We always like to think disasters won’t happen to us, but they can and do. Local to me — but still distant enough to dull concern — the weather has been a bit more exciting this spring. A confirmed tornado … Continue reading →
Since the enactment of China’s tougher solid waste imports policy, there has been a lot of soul-searching in regards to how the U.S. manages its solid waste. It is a common theme seen in this issue of The Municipal, and … Continue reading →
Few departments are as multifaceted as public works, tackling a large swathe of jobs that often go under-appreciated by the general public until something goes wrong — such as a water main breaking. Which is a shame, especially since life … Continue reading →
Los Angeles, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Jose, Calif.; New York, N.Y.; San Antonio, Texas; Indianapolis, Ind.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Denver, Colo. — what do these cities have in common? They lead Environment America Research & … Continue reading →
Every official wants their city to thrive, and unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving that goal. There are plenty examples of cities hitting their boom and then, often for a variety of reasons, dwindle or fade completely into … Continue reading →
Not everyone can rush into a burning building or confront armed robbers. It takes a special sort of person to enter the public safety arena. Finding those people is proving to be a challenge for departments of all different sizes … Continue reading →
Fleet managers face a variety of demands from drivers, council members and taxpayers. It is no easy feat to meet them all. Technology is proving helpful in the endeavor though, monitoring vehicle usage, driving habits and more. Our cover article, … Continue reading →
2018 ıs a wrap, and with the start of a new year, thoughts are likely on what needs to be done next — or on the projects that still need wrapped up. Unlike the New Year’s resolutions of average citizens, … Continue reading →
Being a midterm year, the news channels have been dominated by numerous mudslinging political ads — at least, that’s been the case on my local stations in northern Indiana. No matter who was elected Nov. 6 — I write this … Continue reading →
Oftentimes, I am reminded of one of Arthur C. Clarke’s three laws: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” This is especially true, at least, for the general populace who might not have the most cutting-edge understanding of technology … Continue reading →
If there was a charismatic mega-fauna — to borrow a term from conservationists — within city government, it would be the parks and recreation department. While it might not receive giant panda-level funding within city budgets, it is the department … Continue reading →
