Good Government Files
A twice-weekly newsletter for local government professionals, focused on smart communication, civic leadership, and public trust. Below are some select posts. Click the substack button below for the full archive.
No “They.” Only We.
What Charlie Kirk’s murder teaches us about toxic platforms, constructive disagreement, and why government responses matter
Crisis Within: How Coppell Faced the Unthinkable
Sharon Logan recounts the 2010 murder-suicide involving the city's mayor and daughter—and the lessons it left for every communicator. The latest in the GGF series on crisis communications.
Crisis Comms in Real Time
What volunteering in the Joint Information Center taught me about preparation, partnerships, and staying steady under pressure. The latest installment in the GGF series on crisis communications.
When (And Why) Warnings Get Ignored
From floodwaters to false alarms, the complex challenge of emergency notifications. Second in a series on crisis communications.
Struggling to Keep Staff? This Small Texas City Shut Down for a Day to Fix It
Breaking bread, breaking silos: Buda’s playbook for employee retention
Not All Crises Start with Sirens
The first in a GGF series on crisis communications. We start with the murder of a University Park Fire Department Captain
From Pushback to Buy-In: How Amarillo Built a Comprehensive Plan People Could Trust
In a community wary of top-down planning, Amarillo won support by going grassroots, with precision, persistence, and plain language
Saddle Up and Take It Home: Five Voices from TAMIO 2025
Saddle Up and Take It Home: Five Voices from TAMIO 2025
Planting Seeds of Leadership and Hope in Ukraine
Planting Seeds of Leadership and Hope in Ukraine
I've Glimpsed the Future of Local Government Communications
And boy howdy, am I encouraged about the state of the profession