January 1, 2008
Features
Rainmakers
Some communities are not waiting until the next crisis to increase their water supplies....
Blog City
Trying to involve residents in local governments discussions? Start a blog, and watch a new community grow....
Powering down
Governments cut computers' electricity demands to further green initiatives....
Issues & Trends
Investment pool panic in Florida is limited
Since 1982, cities and counties in Florida have used the state's Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) to magnify returns on their savings. In November,...
Planned communities continue to spread
In the 1960s and 1970s, planned communities were created in response to concerns that typical subdivision regulations did not assure the presence of open,...
Recycling collection leaves the house
Boise, Idaho; St. Louis; Pittsburgh and other cities have begun placing recycling bins at public events and areas in response to residents' requests to...
Public libraries find outside management
In recent years, many public libraries have faced the threat of closing or reducing services as the local governments that run them tighten their budgets....
City officials get a feel for the poor life
In October, at the National League of Cities (NLC) National Summit in San Antonio, local government officials and community business leaders participated...
Dotted Line
Water, water everywhere
Atlanta has renewed its contract with locally based KHAFRA Engineering Consultants and Broomfield, Colo.-based MWH to manage the city's Clean Water Atlanta...
Safe at home
The Oak Forest, Ill., Police Department has purchased red light photo enforcement systems from Beverly, Mass.-based GATSO USA. The Cleveland Division...
End death penalty?
In December, New Jersey became the first state in 40 years to ban capital punishment after a study initiated by the state found that it is not an effective...
Etc.
Urbana and Woodstock, Ill.; Chapel Hill and Cary, N.C.; Loveland, Colo.; and Temple, Texas, have contracted with Southfield, Mich.-based Rich and Assoc....
And the winner is
Fairfax, Va.-based Dewberry has received an honor award from the Washington-based American Council of Engineering Companies' New Jersey Chapter for its...
ROLL CALL
Contech Construction Products Jeffrey Lee has joined the West Chester, Ohio-based company as senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO)....
EXTRA, EXTRA
Public safety monument honors the fallen
San Leandro, Calif., unveiled a monument in November to honor police officers and firefighters currently serving the city and those who have died in the...
Georgia's golden capitol shines in new light
The gilded dome of the Georgia State Capitol Building now glistens brightly at night following a lighting system update that shows off the dome's contours...
County sends help, hope to wildfire victims
When San Bernardino County, Calif., residents returned to survey the property damage from October wildfires that spread through mountain neighborhoods,...
Report shows vagaries of climate change
Climate change will lead to drought in some parts of the country and floods in other areas, according to a report by the Washington-based Association...
TALLY
Study offers tips on GASB 45 compliance
The Washington-based National Association of Counties (NACo) has released a study of the steps counties are taking to comply with the Norwalk, Conn.-based...
Columns
Sweet and soured
Don't be surprised if your home, or at least its mortgage, is owned by the Chinese. How so? Sifting through the flood of stories that describe the ripple...
Bumps in the road
Software is like an express lane on a government agency's journey to deliver services and social programs. The express lane, however, is not free of obstacles....
No place like home
With today's uncertain mortgage industry and increasing foreclosure rates, local governments are looking for ways to contend with the struggling housing...
Spread the message
In the middle of a December snow storm in Johnson County, Iowa, former Sen. John Edwards and Supervisor Terrence Neuzil delivered pizzas to local emergency...
Ways & Means
Pumping up alternatives
Project: Alternative fuel expansion Jurisdiction: Colorado Springs, Colo. Agency: Fleet Management Vendors: Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford; locally based...
High-tech crime fighting
Project: Crime prediction and prevention Jurisdiction: Richmond, Va. Agency: Police Department Vendor: Chicago-based SPSS; New York-based Information...
Signed, sealed, delivered
Project: Mailroom equipment upgrade Jurisdiction: Detroit Agency: Information Technology Services Vendor: Hayward, Calif.-based Neopost Date: February...
Buyer's Index
Fleets TracksMcLaren Industries NextGen TDF heavy-duty rubber tracks are manufactured for compact track loaders. The tracks' Crack and Cut Quarantine...
Across America
Honored brick by brick
In 2006, the Iron County, Mich., courthouse lawn was a 10,000-square-foot expanse of lush green grass and 100-year-old trees. After the untimely death...
Of historic proportions
Bloomington, Minn.'s 19th century-era Old Town Hall is one of the few remnants of the city's historic downtown area. Constructed in 1892, the two-story,...
postcards
Can't buy me love. Couples eager to tie the knot in Valley View, Ohio, often turn to Mayor Randall Westfall, who presides over nuptials for free. But,...
