A Bad Girl’s Guide to Town Government | Ep. 3: Deficits, Branding, and Broken Promises

Hosts: Julie Nardone & Kate JurczykIn this episode, Julie and Kate return to the "Information Parlor" at WACA-TV to pull back the curtain on some of the most pressing—and confusing—topics in Ashland. From the charm of historic branding to the complex world of town "deficits," they explore why more public input is needed before major financial decisions are finalized.Episode Highlights:The Upbeat Corner: Kate shares an update on the Village Burial Ground project. She discusses the exciting community effort involving Bridgewater State students and the use of ground-penetrating radar to discover unmarked history in the heart of downtown [01:21].Town Branding & Historic Preservation: Inspired by a road trip to Seneca Falls, the hosts discuss how Ashland could better capitalize on its own identity—from Henry Warren and our mill buildings to the Old Connecticut Path. Why is Ashland struggling to brand itself when we have such a rich story to tell? [03:59]The Truth About "Free Cash": Julie breaks down what "Free Cash" actually is (a tax surplus) and questions why the public is often excluded from deciding how that surplus is spent, especially when we are simultaneously told the town is facing a deficit [10:00].Crashing the Tri-Board Meeting: A recap of the October and December meetings regarding the potential tax override. The hosts discuss the "deficit of public input," the pressure to vote without adequate information, and why finance committee meetings aren't being filmed for the public to see [14:51].The "Real" Deficits: Kate and Julie wrap up by identifying the non-monetary gaps in town leadership: a deficit of listening, a deficit of participation, and a deficit of transparency [28:52].Get Involved: As Julie says, it’s time to "stand up and talk." If you're interested in being a guest co-host or have a topic that keeps you up at night, we want to hear from you.Email us: [email protected] Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Kzf8G0-6Usw