In the latest episode of the Mayors of Main Street podcast, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews Mayor Allen Joines of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a long-serving public official who has been in office since 2001. Mayor Joines shares his background as a former city manager and explains the transition to an elected role, which he initially took on for just one term. He details how he helped guide Winston-Salem's economic shift from a traditional manufacturing base to an economy focused on innovation and growth. The discussion highlights some of his administration's major accomplishments, including the creation of over 29,000 jobs and a remarkable 92% reduction in chronic homelessness through a collaborative, data-driven approach.

Mayor Joines also offers insights into the challenges of the mayoral role, such as the public's misconceptions about its power and the need to constantly educate citizens on government structures. He discusses Winston-Salem's ongoing efforts to address affordable housing and combat violent crime, sharing details about a successful prevention-focused program that has led to a significant decrease in homicides. The conversation also touches on his personal life, his love for outdoor activities, and the influence of his mentor, former Charleston mayor Joe Riley. Mayor Joines concludes by expressing his optimism for Winston-Salem's future and highlighting its vibrant cultural scene, including museums and its connection to the late Maya Angelou.

Join Mayor Kristine Lott on "Mayors of Main Street" as she sits down with Mayor Elise Partin of Cayce, South Carolina, for an insightful conversation about her remarkable journey as the city's first female and longest-serving mayor. Mayor Partin, first elected in 2008, shares how she's cultivated a "cleaner, safer, and healthier Cayce" while maintaining its unique small-town charm amidst a bustling region. This episode explores the power of nonpartisan local governance, emphasizing community engagement, effective communication, and the vital role of connection in fostering a thriving city.

Discover Mayor Partin's surprising entry into politics, driven by a community issue, and how her background—including lessons learned from her mother, who worked for a long-serving mayor—shaped her approach to public service. She highlights the importance of incorporating citizen voices into decision-making, from simple agenda adjustments to comprehensive planning, and discusses how her focus on fundamental community needs transcends political divides. Mayor Partin also touches on the critical balance of leadership and operational expertise in a council-manager government, offering a candid look at the challenges and immense rewards of serving one's community.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Mayor Chris Bollwage of Elizabeth, New Jersey, as he offers candid insights into his life, leadership, and the vibrant community he serves. Drawing from his roots as a high school bartender and his fondness for the city’s diverse restaurant scene, Mayor Bollwage provides a personal glimpse into what makes Elizabeth unique.

Mayor Bollwage details his achievements for Elizabeth, including revitalizing downtown areas, improving public safety, and expanding recreational opportunities for residents. His tenure has been marked by a hands-on, community-focused approach to governance—prioritizing accessibility, transparency, and partnerships with local organizations to address the needs of Elizabeth’s diverse population. He shares how investments in education, infrastructure, and cultural programs have strengthened the city, making it a hub for both families and businesses.

From supporting local sports and celebrating the city’s proximity to Broadway, to fostering a welcoming environment for new restaurants and arts, Mayor Bollwage’s leadership style reflects both vision and dedication. Tune in for a warm, authentic exchange that showcases the heart of Elizabeth and the progressive leadership guiding it forward. Don’t miss this episode of Mayors of Main Street!

In this episode of "Mayors of Main Street," we have the pleasure of speaking with Mayor John Evans of Garden City, Idaho. The conversation delves into the unique characteristics and the promising future of Garden City, a Boise-border town with a rich and colorful history. That history includes a short period where revenue from town’s well-run gambling houses paid for a new water system, a city hall, a park and much more. Mayor Evans explains how Chinese immigrants were part of the town’s agricultural roots and the naming of its main drag, Chinden Boulevard. Mayor Evans shares his people-centered approach, and how strong collaboration contributes to the success of his city. His insights on growth and tackling issues like development and upgrading an aging infrastructure with a nonpartisan approach provide a refreshing lens on community development and problem solving.

Mayor Evans is approaching the end of over three decades of public service, having announced he will not be seeking re-election at the end of his term. He reflects on his personal connection to Garden City, his contributions to the successful trajectory it is on, and the exciting developments that lie ahead. His gratitude and enthusiasm for service are palpable. Mayor Evans is the perfect ambassador for his town, promoting Garden City’s many breweries and wine tasting rooms. This episode is a testament to the dedication of local leaders in fostering vibrant, thriving communities.

In this engaging episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mayor Pam Colestock, who provides a personal and insightful overview of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Mayor Colestock, who has been passionately serving the community, discusses her role and the responsibilities that come with being the mayor of a small but mighty rural city. Known affectionately as the "Island City," Eaton Rapids is surrounded by two bodies of water with the Grand River running directly through it, a feature highlighted by Mayor Colestock as creating numerous opportunities for the town. She delves into the history of Eaton Rapids.

Mayor Colestock sheds light on her dedication to maintaining and improving the town's strong industrial heritage. Eaton Rapids, with a population of around 5,200, is located just 20 miles south of the state capital, Lansing. Mayor Colestock emphasizes the blend of tranquility and opportunity that makes the town a special place to live. Her commitment to fostering a close-knit community atmosphere is evident as she speaks passionately about the picturesque scenery and pride of Eaton Rapids' residents. This episode promises to be a captivating exploration of both the town and Mayor Colestock's impactful work.

Joining me today is Mayor Marvin Johnson of Independence, Minnesota. Mayor Johnson was first elected mayor in November 1979 and served 45 years in the role before retiring earlier this year, making him the longest-serving mayor in modern Minnesota history. In this episode, he reflects on his decades of service, the sustainable growth of Independence, and the importance of listening to constituents. 

Mayor Johnson reflects on his early days as a dairy farmer and surprising election to the Mayor’s office. An active farmer throughout his service, his tenure included slow but steady growth of Independence, the transition from dairy farms to crop farms, and the development of the city's infrastructure, including the construction of modern facilities and the implementation of a joint police department. Mayor Johnson also discusses his involvement with the League of Minnesota Cities and the National League of Cities, where he served on various committees and boards. Mayor Johnson's story is one of dedication and service. Tune in for valuable perspectives from one of America's longest-serving mayors. Mayor Johnson's story is a testament to the power of dedication, community involvement, and the lessons learned over decades of public service.

Joining me today is Mayor Bob Chatfield of Prospect, CT. Mayor Bob entered office in 1977, and has 48 years of service in the role. He is the 7th longest serving active mayor in the US. During his terms in office, he brought in municipal water, a new library and community center to town. Mayor Bob shares all about Prospect, what it's like to serve his community for so long, and shares his penny pincher award!

In this episode of Mayors of Main Street, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews Mayor Bob Chatfield of Prospect, Connecticut, a public servant who has dedicated an astounding 48 years to leading his small town. Mayor Bob shares the transformative journey of Prospect, detailing how he's systematically improved municipal infrastructure, from expanding water systems and drainage pipes to building new community facilities like a library, firehouse, and high school. Beyond his administrative achievements, Bob reveals the heart of local governance—staying connected to residents by visiting schools, hosting community events like a massive annual car show, and maintaining a small-town atmosphere where people know and help each other. His commitment to public service is deeply personal, stemming from early experiences working in local businesses and serving in the military, and he continues to serve with an unbridled enthusiasm that has made him not just a mayor, but a beloved local institution who is considering running for one more term to lead Prospect through its bicentennial celebration in 2027.

Joining me today is Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, MA. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994, and has 30 years of service in the role. During his terms in office, he helped the city of Leominster strengthen its financial position, increase accountability, and community engagement. We discuss the successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms, and Leominster's best spots to eat!

In this candid and wide-ranging interview, Mayor Kristine Lott talks to Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, Massachusetts, who shares his remarkable three-decade journey of transformative community leadership. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994 and he shares with Mayor Lott his successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms along with his favorite spots to eat!

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood and transitioning from police officer to long-serving mayor, Mazzarella describes his approach of building trust, fostering community engagement, and strategic development. He highlights key achievements like controlling urban growth through open space development and preservation, creating inclusive parks, improving community safety, and maintaining affordable, family-friendly events. Mazzarella's leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, patience, and extracting talent from community members, emphasizing that progress takes time and requires bringing people together across political and socioeconomic divides. He tells Mayor Lott that his experience as a resident, a business owner and a police officer helped him understand the different needs of the community. Mayor Mazzarella's passion for public service is clear and 30 years in office hasn't slowed him down. He continues to be energized and talks about remaining committed to Leominster's changing needs and balancing the town's growth, development and rising prices. 

In the premier episode of Mayors of Main Street, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews  Kimberly L. Nelson, Professor of Public Administration and Government in the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Nelson’s research on form of government, corruption, and innovation has been published in Public Administration Review, The American Review of Public Administration, State and Local Government Review, and other journals and she recently published a book, Municipal Corruption. 

Mayor Lott and Professor Nelson discuss the different forms of local government around the nation and how they impact communities. Professor Nelson explores the evolution of local government forms, focusing on the council manager and mayor council models, and highlights key differences in their approaches to leadership, accountability, and potential for corruption. Professor Nelson emphasizes that while these structures vary, the council manager form often demonstrates advantages in fiscal stability, oversight, and preventing corruption, with professional managers providing critical technical expertise and a dual accountability mechanism that helps maintain governmental integrity. Professor Nelson points out the correlation between declining local media coverage and corruption, highlighting that the press can act as external government oversight.

Throughout the conversation, Nelson advocates for greater public engagement, urging citizens to understand their local government structures, participate actively in community processes, and view government as a partnership rather than a transactional service.

The interview emphasizes the complexity of local government and the importance of understanding its structures and potential for community impact.