Let's Talk Clermont

Ep. 52 — Off-Grid Texting, Mesh Networks, and Cincy Mesh&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We're closing in on one year of <em>Let’s Talk Clermont!</em> We start with some local updates, including Batavia Township’s upcoming fire/EMS levy effort, Milford’s move to acquire key downtown parcels, and progress at New Richmond’s Liberty Landing.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Then talk with Hunter Thornsberry from <strong>Cincy Mesh</strong> to talk <strong>Meshtastic</strong>—a LoRa-based, off-grid text messaging system that can hop device-to-device without cell service. We cover what it is, why people use it, what gear to buy first, and how the mesh is growing around Greater Cincinnati. &nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Hunter Thornsberry (Cincy Mesh)&nbsp;</strong><br />Hunter talks about:&nbsp;<br /><ul><li><strong>LoRa + line-of-sight</strong> basics and why height matters</li><li>What “<strong>mesh</strong>” actually means (hops, repeaters, routers)</li><li>Real-world uses: hiking, travel, storms, privacy-minded comms, GPS sharing</li><li>Starter hardware recommendations (cheap nodes vs. nicer keyboard devices)</li><li>Why some folks love/hate <strong>MQTT</strong> (bridging traffic over the internet)</li><li>How to plug into the local community and help the Cincinnati mesh grow</li></ul><br />Want to learn more? Cincy Mesh is friendly, active, and always looking for more nodes—especially in higher-elevation spots. Check out their website to learn more.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.cincymesh.org/" target="_blank">https://www.cincymesh.org/</a><br /> <br /><strong>In the News&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li><strong>Batavia Township Fire/EMS levy info</strong>: a new site + Facebook page from producer Brandon Hicks with details ahead of the vote</li><li><strong>Milford</strong>: council approved steps toward acquiring multiple downtown parcels (including the Fountain Specialist and Gun Haven Armory buildings) to increase control and make redevelopment easier</li><li><strong>New Richmond / Liberty Landing</strong>: retaining wall work advancing; utilities work coming up</li><li><strong>Clermont Northeastern Schools</strong>: kindergarten registration is open for the 2026–2027 school year (eligibility: age 5 by Aug. 13)</li><li><strong>Fish fry season</strong> is here (St. Louis in Owensville gets a big recommendation)</li></ul>&nbsp;If you're looking for more info on the Batavia Fire Levy, check out the website and Facebook page Producer Brandon Hicks made<br /><br />Website: <a href="https://www.cincymesh.org/" target="_blank">https://www.cincymesh.org/</a><br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1C3VwNnN2L/" target="_blank">Batavia Township Fire and EMS Levy</a><br /><br /><strong>Producer shoutout&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li>Thanks to the anonymous producers who came in under $50—appreciate you supporting the show!</li></ul><strong>Events roundup</strong><br /><ul><li><strong>Homeschool Discovery Day: Sap to Syrup</strong> — Feb 20 (1–2 PM), Pattison Park</li><li><strong>Maple Sugaring Hikes</strong> — Feb 21 (1 PM / 2 PM / 3 PM), Cincinnati Nature Center (registration required)</li><li><strong>Saturday Play Date</strong> — Feb 21 (10:30 AM), library program (ages ~0–8)</li><li><strong>Foraged Tea Time + Hike (Maple Tea)</strong> — Feb 21 (1–2 PM), Clingman Park (registration required)</li><li><strong>Hiking for Lichen</strong> — Feb 22 (11 AM–12 PM), Pattison Park (free)</li><li><strong>Young Innovators: Ohio Food Innovations</strong> — Feb 23 (4:30 PM), New Richmond Branch Library</li><li><strong>Feelin’ Froggy Fiber Arts</strong> — Feb 23 (6 PM), Goshen Branch Library (adults)</li><li><strong>Young Innovators: Superman in Ohio</strong> — Feb 26 (4:30 PM), Amelia Branch Library (ages 8–12)</li><li><strong>Maple Murder Mystery</strong> — Feb 27 (5:30–7:30 PM), Pattison Park Lodge (registration required, adults)</li><li><strong>Appalachian Music (Dulcimers)</strong> — Feb 28 (11 AM), Miami Township Branch Library</li><li><strong>Raptor Rampage</strong> — Mar 1 (2–3 PM), Clingman Park (free)</li></ul><strong>Next week</strong><br /> <br />Mike Desmond from the <strong>Milford Amateur Radio Club</strong> (the folks behind <strong>Cincinnati Hamfest</strong>) joins the show.<br /><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 />&nbsp;

<strong>&nbsp;Ep. 51 — Brown County Mega Site, Daring Horse Rescue, and an Interview with Greg Roberts.</strong><br /> <br />We start with a developing story in <strong>Mt. Orab</strong> and Brown County, where residents are demanding answers about a <strong>1,000+ acre “mega site”</strong> that many suspect is tied to a data center project. NDAs, unclear ownership, and visible site activity have only added fuel to the fire. From there, we zoom out to <strong>Ohio House Bill 646</strong>, which would create a temporary state commission to study data centers and their impacts on the grid, water, noise/light, and more.&nbsp;<br />Other headlines include:&nbsp;<br /><ul><li><strong>Bethel-Tate Schools</strong> placing a <strong>replacement operating levy</strong> on the <strong>May 5, 2026</strong> ballot</li><li>A <strong>Monroe Township</strong> rescue that feels extremely on-brand for Clermont County: firefighters pulling a <strong>horse out of an icy pool</strong></li><li>A progress update on <strong>Loveland’s PFAS (“forever chemicals”) treatment project</strong>, including a clip from <strong>Chris Wojnicz</strong> on the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@chuckgibson9949" target="_blank"> Loveland Beacon podcast</a> as the city hits a major design milestone</li></ul>Then I sit down (again) with <strong>Greg Roberts</strong>—part-time <strong>Moscow Village Administrator</strong>, longtime steward of the <strong>U.S. Grant Birthplace</strong>, and a founder of the <strong>Ohio River National Freedom Corridor</strong>. We talk about Moscow as a river community, flood realities, the legacy of the 2012 tornado, and what it takes to keep small-town government moving. From there we head into history and civics: <strong>Grant’s presidency</strong>, Reconstruction-era tensions that still echo today, why <strong>Juneteenth</strong> matters, and why local government is where the real-world decisions land.<br /> <br />We wrap with events from around the county, including <strong>Hearts Afire Weekend</strong> in Loveland, <strong>maple sugaring hikes</strong>, live music in Milford, library programs, a home buying seminar, tree care, and (my personal favorite name of the week) <strong>“Hiking for Lichen.”</strong><br /><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>Ep. 50 — May Levies + Zoning Explained&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />We kick off this milestone 50th episode with a quick thank you to the listeners and producers who’ve helped carry the show to almost a full year. Then we hit the latest Clermont County news, including three levies headed for the May ballot, a quick note on the Mt. Orab megasite NDA controversy, and a defense manufacturing contract tied to L3Harris. We also flag Tate Township’s 2026 cleanup dates so you can get them on the calendar early.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Kit Houston, zoning and real estate attorney (Taft Law)<br /></strong><br />Kit Houston joins the show for a practical breakdown of what zoning is and why it exists. We talk about how zoning tries to balance individual property rights with public health and orderly development, and why almost every zoning fight still traces back to the Constitution.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />From there we get into the mechanics of how these disputes actually play out. Kit explains the difference between legislative rezoning versus quasi-judicial decisions like variances and conditional uses, what the Board of Zoning Appeals is looking for, how appeals work, and why getting the right facts into the record early can make or break a case. We also talk standing, referendums, “emergency” measures, and why many local zoning battles become a war of attrition. We wrap with a look at newer land uses like data centers and solar, and why many zoning codes still aren’t built for them.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>News quick hits</strong>&nbsp;<br /><ul><li><strong>May levies approved for the ballot:</strong> Commissioners approve three levies for May including a <strong>Developmental Disabilities</strong> additional <strong>0.75 mil continuous levy</strong> (about <strong>$26 per $100,000</strong> of home value, roughly <strong>$5.3M/year</strong>), <strong>Children’s Protective Services</strong> <strong>1.0 mil total</strong> (a <strong>0.8 mil renewal + 0.2 mil increase</strong>, about <strong>$23 per $100,000</strong>, running <strong>2027–2031</strong>), and a <strong>Senior Services</strong> <strong>1.31 mil renewal</strong> (about <strong>$26 per $100,000</strong>, also <strong>2027–2031</strong>).</li><li><strong>Mt. Orab megasite NDAs:</strong> Public comments raise concerns about nondisclosure agreements tied to the project. Patrick notes it’s mainly a Brown County story for now but worth watching, and points listeners to Chris Hicks’ reporting on <strong>Watchdog Wire</strong>.</li><li><strong>Defense manufacturing contract:</strong> A Clermont County defense manufacturing facility tied to <strong>L3Harris</strong> is linked to a U.S. Department of Defense award <strong>up to $18.4M</strong> for safety and arming devices for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.</li><li><strong>Tate Township cleanup dates (2026):</strong> <strong>June 26–27</strong>, <strong>7 AM–5 PM</strong>, Tate residents only (ID check). Some prohibited items apply, mattresses must be wrapped, and tire fees are cash.</li></ul><br /><strong>Producer shoutout</strong><br />&nbsp;<br /><ul><li><strong>Brandon Hicks</strong> with a $50 “50 for 50” donation. Thank you, Brandon.</li></ul><br /><strong>Events (roundup at the end of the show)</strong><br />&nbsp;<br /><ul><li><strong>Love Bugs</strong> — Feb 6, 6–7 PM, <strong>Clingman Park</strong>. Adults-only nature program on insect mating behavior. Registration required (18+).</li><li><strong>Art in the Park: Handmade Paper Valentines</strong> — Feb 7, 11 AM–12:30 PM, <strong>Hartman Log Cabin</strong>. Family craft workshop making plantable paper valentines with wildflower seeds.</li><li><strong>DIY Maple Demonstration</strong> — Feb 7, 2 PM, <strong>Pattison Park (Lodge)</strong>. Drop-in demo on tapping maples and boiling sap into syrup. Free, all ages.</li><li><strong>Don Quixote Storytime and Ballet</strong> — Feb 7, 10:30 AM, <strong>Loveland Branch Library</strong>. Kids storytime with live ballet. Registration required.</li><li><strong>Maple Sugaring Hike</strong> — Feb 14, 1–3 PM, <strong>Cincinnati Nature Center (Rowe Woods)</strong>. Guided hike and sugaring demo. Final date of the season. Free for members, $14 non-members.</li><li><strong>Heartbent Album Release Concert</strong> — Feb 15, 7:30 PM, <strong>Hybrid Moments (Milford)</strong>. Emo/pop-punk show with local openers. Doors typically around 7 PM.</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 />&nbsp;

<p><strong>Episode 49: Utopia, Floods, and Clermont’s Hidden History</strong> <br /><br />Snowpocalypse is here, but we’re still recording. In this episode, we run through a few timely local updates, including a tax update from the Clermont County Treasurer as second half tax bills get recalculated and a reminder that first half real estate taxes are due <strong>Friday, February 13, 2026</strong>. We also preview two Batavia Township public hearings on <strong>Tuesday, February 3 at 6 PM</strong> covering proposed State Route 125 overlay updates and a new process for administering previously approved planned developments. Plus, a quick look at New Richmond Schools’ fiscal caution plan and the next steps toward a May levy, and an invitation to weigh in on Pierce Township’s proposed improvements to the White Oak and SR 125 intersection. <br /><br />Then it’s time for history. We sit down with <strong>Cindy Johnson of the Clermont County Historical Society</strong> for a wild ride through the real story of <strong>Utopia, Ohio</strong>. You’ll hear about three different attempts at building a “perfect” community on the river, a Fourierist-style commune that fizzled fast, a spiritualist settlement with a tragic flood collapse, and the later Utopia experiment built on barter and big ideas. Cindy also shares what the Historical Society is working on now, including digitization efforts and a massive project to identify Revolutionary War veterans buried across Clermont County, with some of their pension stories still preserved in local records. <br /><br />We wrap with a packed events rundown, from library book sales and job fairs to maple syrup demos and a Don Quixote story time with live ballet. <br /><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;</p>

<strong>Episode 48: Snowpocalypse, local levy talk, and why biodiversity matters with Doug Gilbert</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />It’s snow storm watch in Southwest Ohio, so we kick things off with a little “snowpocalypse” news&nbsp; and how&nbsp; some places have <em>exploding tree</em> warnings.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Then we look at some local news.<br /><br /><br /><strong>News</strong>&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>A <strong>1.3 mil Senior Services levy</strong> is headed to the <strong>May 5 ballot</strong>. We listen to a clip from the County Commissioners presentation and why the levy matters as Clermont’s older adult population grows.</li><li><strong>Batavia Village</strong> has a newly sworn-in council, a search for a new council member, and a search for a new village administrator. The <strong>Taylor Road annexation</strong> is back up for a vote in February, plus talk of airport-area zoning and limiting pre-annexation authority.</li><li><strong>Milford City Council</strong> swears in new members and selects leadership for the year, including mayor and vice mayor appointments.</li></ul><strong>Interview: Doug Gilbert, wildlife ecologist and co-founder of Love Our Land<br /></strong><br />Doug talks about conservation, why biodiversity is tied to real-world issues like stormwater, and what threatened species work looks like in the field. We talk <strong>Indiana bats</strong>, the <strong>rusty patched bumblebee</strong>, invasive species removal, planting natives, and how citizen science tools like <strong>iNaturalist</strong> help fill the data gaps. Doug also shares the story of documenting the <strong>box tree moth</strong> locally, plus a “rare bee hunt” you can help with if you spot <strong>wild potato vine</strong>.<br /> <br />We wrap with upcoming Clermont County events, including library programs, a job fair, and multiple maple season happenings.<br /> <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 />&nbsp;