I Have to Ask: COVID-19 Resources

Posted on May 10, 2020

In this series, ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt poses three questions to the guest columnist, and the guest columnist selects one to reflect on. This week, Kent Hartsfield, Cartegraph, highlights three strategies for how local governments can respond to COVID-19. Nothing is more human than our deep desire to help others and to be supportive in times...

I Have to Ask: Benefits to Perspective

Posted on May 3, 2020

In this series, ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt poses three questions to the guest columnist, and the guest columnist selects one to reflect on. This week, Cynthia Northrop, City Administrator for Rhome, Texas, shares three takeaways from her career experiences.  My journey to city management may be the road less traveled, yet it has afforded me...

I Have to Ask: Teen Court

Posted on April 26, 2020

In this series, ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt poses three questions to the guest columnist, and the guest columnist selects one to reflect on. This week, Leanna Jasek-Rysdahl, Teen Court/Youth Services Coordinator for the City of Lone Tree, Colorado, writes about the positive ripples of Teen Court. There are over 1,000 Teen Court programs around the...

I Have to Ask: Life on the Campaign Trail

Posted on April 19, 2020

In this series, ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt poses three questions to the guest columnist, and the guest columnist selects one to reflect on. This week, Kathryn Mortensen, Budget and Performance Fellow for the City of Brighton, Colorado, writes about lessons learned from working on a political campaign. In another life, I was never going to...

I Have to Ask: Life in the Special Forces

Posted on April 14, 2020

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Dalton Rice, Management Analyst for the City of Mont Belvieu, Texas, reflects on the transferable skills learned as a Green Beret.  Before serving in city management, I dedicated over 13-years in the United States Army Infantry, Special...

I Have to Ask: Disparities Leadership Program

Posted on April 5, 2020

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Cassi Johnson, Deputy Director, Office of Technology and Communications for the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, writes about the Disparities Leadership Program, innovation in local government, and career accomplishments. In my previous job at a health...

I Have to Ask: Welcome Efforts in Grand Forks

Posted on March 29, 2020

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Robin David writes about welcoming efforts in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  Every year, people come to Grand Forks from across the world or from small towns down the road, drawn by employment, good schools, safety, the...

I Have to Ask: Love Letter to Local Gov

Posted on March 22, 2020

ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt poses a question and a guest columnist answers it. This week, Catherine Tkachyk, Chief Innovation and Performance Officer at Cuyahoga County, pens a love letter to local government. When I saw this question, I thought it is just past Valentine’s Day and this is my chance to write a love letter...

I Have to Ask: Rules of Engagement

Posted on March 15, 2020

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Sarah E. O'Brien, writes about the need to redefine the rules of engagement.  When I said “the rules of engagement,” it was in reference to the way we serve our communities. We’ve been talking about things...