[music] Hello and welcome to yet another conversation in South St. Paul. My name is Jimmy Francis, mayor of South St. Paul, sitting with Mayor Beth Balman from the city of South St. Paul. Born and raised. >> Born and raised. Welcome to the to the podcast. >> Thank you, mayor. I'm excited to be here. Talk a little bit about my new role. >> Yeah, it's pretty fun. So, people feel like they already know you, right? They're um your mom's probably watching this right now and critiquing your clothes that you're wearing. That's right. >> Uh because you've been around you've been a staple in South St. Paul. But we I like to start these out to try to get to know people a little bit better. So, >> what's your what's on your radio? If you're if we're going to your car right now or or listen to your headphones, what are you listening to? Uh, well, I'm listening to serious, but I'm listening to music. >> Yeah. >> Always music and uh Yeah. But I'm listening to um, you know, rock and roll and some new, you know, >> 80s or 90s. >> Some a little bit of 80s, a little bit of that, but yeah, mostly I I like the old stuff >> like the oldies, like the ' 50s, '60s. >> No, like the rock and rolls. Okay. You know, late60s. >> Yeah. So, yeah, >> that's on your >> But I really like everything. Yeah. If you were going to go to a concert >> Oh, which I do a lot. >> Yeah. What What's your What would you I have to go to that show if they're here. >> Well, I wish you know I could see The Who, >> you know, but probably I mean they're touring for the last time, they said. But I you know I've been to Eagles. I've been I you I'm a a Bruce Springsteen fan too, so I've been to eight concerts and stuff like that. So >> what a collection he's got. >> Yes. And he's a great performer. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Good live performances. I love those. even if I'm not, you know, was at the Dixie Chicks. Loved them. Wasn't a big fan before, but wow, once you see them in person, you're like, "Okay, I'm in." So, I like to do that. Change it up. >> How about sports? If you're uh are you a sports fan? And if you are, what's your favorite team? >> I'm a baseball fan. The Twins uh been interesting, but basketball, too. You know, my family's big basketball family, but I do not really like professional that much, but I like college. College football, college basketball. Yeah. And then the twins when they are making me cry. >> That's your home team, right? The twins are your home team. >> Did you get that from somebody? Did you have that? Was your parents, your grandparents? >> Yeah. My my dad played baseball. >> Um, played basketball, you know. So, we just kind of grew up with those sports and Yeah. And then, you know, >> South St. Paul always a strong baseball >> Yeah. >> town. So, >> yeah. Yeah. And twins. There's so many lovers of twins. You just I remember being a kid riding my bike around and hearing CCO with the Twins game on at almost every other house that somebody's painting or >> working in the yard and you got you got the twins game on. >> Twins game on. Real nostalgic. How about um you the lot pulls at you. You volunteer. You do a lot of stuff. When Beth's writing the weekend, when Beth's writing the the destination, where are you going? Where what are you doing in your free time? What's your happy place? Well, I um like to garden. So, I have a lot of gardens at my house. I like to garden, be outside, but I also like to throw parties. So, I have a lot of parties. You know, I have bonfires and kid parties and things like that. So, I do that a lot. >> You're an entertainer. >> I am. I like to socialize. I'm a very social person. So, >> yeah, >> that's my deal. >> That's great. It's things that weren't on my questions that I like to start out with because >> people again they think they know you because they see you or have seen you for so long and they didn't know that you were, you know, a big fan of the who. Yeah. >> Who would have known? >> Who would have known? Who are you? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Exactly. So, you grow, you've grown up in South St. Paul your whole life. Did you go ever go anywhere else? >> Well, I went to school in River Falls, so I lived in River Falls for a couple years. Um, but mostly just vacations in different places. So, but mostly just lived here. >> South St. Paul. >> Old South St. Paul. >> Yeah. And you have a a family of electeds, right? You and and your dad have been very >> Yeah. >> active uh throughout your lives. >> Yes. >> So, tell me about that. How is that? >> Well, it's to us it's because it is and you know, mayor, it's more public service when you're at this level, >> right? >> It's not like, you know, being a big politician. It's like understanding your f, you know, your your group, your constituents, what does your community need and serving that way because it's not a lucrative position. [laughter] And but you know, it just that's how we were raised is you give and uh you know, all my family has done it in different ways and you know, one of my sisters is a nurse, one was a teacher, you know, things like that. So we all kind of we give in our own way and that was my way. >> Yeah. is to be a leader in the community and uh you know running an election not my favorite thing but you know serving the public helping to do things in the community was really where I was was at where my family kind of taught me that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Again we come from the same lineage of of parents who >> wanted us to do that stuff >> and didn't make us do it but encouraged us right is the way that I like to look at it. So, um, and then when you had people like your dad or somebody saw something in you that says, "Hey, you should do this." You're like, "Oh, that, you know, Mr. Balman saw enough in me to say something that I should go do that." That we just do that, right? >> Yeah. >> Pick that up. Okay. [laughter] >> Well, it was that whole neighborhood mentality, too. Anyone in any adult in the neighborhood could yell at you. >> Yeah. >> Or say, "You're doing a good job." And it was like family, right? So, >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And so, you were careful to say who you yelled back at. >> That's right. [laughter] My dad doesn't like him. It doesn't matter what he says, you know. >> Yeah. >> Dumb guy. That dumb guy. >> So, um, you got a new job. >> I do. >> You've you've been, uh, in the banking business for most of your as you were mayor and in Yes. That >> financial services. >> Financial services. >> Yep. >> And then lo and behold, >> it's announced that Beth Balman is the new executive director of Town Square Television. >> Yeah. Tell me about that and that process. >> Sure. Um, tell us about that. >> Sure. I was uh thinking about retiring anyway from financial services. Went through a very uh stressful project at Wells Fargo and said, "Okay, I'm finishing this and then I'm I think I'm done with financial services." And they approached me early on the selection committee and said, "You didn't apply." And I said, "No, [laughter] I don't think I want to do that, but you know, I love Town Square. I've worked with them for years and I appreciate them and I I host their election show and I know a lot of the people there and I really think they do a great job but yeah I don't know that that's what I want to do. Well, they kept pursuing it and so I started thinking about it. Could I make this work financially and you know is that what I wanted to do? And so thinking about it, it was the right thing, the right next step. I was going to take a step back job anyway. And I wanted to do something in nonprofit. >> Okay. >> And the interesting thing about Towns Square Television is it's the nonprofit arm of the Northern Dakota County Cable Commission, which is uh like a quasi uh government agency. So there's like two parts. So I was very familiar with the kind of the government piece of it from my history here. And then the nonprofits, I've served on a lot of nonprofit boards. So I was very familiar with some of the things there. So it was kind of seemed like a match made in heaven with me with those kinds of experiences. Now I'm sure there are people that are more qualified. I knew nothing about television and producing television. So I really depend would need to depend on the people there and do um who've been doing it for years, but I knew that I would have the right people there and it was the right role for the time. So I I made a commitment and jumped in. >> Right. And now now we're here. Sure. We We're in the job. What? Almost >> six months. >> Six months. Okay. >> And you know, well, this is an honest podcast, right? It was it everything you thought it was when you got into it? >> No, of course not. Um, you know, I'd never managed a building property like that. I always had people at the city manage the property. I never had to worry about it. I didn't think about that. I not worried about that. um and some other things that you know when you have they had an amazing leader for 35 years, >> right? >> Um but when you're in that zone, you don't think about what's going on in the the for-profit world because sometimes that plays into the nonprofit world. Some of the things that they're doing, you know, are are the right thing to do, but so some of the things are really antiquated in the way they do things. And I'm a process engineer by trade. And so [clears throat] for me, I'm there to comm to create systems and so that we can do things easier and faster. It doesn't take as much time. >> Yeah. >> Um so I'm I'm was not sure about that and I learned that quickly and you know and there's just so much going on. We do so many productions. There's so much equipment. There's so many things that people do that I didn't know anything about and I'm learning and I've learned pretty well. And then the bottom line was I knew I was being hired to raise money >> because nonprofits as across the United States or across the world are, you know, all struggling to raise funds. I knew I had to do that. Um, but I also we we're kind of a quirky nonprofit. Yeah. >> We're not giving people food or clothing or assistance in some way basic needs. What we are doing is telling the community stories, which hasn't, you know, isn't happening anywhere else. Right. Turn on your news at night. They're not telling your local community stories. [snorts] >> We luckily in South St. Paul have a newspaper, but it's monthly. >> Yeah. >> And can only tell you so much. But these, you know, Town Square tells you these stories. And so we're trying to change the way we approach things and explain to people our funding is is steadily decreasing because it depends on um franchise fees which are paid to the government side of of our organization for everyone that has cable TV and as everyone knows people are cutting the cork and so that money is steadily decreasing and everything else is getting more expensive. So, we're in a a zone now where we're trying to raise funds to continue to do what we're doing, but there's no upside on the the commission side because that's where the franchise fees are and they're going down. So, we have to raise that money on the nonprofit side. >> So, we're shifting. We're making some shifts and doing some things. So, that's really what I've been working on. Let's create the systems to do this and then let's get out there and talk about the things we can do because we're very good at it. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. They they have been for a while. And so those that don't know, Towns Square Television is a PEG facility, public >> education, [clears throat] government, and you serve seven cities, >> right? >> So that's South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Menota Heights, >> Sunfish Lake. Yep. >> Ingrove Heights and Lilyale. >> Yep. >> What else? >> Oh, and wait, >> South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Menota Heights, Ingrove Heights. Yeah, we always start with South St. Paul. Uh, [laughter] Menota, Sunfish Lake, Lilyale. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. So, we got >> We got them all. We got them all. >> So, yes. So, >> and we all have franchise or we all have joint powers agreements with you where we we decide we we have decided that Towns Square Television is going to be our source to put cameras in all of our chambers and record our for South St. Paul, we do our meetings and then you record our schoolboard meetings as well. And you're that entity that provides that, keeps track of that, manages that. And you do that for all the cities. >> All the cities, right? And you know, in some cities we do more, some cities we do less. Um, you know, right now we're working in Menota Heights, they do their parks and rec department does a v video annual [snorts] report, which is is interesting. So, we're working with them. Um, but again, the franchise fees that people that we that the cities get paid come to us as a consortium. We then provide this service. But we also do so many other things. We do Insight 7 which is a 30-year-old can't believe that >> um show that pro you know tells the stories of the community. >> We um cover the parades and events and uh different things. We do state of the city in some of the cities uh which now have kind of shifted to video from live. Uh we do you know all sorts of of interesting stories about the different populations that settled in this area. So we do a number of things. Most of them are not covered by either the PEG fees that we get or the franchise fees. [snorts] >> That most of that money goes for salaries. Yeah. And benefits, which in any organization we know. So, we're trying to figure out how to make money to make sure we can continue to do these things. >> So, that's why we've come up with some ways to do that. Um, which we've always had, but we're really really leaning into them a little more. sponsorships for each program has at least one sponsor that helps pay for it. Um, we're looking currently looking for sponsorships for Sports Zone and athlete of the week. If anybody out there wants to consider >> Sport Zone and athlete of the week are great because they highlight all of these kids from all those seven communities and it's a really good opportunity not only to >> get your business out there, but highlight these young adults that are just doing great stuff and sporties and >> yeah, >> it's cool. And also we all of this streams on uh from our website and also from on uh Facebook. So we're getting a lot more play on those, >> right? >> Because you can watch the games. You can watch >> you can share it. People are watching it. >> You can watch the shows and and >> Colorado watching their nephew play. Somebody shared it. Yeah. >> So, you know, it's it's got a broader view than just cable and that's that's been important. >> Yeah. >> In fact, we're talking about going to YouTube, which would make it even easier. >> Sure. So, but that way uh we're really going to push on more on sponsorships. We're going to um we've created a new membership schedule which is we've followed our friends at TPT for the sustaining membership >> which is a monthly that goes until you tell us to stop. >> Um we've >> we've created a creator membership for those people that do want to do their own shows or public access and and that really died down. Yeah, >> during co >> and now is ramping [snorts] back up. >> Well, it's the technology has really changed. So now >> this becomes my studio and you don't need all of that, >> but you don't get all of that from this, right? It's more it it's more work. So >> having that >> creator, right, >> membership is really smart because you're you're actually going back into People don't realize like Wayne's World type >> shows, right? the cable show that was in your ins mom's basement is really done in your studios with all the cameras, all the equipment. You don't have to go buy it. You can go use it, learn how to do it and use it. >> Yeah. And learn how to do lighting and audio and video and everything. And we're also actually classes have started ramping up. We do offer a series of classes to do that um every single thing and to do our truck production because we're >> you know most of the PEG stations around the state are not most many of them are eliminating the trucks. You know you see those trucks outside of different high schools and hockey arenas and fields. It's an big expense and it's but it show you know it gives you that great view. It's three cameras. It's high. Yeah. High def. it's the way to see things. And so we're really special in what what we do there. And so we're really trying to use that more too and and um help people learn how to to work those cameras and and and how to work the truck. We're we're doing all that training. But one of the really fun things is we're we've created a podcast service >> and um are offering that offering training. Um, we've had some interest from, you know, both chambers on, you know, we'd love to start to have a chamber show that's a podcast and we can interview different people. >> We just see an opportunity for that and and that is something that um we have already contracted with a podcasting platform so we can get it on the platform. If it's a lo of local interest, we would put it on our um cable channels and live stream it. And [snorts] so, >> so you have that production services angle where people can pay you to make videos, they can pay you to do their infomercials or whatever to, >> you know, company discussions and >> um, >> you know, the board of directors meetings and those kinds of things with the teleprompter where you want to stay on task and read the >> right >> read the script for as as is. So, you have all those features and invested in that equipment, right? And that's what really I think um is the bonus of having a partnership with Towns Square is you have all the stuff, >> right? >> Uh we we benefit the most as a city south St. Paul. So again, why I wanted to pull you in as a nonprofit because people will just expect that's going to be there. And without participation, without membership, and without volunteers, you're not going to be able to continue to do that because you need volunteers to help. You need sponsorships to fund it. And the participation of the viewers is also important because yeah again >> sustaining members those kinds of things really help the bottom line and we want to highlight that on this conversation. >> I appreciate that mayor because we we are struggling you know and we're going to continue to struggle as those franchise fees as people cut the cord right >> and uh so we really want to lean into the other things and you know you brought up a good point about production services only. We do have a lot of larger companies and corporations that may want to hold a a video conference meeting that we can have in our studio. Um, we've got the microphones, we've got the cameras, we've got the lighting, we've got the the video uh connections so that, you know, we're we're really going to talk more about those things. >> Yeah. And also we have a couple of the nonprofits that have also come to us and would like videos whether they're training or just information videos and neighbors is one um you know to talk about different things in their organization to help a fund raise for them and then b let people know what services are available. So we're really trying to work those populations too. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot there and as you said you're struggling because of the change in the funding streams because people are cutting the cords. >> One thing that you do very well, Town Square Television has done very well and you have um benefited from and participated in is the election coverages and that is another >> thing that you don't get >> at other places. You don't get that hyper local discussions whether that's a forum with the candidates to be able to meet and see who they are as well as that question and answer aspect of it. You don't do debates. There's no sense in we're in >> uh municipal Yeah. [laughter] government. >> Yeah. We can't be arguing with each other. That's not the point of this. And and the the >> the um what was the MLAN hour? What do they always do? It was the tit for tit point counterpoint. Yeah. Right. Exactly. It's like that >> that's good for that probably for that >> national stuff but for us >> right >> we just we need to know about people we want to hear how they feel and town square has been very important in that you want to talk a little bit about that and maybe the future of that or maybe just as as it's going to continue. >> So we're you know we're already planning for next year's election. We think it's going to be a busy election and we now have all the the school districts are now on that same timetable as the uh general election. So, um, we'll continue to have the forums, the candidate forums for each of the different, uh, cities or counties or or districts. And we'll also, um, have the ability or the opportunity for any of the candidates to come on and do meet the candidate and have their 15 minutes um, so that they can be on camera. But what we're also going to offer this year, Alexis is going to help us with is how to be more comfortable on camera. >> Oh, great. >> Because I think people struggle. Sure. >> And you know, how do you prepare? How do you uh you know, and in a podcast situation or a vid or interview situation, how do you respond? Where do you look? >> Right? >> You know, how do you know when you've talked too much? Natural. >> It's [laughter] you know, when do you stop? What do you try to get across? So, we're going to do a, you know, a prep for them and really for anyone that would like to be more comfortable on camera. So, we're we're going to offer that to starting early next year so people can get ready for that campaign and, you know, and then we'll have, you know, campaign night >> uh information, interviews. We don't generally get all the information when we need it because it has to go in the county and then come back. But sometimes [snorts] we do. But it's great to then see people and talk to them and and uh you know do the interviews and see how >> well as as somebody that's been on that end of it campaigning and then going yeah you know doing my meet the candidates doing the forums and then coming election night I always feel that we didn't know who was winning at the end when when we were there >> but for me it was a culmination of a hard fought >> campaign and it's like okay it's over now >> thank my thank my people Thank everybody that supported me. Thank you for, you know, at least giving me the chance or Yeah. >> being out there. And again, it's that it's the whole process of it is Town Square is there the whole time. Right. Right. And it's invaluable. I mean, you really can't get that hyper local stuff. We we had the Voice on like as you said, they're a monthly um sub, you know, subscription-based but also free newspaper, right? >> And you're in that same category of >> you. We depend on you. We depend on those stories from you to stay connected to have that entertainment and I know that you have repeats and people watch at nauseium they watch the show repeat the show >> but that only proves that they're interesting your content is interesting topographic or timing you know and also people can get into the topic because it's like somebody they know or oh I never oh I'm gonna go visit that new bookstore oh I'm gonna go visit that new coffee shop whatever the the insight seven piece that you put out there, >> right? And that's why we think the podcast will also help because it um a couple of the groups are talking about having information about new places to go see, you know, new restaurants, things like that that people might not have heard of. And then they'll be able to see it on the channels, they'll be able to see it live streamed, they'll be able to hear it on the podcast podcast platform. So >> I think u just since we've been doing this and just my use of podcasts I like the long form not two hours >> right >> but but I have heard I have listened to people for two hours and think wow you were able to I got like you I'm not going to listen to that 30 secondond bit that I heard uh the sound bite that gets shared that's that makes you look like you're not a nice person. when you sit and listen to people for a longer period of time, you start to understand how and it's there's no cuts. There's no editing. So, this is all us. This is this is us live, right? And I think people gravitate to that a little more to gather their own thoughts about a candidate or even a topic, >> right? Because, you know, health and wellness, you know, you guys do the town square talk, >> right? >> Right. He brought brought that back and Caleb's doing a >> great job of highlighting people >> again. Where where are we going to hear about that? And small little snippet, you know, he did he had a conversation with Patrick Watson from West St. Paul, the photographer. I watched it. I'm like, this is awesome. I know Patrick. Yeah. >> But to hear a little bit more of the background of how he does what he does and how he helps people, >> it's super interesting. And I know he's a local guy, right? which again it's it it connects me to Town Square. It connects me to the the community a little more >> and you can say, "Oh, that's the person that did that. I saw their work. >> I saw Yeah, I've seen it in the bottom of the picture. That's their stuff." Ryan Sanford's another one. You know, >> he's great photographers and good topic, >> right? Topic stuff. >> We do have I just have to do a little advertising. We have started a new little mini podcast though. Um David Roth from our team is it's called the um what are we calling it? the South Metro Roundup. He's doing it on Thursdays. It's a podcast about what's going on in the northern Dakota County areas. So, we're gathering information. So, if people have things that are coming up, just get them to us and we'll put it on the South Metro Roundup things for people to do. So, you know, we're pretty busy now. So, there's a lot of things going on in they need to know future. >> But then, yeah. So then, but whenever any organization, church, whatever has something, we want to put it out there so people can start hearing about what's coming. You know, they might be saying, "Oh, you know, we [clears throat] don't have anything going on. What's what's happening?" So, we're trying to give people more information so that >> and organizations or places more coverage so that if there's something going on there, if there's a band or if they're having an event, then we can put it out there for people to go to. >> I like that. And it's that's that community bulletin board basically of the things going on. And if he's doing it every week that that refreshes and keeps people active and connected to maybe oh let's go catch that show. Yeah. >> I didn't know that play was happening. That's my favorite play. I'm going to go over to >> Modota Heights and watch that or wherever it's happening. >> Sure. >> So as you as you see you know you know your your background in municipal service and your banking service and then you're in this new role. Um, what do you see as the future here for Towns Square Television besides the things you talked about, but but you know, where do you see the your leadership bringing Town Square to bring it to the next level? >> Well, this is very aspirational, but >> that's good. That's what we want. I want to I want to kind of see the No, >> because we're at six months into your job here, so we we'll have a little something to look back at. That's right. That was a good idea. >> Well, I I've uh leveraged a lot of the ideas that that the team had. I got them together early on and said, "What are some of the things that we do well that we could turn into something else?" Which got him thinking out of the box. But one of the things that came up, we had a chamber event there and someone came up to me and said, "Do you rent this space for like events?" I go, "Yes, we do." So, [laughter] but we're going to we're going to work a little bit on that. And and to your point earlier, you know, those larger meetings where people don't have a conference room big enough, you know, we're going to offer some of that, you know, and the ability to have a small event there, you know, cocktail party or whatever. So, we're going to be offering that. We think that's >> what a cool place in a studio with cameras. >> Really cool lighting, >> TVs and all. Yeah. And logo things. >> Um, so we're going to be doing some of that. We're going to um we're going to be doing more grants and we're also going to explore the different populations we have in >> smart >> this area. We do we have a a native population. We have a lot of immigrant populations. Um Vicky Ambu from South St. Paul has done worked with a number of those. We've got some oral histories going on and we're going to probably be doing more oral histories and those are ones that people can apply for grants for and then we'll do the work on. So, we're going to continue >> going in that direction. We're going to continue to work with nonprofits on telling their story. Um, and then we're really going to go for the production only. Do you need a training video? Do you need um a a way for the community to understand more what you're about like one of the organizations in this community, you know, and and how the good you do, you know, capital campaign, things like that we can help people with. So, we're really going to push those kinds of things. Um, and also help some of the larger organizations that haven't been a sponsor or used to be a sponsor understand the value of their sponsorship. We're doing more, which is kind of my process thing. We're doing more tracking of how many views do we get, how many people watch it on on the cable channels, how many views are we getting on Facebook, how many people stream from our website, how many people request it after the fact. So, we're providing that information now to sponsors. So, we're really trying to show our value. Um, not just count on word of mouth. >> So, and we're also doing more going to do more promos for ourselves. I put a list together of 15 promos that I thought we should do ourselves. >> Yeah. As everybody does it anyway. I mean, all all the NPRs and things that are in those nonprofit world like you do that which is again smart, right? So, um, so you you you've got, uh, some great ideas. You got great team behind you. How do the public help you? How can we get, you know, on this podcast, we're conversations in South St. Paul, many South St. Paul people are listening, but others around you know, what are your channels? How do people interact with you? >> So, I think the, you know, if you have cable, we are we have five C cable channels. Three of them are HD. The other ones are SDS, so you can get all of them. Um, we are always looking for volunteers and we're really going to talk to a lot of the high school kids because if they have an interest in maybe they have an interest in video production or utilizing cameras or things like that, we really would like them to take a chance and come out and and learn how to use the equipment and then, you know, then they can do their own games, you know, their high school games and things like that. So, we're going to um that's one way. We also just need help. We're trying to um upload all of our old video files so that we have them. >> Yeah. >> Uh and they're not Yeah. So, you know, we, you know, we need some help doing that. We have some volunteers that have started doing it, but it's a big job. We had a lot of [laughter] videos >> and so we have things like that to do. We are going to need help starting in um October for the um election. [clears throat] We need people that night. We need people ahead of time. So it's >> behind the cameras. >> In front of the cameras, behind the cameras. Yeah. So um so we really are looking for volunteers at any time. If anyone has any interest or just wants to stop by and see what we have, we're happy to show you >> what's going on at the studio and how you might be able to help. But again, membership will help and it's not that much money. A sustaining membership is $60 for an individual or a family. Um or if you want to create, please come over and we'll show you a little bit about how you could be a creator. Yeah. So, >> well, as an access member since early 90s when it was up in in Two Rivers School, >> I have been a supporter and a fan and, you know, been part of a lot of the high jinks over the years that have happened um with fun videos and >> yes, >> you know, crew videos and all the Bill Woolad and Bill Woods and Shirley Pike, >> Ken Kaine, you know, saying names that people probably remember from from being part of that. But we all did the same thing. We started as a member. Yeah. Right. Made I made hunting videos. >> Joe Conland. >> Joe Conlin. Yeah. We We made hunting videos that we never >> shot a deer in any of our videos because we were just kids that were just pretending we were. Yeah. And then we walked around the woods and we made stuff up and whispered and then we sat with our coffee like the like we'd watch other people do and there's no coffee [laughter] in there. We're talking about bucks, you know, and how hunting and we're like 13, 14. like we know it all. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But my point is >> if you like that, if you part if you your grandkids, you know, want to get involved in that, if they don't and you like to watch some of that stuff, just donate, right? >> Just make a donation to Towns Square, be a member because that's what really helps sustain this. And if you're doing a campaign now to grow it, you can help Beth reach her goals of in a new job in this new role to kind >> save me. >> Yeah. Well, it takes a lot, you know, and again, you're coming behind somebody that's been there for 35 years with, >> you know, a defined track and a lot of stuff changes and the tracks changing and you're you're at the helm now. So, you don't even know which direction, >> right? Well, because the government is part of the >> Yeah. >> You know, >> Yeah. That's an equation. So, you have a lot of um entities involved in that. That makes it kind of complicated. It is, >> but it's it's super simple in terms of what you provide. And you provide a service at townsquare.tv y >> for all of us to find what we need in videos. >> Watch council meetings, watch planning commission meetings, watch the features, >> and order those graduation films, order those, you know, right >> the other things, the the programs, the kids. Yeah. >> Yeah. Highlight videos, things like that. >> And you don't have to do you can watch the game yourself, then they have the right town square does the work and you'll get the the product. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Well, I've been uh glad to have you in our conversations in South St. Paul. Is there anything that we haven't covered that you want to make sure that we cover about Town Square Television or >> I just Yeah. Well, just that it's an amazingly talented group that are award-winning, continue to win awards every year for the videos, the production that they do. And so, you know, Angel Conlin just entered the Silver Circle in the regional Emmys. So, he's, you know, he's in there with Don Shelby and Pat Miles and Stan Turner and some of the big names. Yeah. >> In the Twin Cities. So, we just have a talented group. So, >> award-winning any award-winning team. Yes, for sure. >> Absolutely. >> And what is always amazing to me when I hear about the recaps is how many films are submitted that others don't. Like you you guys are up for awards that others don't that aren't up for and you have like five of them or 11 of them in in the series and people are like, "Whoa, who are these guys?" But you guys are really putting out quality stuff. So much so that they're they're up for they're nominated for awards, right? >> Which is really telling about that. >> Small little place >> and we're up against WCCCO >> huge budget >> and Care TV in them. So >> even industrial films I know that they've been awarded for >> that, you know, they're up against Target and >> all these others, UNICEF, all these people that make big videos. >> Yep. >> So that's really cool. I'm I'm glad they they hired you. I'm glad they pursued you, Beth, because again, you're a a hometown person, hometown gal who, you know, understands this community, these communities, >> you know, the players, and that's really an asset to the >> right, >> they don't have to start over with somebody that came from another place because >> we are all unique. West St. Paul, South St. and we all have our own little >> right >> and those kind of eb and flow with people with people who are elected and the people who were at the table at the time but having you there is really important I think because again you understand this community you don't need to spend the time figuring that out >> trying to figure it out y >> you're going to spend your time raising funds talking with people to get involved and that's really going to help continue [music] that trajectory >> right well thank you for having me I really appreciate telling the story at town square >> yeah we appreciate you thanks for being on conversations in South St. Paul. >> Thanks