Ryan Waller and David Limardi
Career Advice from Ryan Waller:
What's the best career advice you've ever gotten? Be a sponge. Don't complain and just absorb as much as possible.
What would be the top three tips for success you'd give someone starting his or her local government career? Research the community (look through the budget, watch the local meetings, read through meeting minutes, review board packets). Speak with previous employees and talk to your mentor or someone you really trust. If you don't have a mentor in the profession, visit the city hall in your home town and they can give you contacts. Lastly and most importantly, trust your gut.
What do you think were the most important steps in the path you took that led to your current position? There are a lot of things that were valuable, but to pick one, I would say having the opportunity to work for a professional who truly cares about this profession.
What was the biggest challenge you've faced in your professional life and how did you overcome or address it? To date, I would say the biggest challenge was serving as interim village administrator after being in my current position for only one year. I would not say that I had to overcome anything, but I did have to rely on my education, my experience, and trust that I was doing the right thing. Also, this is where the profession's network came in handy...you make some calls to your colleagues.
What are the top three web sites you find most helpful professionally? Google, ICMA, and the local newspaper's Web site.
What's the most interesting book or magazine you've read recently for your professional life? Recently, I re-read an article titled “(Year 1927) Pitfalls of Our Profession” by A. R. Hatton.
On the Value of ICMA Membership
I really like the ICMA News Briefings, absolutely phenomenal quick snapshot of issues affecting municipal managers. It’s easy to find the information you’re looking for. For example, if you’re particularly interested in human resources, you can scroll right to that section.
Really like the fight for the profession. Enjoy reading about the campaigns taken on by towns to transition to the council-manager form of government. I find it reassuring that ICMA steps in to help defend and promote this profession and what it stands for.
Having the base of the Code of Ethics. Not only does ICMA provide resources for helping you do your job but also guidance that helps us make difficult decisions.
The networking--people I’ve met through ICMA that I can turn to for advice.
ICMA is the place to start looking for resources and information on any given issue, checking with the network, asking contacts what they’re doing, going online, etc. Local government is one of the most networked professions there is and ICMA (and its local affiliates) are the main reason for this. ICMA helps foster resource sharing, professional development (i.e. conferences, task forces, and the credentialed manager program) and ethical guidance.
Project Implementation Details
Preserving the Community’s Urban Forest
Designated as a Tree City over a decade ago by the Arbor Day Foundation, the picturesque village of Lake Bluff features a thriving urban forest with a wide variety of magnificent trees. Now the unique character of Lake Bluff will be preserved by a new tree preservation ordinance which will protect this treasured natural resource.
ICMA’s online Resource Center provided a wealth of information with sample policies, programs, and manuals, which greatly helped in the development of this important regulatory tool. The tree preservation plan ensures the orderly protection of specified trees; promotes the health, safety, and quality of life for residents; protects property values; and avoids significant negative impacts on adjacent properties.
Excerpted from Lake Bluff’s Tree Preservation Policy:
When visiting the Village of Lake Bluff, one of the first characteristics noticeable are the trees. Designated as a Tree City for over a decade by the Arbor Day Foundation, the village is composed of a large population of magnificent mature native and non-native trees on public and private properties. This urban forest is one of the village’s greatest natural resources, which provides a higher quality of life to the community, residents, and businesses. This is why in 2007 the village embarked on a comprehensive review of its Tree Preservation Ordinance.
The Tree Preservation Ordinance is the village’s primary regulatory tool to provide for orderly protection of specified trees; to promote the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for the residents of the village; to protect property values; and to avoid significant negative impacts on adjacent properties. By assuring preservation and protection of the urban forest through regulations, these resources will remain significant contributions to the landscape, streets, and parks, as well as continue to help define the unique character of Lake Bluff.