Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Creating quality of living

Keynote speaker David Rhodes has spent 20 years in Local Government and is well qualified to address delegates about "Creating Quality of Living in your Municipality". As Director of Public Works in the City of Boulder, Colorado, since 1985, David has responsibility for four divisions employing 320 people and with an annual budget of $40 million.

His team's achievements have included:

• the creation of a comprehensive Transportation Master Plan for the Boulder Valley, including the construction of one of the best bicycle and pedestrian programs in the United States;
• implementing a program which harnessed high water pressure to generate hydroelectricity resulting in $1 million new revenue annually;
• introducing a safety incentive plan which has cut workman compensation incidents by half; and
• instituting a flood plain management program that leads the nation in regulating land use and emergency preparedness.

In fact, ensuring Local Governments are fully prepared for emergencies and natural disasters is one of David's areas of professional expertise. And it is knowledge based on practical experience - David was one of the key officials responsible for the Public Works emergency responses in the 1980 Mount St. Helen's volcanic eruption.

He was extensively involved in reconstruction of roads, bridges, flood control, and water and sewer systems following the disaster.

David has since assisted many communities in the development of their local emergency disaster plans and is a leading member of the American Public Works Association and representative on several boards and advisory committees.

When not giving his all to civic duties, David has an equally energetic approach to his personal pastimes, cycling and running.

During the summer of 1995, David took a sabbatical and with his wife, Sue, bicycled coast to coast across the United States, riding 4,400 miles in two and a half months! He is also a keen marathon runner having completed, among others, the Boston and New York marathons.

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