//podcastplus.net/feed/hometown-california~8cd52ec2 Hometown California tells the Rural California story through the eyes of those who live, work, and play in the rural communities of the Golden State. Hometown California is a production of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), a thirty-seven member county strong organization, advocating on behalf of California’s rural counties for nearly fifty years. Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:32:55 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8835832-episode-31-the-western-governors-association-and-the-intersection-with-rural-california.mp3 On this episode of Hometown California our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with Jim Ogsbury, Executive Director of the Western Governors Association (WGA). Together, Paul and Jim discuss the work of the WGA, who they are, and the intersection with rural California and the Rural County Representatives of California. With membership that includes the Governors of the 22 western-most states and territories of the United States, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, WGA is largely an instrument of bi-partisan policy development, information exchange, and collective action on mutual interests. Listen in to hear about how Executive Director Jim Ogsbury came to lead an organization of twenty-two elected Governors, how the organization operates, and how such an ideologically diverse group of members come together to develop policies that drive the organization forward, Find out about some of WGA's successes influencing federal policymaking in  the areas of forest and federal ... Fri, 09 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8835832-episode-31-the-western-governors-association-and-the-intersection-with-rural-california.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8835832-episode-31-the-western-governors-association-and-the-intersection-with-rural-california.mp3 On this episode of Hometown California our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with Jim Ogsbury, Executive Director of the Western Governors Association (WGA). Together, Paul and Jim discuss the work of the WGA, who they are, and the intersection with rural California and the Rural County Representatives of California. With membership that includes the Governors of the 22 western-most states and territories of the United States, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, WGA is largely an instrument of bi-partisan policy development, information exchange, and collective action on mutual interests. Listen in to hear about how Executive Director Jim Ogsbury came to lead an organization of twenty-two elected Governors, how the organization operates, and how such an ideologically diverse group of members come together to develop policies that drive the organization forward, Find out about some of WGA's successes influencing federal policymaking in  the areas of forest and federal ... Fri, 09 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8835832-episode-31-the-western-governors-association-and-the-intersection-with-rural-california.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8835832-episode-31-the-western-governors-association-and-the-intersection-with-rural-california.mp3 On this episode of Hometown California our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with Jim Ogsbury, Executive Director of the Western Governors Association (WGA). Together, Paul and Jim discuss the work of the WGA, who they are, and the intersection with rural California and the Rural County Representatives of California. With membership that includes the Governors of the 22 western-most states and territories of the United States, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, WGA is largely an instrument of bi-partisan policy development, information exchange, and collective action on mutual interests. Listen in to hear about how Executive Director Jim Ogsbury came to lead an organization of twenty-two elected Governors, how the organization operates, and how such an ideologically diverse group of members come together to develop policies that drive the organization forward, Find out about some of WGA's successes influencing federal policymaking in  the areas of forest and federal ... Fri, 09 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8835832-episode-31-the-western-governors-association-and-the-intersection-with-rural-california.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8631753-episode-30-from-rural-california-to-the-state-assembly-a-conversation-with-assembly-member-jim-wood.mp3 In the latest episode of Hometown California, our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with California State Assembly Member, Jim Wood. Learn about his path to politics-- from dentistry to the State Assembly— and how his experiences in rural California have influenced his priorities in the Legislature. Listen as Assembly Member Wood discusses healthcare, cannabis, vegetation management, wildfire, and so much more.  Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8631753-episode-30-from-rural-california-to-the-state-assembly-a-conversation-with-assembly-member-jim-wood.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8631753-episode-30-from-rural-california-to-the-state-assembly-a-conversation-with-assembly-member-jim-wood.mp3 In the latest episode of Hometown California, our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with California State Assembly Member, Jim Wood. Learn about his path to politics-- from dentistry to the State Assembly— and how his experiences in rural California have influenced his priorities in the Legislature. Listen as Assembly Member Wood discusses healthcare, cannabis, vegetation management, wildfire, and so much more.  Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8631753-episode-30-from-rural-california-to-the-state-assembly-a-conversation-with-assembly-member-jim-wood.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8631753-episode-30-from-rural-california-to-the-state-assembly-a-conversation-with-assembly-member-jim-wood.mp3 In the latest episode of Hometown California, our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with California State Assembly Member, Jim Wood. Learn about his path to politics-- from dentistry to the State Assembly— and how his experiences in rural California have influenced his priorities in the Legislature. Listen as Assembly Member Wood discusses healthcare, cannabis, vegetation management, wildfire, and so much more.  Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8631753-episode-30-from-rural-california-to-the-state-assembly-a-conversation-with-assembly-member-jim-wood.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8559486-episode-29-up-close-with-rich-gordon-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-forestry-association.mp3 In this episode of Hometown California, our host, Paul A. Smith, speaks with Rich Gordon, President and CEO of the California Forestry Association (soon-to-be retired). Aside from being at the CA Forestry Association, Mr. Gordon has a long history service in California. Back to the early days of his political career when he was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Education, what sparked his interest in getting involved with public education and public policy making? After 13 years on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, find out why Rich still describes it as "the best electoral job in California." And, find out what motivated him to become President of the statewide association, a sister organization of RCRC, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and hear about highlights of his leadership years. Listen to learn how Rich fell in love with rural California, went on to serve in the California State Assembly, and so much more. His fascinating journey, from his first elected... Thu, 20 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8559486-episode-29-up-close-with-rich-gordon-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-forestry-association.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8559486-episode-29-up-close-with-rich-gordon-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-forestry-association.mp3 In this episode of Hometown California, our host, Paul A. Smith, speaks with Rich Gordon, President and CEO of the California Forestry Association (soon-to-be retired). Aside from being at the CA Forestry Association, Mr. Gordon has a long history service in California. Back to the early days of his political career when he was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Education, what sparked his interest in getting involved with public education and public policy making? After 13 years on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, find out why Rich still describes it as "the best electoral job in California." And, find out what motivated him to become President of the statewide association, a sister organization of RCRC, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and hear about highlights of his leadership years. Listen to learn how Rich fell in love with rural California, went on to serve in the California State Assembly, and so much more. His fascinating journey, from his first elected... Thu, 20 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8559486-episode-29-up-close-with-rich-gordon-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-forestry-association.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8559486-episode-29-up-close-with-rich-gordon-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-forestry-association.mp3 In this episode of Hometown California, our host, Paul A. Smith, speaks with Rich Gordon, President and CEO of the California Forestry Association (soon-to-be retired). Aside from being at the CA Forestry Association, Mr. Gordon has a long history service in California. Back to the early days of his political career when he was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Education, what sparked his interest in getting involved with public education and public policy making? After 13 years on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, find out why Rich still describes it as "the best electoral job in California." And, find out what motivated him to become President of the statewide association, a sister organization of RCRC, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and hear about highlights of his leadership years. Listen to learn how Rich fell in love with rural California, went on to serve in the California State Assembly, and so much more. His fascinating journey, from his first elected... Thu, 20 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/episodes/8559486-episode-29-up-close-with-rich-gordon-president-and-ceo-of-the-california-forestry-association.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8465228-episode-28-meet-patrick-blacklock-rcrc-president-and-ceo.mp3 In this episode, our host, Paul A. Smith, sits down for a conversation with Patrick "Pat" Blacklock, the new President and CEO of RCRC. Learn how Pat's journey in the county family began, what led him to RCRC, and his vision for RCRC's advocacy and support of rural counties.   At what Californians hope may be the tail end of pandemic shutdowns, in a redistricting year with new challenges brought about by the pandemic, and with a gubernatorial recall election on the horizon, hear how Pat is looking toward the future as he begins to lead RCRC in these unique times. Having worked as CAO of both Amador and Yolo counties,  Pat shares his perspective on the similarities and differences of rural California counties. Listen in to hear what Pat sees as priorities for RCRC, his plans for setting the organization’s path for the future, and his secret to maintaining work/life balance when counties run 24/7. Find RCRC on the Web: rcrcnet.org on Twitter: @ruralcounties on Facebook: @rura... Wed, 05 May 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1219049/8465228-episode-28-meet-patrick-blacklock-rcrc-president-and-ceo.mp3