Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale travels to Auburn, GA for a conversation with Mayor, and current President of the Georgia Municipal Association, Linda Blechinger. The 2 discuss Mayor Blechinger’s life story, coming from New York to settle in Georgia, getting into local government to make a difference, and the power of working together with other local officials through the Georgia Municipal Association.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Ashburn, GA to talk with Mayor, and former Ashburn City Clerk, Sandy Lumpkin. The 2 discuss how Mayor Lumpkin came to be a resident of Ashburn after a life out West and how after a full career in Ashburn City government as an employee, she decided to run for office.

The tables are turned on Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale as he is interviewed by Adrienne Andreae of the podcast Small Town Sunshine. In this episode we learn about Mayor Matt and how he came to live in Ocilla, what made him run for Mayor and what made him want to start Small Town Podcast.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Twin City, GA to talk with Mayor Pro Tem Matt Donaldson. The 2 discuss how 2 small towns merged to form Twin City in 1921, and the struggles and benefits of that merger. They also discuss recent struggles that Twin City has overcome and why Mayor Pro Tem Donaldson can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to McRae-Helena, GA to talk with Mayor Mike Young. The 2 discuss how Mayor Young got into local government, how Mayor Young was a critical part of the 2 small towns of McRae and Helena merging in 2015, and the struggles and benefits of that merger.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale is the subject of the interview conducted by Amy Henderson of the Georgia Municipal Association. In this episode we learn about what Mayor Matt has learned through his experiences on Season 1 of Small Town Podcast, how things have changed since he set off on this project and what he would like to do moving forward. Mayor Matt also answers the “get to know you” questions he has asked others on previous episodes.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Pelham, GA to talk with Mayor James Eubanks, a young Mayor that started in local government at the age of 25. The two discuss Mayor Eubanks leaving and coming back home to Pelham, small town rivalry with the next town over, having your own small town city school system, and why Pelham is a place you should visit.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale sits down with Mayor Glenn Wright of Greensboro. The 2 discuss how Mayor Wright got into local government and why he’s looking for opposition. Also discussed is the shift in representation since Mayor Wright first joined the Greensboro City Council many years ago. We also talk with Cynthia Smith from the Greensboro Business Association about how they have built up their downtown and keep things going strong in a small town.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Fitzgerald, GA to talk with Deputy City Administrator Cam Jordan. The 2 discuss how Cam left Fitzgerald and why he returned, how he got into local government, and the privilege of working on the vision of his mentor, long serving former Mayor Gerald Thompson.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Metter, GA to talk with former Mayor Billy Trapnell. The 2 discuss Mayor Trapnell’s life in Metter and how he got into local government in what was supposed to be his retirement. They also discuss the challenges and successes of Metter in his 24 years in his role as Metter’s Mayor. This episode is part 1 of a 2-episode series on Metter, GA.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Metter, GA to talk with former Mayor Billy Trapnell. The 2 discuss Mayor Trapnell’s life in Metter and how he got into local government in what was supposed to be his retirement. They also discuss the challenges and successes of Metter in his 24 years in his role as Metter’s Mayor. This episode is part 2 of a 2-episode series on Metter, GA.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Centerville, GA to talk with Mayor John Harley. The 2 discuss how Mayor Harley came to live in Centerville and call it home and how he got into local government in various roles. The 2 also talk about recent developments in Centerville as it continues to grow.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale focuses again on municipal infrastructure. After covering this issue last year at the Georgia Municipal Association Annual Convention, we find that this issue is still on the minds of many local officials. Whether you’re in a small town or a big city, water, sewer, roads, bridges and broadband are essential for cities of all sizes to live and grow. This episode includes updates from efforts discussed last year and new information about the more serious issues (and some new possible solutions) in small towns from industry experts.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Sylvania, GA to talk with Mayor Preston Dees in this first of three episodes sponsored by EOM Operations. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Dees came to live in Sylvania and call it home and how he got into local government. They also talk about the rich history of the coastal community and developments being worked on for the future of this small town.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Springfield, GA to talk with Mayor Barty Alderman in this second of three episodes sponsored by EOM Operations. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Alderman grew up near Springfield and when he left to go to school was determined to get back as soon as possible. They also talk revitalization efforts that have been made recently and the history you can visit in this coastal small town.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Midway, GA to talk with Mayor Levern Clancy in this third of three episodes sponsored by EOM Operations. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Clancy grew up Midway and how as an adult, he was “encouraged” to get into local government. They also talk about the rich history of Midway and the building of their new City Hall.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Irwinton, GA to talk with Mayor Roger Bacon. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Bacon grew up in metro Atlanta but made his way to Irwinton and later became the Mayor.. They also talk collaboration efforts among the small towns in Wilkinson County and the State Banana Pudding Festival Irwinton started.

Mayor Matt announces his 5-episode series focusing on small towns in the state of Louisiana.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Louisiana to begin a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Mayor Matt’s first stop is in Jean Lafitte, LA to talk with Mayor Tim Kerner. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Kerner grew up in Jean Lafitte and never really wanted to live anywhere else. Mayor Kerner discusses the many recreation opportunities his community has to offer. They also talk about challenges that small towns face in rural areas in Louisiana.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his travels through the state of Louisiana for a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Mayor Matt’s second stop is in Kaplan, LA to talk with Mayor Mike Kloesel. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Kloesel grew up in a completely different state never imagining he would one day live in Kaplan, much less become the Mayor, but now he couldn’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. They also discuss the local challenges to growth and about Mayor Kloesel’s vision for the future development of Kaplan.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his journey through the state of Louisiana for a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Mayor Matt’s third stop is in Sarepta, LA to talk with Mayor Peggy Adkins. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Adkins grew up in Sarepta and how she eventually came to be in local government after a long career in education. They also discuss the changes she has experienced in Sarepta and the challenges of maintaining community identity while keeping your home a great place to live.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his journey through the state of Louisiana for a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Mayor Matt’s fourth stop is in Oak Grove, LA to talk with Mayor Adam Holland, as well as Mayor Jessie Washington from nearby Delhi, LA. Mayor Holland talks about how he became engaged in downtown development before becoming Mayor and his efforts to increase collaboration with surrounding towns and villages around Poverty Point, a new World Heritage Site. Showing he means what he says about collaboration, he shares his time with Mayor Washington to help promote one of those neighboring towns.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale concludes his journey through the state of Louisiana for a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association. Mayor Matt’s final stop is in Winnsboro, LA to talk with Main Street Manager Kay LaFrance-Knight and Mayor John Dumas. The conversations cover historic preservation projects that Winnsboro has undertaken to enhance its sense of place and a more recent effort to get things back on track in the town’s governance.