Montage Enterprises: Surpassing the expectation in mower parts
If there is a constant during the spring and summer, it’s the wave of never-ending mowing. Highways, ditches, right-of-ways, parks and other municipal and DOT properties all require routine trimming to improve motorists’ visibility and the quality of public property. … More from our cover sponsor →
Winter-weather weary
Nothing brings the South to a standstill like snow and ice. This winter, multiple, merciless rounds of both took Georgia, the Carolinas and their neighbors from a scene out of “Sweet Home Alabama” to something more akin to “The Day … Continue reading →
Wildland urban interface: Is your community at risk?
California is known for wildfires, but little is it known that every other state is at risk for them as well. Every year thousands of wildfires burn millions of acres across the United States. It’s not a question of “if,” … Continue reading →
Project Lifesaver — bringing loved ones home
A 10-year-old autistic boy is in the backyard playing on his jungle gym. Mom frequently checks on him, but then the phone rings. Ten minutes later she glances out the kitchen window to find him gone. In similar scenarios, communities … Continue reading →
The Municipal new account executives
On Feb. 10, Plymouth, Ind., resident Nancy Bucher joined The Municipal sales team as an account executive. She will complement the magazine’s goals of connecting city officials to useful, affordable products as well as timely, relevant news and ideas. Bucher … Continue reading →
Public safety headlines
With the largest firefighting show in the world coming up this month, The Municipal has public safety — particularly firefighting — on the brain. We’ve been intrigued lately by the invasion of wildland urban interface into practically every community in … Continue reading →
Building consensus into informed fleet purchase decisions
Deciding what to buy with limited funding can be challenging today, but as a fleet professional, I believe that it is incumbent upon us to eliminate preferential treatment for departments/divisions when making decisions about purchasing new vehicles. Many years ago … Continue reading →
News & Notes
Rochester, Ind. — RapidView LLC was the Rochester & Lake Manitou Chamber of Commerce’s member of the month for November. Due to adverse weather conditions, the award presentation was postponed until Thursday, Jan. 23. Philadelphia, Pa. — Eneref Institute announced … Continue reading →
Apple Valley facilities increase revenue
Valleywood Golf Course Clubhouse in Apple Valley, Minn., is not only energy efficient and aesthetically appealing: It has one more bonus. The city-owned facility has increased revenue for the municipality. The clubhouse is one of several buildings and services that … Continue reading →
Nathan Wachtendonk
The American Public Works Association gives its members benefits and opportunities to network and share experiences. It also recognizes outstanding departments with awards, such as the one bestowed upon a very snowy city. Nathan Wachtendonk, fleet manager of the city … Continue reading →
Shelve the snowplow
Especially after this winter, municipalities will put away their winter equipment with a sigh of relief. Up go the plows, off go the grinders and away go the salt spreaders. For Merrill, Wis., that usually happens in mid- to late-April, … Continue reading →
Supply and demand: Technicians in greater demand than ever
Government fleets across the country are facing a growing need for quality technicians, particularly as new technologies and alternative fuels are integrated. However, as the need grows, the availability of such technicians is limited. Fewer enter the field than before, … Continue reading →
Looking down the road
I don’t know that it’s wise to count chickens before they hatch, but hopefully 2014 will reveal a light at the end of the tunnel of financial strangulation under which most of us are operating. Late last year I was … Continue reading →
News & Notes
Princeton, N.J. — Fresh off one of the most successful conferences in recent memory, NAFA Fleet Management Association is bringing its annual institute and exposition to Minneapolis, Minn., April 8–11. Fleet professionals from throughout the United States and Canada will … Continue reading →
NAFA 2014: Making tracks to Minneapolis
Public and private sector fleet professionals will head to the Minneapolis Convention Center next month for the annual nafa Fleet Management Association Institute and Expo. Retaining last year’s new Tuesday through Saturday schedule, the 2014 Institute and Expo opens April … Continue reading →
‘Experience FDIC’
If you’ve never attended the largest firefighting show and exposition in the U.S., then 2014 will be a great year to take advantage of the jam-packed number of career-building education and training opportunities. If you’ve been to fdic before, though, … Continue reading →
Alarm issues: retain response, add revenue
In 2007 the Marietta, Ga., Police Department took a close look at its calls-for-service numbers. Analyses from a study done that year indicated that the jurisdiction fit right in with the national average of service calls coming from alarms: 10 … Continue reading →