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

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.

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.

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.

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.