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Podcast: Managing Phoenix with Jeff Barton, Phoenix, AZ

Jeff Barton City Manager City of Phoenix, AZ Bio | Twitter | LinkedIn Leading the largest council-manager government. Jeff Barton, City Manager for the City of Phoenix, Arizona, joined the podcast to talk about his first year on the job as a City Manager. He discussed his career path with the City, which began as an...

Living in the Gray

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Parkland, Florida. Parkland was named one of the Best Places to Work in Local Government in 2021 by ELGL and a Top Workplace in 2022. Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn. What I’m Reading: A Billion Years by Mike Rinder What I’m Watching:...

2022 Best Places to Work: KCMO Empowered to Lead and Serve

By Forest Decker - Kansas City, Mo. Neighborhood Services Department Director I’ve worked for the City of KCMO for 21 out of the last 25 years. I left my city job once for an opportunity in the private sector, but I missed the daily interaction with residents and the chance to make a real difference...

Let’s Visualize How to Argue

Today’s Morning Buzz is by Lacey Mays, Communications and Marketing Strategist for Slate Communications. Connect with Lacey on LinkedIn or Twitter. What I’m Reading: Vengeful – V.E. Schwab (Like superpowers? This series is a unique, interesting take on powers, morality, and immortality) What I’m Watching: A.P. Bio What I’m Listening to: The Arcadian Wild I don’t have to tell any...

This is Your Q4 Survival Guide

Today's Morning Buzz is by Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek. Let's be pocket friends on Twitter and LinkedIn! What I'm wearing: All peppermint, all the time. This is my #PeppermintSeason. What I'm watching: Season 5 of The Crown What I'm hearing: All holiday music, all the time As I sit...

2022 Best Place to Work: Cary's Work Inspires

By Sean R. Stegall - Cary, N.C. Town Manager A little over six years ago, Cary’s Mayor and Council gave me the opportunity of a lifetime – to serve as Cary Town Manager. The last six years have been marked by significant change, not only for our organization but also for the world around us....

Turn that Monday Frown Upside Down

Today's Morning Buzz is brought to you by Stephanie Chase, the Executive Director of Libraries of Eastern Oregon and Founding Principal of Constructive Disruption. What I'm Reading: Never Rescue A Rogue by Virginia Heath What I'm Listening To: First Aid Kit's new album Palomino What I'm Watching: Binge watching seasons 6 and 7 of Alone...

Podcast: Advancing Data in Local Government with Ruth Puttick, Lauren Su, & Lisa Mae Fiedler

Ruth Puttick Senior Policy Advisor Open Innovation Team LinkedIn | Website Lauren Su Director of Certification What Works Cities LinkedIn Lisa Mae Fiedler Acting Manager, Data & Analytics Metropolitan Transportation Authority LinkedIn | Twitter Improving data-driven efforts. Three guests joined the podcast to discuss their research and insight into the advancement of data in local...

How Local Government Leadership Can Alleviate Workplace Stress

Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Angelica Wedell, Director of Communications and Marketing at Polco. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn! What I’m Watching:The X Files What I'm Listening To: No Bad Dogs Podcast - Written by Jessie O’Brien and Edited by Angelica Wedell, Polco - High demands, long hours, and poor relationships can all lead...

Podcast: From Librarian to City Manager with Abigail Elder, Hood River, OR

Abigail Elder City Manager City of Hood River, OR LinkedIn Books to Boardroom. Abigail Elder, City Manager for the City of Hood River, Oregon, joined the podcast to talk about her first year on the job as a City Manager. She detailed her career path in local government, which started as a librarian. She also...

I Didn't Know How Much I Didn't Know

Today’s Buzz is by Samantha Roberts– connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter! In a previous post, I shared that despite this Morning Buzz contribution, I'm actually no longer a local government employee. In 2021 I, like many others, made the very difficult decision to leave the public sector for a time and gain a new perspective....

Transforming the Commute from Drudgery to Joy

In August, I bought an e-bike. I like to bike recreationally because I love to experience the full vibrancy of Minnesota’s dramatic seasons. I am proud to feel my body getting stronger each time I ride. I exchange smiles with strangers and get to know my neighbors. I spontaneously stop at intriguing storefronts instead of...

Nominations Open for the 2022 Top Influencers in Local Government Award

The award, previously named the Traeger Award, is named after Chris Traeger, the city manager for the fictional City of Pawnee, Indiana on the show "Park and Recreation." He was known for extreme energy and commitment to improving local government. One of our strategic goals as an organization is to find the joy in local...

Meet the 2022 Best Places to Work in Local Government!

This year we’re honored to announce the 2022 winners of the Best Places to Work in Local Government: Cary, NC Kansas City, MO San Rafael, CA What made these rockstar communities stand out? Cary, NC Why they’re the best: Great core values to focus on people The Town of Cary, NC had us...

Podcast: Reducing Crime in Danville, VA with Chief Scott Booth and Robert David

Scott Booth Chief of Police City of Danville, VA LinkedIn | Twitter Robert David Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Coordinator City of Danville, VA LinkedIn | Website Bigger than black and blue. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about how the City of Danville, Virginia has worked to reduce violent crime. Scott Booth, Chief...

Podcast: Recruitment for Local Government Careers with Hannah Lipman and Moses Amidei

Hannah Lipman Assistant Village Manager Village of Tinley Park, IL LinkedIn Moses Amidei Village Administrator Village of Forest Park, IL LinkedIn Two guests joined the podcast to talk about recruiting for local government. Hannah Lipman, the Assistant Village Manager for the Village of Tinley Park, IL, and Moses Amidei, Village Administrator for the Village of...

Legislation and Programs Key to Success For Reckless Driving

This article was written by Rachel Witt, Executive Director of the South Grand Community Improvement District. Read all the articles in the Lessons & Partnerships in Community & Economic Development series. In our cities today, we see too many reckless drivers that lack car insurance, do not possess a valid driver’s license, and/or drive with expired registration....

Adventures of the Analyst Adjacent

I’m sure many of you are still basking in the joy of the ELGL 2022 Conference held in Phoenix last week. It was a great opportunity to finally meet many people we’d only gotten to know online—pocket friends as ELGL board member Jessica VanderKolk has called us—and to discuss the work so near and dear...

Going Far to Work Locally

In my last Morning Buzz article, I talked about the life-work balance, and how the most important thing is that your work and your personal life are meaningful. In a long-winded way, I was telling you to be bold and look for the richest experiences life has to offer. There are two uniquely bold...

The Value of Valuing Your Values

Today's Morning Buzz is brought to you by Matt Horn, the Director of Local Government Services for MRB Group, and a reported write-in candidate for the Nobel Prize in Procrastination (source not cited). What I'm Reading: "The Poor Side of Town and Why We Need It", by Howard Husock What I'm Listening To: The Remastered...