So says Jack Simpson, the man behind the twice-a-month City Manager Newsletter. Indeed he does provide a lot of thread.

Jack is a retired city manager. He served the communities of Bellflower, Paramount, Hawaiian Gardens, Cerritos, and Artesia over his career and became known in the Southeast Los Angeles County Gateway Cities municipal world.

Armed with his computer and hundreds of city management friends, Jack toils away in his home office hammering out two editions of the City Manager Newsletter each month. The newsletter is unique among the world of municipal publications in that Jack focuses on the people and personal lives of the city management community. The publication has helped connect friends who otherwise might only see each other at conferences, and kept retired city managers in the loop on the success of their protégés. Readers will not find articles about legislation, city news or public policy matters. “There are plenty of other places for people to read about municipal issues. But there is only one place to read about the personalities behind most city governments.”

“Being a member of the city management community is an honor,” comments Jack. “There are so many great people involved in local government trying to help cities succeed, and I like the idea of these city folks having a way to stay connected when the council meetings are over, the conferences are done and the city hall is dark.”

The newsletter features various themes throughout the year to guide the selection of managers or staff that Jack highlights. Themes have included alumni of graduate programs, staff who have shared experiences at certain cities, or mutual winners of professional awards. The result is a sprinkling of names and the acknowledgements of local government personalities from across California.

Jack’s audience often finds him at conferences and events with a camera in hand, and the photos he takes become content for his newsletter. “People enjoy seeing familiar faces in the newsletter.”

While the City Manager Newsletter is a labor of love for Jack, the travel and productions cost require resources, and private sector sponsors have stepped up with sponsorship money to fund the newsletter. Sponsors receive advertising space on the Trackdown Management web site and in the newsletter, plus each sponsor is highlighted once a year.

Jack’s audience often finds him at conferences and events with a camera in hand, and the photos he takes become content for his newsletter. “People enjoy seeing familiar faces in the newsletter.”

While the City Manager Newsletter is a labor of love for Jack, the travel and productions cost require resources, and private sector sponsors have stepped up with sponsorship money to fund the newsletter. Sponsors receive advertising space on the Trackdown Management web site and in the newsletter, plus each sponsor is highlighted once a year with company information.

“Every time I read that newsletter I learn something new about a friend or business relationship. Jack is doing important work, and I am glad I can help financially as a sponsor. It is a good value,” says Wesley Wolf, of Wolf & Company a long time sponsor of the newsletter, and a former City Administrator.

Fran Mancia of MuniServices has also jumped on the sponsorship bandwagon, “MuniServices appreciates the opportunity to partner with city managers via the California Contract Cities Association, the California City Management Foundation and the League of California Cities. We are also very proud to be a sponsor of the City Manager Newsletter. It is a natural fit and a great resource for our company and the city management community.”

“Sponsors of the City Manager Newsletter by Trackdown are companies that recognize the value of the city manager community and the personal relationships that are a key part of the craft,” says Jack.

Posse members also help support Jack’s efforts. These individuals write a check to Jack in support of his newsletter. Posse members consist of both current and retired city managers, as well as private sector supporters of the city management community.

Trackdown is a featured content provider to PublicCEO.com, and the Picking Up the Pieces section proves very popular. Through Picking Up The Pieces, Jack documents the hiring and retiring activities in the city management world.

You can learn more about the newsletter at www.trackdownmanagement.net and sign up to receive the newsletter for free by clicking here.