Certified baddies – except Chris – return to the studio to discuss the recent municipal election, the upcoming bond vote for a new fire station and recycling woes in Stillwater. Ashlynd also shares her story on Stillwater’s new digital radio system and how encrypting radio broadcasts could change how breaking news is covered in the community.

Articles mentioned in the show:

Music clips used:

Recorded: Feb 16, 2022

Episode permalink: https://www.studiostillwater.net/in-the-newsroom-ep36-certified-recycling-baddies

Stillwater, home of Oklahoma State University, is inherently a destination town. Every year visitors make a significant impact on the city’s economy. Cristy Morrison and Chris Norris of Visit Stillwater join Chris and Michelle to discuss why Stillwater should consider raising the Visitor’s tax (formerly known as the hotel/lodging tax) from 4% to 7%. What the additional revenue will bring, and how we can improve our quality of life amenities by making visitors pay a little more while they are here.

Remember to vote on Feb. 8.

Useful links:

Payne County Election Board – https://www.paynecounty.org/election-board


Visit Stillwater – https://www.visitstillwater.org/visitor-tax/

Recorded: Jan. 27, 2022

Episode permalink: https://www.studiostillwater.net/grassroots-visitor-tax-proposal

Everyone in Stillwater agrees, many of our streets and roads are terrible. On Feb. 8 voters will have a proposition on their ballot to increase the dedicated transportation sales tax from a half-cent to a whole cent. To get the details of how the tax works, what it could fix, and why it’s the solution according to City management, Michelle and Chris sat down with Stillwater City manager Norman McNickle and Chief Civic Innovation officer Becky Taylor. 

Remember to vote! Early voting Feb. 3 – 4. Election Day voting Feb. 8

Useful links:

Payne County Election Board – https://www.paynecounty.org/election-board

Recorded: Jan. 28, 2022

Episode permalink: https://www.studiostillwater.net/grassroots-transportation-sales-tax-proposal

In this episode, Chris and Michelle sit down with Stillwater mayoral candidates Marc Trotter and Will Joyce. We learn what music they have recently listened to, how their faith impacts their call to public service and decision-making process, how their personal religious beliefs align with civic government and how they approach protecting the public’s health.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit https://coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Marc Trotter

Will Joyce

Contact Studio Stillwater: https://studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: https://studiostillwater.net/grassroots-faith-civics-with-marc-trotter-will-joyce

Recorded Jan. 10

In part three of our conversation with Will, we get into the details of how Stillwater’s Council/City manager form of government works, the challenges of state law on the local level and why he wants to be re-elected as Mayor of Stillwater. Will is facing Marc Trotter in the Feb. 8 mayoral election for the City of Stillwater.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Will Joyce

Marc Trotter

Contact Studio Stillwater: studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: studiostillwater.net/grassroots-growing-civic-engagement-will-joyce-part-3

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022

In part three of our conversation with Marc Trotter, we learn about his foundational principles that form his view on the proper role of government. His belief is that we are “a country of kings.” Marc is campaigning against incumbent Mayor Will Joyce in the Feb. 8 election.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Marc Trotter

Will Joyce

Contact Studio Stillwater: studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: studiostillwater.net/grassroots-growing-civic-engagement-marc-trotter-part-3

Recorded Jan. 10, 2022

***Spoiler alert*** Multiple films and books are discussed in this episode. From Jack Reacher to Frozen, to STILLWATER.

In part two Michelle and Chris learn what books Will enjoys reading and how his study of film as an English major has impacted his movie experience. 

Will is facing Marc Trotter in the Feb. 8 mayoral election for the City of Stillwater.  

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Will Joyce

Marc Trotter

Contact Studio Stillwater: studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: studiostillwater.net/grassroots-growing-civic-engagement-will-joyce-part-2

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022

In part two Chris and Michelle learn about Marc’s career as a lighting designer, the insight he has received from personality tests and his experience running a campaign to recall Stillwater’s City Councilors. 

Marc is campaigning against incumbent Mayor Will Joyce.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Marc Trotter

Will Joyce

Contact Studio Stillwater: studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: studiostillwater.net/grassroots-growing-civic-engagement-marc-trotter-part-2

Recorded Jan. 10, 2022

This episode is part one of a three-part interview with Will Joyce. He is running for re-election as the Mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma. In this first segment hosts, Michelle Charles and Chris Peters get to know Will, how he came to Stillwater as a child, how he left after graduating from Oklahoma State University and how he brought his family back after spending time in St. Louis.

Will is facing Marc Trotter in the Feb. 8 mayoral election for the City of Stillwater. 

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Will Joyce

Marc Trotter

Contact Studio Stillwater: studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: studiostillwater.net/grassroots-growing-civic-engagement-will-joyce-part-1

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022

***Spoiler Alert*** If you haven’t seen BEE Movie we discuss the overall plot and story of the animated film starring Jerry Seinfield.

This episode is part one of a three-part interview with Marc Trotter. He is running for Mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma in the Feb. 8 election. In this first segment show hosts, Michelle Charles and Chris Peters get to know Marc as a human. They learn what it was like for Marc growing up in Stillwater and his grand adventures as a beekeeper. 

Marc is up against incumbent Mayor Will Joyce.

Thank you to WorkIT, Stillwater’s only co-working center that has served local entrepreneurs since 2017. Visit coworkit.net to learn more.

Candidate campaign links:

Marc Trotter

Will Joyce

Contact Studio Stillwater: studiostillwater.net/contact

Episode permalink: studiostillwater.net/grassroots-growing-civic-engagement-marc-trotter-part-1