NCLM Southern City, Volume 72, Issue 3, 2022

2022 Town & State Dinner a Memorable Success A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE LEAGUE’S 4TH ANNUAL TOWN & STATE DINNER BEN BROWN NCLM Communications and Multimedia Strategist All photos by Ben Brown. Hundreds of mayors, city council members, appointed staffers, and other municipal officials gathered with state House and Senate members representing communities across North Carolina this summer for the 4th Annual Town & State Dinner, an event the League of Municipalities held in Raleigh for face-to-face goodwill- building. Over plated meals, the local-level and state leaders discussed how they can work together to achieve the best outcomes for our communities and state overall. The evening at the Raleigh Convention Center also saw legislative leaders in featured conversation with local partners. Seated on stage, House Speaker Tim Moore of Kings Mountain told Kings Mountain Mayor and NCLM President Scott Neisler about the importance of local officials knowing their legislators and developing good communication with them. Speaker Moore quipped that Mayor Neisler indeed knows how to track him down when he needs to discuss a local matter. Similar onstage conversations were held with Senate leader Phil Berger and Eden Mayor Neville Hall; House Minority Leader Robert Reives and Pittsboro Mayor Cindy Perry; and Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and Garner Mayor Ken Marshburn. A common thread was mention of the fact that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle maintain good camaraderie and frequently work together to keep the state moving, despite the sustained portrayals of constant disagreement. Speaker Moore suggested that lawmakers work well together on matters more than 90 percent of the time. The League remains thrilled with the night’s events and would like to thank all cities and towns and legislative partners for making this annual event so successful. SOUTHERN CITY QUARTER 3 2022 24

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