Attend this ICMA Annual Conference roundtable and learn the best practices of vibrant local governments. 

On the first day of my first class of my MPA program, my Public Affairs professor asked the class, “How many of you remember anything you learned in college?” The room filled with chuckles and nervous glances as only a few brave souls tentatively raised their hands. My professor went on to explain that the…

At Life, Well Run we make it our business to showcase the amazing work carried out by the men and women in local government on the front lines of issues facing their communities and regions each day. Their jobs are complex and often multifaceted – ranging across fields as diverse as public works, youth development,…

The 2017 Life, Well Run Student Photo Contest ended two weeks ago, and our judges have been pouring over submissions to decide the winner of our four very special prizes. Opened to students and next generation local government professionals, the Student Photo Contest allowed us to take a peek into the everyday lives of the students who…

Niles, Illinois<br />Niles and surrounding communities had been plagued by flooding since the 1970s. The issue came to a head when, in September 2008, the area experienced record rainfall of about 9.5 inches in 15 hours. The region was declared a federal disaster area when the resulting flooding overwhelmed local and regional sewer systems and caused…

Heroism. It’s a description that conjures a lot of images and an ideal that has been the basis of countless good vs. evil, triumph-over-tragedy stories told throughout generations. The qualities of heroes (and heroines) are ones that our very best selves strive to attain. To seek the good of others over oneself, to stand for,…

For many communities, annexation can be a complex and daunting undertaking. The case of Fry Townsite, however, is a reminder of the cost of inaction, including service vacuums for residents and unexpected challenges for neighboring municipalities.

At Life, Well Run we strive to showcase and celebrate the incredible work happening in local governments every day, all around the country under the direction of professional local government managers. One of the ways we do this is through highlighting Success Stories that not only share the details of a great initiative, but also…

Last month I had the privilege of attending Denver Peak Academy’s Black Belt training. The City of Goodyear is aggressively pursuing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and I was sent to the training to become an additional in-house resource for our organization. The week was fantastic and packed with learning. We discussed the…