Simple Civics: Greenville County

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 h...

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, an...

"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 m...

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 homelessn...

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,...

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...

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 al...

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...

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, Del...

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 l...

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 mo...

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 .

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...

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 m...

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...

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 (executi...

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...

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 Count...

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 (Greenvill...

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...

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, joi...

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://simplecivicsgreenvilleco...

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 gover...