“Don’t assume that just because it’s government, it’s boring.” With Hugh Plappert and Aileen Dickson, the path runs from television marketing to a city clerk’s office where elections, records, and public access shape every decision. Aileen traces a move from one computer per department and photocopied council packets to digital operations, Open Troy, and careful exploration of AI for searches. She explains being appointed and confirmed, the shift from paper to electronic records, and why “elections take over everything” as law changes in 2018 and 2022, COVID years, and presidential cycles require agility. Responsibilities span agendas and minutes, FOIA, vital records, cemeteries, parliamentary procedure training, budgeting, community engagement, and a new precinct map. Education, mentorship, and association work support new clerks and succession planning. Creativity shows up in precinct outreach with a Finding Nemo play and a sixties pop diner feel that gets attention and shares information from the source.

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Aileen Dickson discovered election administration while working in police records and volunteering after hours. She transferred into the clerk’s office as an office assistant, took on budgeting, council agendas, ordinances, and resolutions, and became city clerk in 2011. Appointed by the city manager and confirmed by the city council, she has been called to this work for 25 years. Aileen is a master municipal clerk and a Level 3 M-I-P-M-C, active in county and state associations, mentoring new clerks, and pursuing an election official certificate through Oakland University.

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• From police records to the clerk’s chair and “the job that I didn’t know I wanted”
• Appointed city clerk, confirmed by council, and differences across Michigan cities and townships
• From photocopies and hand delivered agendas to digital operations and Open Troy
• “Elections take over everything,” agility with 2018 and 2022 constitutional changes and COVID years
• Careful exploration of AI for searches while protecting accuracy and security
• Budget season, new voting system planning, and shifting resources for presidential years
• Vital records, FOIA coordination, cemeteries, records retention, and parliamentary procedure training
• Community engagement booths, a new precinct map, Finding your precinct with under the sea themes, stickers, and a sixties pop diner feel
• Education and certifications through MAMC, IIMC, county associations, state and county election training, and Oakland University
• Mentorship, Facebook group support, membership tracks, and succession planning for new clerks

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• Open Troy
• Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
• International Institute of Municipal Clerks
• Oakland County Clerks Association
• Bureau of Elections at the state and the Secretary of State’s office
• Oakland University election official certificate
• Facebook group for clerks
• Finding Nemo (precinct outreach play)

Young, elected, and showing up. Host Hugh Plappert sits down with Dominik Bronakowski, the elected City Clerk of Des Plaines, sworn in at 24 and proud to be the youngest elected citywide official in Des Plaines history. Dominik shares how wearing many hats opened doors, from working full-time in the Illinois State legislature on constituent services and outreach to evenings and weekends in the clerk’s office. From ageism on the campaign trail to proving himself day in and day out, Dominik focuses on transparency, accessibility, and competitive elections. He talks about rolling out translation services for non-English speakers, making it easier for candidates to get on the ballot, and showing up to every city council meeting to learn how government works. His message to young people is simple: show up.

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Dominik Bronakowski is the elected City Clerk of Des Plaines. Sworn in at 24, he is the youngest elected citywide official in Des Plaines history. He also works in the Illinois State legislature for a state representative in the Lake County area, handling constituent services, outreach, and district office work. Dominik serves at city council meetings, community events, and leads initiatives around accessibility and elections while collaborating with strong staff in the clerk’s office.

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• Wearing multiple hats: full-time in the Illinois State legislature and part-time as City Clerk
• Showing up to every city council meeting to learn how government works and operates
• Navigating ageism and proving capability by doing the work day in and day out
• Transparency, accessibility, and competitive elections as priorities beyond the status quo
• Rolling out onsite translation services to support non-English speakers at City Hall
• Creating candidate guides to make it easier to get on the ballot locally
• Community connection through farmers’ markets, permitting and licensing, and liquor licenses
• Mentorship from Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and State Senator Laura Murphy

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• City of Des Plaines
• Des Plaines City Council meetings
• Planning and Zoning Board
• Mayor Andrew Goczkowski
• State Senator Laura Murphy
• Lake Michigan
• Deputy FOIA officer
• Farmers’ markets

How do you turn unexpected opportunities into a lasting career of service? On this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert speaks with Vanessa Joseph, elected City Clerk for the City of North Miami and practicing immigration attorney.

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Vanessa shares her journey as the daughter of Haitian immigrants, her initial plan to return to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and how her passion for service led her toward immigration law and ultimately public office. She explains how she became bi-vocational, why civic education is central to her work, and how the office of the City Clerk serves as a bridge between residents and their government.

Listeners will hear stories about creating the Madam Clerk Project to engage children, launching a Learn to Swim initiative that expanded countywide, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, listening, and building trust.

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Vanessa Joseph is the elected City Clerk for the City of North Miami and an immigration attorney with a nonprofit organization. Born in the United States to Haitian immigrants, she has spent over a decade working in immigration and human rights law. Since being elected in May 2019, she has served as City Clerk, focusing on civic engagement, transparency, and community service.

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• Growing up as the daughter of Haitian immigrants and finding pride in both cultures
• Transitioning from political science and public administration studies to immigration law
• Running for and being elected as City Clerk in North Miami
• Why the clerk’s office is the bridge between people and their government
• Lessons from early challenges and the importance of listening in leadership
• Creating the Madam Clerk Project coloring book and distributing over 5,000 copies
• Launching the Learn to Swim initiative in honor of a mentee, now part of a countywide zero drowning program
• Encouragement for immigrants and residents to participate in boards, committees, campaigns, and local elections

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• Madam Clerk Project coloring book (City of North Miami initiative)
• North Miami Learn to Swim program
• Legacy Magazine “40 Under 40” recognition
• Haitian American Chamber of Commerce “20 Under 40” recognition

Changes are challenging. They can make you or break you. They can throw you into an emotional turmoil, and they are important to understand as you develop your career in local government. In this conversation, Hugh Clapper sits down with Shirley Foxx-Knowles, City Clerk of Tampa, to talk about navigating political, system, and career changes.

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Shirley shares her journey from 16 years in corporate accounting at GTE to more than two decades serving in Tampa’s city government. She reflects on differences between the corporate world and local government, the importance of attitude, and the projects that made a lasting difference for the public. From handling hurricanes and supporting council meetings to leading the archives and records division, Shirley emphasizes service, leadership, and a can-do mindset.

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Listeners will also hear her perspective on working with three mayors, mentoring staff, and why attitude truly is everything in building a career in public service.

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Shirley Foxx-Knowles is the City Clerk of Tampa. Recruited to government service by Mayor Pam Iorio, she has worked under three mayors during her 22 years in city government. With a background in accounting and corporate experience at GTE, Shirley leads the clerk’s office and archives and records division, providing vital services to council, departments, and the public.

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• Moving from corporate accounting to city government and the adjustments required
• Differences between corporate deadlines and the pace of local government
• Why attitude, mentorship, and internships shape career success
• Leading the City Clerk’s office and serving as the hub of information for the public and council
• Implementing document storage systems and helping residents become self-sufficient in accessing records
• Preparing for hurricanes, securing staff and equipment, and supporting the emergency operations center
• Experiences working with three Tampa mayors: Pam Iorio, Bob Buckhorn, and Jane Castor
• Publishing history projects, including “Mayors of Tampa,” “Council of Tampa,” and the annual “100 Years Ago in Tampa” series
• Advice for new careers in local government and the importance of a can-do attitude

• City of Tampa Clerk’s Office Books: Mayors of Tampa, Council of Tampa, City Clerks of Tampa, and 100 Years Ago in Tampa — available on the Tampa City Clerk’s website

On this episode of Ground Floor Government, host David Plappert sits down with Deborah Sorensen, City Secretary of Rowlett, Texas. Deborah shares how rules, laws, and codes shape what cities can and cannot do, highlighting the importance of the Open Meetings Act, the Public Information Act, and election laws.

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She describes the Action Center in Rowlett, a one stop shop for citizens who need help navigating city services, and reflects on juggling multiple roles each week, from preparing agendas and minutes to elections and public information requests. Deborah also talks about leading Rowlett to its first Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award, the challenges of new state legislation, and the importance of transparency and trust with citizens.

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Listeners will hear her perspective on communication trends, citizen engagement, and the personal side of public service, including being “on” 24/7 as a city representative.

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Deborah Sorensen is the City Secretary of Rowlett, Texas. She has served in local government for 17 years, beginning with an Economic Development Corporation role, later working as a paralegal, and then moving into city secretary positions in multiple Texas cities. She joined Rowlett in January 2025, where she continues her commitment to transparency, elections, and citizen service.

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• Laws and codes that govern city operations, including the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act
• The Action Center in Rowlett as a one stop shop for citizens
• Preparing agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, elections, and information requests
• Balancing an unpredictable workload and citizen interactions daily
• Receiving the Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award in Rowlett and previous cities
• Challenges from recent state legislation limiting city authority
• Building transparency and trust with the public, especially when facing criticism
• Communication methods used in Rowlett, from videos and social platforms to senior engagement
• The growth of Rowlett from a rural city to a metroplex community of nearly 70,000
• Advice for those entering local government: thick skin, compassion, and prioritizing citizens

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• Texas Municipal Clerks Association
• Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award

A pothole crew, a dump truck, a radio system, a streetlight on every corner. Behind each visible service sits an army that buys, maintains, measures, and pays for it. In this conversation, Hugh Plappert speaks with Mark Funkhouser, who connects the nuts and bolts of procurement, budgeting, and performance auditing to parks, safety, clean water, and trash pickup. He shares a Kansas City story where resident surveys, an audit, and a voter-approved bond transformed an outdated streetlight system. He talks about mistakes like a public safety radio purchase that failed frontline users, why the second question in government is how to pay for it, and why democracy is difficult and messy. He encourages internships, finance skills, service on boards, and even running for office. He calls the current moment “fend for yourself federalism” and argues that governance precedes finance.

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Mark Funkhouser is a former Mayor of Kansas City and longtime government performance auditor. He served as publisher at Governing magazine. He teaches budgeting and financial management in the John Lewis MPA program at Tulane. He leads Funkhouser & Associates, focusing on strategic planning and comprehensive plans through a finance and governance lens. He highlights Eleanor Ostrom’s principles for governing a common pool resource and emphasizes that governance precedes finance.

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• The “army behind” visible services and why every street name has an invoice and a receipt
• How procurement really works for a $150,000 dump truck, from specs to lifecycle costs to appropriations
• A Kansas City audit that led to a voter-approved bond and doubled resident satisfaction with street lighting
• Lessons from a failed public safety radio system and how auditors diagnose what went wrong
• Careers that start with internships and grow into leadership, plus the value of finance training
• Why the second question is how to pay for it and why democracy is difficult and messy
• “Fend for yourself federalism” and responsibilities devolving to state and local governments
• Governance precedes finance, with examples from Flint, Michigan and Eleanor Ostrom’s principles

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• Funkhouser & Associates
• Governing magazine
• John Lewis MPA program at Tulane
• Eleanor Ostrom
• Teddy Roosevelt’s “the man in the arena”
• Flint, Michigan
• Kansas City streetlight bond and public safety radio system references

Welcome to Ground Floor Government with David Plappert. In this conversation, Rheanna Ollis shares how a political science path turned into community relations, starting as an unpaid intern, jumping into billing and collections, becoming the first coordinator, and stepping into division head at 23. She talks about juggling social media, uploading city council meetings, a weekly City Council Digest, neighborhood associations, press releases, a video project for the enterprise zone, and working with a graphic designer on target audiences and marketing.

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Rheanna explains why communication is the hardest part when your target audience is 28,000 people across different backgrounds. She breaks down home rule, how department and division heads shape decisions, and why reaching council members and division heads matters. She walks through City Council Digest to share hot topic items and What’s Brewing, a coffee talk series with free cups, Q&A cards, and accessibility in mind. She also shares feedback from a 25-year comprehensive plan that shifted focus toward beauty, signage, and banners with “you decide what’s possible,” plus practical channels from Facebook and Instagram reels to print media and First Fridays.

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Rheanna Ollis is the Community Relations Administrator for the City of Danville. With a bachelor’s degree in political science, she started as an unpaid intern, moved into billing and collections, became the first coordinator in community relations, and now leads the division. She sits on the Downtown Danville Inc. board, works across departments on social media, press, neighborhood associations, and city council communications, and launched initiatives like the City Council Digest and What’s Brewing to connect residents with department and division heads and the mayor.

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• Starting as an unpaid intern, moving to billing and collections, first coordinator, then division head at 23
• Why communication is the hardest part when the target audience is 28,000 people
• Home rule, council votes, and how department and division heads shape decisions residents feel
• City Council Digest: hot topic breakdowns, live streaming, reviews by city clerks, and sending to local media
• What’s Brewing: traveling coffee talks, first 15 cups free, Q&A cards, accessibility, and quarterly cadence
• Public feedback from a 25-year comprehensive plan: focus on beauty, signage, banners, and welcome signs
• Reaching demographics: Facebook for women 28–52, Instagram reels for 18–28, live streams for staff, print for schools and industry
• First Fridays: kid-focused, low to free cost, downtown businesses, “Discover Danville,” passports, food samples, dance, and music
• Using AI for drafts, captions, ideas, and names like “What’s Brewing” and “City Council Digest,” while keeping a personal touch
• Advice to get your foot in the door, call your aldermen, attend meetings, and vote

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• City Council Digest
• What’s Brewing
• Downtown Danville Inc.
• Public Works
• First Fridays
• Facebook (Meta)
• Instagram reels
• YouTube and Chris Hardin (travel vlogs)
• QR code for the city website (on flyers)
• Enterprise zone video project
• “You decide what’s possible” banners and signage

Joseph Lewin, producer of Ground Floor Government, sits down with David Plappert, the regular host of the show, for a special behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to get PhoneLive running. Many communities struggle to connect with the 20% of people who cannot access livestreams due to broadband barriers. David explains how PhoneLive bridges that gap by integrating seamlessly with existing streaming platforms, provisioning dedicated toll-free phone numbers, and making participation as simple as answering a call.

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• Why PhoneLive matters for the 20% of people without broadband access
• The simple 15-minute setup with no hardware or telephone lines required
• How PhoneLive integrates with livestream providers as an RTMP destination
• Dedicated toll-free numbers and 24/7 availability for community access
• Live notifications and subscriber call-outs that automatically connect residents
• Four ways people can subscribe, from call-ins to CSV import and API integration
• Support options, including text-based help during meetings
• Reporting and analytics tied to actual phone numbers for follow-up and engagement

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• PhoneLive
• David Plappert
• Joseph Lewin

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📢 Powered by PhoneLive.

An estimated 10% of U.S. households lack broadband, and as many as 20% of constituents are unable to access city council, school board, and other public meetings online. In this conversation, David Plappert is joined by producer and guest host Joseph Lewin to explore why live streaming alone leaves too many people out and how phone access bridges the gap.

They discuss the limitations of current solutions, from manual conference lines to free services with hidden costs, and highlight how dedicated toll-free phone lines with automation remove barriers for marginalized groups, seniors, and people on the move. Using real-world examples—from truck drivers to school board parents—this episode underscores the importance of inclusivity, transparency, and simplicity in government meeting access.

• Why 10% of U.S. households without broadband face immediate barriers to live streams
• How real-world scenarios like truck drivers, landscapers, and seniors highlight the access gap
• The role of phone access as a “least common denominator” for meeting participation
• Limitations of existing phone systems, including high administrative burden and PIN complexity
• Hidden costs of free conference call services for prepaid phone users
• How Phone Live automates access with dedicated toll-free numbers, live notifications, and archiving
• Ways phone-based access can increase transparency for school boards and public meetings
• Why automated phone solutions reduce IT workload while improving ADA compliance

• PhoneLive.io

Local government meetings shape communities, but for one in five Americans, participation is out of reach. In this first episode of Ground Floor Government, producer Joseph Lewin hosts a conversation with David Plappert about why access to city meetings matters and who is being left out. They uncover overlooked groups struggling to connect, including households without broadband, elderly residents, blue collar workers, and families living below the poverty line. The discussion highlights barriers such as resource limitations, technology gaps, and time constraints that keep people disconnected. David shares stories of residents whose lives changed when access became possible, why cities need to address accessibility, and how upcoming regulations will drive change.

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Joseph Lewin is the producer of Ground Floor Government and guest host for this episode. He brings personal experience from years working in blue collar jobs and remote work, offering a unique perspective on accessibility challenges and community needs.

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• Why transparency and accountability in local government depend on access for all
• The reality that 20% of Americans struggle to connect to online city content
• Groups most affected, including those without broadband, elderly residents, people with disabilities, and blue collar workers
• Stories of residents whose voices were heard after gaining meeting access
• The complex steps required for a resident to join a live stream
• Limitations of current solutions like Zoom call-ins, free conference calls, and traditional phone bridges
• How upcoming ADA Title II regulations will affect cities and compliance efforts
• A preview of future episodes addressing new tools and solutions for accessibility

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• US Census Data
• ADA Title II Accessibility Rules
• Free Conference Call solutions (referenced in discussion)
• PhoneLive.io