From Tech to Traffic Safety: Saratoga’s Mayor, Belal Aftab, is Bringing a New Voice to City Hall Article
In his first 30 days as mayor of Saratoga, California, Belal Aftab has already made one thing clear: leadership isn’t about the title—it’s about action. “It’s not about being mayor. It’s about doing things as mayor,” he told Dave Martin on The Good Government Show. Aftab, who grew up in Saratoga and now represents a […]
You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone: Why Saving Libraries Is Saving America Article
In a time when government programs face deep cuts and disinformation floods the internet, one institution still offers free access to knowledge, community, and opportunity: your local public library. On The Good Government Show, host Dave Martin takes listeners on a tour of the Fairfield, Connecticut Public Library—and what he uncovers is nothing short of […]
America’s Libraries, Government at its Finest Show Notes
Imagine a place where you can get answers to questions, help filling out a form, legal advice, a safe place for children to learn and grow, learn to play an instrument or hold a meeting. That is what libraries do. And their future is being threatened. Listen to what one library does for one town. […]
A New Mayor in Saratoga, CA Show Notes
When I met Belal Aftab he had been mayor of Saratoga, CA for just 30 days. Listen to how he plans to lead and his approach to the job. GoodGovernmentShow.com Thanks to our sponsors: The Royal Cousins: How Three Cousins Could Have Stopped A World War by Jim Ludlow Ourco Good News For Lefties (and […]
From Coal to Coffee Shops: Glenville Mayor Dr. Mark Sarver Champions Rural Reinvention on The Good Government Show Article
In a recent episode of The Good Government Show, Glenville Mayor Dr. Mark Sarver offered a hopeful blueprint for rural coal towns facing economic decline. As both mayor and business professor at Glenville State University, Dr. Sarver has spent the last two years helping lead the “Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities” initiative—a national cohort […]
A New Look at Old Coal Communities Show Notes
Dr Mark Sarver lead an organization of counties that looked at counties, cities and towns that were powered by the coal industry, with the coal business greatly reduced, these regions are looking at different ways to stay vibrant. GoodGovernmentShow.com Thanks to our sponsors: The Royal Cousins: How Three Cousins Could Have Stopped A World War […]
Berkeley’s ‘Can-Do Mayor’: Adena Ishii Charts a Bold New Course for Local Leadership Article
Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii may be new to elected office, but she’s already making a name for herself as a bold, collaborative, and future-focused leader. In a recent interview on The Good Government Show podcast, Ishii—described by local media as The Can-Do Mayor—shared how her journey from student activist to mayor is shaping her approach […]
Faith & Values: Finding faith without the comfort of certainty Article
By Jim Ludlow My pastor recently stated that we cannot truly be believers in the scripture without also believing in spirits and supernatural intervention in human affairs. His sermon, like his others, was very studied and well delivered. Yet this statement struck at the heart of my lifelong struggle with religious teachings. Spirits play very […]
A new Mayor in Berkeley, CA Show Notes
Adena Ishii has been mayor of Berkeley, CA for less than a year. One local article called her the Can Do Mayor and when you listen to her, you will hear a dynamic leader just getting started. GoodGovernmentShow.com Thanks to our sponsors: The Royal Cousins: How Three Cousins Could Have Stopped A World War by […]
“You Can Leave for Cool Places — or Make This One Cool”: Gabe Peña on Reviving Appalachian Downtowns Article
“You Can Leave for Cool Places — or Make This One Cool”: Gabe Peña on Reviving Appalachian Downtowns In the heart of West Virginia coal country, Fayetteville City Councilmember Gabe Peña is proving that small towns can be both historic and forward-thinking. Appearing on The Good Government Show, Peña shared how his Appalachian community is […]