By City Manager Ken Striplin
One of the most rewarding parts of my job as City Manager is the opportunity to meet people who dedicate their time, talent and passion to making Santa Clarita an extraordinary place to live, work and play. While many of those conversations happen in meetings or out in the community, over the last year and a half I’ve also had the privilege of sharing many of them through our official podcast, Santa Clarita Voices. When we launched the podcast in December 2024, our goal was to create a space for meaningful conversations about the people, projects and topics that shape our community. Rather than quick interviews, we wanted to take a deeper dive into the stories behind City services, hear directly from experts and community leaders and give residents an inside look at what makes Santa Clarita such a special place.
Since our inaugural episode with then-Mayor Cameron Smyth, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with an incredible group of guests. We’ve explored the City’s award-winning parks system, our recreation programs, as well as careers in public service. We’ve also highlighted the professionals who help keep our community safe. Assistant Fire Chief Pat Sprengel shared valuable wildfire preparedness tips and an inside look at aerial firefighting, while Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Captain Brandon Barclay joined me to discuss public safety, e-bike enforcement and the people behind local law enforcement.
Other conversations showcased the unique people and places that make Santa Clarita one of a kind. We caught up with Xanthe Pajarillo, better known as the “McRib Girl,” explored the future of mountain biking with professional rider Spencer Rathkamp and visited the William S. Hart Park Barnyard to meet the animals that welcome visitors throughout the year. One of my favorite episodes was also one of our most interactive. I answered questions submitted by residents through social media. From housing and development to a few lighthearted “Mean Tweets,” it was an opportunity to answer many of the questions we hear most often.
Whether you’re interested in learning more about City projects, the people who serve our community or simply hearing engaging conversations, I invite you to tune in. Santa Clarita Voices is available in video format on the City’s YouTube channel and Spotify, as well as audio on Apple Podcasts, making it easy to watch or listen wherever you are.
Our next episode will be released soon and features City Librarian Gina Roberson as we tour the historic Hart Park Mansion, one of Santa Clarita’s most treasured landmarks. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes as we continue sharing the stories, people and places that make Santa Clarita such an exceptional community.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
