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Taking A Break: The Importance of Self-Care

Right Now with Ben DeClue (LinkedIn/Twitter) What I’m Reading – US Census 2020 LUCA FAQ What I’m Doing – Preparing for a City Council meeting and thinking ahead to Thursday When I started my time as Acting City Administrator, one of the first things that I did was pick up the phone and call a … Continued

08.10.17 – Special Elections

Right Now with Jacob Johnson (LinkedIn/Twitter) What I’m Reading – Why Detroit Matters edited by Brian Doucet What I’m Doing – Learning about Employee Volunteer Programs in Utah A Special Election in Utah Two weeks ago, I promised research about Chicago, but I’m not quite ready for that post. So today I’m doing a little … Continued

Taking Knowledge to the Bank

Here at ELGL, we’re committed to transparency and sharing information with one another, whether that is across departments or across the country. Transparency engenders trust in government (think: “trust, but verify”) and strengthens democracy by empowering the public with the information needed to make informed decisions. This is central to a democracy, a word that … Continued

Edible Landscaping at City Hall

By Ben DeClue, City of Lebanon, Missouri One of the first things that I noticed about Lebanon, Missouri’s City Hall when I started here in December 2014 was the presence of edible landscaping.  My time working in a garden center gave me a keen eye for fruit and nut trees. I was  surprised to see … Continued

Great Books in Michigan

By Jacob Johnson, UServeUtah Today we’re buzzin’ about great books and Michigan.   Recently I returned from a trip to visit my wife’s family in Novi, Michigan. While there, I visited the public library and picked one of my new favorite books: Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Paton writes of his home, South … Continued

Free Parking Isn’t Free

Have you ever considered how much free parking costs? To you the driver it’s free–or at least it looks that way. A new video from Vox and Mobility Lab details the costs hidden away in the seemingly free parking. Check it out! Are you sufficiently frustrated? Get ready to change the world–er…parking. Check out Strong Town’s … Continued

Revenge of the Fifth

In today’s Buzz: links, links, and more links!  This Buzz is brought to you by my need to make sure you have a wonderful start to your Cinco De Mayo! What I’m Listening to – Geowulf What I’m Reading – Start-Up City by Gabe Klein (a big thank you to Maria Ryan, City of Vancouver, WA for the birthday … Continued

Making Up Ground: Urban Design Elements Part 1

Making Up Ground is a series written by Harrison Wicks which focuses on urban design history, theory, and implementation in American cities over the past century. Urban Design Elements: Blocks, Edges and Gateways Last week we identified the multiple urban design movements of the past century and highlighted their utility as a solution to the … Continued

Institutional Knowledge with Peter Lydens, Part 1

As a part of the Institutional Knowledge project, we are recording the wisdom and experience of retiring and retired leaders in local government. If you know someone who could add something to this project, let me know! You can reach out to me on Twitter/ LinkedIn or send me an email. About Me: Jacob Johnson, #InstitutionalKnowledge Project Coordinator Peter … Continued

Making Up Ground, Urban Design Movements of the Past Century

Last week we covered a brief history of urban design in the human experience and ended with the American examples of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. These cities were modeled on the grid system and long sight lines characteristic of European renaissance and enlightenment design. Fast forward to the mid-19th century, I want to begin our … Continued

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