Fireside Chats, Episode 42: The Small Town Mayor
Added 2018-06-19 16:00:00 +0000 UTCAllow me to introduce you to Ben Smith. Ben is a small business owner, a father, a husband... and the mayor of a small, western Pennsylvania city called Butler, just north of Pittsburgh. I invited Mayor Smith onto Fireside Chats to talk about what it's like to be the mayor of Anytown, USA, and to discuss what problems his community faces, and what he's doing to remedy those issues. We talk a great deal about why he decided to run, what it was like running both the primary and general election, and how it's going now that he (unexpectedly) won. This is an awesome glimpse into local politics through the eyes of the man who runs the show.
Comments
I’m sure you are much to humble to realize this, but you have educated a lot of young people about Conservative ideas. Your platform brings together a large group of people for a good civil debate. It’s about the last place on the internet I’ll even leave a comment. In the world of Trump, CNN, Maxine Waters and Fox News that is an incredible accomplishment.
James Galos
2018-06-26 21:23:49 +0000 UTCThank you. I feel the same, and I feel that way about myself. I think part of my problem is that I don't truly feel connected to where I live, and I haven't since I was a teenager. My five years in Boston, and my 11 years in California, have felt like visitation. I don't think I'd truly try to get involved until (or if) I move back to New York.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-26 18:12:37 +0000 UTCFinally catching up. This was great! Really wish people would get more involved locally rather than scream on the internet about DC.
James Galos
2018-06-22 20:21:48 +0000 UTCI knew from the second we set up the interview that it was gonna be great. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-22 17:55:12 +0000 UTCThat's wild, right? I couldn't believe that. No way in hell I'd do that job for less than probably four or five times that much, at the least.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-22 17:54:46 +0000 UTCThis was excellent and really eye opening for a person that came from a similarly sized town. Particularly the dudes salary.
desperateLuck
2018-06-22 14:52:05 +0000 UTCColin, this one was really interesting. You were 100% correct that this was one that is kind of off he wall but really lands well. What’s funny is my girlfriend and I watch Queer Eye (great show) and one of the guys they made over was a 34 year old mayor. I audibly said “damn 34 seems young for a mayor!” Here comes this dude and he’s only 30! Great episode. Love hearing about his opponent who talks all kinds of shit and had bigger aspirations politically and lost a mayoral election. F that guy. Sounds like bad people, Hahaha.
Ian (616Entertainment)
2018-06-21 03:45:38 +0000 UTCWhen you come tell city council to pay Ben more, let us know. The local fans can all celebrate with some bourbon down in Pittsburgh ;) hahaha
Fred Bence
2018-06-20 21:21:51 +0000 UTCI'm glad you liked this episode. I think that's the thing: That what seems so small is actually so big. It's all about context.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-20 19:00:12 +0000 UTCWell, that's the idea, anyway. Thanks for listening!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-20 18:59:44 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-20 18:59:34 +0000 UTC=D
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-20 18:59:29 +0000 UTCLiterally. LOL.
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-20 18:59:23 +0000 UTCTerrific interview. It's funny, I live in a depressed area and have dealt with government a lot in the building of a local business and UK and America don't sound that different. A lot of the concerns are focused on what many would see as miniscule amounts of money but those amounts are the difference between success and failure. People being overworked for little or no pay sounds eerily familiar.
Peter Campbell
2018-06-19 22:11:55 +0000 UTCAnother week, another interesting conversation. You certainly were spot on in saying we often wouldn’t see the guests coming.
Kevin Sullivan
2018-06-19 22:02:28 +0000 UTCAwesome episode!
Damian Kubski
2018-06-19 21:54:18 +0000 UTCSon of a bitch! This is awesome as someone from Pittsburgh. I'm living about 30 minutes from Butler. Never expected the mayor to be on CLS hahaha
Fred Bence
2018-06-19 21:20:36 +0000 UTCThis is great I live like an hour from butler this hits close to home!
strawhatninja
2018-06-19 21:19:56 +0000 UTCWell, I'll be!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-19 18:40:24 +0000 UTCI took a shit in a Sheetz in Butler PA just last week!
Thomas Neville
2018-06-19 18:38:29 +0000 UTCI hope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-19 18:29:28 +0000 UTCThank you! I'm sure doing my best. =)
Colin Moriarty
2018-06-19 18:29:13 +0000 UTCCan't wait to give it a listen👍
Marcus Brown
2018-06-19 16:52:43 +0000 UTCIt's always a surprise to see who will be the next guest on fireside chats. You do a great job of gathering an eclectic group of people!
Jon Cordeiro
2018-06-19 16:02:26 +0000 UTC
