We are back for Round 2 with Graham Sheridan, Brown Political Review. Last week we learned about life after death for shopping malls. This week we dive into Pawtucket, Rhode Island. What’s notable about Pawtucket? We’re not sure but Graham will make it interesting and memorable. Background Check Graham Sheridan is a second year candidate in … Continued
http://youtu.be/j2oS1z5luOs Our new columnist Charlotte Colley provides her take on work/life balance. ELGL met Charlotte through Jim Lenner, ELGL Midwest Advisory Board member and Johnstown (OH) village manager. Charlotte has been responsible for spearheading talks on how ELGL and the Ohio City/County Management Association can partner in future endeavors. As you will learn in the column, … Continued
In the age of “phone marks” and Congressional inaction, many cities are re-evaluating the need for a federal lobbyist. To shed light on the pro’s and con’s, we have enlisted ELGL Southeast advisory board member Michael O’Brien to highlight what we should consider in making the decision to hire or re-hire a federal lobbyist. Background … Continued
How do you transform a city like Mayberry into the image of a professionally managed city? What is economic gardening? How does Oktoberfest define a city and a region? Eileen Stein, City Administrator of Mt. Angel, Oregon is well qualified to answer such questions. At least until a Fortune 500 company comes along and scoops … Continued
Presentation: Oregon Veteran’s Preference The complicated subject of Oregon Veteran preference law in employment has been a newsworthy in the high profile case of the Bonnevile Power Administration. To speak on this subject, ELGL enlisted Elissa Preston, Kathy Peck, and Julie Morris. Presenters Elissa Preston: Has been the Human Resources Manager at the City of West Linn … Continued
Knope of the Week Julie Underwood, Mercer Island, WA City Manager, writes about the top two positions in local government. Now that I’ve had the pleasure of being both a City Manager (CM) and an Assistant City Manager (ACM), I thought it would be helpful if I shared my perspective on the role of the assistant, … Continued
Balancing community aesthetics/environment and individual private property rights; shifting project work during the recession; planning for boom/bust industries; MPA “Lite” University; economic development is maybe not so tangible; and why student loans should be illegal — this is Local Government’s New Normal in Lake Oswego per Scott Lazenby, Renaissance Man and LO City Manager. The … Continued
The CPBB is back with a brand new edition. When we last checked in with the Center for Priority Based Budgeting, we learned about Budgeting Through a New Lens. Now it’s time to hear about a “New Wave” in local government fiscal health. But, before we get to the article, we want to take this opportunity … Continued
The Mission: Local Government’s New Normal is an original ELGL blog feature by contributor Dan Englund that provides an educational, supportive lens into the “new normal” of local government by examining local issues, solutions, and stories from compelling government professionals and their cities or counties. For the inaugural episode, we talked to Erik Kvarsten, City … Continued
Reigning Knope of the Week Julie Underwood is back with part two of the two-part article on “Forecasting the Future of Local Government.” Julie is currently in transition due to spouse’s job relocation to Silicon Valley, CA. Julie was appointed Shoreline City Manager February 2011 and served until October 2013. Forecasting the Future of Local Government: 6 … Continued