PhilanthroMedia Interviews U.S. Mayors

Regardless of what role you believe the federal government should play in rebuilding New Orleans, donors like Brad Pitt might urge you to join them in their belief that it isn't enough to get the job done.

I've been traveling throughout the country for the past two weeks (funded with support by The Nation) conducting video interviews with mayors about the role that federal government should play in making cities stronger. From Boston to LA to Salt Lake City to Denver to Minneapolis to Rochester to Buffalo, I've heard that New Orleans isn't the only city being faced with imperatives to make-do with limited federal funds. Whether it's light rail in Salt Lake or catching criminals over city boundaries in Denver metro or economic development needed to lift Rochester out the decline spurred by Kodak's demise--cities are being required to shoulder a greater load of the federal/state/city funding equation.

In light of these challenges, I hope to interview Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon this week to explore the role that George Soros' Open Society is playing to rebuild that city, along with major support from home-town team Annie E. Casey.

Susan Herr