Simple Civics: Greenville County

Latest Episodes:

Planning for growth, with Tee Coker Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

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 County GIS: https://www.gcgis.org/

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Get to know: SC Representative Chandra Dillard and Greenville Water Commissioner Deb Sofield Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

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 wealth of insight in their conversation with Danny Varat, Deputy Director of A Child's Haven.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

The intersection of business and nonprofit interests Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

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 Upstate Chamber Coalition joins us to discuss the connections. Derek Lewis of Greenville First Steps interviews.

Greenville Chamber’s advocacy agenda: https://www.greenvillechamber.org/policyagenda

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Roads, bridges, litter, and more Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

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 more about roads, bridges, and all of the infrastructure in Greenville County! 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.

Hesha's Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heshag/

Greenville County GIS: https://www.gcgis.org/

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Get to know: Kelly Byers and Will Ragland Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

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 Greenville Podcast Company.

Ending predatory lending in South Carolina Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

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 discuss the issue and opportunities for change.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Redistricting Update: Greenville County Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

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.

Resolve to Get Involved: Serve on a Board or Commission Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

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 about her motivation and experience applying and provides insights on the application process.

Boards & Commissions:

Greenville County: https://www.greenvillecounty.org/Council/boardscomm.aspx

City of Greenville: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/478/Boards-Commissions

City of Greer: https://www.cityofgreer.org/276/Boards-Commissions

City of Mauldin: https://cityofmauldin.org/city-accepting-applications-to-planning-commission/

City of Simpsonville: https://www.simpsonville.com/bc

City of Travelers Rest: https://travelersrestsc.com/government/boards-commissions/

Legislative delegation-appointed boards: https://www.greenvillecounty.org/legdel/documents/Boards%20and%20Commissions/Seat%20Availability.pdf?t=1642446778316

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

Resolve to Get Involved: Run for Office, with Dr. Shaniece Criss Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

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.

Resolve to Get Involved – Tell Your Story to Elected Officials Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

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 plan with County staff. She strongly believes that the barriers residents are experiencing that they might be embarrassed to discuss are actually helpful information for decision-makers to know to make our community better, and she encourages all residents to speak up and get involved.

Produced by The Greenville Podcast Company.

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