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Against the Grain

This guest article is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, Colorado local government and DEI professional. Read all of Matt’s other articles at the Social Justice –> Government homepage. With just a few more Social Justice -> Local Government posts left, I want to take a moment to discuss some of the conclusions I’ve reached that go against the...

Podcast: Performance and Process Improvement with Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Brighton, CO

Kayla Barber-Perrotta Budget & Performance Manager City of Brighton, CO LinkedIn Identifying, analyzing, and solving pain points in day-to-day work. Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Budget & Performance Manager for the City of Brighton, Colorado, joined the podcast to talk about performance and process improvement. Kayla shared an in-depth look into the City's five-week Performance & Leadership Academy...

How to Build a Mentorship Program - And Why

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Erin Krause Riley, Adult Services Coordinator for the Scottsdale Public Library. Connect with me on LinkedIn. What I’m reading: I’ve gotten into some old English mysteries: Agatha Christie, Josephine Tey, and a few other authors with amazing detective stories. What I’m watching: Ted Lasso – the final season. Sigh. Each...

Come Together in Beautiful Public Spaces

Today’s Buzz is by Meredith Reynolds, Deputy City Manager for the City of Long Beach. Follow Meredith on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. What I’m watching: Vintage Perry Mason episodes. This helps to understand the modern Perry Mason detective show, of which I’ve successfully binged Season 2. What I’m working on: Planning our All-City Manager’s Retreat,...

Podcast: Local Government 2030 with Megan Caron, Elizabeth McDonald, and Ryan Webb

Megan Caron Strategic Initiatives Analyst City of Nashua, NH Elizabeth McDonald Senior Civil Engineer City of Savannah, GA LinkedIn Ryan Webb Engineering and Community Development Director The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde LinkedIn Action for the future. Three guests joined the podcast to discuss their involvement with Local Government 2030, a convening of local government...

Change Management for Local Government Luddites

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Greg LeBlanc – Assistant Town Manager, Town of Snowmass Village, Colorado. Connect with me on LinkedIn. What I’m watching: Jane the Virgin A hobby I enjoy: Birding What I’m working on: Expanding community childcare services, records retention, capital construction projects Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus proposed that the only constant...

Youth Councils Can Strengthen Local Government and Build Trust

By The Davenport Institute Youth are often overlooked during public engagement processes for multiple reasons; they are not old enough to vote, own property, or pay taxes. However, they represent the future of our communities and they are the next generation of local government leaders. In order for a local government to exercise 360 public...

Podcast: Sustainable Development Standards in Lakewood, CO

Caitlin Long Senior Sustainability Planner City of Lakewood, CO LinkedIn Jonathan Wachtel Sustainability Manager City of Lakewood, CO LinkedIn Points for the planet. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about how the City of Lakewood, Colorado has used sustainable development standards to implement their Sustainability Plan. Caitlin Long, Senior Sustainability Planner, and Jonathan Wachtel,...

The Price of a Bad Apple (NOT Another Inflation Story)

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Matt Horn, the Director of Local Government Services for MRB Group, and a seriously terrible fast dancer (or slow dancer). Check out some of the things he IS good at on his LinkedIn profile… What I’m watching: Re-watching the original Bad News Bears franchise with my 6-year-old...

Digital Equity and Public Engagement

By The Davenport Institute The definition of digital equity has changed and broadened since its first conception in the 1990s and recently the pandemic placed a spotlight on digital equity when the world hastily transitioned to online work, school, and public engagement. Classrooms and public spaces went dark and were vacated as we collectively huddled...

A Tale of Two Cities...

Today’s Buzz is by Cassie Johnson, Police Operational Support Director for the Scottsdale Police Department. Follow Cassie on LinkedIn and Twitter What I’m working on: Getting ready to leave for Portland, Ore. for a long weekend…and all that entails What I’m watching: I’ve started watching Madam Secretary What I’m reading: All the Light We Cannot...

ELGL Standing Committees

ELGL committees are open to members who want to get more involved and help shape the future of the organization. Committee appointments are made by the Executive Board based on availability, interest, and alignment with ELGL’s mission. Most committees meet quarterly or as needed throughout the year. If you’re ready to contribute your ideas and...

Podcast: The Fight to Save the Town with Michelle Wilde Anderson

Michelle Wilde Anderson Author LinkedIn | Twitter Reimagining Discarded America. Michelle Wilde Anderson, author and Larry Kramer Professor of Law at Stanford School of Law, joined the podcast to talk about her book, The Fight to Save the Town. She highlighted and discussed the chapters related to Stockton, CA; Josephine County, OR; Lawrence, MA; and...

Nine Books, Nine Lessons

This guest article is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, Colorado local government and DEI professional. Read all of Matt’s other articles at the Social Justice –> Government homepage. Some time ago, I participated in ELGL’s “Hard Conversations About Race” Cohort. At the end, we received a list of book recommendations to continue our learning either from books that...

Local Government Success Hinges on Ethical Public Engagement to Build Strong Communities

By The Davenport Institute As we look back at the last three years, we see cities and counties that had strong pre-pandemic relationships with the community being successful in their public engagement processes during the pandemic. Their focus on transparent, collaborative, and equitable engagement pre-pandemic provided a foundation for an unprecedented time in which local...

A Love Letter to European Planning

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to by Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Budget & Performance Manager at the City of Brighton, CO. Connect with Kayla on Linkedin. A hobby I enjoy: Gardening. I started growing my own vegetables a few years ago and it has become a great relaxation activity. It is finally warm enough consistently to garden...

Stories of Us: What the HOME-ARP Consultation Process Taught Me About Being Human

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Maggie Jones. Connect with Maggie on LinkedIn and Twitter! What I’m Listening to: The Wombats’ Fix Yourself, Not the World and //brain waves// What I’m Reading: The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak and Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho What I’m Watching:...

Podcast: Alternative 911 Responses with Gabriela Solis, Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab

Gabriela Solis Project Leader Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab LinkedIn A New 911. Gabriela Solis, a Project Leader for the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, joined the podcast to talk about alternative 911 responses. She shared the work of the Government Performance Lab, the current initiative surrounding alternative 911 responses, and some case...

Conference Lessons from Outside the Sessions

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan. Connect with Jessica on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I’m reading: Spare by Prince Harry What I’m watching: Taskmaster Series 9 on YouTube (Spouse and I have really gotten into British comedy panel shows.) Conferences are the best, aren’t they?...

Checking on Job Satisfaction for Public Service Recognition Week

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Warren Kagarise, digital engagement manager for King County, WA. Connect with Warren on LinkedIn and Twitter. What I’m Reading: The latest profile of convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, now known as Liz as she awaits federal prison. What I’m Watching: “Succession” as the dysfunctional dynasty saga for our modern Gilded Age prepares...