Eric Coleman, Oakland County Commissioner representing the City of Southfield was invited by Vice President Joseph Biden, Jr., to participate in the White House's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARARA) Implementation Conference in Washington, D.C.  

That Conference was held recently, and Commissioner Coleman represented Oakland County; he also contributed in his role as immediate Past President of the National Association of Counties.

The Conference was asked to provide an overview of the Act, and to explain how implementation and oversight should work.

Presentations were provided by all Department Secretaries, a number of federal agency representatives, and from Earl Devaney, Chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board.

As part of the ARARA, each state and local government was asked to appoint an implementation czar to oversee the dollars spent in their jurisdictions.  For an accounting of how those dollars have been spent so far, visit www.recovery.gov.

While in Washington, Mr. Coleman also met with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (left), House Leader Nanci Pelosi and Cecelia Munoz, who is White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Mr. Coleman represented NACo in those meetings.  NACo is committed to restoring the partnership between the federal government and America's counties.