Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Local Spanish teacher Laura Sexton is an emerging artist, and seized upon an opportunity this summer to serve as one of the artists in residence during the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte. She talks with Savvy Citizen about how her art has evolved, what places and people inspire her, and how she continues to pursue this passion when school is in session. 

As the saying goes, there's only two things in life that are for sure: Death and Taxes. With the annual property tax bills hitting mailboxes in early August, we sat down with Tax Director Cecil Jackson and Quality Control Manager Chelsea Tarbush to discuss the impacts the housing market could have on local tax bills and some easier ways to pay, thanks to some outside-the-box thinking. 

Despite the barriers provided during the pandemic, Gaston College is full steam ahead, with a new Fiber Innovation Center on the way, a brand new athletics program set to debut and an announcement on a new mascot and school colors. College President Dr. John Hauser joins Savvy Citizen to share why the future of higher education in Gaston County is brighter than ever.

Gaston County Information Technology Senior Data Analyst Will Henry joins Savvy Citizen to talk the Colonial Pipeline hack, recent local government cyberattacks and what to watch for when trying to keep your own data safe. 

Whether its pickleball, shag dancing or zumba classes, Gaston County's Senior Center has a little bit of something for everyone, and is beginning to get back to more in-person activities as the pandemic eases.

Gaston County has kicked off a new fiscal year, and members of our budget team join Savvy Citizen to talk about what residents can expect and some insight into how difficult decisions get made in getting the county to a budget that didn't use any fund balance for the first time in over five decades.

Local high school sports standouts Kyndal Knight and Michal Smolen talk about their experiences at the Olympic trials and competing at the highest level of their respective sports, and for Michal, his goals for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo. 

A career on the bench that spanned nearly three decades, Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell is a Gaston County institution unto himself. He talks with Savvy Citizen about his retirement and why you shouldn't be surprised if you still see him with gavel in hand. 

What's it like to work for Gaston County? For five individuals -- they're getting the chance to test drive government service as part of a new fellowship program that aims to attract some of the best and brightest to serve the citizens of our area.

As cities, towns and the county itself passes proclamations recognizing Juneteenth, events celebrating the final emancipation of slaves in Galveston, Texas are scheduled across Gaston County. We speak to the organizers of events in Belmont, Bessemer City and Gastonia for a look inside what to expect and how these celebrations can bring about a greater sense of unity in our communities.