingent will meet with various bond rating agencies to discuss the county’s current financial situation, and attempt to attain the highest possible bond rating for the county’s upcoming $60 million bond sale.
“The bond rating agencies will be looking at our overall financial strength. The mayor’s presence is important as it will demonstrate a commitment to sound fiscal and management policies from the top,” said Rezentes. “It’s important to put our best foot forward during these bond rating presentations because the higher our rating the better pricing we’ll be able to achieve, and that could result in significant savings over the term of the bond.”
Carvalho is slated to return to Kaua‘i on Jan. 29.
