Let's Talk Clermont

<strong>Ep. 66 — Deidre Hazelbaker on Loveland City Council, Local Government, and Staying Connected to Residents&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />We start this week with news from around Clermont County and Ohio, including a reported Bigfoot “flap” in Portage County, the Clermont County Genealogical Society’s young writers competition, Batavia’s proposed local business matching grant program, several Batavia development updates, Loveland’s tabled city-property ordinance, Loveland’s PFAS treatment planning, New Richmond Schools’ new artificial intelligence guidelines, and a Liberty Landing update from the Village of New Richmond.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Deidre Hazelbaker, Loveland City Council Member&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />Deidre Hazelbaker returns to the show for a check-in after joining Loveland City Council. We talk about what it has been like moving from candidate and engaged resident to elected council member, including the weight of voting, the workload behind council packets, and the adjustment from being a “doer” to helping set direction for the city.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also get into how Loveland City Council works behind the scenes, from packet review and resident outreach to collaboration with city staff and other council members. Deidre shares what has surprised her, what has exceeded expectations, and why she has gained an even deeper appreciation for Loveland’s city staff.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />The conversation also covers major Loveland issues, including PFAS planning, communication with residents, sidewalks, traffic, Loveland-Madeira Road, economic development, downtown business ideas, community events, and the importance of residents showing up, speaking at meetings, and staying involved in local government.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>News&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Ohio sees an uptick in reported Bigfoot sightings near Portage County&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Genealogical Society launches its 2026 young writers competition&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia CIC moves toward a local business matching grant program&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Maddox Industrial Transformer expands into Batavia&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;River Point apartments remain delayed while water approval issues are worked through&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Harvest Meadows continues moving forward&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Streamside townhomes could begin construction this summer&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Casey’s development site is cleared for new construction&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia’s Foundry sidewalk project advances&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia continues America 250 planning, including fireworks and a mural&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;ODOT approves the Red Barn sign permit&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia reports continued high zoning and permit activity&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Loveland tables a controversial city-property ordinance&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Loveland shares an update on PFAS treatment design, funding, and settlements&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;New Richmond Schools adds artificial intelligence guidelines to the student handbook&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;New Richmond shares a Liberty Landing construction update&nbsp;</li></ul><strong>Events</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Spring Native Plant Sale at Cincinnati Nature Center&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Student Art Show commemorating America 250&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Milford Citywide Yard Sale&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Foraged Flower Crowns at Clingman Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Music Under the Moon at Cincinnati Nature Center&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Spring Litter Cleanup across Clermont County&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Roar on the River New Richmond Lions Car and Bike Show Fundraiser&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;May We Grow Old 5K Fundraiser at Sycamore Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Art in the Park: Creek Glass Jewelry at Clingman Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;US 52 Roundabout Project Open House in New Richmond&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;RiverDays 2026 in New Richmond&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Free Yard Sale Weekend in New Richmond&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Hike with Park Staff at Sycamore Park</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>&nbsp;Ep. 65 — Rick Mahan on the New Richmond Military Museum, Local Veterans, and Clermont County Primary Results&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />We start this week with Clermont County’s unofficial May 5 primary election results, including outcomes for local school, park, senior services, children’s services, developmental disabilities, fire and EMS, safety services, cemetery, and liquor option issues. We also look at several candidate races, including Clermont County Commissioner, County Auditor, Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, Ohio House Districts 62 and 63, and the 12th District Court of Appeals.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Rick Mahan, New Richmond Military Museum&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />Rick Mahan joins us to talk about the New Richmond Military Museum, his work as curator, and the local veterans whose stories are preserved there. Rick shares how the museum grew out of a promise to Ralph Shepherd, a longtime New Richmond veteran advocate, and how the museum now houses artifacts, uniforms, photos, medals, and personal items connected mostly to local service members.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also talk about some of the stories behind the museum’s collection, including Clermont County’s deep military history, General Ulysses S. Grant, General Henry Clark Corbin, a 48-star flag tied to Judge Houserman and the Philippines, a Korean War soldier whose remains were identified decades later, POW/MIA remembrance, New Richmond connections to Iwo Jima, uniforms from two local Marines killed in the Beirut bombing, and even a Space Force uniform from a New Richmond graduate.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Rick also discusses his work with the VFW, American Legion, local veterans groups, youth programs, community service, fish fries, and the importance of keeping local military history alive for future generations.&nbsp;<br />News&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Unofficial Clermont County May 5 primary election results&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;New Richmond School District operating levy fails&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Park District renewal levy passes&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Senior Services renewal levy passes&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Children’s Services levy fails&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Developmental Disabilities levy fails&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Township Fire and EMS levy fails&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Miami Township safety services levy passes&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Franklin Township cemetery renewal levy passes&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Township local liquor option passes&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Commissioner and Auditor primary results&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District and Ohio House District 62 and 63 primary results&nbsp;</li></ul><strong>Events</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Cincinnati Nature Center Spring Native Plant Sale&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Student Art Show commemorating America 250&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Kids Fishing Derby at Patterson Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;55th Annual Appalachian Festival in New Richmond&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Creative Calm Women’s Sip and Paint Social&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Astronauts of Ohio at Batavia Library&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Conservation Civics at Cincinnati Nature Center&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Springtime Terrarium Garden at Felicity Library&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Milford Citywide Yard Sale Weekend&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Spring Litter Cleanup&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Roar on the River New Richmond Lions Car and Bike Show Fundraiser</li></ul>&nbsp;&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;

<strong>Ep. 64 — Dillon Blevins on the Ohio House District 62 Race, Property Taxes,</strong> <strong>Development, and the May Primary <br /></strong><br /><br />We start this episode with a rundown of the May 5 primary election issues appearing on Clermont County ballots, including countywide levies for the Park District, Senior Services, Children’s Protective Services, and the Board of Developmental Disabilities. We also cover local issues in Batavia Township, Miami Township, New Richmond Exempted Village School District, Franklin Township, and the Batavia Township Aldi Sunday liquor sales option. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Dillon Blevins, Candidate for Ohio House District 62</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Dillon Blevins joins us to talk about his campaign for Ohio House District 62, his background growing up in Clermont County, his work as a local construction business owner, and his service in the U.S. Army Reserve. We talk about why he decided to run, what he learned from past campaigns, and why he believes this race matters for voters in Clermont County.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />The conversation covers several of the issues Dillon is campaigning on, including property tax relief for senior homeowners, cutting the state income tax, reviewing state spending, and his concerns about public construction costs, school funding, and government bidding requirements. He also shares his views on development, tax abatements, data centers, public pensions, abortion legislation, online gambling, marijuana policy, and the role of state government in local communities.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also talk about the tone of the race, campaign ads, political division, primary voter turnout, and why Dillon believes more residents should pay attention to contested races before the general election.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />May 5 Primary Election Issues&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Park District renewal levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Senior Services renewal levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Children’s Services renewal with an increase&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities additional levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Township Fire and EMS levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Miami Township police, fire, and EMS safety services levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;New Richmond Exempted Village School District operating levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Franklin Township cemetery levy&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Township Aldi Sunday liquor sales option</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;

<strong>&nbsp;Ep. 63 — Anne Gross and Dotty Meier on Clermont County Children’s Protective Services, Child Safety, and the May Levy </strong><br /><br /><br />We start this week with news from around Clermont County and the region, including a lawsuit over a proposed Amazon Web Services data center in Wilmington, Clermont County Public Health’s new three-year Community Health Improvement Plan, a 911/Public Safety Services update, tuition-free kindergarten coming to Milford Schools, Batavia Township’s proposed coordinated development district, Bethel’s America 250 patriotic decorating contest, and a New Richmond reminder about garbage can rules.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Anne Gross and Dotty Meier, Clermont County Children’s Protective Services and Clermont County Job and Family Services&nbsp;<br /></strong><br /><br />Anne Gross and Dotty Meier join us to talk about the Clermont County Children’s Protective Services levy on the May ballot and why the agency is again asking voters for support after the levy failed by a narrow margin in November. We talk about what changed in their outreach effort, why they see the campaign as an education effort, and how they are working to explain what CPS does and where levy dollars go.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also get into the day-to-day work of Children’s Protective Services, including how reports of abuse and neglect are handled, how the agency works to preserve families when it is safe to do so, and why removing a child from the home is treated as a last resort. Anne and Dotty explain the role of kinship care, foster care, parent education, case management, supervised visitation, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, transportation, independent living services, and other supports that help children and families stabilize.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />A major focus of the conversation is the rising cost of child placement. Anne and Dotty explain how placement costs have increased over the current levy cycle, why those costs are difficult to control, and how a lack of preventive services can create a cycle that leads to more removals and higher long-term costs. They also discuss the broader impact on schools, law enforcement, courts, and the community when families do not get support early enough.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also talk through the details of the levy, including the proposed 0.2-mill increase, the estimated additional cost of $6.99 per year per $100,000 of home value, and why they believe the funding is needed to keep services running without draining reserves. The conversation also covers ballot language, issue-only voting, and how residents can learn more or get involved with the Keep Clermont Kids Safe campaign.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>News&nbsp;</strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Wilmington residents sue over zoning changes tied to a proposed Amazon Web Services data center&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Public Health releases its 2026–2028 Community Health Improvement Plan&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Clermont County Public Safety Services shares staffing, call volume, technology, and 2026 goal updates&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Milford Schools announces tuition-free kindergarten beginning next school year&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Batavia Township continues discussion on a proposed coordinated development district zoning amendment&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Tate Township promotes the Bethel Area patriotic decorating contest for America 250&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;New Richmond reminds residents about garbage can placement and pickup rules&nbsp;</li></ul><strong>Events </strong><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;Spring Native Plant Sale at Cincinnati Nature Center&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Forage Tea Time and Hike: Wild Blackberry Blooms at Clingman Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Spring Migration Bird Walk at Chilo Lock 34 Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Mother’s Day Sun Catcher Workshop at Sycamore Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;JFB Truck Pull Event at the Clermont County Fairgrounds&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Plainsight HC at Jester’s Cards and Games&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Michelle Robinson Band at Little Miami Brewing Company&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Loveland Farmers Market Opening Day&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Escape Into Calm Teen Nature Challenge at Pattison Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Williamsburg Garden Club Annual Plant Auction&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;DIY Scented Candles at Clingman Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Steve Newman Worldwalker Audio Trail Dedication at East Fork State Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Birds and Blooms at Shor Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Kids Fishing Derby at Pattison Park&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;55th Annual Appalachian Festival in New Richmond&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Creative Calm Women’s Sip and Paint Social at Hartman Log Cabin</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;<br />&nbsp;

&nbsp;<strong>Ep. 62 — Paul Daniels on New Richmond Schools, District Finances, and the May Levy</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />This special midweek episode is part of Let’s Talk Clermont’s election week coverage ahead of the May 5 primary. We get into the adjusted release schedule, preview the rest of the week’s election-focused interviews, and then we focus on New Richmond Exempted Village School District and the financial challenges behind its upcoming levy.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Interview — Paul Daniels, Superintendent of New Richmond Exempted Village School District</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Paul Daniels joins the show to talk about his background in education, how he came to New Richmond, and what he stepped into during his first year as superintendent. The conversation covers the district’s size, structure, and geography, along with the lasting financial impact of the Beckjord and Zimmer plant closures and what that has meant for a district that now depends much more heavily on local homeowners and farmers for revenue.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also talk about the district’s budget reality in practical terms. We discuss staffing reductions, transportation pressures, class size targets, rising operating costs, and the challenge of maintaining student services while trying to stretch limited dollars further. Paul explains how the district has been making internal cuts and finding efficiencies rather than simply asking voters for more money without changes on its own side.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />The episode also breaks down the May 5 levy itself, including why the district moved away from the earned income tax approach that failed in November and came back with a more traditional five-year property tax levy. Paul explains what the levy would support, why the board says it reflects community feedback, and what is at stake for New Richmond Schools if the district cannot stabilize its finances in the next few years.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />We also look at the rest of the week’s election coverage, including an upcoming conversation on the CPS levy and an interview with Ohio House District 62 Republican primary candidate Dillon Blevins. <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;