Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Conversations about AI are everywhere, but how is it impacting the way government works for you? On this month's Savvier Citizen, we talk with local government AI advocate Micah Gaudet from the City of Maricopa (AZ), and Centralina Regional Council Executive Director Geraldine Gardner about the pros, the cons, the guardrails and why the future is now. 

Ranlo Experience Committee Chair Drew Horine talks to Savvy Citizen about how this growing Gaston County town is trying to better connect its residents and all of Gaston County to the great events it has on tap. 

In this episode, ncIMPACT director Anita Brown-Graham joins host Adam Gaub to discuss the Our State, Our Future program and how it relates to Gaston County.

This episode of A Planned Party is our virtual version of a Coffee With a Planner, as we introduce our whole team and provide insights on what it means to serve our community in this role. Have questions of your own for us? Be on the lookout for an upcoming in person Coffee With a Planner where you can meet your team, get your queries answered and help support Alex's latte habit. 

WSOC Channel 9 Chief Meteorologist John Ahrens and Two Rivers Utilities Division Manager Ed Cross talk to us about how bad the current drought is, how long we might be in it, and what could be ahead in terms of water restrictions. 

This month's Savvier Citizen takes a deep dive into how Gaston County is battling the opioid crisis. Hear from GEMS Capt. Brandon Miller, Lt. Justin Greer, First Baptist Church of Cramerton's David Julen, and others on some of the initiatives that have helped reverse a significant rise in overdoses. 

Cristy Cummings with the Town of Cramerton and Savannah Bryant with the Catawba Riverkeeper talk about this year's Goat Island Games and Riverfest events happening on Saturday, May 2, and why there's something for everyone to enjoy that day in McAdenville and Cramerton.
 
More info on Riverfest can be found at: https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/riverfest
More info on this year's Goat Island Games is available at: https://www.cramerton.org/departments/parks___recreation/gig.php
 

Drew Horine with Gastonia East Rotary swings by the studio to talk about this year's Gastonia Concert Series, which has events at both the Rotary Centennial Pavilion and CaroMont Health Park. The series continues to raise funds that go right back into the community through grants provided through Gastonia East Rotary. Find the full lineup at https://gastoniaeastrotary.org/concerts/. 

In this episode, Janet Schafer sits down with Gavin Stewart and Adam Gaub of the Gaston County Communications Department to discuss 2nd annual Get to Know Gaston Event, happening at Tuckaseege Park in Mount Holly on April 15 from 4 to 7 pm. The event blends entertainment with local government, giving residents the opportunity to get to know the organizations serving them in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Expect lawn games, live music, "touch-a-truck," giveaways, food trucks, activities for children, and more!
 
Attendees can learn about upcoming projects and initiatives that impact them at various booths and tents and receive stamps. If they receive 10 stamps, they will get a voucher for complimentary meals at on-site food trucks.

Audrey Leazer, Madison Darnell and Abby Helms from Gaston Community Foundation's Teens Changing Gaston County group talk with Savvy Citizen about their microgrant program and the nonprofits they're supporting in our community.