Gov News

Written by Peter Malgieri, Alliance for Innovation

May 4th, 2008 marks the one year anniversary of the tornado that devastated Greensburg, KS. The tornado that struck the town that night was nearly 2 miles wide and wiped out roughly 95% of the town’s homes and businesses.

Citing its growth as a high-tech hub, balanced by cozy neighborhoods and nearly 100 parks, Fortune Small Business Magazine rates Bellevue, WA the best place in the United States to live and launch a new business.

Redwood City’s Public Works Services Department has produced a really great, informative video that provides an overview of everything they do for the community. It’s called, “Redwood City Public Works Services - Safe, Clean, and Green.”

Scottsdale’s Financial Services Department is receiving national honors for its Debt Management Guide and Debt Forecasting Model.

by William Hermann - Apr. 4, 2008 07:14 AM
The Arizona Republic

New wind turbines soon will provide electricity at the Global Institute of Sustainability on ASU's Tempe campus.

"Cover the Uninsured Week" is April 27, 2008 through May 3, 2008. In recognition of this important initiative, Alachua County, FL's CHOICES Health Services Program will host its 1st annual CHOICES Community Health Expo, Saturday, May 3, 2008.

It is now easier than ever before to watch a City Council or Planning Commission meeting in Grand Junction, CO. Effective last month, City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and informational City video productions can be accessed through the city’s website at www.gjcity.org by looking for the ‘Streaming Video’ link on the home page.

Fast and efficient communication is the backbone of public safety. A person facing an emergency must be able to communicate with the emergency telecommunicators who can send help. The telecommunicators must then be able to communicate with the law enforcement officers, paramedics, first responders or firefighters who need to be sent in response.

The National League of Cities and National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) recently presented the City of Phoenix, AZ with the first place award in the Excellence in Diversity category.

Written by: Randall Reid, County Manager of Alachua County, Florida

In celebration of Earth Day, I have written this message to share a link with you to a video entitled “The Story of Stuff.”

Surprise, AZ is committed to growing a community that is sensitive to the environment, from improving air quality to conserving the desert's most precious resource- water. At the newly-launched Green Surprise Web page you can learn more about what the city is doing to build a Sustainable Surprise.

The Loudoun County Government has been recognized as a Fit-Friendly organization by the American Heart Association, Loudoun. County Administrator Kirby M. Bowers announced Tuesday.

The Englewood Public Library is pleased to announce two new online services for patrons: a new "TutorVista" tutoring service for students, and an e-mail reference service so patrons can submit reference questions 24/7.

During the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) conference in late February, the City of Plano, TX Building Inspections Department was presented with the BOAT 2007 Award for Excellence.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the City of Charlottesville’s Downtown Transit Station (DTS) in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC®) certification at the Gold level.

“Everything You Need a Building Permit For, But Were Afraid to Ask”. That could be the alternative title of Chandler's extremely informative (but rarely requested) “Homeowner Building Permit Manual”. The 50-page manual is hardly flying off the shelves at the City’s Planning & Development Department, yet is packed with helpful instructions, plans and details that can aid residents with a number of home renovation projects.

The Alliance's new webcast, Going Green!, has been rescheduled for May 2, 2008. If you have not already registered for this event, download and complete a registration form today.

The City of Alexandria, VA was one of seven cities to receive the 2008 Cultural Diversity Award from the National League of Cities’ National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO). The award recognizes cities for their efforts to enhance and celebrate cultural diversity in the community. The award was presented to the City at the annual “Celebrate Diversity” breakfast at the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference in Washington, DC on Monday, March 10.

The City of North Richland Hills, TX recently invited the community to Discover: Project Green. Discover: Project Green was held in Cross Timbers Park on Saturday, March 29. This FREE event focused on conservation, preservation of natural resources, and steps to sustainability. The knowledge obtained at this event can provide the community the ability to reduce their negative effect on the earth and to increase their environmental awareness.

Buying a home can be stressful, even more so if you are a first-time homebuyer. A recent class, offered by the City of Surprise, was designed to help smooth the process.