In this engaging episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mayor Pam Colestock, who provides a personal and insightful overview of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Mayor Colestock, who has been passionately serving the community, discusses her role and the responsibilities that come with being the mayor of a small but mighty rural city. Known affectionately as the "Island City," Eaton Rapids is surrounded by two bodies of water with the Grand River running directly through it, a feature highlighted by Mayor Colestock as creating numerous opportunities for the town. She delves into the history of Eaton Rapids.

Mayor Colestock sheds light on her dedication to maintaining and improving the town's strong industrial heritage. Eaton Rapids, with a population of around 5,200, is located just 20 miles south of the state capital, Lansing. Mayor Colestock emphasizes the blend of tranquility and opportunity that makes the town a special place to live. Her commitment to fostering a close-knit community atmosphere is evident as she speaks passionately about the picturesque scenery and pride of Eaton Rapids' residents. This episode promises to be a captivating exploration of both the town and Mayor Colestock's impactful work.

Joining me today is Mayor Marvin Johnson of Independence, Minnesota. Mayor Johnson was first elected mayor in November 1979 and served 45 years in the role before retiring earlier this year, making him the longest-serving mayor in modern Minnesota history. In this episode, he reflects on his decades of service, the sustainable growth of Independence, and the importance of listening to constituents.

Mayor Johnson reflects on his early days as a dairy farmer and surprising election to the Mayor’s office. An active farmer throughout his service, his tenure included slow but steady growth of Independence, the transition from dairy farms to crop farms, and the development of the city's infrastructure, including the construction of modern facilities and the implementation of a joint police department. Mayor Johnson also discusses his involvement with the League of Minnesota Cities and the National League of Cities, where he served on various committees and boards. Mayor Johnson's story is one of dedication and service. Tune in for valuable perspectives from one of America's longest-serving mayors. Mayor Johnson's story is a testament to the power of dedication, community involvement, and the lessons learned over decades of public service.

Joining me today is Mayor Bob Chatfield of Prospect, CT. Mayor Bob entered office in 1977, and has 48 years of service in the role. He is the 7th longest serving active mayor in the US. During his terms in office, he brought in municipal water, a new library and community center to town. Mayor Bob shares all about Prospect, what it's like to serve his community for so long, and shares his penny pincher award!

In this episode of Mayors of Main Street, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews Mayor Bob Chatfield of Prospect, Connecticut, a public servant who has dedicated an astounding 48 years to leading his small town. Mayor Bob shares the transformative journey of Prospect, detailing how he's systematically improved municipal infrastructure, from expanding water systems and drainage pipes to building new community facilities like a library, firehouse, and high school. Beyond his administrative achievements, Bob reveals the heart of local governance—staying connected to residents by visiting schools, hosting community events like a massive annual car show, and maintaining a small-town atmosphere where people know and help each other. His commitment to public service is deeply personal, stemming from early experiences working in local businesses and serving in the military, and he continues to serve with an unbridled enthusiasm that has made him not just a mayor, but a beloved local institution who is considering running for one more term to lead Prospect through its bicentennial celebration in 2027.

Joining me today is Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, MA. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994, and has 30 years of service in the role. During his terms in office, he helped the city of Leominster strengthen its financial position, increase accountability, and community engagement. We discuss the successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms, and Leominster's best spots to eat!

In this candid and wide-ranging interview, Mayor Kristine Lott talks to Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, Massachusetts, who shares his remarkable three-decade journey of transformative community leadership. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994 and he shares with Mayor Lott his successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms along with his favorite spots to eat!

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood and transitioning from police officer to long-serving mayor, Mazzarella describes his approach of building trust, fostering community engagement, and strategic development. He highlights key achievements like controlling urban growth through open space development and preservation, creating inclusive parks, improving community safety, and maintaining affordable, family-friendly events. Mazzarella's leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, patience, and extracting talent from community members, emphasizing that progress takes time and requires bringing people together across political and socioeconomic divides. He tells Mayor Lott that his experience as a resident, a business owner and a police officer helped him understand the different needs of the community. Mayor Mazzarella's passion for public service is clear and 30 years in office hasn't slowed him down. He continues to be energized and talks about remaining committed to Leominster's changing needs and balancing the town's growth, development and rising prices.

In the premier episode of Mayors of Main Street, Mayor Kristine Lott interviews Kimberly L. Nelson, Professor of Public Administration and Government in the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Nelson’s research on form of government, corruption, and innovation has been published in Public Administration Review, The American Review of Public Administration, State and Local Government Review, and other journals and she recently published a book, Municipal Corruption.

Mayor Lott and Professor Nelson discuss the different forms of local government around the nation and how they impact communities. Professor Nelson explores the evolution of local government forms, focusing on the council manager and mayor council models, and highlights key differences in their approaches to leadership, accountability, and potential for corruption. Professor Nelson emphasizes that while these structures vary, the council manager form often demonstrates advantages in fiscal stability, oversight, and preventing corruption, with professional managers providing critical technical expertise and a dual accountability mechanism that helps maintain governmental integrity. Professor Nelson points out the correlation between declining local media coverage and corruption, highlighting that the press can act as external government oversight.

Throughout the conversation, Nelson advocates for greater public engagement, urging citizens to understand their local government structures, participate actively in community processes, and view government as a partnership rather than a transactional service.

The interview emphasizes the complexity of local government and the importance of understanding its structures and potential for community impact.