The Town Square Podcast

In this exciting episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down for a fun and wild conversation with Fleeta Baggett, the dynamic mayor of Covington, GA. A 7th generation Newtonian, Fleeta brings a rich family legacy to the table, being the granddaughter of Carl Smith, the founder of Newton Electric—an essential part of Covington’s history. As a leader known for...

In this exciting episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey dive deep into the heart of Porterdale, GA, with the newly elected Mayor Michael Patterson. Known for its rich history as an old mill village, Porterdale has faced its fair share of challenges over the years, but it is now on the cusp of a vibrant rebirth, thanks in large part to the renovation of the old m...

In Episode 16 of * The Town Square Podcast *, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey welcome Debbie Harper, the President of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, for an engaging and insightful conversation about the future of business and community in Newton County. As a lifelong resident of the county, Debbie brings a unique perspective on balancing business growth with maintaining the small-tow...

In the latest episode of The Town Square Podcast , co-hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with an iconic figure in Newton County—Mike Hopkins, the Executive Director for the Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority . With an incredible 27 years of service in this role, Mike has been instrumental in guiding our community through transformative growth, all while preserving the small-tow...

In Episode 14 of The Town Square Podcast , Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Carl Green, the new District Athletic Director for Newton County Schools . Green, a self-described “country-city-boy,” shares how he’s just as comfortable navigating downtown Atlanta as he is bow hunting in Newton County. This dynamic personality sets the tone for a lively discussion about his vision for the f...

In Episode 13 of  The Town Square Podcast , although Gabriel Stovall is absent due to car trouble, Trey Bailey takes the reins and delivers an informative conversation with Lindsey Petrini, the new CEO of Piedmont Newton Hospital . Lindsey is new to Newton County, and her fresh perspective on both the healthcare system and the community offers unique insights into the pros and cons of local life....

In Episode 12 of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey tackle a somber and deeply personal topic—the recent tragedy at Apalachee High School . With heavy hearts, Gabriel and Trey open up about the emotional weight of this event and how it hits close to home for both of them. Gabriel's wife, Shawnda, and Trey both serve as school board members in their respective count...

In Episode 11 of  The Town Square Podcast , Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey are joined by Serra Hall, the Executive Director of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), for a candid conversation about the future of our community. Serra opens up about the role of government authorities and how the IDA is working tirelessly to bring global industries to Newton County, including majo...

In Episode 10 of  The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Gail Rothman, the Executive Director of the Newton Education Foundation (NEF), for an insightful and inspiring conversation about the future of education in Newton County. Gail brings over 25 years of experience working with education foundations, including 15 years at the helm of the Decatur Education...

In the latest episode of  The Town Square Podcast,  hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey return to the mics to address the whirlwind of feedback following their bombshell interview with attorney Stephanie Lindsey. The previous episode left listeners buzzing, both online and around town, and now Gabriel and Trey are diving deep into the conversation it sparked. This follow-up episode is more than...

In Episode 8 of  The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey welcome Attorney Stephanie Lindsey, a formidable figure in Newton County’s political landscape. Fresh off her victory in the primary runoff, Lindsey is now set to become the sole candidate for the District 3 County Commissioner seat. This episode offers a deep dive into her journey, her perspectives, and the challenge...

Welcome to The Town Square Podcast with hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey, dedicated local advocates for a “better Newton County.” Join us as we engage with influential community members, explore pressing issues, and foster meaningful dialogue. In this episode, we sit down with Brent Bennett, the next Tax Commissioner of Newton County, GA. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Brent excelled...

Is tourism a good thing for local residents and downtown businesses? Is there a way to balance the influx of tourism with the needs/wants of the local citizens? It all depends on who you ask. There are certainly pros and cons to a local tourism boom in any town, but Newton County has seen a rapid explosion of visitors with the incredible success of the Vampire Diaries tv series which was filmed al...

Gabriel and Trey sit down with Dr. Duke Bradley, the Superintendent of Newton County Schools, to discuss hot topics in local education and to answer questions sent in by the citizens of the community.

Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey give a quick recap to the local primary and give some strategic advice on how to make your vote count in the runoff on Tuesday, June 18. They continue their discussion about political binaries and how destructive that mentality can be for our nation and our local community of Newton County, GA. And of course, the Donald Trump verdicts have them going back and forth...

Recently some mailers were sent to voters in the community. These mailers were slick and rode the fine line of slander. They were obviously hit pieces meant to mislead and manipulate voters. Not a fan! Gabriel and Trey discuss dirty politics and offer some better solutions. One great solution and resource is Candidates on the Clock sponsored by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce . This neutral...

Gabriel and Trey discuss a range of topics centered around local politics. They look at the difference between national vs local politics and make the argument that local governance matters more and impacts our communities more. They challenge us to get out and vote in the upcoming primary on May 21, or begin voting early on April 29. #MayMatters To see a sample ballot and to find out what local d...

Why do people rush to the extreme ends of the spectrum when it comes to politics, philosophy, religion? What happened to honest dialogue with one another where we listen to the other person’s point of view and then work to meet in the messy middle? Why do we instead stick our fingers in our ears and run away like a toddler? After Gabriel and Trey introduce themselves, they begin discussing HOW we...