The Meyner Center holds an Annual Forum on Local Government featuring timely topics:
Municipal Recreation Programs and Facilities. (2018): October 9th, the Meyner Center’s Fifteenth Annual Forum was attended by more than 100 municipal officials. Presentations were made by Larry Gregan, Manager of Montgomery Township; Scott McElree, Manager, and Ryan Sevenski, Park Development Coordinator of Quakertown Borough; and Kassie Hilgert, President/CEO of Arts Quest. Funding for the Forum was provided by T & M Associates and Beirne Wealth Consulting.
Larry Gregan, Manager of Montgomery Township, provided detailed information on how his municipality built an indoor and outdoor recreation center for their citizens.
Scott McElree, Manager, and Ryan Sevenski, Park Recreation Coordinator, both of Quakertown Borough, spoke about how Quakertown created the “Sounds of Summer Concert Series” with nationally-known entertainers. The site is revitalized a foundry property.
Kassie Hilgert, President/CEO of ArtsQuest, based in Bethlehem, explained the very detailed process of creating Musikfest and its spin-off festivals at the renovated Steel Stacks of the old Bethlehem Steel, bringing various forms of entertainment to the attendees.
PowerPoint slides of the presentations can be viewed at:
Though not an Annual Forum…
On February 1, 2017 the Center sponsored the program at Lafayette College. About 175 municipal officials from the Lehigh Valley and suburban Philadelphia attended the event.
John Hudak, a Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, provided a history of the culture, policies, and laws on marijuana in the United States during the past 50 years.
John Walko and William Roark of Hamburg, Rubin gave a detailed outline of Act 16, Pennsylvania’s new medical marijuana law. Applications are being accepted from companies seeking growing and dispensary permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Growing facilities and retail dispensaries are expected to open in Pennsylvania by late 2017 or early 2018.
Josh Genderson, President of Hollistic Industries in Washington DC, explained how marijuana is grown commercially.
PowerPoint slides of the presentations can be viewed at
Fourteenth Annual Forum on Local Government (2017): In June, Meyner Center Forum focused on “The Different Faces of Leadership.” It was attended by 100 municipal officials. Presentations were made by former U.S. Congressman Paul McHale, Drexel University President John Fry, Temple Men’s Basketball Coach Fran Dunphy, and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Rob Wondering. Funding for the Forum was provided by T & M Associates and the law firm of King Spry.
Thirteenth Annual Forum on Local Government (2015): The June, Meyner Center Forum focused on “Cybersecurity for Local Governments.” It was was attended by more than 125 municipal managers, department heads, and elected officials. Presentations were delivered by FireEye COO Kevin Mandia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Chief Information Security Officer Erik Avakian, and South Carolina State Chief Information Security Officer Marcos Vieyra. The program was co-sponsored by Lafayette College’s IDEAL Center and Policy Studies Program; funding for the Forum was provided by Lafayette Ambassador Bank and T&M Associates.
Twelfth Forum (2014): In May, Meyner Center Forum focused on “New Normal in Policing” and was attended by more than 100 municipal and state police, managers, and elected officials. The keynote was delivered by Charles H. Ramsey, Chief of Police of the City of Philadelphia. Other speakers included Paul O’Connell, Iowa College, and Daniel Alexander, Police Chief, Boca Raton, Florida. Lafayette Ambassador Bank ($2,500) and T&M Associates ($2,500) provided funding for the Forum.
Eleventh Annual Forum (2013) focused on “Local Government Under Extreme Stress” and was attended by more than 120 municipal managers and elected officials. The speakers were E. Patricia Llodra, First Selectman, and Michael Kehoe, Police Chief, Newtown, CT, “Rebuilding After the Sandy Hook Shootings”: Paul Shives, Business Administrator, Toms River, NJ, “Rebuilding After Superstorm Sandy”: Marvin Meteer, Supervisor, Wyalusing, PA, “The Community Interest in Fracking”; and Bob Deis, City Manager, Stockton, CA, “Managing a Municipal Bankruptcy.” Funding was provided by Lafayette Ambassador Bank ($2,500) and T&M Associates ($2,500).
Tenth Annual Forum (2012) focused on “Creative Approaches to Public Services” and was attended by more than 80 municipal managers and elected officials. Topics included outsourcing, locating a municipal building in a mall, and using social media. The keynote was delivered by Chief Executive Director Joseph Conti of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Funding was provided by Lafayette Ambassador Bank ($2,500) and T&M Associates ($2,500).
Ninth Annual Forum (2011) focused on “Local Government Management During the Continuing Financial Crisis” and was attended by more than 60 municipal managers and elected officials. Lafayette-Ambassador Bank/Fulton Financial Advisors provided a $5,000 grant. Mayor Dana Redd of Camden, NJ, gave the keynote. The three principal speakers were: (1) Mr. Chris Hoene, Director, Center for Research and Innovation, National League of Cities, Washington, DC; (2) Dr. John Kincaid, Professor and Director of the Meyner Center; and (3) Dr. Michael Pagano, Dean, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago. Lafayette Ambassador Bank gave the forum a $5,000 grant.
Eighth Annual Forum (2009) Economic Development & Revitalization During Dire Times (June 10)
Seventh Annual Forum (2008) Government, the Media, and the Public’s Right to Know (June 5)
Sixth Annual Forum (2007) Diverse Government Workforce: Ethical and Legal Challenges for Leadership (May 17)
Fifth Annual Forum (2006) When the Next Natural Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Ready? (May 18)
Fourth Annual Forum (2005) Planning for the Future Together (May 19)
Third Annual Forum (2004) Intermunicipal Cooperation in the Lehigh Valley: Brookings and Beyond (May 20)
Second Annual Forum (2003) Bioterrorism: Preparation, Finance, & Regional Cooperation (May 2-3)