Mayors of Main Street

In this episode of "Mayors of Main Street," Mayor Kristine Lott interviews Mayor Thomas McDermott of Hammond, Indiana. Mayor McDermott, who has served since 2004, shares insights into his long tenure and the transformative changes he has overseen in Hammond. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of leading a city that is closely connected to Chicago, including the economic benefi...

In this enlightenin  episode of Mayors of Main Street, Mayor Kristine Lott talks with Mayor Kenneth Branner of Middletown, Delaware. Mayor Lott and Mayor Branner discuss the importance of having goals, both personally and within the broader scope of community development. Mayor Branner emphasizes the significance of staying motivated, highlighting how a clear sense of purpose prevents stagnation a...

In the latest episode of the Mayors of Main Street podcast, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews Mayor Allen Joines of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a long-serving public official who has been in office since 2001. Mayor Joines shares his background as a former city manager and explains the transition to an elected role, which he initially took on for just one term. He details how he helped guide Winst...

Join Mayor Kristine Lott on "Mayors of Main Street" as she sits down with Mayor Elise Partin of Cayce, South Carolina, for an insightful conversation about her remarkable journey as the city's first female and longest-serving mayor. Mayor Partin, first elected in 2008, shares how she's cultivated a "cleaner, safer, and healthier Cayce" while maintaining its unique sma...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Mayor Chris Bollwage of Elizabeth, New Jersey, as he offers candid insights into his life, leadership, and the vibrant community he serves. Drawing from his roots as a high school bartender and his fondness for the city’s diverse restaurant scene, Mayor Bollwage provides a personal glimpse into what makes Elizabeth unique. Mayor Bollwage details his achiev...

In this episode of "Mayors of Main Street," we have the pleasure of speaking with Mayor John Evans of Garden City, Idaho. The conversation delves into the unique characteristics and the promising future of Garden City, a Boise-border town with a rich and colorful history. That history includes a short period where revenue from town’s well-run gambling houses paid for a new water system,...

In this engaging episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mayor Pam Colestock, who provides a personal and insightful overview of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Mayor Colestock, who has been passionately serving the community, discusses her role and the responsibilities that come with being the mayor of a small but mighty rural city. Known affectionately as the "Island City," Eaton Rapids...

Joining me today is Mayor Marvin Johnson of Independence, Minnesota. Mayor Johnson was first elected mayor in November 1979 and served 45 years in the role before retiring earlier this year, making him the longest-serving mayor in modern Minnesota history. In this episode, he reflects on his decades of service, the sustainable growth of Independence, and the importance of listening to constituents...

Joining me today is Mayor Bob Chatfield of Prospect, CT. Mayor Bob entered office in 1977, and has 48 years of service in the role. He is the 7th longest serving active mayor in the US. During his terms in office, he brought in municipal water, a new library and community center to town. Mayor Bob shares all about Prospect, what it's like to serve his community for so long, and shares his pen...

Joining me today is Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, MA. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994, and has 30 years of service in the role. During his terms in office, he helped the city of Leominster strengthen its financial position, increase accountability, and community engagement. We discuss the successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms, and Leominster's best sp...

In the premier episode of Mayors of Main Street, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews  Kimberly L. Nelson, Professor of Public Administration and Government in the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Nelson’s research on form of government, corruption, and innovation has been published in Public Administration Review, The American Review of Public Administration,...