Author: Dan Gould

Dan has been a regular contributor to the Charlottesville Podcasting Network since 2008. He has produced over 1000 feature length podcasts for the site.
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Emmett Hanger addresses Senior Statesmen of Virginia

On May 14th, 2008, The Senior Statesmen of Virginia hosted Senator Emmett Hanger, a Republican who is in his third term representing the Shenandoah Valley and a section of Albemarle County. Hanger reviewed the recently concluded General Assembly session, and discussed Governor Tim Kaine’s plan to raise money for transportation.

Bio from the Senior Statesmen:

Emmett Hanger (Republican) is the senator for the 24th Senate District which includes a part of Albemarle, Rockbridge, and Rockingham, and all of Augusta, Greene, Highland, and the Cities of Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro.

Serving nine years in the House of Delegates and now in his third term in the Senate, Emmett has always been pro-business and as a Republican believes in the philosophy of limited government and fiscal conservatism. He values the protection of individual rights, coupled with a keen sense of individual responsibility. He chairs the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, and serves on the Senate Committees on Finance; Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; Local Government; and Rules. He also is very involved with matters dealing with education, mental health, and the environment. Emmett co-chaired the Legislative Subcommittee, which he patroned, to reform Virginia’s Tax Code. In addition, Emmett chairs the Commonwealth Competition Council, which is a pro-business organization that helps state agencies and private businesses thrive, and he is the immediate past chairman and currently a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a multi-state commission. Emmett also is an active participant with the National Conference of State Legislatures; formerly serving on their Executive Committee, and now chairing the Budget and Revenues Committee.

Emmett holds numerous other leadership positions including chair of the Comprehensive Services Act Study Commission; chair of the Land Conservation and PDR Funding Joint Study; chair of the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind Advisory Commission; member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Rural Virginia and of the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation; co-chair of the Virginia General Assembly Sportsman Caucus; and a Board of Trustees member for the New College Institute in Martinsville, Virginia. In his spare time and for fun he chairs the State Song Committee. As a former Commissioner of the Revenue for Augusta County, Emmett is well-versed in key business-related issues on both the local and state levels. He is a graduate of James Madison University with an MBA in Accounting and a BS in Management and Economics. Born and raised in Augusta County, Emmett is married with five children and four grandchildren. Within his community, he is a Ruritan, teaches Sunday School, and is chairman emeritus and current member of the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia Board of Trustees. He is the former Commander of the Harrisonburg National Guard and obtained the rank of Captain in the US Army as an Infantry Officer. He loves politics, country music, and basketball (not necessarily in that order).

This recording was made by Dan Daniels.

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Voices of Poverty: Volunteering Can Make a Difference

Shaele Wood started volunteering in college, and is now the United Way Thomas Jefferson Area’s Volunteer Center Director. Shaele shares how to find volunteer opportunities by visiting www.BeAVolunteer.info an online database that allows visitors to search by keyword, issue area addressed, type of opportunity, youth and family opportunities and more. Volunteers can also view an online calendar of special events, training sessions and one-time volunteer opportunities. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: CHIPping Away at Poverty

The Jefferson Area Child Health Partnership (CHIP) staff work every day with low income families. They help these families connect with needed services in our community. Some of the staff members are low income themselves, and they understand the challenges of trying to be a good parent when facing ongoing financial challenges. Compassionate and committed, the CHIP staff advocates strongly for their clients. In this podcast, they share some of their experiences. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Pregnant Teens Look for Path from Poverty

In this segment, we listen to two teenaged mothers share their lives, hopes and dreams for themselves and their children. The FOCUS WomenGuv,!v,,us Resource Center operates Teensight, a mentoring and education program for at-risk youth; a program that has made a difference for these teens. Teensight Director Maureen Burkhill talks about the programGuv,!v,,us services in the area since 1988. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Home is Where You’re Welcome

 

Hakim admits he’s made some mistakes. Mistakes and bad choices are what paved the path to the homelessness he faces today. A guest of PACEM, Hakim had just returned to the Charlottesville area expecting to have a home and found, as he said, “that was not true..”

Listen to Hakim share his definition of home and his determination to find a better future. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Physician Chooses to Serve the Poor

When Dr. Greg Gelburd decided to open his own practice, he chose to offer a sliding-fee scale option for people not covered by health insurance. He struggled to find a lender for his practice because of this choice, but was able to find a way to do cover start-up costs in spite of that. Dr. Gelburd not only shows his compassion in his practice, he also regularly volunteers his time in medically underserved areas such as Honduras and New Orleans. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Escaping Economic Insecurity

Between the two of them, Kathy Ralston, director of Albemarle County Department of Social Services, and Buz Cox, director of Charlottesville Department of Social Services, they have many years of experience serving the community. In this segment, they share the history of public assistance in Virginia, define economic insecurity in our community and provide some recommendations of how people can take steps to escape poverty. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Mother in Transitional Housing Gets Ready to Move On

Jamie lives with her children and husband in transitional housing in Charlottesville. She provides an insightful perspective on living homeless on the streets of our city, the effect rage and depression has had on her familyGuv,!v,,us economic situation and her priorities as a mother living in poverty. This interview, full of hope for the future and perspectives on local resources, highlights the experience of one familyGuv,!v,,us struggle from a motherGuv,!v,,us point-of-view. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Urban Vision: Having a Dream

Charles Martin, the executive director of Urban Vision, discusses some of the programs and services available to people in low-income Charlottesville neighborhoods. Urban Vision has provided direct services to more than 75 percent of the 150 housing units at Friendship Court, a federally subsidized neighborhood in Charlottesville. Produced by Voices of Poverty.

 

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Voices of Poverty: Immigrant Struggles to Provide for Family

This compelling interview with Martha, an immigrant to the Charlottesville area from Mexico, highlights the economic challenges our local immigrant population faces including language obstacles, housing issues and healthcare hurdles. MarthaGuv,!v,,us comments about work ethic and family are especially intuitive. Produced by Voices of Poverty.