Regardless of where you sit within a municipality, be it on the frontlines or in the City Manager’s office, you will inevitably find yourself in a position of responding to human needs. Isn’t that what public service is all about? Isn’t this what we signed up for? Of course, it is not always easy to
Whenever I talk about organizational plans, I ask the audience to quote, verbatim (and without looking at their city’s website or their business card) their city’s vision statement, or mission, or set of core values. This evokes bemused laughter. I’ll often get partial answers: “There’s something about service.” “Quality . . . I think.” “Umm
Big cities and big data tend to get most of the attention in publications and on industry panels. Rapid urbanization and the explosion of data are headlining trends. In reality, however, the United States is a nation of small towns. According to Census Bureau information, the median American lives in a city with a population
As a city leader, how do you know if the policies and programs your city provides for youth are effective? One great and often overlooked way is to engage the experts—youth—before, during and after decisions about the policies and programs that will affect them so they, too, can love their city. In supporting youth, it
Once known as a bedroom community of the greater Portland region, my city is now a hub of its own. Located along the Columbia River, Vancouver, Washington, a city of 186,000, is bustling with energy, vitality, and excitement about the future. Take a walk around this small big city and you are likely to bump
In the previous century, America’s legacy cities experienced massive population growth, becoming centers of innovation known around the world. This status was then followed by rapid population decline, as a result of a shifting global economy. But even as many American communities struggled to adjust to the changing economic winds, many remain and have become
This is guest post by Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer for AARP. As political pundits continue to unpack the lessons of 2018 and start prognosticating about 2020, it’s important to remember that important elections are happening this year at the local level. Races for mayor, county executive, as well as city, town and county
Having resided in Purcellville, Va. since 2006, my family and I settled here because we have always loved its balance of old and new and its small-town warmth. Subsequently, during my five-year tenure as Purcellville’s mayor, I have made it my priority to engage all members of the community, to build upon our existing assets,
