In all but two school districts in South Carolina - and in the majority of districts across the nation - school board races are nonpartisan. Candidates run to serve on the school board without affiliation to the Democratic, Libertarian, Republican, or any other political party. Why is that and what are the benefits? Catherine Schumacher with Public Education Partners talks with former school board member Tommie Reece about political parties and schools. Find Catherine Schumacher on LinkedIn: htt...
Apr 26, 2022•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you attend Greenville County Council meetings, you’ll typically see several items on the agenda related to Fee in Lieu of Tax agreement. Your eyes might glaze over at this point in the meeting or your ears might perk up wondering why someone might pay a fee instead of a tax. These agreements have been in the news twice just this year as Council rejected a Greer development project looking for a Fee in Lieu of Tax agreement and reversed course allowing a FILOT for another large development pro...
Apr 19, 2022•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Partnerships between nonprofit organizations and government can help each party achieve its objectives in a way that neither could on its own, and all for the benefit of the larger community. Jenn Hulehan, member of Simpsonville City Council, and Mark Steenback, Chief Resource Officer with Habitat for Humanity, discuss a partnership between the city and Habitat that is bringing 13 new affordable homes to Simpsonville and what goes into a successful government/nonprofit partnership. Jenn Hulehan ...
Apr 12, 2022•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Getting cars off the road, getting employees to workplaces, getting shoppers to retail - transit is essential to making these things happen. James Keel, Director of Greenlink (Greenville County's transit system), and Erin Predmore, Executive Director of Greenville Connects (a local transit advocacy coalition), discuss why transit is essential, the many improvements to Greenlink in recent years, and how you can ride if you haven't already. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company ....
Apr 05, 2022•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast "Businesses like to go where people are happy. If you've got people who are happy, you've got happy employees." Van Broad, newly retired economic development director for the City of Mauldin, reflects on why economic development is important, how it is done, and how it's about so much more than simply recruiting businesses to our community. He's interviewed by Taft Matney, Mauldin City Council member, and he says: "Economic development is multifaceted. It can be community development - like rene...
Mar 29, 2022•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tina Harris, Director of Greenville County Outreach for FAVOR, says, “I have a desire to do more advocating for the homeless and being a mouthpiece because I can look at my own experience, and I know it wasn’t a good or pretty picture. So, I’m open to standing up and being a voice for those that don’t have a voice.” She’s been recruiting more people who have or are currently experiencing homelessness to stand up and speak up. “I knew that they had a heart for change. And change comes when people...
Mar 22, 2022•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 2018 (the last mid-term or non-presidential election), more than half of South Carolina's voters turned out on the November election day. But back in June, only 20% of voters cast a ballot in the primary election. And that small group of summer voters largely determined who ended up in office. Because most of our races in South Carolina have just one party represented on the ballot in November, and that person is chosen during the summer primary. Jason Zacher, Senior Vice President of Busines...
Mar 15, 2022•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greenville County will grow by more than 200,000 residents over the next twenty years, and its decisions we make today that will shape the way this growth impacts us. Tee Coker is Assistant Administrator for Community Planning and Development with Greenville County, and he joins us to discuss all things planning. You may notice that our speakers’ voices are somewhat muffled. They are both wearing masks because this episode was recorded at a time of high community spread of Covid. Greenville Coun...
Mar 08, 2022•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast What is needed to run for office? Does party matter as a candidate? What are the biggest lessons learned as an elected official? You'll learn about these topics and more in this conversation between two experienced public servants. Rep. Chandra Dillard (D) has served on Greenville City Council and is currently in the SC House of Representatives. Greenville Water Commissioner Deb Sofield (R) has also served on Greenville City Council and is a commissioner with Greenville Water. They offer a wealt...
Mar 01, 2022•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Generally, the legislative priorities of a Chamber of Commerce are focused on improving the business climate. This often includes reducing tax burdens on businesses and improving access to workers for business growth. But the interests of social services agencies - including expungement of criminal records, managed growth, public transportation, and education - are important to businesses as well. Jason Zacher, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy with the Greenville Chamber and the Upstat...
Feb 22, 2022•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you've spent any time driving around Greenville County then you know we have lots of roads and bridges to maintain. You can thank Hesha Gamble for the great condition they are in. Hesha is the Assistant County Administrator for Engineering and Public Works. Hesha is a fantastic public servant and is active in non-profits and philanthropy in Greenville County. She's involved in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and has recently left the board of the Piedmont Health Foundation. Join us and learn...
Feb 15, 2022•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kelly Byers and Will Ragland are nonprofit professionals who felt a calling to run for office back in 2014. Kelly is the Director of Annual Giving for the Peace Center and a member of Travelers Rest City Council. Will Ragland is Founder and Executive Director of Mill Town Players and the Mayor of Pelzer. In this extended episode, they interview each other on why they ran for office, what they've learned, and why they believe it's important for residents to be involved. _ Produced by The Greenvil...
Feb 08, 2022•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Payday loans, title loans, and some personal installment loans in charge interest rates that trap South Carolinians who are struggling to make ends meet. With rates as high as 999%, these lenders prey upon the poor with commercials with catchy jingles and colorful storefronts. This episode features the SC Fair Lending Alliance which is focused on capping the interest rates lenders can charge: a more fair rate of 36%. Kerri Smith of Self-Help Credit Union and Susan Stall with Village Engage discu...
Feb 01, 2022•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Redistricting our Country Council seats in Greenville County is almost complete. Today we'll hear from Lawson Wetli with the League of Women Voters and the NAACP to talk about the maps. How they look, whether we are happy with them, the process for getting here, and what's next. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company .
Jan 25, 2022•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Serving on a board or commission that is appointed by your city or county is a meaningful way to serve in local government without running for office. Autumn Shearin, who works at Harvest Hope Food Bank, was looking for a way to make a difference in local government, and her appointment to the Thrive Upstate Board made perfect allows her to give a voice for people with disabilities and support the mission of this organization. Danny Varat, Deputy Director of A Child’s Haven, talks with Autumn ab...
Jan 18, 2022•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Shaniece Criss is busy as a health science faculty member at Furman University, a member of many community boards and initiatives, and a wonderful wife and mother. But she felt the calling to serve by running for elected office. In this episode, she shares her experience as a member of the Travelers Rest City Council and tips for how you can get involved by running for office or simply being more civically engaged. _ _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company ....
Jan 11, 2022•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tikeeta Wallace says, “I started going down (to County Council) and peeking in those meetings and I realized they were actually talking about my community. And when I realized that, I realized that if you’re going to be talking about my community and making choices on my community, if I can be here and speak, and I’m going to take every opportunity I can.” Tikeeta joins us to discuss how she went from being unaware of how local government worked to helping lead her neighborhood’s implementation ...
Jan 04, 2022•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Derek Lewis is executive director of Greenville First Steps, and he is also a member of Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees, representing district 24. Derek shares how he became interested in serving on the school board, the role of the board, and how interconnected the roles of local governments are (it’s all about growth!). He’s interviewed by GP McLeer, another nonprofit leader (executive director of SC Arts Alliance) and elected official (Mayor of Fountain Inn). _ _ Produced by The G...
Dec 28, 2021•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast This time of year, hundreds of thousands of Greenville County residents have property tax bills due January 15. And many of them like we have questions about what’s included, how the rates are determined, and where the funds go. In this episode, Greenville County Auditor Scott Case gives us an overview of property taxes in Greenville County. Greenville County Auditor - https://www.greenvillecounty.org/auditor/ How to apply for a homestead or other exemption - https://www.greenvillecounty.org/aud...
Dec 21, 2021•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is there something you’d like to see in your neighborhood? An addition you DON’T want to see? A neighborhood association is the best way to join with others to interact with government to make things happen. In today’s episode, Gina Norris Hinton, president of the new Slater-Marietta Neighborhood Association, is interviewed by Channing Banks with Greenville Dreams of United Way of Greenville County to cover how she got involved, what the association has worked on, and what she’s learned. Greenvi...
Dec 14, 2021•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast GP McLeer is executive director of the South Carolina Arts Alliance, and he is also the youngest person to serve as Mayor of Fountain Inn. GP shares why he ran for office, what he’s excited about in Fountain Inn, and why he believes local government is important. He’s interviewed by Derek Lewis, another nonprofit leader (executive director of Greenville First Steps) and elected official (Greenville County Schools board of trustees). _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company ....
Dec 07, 2021•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Even if you live in Travelers Rest, Greer, Greenville city, Mauldin, Simpsonville, or Fountain Inn, you are still one of the 525,000 people who are represented by Greenville County Council, and the decisions of the County government impact you. Learn more about our Greenville County government and how you can be part of its decision-making. Featuring Bob Mihalic, Government Affairs Coordinator for Greenville County. Bob’s responsibilities include researching, coordinating, creating, and implemen...
Nov 30, 2021•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Redistricting happens just once every ten years, and at its core determines who can represent you – in congress, in the legislature, and on city and county councils. It’s the process of redrawing lines of various congressional, legislative, and council districts to determine which geographic areas are represented by whom. Lawson Wetli, president of the Greenville County League of Women Voters, joins us to describe what it means here in Greenville County. You can find Lawson's full bio here: http...
Nov 23, 2021•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Most people are so much more focused on federal issues, like immigration, guns, and health care than they are on local government. But Bob Mihalic, Government Relations Coordinator for Greenville County, joins Katy Smith with Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy to discuss why he believes local government is so important and how easy it is to get involved. Visit https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org for more. _ Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company ....
Nov 16, 2021•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trash pick up. EMS and 911 service. Roads and sidewalks. Business licenses. School bus routes. These are the things that impact your day-to-day life, and they are all part of local government. But hardly anyone pays attention to local government - until they have a problem. We want to change that. Simple Civics: Greenville County is here to help you learn about and get involved in your local government in Greenville County, South Carolina. Whether you live in downtown Greenville or Possum Kingdo...
Nov 12, 2021•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
