I Have to Ask You...

I Have to Ask: Event Production

Posted on October 14, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Christine Wallace, Neighborhood Outreach Manager, City of San Luis Obispo, California, writes about event planning in local government. Before joining the police department, I spent a decade with San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation. I started...

I Have to Ask: Effect of Good Bosses

Posted on October 9, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Pete Haga, City of Grand Forks, North Dakota, reflects on his 21 years in Grand Forks. The three biggest factors that have kept me at the City of Grand Forks are my boss, the ability to...

I Have to Ask: Legalizing Marijuana

Posted on October 8, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Shannon Haynes, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Breckenridge Colorado, writes about the legalization of marijuana. I served in law enforcement for over twenty two years. During that time, I worked undercover narcotics and arrested a fair amount...

I Have to Ask: Hospitality

Posted on September 12, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three questions from ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Katie Olson, City of South Jordan, Utah, writes about finding hospitality in local government. On the eve of #cityhallselfie day, I am, in fact, writing this at city hall—South Jordan City Hall to be specific. I didn’t...

I Have to Ask: Leave a Place Better Than You Found It

Posted on September 1, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Ruanda McFerren, Cookingham-Noll Management Fellow, City of Kansas City, Missouri, writes about aligning work with your passions. Why work in local government? Why work where you work? Why do what you do? Why do what you...

I Have to Ask: Power of Storytelling

Posted on August 7, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Alejandro Moreno, Assistant Budget Officer at Denton County, Texas, writes about the power of storytelling. I began my college years studying film, thinking I wanted to pursue a career in the film industry. Story telling is...

I Have to Ask: Investing in Yourself

Posted on August 5, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to questions from ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Katherine Stokke, Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, writes about her proudest career accomplishment. What does it say about me when the accomplishment I’ve chosen to pinpoint from the past year came at a high personal cost? Don’t worry, things...

I Have to Ask: Finding the Right Candidate

Posted on July 31, 2019

In this series, a guest columnist responds to a question from ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Michelle Crandall, Assistant City Manager, City of Dublin, Ohio, writes about the job recruitment process. So what is the magic recipe for hiring the right candidates? While my success rate isn’t 100%, I’ve learned a few key ingredients that...

I Have to Ask: Surviving an Emergency

Posted on July 29, 2019

In this series, guest columnists respond to one of three topics selected by ELGL co-founder Kent Wyatt. This week, Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager, City of Battle Creek, Michigan, writes about responding to a water main break. Hopefully many of us prepare in some way for when an emergency strikes, whether by taking FEMA training courses, helping...