Larry Claflin, Jr.

Columnist Larry Claflin, Jr., is a freelance writer based in New England and co-founder and former executive director of the non-profit Salem Jazz and Soul Festival. He is fascinated with the mechanics of city government and cultural development in cities.

Full list of Larry Claflin, Jr. results

Ask a city manager: Durham, N.C.’s Thomas Bonfield
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Durham, N.C. looks to a future of shared economic prosperity while facing COVID-19 and a malware attack
COVID-19: Local parks departments are on the front lines of social distancing enforcement
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A roundup of how local parks and recreation departments are helping residents stay both healthy and safe as the pandemic threatens communities
Ask a town administrator: Marblehead, Massachusetts’ Jason Silva
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Jason Silva shares preservation, sustainability and transportation initiatives, and his biggest challenge.
Ask a city manager: Cedar Park, Texas’s Brenda Eivens
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This community in the Austin region may be on the small side, but that hasn’t stopped Eivens and her team from making Cedar Park, Texas, one of the best places to live in the U.S.
Why cities & counties should participate in tornado drills (and how to do it)
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Tornado drills sharpen severe weather safety plans and make local emergency management practices better.
South Bend is Enhancing Community Safety Through Massive Parks Effort
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South Bend is enhancing community assets and safety through a $50 million parks redevelopment effort. Part of long-term planning on pedestrian safety enhancements, a city-owned bike repair shop supports bike commuting in the city’s West Side.
Severe Weather Planning Improves Public Event Safety
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Bad weather happens, but good contingency plans can increase the safety of residents and visitors at festivals. These severe weather planning resources can help local governments reduce their public event risks.
Federal Hurricane Awareness Tour Gets Cities Ready for 2019 Cyclone Season
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After last year's blockbuster hurricane disasters, NOAA is sending their Hurricane Hunters aircraft fleet on tour to five cities ahead of the 2019 hurricane season to increase hurricane awareness.
Weed Edibles: From Poison Control Calls to New Edibles Packaging Policies
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Colorado, Washington and other states with legal marijuana reconsider weed edibles packaging and labeling requirements in light of increases in emergency room visits and poison control calls for unintentional pediatric ingestion.
Are There Solutions for Sexual Harassment at Concerts?
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Coordination of policy and safety specialists deploy interventions that could reduce sexual harassment and assault incidents at concerts in public spaces.
How Some States Blunt Growth for Craft Brewers
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Cities across the U.S. support craft brewers for economic development, but in certain states, laws limit their growth potential.
Festival security: Developing risk management plans for public events
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Concerts at public parks or on city property present many potential risks
Report: Permitting The Food Truck Fiesta
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The Food Truck Nation report reveals that being part of the food truck fiesta is easier in some cities than in others. Mobile kitchen vendors weigh in on how some local government permitting processes stall the burgeoning business.
Locals Love Ellensburg's Bike Culture & Public Events
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Ellensburg, Washington, locals love their bike culture from the award-winning bike friendly infrastructure and policy to all the public events they can peddle to safely.
Locals Love Bentonville's Trails, Art, Gardens & Bike Recreation
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Bentonville, Arkansas, locals love their green space network designed in part for bike recreation, with a labyrinth of sculpture-dotted trails, gardens and a collection of world class art.
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