Simple Civics: Greenville County

Latest Episodes:

Election day turnout - what happened? Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

More than 1.7 million voters across South Carolina cast ballots in the 2022 general election held just a few weeks ago at the time of this episode posting. In Greenville County, almost 180,000 people turned out to vote. Here at simple civics, we celebrate every vote and every voter who exercises their privilege to choose our leaders and have a say in what happens. These folks chose our governor, our State Superintendent of Education, our senator, and so much more. The bad news is just 52% of people registered to vote in Greenville County came out to do so. Almost half of our voters didn't take part in this decision-making process. Today, we'll take a look at turnout in the 2022 election. Who voted, who stayed home, and how to change that number. If you have comments, pushback, or just questions, please email us at contact@simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org. For now, I'll take a look at the data with our producer Nathaniel DeSantis with the Greenville podcast company.

Election Stats: https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/115412/Web02-state.307150/#/?undefined

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Helping the hurting without causing harm: a conversation with Ryan Duerk, Miracle Hill Ministries Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

This episode is dropping on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving which begins a season of giving and serving. Today, I’ll talk with Ryan Duerk, president and CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries, the largest organization in the Upstate of SC serving people experiencing homlessness. On any given night, over 600 men women and children call a Miracle Hill bed home. Ryan has great insights to share with you on how to best help your fellow community members who are hurting. He also has food for thought on the anecdotes you may have heard or shared about seeing more panhandling in downtown Greenville. Best of all, if you’re listening to this before Thanksgiving, he has a fantastic opportunity for you break bread with your neighbors who don’t have a home this holiday. Ryan has his own podcast called Miracles from the Hill, which you can catch on podcast platforms and YouTube. To learn about Miracle Hill Ministries and the many other service providers for folks experiencing homelessness, take a look at the links below:

Miracle Hill Website

Greenville Homeless Alliance Resources Page

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Veterans Affairs: Help with veterans benefits right here in Greenville County Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Greenville County has a Veterans Affairs Service Officer to meet the needs of veterans in our community, and on today’s episode of Simple Civics: Greenville County, you’ll hear from him and how he is here to help you or your family members with veterans benefits. Alan Dabney, an Army Veteran, is interviewed by Charlie Hall, a retired Marine, and President of Upstate Warrior Solution. Navigating veterans can be challenging, and Alan and his team at County Square are a resource to you if you’re a veteran or if you are a family member of one. Take a listen and share with someone you know who served in our US Military.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Election Day Behind the Scenes Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

It’s election day 2022! Voters have the responsibility of getting to the polls if they haven’t already, but there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes for election officials, candidates, and campaign volunteers. This episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look from pre-dawn to finalizing election results.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Meet the Candidates: SC Superintendent of Education Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

The State Superintendent of Education has duties outlined in the South Carolina Constitution, including serving as administrative officer to the state board of education, having general supervision over and management of all public school funds provided by the state and federal governments, and keeping the public informed as to the problems and needs of the public schools by constant contact with school administrators and teachers.

In this episode, we talk with the three candidates for SC Superintendent of Education: Lisa Ellis, Patricia Mickel, and Ellen Weaver. This is the only state-level office included in this election year's episodes.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Meet the candidates - Greenville County Probate Judge Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Probate Judge may be the office on the ballot with which voters are least familiar, but it's one that most Greenville County residents will come into contact. The Greenville County Probate Judge handles marriage licenses, wills and estates, protective services, and so much more.

On today's episode, meet the candidates: Judge Debora Faulkner, incumbent, and Chad Groover.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

How to REALLY support a candidate Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

We've brought you candidates for County Council and School Board, and in the coming weeks, you'll meet the candidates for Greenville County Probate Judge and State Superintendent of Education. We hope you are hearing from candidates you'd like to support. Of course, your vote is the most important way to do that. But there are many more ways to get involved and multiply your impact.

On today’s episode, we’ll talk about how to do that. Our producer Nathaniel DeSantis, who is a newer voter, interviews Derek Lewis, who has run two successful races for Greenville County school board and is now concluding his term. They have great tips for how to get involved and show your support, some simple and free and others requiring a bigger investment of time, but time that typically pays dividends for the candidate.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Area 28 – Meet your Candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

Meet Jeff Cochran, Brittany Hilbert, and Steven Watterson, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 28. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Jeff Cochran: cochran4education.com

Brittany Hilbert: https://brittany4schoolboard.com/

Steven Watterson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-watterson-0b08b821/

Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov

Transcript: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/area-28-meet-your-candidates-for-greenville-county-schools-board-of-trustees/

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Area 26 – Meet your Candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Meet Amanda Brett, Stephanie Leonard, and Roger Meek, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 26. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Amanda Brett: https://amandaforgreenvilleschools.medium.com/

Stephanie Leonard: https://stephleonard.com/

Roger Meek: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/About/main.asp?titleid=bdmeek

Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov

Transcript: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/area-26-meet-your-candidates-for-greenville-county-schools-board-of-trustees/

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Area 24 – Meet your Candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Meet Dr. Gene Beckner and Dr. Anne Pressley, candidates for Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees for Area 24. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Dr. Gene Beckner: https://beckner4education.com/

Dr. Anne Pressley: https://www.pressley4education.com/

Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov

Transcript: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/area-24-meet-your-candidates-for-greenville-county-schools-board-of-trustees/

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.