What’s eating away at your vehicle
De-icing chemicals: A growing threat Motor vehicles face a constant battle against the elements, with one of the most insidious threats being corrosion. In colder climates where snow and ice are prevalent, it’s not uncommon to see traditional road salt … More from our cover sponsor →
City crime rankings 2013
Congressional Quarterly Press compiled data released by the FBI in order to rank cities across the U.S. according to crime rates. Out of 155 cities with a population of 75,000 to 99,000, these had the lowest rates, making them the … Continue reading →
National Work Zone Awareness Week
National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 7–14. This year’s theme is “Work Zone Speed: A Costly Mistake.” Every state in the country is participating in NWZAW, holding poster contests, renting billboards, making mascots and more. The Virginia Department of … Continue reading →
ProCID with caution
There’s no denying the appeal of Common-Interest Developments. Local government reaps the benefit of an increased tax base without added responsibility for infrastructure and services: something particularly welcome in newly developed sections of rural areas, where government is small. CIDs … Continue reading →
NLC initiative helps black males succeed
Commitment to equal opportunity — a society where every child has the same chance for success regardless of his or her background — is among the most deeply held convictions shared by Americans of all political persuasions. Yet nowhere is … Continue reading →
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 →
