City Council Chronicles

Corey Branch--Raleigh, NC councilor--wants one simple thing at a council meeting (to my chagrin, it's not a flamethrower). We talk about the role of race, age, and being singled out. Plus, he fills me in on what happens in a hypothetical "closed session." City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Intro music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad. Additional music credit: Ishikari Lore by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100192 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Alexander Gothard--East Point, GA council member--has been a witness to (and in one case, the victim of) his council's dysfunction. Despite a series of controversial mayors, he tells me that things have gotten better and less acrimonious. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Regina Romero--Tucson, AZ vice mayor--tells me why her city council has gun lockers outside the chamber. Then we discuss why the mayor allows wild applause during public comment and, finally, whether Satanists can speak at her meetings. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

We visit Des Moines, the capital of Iowa and a city with more happening than meets the eye. We stroll through an art museum, chat with a t-shirt mogul, and explore the futuristic "Skywalk" after hours. This is a special episode in an occasional series about towns and cities. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Graphic by Ben Wasserman, Twitter: @benwasserbad Music credits: Meditation Impromptu 03 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100161 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Land on the Golden Gate by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/stuntisland/ Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/ Court of the Queen - Music to Delight by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100728 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Kumasi Groove by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100183 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Accralate - The Dark Contenent by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100341 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Transcend by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Lightless Dawn by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100655 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Comfortable Mystery 3 - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100536 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Other sound by http://www.bensound.com/.

Michael Sun--Johannesburg, South Africa councilor--talks about the wild inaugural city council meeting after the 2016 election. There was dancing, singing, fighting, and tragedy. He discusses humanizing the other 269 councilors, then we make some music! City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad. Voiceover by Dominic Fogarty @dom_foggers. Versions of "Shosholoza" by The Drakensberg Boys Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saJmOw0GGyI and by GMEA 2012 All-State Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osxx_IJ3KBY.

Ciarán Cuffe--Dublin, IE councilor--explains how a city council with 63 people can be unwieldy. We listen to arguments and outbursts, and also talk about some good things that have happened for women in the council meetings. Plus, a pop quiz! City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad. "Ramblin' Rover" by The Fables: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvM-kMi-1Wo.

Nancy LaRoche--Crystal, MN council member--gives us exclusive details about Bart, the council meeting mascot. Also, she tells me that before recent rule changes, Crystal's council meetings were not as polite as they are now. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Andre Sayegh--Paterson, NJ councilman--has been called the "good guy" of Paterson politics. After watching the screaming and blowups at his council meetings, I can see why. Sayegh calmly explains why things in New Jersey are so combustible. Plus, we talk about which New Jersey-based reality show best describes Paterson's council meetings. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad. Piano version of "Born to Run" by YouTube user timbo0151 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsOx-5_U9oE.

We explore Las Cruces, a small city near the Mexican border. We push our way through a dust storm, go on a hike through the Organ Mountains, and suddenly get caught up in a medical emergency. This is a special episode in an occasional series about towns and cities. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman, Twitter: @benwasserbad

Christine Forster--City of Sydney councilor--and I get outraged over the Lord Mayor's unwillingness to videostream their council meetings. We talk about whether the public should be able to ask questions at meetings and about her dog, Audrey Pugburn. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Lan Diep--San José council member--gives an update on the city council's pre-Silicon Valley Comic Con festivities. Trekkie-approved! City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Julie Underwoood--Mercer Island, WA city manager--sat far, far away from the mayor after her first two council meetings. Why? She explains that, as well as what it's like to bring kids to a council meeting. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Daniel Alfonso--Miami, FL city manager--is literally a survivor of his city's commission meetings. What does that mean? Well, let's just say that Miami's meetings are no walk in the park. Despite the screaming and discord, he has amazingly remained calm. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Jennifer Bowles--Martinsville, VA council member--describes the time a future city council member got ejected from a meeting and the time the mayor turned off the cameras. Plus, we chat about our time at the University of Virginia (which was, like, four years ago). BONUS: An update at the top of the episode about the recall election of past podcast guest and Lee's Summit, MO Council Member Chris Moreno. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.

Lee Vogler--Danville, VA councilman--is the youngest guy on the city council. He talks about how the older councilmen are cooler than we think and what everything is like when the cameras are off. Then, we discuss an upsetting council meeting about taking down the Confederate flag. City Council Chronicles provides reviews of city council meetings from across the United States and Canada. Named a "Top 100 Local Government Influencer" in 2016 by ELGL.org. Link: https://councilchronicles.com/ Twitter: @michaelkarlik Music by http://www.bensound.com/. Graphic by Ben Wasserman @benwasserbad.