Let's Talk Clermont

&nbsp;<strong>Ep. 58 — Jennifer Haley on the Batavia Township Fire Levy, plus local news and spring events</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We open this week with a local news roundup from around Clermont County before turning to a detailed conversation on one of the bigger ballot issues facing Batavia Township. We cover county property appraisals, a local teacher earning a major honor, a pending Batavia Village hearing involving Councilman Mike Gardner, an upcoming Union Township JEDD hearing, and cleanup updates out of New Richmond.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Jennifer Haley, Fiscal Officer for Batavia Township<br /></strong><br />&nbsp;Jennifer Haley joins the show to explain what the Batavia Township fire levy would do, why township officials are pursuing a new structure for fire and EMS service, and how the proposed change would affect the current Central Joint Fire-EMS District. She also walks through the history of CJFED, how township finance and millage work, why equipment and staffing costs have climbed so sharply, and what the levy could mean for staffing, future stations, response times, and residents’ tax bills.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />From there, the conversation gets into the nuts and bolts of the proposal. We talk about the failed November levy, the six firefighter-paramedics tied to a federal SAFER grant, the township’s argument that it now carries the overwhelming share of the fire district tax base, and the case for moving to a Batavia Township Fire Department that would still serve the village through a contract arrangement. Jennifer also explains how older equipment, development pressure, slower response times in the eastern end of the township, and TIF-related revenue issues all factor into the debate.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>News&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Clermont County property appraisers are out collecting data as part of the regular assessment process&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;St. Bernadette teacher Jennifer Duffy was named Gold Star Chili Teacher of the Year&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Village will hold an April 13 hearing on possible punishment or expulsion of Councilman Mike Gardner&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Union Township will hold a May 12 public hearing on changes to JEDD #1 with the City of Milford&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;New Richmond’s Lions Against Litter and Dumpster Days continue through April 10, along with monthly brush collection through October&nbsp;</li></ul><strong>Events mentioned at the end of the show</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Play and Learn at the Amelia Branch Library&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Family Frog Walk&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Art in the Park: Nature Stenciling&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Genealogical Society program at the Batavia Library&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;CPR class at the Union Township Civic Center&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Easter Family Sing Along Brunch&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Spring Clothing Swap with Glam&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Amphibian Ambler&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Spring River Paddle at Chilo Lock 34&nbsp;</li></ul>Follow on Facebook &amp; Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Clermont-Podcast-61575113991187/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkclermont/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a><br /><br />If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a>&nbsp;

<strong>Ep. 57 — One Year In and Kim Georgeton on Data Centers, H-1B Reform, and Ohio Politics</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We kick off our one-year anniversary episode with a quick thank you to everyone who has listened, shared, supported, and helped Let’s Talk Clermont grow over the last year.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Then we get into a packed news roundup. We look at two Ohio property tax bills and why they matter for school funding before turning to local stories across the county, including Batavia’s airport annexation fight, fallout from a heated Batavia Village meeting over fire funding, updates out of Loveland, financial concerns in West Clermont, controversy around Milford’s upcoming State of the City event, and more from around the region.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Kim Georgeton, candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Kim Georgeton joins us to talk about her background in tech, startups, and digital transformation, how she ended up running statewide with Casey Putsch, and what she thinks the Lieutenant Governor role should actually look like in practice.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />From there, the conversation turns to some of the biggest issues in the race. We talk about hyperscale data centers and the questions surrounding water use, groundwater contamination, energy demand, noise, tax abatements, and local control. We also get into H-1B visa reform, manufacturing, property taxes, housing affordability, school funding, and what an Ohio-first agenda could look like.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>News quick hits</strong>&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Ohio House Bills 186 and 129 and what they could mean for school funding and property taxes&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Village revisits the airport annexation issue&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Assault charge filed after a tense Batavia Village meeting tied to fire levy debate&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Loveland Madeira Road Phase 2 delayed to 2028&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Loveland officials push back on Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Loveland’s annual city report highlights strong revenues, infrastructure progress, and a lean staff&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Debate continues over traffic and the future of downtown Loveland&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;West Clermont officials warn of future financial pressure and possible reductions&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Milford faces criticism over charging for its State of the City event&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;More local updates from around Clermont County&nbsp;</li></ul><strong>Events mentioned at the end of the show</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Suzanne Klingman Memorial Walk&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Wildflower Seed Bombs at Klingman Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Toddler Time at the Miami Township Library&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Handmade Easter Lilies at the New Richmond Library&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Art in the Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Genealogical Society program at the Batavia Library</li></ul>Follow on Facebook &amp; Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Clermont-Podcast-61575113991187/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkclermont/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a><br /><br />If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a>&nbsp;

<strong>Episode 56 — Gary Knepp — True Crime in Clermont County<br /></strong>&nbsp;<br />We start with a couple of school-focused local updates, then Gary Knepp returns to the show for a talk about true crime in Clermont County, including gambling, murder cases, lynchings, and the county’s stranger legal history. We also talk about Gary’s upcoming book on Camp Dennison and why it remains such an important part of local Civil War history.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Gary Knepp (local historian, author, and retired attorney)</strong>&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>Gary’s return to the show and how his work in Clermont County history led him into local true crime research</li><li>Early punishment in the county, including whipping posts, stocks, and how justice worked on the frontier</li><li>Gambling in Clermont County during the 1920s and 1930s, including the Arrowhead Club, the Silver Ranch, and mob ties</li><li>The story of James Dalhover and the Depression-era crime gang tied to stolen World War I machine guns from Felicity and Moscow</li><li>The infamous Dovey Dean case, her confession, and why it still raises questions</li><li>More capital murder history from Clermont County, including the Michael Webb case and how death penalty cases played out locally</li><li>A lynching in New Richmond and what it reveals about vigilante justice and public opinion at the time</li><li>Gary’s upcoming book on Camp Dennison, the Civil War training camp, hospital, and discharge center that served tens of thousands of soldiers</li><li>What Camp Dennison was actually like day to day, from medical treatment and disease to military training and profiles of the men who passed through it</li></ul><strong>In the News</strong><br /><ul><li>Milford Schools rolls out new districtwide school safety tools, including crisis alert and visitor management systems</li><li>Batavia Local Schools announces upcoming leadership changes, including Cindy Jacobs’ retirement and staffing moves pending board approval</li></ul><strong>Events roundup</strong><br /><ul><li>Homeschool Discovery Days: Animal Folklore — Mar 20, Hartman Log Cabin</li><li>Meet the Characters from Frog and Toad — Mar 21, Union Township Branch Library</li><li>Spring Equinox Women’s Camping Retreat — Mar 21–22, Chilo Lock 34</li><li>DIY Bird’s Nest — Mar 23, Williamsburg Branch Library</li><li>Feelin’ Froggy Fiber Arts — Mar 23, Goshen Branch Library</li><li>Little House on the Prairie Cooking Class — Mar 24, Batavia Branch Library</li><li>Birds and Blooms Hike — Mar 25, Sycamore Park and Wilson Nature Preserve</li><li>Amphibian Amble — Mar 26, Clingman Park</li><li>Susan Klingman Memorial Walk — Mar 27, Crooked Run Nature Preserve</li><li>Clermont County Museum Day — Mar 28, multiple museums across the county</li></ul>&nbsp;Follow on Facebook &amp; Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Clermont-Podcast-61575113991187/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkclermont/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a><br /><br />If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a> &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;

<strong>&nbsp;Episode 55 — Malini Vijayan — Clermont County Public Health&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />We start with a few regional updates, then we sit down with <strong>Maalini Vijayan</strong>, Assistant Health Commissioner of Community Health Services at <strong>Clermont County Public Health</strong>, to talk about what the health department actually does day to day, how local public health works with the state, and what trends they’re watching right now.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Interview — Malini Vijayan (Clermont County Public Health)&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>What Clermont County Public Health does and how the department is structured (including why operations run out of two buildings)</li><li>Community Health Services highlights: WIC, immunizations, communicable disease work, complex medical help, injury prevention, and harm reduction</li><li>Environmental Health Services overview: food licensing and inspections, plumbing, water and waste, and how the permitting side fits in</li><li>Public health partnerships across the county and why “health” includes things like housing and transportation</li><li>Data and trend tracking, including youth mental health and substance use indicators</li><li>Avian flu and what to do (and not do) if you encounter dead wildlife</li><li>What COVID was like from the public health side, what changed, and what the agency is still seeing today</li></ul>In the News<br /><ul><li>Cincinnati’s budget shortfall and the possibility of department cuts</li><li>Brown County’s petition effort to restrict large data centers via a constitutional amendment</li><li>Williamsburg’s summer street resurfacing schedule</li><li>Batavia’s DECA “Dog Den” earning national recognition as a school-based enterprise</li></ul>Events roundup<br /><ul><li><strong>Wizard of Oz</strong> — Mar 13 (7:30 PM), Loveland Stage Company</li><li><strong>Pancakes in the Park</strong> — Mar 14 (9 AM–12 PM), Pattison Park Lodge</li><li><strong>Wild Pokémon Creations</strong> — Mar 14 (10 AM), Amelia Branch Library</li><li><strong>Celebrate Pi Day</strong> — Mar 14 (2 PM), Miami Township Branch Library</li><li><strong>Art à la Carte</strong> — Mar 16 (5 PM), New Richmond Branch Library (ages 12+)</li><li><strong>Spring Wreath</strong> — Mar 17 (5 PM), Batavia Branch Library (registration / wait list)</li><li><strong>Virtual: Lunch &amp; Learn Native Plantings</strong> — Mar 18 (12 PM)</li><li><strong>Homeschool Discovery Days: Animal Folklore</strong> — Mar 20 (1 PM), Hartman Log Cabin (preregistration)</li><li><strong>Meet Frog and Toad</strong> — Mar 21 (2 PM), Union Township Branch Library</li><li><strong>Spring Equinox Women’s Camping Retreat</strong> — weekend program, Chilo Lock 34</li></ul>&nbsp;<br />Follow on Facebook &amp; Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Clermont-Podcast-61575113991187/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkclermont/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a><br /><br />If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a> &nbsp;<br /><br /><br />

&nbsp;<strong>Episode 54 — Rep. Adam Bird — Ohio State Representative District 63 </strong><br /><br />In this episode, we look at some local headlines, then sit down with State Rep. Adam Bird to talk development pressure, annexation battles, property taxes, and what “fair” school funding even means in Ohio.<br /><br /><br />Interview — Rep. Adam Bird (Ohio House, District 63)&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>What a state representative actually does and how Ohio’s process differs from DC</li><li>Clermont’s “character” and the tension between growth and keeping an Appalachian and agricultural feel</li><li>HB 113 and why “Type 2” annexations keep blowing up locally</li><li>The airport-area development fights in Batavia and why the county wants a bigger say</li><li>Property taxes, why people are furious, and what happens if Ohio ever tries to eliminate them entirely</li><li>School funding, EdChoice, and why comparing outcomes is harder than most people think</li></ul>Want to reach Rep. Bird? <strong>[email protected]<br /></strong><br /><br /><strong>In the News&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li><strong>Clermont County building permits set another record</strong> in 2025 with growth across single-family, multi-family, and commercial projects</li><li><strong>Dainty Foods is coming to Batavia Township</strong> with a major investment and job creation plans</li><li>A <strong>terrifying SR-222 crash ends in a rescue</strong> thanks to Apple Watch crash detection, dispatchers, and first responders</li><li><strong>Union Township notices:</strong> Special Improvement District annual meeting and Jungle Jim’s Eastgate annual meeting (March 20)</li><li><strong>Loveland secures grant funding</strong> to preserve a riverfront property for conservation and passive use</li><li><strong>New Richmond updates:</strong> Hamilton Street sidewalk project issues, Liberty Landing public meeting (March 10), and a US 52 roundabouts open house (March 24)</li><li>Cat are taking over NKU!</li></ul>&nbsp;<br /><strong>Events roundup&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li>Clermont County Genealogical Society Program — <strong>Mar 7, 1 PM</strong> (Batavia Library)</li><li>Art in the Park: Bamboo Paintbrushes — <strong>Mar 7, 11 AM–12 PM</strong> (Clingman Park, registration required, ages 12+)</li><li>King Records &amp; Herzog Studios — <strong>Mar 7, 2–3 PM</strong> (New Richmond Library)</li><li>Very Hungry Caterpillar Open House — <strong>Mar 9, 4 PM</strong> (Batavia Library)</li><li>D&amp;D at the Library (Adults) — <strong>Mar 9, 5:30 PM</strong> (Bethel Library)</li><li>Feelin’ Froggy Fiber Arts — <strong>Mar 9, 6 PM</strong> (Goshen Library)</li><li>Cincinnati in the Civil War — <strong>Mar 10, 6 PM</strong> (Felicity Library)</li><li>Radio Waves — <strong>Mar 10, 6:30 PM</strong> (Owensville Library)</li><li>Owl Prowl — <strong>Mar 11, 8–9 PM</strong> (Sycamore Park &amp; Wilson Nature Preserve)</li><li>Woodcock Walk — <strong>Mar 12, 7:30–8:30 PM</strong> (Shore Park)</li><li>Wizard of Oz (Loveland Stage Company) — <strong>Mar 13, 7:30 PM</strong></li><li>Pancakes in the Park — <strong>Mar 14, 9 AM–12 PM</strong> (Pattison Park Lodge)</li><li>Wild Pokémon Creations — <strong>Mar 14, 10 AM</strong> (Amelia Library)</li><li>Celebrate Pi Day — <strong>Mar 14, 2 PM</strong> (Miami Township Library)</li></ul>&nbsp;<br />Follow on Facebook &amp; Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Clermont-Podcast-61575113991187/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkclermont/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a><br /><br />If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a> &nbsp;