Jacklyn Shaklee, Crimes Against Persons Detective, Fort Collins, CO<br />"I love serving the community, we have such a great community here.... I like being that person who is supporting someone at the worst time in their life...to help them get closure...."

Sergeant Saemi Kitchens, Police Department, Prince William County, VA<br />"Everyday is unpredictable, you just don't know what you're going to get... The position I have in my job is to help other people and as a supervisor I feel like I can help my squad as well...."

Warren Gaskill, Recycling Operator, City of Rockville, MD<br />"You do make a difference when you pick up the people's recycling...It takes dedication. I come here rain, snow, shine, everything. We're out here."

Lynique Murray, Community School Coordinator for Linkages Program, Maryvale Elementary School, City of Rockville, MD<br />"The most rewarding part is seeing the smile on the children's faces....I always had a passion to help people and by being in this position I am able to see all this happen."

When the manager goes to a three-day conference, the office buzzes with sighs and eye rolling over the anticipation of newfangled fiats to follow.

Here are key data points on how the status of local and state government employment changed during the past year, mid-2014 to mid-2015.

Excerpts from an interview with Bob Schultze, who in early 2015 became president and chief executive officer, ICMA-RC, Washington, D.C.