As the city evolved, the number of young residents who had family issues, substance abuse problems, and gang involvement grew, along with crime. Between 2005 and 2008, the rate of juvenile crime jumped by 48 percent.

Are there alternative approaches to delivering fire service? City officials in Delaware, OH, know there are and, as a result, have made their fire department among the most innovative in the nation.

Retired City Manager Arthur Pizzano, Fairfield, OH, placed consistent emphasis on meeting the needs of residents and supporting local businesses, while building a strong sense of community. His customer-centric approach yielded measurable results.

Professional local government managers work to build communities we're proud to call home.

Ask any leader and he or she will tell you strategic planning is vital to the success of any business or organization. Planning provides a north star in which to guide long-term sustainability and future growth. In Painesville, OH, former City Manager Rita McMahon spearheaded an economic development strategic plan that made a significant difference in her city.

Hamilton, Ohio's city manager, Joshua Smith, has been recognized for his contributions to the city's economic development.

Calls to 9-1-1 by Upper Arlington, OH, residents were not always emergencies, and many came from the elderly, who made up a third of the city's population. These calls placed a burden on the city's fire and EMS services and personnel. Elderly residents in Upper Arlington now have a valuable resource to get the help they need in non-emergency situations freeing the city's emergency medical services to handle emergencies.

ck of stability can take a toll on children in the foster care system. Changing homes, lack of continuity, and having to adjust to new schools can all affect a child's performance in school.

One of the first half dozen local governments to launch a website in the late 1990s, Catawba County has long been a pioneer in the use of new technologies.