On this episode, Antioch City Manager Bessie Marie Scott drops in to talk about her first six months on the job. We get into her background, her expertise and her “why” she took the City of Antioch job given all the controversies, budget issues, staffing and the lift needed to improve the city. We get into the hiring controversy due to lack of transparency and within six months, improvements are already being observed, but first the council has to get through the budget to see what they are working with.
Scott highlights her expertise and how that will only help Antioch – she is a systems and process person. She has public sector experience in areas such as public safety, housing programs and municipal policy administration. While in Seattle, she was the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety with the City of Seattle. In her role, she ensured consistent policy interpretation across all functions of public safety, including audits, Investigations, Policy and Standards and Compliance. Scott also says if Antioch is going to invest money into things, there must be a return on investment—no more handing out free monies with no checks and balances. Meanwhile, I argue the council needs to get her out into the public more so people can begin building better relationships given her recent presentation with the Downtown Antioch Association. Scott also talks about the importance of building a solid team around her and creating stability within the City of Antioch. Ultimately, it comes down to the budget and once that is decided, the city can begin making moves, which may be unpopular, but must be done.
Note – Bessie Marie Scott was hired back in August 2024 in a 3-2 vote.
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Previous Contra Costa News Podcast Episodes
- April 28 – Lindsay Zimmer Talks Etiquette
- April 24 – Wendy of Knots + Found Talks Plants
- April 14 – Tirrell Muhammad Talks Kings Accountability Program
- April 7 – Adam Gross Talks Foodie Crew
- March 31: Tara D. Sanders of Dále Vino
- March 27 – Three Nunns Farm Update
- March 24 – Talking Beer With Side Gate Brewery and Beer Garden
- March 17 – Trevel Talks TNT Smoothie & Juice Bar
- March 10 – Sylvia Green Talks Food Pantry Non-Profit
- March 5 – Sean McCauley Talks Antioch, Brentwood and Pittsburg
- Feb 27 – Lauren Huffmaster of Adventure Therapy Foundation
- Feb 25 – Bri and Joseph Drake Talk Break Free Fitness
- Feb 11 – Photojournalist Art Ray
- Feb 3 – Ronnie and Jena of Paulo Sausage Company
- Jan 16 – Kori Barton Talks Hometown Highlights Alphabet Series
- Jan 10 – Dennis Mobley New Winemaker at Vino Olivo Winery
- Dec 31, 2024 – Rivertown Treasure Chest in Antioch Talks “Flip Game”
If you are a business or have a story in Contra Costa County and think you have a good story to tell, please email [email protected] so we can potentially schedule a date and time.
