Sandy Springs taking fresh look at private services
09.03.10
This time the north Fulton County city is not looking at a blank canvas. Other new cities have since formed and put their own mark on how to outsource services.
Sandy Springs has more than a year to explore its options, and few expect it will dump the privatization model going forward. But it could make significant changes, such as contracting with several firms for different services rather than relying on one to handle everything.
Chattahoochee Hills and Milton tried the Sandy Springs model of contracting with just one firm but backed out of the deals, citing financial pressures.
Neighboring Dunwoody says it saved taxpayers $2 million by finding three, not one, companies to run its city.
“The neat thing about the whole experience is you find out what works and what doesn’t and you adjust,” said Amy Henderson, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Municipal Association. “And the winners in the end are the taxpayers, who aren’t paying for inefficiency.”
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
Council's Problem Gambling Website Gets a Fresh Look Just In Time for National ...
07.03.10
Topics include signs and symptoms of problem gambling, low-cost and no-cost treatment for Washington residents, free resources, training, and continuing education opportunities for counselors, information for the gaming industry on responsible gaming programs, youth awareness and prevention programs, articles, archives, and more.
Since May 2006, ECPG has received more than 30,000 requests for information on problem gambling from individuals in 37 of Washington State’s 39 counties. Most of the requests come through a Problem Gambling Helpline (800-547-6133) staffed 24-hours a day. A growing number of requests, however, are coming through ECPG’s website.
The site was completed in time for National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, March 7-13, 2010. For more information about the Website, contact Rhonda Stone, ECPG Community Education Coordinator, at 360-352-6133 or rstone(at)evergreencpg(dot)org.
The Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling is dedicated to increasing public awareness of problem gambling, expanding the availability of services for problem gamblers and their families, and encouraging research and programs for prevention and education. Established in 1991 as a private, nonprofit organization, the Council provides statewide confidential support through its 24-hour Problem Gambling Helpline (800-547-6133) and public awareness, education, prevention, training, and resource development services. Visit our website at www.evergreencpg.org .
Source: PR Web (press release)