RUDEN McCLOSKY HOSTS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR MAYORS, OFFICIALS OF HAITI

FT. LAUDERDALE - The Ruden McClosky law firm, in partnership with Minority Development and Empowerment Inc., the United States Embassy-Haiti, and the U.S. State Department will conduct a dynamic five-day training seminar, 'The City-States: Introduction to Public Administration', October 4 through 8, 2004 in the Firm's Fort Lauderdale office. Mayors, elected officials and ministers from Haiti will comprise the group of ten delegates attending the specially designed instructional training program.

The program was designed to help the Haitian officials understand the intricacies involved in developing strategic and technical plans for the daily functions of their cities. The focus of the seminar will be on providing technical assistance, hands-on training and guidance on how to run an efficient and transparent government that meets the needs of its citizens. Particularly important in light of the current crisis resulting from Tropical Storm Jeanne, is a special session on emergency management and disaster preparedness and response. The session will include a tour of the City of Hollywood Emergency Operations Center and a discussion with EOC officials.

Program speakers include numerous elected officials from Broward County governments as well as professional staff from area municipalities and from the County. A key benefit to the participants will be direct access to elected officials and staff of various cities in Broward County. Participants will hear presentations by their U.S. counterparts and have opportunity to speak with them and familiarize themselves with public administration practices in the represented cities and the County.

Many cities in Haiti are heavily reliant on the central government, and have struggled to be self sustaining. This lack of decentralization has created an unstable infrastructure, and a gridlock of basic services in the areas of health, public works, security and budgeting. The process of rebuilding the country's infrastructure and achieving self governance begins with each city's government learning how to become self-sustaining while working independently and in cooperation with Haiti's central government.

The City-States: Introduction to Public Administration

Dates: Monday October 4 through Friday October 8, 2004

Format: Seminars, public lectures, site visits, training modules

Venue: Ruden McClosky Law Firm

200 E. Broward Blvd.

Suite 1500

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Speakers:

Ossama Al Aschkar

Broward County Transit Authority

Mike Bailey

Asst.Director Public Services, Fort Lauderdale

Richard 'Dick' Blattner

Former Hollywood City Commissioner

Cameron Benson

City Manager

City of Hollywood

James Edwards

Director, Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency

City of Hollywood

Jaye Epstein

Director of Planning

City of Hollywood

Carlos Garcia

Director, Financial Services

City of Hollywood

The Honorable Mara S. Giulianti

Mayor, City of Hollywood

Kristin Jacobs

Broward County Vice Mayor

Jerry Kolo

Professor, Florida Atlantic University

The Honorable Robert 'Bob' Mikes

Vice Mayor, City of Dania Beach

The Honorable Jim Naugle

Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

The Honorable Hazelle Rogers

Commissioner, City of Lauderdale Lakes

President, Broward League of Cities

Judy Sarver

Director, Broward County Public Communications Office

Guilene F. Theodore, Esq.

Ruden McClosky

Alan Tinter, P.E., PTOE

Tinter Associates, Inc.

Bruce Udolf, Esq.

Ruden McClosky

Participants :

Mayors of Haiti

Rose CLERJEUNE Maire de la Commune de La Chapelle (Mayor of La Chapelle)

Anette F. GARCONVIL Maire de la Commune de Lascahobas (Mayor of Lascahobas)

Gerard MATHIEU Jr Maire de la Commune de Carrefour (Mayor of Carrefour)

John PIERRE-LOUIS Maire de la Commune de Cite du Soleil (Mayor of Cite du Soleil)

Miche JEAN Maire- adjoint de la Commune de Thomazeau (Mayor of Thomazeau)

Pierre Franck GERARD Maire de la Commune de l'Arcahaie (Mayor of Arcahaie)

Joachim FRANCOIS Maire de la Commune de l'Anse a Veau (Mayor of L'Anse A Veau)

Cabinet Representatives and Officials of Haiti

Andolphe Eliucarmel GUILLAUME Office National d'Assurance Vieillesse

(Office of Elderly Services)

Jacqueline CADET-SUPREME Ministere de la Sante et de la Population

(Ministry of Public Health)

Smith BARTHELUS Ministere de l'Interieur des Collectivites Territoriales et de la Securite Nationale (Ministry of National Security and Territories)

Media Briefing:

Members of the media are invited to a briefing prior to the opening session of the program at 8:00 am Monday October 4 at the Ruden McClosky law firm offices at 200 E. Broward Blvd. Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale. Participants and speakers will be available for photographs and to speak with members of the media immediately following the 8:00 a.m. briefing. Members of the media who wish to attend the briefing should contact Martha Lord, Communications Manager, Ruden McClosky at 954-527-6214.