ARIZONA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF SERVING CITIES AND TOWNS
PHOENIX (Jan. 6, 2012) - 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Formed in 1937 by a group of city and town mayors, the original mission was to create an organization that could provide a unified municipal voice on issues of common concern. Seventy-five years later, though the mission has grown to include providing technical and legal assistance, as well educational events, the core mission has remained the same: to advocate as a unified voice on behalf of all the cities and towns in Arizona.
“While much has changed in local government in the last 75 years, what has not changed is our ability as municipal leaders to work together, through the League, to make impact at the state legislature on important issues affecting our communities,” said Doug Von Gausig, mayor of Clarkdale and current League president. “It is the synergy created by each unique community coming together to contribute to the organization that has allowed the League to grow and flourish over its 75-year history.”
At the time of formation, there were 32 incorporated cities and towns in the Arizona. Today, this number has grown to 91. Each city and town in Arizona belongs to the League, from the smallest -Winkelman, population 353 -to the largest - Phoenix, population 1,445,362.
“The League has been very fortunate to work with a remarkable group of government officials over the last 75 years at the local, state and federal level, from our past members and legislative colleagues to our current Executive Committee and municipal officials," said League Executive Director Ken Strobeck. "We are grateful to our membership for their continued support of the organization, and our efforts to provide professional and high-quality assistance to the municipal governments of Arizona. We look forward to continuing our service to the municipalities of Arizona for another 75 years.”