Bucks County Conversations

Ep. 25: America 250: “People just say semiquin”

Be sure to mark "semiquin" on your 2026 calendars, because it’s the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. America250 [https://america250.org/], along with local chapters, is and has been dedicated to ensuring this year is celebrated properly.  In this episode, Commissioner Bob Harvie, who leads the Bucks250PA [https://bucks250pa.org/] Commission, discusses the group's efforts and how their goal is to stamp this county with a legacy that will interest residents and visitors beyond the semiquincentennial. And for Bucks County, the celebrations won’t stop on the 4th of July. It goes all the way to Christmas Day at Washington Crossing Park [https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/]. Jennifer Martin, Executive Director of the Friends of Washington Crossing and John Godzieba, Board President of the Friends of Washington Crossing, talk about the park’s historical significance in the 1776 fight for freedom…and how John gets to replay that pivotal moment each year in the shoes of General George Washington. Bucks250PA on social media: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Bucks250PA], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/Bucks250PA] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bucks250pa/].  Washington Crossing on social media: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/washingtoncrossingpark/#], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/washingtoncrossingpark] and X [https://x.com/WashXingPark].  Follow us on social media: Facebook [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBucksCountyGovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418899338%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x0aFM4pzWtODePii5RZhcYsMQjtBQ4ykFfi%2BPSvaSYw%3D&reserved=0], Instagram [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbuckscountygovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418921212%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X%2B2XGhrO5WiJq83tPM6I3VGXEJTqWXBL3ey0vXvTr14%3D&reserved=0] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/county-of-bucks/?viewAsMember=true].  Check us out online: BucksCounty.gov [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckscounty.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418930101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qKcb4j%2FZ2Hb1MMpZaz27UM7KHnKuZymn8Z732Uksiqg%3D&reserved=0]  Music credit:  Music by Ivan Selivanov from Pixabay  Music by freesound_community from Pixabay  Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Ep. 24: Mental Health: “Hold on you matter”

Bucks County Human Services [https://www.buckscounty.gov/224/Human-Services] is the county’s largest division, comprising hundreds of staff members across multiple departments. From the Area Agency on Aging to Children & Youth, this division truly addresses and considers the needs of residents. A primary focus within Human Services is mental health. In this episode, you’ll hear from Rachael Neff, Director of Human Services Division. She provides insights into the various departments under the division’s umbrella and discusses both upcoming and ongoing projects and initiatives. And later, Tom Roskowski, Co-Chair of the Bucks County Suicide Prevention Task Force [https://holdonyoumatter.com/] and veteran, shares the County’s efforts from an organizational perspective. Follow the Suicide Prevention Task Force on social: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/buckscountyhoym] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/buckscountyhoym/]  If you need to, call, text or chat 988: 988lifeline.org [https://988lifeline.org/]  Follow us: Facebook [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBucksCountyGovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418899338%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x0aFM4pzWtODePii5RZhcYsMQjtBQ4ykFfi%2BPSvaSYw%3D&reserved=0], Instagram [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbuckscountygovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418921212%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X%2B2XGhrO5WiJq83tPM6I3VGXEJTqWXBL3ey0vXvTr14%3D&reserved=0] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/county-of-bucks/?viewAsMember=true].  Check us out online: BucksCounty.gov [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckscounty.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418930101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qKcb4j%2FZ2Hb1MMpZaz27UM7KHnKuZymn8Z732Uksiqg%3D&reserved=0]  Music credit: Pixabay  Calm soft Music by Viacheslav Starostin  No copyright Music by Mykola Sosin

Ep 23: Sustainability: “Bang for the buck”

In 2021, the Bucks County Planning Commission's role in County government expanded to include sustainability [https://www.buckscounty.gov/1750/Sustainability] staffers with the goal of reducing the county’s carbon footprint and figuring out how to be more sustainable. Just a couple of years later, the County Commissioners passed a pretty monumental agreement for the department called the Sustainable Energy Partnership [https://www.buckscounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=883] of Southeast Pennsylvania. The County of Bucks spends over $1 million in energy costs each year for its multi-building operations, and taxpayers deserve the best bang for their buck.  In this episode, we’ll chat with Evan Stone, Executive Director of the Bucks County Planning Commission and frequent guest of the podcast, about his department's functions and his specific interest in stormwater management. And later, we’ll chat with Neale Doughtery, Director of Sustainability, and Cassandra Goodmansen, Environmental Planner, about their plans to help a county workforce of over 2,000 go green.  Follow us: Facebook [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBucksCountyGovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418899338%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x0aFM4pzWtODePii5RZhcYsMQjtBQ4ykFfi%2BPSvaSYw%3D&reserved=0], Instagram [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbuckscountygovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418921212%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X%2B2XGhrO5WiJq83tPM6I3VGXEJTqWXBL3ey0vXvTr14%3D&reserved=0] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/county-of-bucks/?viewAsMember=true].  Check us out online: BucksCounty.gov [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckscounty.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418930101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qKcb4j%2FZ2Hb1MMpZaz27UM7KHnKuZymn8Z732Uksiqg%3D&reserved=0]  Music Credit:  Creative technology -- Music by Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=241274]   Our daily life -- Music by FASSounds from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=321747]

Ep 22: Justice Center: “You guys must have questions”

Main Street in Doylestown Borough connects two significant Bucks County Government buildings: the Administration Building and the Justice Center. While the Justice Center is primarily known for its court functions, it also houses other offices that occasionally attract public interest. In this episode, we’ll have a conversation with Bucks County Sheriff [https://www.buckscounty.gov/1956/Welcome-to-the-Bucks-County-Sheriffs-Off] Fred Harran, who dedicated most of his career to Bensalem but initially aspired to be on stage. Later, we’ll hear from Jury Manager Morgan Grove about jury duty [https://www.buckscounty.gov/748/Jury-Duty]. If you’ve recently received a jury summons, she’s the point person behind the scenes. Follow us: Facebook [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBucksCountyGovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418899338%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x0aFM4pzWtODePii5RZhcYsMQjtBQ4ykFfi%2BPSvaSYw%3D&reserved=0], Instagram [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbuckscountygovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418921212%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X%2B2XGhrO5WiJq83tPM6I3VGXEJTqWXBL3ey0vXvTr14%3D&reserved=0] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/county-of-bucks/?viewAsMember=true].  Check us out online: BucksCounty.gov [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckscounty.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418930101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qKcb4j%2FZ2Hb1MMpZaz27UM7KHnKuZymn8Z732Uksiqg%3D&reserved=0]  Music credit:  Music by Mikhail Smusev from Pixabay  Music by Mykola Sosin from Pixabay

Ep. 21: Agriculture: “Facts and Farm Stories”

Agriculture supports one in ten jobs in Pennsylvania, according to the PA Department of Ag. In Bucks County, Delaware Valley University is training the farmers and ag. Professionals of the future. In this episode, you’ll hear about the changes the county has gone through when it comes to agriculture from William Penn to Del Val, and in between we learn about Commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia’s family roots in the county. Special thanks to Pennsbury Manor [https://www.pennsburymanor.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xbGpFGxc-a6WbThT4mv5pflria_jsH-ojMQ2f6q41mto8X0aMawvEUaAt1OEALw_wcB] and Delaware Valley University [https://delval.edu/].  Follow us: Facebook [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBucksCountyGovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418899338%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x0aFM4pzWtODePii5RZhcYsMQjtBQ4ykFfi%2BPSvaSYw%3D&reserved=0], Twitter [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FBucksCountyGovt%3Fref_src%3Dtwsrc%255Egoogle%257Ctwcamp%255Eserp%257Ctwgr%255Eauthor&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418909993%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y1KgKf4NzNR8AVMGXwoxUVZIt2LlBCH7aSTuLkBZIIE%3D&reserved=0] and Instagram [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fbuckscountygovt%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418921212%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X%2B2XGhrO5WiJq83tPM6I3VGXEJTqWXBL3ey0vXvTr14%3D&reserved=0]    Check us out online: BucksCounty.gov [https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbuckscounty.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cckreese%40buckscounty.org%7C29353ec7b29542043d8a08dc768701b7%7C84e2e871e7fc4b00a387ce8840a4e58d%7C0%7C0%7C638515569418930101%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qKcb4j%2FZ2Hb1MMpZaz27UM7KHnKuZymn8Z732Uksiqg%3D&reserved=0]  Music credit:  * Sunrise Serenade by Umasha Pros [https://pixabay.com/users/neura-flow-43255620/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=213616] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=213616]  * Epic background piano by Maksym Dudchyk [https://pixabay.com/users/white_records-32584949/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=181371] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=181371] * Sakura Mediate Beat by Vlad Krotov [https://pixabay.com/users/moodmode-33139253/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=138298] from Pixabay [https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=138298]