T.O. mayor attends conference

Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña of Thousand Oaks recently attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Chicago. More than 300 mayors and council members gathered to discuss national issues affecting local cities. Bill-de la Peña met with congressional leaders and attended several key sessions involving all attendees.

One highlight was the Homeland Security Task Force session featuring the Department of Homeland Security. Current legislation proposes changes in funding distribution based on local risk verses population. California would receive a higher baseline amount due to size and population density.

Another issue was the preservation of Federal Community Development Block Grant Funds. The city currently receives about $787,000 in grants that benefit primarily lower-income households in community development activities and social service grants. Both Homeland Security and the block grants are faced with possible budget cuts.

“Mayors from across the nation are united in their support to save Community Development Block Grants and retain the Department of Homeland Security budget,” said Bill-de la Peña.

Other issues addressed at the conference were community policing and gang proliferation, Earned Income tax Credit Campaign, financial literacy and credit education, promoting community development through local tourism, women’s health, AIDS/HIV and childhood obesity.

“I enjoyed my participation at the U.S. Conference of Mayors,” said Bill-de la Peña. “I had an opportunity to learn about current national trends and how they impact local communities. I want to . . . try and implement some of the programs which would help boost Thousand Oak’s economy, public safety as well as health.”

For more information about the mayor’s participation, call Mina Layba, senior analyst, city manager’s office at (805) 4492109.