Innovative government ideas, programs sought for Gladfelter competition

Public workers with innovative ideas on how to improve the quality and efficiency of government in Wisconsin are invited to compete for the Lloyd D. Gladfelter Awards.

The competition, administered by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Political Science, annually recognizes problem-solving and resourceful ideas generated by non-elected government employees which lead to the improvement of federal, state, county or municipal public services.

Winners receive a cash prize, an award certificate and are honored at an awards ceremony. The deadline for entering the competition is Dec. 15.

Nominations are judged on their creativity, feasibility and potential impact.

Last year, the award went to Jeff Gloyd, La Crosse County’s special waste manager, for his program for keeping unused medications out of the waste stream. During its first seven months of operation, the program safely disposed of more than 8,000 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Established through a gift from the Milwaukee Foundation Corporation to the UW Foundation, the awards are named for a former Milwaukee Journal government reporter.