GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

Kirsten, ELGL's Executive Director, talks with Captain Chris Hsiung from the Mountain View, CA police department about everything from affordable housing in Silicon Valley, to the challenges and opportunities of a modern police career.

Ben sits down with Kate Queram from the Greensboro News And Record to talk about media coverage of local government. Prior to her tenure covering Guilford County, NC, Ms. Queram worked as a reporter in Wilmington, NC and Madison, WI.

In this episode of GovLove, Kirsten talks with Rob Carty from ICMA, one of #ELGL16 sponsors. Learn about ICMA's work on local government management topics. Note: this episode of GovLove was taped before the announcement that ICMA has a new executive director, Mr. Marc Ott from Austin, Texas.

In this bonus episode we return to Wisconsin for an interview with the Assistant to the County Administrator of McHenry County, Jim Hurley. He and Kent talk all things communications including Jim's own dive into the world of podcasting.

So what does an innovation office do? Kirsten aims to answer just that question in this three part episode with Kate Green from Peoria, IL, Josh Edwards from Durham, NC and Sam Timko from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The three guests all share what they do each day and the goal of their organization when it comes to innovation.

Kent, Kirsten and Ben were together in Wrightsville Beach, NC and used the opportunity to talk together about Kirsten's gender discrimination tort claim notice and eventual departure from West Linn, Oregon. They talk about discrimination, the step-by-step process to stand up for yourself, and Kirsten's transition from local government practitioner to ELGL Executive Director.

What does it take to make cities more innovative and efficient? What Works Cities is an organization that strives to answer that question. Kent Wyatt sat down with Director of City Programs for What Works Cities, Zach Markovits to find out more about the organization.

In another report from Wisconsin, Kent Wyatt talks all things public administration. Joining him from Northern Illinois University, Dr. Eric Zeemering and Jon Pape talk about their experience at the school.

Deep in the heart of Texas. Kirsten Wyatt sat down with Jennifer Jones, the Deputy Director of the Texas Sunset Commission, to talk about her work improving the efficiency of State government. Their evaluation team takes a hard look at departments and programs asking the question, is this still needed?

Reporting from Wisconsin Kent Wyatt sat down with Heidi Voorhees of GovHR USA to talk about recruiting in local government. He also discussed the search for the new ICMA director.

In honor of the New Fiscal Year we have a budgeting focused episode. Participatory budgeting is one of the latest trends sweeping cities across the country, we sat down with Karen Kixmiller from the City of Greensboro, NC to talk about their experience with participatory budgeting.

To celebrate Independence Day we're sharing this interview with Josh Schoemann the County Administrator of Washington County, WI. He discussed how his experience in the military shapes his work in local government as both an administrator and elected official.

How many women lead local governments across the country? Is it still 13 percent, or is there more to the story? Kirsten Wyatt and Stacy Schweikart come on the podcast to discuss the latest ICMA data on women in the profession. Follow along with their article series at elgl.org.

This week we profile an innovative community engagement effort from the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. Sarah Hazel and Monica Holmes come on to talk about Open Streets 704, an event where they shut down the streets to cars and opened them to people.

The interns make their triumphant return! Roger Gonzalez and Mark Yager talked with Lake Oswego, OR city manager and Portland State professor, Scott Lazenby. Their conversation covered innovations in local government, getting rid of the performance review and more.

We sat down with Chad Doran the communications coordinator for Appleton, WI. Recently he started a citizens academy to help residents learn more about the operations of the city and engage with their local government. Our conversation also covered the challenges of local government communications and the best pizza in Appleton.

Across the nation communities are dealing with the issue of minimum wage, especially in cities with rising rents. Cities and counties are taking the initiative to raise their own local wage in response. For this episode we have four California local government professionals talking about what their community has done. Guests are Kimbra McCarthy from Mountain View, CA; Matt Bronson from San Mateo, CA; and Andy Agle and Gigi Decavalles from Santa Monica, CA.

Kent is joined this week by Brian Ligon from Round Rock, TX and Scott McDonell from Dane County, WI. These two are the brains behind Ron Pitchman and Chad Vader, the stars of two of the most creative local government videos we've seen. They discuss local government communication and finding creative ways to get your message out.

The Finance Directors of Milwaukie, OR and Canby, OR join Kirsten to discuss the pros and cons of annual budgeting and biennial budgeting. Casey Camors and Haley Fish share their experiences and trade jabs in this week's episode.

Clackamas County, OR Finance Director and incoming GFOA President, Marc Gonzales, joins us this week. Marc discussed everything from how he got into local government accounting to joining GFOA and seeing Bruce Springsteen in concert.

What's it like to manage a parks system for over 8.5 million people? For this week's episode we sat down with New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell Silver. He's a planner with over 30 years of experience and took the helm of the big apple's parks system in 2014 after serving as the top planning official in the city of Raleigh, NC. We discuss everything from borderless parks to gentrification and Robert Moses.

This week on GovLove Kent Wyatt sits down with Josh Dukelow and Jon Stehle on what it's like to run for local elected office. Everything from dealing with the pressure of debates to endorsements and fundraising. This episode was also streamed live on Periscope back on April 26th.

This week we sit down with Professor Philip Joyce from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. He recently wrote an article for Governing Magazine on what governments at every level need to do to attract millennials to the sector. We go through his five recommendations and explore how to make those changes.

Intern takeover! The Oregon local government fellows, Roger Gonzalez and Mark Yager take the reigns on this week's episode. They chatted with Hillsboro, OR City Manager Michael Brown on everything from his hatred of email and why he plays with fruit to attracting businesses and engaging youth.

This week's guest went viral recently with his honest and straightforward tweets about the state of public transportation in San Francisco, CA. Taylor Huckaby chatted with Kirsten Wyatt about the importance of transit, why local government needs to communicate more openly and more.

Kent Wyatt sits down with Gabe Klein and Leah Treat to talk about their time in the City of Chicago Mayor's Office, Leah's work as Portland's director of transportation, and Gabe's book, "The Start-Up City." Their conversation covers everything from innovation in city government to balancing parenthood and a career.

Kirsten Wyatt sat down with West Linn City Councilor Jenni Tan to talk about the work she's done as a member of several National League of Cities committees with emphasis on developing leaders both at home and abroad.

Gaming and urban planning meet in this week's episode. Lisa Nisenson and Sarah Lewis from GreaterPlaces join GovLove to talk about how they are using a card game to help people talk about their communities. They are the minds behind 'Cards Against Urbanity' and their next project will work to help communities engage with citizens in their planning efforts through games and more.

By now you have probably heard John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" segment on special districts where he proclaimed them, among other things, ghost governments. On this week's episode we have two administrators that work for special districts to explain the benefits of this unique form of government. Cassandra Ulven from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue in the Portland, OR metro region and Bobbi Nance from the Park District of Oak Park, IL lend their perspective and expertise.

Bridget Doyle and Kirsten Wyatt get together to recap their #Frank2016 experience. The Frank conference is all about public focused communication. Between quoting Damn Daniel and avoiding bats Kirsten and Bridget learned some communications tips and ideas for future ELGL conferences.

This week we have a throwback episode! Two glass ceiling shattering women joined GovLove back in 2016 to talk about policing. Chief Jeri Williams, who now leads the Phoenix police department, was the Chief in Oxnard, California during this interview. Chief Denise Turner, who is now retired after 31 years in law enforcement, lead the Gilroy, California department back when this episode first aired. They each shared their path into the field of policing, what it's like being a female police officer and how the field has changed during their career. This episode will make you laugh, will make you think, and will make you want to work for these two remarkable and inspiring chiefs. Topics: Their career paths into policing (1:55), The importance of mentors (9:05), Recruiting women into law enforcement (15:15), The perspective & skills women bring to policing (26:15), Their first year as police officers (30:10), The value that female police officers bring to the department (34:40), and the lightning round (40:45).

It's polling season! With primaries across the nation underway and the national election coming this fall the news and internet have been flooded with poll results. Kent Wyatt talked with Dr. Kenneth Fernandez from Elon University to talk about the Elon Poll, which acts at the poll of record in North Carolina. They discussed everything from the presidential race to the nitty gritty of polling.

What if there was a way to get local governments, school systems and non-profits all working toward the same goal of improving student achievement? That's precisely the mission of Say Yes to Education. This organization works to support kids so more of them graduate high school and go to college. Ben sits down with Mary Vigue, the executive director of the newest Say Yes community Guilford County, to learn more about the program and how it works.

The Oregon local government interns are back! Roger Gonzalez and Mark Yager sat down with ICMA president Pat Martel for an edition of Between 2 Interns. They chatted about everything from getting started in local government and standing out in a pile of resumes to Pat's goals for her ICMA presidency.

A few months ago, ELGL Co-Founder and GovLove host, Kent Wyatt sat down with two people active in the local government tech scene. His guests were, Tamara Manik-Perlman, CEO of Next Request and Chris Maddox, CEO of Seneca Systems. Their conversation covered everything from transparency in government and user experience to the Warriors win streak and celebrity look-a-likes.

This week GovLove sits down with Lee Worsley the Executive Director of the Triangle J Council of Governments in North Carolina. He explains what a COG does and the role they play in everything from elderly care to high speed internet. Lee also tells us about leading small and big counties and where he stands on the east vs. west Carolina BBQ debate.

After one of the worst tornados on record, many thought the city of Joplin, Missouri would never be the same. But local residents, nearby agencies and volunteers from across the country banded together to help the battered town. City Manager Sam Anselm describes what the recovery was like and how far the city of 51,000 has come in the last 5 years.

What's it like to balance a two career household when both people are in local government? Meet Bo and Michelle Ferguson, they've been doing just that for most of their careers and have found a way to make it work. Listen as they discuss their career paths, work-life balance and eggnog recipes.

Two local government administrators who also happen to be veterans. Will Doerfer (Hyde County, NC, Special Assistant County Manager and NCACC/ICMA Management Fellow) and Darrin Tangeman (District Manager, ‎Pueblo West Metropolitan District) discuss transitioning from a military career to a local government career. Learn how local government can be more proactive in reaching veterans.

Join Tim Wolff (Lake Isabella, MI), Matt Yager (Plano,TX), Mike Ekey (Raymore, MO) and Ben DeClue (Lebanon, MO) as they discuss the benefits and drawbacks of ICMA's Tenet 4, which includes a guideline directing ICMA members to serve a minimum of two years in a job. Tim, Matt, Mike and Ben bring their unique perspectives to this GovLove episode.

This week the GovLove team sits down with Martha Perego from ICMA and Julie Underwood the Assistant City Manager of Daly City, CA to discuss one of the hotly debated guidelines for ICMA members, the two year job requirement. This is part of the ICMA code of ethics and essentially encourages members to stay in a position for at least two years before moving on.

In honor of Halloween we've got a scary local government story. What would your town do if about 80,000 people descended upon it for a night? That isn't a bad dream, it happened to the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 2007 and even in the years since, with efforts to reduce crowd size, about 40,000 costumed revelers come to the town annually. GovLove talks with Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue and interim Fire Chief Matt Sullivan about all the work that goes on behind the scenes to put this event on.

We introduce a semi-recurring series called 'Between Two Interns,' and talk with the Oregon Local Government Interns. Roger Gonzalez and Mark Yager discuss everything from their impressions of Oregon to the term millennials and the projects they're working on.

In this episode of GovLove, we talk with Cam Marston, an expert on the impact of generational change and its impact on the marketplace. As an author, columnist, blogger, and lecturer, he imparts a clear understanding of how generational demographics are changing the landscape of business. Recently, Cam shook things up at the League of California Cities Conference during his presentation on generational differences. Several ELGL members took notice and engaged in a lively Twitter discussion focused around some of Cam's research and comments.

Anyone that works in local government knows that the annual budget is one of the most important efforts an organization goes through each year. But getting citizens involved can be challenging. Our two guests on today's episode of GovLove has made efforts to make the City of Asheville, NC more open so that more citizens can get involved and be heard. Eric Jackson is the CEO of DemocracyApps and Tony McDowell is the Budget & Financial Reporting Manager for City of Asheville, NC.

From intern to County Manager. Tom Lundy has become a legend in Catawba County, NC. He's been the Manager at Catawba for 36 years as well as served as the President of ICMA, the National Association of County Administrators, and the North Carolina City-County Management Association. In this GovLove Episode, Lundy talks about his perspective on local government, how things have changed during his career, and some of his advice.

"A computer beat me once at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing." Glen Ocsko is chock full of these kinds of equal parts hilarious and true -isms for local government folks. As the founder of WeLoveLocalGovernment.com and a private consultant for public sector digital solutions in the United Kingdom, he knows what he's talking about.

Guilford County recently opened its own Family Justice Center with the vision, "To protect the vulnerable, stop the violence, restore hope, and make our community safer." This episode of GovLove is with Catherine Johnson the Director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center and the person who was tasked with getting the center up and running.

How can governments up their Twitter followers? Increase traffic to parks? Lori Hall, the Citizen Engagement Coordinator at the City of West Linn, breaks down her social media strategy.

GovLove Co-Host Kirsten Wyatt and Bridget Kozlowski, Community Relations Director for Sterling Heights, MI, dive into the important issue of increasing the percentage of women in local government. These two women have been champions in leading the conversation on how to speed up the glacial pace of women entering into the local government space.