City Council Chronicles

Jim Paine--Superior, WI mayor--presided over a series of meetings this year in which the common council failed to select a council president after numerous votes and repeated requests for a secret ballot. He explains the dynamics behind the standoff and why the bad feelings seemed to boil over into this one decision. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Carrie Tergin--Jefferson City, MO mayor--returns to critique the top 10 city council selfies from International #CityHallSelfie Day. Follow along at www.councilchronicles.com/selfie. Also, she discusses a contentious council meeting about potential charter changes and listens back to the council meeting hours before a natural disaster. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Warren Lieberman--Belmont, CA vice mayor--was around when the first class of Belmont second graders began their mock council meetings at city hall. He explains the logistics, the topics, and the obstacles. Plus, what are the advantages to postponing a council decision on controversial topics? City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Casey Brown--Golden, CO mayor pro tem--was prepared to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections, despite concerns about their judgment and eating Tide Pods. Plus, when a large group of exasperated residents asked to temporarily halt new development, the Golden council happily obliged. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Rafael Espinoza--Denver, CO former councilman--discusses the shortfalls of his council, including the resistance to televised public comment and less-than-ideal meeting attendance. Then, he discusses how his thinking rapidly evolved on a large, divisive housing development that came before him for a vote. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Nicole Johnston--Aurora, CO council member--attended a pro-immigrant rally at an ICE facility, where a small group of protesters vandalized an American flag. But that didn't stop one council member from publicly accusing his colleagues of unpatriotic behavior, leading to a tense council meeting. Plus, she describes the night that her council made an irreversible decision to allow 300 oil and gas wells in the city. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

It's Christmas in July, which means it is only appropriate to take the holiday off and look back at our favorite interviews. This episode features Joseph Geierman, Jennifer Andress, and Christine Forster. Also, an update from the Listener's List and an excerpt of "Tear It Down." City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attributionlicense (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com Plantation by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Hackerland by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/292/hackerland Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org

Jon Wizard--Seaside, CA council member--sorts his fellow council members into their Hogwarts houses. Then, he discusses a council proposal to add members to a couple of advisory commissions and his own motion to endorse a controversial police use-of-force bill. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Jennifer Andress--Homewood, AL councilor--explains the painful decision to condemn a nuisance property and why Homewood committee meetings have no fixed schedule. Plus, an "S-Town" style trailer for this Alabama interview. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Joseph Geierman--Doraville, GA Council Member--walks through the "council court" hearing that Doraville employed and resembled a trial more than a council meeting. Plus, he talks about the non-discrimination ordinance that appeared to generate confusion before being saved by a vote switch. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

ABC's George Stephanopoulos spends 30 hours with Michael Karlik, peering into the mind of the podcast's creator and listening back to some of the best interviews. Includes segments featuring Eva Murray, Samba Baldeh, Barbara Simpson, Heidi Williams, and "Tear It Down." City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attributionlicense (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Kate Stewart--Takoma Park, MD mayor--recalls the saga of Takoma Junction, a small development that generated oversized outrage. We listen back to the arguments, the recall attempt, the cries for racial justice, and the inequity of abandoning the project when it had so many supporters. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Barbara Simpson--Saint John, NB reporter--assuages fears that people will be wandering around Saint John with bows and arrows killing indiscriminately after the council allowed for a deer cull. Plus, an explanation of why councillors are sensitive to outsiders coming in to use Saint John's ice rinks. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Samba Baldeh--Madison, WI alder--answers a crucial question: why does Madison call its council members "alders"? Then he discusses an emotional council meeting in which race and culture crept into a budgetary matter, as well as the police chief's accusatory blog post that declared a "pre-emptive first strike" on the council. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Eva Murray--Glasgow, SCT councillor--describes the tickets that a person needs to come watch Glasgow council meetings, the strategy for council meeting question periods, and how it feels to be a new councillor saddled with the historical baggage of your party. Plus, she plays "Are They a Councillor?" City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Ahmad Zahra--Fullerton, CA coucilmember--is a film producer and first-year council member whose first major decision was how to fill a vacant seat and who should fill it. He discusses how his thinking evolved and the "series of unfortunate events" that made it a tougher decision than one might expect. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

As Michael prepares for an audit, he plays some of his favorite episodes, reads from the Listener's List, and celebrates the one year anniversary of "Tear It Down" (www.tearitdownpodcast.com). Featuring excerpts from interviews with Ethan Baker, Emily LaDouceur, and Pat Martel. Plus, take the listener survey at www.councilchronicles.com/survey. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attributionlicense (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Emily LaDouceur--Berea, KY councilwoman--talks about the "hate group" that she sees as responsible for bullying and for pushing Christian-only invocations. She discusses her efforts to revise the city's ethics code to eliminate improper meetings and deter for future bad behavior. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Davina Duerr--Bothell, WA deputy mayor--reveals the motivation for the new "council conversations" segment of Bothell's meetings. Then we discuss in depth the abrupt 2016 firing of the city manager and why it could not have happened with more transparency. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com

Ethan Baker--Troy, MI mayor pro tem--describes the series of events that culminated in the city manager's arrest and firing in 2018. That wasn't the end of it, however, as the community demanded the release of a confidential report about his prior behavior. We listen to the surprising vote that followed from the council. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the world. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by ELGL.org. Our sponsor is Dig Deep Research: GoDigDeep.com. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citycouncilchronicles/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman: @benwassetweet. Listen to the newest project from City Council Chronicles, the eight-part "Tear It Down" audio story, available at www.tearitdownpodcast.com. Music credits: News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://incompetech.com