Wendell McNeal, candidate for Georgia House of Representatives District 114, joins The Town Square Podcast for another episode in our Candidate Conversations series. McNeal shares his story of growing up in Gordon and Milledgeville, losing his father at a young age, building a business from the ground up, and eventually growing a Curtis Mathis franchise into multiple locations before transitioning into real estate and community investment.

In this conversation, McNeal discusses property taxes, public education funding, senior tax relief, data centers, Rivian, economic development, and the importance of protecting quality of life while encouraging responsible growth. He also reflects on his time working with the Georgia House Judiciary Committee, his role as a Georgia presidential elector, and why he describes himself as a “workhorse, not a show horse.”

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Nytravious “Nytro” Smith joins The Town Square Podcast for this Candidate Conversations episode as a candidate for Newton County Board of Commissioners District 4. A lifelong Newton County resident, Eastside High School graduate, ordained minister, community coach, and tradesman, Smith shares how his roots in Green Acres, Nelson Heights, Newton County Schools, and the Washington Street Community Center shaped his desire to serve.

In this conversation, Smith discusses his campaign theme, “Preserving Newton. Preparing for the Future,” and outlines his thoughts on growth, taxes, economic development, housing, transparency, workforce development, and county-wide collaboration. He also explains his “Visionary Mentor” approach to leadership and why he believes Newton County needs fresh energy, accountability, and long-term planning.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Ryan Millsap joins The Town Square Podcast for Episode 85 as part of the ongoing Candidate Conversations series, which aims to help voters hear directly from the individuals seeking public office. A Republican candidate for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, Millsap shares the story behind his candidacy, beginning with his upbringing in a middle-class family, his academic path through Biola, Oxford, and USC, and his career as an entrepreneur in commercial real estate and film studio development.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Millsap explains why he sees himself as an outsider to politics, what drove him to run for Congress, and how his experiences in business, property battles, and public conflict shaped his views on government, the Constitution, immigration, corruption, and the role of leadership in America. He also offers a passionate vision for what he believes Georgia’s 10th District can become and why he believes this moment calls for a different kind of representative in Washington.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In Episode 84 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Richard Wright, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, for a wide-ranging conversation as part of the Candidate Conversations series. Wright shares his remarkable personal story — from dropping out of high school, moving to Atlanta with dreams of becoming a rapper, and working at the airport for $6.25 an hour, to earning his undergraduate degree, MBA, CPA, and studying at Georgetown Law. Along the way, he explains how his life experience shaped his belief that Georgia needs leaders who can speak to people in the political middle and focus on practical solutions instead of partisan warfare. His campaign site frames that approach around “common sense leadership” and putting Georgians first.  

The conversation explores Wright’s platform on healthcare, Medicaid expansion, rural hospitals, housing affordability, tax policy, workforce development, and the need for more civility in state government. He makes the case that Georgia needs a lieutenant governor who can work with both parties, explain policy in plain English, and focus on helping working families, farmers, small business owners, and communities across the state. The episode also highlights his pitch as a moderate Democrat who believes most Georgians live in the “messy middle” and want better schools, effective taxation, and practical leadership.  

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Alan Fowler joins The Town Square Podcast for Episode 83 of Candidate Conversations as the Republican candidate for Newton County Board of Education District 5, the seat currently held by retiring board chair Abigail Coggin. In a thoughtful and personal conversation, Fowler reflects on his decades in public education, including 26 years at Eastside High School and his current role as Executive Director of the Georgia Music Educators Association. He shares stories about family, teaching, community, and the values that have shaped both his career and his campaign.

Throughout the episode, Fowler explains why he believes the purpose of a school system is to develop great citizens. He discusses the importance of teamwork, fiscal responsibility, listening to teachers, supporting staff, maintaining strong school safety practices, and preparing students for a variety of futures—from college to technical careers to the workforce. It’s a warm, substantive conversation that helps voters better understand both the candidate and the heart behind his run for office.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Alana Sanders joins The Town Square Podcast for Episode 82 of our Candidate Conversations series to discuss her run for Georgia House District 113. In this wide-ranging conversation, she shares her personal story, her path from Louisiana to Newton County, the loss of her parents at a young age, and the many roles that have shaped her public service journey—from commissioner to lobbyist, professor, and community advocate.

Sanders also lays out her vision for Newton County, including housing affordability, infrastructure readiness, public education, data center regulation, youth programming, economic development, and the importance of transparency in government. This episode gives voters a closer look at a candidate who says she is ready to serve on day one.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In Episode 81 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey continues the Candidate Conversations series with Everton Blair, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Georgia’s 13th District. Blair shares his story as the son of Jamaican immigrants, a former high school math teacher, and a trailblazing member of the Gwinnett County Board of Education, where he became the board’s youngest, first Black, and first openly gay member before later serving as chair during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation explores Blair’s vision for a new generation of leadership in Washington, along with his views on affordability, housing, healthcare, immigration, public education, workforce development, and the growing influence of corporations in public life. Blair also reflects on servant leadership, faith, and why he believes voters in the May primary should see this race as one of the most important opportunities to shape the future of Georgia’s 13th District.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In this episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall continue their Candidate Conversations series with Brett Mauldin, Republican candidate for Georgia House District 114. Mauldin shares his background as a second-generation small business owner, husband, father, and man of faith, while explaining how his upbringing, family life, and experience in construction have shaped his conservative worldview and leadership style.

The conversation covers property taxes, public education funding, local control, rural preservation, economic development, red tape on small businesses, and what Mauldin sees as the top priorities for the people of District 114. He also discusses his commitment to protecting children, supporting law enforcement, defending constitutional rights, and keeping government closer to the people it serves.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In Episode 79 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall continue the Candidate Conversationsseries with Karla Hooper, candidate for Georgia House of Representatives District 113. Hooper shares her personal story, from her Arkansas roots and Emory University journey to more than two decades of life in Newton County. She reflects on her family legacy of public service, including her father’s participation in the Selma movement, and explains how advocacy, faith, and community engagement shaped her desire to run for office.

The conversation explores Hooper’s campaign priorities, including affordability, mental health resources, housing access, healthcare costs, public education, transparency, and responsible growth. She makes the case for a leadership style built on listening, integrity, and bridge-building across political lines, while emphasizing her desire to help bring healing and unity to Newton County and District 113.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In Episode 78 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with newly elected Covington City Councilman Dwayne Turner to talk about his background in the military, law enforcement, HOA leadership, and public service. Turner shares what led him to run for office and how he is adjusting to the realities of serving on city council during a season of major public discussion and rapid growth.

The conversation covers some of Covington’s biggest current issues, including infrastructure, stormwater fees, taxes, fireworks, the tattoo shop vote on the square, and the importance of transparency in local government. Throughout the episode, Turner returns to the ideas that shaped his campaign and now define his service: listening to constituents, protecting Covington’s traditions, and working toward a stronger future for the city and for Newton County as a whole.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Dr. Adam Phyall joins The Town Square Podcast as the first guest in our Candidate Conversations series, sharing his journey from classroom teacher to national education leader and now candidate for the Newton County Board of Education. With decades of experience in teaching, technology, and leadership, Dr. Phyall reflects on the moments that shaped his career — from tutoring classmates in college to helping lead the district’s one-to-one technology initiative.

In this episode, Dr. Phyall outlines his campaign platform built around three core principles — Access, Accountability, and Action — and discusses the future of public education in Newton County. The conversation explores student success, teacher support, technology, artificial intelligence, and the role of community engagement in building strong schools.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Building Strong Futures co-founders Michelle Norrington and Monica Banks join The Town Square Podcast to share the inspiring story behind their youth development nonprofit. What began as a small leadership and etiquette program at church has grown into a community-wide initiative helping students explore college, careers, and leadership opportunities.

Recently named the Newton County Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Organization of the Year, Building Strong Futures continues to impact young people through workshops, mentorship, and life-changing college tours. In this conversation, Michelle and Monica reflect on the mission, the students whose lives have been changed, and the vision for the next generation of leaders.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Dr. Quinita Morrow, the 2026 Newton County Schools Teacher of the Year and marketing teacher at Alcovy High School, joins The Town Square Podcast to share how she’s preparing students for real-world success. Her classroom goes far beyond textbooks—students build businesses, pitch ideas, host pop-up shops, and learn financial and marketing skills that many adults wish they had learned earlier.

Dr. Morrow also discusses the importance of relationships in education, the pressures students face in the age of social media, and why teachers are passionate advocates for their students. It’s a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, mentorship, and the future of education in Newton County.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Debbie Harper—President & CEO of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce—returns to The Town Square Podcast for Episode 74, and this time she brings the full “what’s happening in 2026” rundown. Debbie explains what the Chamber actually does (and what it doesn’t do), how a 700+ member organization supports everyone from large industry to small business, and why the health of the business community is inseparable from the quality of life in Newton County.

Then we get into the good stuff: major 2026 events, the Chamber’s expanding networking calendar, a recap of the Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet (including standout winners and why they matter), and what’s coming next—like the Chamber’s vision work and a new foundation focus around workforce development and talent attraction. We also hit current business buzz around Town Center, what’s new on the square, and a timely reminder to shop local—especially after weather weekends that hit restaurants and service businesses hard.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Covington City Councilwoman Charika Davis is back for her second term, and she’s not tiptoeing around the biggest word in local government right now: affordability. In this conversation, she shares what it’s really like campaigning while doing the job, why she sees herself as an advocate for working- and middle-class families, and what people often misunderstand about city government—especially the reality that a councilmember is “one vote,” not the person who hires, fires, or runs day-to-day operations.

We also get into two of the most talked-about issues in Covington: the stormwater billing controversy (and what fairness looks like when people feel blindsided) and the potential property tax relief conversation tied to major economic development and PILOT revenue. Along the way, Davis talks infrastructure strain from growth, sidewalks and safety, why empathy matters in policy, and how residents can actually reach her when they’ve got a real problem to solve.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Newton County growth debates hit a new level in Episode 72 as District 5 Commissioner LeAnne Long returns to The Town Square Podcast to unpack the “good, bad, and ugly” of 2025—especially around data centers, annexations, and citizen trust. Long explains how her blunt communication style and relentless Facebook engagement have helped wake up residents who felt shut out of decisions impacting their neighborhoods.

The conversation dives into why transparency and early communication matter, how annexation timelines work, what happened with the Falconwood and Elks Club Road proposals (voted down by Covington City Council on January 20, 2026), and why data centers have become the buzzword of the year. Long argues she’s not anti-growth—she’s pro-balance, pro-process, and pro “no surprises” government.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Covington Police Chief Brent Fuesting joins The Town Square Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about who he is, how he leads, and what’s happening inside the Covington Police Department. A 23-year veteran of the department, Chief Fuesting shares his journey into policing, why patrol work matters, and why compassion and empathy are core values he looks for in officers—alongside accountability and integrity.

We also discuss the rapid growth of Covington, plans to open a downtown precinct for greater visibility and access, and how the department pursues transparency through annual reporting and a Citizen Review Board. Chief Fuesting addresses recruitment challenges, the role of technology in modern policing, and offers a direct answer to the question many residents ask: “How safe is Covington?” He also shares how residents may be able to support Police Who Care through Georgia’s Less Crime Act.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In this week’s episode of The Town Square Podcast, host Trey Bailey sits down with Covington City Councilman Travis Moore (East Ward Post 2) for a candid conversation about two of the most talked-about issues in town—the city’s recent purchase of property from Cinelease/Three Ring Studios and the new ordinance banning for-profit cemetery tours. Amid Facebook rumors and public confusion, Moore breaks down what really happened, explaining how the $15 million Cinelease acquisition was funded through MEAG and the Municipal Competitive Trust—not taxpayer dollars—and why it will help streamline city utilities, save money, and improve efficiency.

The conversation also dives into the viral controversy over cemetery tours that led to heated debates about respect, history, and tourism. Moore, the only council member to vote “no” on the ordinance, shares why he believes the decision unfairly targets a small local business and sends the wrong message about Covington’s hospitality. Along the way, the discussion highlights Moore’s reputation for transparent communication, his advocacy for small businesses, and his vision for a thriving, welcoming downtown Covington.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

In Episode 57 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Scotty Scoggins, candidate for Covington City Council Post 3 West Ward. Scotty shares his vision for Covington through his four campaign pillars: Transparency, Affordability, Smart Growth, and Access to Decision-Making. From his deep community involvement, including leading events like the Vampire Run, to his past candidacy for the school board, Scotty brings a perspective rooted in civic service and local engagement.

This conversation goes beyond campaign talking points, exploring Scotty’s passion for creating opportunities where everyday citizens feel connected to decisions shaping Covington’s future. Trey and Gabriel guide a thoughtful discussion about responsible growth, preserving community values, and the challenges of balancing affordability with progress. Whether you’re a longtime resident or simply curious about local leadership, this episode offers a clear look at the heart of one candidate’s commitment to serving his neighbors.