Category Archives: Municipal Finance

Harpooning a Sacred Cow- “Strategic Plans Are Rarely Strategic-Or Effective”

Posted on November 9, 2019 by billmanzi

Professor Wyatt Wells recently offered a column in the Wall Street Journal titled “Strategic Plans Are Rarely Strategic-Or Effective.” Professor Wells is most certainly articulating a point of view that has entered many a mind when sitting through an interminable … Continue reading →

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A Review of The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy by Anna Clark

Posted on December 31, 2018 by billmanzi

The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy by Anna Clark My rating: 5 of 5 stars A very good book that takes us through the failures exhibited by all levels of government in Flint, Michigan that led … Continue reading →

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The EPA Report on Flint Water

Posted on September 23, 2018 by billmanzi

The story of the Flint water system, and how governmental action (and later inaction) created infrastructure that poisoned the residents of Flint by the supply of tainted water, has not only impacted the residents but has left a wide trail … Continue reading →

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Seabrook Earns Big Money Through Public Auctions

Posted on March 10, 2017 by billmanzi

The Seabrook Board of Selectmen have created centralized purchasing by policy, which has led to savings in procurement across the enterprise. As part of this major reform the Board abolished the position of Projects Clerk, and created the position of … Continue reading →

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Ideological Prisons: Detroit

Posted on September 8, 2013 by billmanzi

I am back, after a brief respite. The unfolding story in Detroit has been of great interest to me, and although there is far to go before the final resolution the chorus of those on both sides of the political … Continue reading →

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More on Government from Eric Schnurer

Posted on July 3, 2013 by billmanzi

The Atlantic has been running a series of posts by governmental efficiency expert Eric Schnurer, which started with the thought provoking piece entitled “Government Should Run Like a Business—but Not in the Way You Think”. I did my own post … Continue reading →

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Manzi in the Morning-Rep. Linda Dean Campbell Interview

Posted on July 1, 2013 by billmanzi

State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell comes on the show to talk about the state budget, transportation finance, and some new legislation she is sponsoring. My thanks to Rep. Campbell for taking the time to come on the show. http://yourlisten.com/swf/Player.swf?id=16996240

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Manzi in the Morning-Chairman Sean Fountain Interview

Posted on June 27, 2013 by billmanzi

Methuen City Council Chairman Sean Fountain came on the show on WCAP 980 am to talk about the newly passed municipal budget, the solicitor search, and the position of Director of Public Health. My thanks to Chairman Sean Fountain for … Continue reading →

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Privatization Coming to Detroit

Posted on June 14, 2013 by billmanzi

Detroit’s long slide into the financial abyss has been a function of local government trying to paper over serious financial problems, and refusing to implement solutions that make financial and operational sense. The economic factors that created some of the … Continue reading →

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Government as a Business- Schnurer Part Two

Posted on June 6, 2013 by billmanzi

Eric Schnurer has posted the second installment of his series on government, with a focus on governments “competing like business.” I talked about Schnurer’s first piece on this blog last week. Let us look at the new installment Schnurer starts … Continue reading →

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