Perspectives

Since his appointment to the job at the close of 2019, Chief Revell has been putting a new command structure in place, changing some policies and protocols and placing his law enforcement philosophy into the functions of the nation’s second-oldest city police department.  He talks about making the department more inclusive, responsive and transparent while also moving ahead with plans to increase citizen involvement and construction of a new headquarters on the site of the old Northwood Centre.

As the first-ever ethics officer for the City of Tallahassee, Julie Meadows-Keefe not only had to work with the Independent Ethics Board to change the internal culture of city government.  She also had to establish her own role from the ground up, sometimes attracting criticism and even open hostility along the way.  Now, as she steps down from the job she’s held since 2014, she talks about those experiences and looks forward to a future in private law practice.

Leon County and the Village Square is hosting a community discussion on Tallahassee’s long connection with the civil rights struggle, from its earliest days to the present.

The 19th Amendment extending the vote to women in the United States was ratified in 1920.  That was also the year the League of Women Voters was founded.  Now, on the League’s 100th anniversary, its primary mission of voter education and advocating for voter participation and access continues, nationally and locally.  We talk with: Jessica Lowe-Minor treasurer of the League’s national organization; and Teri Cleeland, current president of the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee.

The cost of housing in the Tallahassee area is growing rapidly.  To talk about the resources available to meet the need are: Shington Lamy, director of Leon County’s Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships; Kyndra Light with the Housing Leadership Council of Tallahassee/Leon County; Karen Miller, assistant executive director of the Big Bend Lenders Consortium; Antoine Wright, executive director Big Bend Habitat for Humanity; and Nola Shotwell with Noble Seed Contractors.

Considered by many to be Beckett’s greatest play, “Endgame” will be presented by Tallahassee’s Irish Repertory Theatre at the Goodwood Museum and Gardens Carriage House Jan. 31, Feb.1 and Feb. 2 and at Crawfordville’s Palaver Tree Theatre Feb. 7, 8 and 9.  To discuss the play and its relevance to modern audiences is: Irish Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Lanny Thomas; “Endgame” Director Gary Brame; Theatre Board Chair Jim McMurty who portrays “Hamm” in the play; and FSU English Professor Stan Gontarski who both worked with the playwright and has written extensively about him and his works.

Leon County and several partners are joining forces to provide support and resources for older residents who wish to re-invent themselves.  To talk about the new Third Act initiative are:  Leon County District Three Commissioner Rick Minor; Antonio Montoya, executive director DOMI Station; Director of the Leon County Office of Economic Vitality Cristina Paredes; and Barbara Westcott, CEO and founder of Swellcoin and co-founder of Women Wednesdays.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and multiple local events are planned to spread the word on the pervasiveness of the crime and what can be done to fight it.  To discuss the multiple aspects of the issue are: Robin Hassler Thompson, executive director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center; Regina Bernadin with the International Rescue Committee; Michelle Gaines from the Florida Department of Education; and Melissa Wright from Capital City Bank.

It seems those communities with vibrant arts and cultural offerings are attracting more corporate and individual businesses.  To talk about the Tallahassee potential are: COCA (Council of Culture and the Arts) Executive Director Kathleen Spehar; Christina Paredes, director of the Leon County Office of Economic Vitality; legendary jazz and classical trumpet player Longineau Parsons; and Jonathan Conrad, now chief operating officer with the Tallahassee operation of ISF, whose assignment with the firm’s Austin, TX operation gave him insight on how that community leveraged its creative assets to attract more economic development.

At the end of his first year as mayor, John Dailey talks about the City’s newly-adopted ethics policy, new police chief, the local crime problem, status of a stalled downtown development, and a plethora of other issues facing the Capital City’s municipal government.