Fırefıghters apply critical sıze-up techniques when they arrive at the site of a fire. Chief Rick Ennis of the Cape Girardeau, Mo., department has added a new dimension to this protocol by developing what he calls the “4×4 Size-Up Method” … Continue reading →
Following a major disaster, volunteers arrive on the scene, ready to lend a hand. For the most part, communities in crisis mode find volunteer help invaluable; however, if not managed properly, even good volunteers can become a liability. Kevin Peters … Continue reading →
When Matt Wıttum was promoted to public works supervisor for the village of Spring Grove, Ill., the pocket-sized agency on the state’s northern border wasn’t into liquids. “Can’t say as I was either,” said Wittum. “I had the mentality of, … Continue reading →
The city of Rockford, Ill., with a population of 150,251, is the third largest city in Illinois. Referred to as the “Forest City,” it’s known for various venues of cultural or historical significance. The settlement was incorporated as a village … Continue reading →
What ıssues are local fınance offıcıals dealing with currently, and how are they managing them? A good place to get an overall picture is from the Government Finance Officers Association. Eighty-five percent of cities and counties with populations over 25,000 … Continue reading →
It can be a nightmare for any neighborhood: A house or apartment complex in disrepair is ruining the block, and the landlord defies cleanup/renovation orders. Eventually, local government is tasked with taking matters into its own hands. Programs like the … Continue reading →
Although no one’s goıng on a spendıng spree anytime soon, for the first time since the economic turndown, local, state and federal governments are loosening the purse strings a little. Vacancies have been filled in some departments, and a few … Continue reading →
As budgets get stretched tighter and tighter, everyone is looking for innovative ways to complete civic projects. Civic crowdfunding is an avenue that has met with some success. Crowdfunding is defined as the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas or … Continue reading →
Are people talking about your town or city — is it getting a reputation for being weird or different? The things that make a community unique — avante-garde, artsy communities, Bohemian neighborhoods, infamous histories — are precisely the things that can attract more … Continue reading →
When it comes to contemplating the ideal avenues for progress, advancements can be overwhelming to smaller enclaves that are perhaps unprepared for radical changes beyond a certain way of living. But the opposite perspective also exists, in which forward movement … Continue reading →
Millennials and baby boomers are increasingly seeking to settle in urban areas. This requires municipal leaders to look at what is important for these groups in terms of amenities, culture and opportunities: in other words, what makes a community age-friendly. Millennials = Teens … Continue reading →
