Welcome to the City's bi-weekly podcast, The Rouss Review. Season 4 of the podcast is hosted by City Manager Dan Hoffman and Communications Director Amy Simmons and posted in two parts: 1) Upcoming Council meeting overview and current announcements, 2) City Works. City Works is an interview with a special guest to delve into how the City government works.
Tune in on your favorite podcast listening service every second and fourth Monday at 5:00 pm.
Have a question or topic idea? Scroll to the bottom to submit it to the hosts for possible discussion on air.
Listen Now
Scroll down to listen now or stream the podcast on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Breaker, Overcast, RadioPublic, or PocketCasts. Rather read than listen? Transcripts for each podcast are available below. Links to the podcast will also be posted on the City's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Podcast Transcripts
Would you rather read the information instead of listening to the podcast? Click the podcast date below and enjoy!
| Podcast Date (Season 5) |
Topics | Special Guests | Transcription Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 27, 2023 | Part 1: Council Agenda & Current Announcements | Download | |
| March 27, 2023 | Part 2: Stormwater Utility | Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director Kelly Henshaw, Engineer |
Download |
| March 13, 2023 | Part 2: Real Estate Assessment Process | Fred Parson, RE Assessment Contractor | Download |
| February 27, 2023 | Part 2: Working for a Local Government | Lynsey Orndorff, Human Resources Manager | Download |
| February 13, 2023 | Part 2: Safe Sleep Practices | Erin Casarotti & Emily Bowlin, Winchester Social Services | Download |
| January 16, 2023 | Part 2: Budget 101 | Celeste Broadstreet, Finance Director | Download |
| Podcast Date (Season 4) |
Topics | Special Guests | Transcription Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 12, 2022 | Part 2: Snow Plowing Operations | Justin Hall, Public Works Division Manager | Download |
| November 21, 2022 | Part 2: Community Development | Mike Ruddy, Community Development Director | Download |
| November 7, 2022 | Part 2: Juvenile Detention Center | Erin Maloney, JDC Superintendent | Download |
| October 24, 2022 | Part 2: Police Technology | Chief Amanda Behan | Download |
| October 10, 2022 | Part 2: Spotted Lanternfly | Virginia Cooperative Extension | Download |
| September 26, 2022 | Canceled | ||
| September 12, 2022 | Part 2: Trees | Jordan Herring, Arborist | Download |
| August 22, 2022 | Part 2: Public Safety Radio System | Ethan Longenecker, Deputy Emergency Mgt. Coordinator | Download |
| August 8, 2022 | Part 2: Glass and Other Recycling | Michael Neese, Refuse & Recycling Manager | Download |
| July 11, 2022 | Part 2: Traffic Control | Justin Hall, Public Works Division Manager Andy Dunn, Traffic Manager |
Download |
| June 27, 2022 | Part 2: Stormwater Utility | Kelly Henshaw, City Engineer Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director |
Download |
| June 13, 2022 | Part 2: Making Local Government Laws | Patrick Elwell, Program Manager Kerri Mellott, Deputy Clerk of Council |
Download |
| May 23, 2022 | Part 2: Water Distribution System | Donnie Johnston, Utilities Maintenance Manager | Download |
| May 9, 2022 | Part 2: Animals (K9s, Pets, Geese, Oh My!) | Sgt. Shawn O'Connor, WPD Kelly Henshaw, City Engineer |
Download |
| April 25, 2022 | Part 2: Crime Analytics & Community Policing | Amanda Behan, Deputy Chief Tara Cardenas, Crime Analyst |
Download |
| April 11, 2022 | Part 2: Being a 911 Dispatcher | Terri Mellott, ECC Specialist | Download |
| March 21, 2022 | Part 2: Taxes | Ann Burkholder, Commissioner of the Revenue Jeff Barbour, Treasurer |
Download |
| March 7, 2022 | Part 2: Public Transit in Winchester | Kenny Johnson, WinTran Manager | Download |
| February 21, 2022 | Part 2: Purpose of a Comprehensive Plan | Tim Youmans, Planning Director | Download |
| February 7, 2022 | Part 2: The Life of a Paramedic | Dave Brinegar, WFRD Paramedic | Download |
| January 24, 2022 | Part 2: How to Become a Police Officer | Katlynn Slonaker, WPD | Download |
| Podcast Date (Season 3) |
Main Topic | Special Guests | Transcription Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 13, 2021 | Leaf Season and Snow Plowing Operations | Justin Hall, Public Works Division Manager | Download |
| November 22, 2021 | Park & Old Town Holiday Events | Chris Konyar, Parks & Rec Director & Alex Flanigan, Main St. Program Manager | Download |
| November 5, 2021 | Mental Health Crisis | John Piper, Police Chief | Download |
| October 25, 2021 | Winchester Public Schools Update | Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent | Download |
| October 11, 2021 | City Projects Update & Public Input Opportunities | Kelly Henshaw, City Engineer | Download |
| September 27, 2021 | Housing Study results, housing needs, development updates | Shawn Hershberger, Development Services Director | Download |
| September 13, 2021 | City's Drone & Smart City Programs | Scott Kensinger, Emergency Management Coordinator | Download |
| August 23, 2021 | Social Services in Winchester | Amber Dopkowski, Director | Download |
| August 9, 2021 | City Manager's Ride-along with Trash Collection & Takeaways | Michael Neese, Refuse & Recycling Manager | Download |
| July 27, 2021 | Winchester Royals | J.R. Burns & Jim Philips, Winchester Royals | Download |
| July 12, 2021 | Meet new Winc. Parks & Recreation Director | Chris Konyar, Parks & Recreation Director | Download |
| June 21, 2021 | Local law enforcement update | John Piper, Police Chief | Download |
| June 7, 2021 | Building Safety Codes | David Parker, Building Official | Download |
| May 24, 2021 | Small Business Month - Visited three small businesses | Bright Box, Bonnie Blue & Antojitos Mexicanos | Download |
| May 10, 2021 | Meet the New WFRD Chief | Jon Henschel & Interim Chief Hadden Culp | Download |
| April 26, 2021 | 2021 Strategic Plan Update | Erima Fobbs, City's Consultant | Download |
| April 12, 2021 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Process | Don Riggleman, Water & Wastewater Treatment Division Manager | Download |
| March 22, 2021 | Old Town Walking Tour | Alex Flanigan, Community Arts & Vitality Manager | Download |
| March 8, 2021 | Trash Cart Pilot Results, Recycling, Composting, Budget Season | Michael Neese, Refuse & Recycling Manager | Download |
| February 22, 2021 | Black History Month/General History | Tyson Gilpin, NAACP Education Chair | Download |
| February 9, 2021 | Hope/Valley/Tevis Road Projects & Animal Control | Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director & Cpl. Sales, WPD Animal Control Officer | Download |
| January 25, 2021 | COVID-19 Vaccinations | Dr. Colin Greene, Lord Fairfax Health District Director | Download |
| Podcast Date (Season 2) |
Main Topic | Special Guests | Now U Know Segment | Transcription Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2020 | Trash Cart Pilot Program | Michael Neese, Refuse & Recycling Manager | Water/Sewer bill assistance and payment plans | Download |
| November 12, 2020 | Adoption & Foster Care | Rebecca Hopkins & Marisa Wilcom, Social Services | National foster care stats | Download |
| October 29, 2020 | City jobs & Benefits | Paula Nofsinger, HR Director | - | Download |
| October 15, 2020 | New City Manager | Dan Hoffman, City Manager | Council-Manager form of government | Download |
| September 24, 2020 | Winchester Fire & Rescue | Hadden Culp, Interim Fire & Rescue Chief | Halloween safety tips | Download |
| September 10, 2020 | City Reopening Information | Amy Simmons, Communications Director | School bus and pedestrian laws | Download |
| August 27, 2020 | Drinking Water & Protecting the Source | Farrell Owens, Water Treatment Plant Manager Kelly Henshaw, City Engineer |
What NOT to put down the drain | Download |
| August 13, 2020 | Park Programs/Facilities | Lynn Miller, WPRD Director | Green Circle Trail | Download |
| July 30, 2020 | 2020 Census | Kathleen O'Connell, Census Partner Specialist | Online City services | Download |
| July 16, 2020 | COVID-19 & WPS Reopening | Dr. Greene, Lord Fairfax Health District Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, WPS |
Protect yourself from cyber crime | Download |
| June 25, 2020 | Fire & Rescue Recruitment | Interim Chief Hadden Culp Deputy Chief J.D. Orndorff |
Top fire causes and safety tips | Download |
| June 12, 2020 | Police Policies | Chief John Piper, Winchester Police Department | Special Event Permit Process | Download |
| May 28, 2020 | Building Safety Month | David Parker, Building Official | Green & Sustainable Home | Download |
| May 14, 2020 | S. Pleasant Valley Road Improvements | Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director | Virginia's Phase I Reopening Plan | Download |
| April 30, 2020 | Trees & Spotted Lanternfly | Jen Jenkins, City Arborist | Approved trees & Adopt-A-Tree Program | Download |
| April 16, 2020 | Child Abuse & Neglect | Candace Veney, Winchester Dept. of Social Services | Grow your own Victory Garden | Download |
| April 2, 2020 | Coronavirus Updates | Amy Simmons, Communications Director Shawn Hershberger, Development Services |
Coronavirus | Download |
| March 12, 2020 | Flood Safety & Preparedness | Scott Kensinger, Emergency Mgt. Coordinator | Coronavirus | Download |
| February 27, 2020 | Trash & Recycling Service Options | Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director | Communications for Public Works Services | Download |
| February 13, 2020 | Heart Month | Lt. Drew DeHaven, Fire & Rescue | 2020 Census | Download |
| January 30, 2020 | Year in Review | City Manager, Eden Freeman | Public Safety 2019 Year-End Stats | Download |
| January 16, 2020 | Snow Plowing | Justin Hall, Public Works Division Manager | Public Services 2019 Year-End Stats | Download |
Submit Topic Ideas and Questions
Contact Us
Communications Team
City of Winchester
Rouss City Hall
15 N. Cameron Street
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 535-3659
Email