http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483742 Frank Fairbanks was a GOVERNING contributor. He has served as city manager of Phoenix since 1990 and was named one of GOVERNING's Public Officials of the Year in 1994. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Cutting-for-Excellence.html Slashing spending offers opportunities for positive change. But a government's workers need to be part of the process, and they need to know they are being treated fairly. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Inviting-the-Public-In.html What can we do to enhance the public's ability to understand what government is doing and why? Invite them into the budget process, writes Frank Fairbanks. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Making-Everybody-a-Crimefighter.html When crime blights a community, the police are just part of the solution. The key to turning things around is to engage the community itself. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Overcoming-Rivalries-to-Bring.html Downtown universities, writes Frank Fairbanks, create quality jobs, improve the quality of life in the broader central city, provide new cultural venues and create a positive street environment. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/The-Public-and-the.html Citizens know that there is a connection between public services and taxes, writes Frank Fairbanks, but the connection is not clear or direct. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Doing-the-Communitys-Will.html When city resources are tight, Frank Fairbanks writes, sometimes all you need is community participation to make progress. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/When-Its-Time-to.html How do you keep public employees optimistic and productive when budget surgery brings staff reductions? There are ways, writes Frank Fairbanks. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/New-Lives-for-Old.html How one city is smoothing the way for adaptive reuse.