Let's Talk Clermont

Ep. 44 — Airport Annexation Vote, Union Township $5 License Tax + Gardening, Volunteerism, and a New Clermont Museum Passport<br /><br />We start with county and local updates: the commissioners’ vote on a Batavia Village annexation near the Clermont County Airport (and why multiple speakers warned about development inside the runway protection zone), plus a proposal borrowed from Columbus aimed at stopping Type 2 annexations. Then we hit a quick run of township, city, and school news across Union Township, Milford, and New Richmond, before turning to today’s interview.<br /><br />Interview — Liz Betemps of the Williamsburg Garden Club (and Harmony Hill Museum)<br /><br />Liz Betemps joins the show to talk about why the Williamsburg Garden Club has grown into one of the largest garden clubs in Ohio and what the group actually does beyond “garden meetings.” We get into native plants, pollinator gardens that work even in small spaces, how to fight invasives like honeysuckle, and why raised beds can be a game-changer if you want more control over soil and moisture. Liz also explains the Ohio State University Master Gardener Volunteer program and what it takes to earn that title.<br /><br />From there, the conversation shifts into local history and community projects. Liz shares what’s happening at Harmony Hill Museum in Williamsburg, including work to recreate William Lytle’s land office experience, hands-on Pioneer Days for students, and a new Clermont County Museum Passport tied to America 250 that connects museums across the county with coordinated open-house days.<br /><br />News<br /><br />Batavia airport-area annexation: Commissioners approve a Type 2 annexation of roughly 30 acres near Taylor Road into the Village of Batavia after public warnings about building inside the airport runway protection zone. Multiple commissioners say they oppose annexation in general, but argue state law leaves them little discretion if criteria are met.<br /><br />“No more Type 2” idea: A resident points to a Columbus-area style agreement where local governments commit to avoiding Type 2 annexations and stick to Type 1 annexations where public input carries more weight.<br /><br />Union Township $5 license tax: Trustees approve a new $5 annual vehicle license tax pitched as a user fee to support road resurfacing as costs rise. The vote passes 2–1.<br /><br />Milford Schools superintendent: Milford selects Dr. Bobby Fiori as the next superintendent, pending board approval.<br /><br />Milford utility rate increases: Milford residents should expect an average increase of about $9 per month starting in 2026 across water, sewer, stormwater, and trash following a utility rate study and planned multi-year adjustments.<br /><br />New Richmond Schools fiscal plan: After the district is placed on fiscal precaution and the levy fails, a new plan outlines major cuts leading into 2027–2029, including staffing reductions, potential building reconfiguration, and higher pay-to-play.<br /><br />Events (roundup at the end of the show)&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>Winter Solstice Celebration — Dec. 19, 5PM at Sycamore Park</li><li>Natural Wreath-Making Workshop — Dec. 20, 1–2PM at Klingman Park (registration required)</li><li>Milford Community Fire Department Santa Sunday — Dec. 21, 1–6PM (neighborhood tour)</li><li>Union Township Santa Neighborhood Tour — Dec. 23 (daytime route through neighborhoods)</li><li>Live music: The Great Blur — Dec. 27, 7:30PM at Little Miami Brewing</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;

&nbsp;<br />Ep. 43 — Christmas with Santa Claus, Clermont Holiday News and Events <br /><br /><br />We skip the usual opener and jumps straight into a talk with <strong>Santa Claus</strong> himself, then we close the show with Clermont County news, value-for-value holiday details, and an event roundup.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Interview — Santa Claus<br />Santa talks Christmas spirit, how to stay off the naughty list, and why most kids are much better than they think. He explains:&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>How elves “run on adrenaline,” why all the reindeer who pull the sleigh are actually girls, and what it takes to prep all year for one night of deliveries.</li><li>Why kids’ “hyperfocus” is more superpower than flaw, and how parents can reframe forgetfulness, growing independence, and the shift from parent–child to adult–adult relationships.</li><li>The five ways we show love at Christmas (gifts, words, service, time, and touch) and why the real gift is in our hearts, not under the tree.</li><li>Santa’s true favorite cookie (oatmeal raisin), his very honest policy on “any cookie within arm’s reach,” and a plea for Jungle Jim’s to start stocking reindeer milk.</li><li>Stories from the sleigh: low-altitude flights under radar, riding polar winds, the one year jingle pox almost sidelined him, and how Mrs. Claus secretly saved Christmas.</li></ul>News quick hits<br /><ul><li><strong>Animal shelter upgrades</strong>: Interior and exterior work at the Clermont County Animal Shelter is on track, with a new covered outdoor kennel area that will more than double outdoor runs.<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Juvenile court expansion</strong>: Clermont County will dedicate its newly expanded juvenile court complex on Dec. 12, adding courtrooms, shared security, and connected space to the detention center.<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Avian influenza in Pierce Township</strong>: About 70 black vultures were found dead near St. Bernadette School. Early tests point to highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5). Risk to the public is low, but residents are urged not to handle sick or dead birds and to protect backyard flocks.<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Miami Township zoning</strong>: Jan. 8 meeting at the Civic Center to consider rezoning land behind 1804 SR 131 from planned industrial park to residential. If you live nearby or along 131, it’s one to watch.<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Pierce Township CPR training</strong>: Feb. 7 class at fire headquarters, $30 per person. Patrick makes a strong push for CPR training as a life-saving skill.<br /><br /></li><li><strong>Union Township pinball tournament</strong>: The 7th annual Cincinnati Pinball Tournament at the Eastgate Holiday Inn drew about 140 competitors and thousands of visitors, including a Stern Pro Circuit event.<br /><br /></li><li><strong>New Richmond updates</strong>: Finance/safety/council meetings shifted to Dec. 15, and the Rose Vesper Park lighting project is complete with new photos on the village site.</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;

&nbsp;Ep. 42 — Snow, Budgets, Annexations + Beds for Clermont County Kids<br /><br />We start with some county news: a look at Clermont’s projected 2026 operating budget, a red flag in the capital fund, and a new annexation fight that has the airport sounding alarms. After that, we look at township and village updates across Batavia, Tate, Union Township, Loveland, and New Richmond.<br /><br /><br />Interview — Ron Dunn of Sleep in Heavenly Peace<br /><br />Ron Dunn, co-president of the Clermont County chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and a Bethel village councilman, joins the show to talk about a need most of us never think about: kids sleeping without beds. He explains how SHP started in Idaho and grew to 400+ chapters, why 2–3% of kids nationwide are estimated to sleep without a bed, and what a $250 “sponsored bed” actually covers from lumber to “bed in a bag.” Ron walks through build days with volunteers, how deliveries work, and the look on a kid’s face the first night they get their own bed. Then the conversation shifts to Bethel’s challenges and strengths: aging housing stock, small-town budgets, utilities and police costs, economic development, and why “darn good Chevy” might be the most honest slogan a village can have.<br />News quick hits<br /><ul><li>County budget: Commissioners review the projected 2026 general fund — about $88.6M in operating revenue, just over $87M in appropriations, and roughly 67% of spending going to criminal justice and courts. We look at the 35% reserve policy, the projected $54M cash balance, and what “$24M in excess reserves” really means.<br /><br /></li><li>Capital fund hole: The capital fund is over-committed by about $11.5M, with another $7.6M in requests waiting in the wings. Commissioners are staring at a choice: move millions from the general fund or scale back/delay projects.<br /><br /></li><li>Airport annexation fight: A 29.884-acre Taylor Road parcel near Clermont County Airport heads for type-II annexation into the Village of Batavia. We hear from Sporty’s president Chuck Gallagher, who outlines why the airport opposes the move: the land sits in the FAA-defined Runway Protection Zone (RPZ), they’ve taken FAA grant money, aircraft incidents have already happened on those parcels, and moving zoning authority to the village could invite “incompatible development” and undercut the new airport master plan.<br /><br /></li><li>Batavia Township zoning: Zoning commission continues work on case B-10-25-Z, updating the SR 125 special overlay district and cleaning up Article 34 after Article 36 (PDs) was repealed by voters.<br /><br /></li><li>Tate Township: Special meeting held with fire union reps to discuss a new contract; Patrick flags it as one to watch.<br /><br /></li><li>Union Township: Two public hearings coming up on a proposed additional $5 annual license tax on motor vehicles. If you drive in UT and have opinions, mark your calendar.<br /><br /></li><li>Loveland: A new city flag is coming for the 150th anniversary — “The Heartland,” designed by Ariana Wilson, inspired by the bike trail and Little Miami River.<br /><br /></li><li>New Richmond: Plumbing issues from the Indian Ridge water main break appear resolved, no boil advisory in place; the village consolidates December meetings to December 15, pauses shade tree and planning commission meetings for winter, and sets up a Christmas light recycling box at Village Hall through February 1.</li></ul><br />Events (roundup at the end of the show)<br /><ul><li>Miami Township Community Tree Lighting at Miami Meadows Park.<br /><br /></li><li>Trains of Williamsburg Christmas Walk on Main Street.<br /><br /></li><li>Winter wellness sound bath and hike and heritage wrapping-paper printing at Clingman Park.<br /><br /></li><li>Batavia “Christmas in the Village” on Main Street.<br /><br /></li><li>New Richmond’s River Village Christmas and Santa Paws pet parade.<br /><br /></li><li>Old Milford Christmas golf cart parade (with Santa and Elvis on an antique fire truck).<br /><br /></li><li>Trinity Milford live nativity, Clermont Chorale “Christmas Traditions” concerts, Candyland Christmas at Batavia Library, Christmas in Loveland, DIY stained-glass ornaments for kids, and more.</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;

Ep. 41 — Thanksgiving Thanks, Beckjord Water Worries and World-Class Dry-Land Dog Mushing&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We start off our Thanksgiving episode with heartfelt gratitude for everyone who’s been listening since May, then get into some county-wide news: Clermont County Animal Shelter’s interior and exterior upgrades are nearly complete, Christmas Nights of Lights at the fairgrounds gets delayed after a freak lightning strike, and local leaders raise alarms over coal ash at the former Beckjord plant and what it could mean for our drinking water.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />From there, it’s back to Batavia Township, where trustees used an emergency resolution to approve the Arborside and Stonelick Ridge developments, shutting down another referendum attempt, plus early talk of a new township fire levy and possibly leaving CJFED. We also talk about the open seat on Union Township’s zoning commission, recap New Richmond’s boil advisories and water main breaks, and run through the show’s holiday value-for-value donation special, and new newsletter crossword puzzle.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Taylor&nbsp; Johannigman, Dry-Land Dog Musher</strong><br /> Taylor is an ER veterinarian by day and a sled-dog musher the rest of the time. She explains what dry-land mushing actually is (bikejoring, scooters, canicross, and wheeled rigs), how you train purpose-bred racing huskies versus rescue dogs, what makes a great lead dog, and why some mushers drive all over the Midwest just to chase muddy, cold races. In a follow-up segment after Worlds, She breaks down her trip to the IFSS Dryland World Championships in Minocqua, Wisconsin, where she finished 2nd in bikejor and 5th in canicross, talks about running 5-minute miles with an 80-pound hound, losing toenails, lending dogs to other teams, and why the camaraderie in this sport keeps her coming back.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>News &amp; event quick hits</strong>&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>Clermont County Animal Shelter: new outdoor kennels, expanded capacity from 23 to 53, and interior upgrades funded by donations and county capital.</li><li>Christmas Nights of Lights at the fairgrounds: opening postponed after storm damage from a lightning strike.</li><li>Beckjord coal plant: coal ash in unlined ponds near well fields sparks concern from Pierce and Anderson Township officials and a letter to Gov. DeWine.</li><li>Batavia Township: 1,100 new homes approved (Arborside and Stonelick Ridge) via emergency resolutions; exploration of a new township fire levy and possible exit from CJFED.</li><li>Union Township: vacancy on the zoning commission board for anyone wanting a front-row seat to development decisions.</li><li>New Richmond: boil alert and multiple water main breaks, plus “Cookies &amp; Cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus” on December 20.</li><li>Around the county: Milford Home for the Holidays, tree lightings in Milford and Miami Township, Loveland’s “Biggest Tailgate” and Small Business Saturday passport shopping, a live raptor show at the Loveland Library, Williamsburg’s Trains of Christmas walk, Clingman Park sound bath and DIY wrapping paper workshop, Batavia’s Christmas in the Village, New Richmond’s River Village Christmas and Santa Paws parade, and Old Milford’s lit-up golf cart parade.</li></ul><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;

Ep. 40 — Northern Lights, Zoning Shake-Ups and an interview with Dave Caraway, owner of Sons of Toil<br /><br /><br />We start with a countywide news rundown: new space for the Public Defender’s Office, auroras over Clermont, volunteer openings in Loveland, zoning changes in Pierce and Batavia, and what’s next for Union Township’s Eastgate corridor. Then it’s out to Mount Orab for a sit-down with Sons of Toil Brewing on beer, business, and doing things the hard way.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />Interview — Dave Carraway of Sons of Toil Brewing&nbsp;<br />Dave walks through the Sons of Toil origin story, from kitchen homebrew days with his son to running an award-winning taproom surrounded by farm fields. We talk about:&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>All-grain vs. extract brewing, what “lautering” is, and why temperature control is everything</li><li>Hops, yeast, fruit additions, and how different strains change flavor, aroma, and haze</li><li>Scaling from 5-gallon batches to 100+ gallons, including DIY hacks (glycol chiller from a window A/C, rebuilt keg washer, etc.)</li><li>Food, fundraisers, comedy nights, murder-mystery dinners, and why the brewery world is more community than cutthroat competition</li><li>Trades vs. college, what it really takes to run a small business, and why canning might be the next step for Sons of Toil</li></ul>News quick hits<br /><ul><li><strong>Countywide:</strong> Clermont County Public Defender’s Office completes a renovation that more than doubles its space; the state picks up over 90% of the tab.</li><li><strong>Sky show:</strong> A strong solar storm sends the northern lights over Milford, Loveland, and Batavia, with bright pinks and greens visible thanks to an active 11-year solar cycle. We now officially need a “space weather expert” for the show.</li><li><strong>Loveland:</strong> City is recruiting residents for a long list of boards and commissions (Arts, Beautification, BZA, Tax Review, Historic Preservation, and more). Applications go to the clerk of council by early December. Loveland also gears up for its 5th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival with a 60-foot pine, thousands of lights, ornaments, and a gingerbread house contest.</li><li><strong>Milford:</strong> America 250 mural ribbon cutting at Five Points Landing, featuring artist Kate Albert, whose work appears at the Clermont County Fairgrounds, Krohn Conservatory, and Museum Center.</li><li><strong>Felicity:</strong> New parade rules mean permits are now required . No fees, but applications must be filed 30 days in advance.</li><li><strong>Union Township:</strong> Trustees schedule two public hearings on a proposed additional $5 annual motor vehicle license tax, effective Jan. 1, 2027, and deny a proposal to convert the former Big Lots/Toys “R” Us at Eastgate into an AutoZone after years of mall-easement constraints.</li><li><strong>Pierce Township:</strong> Trustees honor nine first responders and one civilian for saving a 4-year-old boy from drowning, and set a hearing on creating a zoning overlay along SR 125 to shape future “development nodes.”</li><li><strong>Batavia Township:</strong> After voters repealed Article 36 (Planned Developments), the township is starting over on its development code, promising a more transparent, community-driven process.</li><li><strong>New Richmond:</strong> Short, sharp updates: Liberty Landing’s new Ohio River sheet-pile wall and utilities are underway; River Valley Boulevard paving is complete.</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;