Chief Hoar reflects on his path through the Fall River Police Department, from his early days as a patrolman and the real-world experiences that shaped his approach to policing, to his current role serving as Acting Chief of Police.

The conversation also explores the challenges facing the department today, including the resources and funding needed to protect residents, support officers, and keep Fall River safe. Chief Hoar shares his perspective on leadership, accountability, and what it means to carry responsibility at the highest level of a public safety organization.

It’s a wide-ranging look at policing, public service, and the decisions that impact both the officers on the street and the community they serve.

Listen to part 1 https://cliffpontepodcast.com/episodes/mike-silvia-from-fall-river-reporter-part-1

Mike joined us for nearly two hours to discuss a wide range of topics affecting Fall River, from what it’s like covering the city day to day to conversations surrounding the police chief, outstanding warrants, local government, public safety, and much more.

This is just the first half of our conversation, with even more to come in part two.

Learn more about Mike and follow his reporting at FallRiverReporter.com.

Mike joined us for nearly two hours to discuss a wide range of topics affecting Fall River, from what it’s like covering the city day to day to conversations surrounding the police chief, outstanding warrants, local government, public safety, and much more.

This is just the first half of our conversation, with even more to come in part two.

Learn more about Mike and follow his reporting at FallRiverReporter.com.

In this episode, Cliff sits down with State Representative Carole Fiola for a candid conversation about public service, politics, and what it really takes to represent a community. Fiola pulls back the curtain on a job most people only see from the outside, explaining the relationships, negotiations, committee work, constituent calls, and persistence required to move legislation forward and bring resources back to the district.

But this conversation is about more than the mechanics of state government. 

It’s also about Fall River.

Fiola discusses her deep connection to the city, the importance of making sure Fall River has a strong voice in Boston, and why being present in the community is such an important part of representing it. She shares how conversations with residents can influence legislation, why building credibility at the State House takes years, and how projects that appear simple from the outside can require years of work behind the scenes.

Cliff and Carole also get into the changing nature of politics itself—from the decline of local journalism to the impact of social media and the increasingly personal criticism directed at elected officials.

If you’ve ever wondered what your State Representative actually does, how Fall River competes for attention and resources in Boston, or what motivates someone to stay in public service, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain.

They break down why good people avoid running for office, Cliff’s lesson about being respected rather than liked, and Bobby’s view that local media and city politics are shaped by agendas, influence, and control—highlighting the WSAR incident where Bobby was pulled from an on-air appearance after criticism of the station resurfaced. 

00:00 Welcome 
01:48 Meet Bobby Couto
02:23 Self Help Origins
03:50 Politics Enters Show
05:56 No Gotcha Interviews
07:43 Respected Not Liked
12:06 Why Good People Avoid Office
15:52 WSAR Radio Deal
20:22 Banned From Airwaves
23:59 Media Control Claims
26:04 Influence and Priorities
28:52 Bad Decisions Fallout
29:36 Chief Appointment Politics
31:37 Disagree Without Hate
34:38 Mayor Race Reflections
36:45 Nepotism And Influence
37:46 Fixing City Infrastructure
39:12 Council Dynamics Mentorship
43:05 Why Voters Stay Home
46:05 Money Talks In Politics
48:09 Human Experience And Purpose
53:22 Closing Thanks And Charity

He is a Fall River maintenance worker and father trying to create a sensory space for his autistic daughter. But after his fiancée was diagnosed with cancer—and the community rallied around his family—Marcel saw an opportunity to return that support.

In this episode, Marcel shares how a backyard sensory board, a petition and an outpouring of community support grew into Mae’s Playground: an inclusive sensory playground planned for Abbott Court.

He discusses the families driving the project, the thoughtful features being designed for children of all abilities, and what Fall River’s response has taught him about advocacy, generosity and the power of showing up for your neighbors.

Resources Mentioned

• Mae's Playground
• Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
• Noah’s Place Playground

Will reflects on his unexpected rise to the mayor’s office, the recall election that abruptly ended his administration, and whether he would ever run again. He also shares the remarkable story of surviving a near-fatal stabbing, the difficult road back, and how the experience reshaped his priorities.

The conversation also explores Fall River’s economic challenges, the changing political landscape, entrepreneurship, and why Will believes artificial intelligence will transform nearly every part of modern life.