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 →
City of Berne, connected to its Swiss roots
The city of Berne, Ind., in Adams County has stayed close to its Swiss roots. The picturesque city, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne, was founded by Swiss Mennonite immigrants in 1852. Known as the “furniture capital of Indiana,” Smith … Continue reading →
The Grove at Towne Center brings downtown home for Snellville
The phrase “small Southern town” rolls easily from the tongue, and that leads to mental pictures of downtown streets with little mom-and-pop stores that have served many generations. But that’s often more Hollywood — or at least Mayberry — than … Continue reading →
M Top 10: Best cities for active lifestyles
Walking, rollerblading, spin class, yoga or bicycle commutes: How do your residents stay physically fit? Achieving an active lifestyle is a matter of motivation and dedication, but it’s easier when a person’s community encourages physical fitness by its commitment to … Continue reading →
Homeless get new lease on life by taking out the trash in Amarillo
Three years ago, Amarillo, Texas, implemented a new program called Coming Home to address the increasing homeless population. Using a point in time count, city-coordinated volunteers sought out individuals living in locations not meant for human habitation during a 24-hour … Continue reading →
Naperville pursues project to boost its downtown
The city of Naperville, Ill.’s, transportation, engineering and development department and the Downtown Naperville Alliance have begun a five-phase plan that will give Naperville’s downtown area an update. Included updates will improve accessibility and safety in the area while making … Continue reading →
Portland sees benefits of deconstruction
When it comes to enacting deconstruction policies, weighing the pros versus the cons and being able to share those with officials and residents is one key to success. There are several benefits to deconstruction versus mechanical demolition. Environmental benefits, historical … Continue reading →
Why your pothole patching program is lagging and how to fix it
Every March it seems like every news outlet, both national and local, runs frontline coverage of the self-proclaimed “pothole pandemic.” This puts departments of transportation, road commissions and local public works departments in the limelight as fresh attention is drawn … Continue reading →
What’s in a name: Mustang and Jenks, Oklahoma
Many cities plod statistically along with a mild but steady accretion of residents from decade to decade. Some municipalities, however, experience a remarkable surge of population growth at least once in their history. Mustang and Jenks, Okla., are notable examples … Continue reading →
Syracuse, N.Y., youth given career exploration opportunities through summer youth program
While the city of Syracuse, N.Y., has previously run a summer youth program for 16- to 18-year-old students to work for six weeks during the summer — many at city hall — a summer program for younger students was recently … Continue reading →
Cities embrace public safety centers
The public is used to thinking of firehouses, police departments and other city agencies as separate entities that serve and protect them through countless needs and issues. That’s the way it’s always been, but that doesn’t mean it must always … Continue reading →
Mason Fire Chief Bryan Brumagen comes by his career honestly
Mason, Ohio, Fire Chief Bryan Brumagen said firefighting is in his blood. Besides growing up in a fire department family with a fire chief living in his house, he also has an uncle and several cousins who are in the … Continue reading →
PennDOT mixes up a new type of road
Pennsylvania may not be the first state to construct a road from recycled plastic, but leaders of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Strategic Recycling Program hope that their new roadway at Ridley Creek State Park will be a catalyst for … Continue reading →
Fort Walton Beach elected officials become firefighters for a day
The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department invited the city’s elected officials and the media to be “firefighters for a day.” Every two to four years, the department will host this type of event, with the first having been held in … Continue reading →
Palo Alto works to unroll ambulance subscription for community
Palo Alto, Calif., is working to implement a new program you have likely never heard of, and when it all falls into place, it’s hoped that the success will make you wonder how you ever lived without it. Many people, … Continue reading →
Traffic incident management improves cooperation in Maine
Drivers don’t always observe the Move Over Law, which is mandatory everywhere except for Washington, D.C. It was determined in Maine that one quarter of all traffic fatalities result from secondary crashes caused by such factors as distracted driving. Maine … Continue reading →
The Municipal Top 10: Best cities for layovers
Even on domestic jaunts, flight layovers are often inevitable. But several hours of living in limbo between where you started and where you’re going is tediously boring, and at the same time, anxiety-inducing. (Because, after all that waiting, you don’t … Continue reading →
Brazilian jiu-jitsu shows promise in reducing injury and excessive force
If your community is considering whether to join the many others across the country that have embraced Brazilian jiu-jitsu training for law enforcement officers, you won’t find much data on whether the training will reduce officer and suspect injuries and … Continue reading →
Decatur, Alabama, is a great place to live, work and visit
Located along the Tennessee River and nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountain range, Decatur, Alabama, is an ecologically diverse “River City” that 60,000 residents call home. Besides being only a stone’s throw from the city of Huntsville, Decatur … Continue reading →