A ‘commanding’ presence

This past week I had the distinct pleasure to meet President Bill Clinton. I was very encouraged that he knew of our work here in [north Long Beach] regarding Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles’ and was familiar with our vending machine policy that we passed through the City Council. It was inspiring to be recognized by the former leader of the free world, that the path we have embarked upon is the correct path, encouraged in the sense that cooperative leadership and collaboration in the estimation of the President is the way we proceed out of the economic downturn we find ourselves in.
President Clinton was here in Long Beach to promote the work he has been involved in since leaving the White House. The Clinton Foundation strives to improve global health, strengthen economies worldwide, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and private citizens. Mr. Clinton talked about places in this country where collaborations were making a difference. Bringing stakeholders to the table to address challenges and find solutions, in President Clinton’s estimation, is how we advance the economies of the United States. It’s good to know that here in north Long Beach we have embraced that same philosophy and have been seeing the benefits of cooperative leadership demonstrated in the strengthening of our neighborhood associations and the development of newly organized business alliance.
I was truly honored to have a few precious moments with one of the greatest leaders the world has had. I was struck by his graciousness, and the time he spent with every person in the room. I want to thank Mr. Skip Kessel for providing a venue, dialogue and the President’s views on how we lift ourselves from the downturn we face today.

Steven Neal
9th District Long Beach Councilmember