Opening the Hood: Inside Winchester's Civic Leadership Academy

In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Kit Redmer, Communications Director for the City of Winchester, and several of her fellow Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) classmates about their experiences in this immersive, nine-month program designed to connect residents with their local government. What is the Civic Leadership Academy? The CLA is a program run by the City of Winchester that gives civically minded residents an inside look at how their city operates. Participants tour city departments, learn about the budget, meet city staff, and discover ways to get more involved. The program runs September through May, meeting the third Friday of each month from 1–4 PM. Applications are now open! The next cohort begins in September. Up to 20 Winchester residents will be selected. 🔗 Apply here: https://www.winchesterva.gov/News-Happenings/Get-Engaged/Civic-Leadership-Academy  Guests Featured: Kit Redmer – Communications Director, City of Winchester Michael Gildea – CLA classmate; background in urban environmental planning and economic development Jeff Layman – CLA classmate; 40-year Winchester resident and civil engineer Kate McLawhorn – CLA classmate; Circulation Supervisor at Handley Public Library Liv Heggoy – CLA classmate; works at Laurel Ridge Community College, 16-year Winchester resident Highlights from the Program: Tours of the water treatment and water reclamation (wastewater) plants Public safety tour including fire department facilities Visit to the 911 dispatch center Introduction to the fire department's CARE program (connecting displaced individuals with resources) Sessions covering law enforcement, fire & rescue, parks & recreation, social services, and more Stay Connected with the City of Winchester: Subscribe to the WinConnect YouTube channel for updates on city happenings. 📺 Search "WinConnect" on YouTube and hit the bell to get notified of new episodes.