Lectures go local

UT Permian Basin's JBS Public Leadership Institute Distinguished Lecture Series will have familiar faces front and center in the latest installment of the popular event.

Instead of focusing on national or international issues as in the past, they'll focus on local issues with local speakers.

"These are the ones we live with on a daily basis. They impact our lives," former Odessa mayor Lorraine Perryman said. She also said these issues are ones that local government can initiate immediately.

"Midland-Odessa: Into the New Millennium ... Together" is the title, which indicates the topic of discussion - issues in the area and how the cities can work together on them.

Past JBS events have included speakers Karl Rove, Mikhail Gorbachev, Harold Ford, Michael Steele and Arianna Huffington.

The discussion will be guided by former Mayor Perryman and "first Female elected in West Texas," Perryman said. Speakers that night will be Midland Mayor Wes Perry and Odessa Mayor Larry Melton.

The evening will consist of two mayors on stage at the same time talking about prevalent, local issues.

The two mayors joked about being intimidated by Perryman's line of questioning that evening because she asks the tough questions. After all, she studied journalism at UT Austin and was a former news anchor.

In the past the two cities didn't get along, not even the politicians, Perry said. The recent mayors changed that and will work together on future plans.

The speakers hope for public involvement and a good crowd - they would also like the younger community to attend. 

A few issues expected to come up are water planning for the area, jurisdiction territory and development on Highway 191 between Odessa and Midland.

IF YOU GO

>> How much: Free.

>> When: 7 p.m. Aug. 7.

>> Where: UTPB's CEED, FM 1788 and Highway 191.