| Building livable communities that improve people's lives |  |
| Leadership and Management
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- Leaders make mistakes, Petraeus said before we knew his
Shortly before their affair was revealed, retired Gen. David Petraeus was interviewed by Paula Broadwell about his thoughts on leadership. Among the disgraced general's tips: Be willing to admit your failings. "We all will make mistakes. The key is to recognize them and admit them, to learn from them and to take off the rearÂview mirrors -- drive on and avoid making them again," Petraeus said. The Daily Beast/Newsweek
(11/5)
- N.Y. county weighs adding position to fight fraud
Sullivan County, N.Y., officials are considering creating an investigator position in response to fraud in Medicaid and other social programs, despite the county's spending cuts and potential hiring freeze. Special-investigation spending is projected to increase almost $100,000 in 2013. While the county has investigators for social programs' application process, the proposed position would be dedicated to finding fraud among providers and beneficiaries. "We're expanding the vision beyond front-end detection," County Legislator Cindy Geiger said. The Times Herald-Record (Middletown, N.Y.) (tiered subscription model)
(11/10)
| Budgeting and Finance
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- Nev. county gives residents a shot at budgeting
Officials in Douglas County, Nev., are encouraging residents to take an online budget challenge, which lets them mock-budget $500 among county services. The challenge is part of an effort to open dialogue between county government and residents about investing in community values and goals. The county will also hold four workshops before Dec. 3 for residents who do not have Internet access or who prefer to try their hand at budgeting on paper. The Record-Courier (Gardnerville, Nev.)
(11/9)
- N.Y. county manager's plan includes tax hikes, no layoffs
Essex County, N.Y., Manager Daniel Palmer has presented a three-year plan to pull the county out of its budget crisis and avoid layoffs and depleting the fund balance. However, the plan would raise taxes by 26% in 2013, 16% in 2014 and 3% in 2015. While most county supervisors seem to support Palmer's plan, others have voiced concern about increasing taxes when residents' salaries remain stagnant. Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
(11/9)
| Economic Development, Restoration and Sustainability
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| Public Works and Infrastructure
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- Va. city official says historic area requires upkeep
The director of public works in Lynchburg, Va., says the historic city is undergoing a transformation, which is the reason there are more than 10 construction projects happening. "Certainly our infrastructure is aging, and if you do not spend the necessary maintenance and small repairs, you end up having to rebuild or refurbish. And that is much more expensive," he said. WSET-TV (Lynchburg, Va.)
(11/9)
| Human Resources and Development
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- Ohio city manager could get longevity pay
The Middletown, Ohio, City Council will vote on an ordinance this month that would give the city manager five more vacation days and longevity pay after five years in office. If passed, City Manager Judy Gilleland will receive a 3% raise on her $125,000 annual salary, which some council members say is fitting given her record. "You can see her tracks around town," Councilwoman Ann Mort said. "She keeps pushing things along from a lot of different sides." Middletown Journal (Ohio)
(11/9)
- Climbing pension costs threaten N.H. city budgets
Portsmouth, N.H., must find $1.2 million to $1.3 million to add to its fiscal 2014 budget because of higher pension costs, and the city is not alone. The New Hampshire Retirement System's announcement of higher rates for public employees is creating a financial dilemma for many cities, which are already strained because the state has shrunk contributions to pension funds in recent years. "This isn't helpful for Portsmouth," Mayor Eric Spear said. "It's not helpful for anybody." SeacoastOnline (Portsmouth, N.H.) (tiered subscription model)
(11/11)
| Recognitions and Transitions
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- N.C. town board unanimously picks South as manager
Larry South will become the town manager of North Wilkesboro, N.C., on Dec. 3, chosen unanimously by the Town Board. "I'm excited and looking forward to this opportunity in North Wilkesboro," South said. "Being a former Ashe County boy, it's almost like coming home." South served as town manager of Hillsville, Va., for almost 19 years before a change in the Town Council makeup led to his resignation this summer. Journal-Patriot (North Wilkesboro, N.C.)
(11/9)
- Historian explores Fla. city manager's 37-year tenure
The late Ken Thompson, the nation's longest-serving city manager, is the subject of a book by a historian in the city he served. In "The Rise of Sarasota: Ken Thompson and the Rebirth of Paradise," Jeff LaHurd examines Thompson's 37 years as city manager of Sarasota, Fla. "Early on, he had a vision of what Sarasota could become, and slowly, methodically ... he helped mold this beautiful city to that vision," LaHurd writes in the book. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Fla.)
(11/9)
| ICMA News
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Web conference will focus on effective council relationships
As a local-government manager, one of your toughest challenges is building and maintaining rapport with elected officials so you can be effective in your role. Join ICMA's Kevin Duggan and Mike Conduff at 1 p.m. Eastern on Thursday for "Council Relationships That Get Things Done." You will learn how to navigate changes in your council or governing board, along with best practices for building trust and creating a mutually supportive working relationship with elected officials. Learn more and register.
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Get the information you need to make important decisions in 2013
Enroll in the ICMA Center for Performance Measurement's Comprehensive Program. Join now, and you'll receive a free, one-year membership in ICMA!
As a manager, performance measurement is essential to helping you make evidence-based decisions and demonstrate progress in your jurisdiction. The ICMA Center for Performance Measurement™ is ready to help move your jurisdiction forward through our comparative performance-measurement programs. And you can take advantage of our sign-on benefit. When you join our comprehensive program before our next cycle deadline, Jan. 15, a staff member in your jurisdiction can receive a free year of ICMA membership! For more information, visit ICMA.org/performance or e-mail cpmmail@icma.org.
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 | I observe the physician with the same diligence as the disease."
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