Shawn O’Leary, Norman, Okla., director of public works, joined the team in 2007 and his primary goal was improvement of his department. “I was looking for a tool to help me fix that,” he explained. He had been watching the … Continue reading →
When an opportunity arises, it’s best to take advantage of it while you can, and that is especially true with municipalities planning for the future. The city of West Hartford, Conn., had such an opportunity and could take advantage of … Continue reading →
Virginia, they say, is for lovers. Apparently, the state is also for sadists judging from the litany of awkward and sometimes unsavory town names it has bestowed upon its citizens. Welcome to the state where you can visit Chilhowie, Fries, … Continue reading →
They clean and cool the air. They soak up stormwater and prevent erosion. They add beauty and become wildlife habitats. Gazing on them or strolling among them just makes people feel better. Cities and towns increasingly are recognizing the value … Continue reading →
When you have many facilities to heat, cool and light properly, you want to do it as efficiently as possible and without spending an arm and a leg. So when the city commissioners of Augusta-Richmond County, Ga., cast about to … Continue reading →
A stormwater project involving the North Douglas Creek Channel acting as a drainage channel was recently completed in Colorado Springs, Colo. While the North Douglas Creek Channel has always existed as a natural drainage channel for stormwater beginning on the … Continue reading →
Brian Spracklen said the idea for the Blue Bridge Alliance came from the 2011 shooting death of a respected San Diego, Calif., police officer just after performing a random act of kindness. The officer had been on patrol in … Continue reading →
We are seeing more and more examples of sharing among communities. In the last few years, some smaller towns moved on to the idea of a shared space for police, fire and EMT; this concept is called a safety center, … Continue reading →
In an effort to help businesses and multifamily complexes comply with state recycling mandates and improve the community’s environmental footprint, the city of Santa Maria, Calif., has implemented programs to educate the public and give them the tools they need … Continue reading →
Lancaster, Mass., has been an early-adopter with energy programs. The town of about 8,500 people moved quickly to join Massachusetts’ Green Communities program, which encourages municipalities to reduce energy consumption by 20%. Lancaster likely was the first community statewide to … Continue reading →
Huntington Beach, Calif., is an epicenter of activity and entertainment with wide, sandy beaches, ideal weather and a charming community. The city offers residents a diversified economy overflowing with good jobs, a wide variety of housing, an excellent educational system, … Continue reading →
