Mercy triumphs over judgment. That’s not an idea that will make it in to many blockbuster action movies or courtroom reality TV shows, but when it comes to real life, nothing makes for a better story than the missteps of offenders being wiped clean. Those are the very stories that are being written in Cumberland County, as Commissioner Charles Evans and District Attorney Billy West, along with their team of partners, are working hard to achieve second chances, a new life, a clean slate, for some in their community.   Relevant Links  Charles Evans - Biography Page Cumberland County District Attorney - Information Page Life is Worth Living - Project Fresh Start - Home Page Episode 10: Are counties working to combat recidivism in county jails? | Reducing costs and assisting incarcerated individuals | “Building a network of care” Second Chance Act - S562 

S1 Episode 18: Hope and a second chance | “A new path forward”

CountyCast is a podcast series from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners designed to educate listeners about the level of government closest to the people – counties.

Join host Amber Harris as we share county stories from North Carolina, help people understand county government’s impact and why it matters, and attempt to entertain while celebrating counties and our members.

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In this episode, we're joined by NC Senator Lisa Barnes, who is in her first term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner Sue Leggett, who is in her first term on the Nash County Board of Commissioners. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how backgrounds in agriculture and commitments to their communities have spurred connections between these two elected officials at the county and state levels.

S4 E2: Rooted in relationships with Senator Lisa Barnes and Commissioner Sue Leggett

 We kick off the fourth season of CountyCast with NC Representative Terry Garrison, who is in his third term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner T. Davis, who is in his second term on the Warren County Board of Commissioners and serves as NCACC First Vice President. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how collaboration between their respective branches of government can work together for the betterment of their communities.

S4 E1: Partnering in providing opportunities with Rep. Terry Garrison and Commissioner T. Davis

The basic principles of creating laws — bill drafting, committee discussion, and passage between the two chambers of the legislature — is fairly well understood. What happens in between, then? What exactly does it mean when proposed bills "go to marinate?" In the throes of the legislative short session, CountyCast host Amber Harris, NCACC's Director of Government Relations, sat down with NC Representative and Chair of the Rules Committee Destin Hall to find out the specifics of how legislation passes through the halls of the General Assembly. Relevant Links Rep. Destin Hall — Biography Page

Special Episode: An Insider Look at Passing Legislation with Rep. Destin Hall | "All about building relationships"

 In celebrating the most prominent Christmas decoration in the most distinguished house in the United States, we recap a special White House Christmas tree send-off from the Ashe County courthouse and talk with Tim O'Connor, Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Association, about the process to select the winning tree.   Relevant links    National Christmas Tree Association: realchristmastrees.org NC Christmas Tree Association: ncchristmastrees.com   Ashe County Government: www.ashecountygov.com "The Preacher's Wife": www.imdb.com/title/tt0117372  "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation": www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958   

Special episode: Little full, a lot of sap | “The Beyoncé of Christmas Trees”

The winding, lurching road of vaccine development quickly turned in to a speedy superhighway of vaccine distribution in the United States as the calendar turned to 2021, and true to much of the efforts to mitigate COVID-19, counties were placed at the front and center of the response. Speaking to how vaccination efforts have looked from the mobilization of large networks, to community administration, to the emptying of the vials, we're joined by Hattie Gawande, Senior Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor from NC DHHS; Gibbie Harris, the Public Health Director from Mecklenburg County; and Brandy Quinn, a Nurse Supervisor from the Onslow County Health Department. Our "Dish With a Commish" spotlight is on Randolph County Commissioner Darrell Frye.     NC DHHS Office of Government Affairs — www.ncdhhs.gov Mecklenburg County Health Department — www.mecknc.gov Onslow County Health Department — www.onslowcountync.gov/149/Health Redneck BBQ Lab — theredneckbbqlab.com 12 Bones Smokehouse — www.12bones.com Healthier Together - Health Equity Action Network — covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/nc-vaccine-strategy/healthier-together-health-equity-action-network  

S1 Episode 18: Hope and a second chance | “A new path forward”

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