Simple Civics: Greenville County

10 Episodes
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By: Greater Good Greenville

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 government in Greenville County, South Carolina. Whether you live in downtown Greenville or Possum Kingdom, Marietta or Mauldin, Greer or the Golden Strip, if you care about your community, this podcast is for...

Navigating Concerns in Greenville Schools: District Ombudsmen's Role
Last Tuesday at 9:00 AM

Have you ever had a concern or issue with your child's school but didn't know where to turn? In this episode, we sit down with Kate Malone and Jason Warren, the district ombudsmen for Greenville County Schools. As former principals, they bring a wealth of experience and unique skill sets to their roles in helping students, parents, and community members navigate concerns and resolve conflicts within the school system. From understanding the process of addressing issues to the importance of building relationships and being proactive, Kate and Jason share valuable insights into their work as ombudsmen. Tune in to...


A New Day for Newtown: Remediating the CSX-T Bramlett Site
07/16/2024

Pastor Stacey Mills of Mountain View Baptist Church and Emily Poole, staff attorney at the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (SCELP), discuss the decades-long efforts for remediation of the contaminated Bramlett Road site near the Greenville community of Newtown in Southernside. Learn about the history of the neighborhood, the impact of coal tar contamination on the wetlands and residents, and the ongoing efforts to remediate the site. Explore how a diverse group of stakeholders, including the faith community, government, environmental advocates, and the private sector are working to restore the area and create new opportunities for the community.
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Making Waves: How SAIL Unites Greenville County
07/09/2024

What do summer swim meets and civic engagement have in common? In Greenville County, the answer is SAIL. For 60 years, the Swim Association Invitational League (SAIL) has brought together swimmers, families, and volunteers from across the county for friendly competition and community building. In this episode, we dive into the history and impact of SAIL with Chris Abdella, current SAIL president, and Peter Pistolis, past president and former SAIL swimmer. Discover how this beloved summer tradition fosters a sense of belonging, teaches valuable life skills, and strengthens the civic fabric of Greenville County. Tune in to learn how a...


Voices of the American Dream: The Immigrant Experience with Diana Hoyos Lopez and Magda DeSantis (Encore Episode)
07/02/2024

In this Independence Day special, we hear from Diana Hoyos Lopez and Magda DeSantis, two immigrants whose personal stories embody the hope, struggle, and triumph of the American Dream. Diana's journey from an undocumented Mexican immigrant to a healthcare professional highlights the formidable barriers faced by students in similar circumstances. Her success, made possible by her drive and determination along with community support, DACA, and scholarship programs, is an inspiring testament to perseverance and ambition. Magda's escape from communist Romania to become a dental lab technician in the U.S. shows the relentless pursuit of freedom and opportunity, underscoring...


Understanding the Fentanyl Challenge in Greenville County
06/25/2024

Today we talk about an important public health issue affecting Greenville County: fentanyl use and prevention. Senior Deputy Coroner Shelton England shares insights on local trends, interagency cooperation, and community education initiatives. Tune in to understand how our local government and health services are working together to address this challenge and how you can stay informed.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.


2024 Greenville Primaries - It Ain’t Over
06/18/2024

It’s election over time! Six races in the Greenville County 2024 primary are going on to a runoff of June 25th. This episode covers how runoffs work, who will be on the next ballot, how our turnout ended up in this important primary, and what’s next for our elections.

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.


Election Day Behind the Scenes (Encore Episode)
06/11/2024

It’s primary election day 2024! Voters have the responsibility of getting to the polls if they haven’t already, but there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes for election officials, candidates, and campaign volunteers. This episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look from pre-dawn to finalizing election results. On this episode we talk with John Michael Catalano, outreach and special projects coordinator with the South Carolina Elections Commission, and Derrick Lewis, who has concluded his second term as an elected member of the Greenville County School Board of Trustees. 

Election Resources:

Check Your...


Meet your Candidates for Greenville Coroner
05/30/2024

Meet Dale Arterburn and Mike Ellis, candidates for Greenville County Coroner. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Links:

Dale Arterburn: https://www.daleforcoroner.com/

Mike Ellis: https://mikeelliscoroner.com/

Coroners Office: https://www.greenvillecounty.org/Coroner/

Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

Support Simple Civics wit...


Meet your Candidates for Greenville Clerk of Court and Sheriff
05/30/2024

Meet Brice Garrett and Jay Gresham, candidates for Greenville County Clerk of Court. Also meet Mike Fortner and Hobart Lewis, candidates for Greenville County Sheriff. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors.

Clerk of Court Links:

Brice Garrett: https://brice-garrett.com/

Jay Gresham: https://www.votejaygresham.com/

Sheriff Links:

Mike Fortner: https://www.votemikefortner.com/

Hobart Lewis: https://www.hobartforsheriff.com/

Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.g...


District 7 - Meet your Candidates for South Carolina Senate
05/29/2024

Meet Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, candidate for South Carolina Senate District 7, which generally represents Pleasant Valley, Belle Meade, West Greenville, Downtown Greenville, Nicholtown, and some of Sans Souci. In this episode, each candidate has 10 minutes to introduce themselves to the voters. Your vote is so important! Please take a listen and share with your neighbors. This race also features candidate Karl Allen, but he did not respond to our many invitations to participate.

Links:

Michelle Goodwin-Calwile: https://www.goodwincalwilesc7.com/

Sample Ballot: www.scvotes.gov

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

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