Let's Talk Clermont

 Episode 54 — Rep. Adam Bird — Ohio State Representative District 63 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.Interview — Rep. Adam Bird (Ohio House, District 63) What a state representative actually does and how Ohio’s process differs from DCClermont’s “character” and the tension between growth and keeping an Appalachian and agricultural feelHB 113 and why “Type 2” annexations keep blowing up locallyThe airport-area development fights in Batavia and why the county wants a bigger sayProperty taxes, why people are furious, and what happens if Ohio ever tries to eliminate them entirelySchool funding, EdChoice, and why comparing outcomes is harder than most people thinkWant to reach Rep. Bird? rep63@ohiohouse.govIn the News Clermont County building permits set another record in 2025 with growth across single-family, multi-family, and commercial projectsDainty Foods is coming to Batavia Township with a major investment and job creation plansA terrifying SR-222 crash ends in a rescue thanks to Apple Watch crash detection, dispatchers, and first respondersUnion Township notices: Special Improvement District annual meeting and Jungle Jim’s Eastgate annual meeting (March 20)Loveland secures grant funding to preserve a riverfront property for conservation and passive useNew Richmond updates: Hamilton Street sidewalk project issues, Liberty Landing public meeting (March 10), and a US 52 roundabouts open house (March 24)Cat are taking over NKU! Events roundup Clermont County Genealogical Society Program — Mar 7, 1 PM (Batavia Library)Art in the Park: Bamboo Paintbrushes — Mar 7, 11 AM–12 PM (Clingman Park, registration required, ages 12+)King Records & Herzog Studios — Mar 7, 2–3 PM (New Richmond Library)Very Hungry Caterpillar Open House — Mar 9, 4 PM (Batavia Library)D&D at the Library (Adults) — Mar 9, 5:30 PM (Bethel Library)Feelin’ Froggy Fiber Arts — Mar 9, 6 PM (Goshen Library)Cincinnati in the Civil War — Mar 10, 6 PM (Felicity Library)Radio Waves — Mar 10, 6:30 PM (Owensville Library)Owl Prowl — Mar 11, 8–9 PM (Sycamore Park & Wilson Nature Preserve)Woodcock Walk — Mar 12, 7:30–8:30 PM (Shore Park)Wizard of Oz (Loveland Stage Company) — Mar 13, 7:30 PMPancakes in the Park — Mar 14, 9 AM–12 PM (Pattison Park Lodge)Wild Pokémon Creations — Mar 14, 10 AM (Amelia Library)Celebrate Pi Day — Mar 14, 2 PM (Miami Township Library) Follow on Facebook & Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate  

Ep. 52 — Off-Grid Texting, Mesh Networks, and Cincy Mesh We're closing in on one year of Let’s Talk Clermont! 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. Then talk with Hunter Thornsberry from Cincy Mesh to talk Meshtastic—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.  Interview — Hunter Thornsberry (Cincy Mesh) Hunter talks about: LoRa + line-of-sight basics and why height mattersWhat “mesh” actually means (hops, repeaters, routers)Real-world uses: hiking, travel, storms, privacy-minded comms, GPS sharingStarter hardware recommendations (cheap nodes vs. nicer keyboard devices)Why some folks love/hate MQTT (bridging traffic over the internet)How to plug into the local community and help the Cincinnati mesh growWant 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.https://www.cincymesh.org/ In the News Batavia Township Fire/EMS levy info: a new site + Facebook page from producer Brandon Hicks with details ahead of the voteMilford: council approved steps toward acquiring multiple downtown parcels (including the Fountain Specialist and Gun Haven Armory buildings) to increase control and make redevelopment easierNew Richmond / Liberty Landing: retaining wall work advancing; utilities work coming upClermont Northeastern Schools: kindergarten registration is open for the 2026–2027 school year (eligibility: age 5 by Aug. 13)Fish fry season is here (St. Louis in Owensville gets a big recommendation) If you're looking for more info on the Batavia Fire Levy, check out the website and Facebook page Producer Brandon Hicks madeWebsite: https://www.cincymesh.org/Facebook: Batavia Township Fire and EMS LevyProducer shoutout Thanks to the anonymous producers who came in under $50—appreciate you supporting the show!Events roundupHomeschool Discovery Day: Sap to Syrup — Feb 20 (1–2 PM), Pattison ParkMaple Sugaring Hikes — Feb 21 (1 PM / 2 PM / 3 PM), Cincinnati Nature Center (registration required)Saturday Play Date — Feb 21 (10:30 AM), library program (ages ~0–8)Foraged Tea Time + Hike (Maple Tea) — Feb 21 (1–2 PM), Clingman Park (registration required)Hiking for Lichen — Feb 22 (11 AM–12 PM), Pattison Park (free)Young Innovators: Ohio Food Innovations — Feb 23 (4:30 PM), New Richmond Branch LibraryFeelin’ Froggy Fiber Arts — Feb 23 (6 PM), Goshen Branch Library (adults)Young Innovators: Superman in Ohio — Feb 26 (4:30 PM), Amelia Branch Library (ages 8–12)Maple Murder Mystery — Feb 27 (5:30–7:30 PM), Pattison Park Lodge (registration required, adults)Appalachian Music (Dulcimers) — Feb 28 (11 AM), Miami Township Branch LibraryRaptor Rampage — Mar 1 (2–3 PM), Clingman Park (free)Next week Mike Desmond from the Milford Amateur Radio Club (the folks behind Cincinnati Hamfest) joins the show. Follow on Facebook & Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate  

 Ep. 50 — May Levies + Zoning Explained 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. Interview — Kit Houston, zoning and real estate attorney (Taft Law)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. 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. News quick hits May levies approved for the ballot: Commissioners approve three levies for May including a Developmental Disabilities additional 0.75 mil continuous levy (about $26 per $100,000 of home value, roughly $5.3M/year), Children’s Protective Services 1.0 mil total (a 0.8 mil renewal + 0.2 mil increase, about $23 per $100,000, running 2027–2031), and a Senior Services 1.31 mil renewal (about $26 per $100,000, also 2027–2031).Mt. Orab megasite NDAs: 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 Watchdog Wire.Defense manufacturing contract: A Clermont County defense manufacturing facility tied to L3Harris is linked to a U.S. Department of Defense award up to $18.4M for safety and arming devices for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.Tate Township cleanup dates (2026): June 26–27, 7 AM–5 PM, Tate residents only (ID check). Some prohibited items apply, mattresses must be wrapped, and tire fees are cash.Producer shoutout Brandon Hicks with a $50 “50 for 50” donation. Thank you, Brandon.Events (roundup at the end of the show) Love Bugs — Feb 6, 6–7 PM, Clingman Park. Adults-only nature program on insect mating behavior. Registration required (18+).Art in the Park: Handmade Paper Valentines — Feb 7, 11 AM–12:30 PM, Hartman Log Cabin. Family craft workshop making plantable paper valentines with wildflower seeds.DIY Maple Demonstration — Feb 7, 2 PM, Pattison Park (Lodge). Drop-in demo on tapping maples and boiling sap into syrup. Free, all ages.Don Quixote Storytime and Ballet — Feb 7, 10:30 AM, Loveland Branch Library. Kids storytime with live ballet. Registration required.Maple Sugaring Hike — Feb 14, 1–3 PM, Cincinnati Nature Center (Rowe Woods). Guided hike and sugaring demo. Final date of the season. Free for members, $14 non-members.Heartbent Album Release Concert — Feb 15, 7:30 PM, Hybrid Moments (Milford). Emo/pop-punk show with local openers. Doors typically around 7 PM. Follow on Facebook & Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate  

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

 Ep. 46 — Clermont County Reorg and Everything 4-H It’s a light first-week-of-the-year news cycle, so we hit a few local updates, then spend most of the episode with Carlie Newman, Clermont County’s 4-H Youth Development Educator with OSU Extension. Interview — Carlie Newman Carlie talks about what 4-H actually looks like today. It’s the largest youth organization in the country, with around 6 million youth involved nationwide, and a goal of reaching 10 million by 2030. We talk Cloverbuds for the youngest kids, how clubs work, how enrollment works, and how 4-H builds confidence by letting kids chase real projects and real responsibility. We also get into the stuff most people never associate with 4-H. Rockets. Personal finance. Sewing. Genealogy. Dogs. Camp. Shooting sports. Plus how OSU Extension supports the community beyond 4-H, from pressure canner testing to soil sampling to parenting education and youth driver safety programs. NewsClermont County Commissioners held their annual reorganization meeting on January 5 and selected new leadership for the year. Goshen Board of Education holds its organizational meeting on Wednesday, January 7 at 5:30 PM at Goshen High School. Follow on Facebook & Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate