Current Conversations

This month, we kick off Season 2 of the Current Conversations Podcast by sitting down with Katey Legg, director of Gloucester's Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, to hear all about the plans for the 36th Annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival, which is scheduled for April 2-3, 2022. This will be the first full-scale festival since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago. Learn about the theme of this year's event, some of the special activities that are planned and what makes the Daffodil Festival so special. 

For more information on the Festival, visit its webpage at http://daffodilfestivalva.org/. 

This month, we continue with the second of our two-part series on "Housing the Unhoused," where we explore the issue of homelessness in Gloucester County. In Part 2 of the series, we speak with Lisa Kersey, Director of the Gloucester Department of Social Services. We also speak with Rev. Wendy Roundy, CEO / Founder of Helping the Homeless Ministries. Both of these organizations work first-hand with the homeless and underserved in our community. In this episode, we not only learn about what these organizations contribute to the overall health of the community, but also get a glimpse into how so many organizations in the community pitch in and work together to help combat the issue of homelessness.

For more information about programs that the Virginia Department of Social Services offers, visit https://www.dss.virginia.gov/. For more information about Helping the Homeless Ministries, visit https://helpingthehomelessministries.org/. 

This month, we begin the first of our two-part series on "Housing the Unhoused," where we explore the issue of homelessness in Gloucester County. In part 1 of the series, we speak with Rev. Kristie Askew, executive director of the GUEST (Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team) program. We also speak with Rev. John Seltzer, executive director of Myrenu. Both of these organizations work first-hand with the homeless and underserved in our community. In this episode, we not only learn about what these organizations contribute to the overall health of the community, but also get a glimpse into how large of an issue homelessness is in our community. 

For more information on the GUEST program, visit www.guestshelter.org or www.facebook.com/GUEST.helpthehomeless.

For more information on Myrenu, visit www.myrenu.org or www.facebook.com/myrenuinChrist. 

This month, we delve deeper into Gloucester County expanding wireless broadband internet access to unserved residents through a partnership with Open Broadband, LLC. We talk one-on-one with Alan Fitzpatrick, CEO of Open Broadband, LLC. Learn how the service will work, the latest updates regarding the project, what customers can expect, and much more. 

Residents or businesses interested in receiving service from Open Broadband should visit www.openbb.net/gloucesterco to sign up with no obligation. The company will contact those who have signed up once the service becomes available. Those who register will receive monthly e-mail updates with the progress of the project. 

For overall information and updates regarding all of Gloucester County’s broadband initiatives, visit the Broadband Information Hub at https://gloucester-broadband-gcgis.hub.arcgis.com/ or contact Steele at 804-693-4042 or csteele@gloucesterva.info.

This month, we sit down with Elaine Johnson, our Human Resources Director, and Penny Reed, our Human Resources Analyst, to discuss what makes Gloucester County, Virginia Government such a good place to work. This episode discusses the rich employment benefits, current opportunities, and what makes the Gloucester County Team so special.

To learn about current job opportunities with Gloucester County Government, visit https://www.gloucesterva.info/347/Job-Opportunities. For other information, including a full list of benefits, visit the Human Resources Department page at https://www.gloucesterva.info/316/Human-Resources. 

This month, we talk with Evan Farmer, Chairman of the Gloucester Electoral Board, and Bobbi Morgan, the County's Director of Elections/General Registrar, as they discuss the process of how votes in Gloucester remain secure as we head into the November General Election. Important deadlines are also shared. For more information, visit https://www.gloucesterva.info/349/Elections-and-Voter-Registration. 

We are also joined by Anne Ducey-Ortiz, Gloucester's Director of Planning, Zoning and Environmental, as she shares some exciting news about the potential for biking and walking paths to be established throughout the County. She also discusses how the public can share input into the project. To participate in the study, visit: https://tooledesign.github.io/50735_Gloucester/. She also highlights all of the many other things her Department does as we celebrate National Community Planning Month. To learn more, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/362/Planning-Zoning. 

Join us this month as we chat with Sherry Spring, our Economic Development Director and Elizabeth Ripley, our Economic Development Coordinator, as we explore the reasons behind Gloucester's growing economy. Despite the pandemic, Gloucester continues to add new businesses and support its existing businesses. Learn about some of the newest businesses locating to Gloucester!

Also this month, we chat with Ken Pollock of Bay Transit Express. He discusses the advantages of Gloucester's newest micro transit service and exciting additions on the horizon for that service. 

To learn more about Gloucester's Economic Development, visit https://www.gloucesterva.info/1190/Economic-Development. 

To learn more about Bay Transit Express, or to catch a ride, visit: https://www.baytransit.org/express/. 

This month, we chat with Dr. Walter Clemons, Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools. In this episode, Dr. Clemons addresses important topics regarding the upcoming school year, timely information how the pandemic is still impacting the school system and some things to look forward to as the start of school draws near. 

This month, we feature Katey Legg, Gloucester's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director, speaking about what makes our parks special - as well as plans for future programming. 

We also feature Tara Thomas, County Treasurer, discussing the challenges with the latest delayed mailings of personal property and real estate tax bills, and the extension granted by the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors. 

For more information about Gloucester's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, visit: www.gloucesterva.info/pr or facebook.com/PRT. 

For more information about the Gloucester Treasurer, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/314/Treasurers-Office. 

For the June 2021 Current Conversations Podcast, Gloucester County Government partnered with the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office to feature the County’s Sheriff, Darrell Warren. Be sure to check out this special episode as Sheriff Warren shares from his heart some of the cases that have impacted him the most over his lengthy career; about the challenges facing law enforcement officials today, a glimpse into the heroic efforts of Deputy Jon Holt, recruitment within the Department and much more. DISCLAIMER: Some content contained within this podcast discusses past cases of suicide and tragic accidents. Though no names or locations are shared, listeners may find some of the information disturbing, and listener discretion is advised.

This month we focused on storm preparedness and building safety in Gloucester with special guests from Gloucester's Emergency Management and Building Inspections Departments! Tune in to hear all about what risks our area in particular faces in the event of a storm or natural disaster. Also, learn what you need to do to ensure your building is safe!

For more information, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/365/Emergency-Management or https://www.gloucesterva.info/172/Building-Inspection. 

Welcome to "Current Conversations," Gloucester County, Virginia's new podcast focused on covering what it important to you. Join us each month as we embark on any and all topics related to living, working and playing in "The Land of the Life Worth Living."

For this pilot episode, we are revisiting our recent Current Conversation with Dr. Richard Williams, MD MPH and Lisa Laurier, Population Health Manager, both of the Three Rivers Health District, providing the latest COVID-19 updates and information.