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Practical Solutions Achieved
News & Insights
Here you’ll find the latest news and information about Keystone Municipal Solutions, along with timely and informative viewpoints from some of our KMS local government experts. Interested in learning more about a topic we’ve discussed here, or have an interesting local government issue you think we should touch on? Let us know! Drop us a line at info@keystonemunicipalsolutions.com. We want to hear from you!
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The “Wall” in Pennsylvania
The world is full of walls. A wall can symbolize protection and separation but can also divide and restrict people and ideas. Some of you...
David Anthony
Jun 253 min read
Planning for HOAs: Why Strategic Vision Matters
When you think about local governance, Homeowner Associations (HOAs) are probably not the first things to come to mind. But that may soon be changing.
Lucas Martsolf
Jun 113 min read
Sorry, I Just Don’t Have Time!
Remember the days when the local volunteer fire department was the hub of activity for the community? The firehouse was a social meeting...
David Anthony
May 284 min read
Citizen Engagement: There are Apps for That
Recently there has been a surge by some municipalities to utilize online platforms that may be beneficial for local government in...
David Anthony
May 142 min read
Authorities: Who’s in Charge?
Municipal managers are responsible for the daily operations of virtually every part of municipal government – but not the operation of a...
David Anthony
Apr 302 min read
Tale of Two Authorities
When discussing municipal authorities, two key types are often contrasted: operating municipal authorities and financial-only municipal...
David Anthony
Apr 163 min read
Keep Calm and Lead On
In public office – whether you’re an elected official or a municipal manager or department head – it’s pretty much inevitable that at...
David Anthony
Mar 263 min read
Amish Aren’t ‘Privy’ to Public Sewage System
Do you mean to tell me you’ve never heard of the Amish Outhouse Controversy of 2004? Well, after more than two decades of legal...
David Anthony
Mar 123 min read
Tackling the EMS Funding Crisis
In Pennsylvania, municipalities are required by law to ensure emergency medical services (EMS) are available for residents when needed....
David Anthony
Feb 262 min read
New Law Helps Boroughs Fill Professional Manager Role
Borough manager positions are increasingly difficult to fill – especially with candidates who have the breadth and depth of experience,...
David Anthony
Feb 122 min read
Understanding the ‘Right of Way’
In local government operations, the “right of way” denotes the legal right of the government to use or control a specific area of land.
David Anthony
Jan 292 min read
Municipal Secretary: Unsung Hero of Local Government
The municipal secretary often plays a crucial but largely unrecognized role in the administration and smooth functioning of local...
David Anthony
Jan 153 min read
‘May’ or ‘Shall’: Similar terms with BIG differences
Sometimes, it just takes one tiny word to completely change the meaning of an entire sentence. Such is the case with “may” versus...
David Anthony
Dec 18, 20243 min read
When Nature Strikes Hard, Look to ‘Force Majeure’ for Protection
In the wake of the record snowfall that just hit the Erie area over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it’s worth dusting off a legal term...
David Anthony
Dec 4, 20242 min read
The Politics in Politically Correct
Words have always intrigued me and piqued my curiosity about their origins and meanings. Recently, I pondered the phrase "politically...
David Anthony
Nov 20, 20243 min read
We All Suffer from the Great Resignation
One of the terms to be coined during the COVID-19 pandemic was "the great resignation." Essentially, the pandemic spurred a wave of...
David Anthony
Nov 6, 20242 min read
Top 5 Standards of Duty for Elected Officials
The last blog post focused on the standard of duty for a municipal manager. This post is similar but is dedicated to the standard of duty...
David Anthony
Oct 23, 20243 min read
Top 10 Standards of Duty for Municipal Managers
The term, "standard of duty," is used in law to describe an obligation that requires a person to act with reasonable care and prudence to...
David Anthony
Oct 9, 20243 min read
Not a Good Use of ARPA Funds
In early 2022, I wrote a post concerning the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies, a crucial financial aid that...
David Anthony
Sep 25, 20242 min read
Simplified Parliamentary Procedure Called to Order
Parliamentary procedure plays a crucial role in local government by providing a structured and efficient framework for conducting...
David Anthony
Sep 11, 20242 min read
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