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This issue is the first step in the National Civic League'stwo-year project to review and revise the Model City Charter, atool developed in 1897 by scholars and civic reforms seeking tocreate effective models for local government. Last published in1989, revisions to the Model City Charter will encompass importantchanges to local government within the last twelve years, includingits increasing role in promoting economic development anddelivering social services. Contributors demonstrate that the newModel City Charter must also recognize the emergence of communitybased coalitions that mayors, council members, and commissions areturning to accomplish their goals and bring people to the table ofcommunity decision making. The specific needs of larger cities tomove from council-manager models to revised charters that augmentthe powers of the mayor, as well as the emerging prominence of thechief administrative officer, are discussed. Providing an overviewof the issues facing the broad group of citizens, academics, andpublic officials convened to evaluate the framework in which localgovernments, the National Civic League has begun the task ofbringing the Model City Charter forward into its second century. Articles Include: How Anerican City Governments Have Changed: The Evolution of theModel City Charter H. George Frederickson, Curtis Wood, Brett Logan Do We Still Need Model Charters? The Meaning and Relevance ofReform in the Twenty-First Century James H. Svara An Interview with Terell Blodgett Michael McGrath Council-Manager Government: Alive and Leading Today'sBest-Managed Communities William H. Hansell, Jr. Whither Local Government Reform? The Case of Wisconsin James Simmons The Manager as Political Leader John Nalbandian Making Regions Viable by Making Them Imageable Allan D. Wallis Hispanics, Social Capital, and Civic Engagement Gary M. Segura, Harry Pachon,