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Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
Highlights
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Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
Highlights
View external link
Add to your calendar:
Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
Highlights
Many find comfort and relaxation in watching television shows that depict everyday life, such as "Gilmore Girls" and "Parks and Recreation." "Gilmore Girls" revolves around the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT, while "Parks and Recreation" explores the inner workings of a local government's Parks and Recreation department in the fictitious town of Pawnee, IN. Both comedies showcase different forms of local government prevalent across the US – the town meeting and the mayor-council. While both are successful, it's important to pay attention to their nuances.
For avid "Gilmore Girls" fans, the town meeting is a familiar aspect of the show. The town gathers to vote on various issues, with the town selectman, Taylor Doose, leading the meeting. The town selectman, or First Selectman, is part of the board of selectmen, serving as the executive branch in many New England communities (Condon, 2023). This position is elected rather than appointed. Similar to the show, the town meets to decide on basic policies while elected officials implement them (2022). The town meeting/board of selectmen represents the oldest form of civic government in the country (Condon, 2023).
Moving west, the town of Pawnee, IN uses the more common mayor-council form of government (2022). In a survey by the International City/County Management Association, 38% of municipalities across the United States use the mayor-council form of government, and less than 10% use the selectmen/town meeting (Condon, 2023). Viewers will remember that Pawnee has a mayor, city council, and city manager. Leslie Knope, the show’s main protagonist, at one point serves on the council, and a different main character, Chris Traegar, is at one time appointed city manager. Unlike a town meeting structure, a mayor and council are elected. The mayor often holds administrative and budget authority while the council holds legislative power (2022). The council can then appoint a city manager who oversees the daily operations of the community (ICMA). City managers and town selectmen do hold similar jobs enacting the will of the legislative powers as well as overseeing the day-to-day business of their local governments; however, city managers are appointed rather than voted into office.
From the charm of Stars Hollow's town meetings to the bureaucratic humor of Pawnee's mayor-council system, these TV shows offer more than just laughter – they provide a lens into the various forms of government that define American communities. As we enjoy the escapades of Lorelai and Leslie, it's a reminder that even in fiction, governance plays a role in shaping the narrative.
References:
Cities 101 - forms of Local Government. National League of Cities. (2022, September 22). https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/
Condon, T. (2023, August 13). The town meeting is a yankee tradition. does it still make sense? The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://ctmirror.org/2023/08/13/ct-municipal-government-town-meeting-first-selectmen/.
ICMA. (n.d.). What Professional City, town, and county managers do. icma.org. https://icma.org/what-professional-city-town-and-county-managers-do
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