Founding Historic Preservation Commission members Lucy Penegar and Robert Carpenter talk about the work they did getting the group going in the late 1970s and why its more important than ever to continue on the work of recognizing Gaston County's historic places.savvycitizen

Krista was a part time receptionist at the time of this podcast. Since then she worked as a vet assistant and even helped us as with a wedding in Ruth's Garden. She now works part time where we need her. She works with various cat rescues. This is an informative interview with a passionate animal lover.…

Transportation planning can often take a backseat at the county level, but not in Gaston County. Senior Transportation Planner Juan Garcia and GCLMPO Administrator Tori Dellinger talk about the unique opportunity Gaston County has to map out its transportation needs.savvycitizen

New residents are coming to Gaston County nearly every day, and the county is making sure it can provide the services those residents expect. Executive Director of Capital Improvements Ray Maxwell and Public Works Director Dan Ziehm kick off Season 6 of Savvy Citizen with a look ahead to some major projects in the pipeline and some already underway…

It's our last episode of 2024! We're highlighting the work of the Passport Team inside the Register of Deeds Office, which won the Team Award during the 2024 Gaston Globe Awards. Learn how some planning and hard work has helped make this program a huge success for residents in our area.savvycitizen

Heather Kauffman, who oversees programming at The Lighthouse Children's Advocacy Center and the Cathy Mabry Cloninger Domestic Violence Shelter, talks to Savvy Citizen about the many initiatives she's a part of and how Gaston County is taking a leading role in serving victims of abuse.savvycitizen

Gaston County Extension Agent Christie German talks about the upcoming 4-H Day Camp as a great way to try out everything 4-H has to offer. The Discover 4-H Day Camp is Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost per youth, ages 8-14, is $15. The deadline to register is December 20, 2024: https://www.cognitoforms.com/GastonCounty1/Discovery…

Gaston County Police Officer Zully Castaneda talks about how she put her Spanish-language skills to use to help detectives within the department work a homicide case where a language barrier needed to be overcome.savvycitizen

Amanda Fifield is a very active board member who does "everything dog" and some cats, too. In this episode, you will learn about Amanda's transporting animals up to New Hampshire. She has helped over 100 disabled dogs and we learn that her latest disabled dog was a learning experience for our summer day campers in Ruth's Garden over the 2024 summer…

Gaston County Cooperative Extension Volunteer Coordinator Kayla Adams brings some special guests with her for this week's show to talk about the 4-H International Exchange Program, and her family's decision to get involved.savvycitizen

Registered dietitian Linda Minges stops by to talk about added sugars in our food and drinks and why they've become so prevalent and so damaging to our diets.savvycitizen

Savvy Citizen hosts Elizabeth McGee and Dandria Bradley talk with employees and participants of a new Veterans Treatment Court in Gaston County to see how this specialty court is helping put the lives of some of our vets back on the right track.savvycitizen

Deb Hardin tells us about Clifford's army and what it is. We also learn at the end of the show that Clifford's army was gifted 26,000 acres and Clifford's army has planned for the animal world in Cleveland County. You won't want to miss this episode. https://cliffordsarmyrescue.com/Stephanie Rauch

The Gaston County Museum of Art & History has teamed up with community partners to host the Dia De Los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 2. Education Manager Alex Brooks tells us how the festival has grown over the years and why it was important to get all the cultural details correct.savvycitizen

In this special episode of Savvy Citizen, hosts Adam Gaub and Dandria Bradley interview several Gaston County employees who volunteered to lend a hand in Western NC following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.savvycitizen

Registered Dietitian Linda Minges talks about the value of meal prepping and some easy ways to get started to help improve your diet and save money.savvycitizen

GAMTRA member and Cotton Ginning Days founder Ray Medford talks with Savvy Citizen about how an idea nearly four decades ago has turned into a multi-day festival attracting tens of thousands of people to Dallas Park.savvycitizen

(Ret.) Nashville Police Lt. Mark Wynn is the keynote speaker for this year's Threads of Hope fundraiser on Oct. 24 at the Barn at Blue Sky Farm in Dallas. Mark talks with Savvy Citizen about his career working domestic violence cases, and how his personal experience with abuse has allowed him to help others.…

At the time of this interview Dr. Hildebran has worked at Gaston Animal Care and Control for nearly 3 years. She is a former spay neuter surgeon for Gaston Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic. This interview is one of our most highly informative episodes on reasons to spay or neuter your pet.Stephanie Rauch

Matt Rhoten took over as Gaston County's Manager on August 5, and already we're beginning to see some of the vision he has for the organization. In this interview with Savvy Citizen, Matt describes his passion for public service, his goals for Gaston County and provides insight into what drives him.savvycitizen

GEMS Medical Director Dr. Drew Matthews talks about his volunteer work training medical professionals during the midst of the war in Ukraine, and why he is drawn to helping people stuck in dire situations.savvycitizen

Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and former NC Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr join Savvy Citizen to talk about their work with the Commission on the Future of NC Elections, and how they're working to increase knowledge and trust in our state's elections system ahead of the 2024 general election.…

Volunteer extraordinaire Sandy DeMarco talks to Savvy Citizen about her time spent supporting the Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, Keep Gastonia Beautiful, the Gaston Literacy Council and the Backpack Weekend Food Program and her recent Governor's Volunteer Service Award.savvycitizen

Captain Billy Downey of the Gaston County Police Department and Arin Farmer of the Alliance for Children & Youth Communities in Schools join the show today to discuss the work being done by the Gaston County Firearm Safety Committee. They talk about why firearm safety is so important, the resources they have available for the public, and how the co…

Cindi Hastings, our former board treasurer, is now starring in a real estate show, where you might be able to see her on HGTV. To donate to the Animal League's new affordable full-service veterinarian hospital copy and paste the link below: https://algc.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/15507Stephanie Rauch

Linda Minges from the Gaston County Cooperative Extension is back on the show to talk about ways our diet and everyday habits can change to help fight inflammation.savvycitizen

Each year during the Gaston County Employee of the Year Awards, the County Manager makes their pick for the prestigious Manager's Award. This year's winner is longtime IT Application System Architect and Air Force Veteran Richard Dodd. Richard talks to us about his career at both Gaston County and the Air Force and what drives him to succeed.…

Belmont Rotary Club Past President Whitney Norton and Cramerton physician Dr. Omer Shedd talk about Promise for Haiti, and the work they are doing to fund a children's hospital in a country marred by years of gang violence.savvycitizen

Gaston County is receiving nearly $40 million in opioid settlement funds, and we want the public's input on how it is spent. In this week's bonus episode, GEMS Lt. Justin Greer, Olive Branch Ministries Executive Director Michelle Mathis and Gaston County Community Support Services Opioid Outreach Coordinator Carly Kyre talk about meetings happening…

Steve D'Avria from the Gaston Business Association and Molly Prescott from Downtown Gastonia's Faded Cuts & Shaves join the show today to discuss business development and downtown revitalization.savvycitizen

Steve Wray explains how his middle man approach helps non profits. Steve has been a friend of the Animal League since 2020. He is a great visionary and helps people all over the world. If you would like to donate Animal League go to ALGC.ORG or GastonSpayNeuter.Com or call the Gaston Low Cost Vet Clinic at 704-868-4673…

Pastor Shannon Williams of Finish Line Christian Center in Mount Holly joins host Adam Gaub to talk about how he spent five days living as a homeless person in order to gain a better understanding of their plight. He recorded a documentary of this experience that will be available online. A watch party for the first episode is being held on Sunday,…

As she prepares for retirement, Gaston County Parks & Recreation Director Cathy Hart talks about some of her favorite memories in her decades of public service to Gaston County residents.savvycitizen

Savvy Citizen is celebrating its 200th episode! Thank you to all our listeners for your support and feedback over the last four years. On the show, we take you behind the scenes at the Government Access Channel -- another great way of getting information about Gaston County.savvycitizen

Danette Dye from the City of Gastonia stops by the studio to talk about an upcoming home ownership seminar with information on down payment assistance programs and more.savvycitizen

Local teacher and artist Laura Sexton talks to Savvy Citizen about a special project she's taken on for the Blumenthal Arts Center taking used grocery bags and turning them into a special work of art. Learn more about how you can help contribute and where you can see the finished project this September.…

Play ball! Jo-D Franklin from Bessemer City Parks & Rec and Brandon Black from Gaston County Tourism Development join us today to talk about the upcoming NC Dixie Softball Tournament 2024 that's bringing over 60 teams to Gaston County this weekend. They discuss the importance of sports tourism in Gaston County, its impact on local businesses, and t…

Kathy Hodge was secretary of the board of the Animal League when this interview was taken. Kathy brought the "No Cold Pets" program to the Animal League of Gaston County. She transports dogs, fosters cats and is a key person in Room to Run. Please consider making a donation to Room to Run. Our fundraising efforts are primarily focused on our new Lo…

Happy Fiscal New Year, everybody! In this installment of our annual county budget episode, host Adam Gaub talks to Janet Schafer and Elizabeth McGee from the Budget and Strategy office about all the behind-the-scenes work it takes to put the budget together. They discuss inflation, define terms such as "natural growth," and declare their Fiscal New…

Local author Dr. Dixie Abernathy joins the show to talk about how she began her writing career, the interesting story behind her pen name, and some details of her upcoming novel. Check it out! (Get it? Like a library?)savvycitizen

Gaston County native Kyndal Knight returns to the show to talk about her participation in the diving trials happening this month for the 2024 Olympic Games. She discusses her training, her backstory, and what's been happening since she last appeared on the show.savvycitizen

Juneteenth is right around the corner, and in this week's episode we're interviewing Stella Antley, who is going to be the Grand Marshal of Gastonia's Sixth Annual Juneteenth Parade on June 15. Stella discusses her ties to a matriarch of Gaston County history--Aunt Charlotte--and her efforts to keep her memory alive and well.…

Lowell City Manager Scott Attaway and Gaston County Public Safety Manager Vincent Wong were selected as two of the Top 100 local government influencers by the Emerging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) organization earlier this year. The pair talk about their passion for public service and why they'll never forget entry-level employees.…

Ray Jordan has trapped more than 3000 cats for Friends of Feral Felines. He shares some of his experiences as friend to the animal league and user of the Gaston Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic.Stephanie Rauch

One of the area's most popular concert series returns -- Blues out Back. After a 6-year hiatus, Gaston County Museum of Art & History Education Manager Alex Brooks talks about what's new about the concert series, as well as some of the new performers they have on tap.savvycitizen

We crossover this week with El Paso County, Colorado's "Beyond the Dais" podcast, and its host Scott Anderson. Janet Schafer and Adam Gaub talk with Scott about local government podcasting, finding new ways to connect with residents, and why Adam's dad jokes need a bit more work.savvycitizen

Gaston County DHHS is mixing fun with some safety tips at its Keeping Families Safe Event at Dallas Park on Friday, June 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Listen to this week's show to learn more about what to expect, and why family safety is a major focus for DHHS.savvycitizen

Drs. Sequina DuBose and Laura Waringer from the University of North Carolina Charlotte talk about their new original musical, "Threads," which is based on the life of Gaston County mill worker and activist Ella May Wiggins. The play is a work in progress, and a free table reading of the play is happening Wednesday, May 8, at the Loray Mill in Gasto…

Joe Mays of J&G Fencing donates a gate for each of the fence builds we do for Room to Run. He also is DJ on Saturdays for Beach Music at Gaston College. To make a song request call Joe on Saturday afternoon 704-922-4286. Or send money during their NPR fundraising drive on May 10. Call 877-270-9743 to make a donation and don't forget to mention Joe'…

Ashton Lamb with the Carolina Thread Trail tells us about some exciting developments in the upcoming creation of a new trail extending to the top of Spencer Mountain that will become a part of the regional trail system.savvycitizen