Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Summer typically is a time of excitement for children, without classes and homework. But for those that are dealing with hunger, it can be a time of dread. On this month's Savvier Citizen, we dive into how different government agencies and local nonprofits are helping keep our children fed, and why this is more of a widespread issue than many people may be aware of. 

In this episode, Gaston County Museum Curator Alicyn Wiedrich joins hosts Elizabeth McGee and Adam Gaub to discuss a big new exhibit coming to the museum this summer. The Many Unheard Voices is a community-curated exhibit about the African American community in Gaston County, focusing primarily on the 1870s through the 1970s.

They're generating buzz all over the country: Data centers. While Gaston County doesn't have one, our Planned Party team of Jamie and Peyton break down the different rules and regulations that surround this type of industry, as well as some of the most frequently asked questions. 

Belmont resident Ashley Manley never anticipated becoming a published author. Or that once she'd written one book that she'd have more (much more) to say. On this week's Savvy Citizen, this women's fiction/romance author talks about her journey and her latest book, The History Between, ahead of a free meet-the-author event on June 30 at the Gaston County Public Library. Gaston Speaks co-host Kenda...

In our annual county budget episode, Financial & Management Services Director Scott Attaway, Budget Director Taylor Ricci, and Budget Coordinator (and Savvy Citizen Co-Host) Elizabeth McGee go in depth on the months-long budget process, with a highlight on how the county's updated strategic plan helped guide the process. 

In this episode, host Adam Gaub sits down with Gaston Arts Council Interim Executive Director Steph Newman to discuss an event called ArtsGaston Showcase, which is all about celebrating the creativity we have here in Gaston County.   https://gastonarts.org/artsgaston-showcase/

Melinda Suddes and Melissa Humbert from the Major William Chronicle Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter tell us about a special mural to be unveiled this week, with a focus on our local heroes from the American Revolution. 

Gaston College's softball team returns to the National Junior College Athletic Association's World Series for the third time in four years. Head coach Mike Steuerwald, outfielder Mary Hinson and pitcher Aidan Ledbetter talk with Savvy Citizen about the program's success, and this week's push for a national title. 

Conversations about AI are everywhere, but how is it impacting the way government works for you? On this month's Savvier Citizen, we talk with local government AI advocate Micah Gaudet from the City of Maricopa (AZ), and Centralina Regional Council Executive Director Geraldine Gardner about the pros, the cons, the guardrails and why the future is now. 

Ranlo Experience Committee Chair Drew Horine talks to Savvy Citizen about how this growing Gaston County town is trying to better connect its residents and all of Gaston County to the great events it has on tap. 

In this episode, ncIMPACT director Anita Brown-Graham joins host Adam Gaub to discuss the Our State, Our Future program and how it relates to Gaston County.

This episode of A Planned Party is our virtual version of a Coffee With a Planner, as we introduce our whole team and provide insights on what it means to serve our community in this role. Have questions of your own for us? Be on the lookout for an upcoming in person Coffee With a Planner where you can meet your team, get your queries answered and help support Alex's latte habit. 

WSOC Channel 9 Chief Meteorologist John Ahrens and Two Rivers Utilities Division Manager Ed Cross talk to us about how bad the current drought is, how long we might be in it, and what could be ahead in terms of water restrictions. 

This month's Savvier Citizen takes a deep dive into how Gaston County is battling the opioid crisis. Hear from GEMS Capt. Brandon Miller, Lt. Justin Greer, First Baptist Church of Cramerton's David Julen, and others on some of the initiatives that have helped reverse a significant rise in overdoses. 

Cristy Cummings with the Town of Cramerton and Savannah Bryant with the Catawba Riverkeeper talk about this year's Goat Island Games and Riverfest events happening on Saturday, May 2, and why there's something for everyone to enjoy that day in McAdenville and Cramerton.   More info on Riverfest can be found at: https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/riverfest More info on this year's Goat Island Games...

Drew Horine with Gastonia East Rotary swings by the studio to talk about this year's Gastonia Concert Series, which has events at both the Rotary Centennial Pavilion and CaroMont Health Park. The series continues to raise funds that go right back into the community through grants provided through Gastonia East Rotary. Find the full lineup at https://gastoniaeastrotary.org/concerts/ . 

In this episode, Janet Schafer sits down with Gavin Stewart and Adam Gaub of the Gaston County Communications Department to discuss 2nd annual Get to Know Gaston Event, happening at Tuckaseege Park in Mount Holly on April 15 from 4 to 7 pm. The event blends entertainment with local government, giving residents the opportunity to get to know the organizations serving them in a fun and family-friend...

Audrey Leazer, Madison Darnell and Abby Helms from Gaston Community Foundation's Teens Changing Gaston County group talk with Savvy Citizen about their microgrant program and the nonprofits they're supporting in our community. 

In this month's Savvier Citizen, we look at how social media is affecting our children. Journalist and author Fortesa Latifi, Rep. Donnie Loftis, and Hope United Survivor Network's Rose Planer and Mollie Weakland share insights for this episode covering everything from the concerns around cyberbullying and children that have grown up with their lives online, to political actions meant to provide s...

Your favorite Gaston County planners, Jamie and Peyton, are back with a new episode! They're talking with their colleagues from the City of Gastonia about why city and county zoning rules are often different, and some of the differences between the two that you may not know about. 

Keep Gastonia Beautiful's Juliann Lehman, Wild 'N Whimsy's Lauren Smith and Gastonia Farmer's Market Manager and Belmont Farmer's Market SNAP Manager Emily Thomasson are talking about farmer's market season, and the ways our farmer's markets can help our lower income families. 

With growth comes worry that our agricultural roots may get lost. Natural Resources Director Will Wier talks about a program that would help local farmers protect their farmland for the next generation. 

Gaston County Cooperative Extension Director Jonette Mungo and Agriculture Agent Payton Flowers talk about how the use of AI is spreading incorrect and sometimes hazardous information in their field, and how they're working to provide a solution. 

U.S. News and World Report Home Services Editor Katie Core and Assistant County Manager Brian Sciba talk about Gaston County's recent inclusion in the news outlet's Top 10 of Most Desirable Counties to Move To for 2025. We look at what's driving that ranking and why it shows Gaston County on the rise nationally. 

In honor of Government Communicators Day, we talk with three local government communications directors in North Carolina: Union County's Liz Cooper, Indian Trail's Abbey Ball and Hendersonville's Allison Justus on why effective storytelling can be so important for building trust in our communities.