PCC Local Time Podcast Por Nancy Joan Hess arte de portada

PCC Local Time

PCC Local Time

De: Nancy Joan Hess
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No other level of government impacts us as much in our daily lives as local government. For the last 40 years I have been talking to managers as an organization consultant and am as fascinated by their work today as when I began. The professional municipal manager is entrusted with a ship that often runs over rough waters even as it delivers vital services to communities. This show is about the ideas and innovation that will drive the future of the profession of municipal management. If you are interested in learning more about the Pioneering Change Community, sign up for the Friday newsletter and get access to more in-depth episode information. Check for a link in the show notes. [Intro and exit music by Joseph Hess. Cover art by Nancy Hess]Copyright 2026 Nancy Joan Hess Ciencia Política Ciencias Sociales Economía Gestión Gestión y Liderazgo Política y Gobierno
Episodios
  • The Glue that Binds Better Together: A Conversation with Pennsylvania's Councils of Government

    The Glue that Binds Better Together: A Conversation with Pennsylvania's Councils of Government
    Aug 7 2026

    What happens when municipalities stop trying to solve every problem alone?

    In this episode, members of the Pennsylvania Councils of Government explore how intermunicipal cooperation creates capacity, improves services and helps communities learn from one another. Patrick Conners of South Hills COG, Ben Estell of Centre Region COG, Lance Prator of Slate Belt COG, and Deborah Grass of PACOG share examples ranging from joint purchasing and shared equipment to regional parks, bike networks, planning and public safety.

    The conversation also looks at why COGs remain poorly understood, how cooperation can preserve local identity while expanding capacity, and why PACOG hopes to strengthen the statewide voice of councils of government.

    The episode previews PACOG’s September 1-2 conference in State College, themed “Better Together.”

    CHAPTERS:

    • 00:00 — Introduction
    • 02:36 — What Is a Council of Government?
    • 05:45 — Centre Region: Consistency Across Municipal Borders
    • 09:56 — Small Communities, Shared Capacity
    • 13:39 — What Municipalities Gain from Working Together
    • 16:54 — Sharing Ideas and Not Reinventing the Wheel
    • 18:36 — Building Networks Across Municipal Borders
    • 20:47 — Cooperation, Consistency and Fairness
    • 23:31 — Creating Places to Solve Problems Together
    • 25:47 — Think Globally, Act Locally
    • 27:12 — What PACOG Brings to the Table
    • 31:28 — Learning From Other COGs
    • 32:58 — Who Should Be Paying Attention to COGs?
    • 34:34 — Building a Statewide Voice
    • 37:34 — Why Some Municipalities Hold Back
    • 43:00 — Making COGs More Visible
    • 44:53 — PACOG Conference Preview: Better Together
    • 48:13 — What Everyone Is Looking Forward To
    Más Menos
    52 m
  • APMM Series: Sandra Zadell and John Ernst: Affordable for Whom? Managers on the Front Lines of the Housing Crisis

    APMM Series: Sandra Zadell and John Ernst: Affordable for Whom? Managers on the Front Lines of the Housing Crisis
    Jul 10 2026
    When the Housing Crisis Comes to Town HallIn this APMM series episode, Nancy Hess speaks with John Ernst, Borough Manager of Lansdale, and Sandra Zadell, Township Manager of Upper Gwynedd, about what the housing crisis looks like from the municipal manager’s desk.The conversation begins with an encampment near the border of their two municipalities and moves into workforce housing, shelter, zoning, public opposition, state legislation, and the limits of what local government can do alone. John and Sandra offer a candid look at how housing pressure shows up in parks, public meetings, police calls, comprehensive plans, and the lives of people trying to stay housed.GuestsJohn ErnstBorough Manager, Lansdale Borough, Montgomery County, PennsylvaniaSandra Brookley ZadellTownship Manager, Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, PennsylvaniaFor more content like this, subscribe to MuniSquare APMMAn advocate for municipal management and professional assistance in the Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaThe Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management (APMM) is an organization of professional township, borough, city, home-rule and county managers, administrators and COG directors. APMM is dedicated to the promotion of professional and effective local government management of Pennsylvania.Quotes“It might be more affordable — but affordable to who?” - John Ernst“As a municipal manager, I would never advocate for any state legislation that takes away local control... I strongly believe that towns should be able to govern. That's what our Commonwealth was founded upon." - Sandra Zadell“These are the small things that make a culture. This is what makes a community. It’s a way to show up for humanity, not a political leaning. That is just a human desire.” - Nancy HessMentioned in the Episode:Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew DesmondRecommended by Sandra. The book won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and examines eviction as both a consequence and a cause of poverty.Upper Gwynedd Planning Commission presentationBackground resource on the township’s planning work and the Pennbrook Parkway affordable housing development.Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHCP)The federal tax credit program discussed by Sandra in connection with the Walters Group workforce housing development.Walters GroupThe New Jersey-based developer working with Upper Gwynedd on the proposed workforce housing development.NomadlandThe film Nancy was trying to recall during the conversation. It is a narrative feature film starring Frances McDormand, not a documentary. It won Best Picture at the 2021 Academy Awards and was inspired by Jessica Bruder’s nonfiction book, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.Kayleigh Silver, LSWAdministrator for Montgomery County’s Office of Housing and Community Development. Nancy spoke with Kayleigh as part of her background preparation for this episode.Pennsylvania zoning and permitting contextThe episode refers to recent reporting on how zoning, permitting, local regulation, and construction costs affect homebuilding in Pennsylvania.Pennsylvania House Bill 2186: Accessory Dwelling UnitsHB 2186 passed the Pennsylvania House on June 1, 2026, by a vote of 139–62. As of July 10, 2026, it had been referred to the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee. The bill would require municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units by right in areas where single-family detached homes are permitted, while allowing some local standards related to safety and neighborhood compatibility.New Jersey affordable housing modelSandra references the New Jersey framework shaped by the Mount Laurel doctrine and the Fair Housing Act, which creates municipal fair-share obligations for affordable housing. The guests compare that approach with Pennsylvania’s stronger tradition of local control.
    Más Menos
    52 m
  • So this is goodbye....Closing a chapter on Generation on the Rise

    So this is goodbye....Closing a chapter on Generation on the Rise
    May 14 2026

    As producer and publisher here at MuniSquare on Substack, today’s post is hard to write… we have decided to bring the Generation on the Rise podcast to a close, at least for now. Dave, Brandon and Nancy start off with a little light bantor today before making their way to the core message which concerns the absence of Eden.

    This will not affect PCC Local Time podcast recordings or our MuniSquare podcast stream. Please subscribe to receive full content from our site that focuses on local government and public service!

    TIMESTAMPS

    00:00 Opening banter and music talk

    03:00 Brandon on ICMA, APMM and the conference season

    03:53 Nancy introduces the final episode

    04:20 Decision to close this chapter of Generation on the Rise

    05:05 Eden’s departure and what is publicly known

    06:15 Why the public testimony required a response

    07:10 What we know, what we do not know

    07:50 Employee voice, risk and organizational recovery

    08:20 Building in public and closing this chapter

    08:54 Brandon reflects on the purpose of the podcast

    09:35 Conversations people need but do not get formal training for

    10:30 The value of candid professional dialogue

    11:20 Continuing the conversation beyond the podcast

    12:01 Dave reflects on Eden, Middletown and next chapters

    13:00 Dave’s leadership lesson: people need to want to follow you

    14:15 Authenticity, social intelligence and emotional intelligence

    15:40 The danger of trying to be someone you are not

    16:50 Mistakes, public judgment and professional recovery

    18:10 Learning, growth and second chances in leadership

    19:10 Investing in employees, boards and communities

    19:45 Looking back on the podcast’s purpose and tone

    21:00 Appreciation for listeners and future collaborations

    21:47 Nancy reflects on Dave and Brandon’s growth

    22:45 Gratitude, community and what comes next

    23:40 Final goodbye and “take care of each other”

    24:05 Closing banter and authenticity of the show

    25:11 Nancy’s final words

    25:37 Dave and Brandon close the episode
    Más Menos
    28 m
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