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Maxwell Moline
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May 15, 2013
As a part of this year’s Police Week , we at In the Know would like to express our gratitude to those that serve us and keep us safe. From the heroes of tragedies such as recent events in Boston, to the everyday heroes we may not hear about on the news, we’d just like to say: thank you. Among this year’s Police Week Events are several listed below: This past Saturday, over 1,500 people participated in the National Police Week 5K , which (as you can see on the website’s
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Gabriel Brehm
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May 10, 2013
Repurposing industrial zones can be a boon for communities in a variety of ways. Land is a valuable resource, so understanding the best use for repurposed lands in invaluable for communities. Brownfields can be more than an environmental effort ; redevelopment projects can have financial, economic, and sustainability dimensions. However, just getting started on a Brownfields development project can be difficult for communities dealing with dilapidated infrastructure, complicated approval processes, or out-of-date zoning. ICMA’s PM article suggests that a good contact within the organization and a strong redevelopment plan are the keys to
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Maxwell Moline
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May 7, 2013
The 10 Cs of Local Government Management Managers in local government, in addition to doing their own work, have the tough job of overseeing that others do their work efficiently, well, and consistently. Use these 10 Cs as guidelines for how to achieve those goals. Constant Presence Be available to help your employees and avoid unnecessary distractions. In addition to being there to manage, you’re there to mentor and be a resource. Coherence The best way to guarantee that things don’t get done is to be unclear about what needs to be done
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Maxwell Moline
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May 3, 2013
This month is Clean Air Month, which (supported by the American Lung Association) aims to teach people about the importance and positive effects of clean air. According to the report on this month by WhatHealth , each May brings with it the goal of educating the general public on four different subjects related to Clean Air: What is it? “Clean air is air which has a natural balance of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.” It is air that does not harm people through allergies, health problems, or pollution. Why
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Gabriel Brehm
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May 1, 2013
Town & Gown Partnerships Universities and colleges can be great assets to a community. They bring vibrant young people looking to make a difference. University officials are often looking to create the best possible image for the school, and this can mean an interest in beautification, economic development, and general community improvement. This post aims to highlight several different ways that communities have found to partner with universities for mutual benefit. The Town of Mansfield has partnered with the University of Connecticut in a huge variety of ways . The local government offers internships for
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Gabriel Brehm
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April 24, 2013
The Documents section on the Knowledge Network is an expansive resource for anyone looking for local government information. It is my personal go-to resource for local government information when I am writing a blog post or answering a question. What kinds of information do most people look for in our documents? Here are the top 20 documents visited this year on the Knowledge Network: Sample Employee Self Appraisal Form Organizational Development Manager Job Description 2013 Scotland Trip Itinerary ICMA Code of Ethics with Guidelines
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Maxwell Moline
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April 24, 2013
Yesterday, I posted “ View and Review: Questions for Performance Reviews ,” a compilation of various recommended questions for performance reviewers to ask from the combined knowledge of the internet. Today, I’ll look at it from the other side: What to ask your boss when you are being reviewed. These questions come from Marie McIntyre, author of “ Secrets to Winning at Office Politics .” What do you think went well this year? In addition to the ego boost the answer to this question can provide, it can also help to show you what your
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Gabriel Brehm
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April 22, 2013
Earth Day April 22nd is Earth Day , a worldwide holiday celebrated in more than 192 countries every year. Started in 1969 by Senator Nelson as a method of mobilizing protestors to do positive environmental work, the day has grown into a worldwide phenomenon which has had far-reaching impact . In the U.S., the momentum of the idea led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the related Clean Water, Clean Air, and Endangered Species acts. You don’t need to be a senator to make a difference on earth day. Many local
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Maxwell Moline
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April 22, 2013
Performance reviews are a vital part of any Local Government's sustained productivity. Here are some sample questions to help structure your reviews. How do you think you’ve done? It is important to give the reviewee an opportunity to show that he/she has paid enough attention to his/her performance to be able to provide an appropriate evaluation of that performance. It is equally (if not more) important for him/her to detail shortcomings as it is to detail successes; this will show that he/she is dedicated to improvement. How do you feel you relate
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Maxwell Moline
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April 15, 2013
ICMA’s International Programming has created multiple enduring partnerships throughout the years. Through CityLinks and other programs, ICMA has left its mark in cities worldwide—and on the U.S. participants as well. The city of Campbell, California, provided technical assistance and training and donated surplus fire equipment and garbage trucks to Rioverde, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, continuing a partnership that began in 2001. Oldsmar, Florida, and Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, began a CityLinks partnership in 2008; three years later the Oldsmar fire chief spearheaded the donation of protective gear for the
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Gabriel Brehm
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April 9, 2013
Budgeting and spending in government can seem like a black box to many citizens, noticed only during tax season and when their pet services are expanded or cut. Public perception of how much is spent on varying services can be frighteningly skewed . Trying to bring citizens into the budgeting process can seem like a daunting task . One Fairfax County supervisor has met this challenge head on. Braddock District Supervisor John Cook created a budgeting tool aimed at the average citizen , and
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Maxwell Moline
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March 29, 2013
As we near the end of the third month of 2013, it’s time to take a look back at the most popular blog posts of the year thus far. 5. Defying Gravity : ICMA President Bonnie Svrcek, in one of her “ President’s Focus ” blog posts, discusses her recent trip to New York City, and what she learned and experienced while there. 4. Preparing for health care reform’s Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee : In December of 2012, there was a ruling by the IRS which affected Cigna and many local governments. Cigna’s Health and
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Gabriel Brehm
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March 27, 2013
In honor of Collision Awareness Month, today’s In The Know is all about roads. Roads are the veins of cities, connecting people and resources. Proper maintenance is absolutely vital to keeping a village, town, or city alive. Preventative maintenance keeps costs down; Bangalore, India found that you can “Pay now or pay much more later.” New technologies can help with understanding maintenance needs and keeping costs down. Wayne County, Michigan has implemented new software which harnesses satellite and wireless technologies for road maintenance. The software also tracks and forecasts labor and supply costs. Roads
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Gabriel Brehm
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March 15, 2013
South by Southwest is a set of festivals and conferences that takes place yearly in Austin, Texas. Part of this year’s interactive conference featured a discussion on crisis communications and the role of new technologies and social media. The panel included Hanson Hosein, Director of the Communication Media Program at the University of Washington in Seattle; Lieutenant Ana Visneski, a Public Affairs officer with the US Coast Guard; Brandon Brewer, a Public Information Consultant and retired Coast Guard officer; and Captain John Visneski, a Cyberspace Control Officer with the US Air Force. The
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Gabriel Brehm
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March 14, 2013
The Council-Manager Form of Government was first adopted in 1908 in Staunton, Virginia. Since then, the form has spread to over 3,500 cities and over 800 counties. What makes the form so powerful is the focus it puts on a central figure responsible for administrating the city but without political pressures. Managers are able to focus on the profession for years and become experts at keeping communities functioning. Managers are able to create problem-solving environments which emphasize teamwork and reduce conflict. Managers make tomorrow happen . Studies of Council-Manager cities have shown a variety of
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Gabriel Brehm
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March 12, 2013
Ethics is a priority with ICMA. Knowing what’s right and what’s wrong in the day-to-day ethical challenges faced by local government professionals is not an easy task. It is especially difficult for professionals to stay out of politics in local government, although this is a core value of the profession . This blog post will highlight some resources which will highlight past ethics dilemmas faced by local government professionals as well as prepare readers for their own ethical choices. One interesting situation involved a spouse of one county’s public works director
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Maxwell Moline
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March 10, 2013
We all know by now that it's important to make ourselves discoverable on the Internet. And we're smart enough to understand that one "like" or "retweet" does not necessarily translate into profit. But how do we maximize our online potential? Some of the answers might surprise you.
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Gabriel Brehm
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March 8, 2013
Working with the city council is an important skill in any council-manager local government. Building positive relationships with elected officials is a good way to ensure that initiatives and efforts are carried out effectively. One experienced city manager recommends leaving the limelight to the city council and doing the small things well so that you will be trusted with larger projects . Tried-and-true methods such as careful, intense listening and being patient are always recommended. It is important to separate policy and administration in a clear manner to create partnerships that make a difference. A
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Maxwell Moline
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February 21, 2013
Libraries are an important part of community building, service, and shared knowledge. The Knowledge Network has a number of resources that can help you to make the most of your Public Libraries. Maximize the Potential of Your Public Library is a report written by ICMA about the roles of public libraries, themes among innovation grant projects (funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), lessons learned about public library use, and more. In 2010, PM Magazine published an article entitled Public Libraries Daring to be Different , which explores ways that different
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Gabriel Brehm
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February 21, 2013
Public Health is a subject with tremendous scope. Obesity, violence, and rising healthcare costs are all problems faced by local governments in public health. To aid your organization in dealing with these issues, ICMA has put together some resources. Wellness initiatives have been successfully used by several local governments to combat obesity and reduce healthcare costs. Programs like Westminster on the Move help citizens maintain a healthy lifestyle through information and encouraging residents to use recreation facilities. Tyler, Texas partnered with private institutions to create a city-wide fitness challenge . The Center for State and Local
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