Articles from the “Article” Category
“Imperfect, Relentless Progress”: James Gore Reflects on His Year Leading America’s Counties Article
Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore just wrapped up a year-long term as president of the National Association of Counties (NACo), representing over 3,000 counties across the U.S.—and if you ask him what he learned, he won’t quote policy manuals or spreadsheets. Instead, he compares it to wine. “The best wine comes from grapes that are […]
Dial 3 for Good Government: How Josh Geiger and the VA Revolutionized Emergency Care for Veterans Article
“You call your VA medical center, you dial 3. It’s that easy,” Geiger said. “It’s acute, unscheduled care—no fighting for parking, no sitting in a waiting room. Veterans love it because it works.” Josh Geiger, Director of Operations, National Emergency Medicine, US Department of Veterans Affairs
From Cop to Mayor: Jane Castor Talks Infrastructure, Immigration, and Resilience on The Good Government Show Article
“We’re a minority-majority city,” she said. “That means building trust with every community—especially when it comes to law enforcement. Our job is local safety, not federal immigration.” Tampa FL Mayor Jane Castro
“The Future Is Now: Futurist Donna Dupont Urges Governments to Think Big, Act Smart, and Embrace Change” Article
“You can have a ten-year vision,” she explained, “but you must build in milestones and be ready to pivot. That agility is the difference between thriving and just surviving.” Futurist, Donna DuPont
Leading with Purpose: How Veolia and Joe Tackett Are Reinventing Water Management—and Good Government Article
“Our sole purpose in life is to ensure folks have safe, clean drinking water,” said Tackett. “And that when water leaves a wastewater plant, it returns to the river cleaner than it came in.”
Tourism Is Transforming Coal Country—And Cora Gnegy Says We’ve Only Just Begun Article
“We’re not waiting for the past to come back—we’re building something new,” Gnegy told host Dave Martin. “Tourism and outdoor recreation are now our largest in-community employer.
July 4th: Remembering the Promise, Carrying on the Work Article
Every July 4th brings fireworks, picnics, parades and happy celebrations of American freedom. But behind the festivities lies a deeper, more enduring story. To me, July 4th is more than America’s birthday; it’s a reminder of unfinished work and a call to keep America’s promise alive and moving forward. We correctly associate the date with […]
AMERICA’S BEST IDEA Article
Just in time for Independence Day, The Good Government Show podcast welcomed a very special guest: David Vela, the former director of the National Park Service. In a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation with host Dave Martin, Vela reflected on his 38-year career in public service, his passion for preserving America’s natural and historic treasures, and why national parks remain, in his words, “America’s best idea.”
Grand Rapids Is Booming—And Walter Bujak Says That’s What Good Government Looks Like Article
Kent County Commissioner Walter Bujak wants the rest of the country to know a little secret: Grand Rapids is thriving—and it didn’t happen by accident. In a new episode of The Good Government Show with Dave Martin, Bujak highlights a wave of bold, community-focused investments that are reshaping the region—from riverfront trails to a brand-new […]
Raleigh NC Mayor Janet Cowell Talks Growth, Grit, and Good Government Article
“Being mayor is gritty. It’s tangible. You see the trash trucks roll out at 5:30 a.m. and know you’re responsible for that,” she said. “But it’s also inspiring. Cities are where government hits the ground—street trees, public pools, safe roads. That’s real impact.”