26
October 2012
Past Event
Broken Cities or Civic Renewal?

Broken Cities or Civic Renewal?

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
October 26, 2012
Default Event Image
26
October 2012
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Speakers:
William Schambra,

Director, Bradley Center for Philanthropy & Civic Renewal

Christopher Gates,

Executive Director of Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement

Kenneth Hampian,

Former Interim Chief Administrative Officer, City of Bell

Pete Peterson,

Executive Director of the Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University

Ana Maria Quintana,

Council Member, City of Bell

Just over two years ago, the citizens of Bell, California, discovered from an exposé in the Los Angeles Times that their city officials were among the highest paid in the nation, in spite of the city's underperforming economy and high unemployment rate. After some officials were arrested, the city was left with no functioning government and empty coffers.

This might seem like the least favorable environment for encouraging civic engagement in public affairs, but that is not how Pepperdine University's Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership saw it. Davenport's Pete Peterson helped the new civic leadership design a process to bring everyday citizens directly into the redesign of government and its budget.

According to one account, "Since his involvement with the city began, Peterson's partnership with Bell's new and interim management has served as a living, breathing case study of public engagement and civic renewal, one that he hopes will inspire other cities to adopt further dialogue between local government and residents. [As Peterson said,] 'I've been tremendously encouraged thus far by both the citizens of Bell and the new city leaders, who have been at the forefront of trying to change the identity of a city now known as a symbol of corruption.'"

On October 26th we gathered to discuss what happened in Bell, California, and how the city is trying to move forward.

Required Reading

Pete Peterson, Liberty...Bell, Fox & Hounds Daily, January 24, 2012.

Please read Rick Cohen's coverage of this event in The Nonprofit Quarterly by clicking here

Related Events
29
July 2025
Past Event
Other Approaches to the US-Canada Trade Impasse
Featured Speakers:
Hon. Ed Fast
Jamie Tronnes
Moderator:
Matthew Boyse
Getty Images
29
July 2025
Past Event
Other Approaches to the US-Canada Trade Impasse

Join Hudson Senior Fellow Matt Boyse for a discussion with former Canadian Minister for Trade and Economic Development Ed Fast, and CNAPS Executive Director Jamie Tronnes, as they explore a new path forward for US-Canada relations and what other allies can learn from the process.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Hon. Ed Fast
Jamie Tronnes
Moderator:
Matthew Boyse
30
July 2025
Virtual Event | Invite Only
Gaza: Aid, Influence, and Information War
Featured Speakers:
Johnnie Moore
Michael Doran
Getty Images
30
July 2025
Virtual Event | Invite Only
Gaza: Aid, Influence, and Information War

Join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and Director for the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East Michael Doran for a conversation with Reverend Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders and founder of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Johnnie Moore
Michael Doran
31
July 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
How Congress Can Rebuild US Shipbuilding and Boost Maritime Security
Featured Speakers:
Sean Plankey
Austin Gray
Matthew Paxton
Scott Sloan
Mike Smith
Lawrence Ryder
Moderators:
Bryan Clark
Michael Roberts
DVIDS
31
July 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
How Congress Can Rebuild US Shipbuilding and Boost Maritime Security

Join Hudson Senior Fellows Bryan Clark and Michael Roberts for a discussion with government and industry leaders about the challenges the US Navy and Coast Guard face amid modernization efforts and how new legislation and regulation can help restore America’s maritime superiority.

DVIDS
Featured Speakers:
Sean Plankey
Austin Gray
Matthew Paxton
Scott Sloan
Mike Smith
Lawrence Ryder
Moderators:
Bryan Clark
Michael Roberts
01
August 2025
Virtual Event | Online Only
Peru’s Strategic Moment
Featured Speakers:
Diego de la Torre
Francisco Tudela
Marc Wachtenheim
Amb. Hugo de Zela
Moderator:
Daniel Batlle
Getty Images
01
August 2025
Virtual Event | Online Only
Peru’s Strategic Moment

Join Hudson Adjunct Fellow Daniel Batlle and a panel of leading analysts as they examine what lies ahead for Peru and whether the country can convert its economic potential into lasting security and sovereignty ahead of its 2026 elections.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Diego de la Torre
Francisco Tudela
Marc Wachtenheim
Amb. Hugo de Zela
Moderator:
Daniel Batlle