Front & Center

Welcome to "Front & Center," the podcast that pulls back the curtain on government operations, offering you an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of one of North Carolina's bustling cities. This show is hosted by April Nesbit, Public Information Officer , with co-host Nakayla Griffin, Community Resource Officer . We invite you to join us as we navigate the corridors of government in Statesville, revealing the processes, policies, and people that drive the city forward. Expect exclusive interviews with key officials, in-depth analyses of public initiatives and city development projects. "Front & Center" is designed to connect you directly to the heart of our city's governance. Prepare to be engaged, informed, and empowered each episode.

Front & Center is a government podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 38 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Front & Center, a government show with 38 episodes published.

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  Episode #1

  Inside Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality: Building a Stronger Community | REV It Up Podcast

  Jul 20, 202618 min

  Welcome to REV It Up , the official podcast of Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality . Each month, we'll take you behind the scenes of the programs, events, partnerships, and initiatives that help make Statesville a stronger, more connected community. Whether you're interested in recreation, community events, parks, or the people working to enhance quality of life in Statesville, REV It Up offers an inside look at what's happening across our department. A New Name. A Broader Vision. One of the first topics of conversation is the department's evolution from Statesville Recreation and Parks to Statesville Recreation & Economic Vitality . The name change reflects much more than a new brand. As the department expanded its responsibilities - including the addition of the Statesville Event Center and a close partnership with Downtown Statesville Development Corporation - it became clear the department's mission had grown beyond traditional parks and recreation. Today, parks, greenways, athletic programs, event management, downtown partnerships, and community experiences all work together to strengthen quality of life while supporting tourism, conferences, local businesses, and economic growth throughout Statesville. That same philosophy also led to updated facility names. The Statesville Event Center (previously the Statesville Civic Center) better reflects the venue's role in hosting weddings, conferences, meetings, and community events, while the Statesville Recreation Center (previously the Statesville Fitness & Activity Center) aligns with the name residents have long used for the facility. These updates provide greater clarity while reinforcing each facility's purpose within the community. Statesville Heritage Festival The conversation also highlights the inaugural Statesville Heritage Festival, taking place Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Statesville Event Center. Originally inspired by America's 250th anniversary, the event evolved into a celebration of the many cultures, traditions, and stories that make Statesville unique. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, cultural demonstrations, educational presentations, community conversations, interactive activities, and a collaborative community mural that will become a lasting piece of public art. The festival was intentionally designed to bring people together through learning, conversation, and shared experiences while showcasing the partnerships that continue to strengthen our community. Organizers hope it becomes an annual tradition that continues to grow for years to come. Learn more about the Statesville Heritage Festival here. Statesville Bookbag Giveaway Families attending the Heritage Festival will also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Statesville Bookbag Giveaway, presented in partnership with Village Intervention Partnership. The goal is to distribute approximately 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to local students, helping them start the school year prepared and confident. The event will also feature free hot dogs provided by the Statesville Police Department, inflatables, and additional family-friendly activities, making it a fun day for the entire community. Learn more about the Statesville Bookbag Giveaway here. Stay Connected New episodes of REV It Up are released monthly, bringing you closer to the people, projects, and partnerships shaping recreation and economic vitality in Statesville.

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  Episode #36

  150 Years of Service: Celebrating the Legacy and Future of the Statesville Fire Department

  May 1, 202618 min

  For 150 years, the Statesville Fire Department (SFD) has stood as a cornerstone of safety, service, and community pride. In this episode of Front & Center, hosts April Nesbit, Public Information Officer, and Nakayla Griffin, Community Resource Officer, sit down with Fire Chief Glenn Kurfees to reflect on this remarkable milestone and look ahead to an exciting community celebration. Chief Kurfees shares the rich history of the department, from its early days to the modern, highly trained team that serves Statesville today. Over the years, SFD has evolved with advancements in equipment, training, and emergency response - but one thing has remained constant: a deep commitment to protecting the community. The conversation highlights not only the department’s legacy, but also the people behind the badge. Chief Kurfees emphasizes the dedication, professionalism, and teamwork that define the Statesville Fire Department. From responding to emergencies to investing thousands of hours in training each year, SFD firefighters are always preparing to answer the call. Listeners will also get a preview of the upcoming 150th Anniversary Celebration - a special opportunity for the community to come together, honor the department’s history, and recognize the men and women who have served across generations. The event will showcase the department’s past, present, and future, offering something for residents of all ages to enjoy. This episode is a reminder that the fire department is more than emergency response—it’s a vital part of the fabric of Statesville. Whether through life-saving work, public education, or community engagement, SFD continues to make a lasting impact every day. 🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn more about the legacy and future of the Statesville Fire Department. Learn more about the Statesville Fire Department on their website at fire.statesvillenc.net . Interested in learning more about the history of the Statesville Fire Department, visit their website at fire.statesvillenc.net /history.

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  Episode #35

  36 Years Of Service: Lessons From The Longest-Serving Mayor Of Statesville

  Nov 17, 202541 min

  A gavel falls for the last time, and a long chapter of Statesville leadership closes with surprising warmth, hard-won clarity, and a handful of laugh-out-loud stories. We sit with Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh to trace a journey from reluctant candidate to the City’s longest-serving Mayor, and we unpack what truly keeps a community moving forward: quiet preparation, strong managers, respectful debate, and neighbors who keep showing up. Costi shares how a mentor pushed him toward public office, how he learned to wait his turn, and why breaking tie votes is less a triumph than a sign to slow down and listen. We explore the shift from charity to governance - where decisions invite criticism - and the discipline it takes to read the packet, hold a tentative view, and let new facts change your mind. He explains why people matter more than projects, shining a light on staff ingenuity during COVID, a data-driven look at housing and development, and the City Manager ’s role in keeping the machine honest and accountable. The conversation turns heartfelt as we revisit the loss of eight-year-old Ah'Mayahh Howell and the way the city united across lines that usually divide. Costi doesn’t pretend grief remade us forever, but he believes it moved us meaningfully and sharpened our focus on prevention and empathy. He’s candid about what he’ll miss - meeting employers, selling Statesville’s strengths, and celebrating community milestones - and what he won’t: rancor and partisan theater that distract from sidewalks, parks, police, and housing. His parting advice to the next Mayor is refreshingly practical: be present, protect nonpartisan norms, manage time ruthlessly, and remember that attending matters even if you cannot stay to the end. Learn more about the Statesville City Council here. Learn more about Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh here.

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  Episode #34

  From Pumpkins To Trolleys, Here’s How Downtown Comes Alive For The Holidays

  Oct 22, 202526 min

  Planning your perfect downtown holiday starts here. We sit down with Downtown Business & Development Manager, Matthew Pierce, to map the full arc of Statesville’s fall-to-winter calendar - what’s happening, why it’s scheduled that way, and how each decision supports families, small businesses, and the Main Street vibe we all love. Pumpkin Fest anchors the season with more than seven thousand visitors, two stages, community performances, STEM experiences, pumpkin smashing, and a classic car cruise-in looping Court and South Meeting. Sponsors like Flow Automotive and Happy Teeth power the scale, while the team squeezes vendor rows into every workable nook without losing flow. Downtown Trick-or-Treat moves to Thursday by design, easing restaurant operations and setting up Saturday’s festival, and the Statesville Police Department’s “Fill the Trailer” toy drive brings curbside drop-offs and big smiles. If you want spine-tingles, Haunted Statesville Ghost Tours deliver a blend of lore and history with 45–60 minute walks hosted by The Sharp House Historic Players across two weekends. The holidays arrive with a staged build-up: the tree goes up during Thanksgiving week, Santa lights it on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and Shop & Stroll transforms Friday into a hallmark-worthy night. Expect carolers, extended store hours, a free trolley from five to nine, a live nativity, the Little Blue Choo, and s’mores with the fire department - thoughtful touches that make it easy to browse, buy, and linger. We address the parking question head-on and celebrate the new deck rising downtown, then preview the Christmas Parade and the fast-selling carriage rides. Join us to get dates, routes, and pro tips, plus the behind-the-scenes logic that keeps events fun and functional.

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  Episode #33

  Navigating Statesville's Annual Leaf Collection: Tips from the Team

  Sep 29, 202517 min

  The familiar crunch of autumn leaves means the Statesville Leaf Collection crew is rolling into action! From October 20 through February 13, 2026, this essential city service transforms neighborhoods across Statesville, methodically clearing the seasonal debris that accompanies our beautiful fall foliage. Sanitation Superintendent, Russell Brown, and Assistant Superintendent, Kandense Adams, join us to reveal the inner workings of this massive undertaking. They break down the city's five collection areas - from Beech Nut near Catawba to the neighborhoods beyond West Front Street - and explain why some sections (particularly Area Two with its mature trees) take longer than others. Understanding your collection area is crucial, especially since opposite sides of the same street might fall into different zones! The collection fleet operates seven specialized vehicles daily, including five automated trucks with joystick-controlled vacuum arms that operators maneuver with video-game-like precision. These powerful machines make quick work of properly prepared leaf piles, but there's a catch - residents must follow specific guidelines for successful collection. The team emphasizes placing leaves on grassy areas (never in streets where they clog storm drains), keeping them away from obstacles like meters and fire hydrants, and most importantly, ensuring piles contain ONLY leaves - no sticks, rocks, or debris that damage equipment and cause costly delays. For those seeking alternatives to curbside collection, the city offers free leaf collection bags from November 3 through December 5, 2025 (available at the Customer Service Department, Bentley Community Center and the Fitness & Activity Center ). These enormous bags - jokingly described as "big enough to fit two bodies" - provide the fastest removal option, with pickup occurring on regular garbage days regardless of weather delays. After December 5, bags can be purchased through December 22, 2025. Environmentally minded residents might consider mulching leaves with a lawnmower, providing natural fertilizer for lawns. The team's advice? Be proactive! Don't wait until collection crews reach your area - prepare your leaves in advance. Visit statesvillenc.net for daily schedule updates and use the interactive map to locate your collection area. Learn more about Leaf Collection here.

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