News & Notes Monroe Truck Equipment congratulates Jim Schneider on his retirement JOLIET, ILL. — Monroe Truck Equipment extended congratulations to Jim Schneider as he retires after 32 years on the team. Schneider served as Monroe Truck Equipment’s commercial project manager and previously served as commercial sales manager. He joined the Monroe team in 1989 and has spent decades building his career and serving the company’s commercial customers in the Midwest and across the nation. Some of Schneider’s favorite memories on the Monroe team took place when Monroe Truck Equipment became a bailment company for Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and Ram. The marketing team planned some great events to introduce the company’s bailment programs to its sales and marketing teams and customers. Many of these centered around bailment trucks being driven away by dealership personnel from the corporate campus. Activities included bus trips to Dubuque, Iowa, for a cruise on the riverboats and socializing. Similar events also took place at Janesville and Flint. Schneider’s best memory was taking his customers to the Kalahari Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The team had its own trade show with several participating vendors. There was a dunk tank in the trade show area manned by Monroe Truck Equipment sales representatives, each representative spent 45 minutes on duty being soaked with water. Schneider stated, “This event was so special because the customers were allowed to bring their spouses and children, and it turned into a family event. Monroe Truck Equipment provided water park tickets and also golf the next day at Trappers Turn Golf Course. Our customers loved it; we spent time meeting their whole family. It was a fantastic bonding experience producing loyal customers for years and years!” After a long and rewarding career, Schneider is ready for all the new opportunities that will come with retirement. He is planning on joining golf and other sports leagues, visiting national parks, climbing the Rockies and exploring the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Schneider is excited to be more active and spend more time with his adult children and other family members. Monroe Truck Equipment released the following statement: “We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Jim for his years of incredible contribution to the mission of Monroe Truck Equipment. Please join us in congratulating Jim on his impressive career and his journey into retirement.”
Cities say insufficient funding is delaying critical infrastructure investments WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Congress and the administration debate the details of a new comprehensive infrastructure package, new survey data recently released from the National League of Cities shows 91% of cities, towns and villages surveyed identified that insufficient funding for infrastructure is a top priority. “Local governments have led the way on infrastructure for decades. The latest data and stories from America’s cities, towns 74 THE MUNICIPAL | JULY 2021
and villages highlight the incredibly urgent need for support and partnership from the federal government to pass comprehensive infrastructure legislation,” said Kathy Maness, president, National League of Cities and councilmember, Lexington, S.C. “It is well beyond time to rebuild our nation’s roads, water systems, broadband and workforce. Our communities can’t keep doing it alone.” The 596 local leaders surveyed in March and April 2021 identified top factors impacting their infrastructure decision-making, including insufficient funding (91%), lack of pre-development funds (56%), essential services (31%) and hiring workers skilled for infrastructure (27%). Local leaders have also identified the need for making infrastructure decisions through an equity lens — with nearly 20% of those surveyed identifying equity as a top factor in their decision-making. With an estimated $660 billion in local infrastructure needs, according to the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, the survey results reflect that infrastructure demands far exceed city resources. “The best time to invest in infrastructure was years ago. The second-best time is right now. The needs of America’s communities, families and workers are simply not being met by the current level of funding and support from the federal government on this critical issue,” said Vince Williams, first vice president, National League of Cities and mayor, Union City, Ga. “Mobility and modern infrastructure should be considered a civil right in our nation. Let’s do the right thing and work together to invest in a brighter future for all.” The new survey data is from the National League of Cities’ annual State of the Cities report, which examines the priorities of cities, towns and villages across the country. The comprehensive analysis was released in June.
Registration for the 2021 NRPA annual conference now open ASHBURN, VA. — Registration for the 2021 NRPA annual conference is now open. The conference, which will be the first hybrid conference hosted by the National Recreation and Park Association, will be held Sept. 21-23 in Nashville, Tenn., and will feature more than 80 education sessions, an in-person and virtual exhibit hall and plenty of networking opportunities. In addition to an already top-notch education platform, the conference also will focus on coronavirus response, as well as racial equity and social justice issues. “The past year has shown just how essential parks and recreation is to the health and well-being of our communities,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of NRPA. “Now, it’s time to invest in the park and recreation professionals who have done so much — and the NRPA Annual Conference is the opportunity to do just that. This year is about coming together and strengthening the bonds of the park and recreation community. It’s more important now than ever, as we work to support our communities through our nation’s toughest challenges — continued COVID-19 recovery, racial justice, climate resilience, youth development and so much more.” The safety of our staff and attendees is of the utmost importance to NRPA. It will follow all federal, state and local guidelines set for in-person gatherings, as well as recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
