2017 Azbee Awards of Excellence
Category
Print > Individual Profile > Southeast
Awarded to
Derek Prall, Managing Editor
Entry details
Changing of the Guard
Issue date (if applicable): 6/30/2016
Publication name: American City & County
Publishing company: Penton
Website home page: www.americancityandcounty.com
Please describe the publication's mission and readership:
American City and County covers the issues surrounding city and county governments and features the leaders who distinguish themselves from their peers. It is designed to serve as a clearinghouse of information about issues of interest to local and state government leaders, both elected and appointed. Its focus is broad enough to encompass the concerns of the administrative officials who are charged with making policy and operational professionals who must implement that policy. Coverage areas include public safety, streets and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and disposal, water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, urban revitalization, public finance, parks and recreation, government technology and buildings and grounds maintenance.
Please describe the enterprising work that went into this entry and its significance or impact on readers:
This article profiles El Paso County, Texas’, Commissioner Vincent Perez. When Perez took office, the county was spending nearly a quarter of its budget on incarceration. Due to an inefficient criminal justice system, individuals that were unable to post bail might languish for weeks at a time in jail before ever seeing a judge. Perez felt this timeline was unacceptable, not only because of the astronomical costs associated with housing prisoners, but also because of the injustice of keeping those charged with – but not convicted of -– crimes in jail for such long periods of time. Perez says the criminal justice system should be focused on reforming offenders, not ruining their lives. Through hard work and a dedication to justice, Perez worked to overhaul the county judiciary to make the system more equitable and efficient for everyone involved. The system is now more just and far more cost effective. The author interviewed numerous county leaders as well as Perez to craft this piece. We believe stories like Perez’s are important to remind individuals that they can make tremendous differences in their spheres of influence if they are willing to work hard for a just cause.
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Changing of the Guard
Category
Print > Individual Profile > Southeast
Description
Publication name:
American City & County
Company:
Penton
Winner Status
- Regional Silver Award
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