Century Magazine Quotes

L.A. is such a real, active place. My mother was very into the core of the city. She worked in politics, and you have to know your territory. It's an active matrix; we're all parts of it, but people don't often stop to wonder what's going on.

What is lacking in the cities, and most of the men, however, is charm and taste.

I have the best job in the world. I wake up every morning energized at the thought of running Rio de Janeiro, the most exciting city on the planet.

I have always believed that every great city in history needs a vibrant center.

I strongly believe being mayor is the public post in which you have the greatest opportunity to change peoples' lives for the better. People live in cities, not states or nations. As a mayor, you are connected directly to citizens.

Cities have to realize that whatever the federal government is going to do, it's not going to be enough. And cities that proactively take control of their own quality of life initiatives are going to be the cities that ultimately attract the highly talented young people and create the jobs.

Happiness statistics may be most valuable in smaller, local discussions. Understanding how different sorts of programs affect the well-being of citizens would be enormously helpful to a mayor choosing between building a new bridge or offering a tax cut.

A great city is that which has the greatest men and women.

Washington's a mean city ... it's savage.

Washington is a city which drives us all to the lowest common denominator.

The issues that most impact the average person are made at the local level.

Dallas was not a caring city, but it was efficient.

I think it's very important to be part of the Boston society and the people who live in Boston.

New York has been embarrassed by corruption and lags behind in too many important categories. We can do better.

People make a city, it's not the other way round.

Whether we realize it or not, we benefit from the work of public-sector employees and our state, county and municipal governments every day.

It's really time for the State of Wisconsin to form a better relationship with the greater Milwaukee area.

The weather is the worst. I lived many years in Lisbon and then went to Monaco, places that are similar in terms of weather and food. In Manchester, it's eight or nine months of cold, and that makes a difference, but apart from that, I'm really enjoying the city.

A strong Commonwealth is built on a foundation of strong communities. Friendly, welcoming, bustling neighborhoods and downtowns. Great schools. Safe, accessible, attractive places to play. Growing local economies. And a belief that anything is possible.

I hope to make clear that involvement in small scale community work can make a difference in our city's politics.

What does Washington experience have to do with meeting the needs of the American people?

Obviously as a mayor, I'm in competition with my neighboring cities as well as cities around the country.

I grew up in Shanghai, a big urban city.

The people of Michigan deserve leadership in Lansing that will work to continue providing them with services they depend on every day.

Mayors in any city are pretty non-partisan people where it's problem solvers.