After years of local government service and extensive personal observations of public officials I have listed below three comments that – newly elected or appointed -local public officials should never, ever make during a public meeting. These comments have absolutely no connection with the reality of local government. 1. Based on my experience … 2.Read… Read more »
Any easy way to grasp “how to jump start local economic development” is to understand that every community across America {except where the sale of liquor is prohibited by a municipal law or County ordinance} has three types of bars? There are trendy upscale bars – the nightclubs, supper clubs and ethnic pubs. Places whereRead… Read more »
It was local government day and seniors from the local high school were invited to visit City Hall. Those students who took the field trip to City Hall were given a tour of all the City offices and then they had lunch with several members of the City Council. After lunch, they were invited toRead… Read more »
As we become an increasingly urban species the challenges related to growing numbers of people occupying finite spaces becomes an acute concern. The friction generated as we rub elbows can make us all uncomfortable. I found out at an event last week that when it comes to moderating these challenges while running the sixth mostRead… Read more »
Social Media is becoming ever more ingrained in the political landscape, and the government of Palo Alto — a city known for its tech savvy — is taking advantage. Palo Alto Mayor Yiaway Yeh and City Manager James Keene participated in two Twitter discussions with resident recently. Participants could use the hashtag #askpaloalto during theRead… Read more »
For the first time in history on Moscow government meeting all of the materials will be filed in electronic form on the desktop computers through a specialized information system. Government members’ve already received their passwords. Access to system is possible through any device via Internet. System is still in test mode, but it previously passedRead… Read more »
Back in January we ran a competition to send one lucky gov lover to Washington to attend the Politics Online conference. As it turns out, once we’d got everything tied up, it was time for Personal Democracy Forum 2009, so we shifted our plans and I travelled with competition winner Liz Azyan to PDF instead!Read… Read more »
2009 World Trade Week events in the southern California/US-Mexico border region: Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce & U.S. Commercial Service co-hosted The Americas Business Forum in Los Angeles May 27-28. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke reminded guests to tap the US & Foreign Commercial Service’s myriad resources. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shared his vision ofRead… Read more »