Taking office in January 2024, Mayor Patterson brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously served on the Planning & Zoning Committee and the City Council. With deep family roots in Porterdale, he is passionate about guiding the city toward sustainable growth while enhancing its local culture. During this engaging conversation, Patterson shares his commitment to rebuilding trust and transparency within the local government.

Listeners will appreciate Mayor Patterson's candid reflections on the importance of community trust as he sets out to establish a new standard of accountability. He acknowledges that Porterdale still grapples with challenges, including pockets of poverty that need addressing. The mayor believes that a revitalized downtown, filled with excellent restaurants, shops, and entertainment options, will be key to providing the necessary resources to lift the community as a whole.

With over 600 members representing more than 20,000 employees, Debbie describes the Chamber as a "concierge service for local businesses." She explains that the Chamber is not a government entity but is entirely membership-based. This gives the Chamber freedom to advocate for business-friendly policies and initiatives, ultimately helping both businesses and the broader community to thrive. 

Debbie stresses how essential it is for Newton County to have a vibrant local Chamber of Commerce. By supporting businesses, the Chamber plays a key role in the overall health and vitality of the community, fostering job creation and local economic growth.

In the latest episode of The Town Square Podcast, co-hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with an iconic figure in Newton County—Mike Hopkins, the Executive Director for the Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority. With an incredible 27 years of service in this role, Mike has been instrumental in guiding our community through transformative growth, all while preserving the small-town charm that makes Newton County so special. His leadership and long-term vision have positioned the county for sustainable development, particularly in innovative projects like the Stanton Springs business park. Here, cutting-edge technology meets eco-conscious planning with the creation of a massive recycle and reuse station—an achievement Mike and his team are incredibly proud of.

While Mike is undoubtedly passionate about his role at the Water and Sewerage Authority, his heart truly lies with The Miracle League, an organization that gives children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball. Mike has been an integral part of bringing the national annual Miracle League All-Star Game to Newton County, an event that’s just around the corner.

In Episode 14 of The Town Square Podcast, Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Carl Green, the new District Athletic Director for Newton County Schools. Green, a self-described “city-country-boy,” shares how he’s just as comfortable navigating downtown Atlanta as he is bow hunting in Newton County. This dynamic personality sets the tone for a lively discussion about his vision for the future of athletics in Newton County.

A major part of Green’s plan is creating systems and processes to ensure Newton County athletics reach their full potential. He’s particularly focused on shoring up the branding of local high school athletic departments, aiming for a uniform approach that still allows each school its own creativity. Green wants people to know when they’re up against a Newton County School team, no matter if it’s Eastside, Alcovy, or Newton, that they’re up for an elite fight with tons of school and community spirit, and excellent sportsmanship.

In Episode 13 of The Town Square Podcast, although Gabriel Stovall is absent due to car trouble, Trey Bailey takes the reins and delivers an informative conversation with Lindsey Perrin, the new CEO of Piedmont Newton Hospital. Lindsey is new to Newton County, and her fresh perspective on both the healthcare system and the community offers unique insights into the pros and cons of local life.

Since joining Piedmont Newton, Lindsey has overseen tremendous growth. In her first year, the hospital has experienced a 26.6% increase in outpatient procedures, an 18% rise in newborn deliveries, and a 20% boost in admissions—all signs that the community places immense trust in the hospital’s quality care. But Lindsey’s impact doesn’t stop there. She’s played a key role in recruiting much-needed physicians to the area, including cardiologists, a neurologist, an endocrinologist, and more. These additions are helping to fill critical gaps in healthcare accessibility for Newton County and beyond.

In this raw and angst-filled discussion, Gabriel and Trey confront the harsh realities surrounding school violence. They don’t hold back, even delving into the controversial topic of gun control measures. While they aren’t claiming to have all the answers, they make one thing clear: it’s time for action. The era of "thoughts and prayers" as the sole response to these tragedies needs to end. What’s required now are hard conversations that lead to real solutions.

This episode doesn’t shy away from the tough questions or the painful realities. Gabriel and Trey’s honest reflections will resonate with anyone who cares about the future of our schools and the safety of our children. Listen in as they challenge us all to engage in dialogue that sparks change.

In Episode 11 of The Town Square Podcast, Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey are joined by Serra Hall, the Executive Director of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), for a candid conversation about the future of our community.

This conversation is packed with insights and might stir up mixed feelings within the community, but it’s an essential listen for anyone interested in the economic future of Newton County. Tune in to get a full understanding of the work being done and what’s on the horizon for our area.

In Episode 10 of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Gail Rothman, the Executive Director of the Newton Education Foundation (NEF), for an insightful and inspiring conversation about the future of education in Newton County. Gail brings over 25 years of experience working with education foundations, including 15 years at the helm of the Decatur Education Foundation, to this discussion. She is considered one of the top experts in the nation!

In the latest episode ofThe Town Square Podcast, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey return to the mics to address the whirlwind of feedback following their bombshell interview with attorney Stephanie Lindsey. The previous episode left listeners buzzing, both online and around town, and now Gabriel and Trey are diving deep into the conversation it sparked.

Throughout the episode, they reflect on some of the local comments and share their honest responses, making this one of their most personal and authentic conversations yet. Just like the discussions you'd have at your local town square or barbershop, this episode is rooted in the kind of real talk that brings communities closer together.

Attorney Stephanie Lindsey’s conversation with Gabriel and Trey is as enlightening as it is candid. As she prepares to step into her potential new role, she opens up about a range of topics, including some of the more controversial aspects of her career and public life. Notably, the episode doesn’t shy away from addressing the ongoing federal indictment involving Lindsey and Chairman Marcello Banes. While details surrounding the indictment remain sensitive and complex, Lindsey speaks openly about her perspective on the situation, offering listeners an insider’s view into the legal and political intricacies at play.

Brent discusses his vision for the Tax Commissioner’s office and the local tag office, alongside a candid conversation about the challenges he faced during his campaign, including resistance due to not being a “native” of Newton County despite his qualifications.

“Our mission is to promote our community for the people who live here and the people who want to visit here.” - Ken Malcom, City of Covington Director of Tourism and Downtown Development.

Ken answers questions about the events surrounding Independence in the Park on July 4th AND talks about the balance of tourism and local citizen needs/wants.

Gabriel and Trey sit down with Dr. Duke Bradley, the Superintendent of Newton County Schools, to discuss hot topics in local education and to answer questions sent in by the citizens of the community.