Let's Talk Clermont

Ep. 79 — Debbie Davidson on Education, Rural Development and Ohio House District 63This week, we start with news from Loveland, Milford and New Richmond before sitting down with Ohio House District 63 candidate Debbie Davidson.In Loveland, City Council moves forward with the State Route 48 and Butterworth Road sidewalk project, which is expected to connect more than 400 homes with historic downtown. Council also approves roughly $50,000 in traffic-signal improvements at West Loveland Avenue and Lebanon Road.In Milford, residents continue raising concerns about the city’s Flock automated license plate readers while Police Chief Jamey Mills defends the system as a useful crime-fighting tool. We also take a close look at Milford Schools, where finances finished fiscal year 2026 far better than projected, staffing changes are expected to save nearly $1 million, and enrollment continues to decline.And in New Richmond, the effort to place dissolution of the village on the November ballot has missed the required deadline. Because Ohio law limits these dissolution votes to even-year general elections, supporters would have to restart the process for a possible vote in 2028.Interview — Debbie DavidsonDebbie Davidson is the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 63, which includes much of rural Clermont County and part of Brown County.We begin with education and Davidson’s concerns about Ohio’s school-funding system. She argues that declining state support has shifted too much of the cost of public education onto local property owners, particularly in rural districts with relatively little commercial tax base.Davidson discusses the Fair School Funding Plan, EdChoice vouchers and the financial pressure facing districts such as Clermont Northeastern, New Richmond and Bethel-Tate. She also makes the case for giving skilled trades, vocational education and apprenticeships a larger role in preparing students for life after high school.From there, we talk about rural economic development. Davidson wants to see more state investment directed toward small communities like Felicity, Hamersville and Fayetteville, with an emphasis on rebuilding downtowns, supporting local businesses and creating more economic opportunities in communities that have lost jobs and investment over time.Development and energy become another major part of the conversation. Davidson discusses the growth of data centers across Ohio and raises concerns about their power requirements, water use, environmental impact and tax incentives. That leads to a broader discussion about nuclear energy, new reactor technology and how Ohio might meet growing electricity demand.We also talk about solar development and agrivoltaics, including the possibility of combining solar generation with farming rather than treating energy production and agriculture as mutually exclusive uses of land.The conversation then turns to taxes and state spending. Davidson argues that Ohio should return to a more progressive tax structure and says state tax policy is closely connected to the property-tax pressures residents are experiencing at the local level.We also discuss addiction, incarceration, workforce development and the importance of helping people find meaningful work and a sense of purpose. Davidson talks about alternatives for low-level offenders, volunteer opportunities and the role communities can play in helping people build a path toward stability.Finally, we talk about political division and the areas where people on opposite sides of the political aisle may have more in common than the national political conversation suggests. From trade education and rural investment to concerns about data centers and development, Davidson argues that local problems can still create room for people with very different politics to work together.Davidson closes by explaining why she decided to run for Ohio House District 63 and why she believes many of the challenges facing Clermont and Brown counties ultimately lead back to decisions made in Columbus.Links from This EpisodeVisit Debbie Davidson’s campaign websiteNewsLoveland moves forward with the State Route 48 and Butterworth Road sidewalk projectThe project is intended to connect more than 400 homes in Loveland’s Warren County neighborhoods with historic downtownConstruction is currently targeted for spring 2028Loveland approves roughly $50,000 in traffic-signal improvements at West Loveland Avenue and Lebanon RoadMilford residents continue calling for removal of the city’s Flock automated license plate readersMilford Police Chief Jamey Mills defends the cameras as a useful crime-fighting toolMilford Schools finishes fiscal year 2026 far better than originally forecastDistrict officials still project deficit spending in future yearsMilford says staffing changes for the 2026–27 school year will save nearly $1 millionFive teaching positions were left vacant through attrition rather than layoffsMilford opens the school year with approximately 100 fewer students than at the same point last yearDistrict officials point to smaller incoming classes, EdChoice participation and other educational options as factors in declining enrollmentNew Richmond’s village-dissolution effort misses the deadline for the November 2026 ballotSupporters would have to restart the process for a possible dissolution vote in 2028EventsPremier Car and Truck Cruise-InGoshen Ohio Farmers MarketDog Days of Summer Dog HikeChillseekers Women’s Summer Hike SeriesHike with Park Staff at Pattison Park LakesideUnion Township Farmers MarketUnion Township Summer Concert featuring the Marty Connor BandFull Moon Paddle at Chilo Lock 34Milford Farmers MarketNew Richmond Farmers MarketTurtles All AroundArt in the ParkBirding Canoe FloatYoga in the ParkSimmons Farms Saturday Farmers MarketLoveland Art FestivalFollow Let’s Talk Clermont on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for the Thursday newsletter.If the show brings you value, consider supporting us through your time, talent, or treasure. 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Ep. 77 — Tom Post on Art, Freelancing, Murals, AI, and the Creative Life We start this week with news from across Clermont County, including a felony vandalism case involving a Union Township license-plate reader, Loveland’s plans for the Schildmeyer riverfront property and Veterans Memorial, a major rewrite of Loveland’s zoning code, and the proposed Bishops Grove subdivision along Shephard Road. We also cover the concerns Milford residents raised during WCPO’s recent community forum, including downtown parking, infrastructure, school capacity and the future of the former Milford South Elementary School. In New Richmond, village officials are asking boat owners to express interest in potential dedicated space at the new Liberty Landing dock. Interview — Tom Post Cincinnati-area artist Tom Post joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about painting, illustration, murals, teaching and the unpredictable life of a freelance creative. Tom has worked as an artist for more than four decades. His career has included commercial illustration, fine art, portraiture, teaching and public murals. He recently completed a mural celebrating Loveland’s 150th anniversary and the upcoming America 250 commemoration, incorporating pieces of the city’s history into the design. Tom discusses the freedom that comes with freelancing, including the ability to spend more time with family and organize work around daily life. He also talks honestly about the uncertainty of never knowing where the next project will come from, the bookkeeping and administrative work that artists rarely enjoy, and the comfort of finally having several mural projects lined up in advance. The conversation explores the discipline behind creative work. Tom explains how scheduling unpleasant tasks, accepting downtime and making room for reflection can help prevent burnout. He and Patrick compare the fear of a blank canvas with the fear of a blank page and discuss why ideas often emerge when a person finally slows down. Tom also shares how drawing gave him an identity as a child while his military family moved from place to place. After high school, he landed a staff-illustrator position with SuperX Drugs, where he quickly learned that getting an art job did not necessarily mean doing fulfilling work. A conversation with Cincinnati Enquirer cartoonist Jim Borgman encouraged him to attend the Columbus College of Art and Design, where he expanded his understanding of illustration and fine art. After college, Tom went on dozens of interviews looking for a traditional job. Instead, agencies began offering him freelance assignments. Those projects multiplied until freelancing became his career. Tom talks about the artists who shaped his work, the influence of Impressionism and his admiration for artists who balance creativity with family, faith and the rest of life. He rejects the idea that artists must be unstable or miserable to produce meaningful work. Instead, he believes creativity grows from observation, engagement and the willingness to notice what others pass by. That idea leads to a discussion about finding beauty in ordinary moments. Tom describes stopping to photograph a cluster of mushrooms that looked like a miniature city. For both Tom and Patrick, the artist’s job is not simply to observe those small moments but to amplify them through a painting, poem, story or conversation so that someone else can see them too. Tom explains why oil is his favorite painting medium, why charcoal deserves more attention and why artists should share their sketches alongside finished work. Sketches reveal the process behind a piece, give buyers a more accessible price point and sometimes connect with people in unexpected ways. The conversation also examines the business of being an artist. Tom offers direct advice to younger creatives about pricing, finding different ways to sell work and resisting requests to work for free in exchange for “exposure.” Free work, he argues, lowers the value of the artist’s time and the work of everyone else in the field. A major part of the interview focuses on artificial intelligence and its growing effect on artists, photographers, designers and writers. Tom and Patrick discuss how AI is eliminating much of the routine commercial work that once paid the bills while creatives pursued more meaningful projects. They also consider AI’s usefulness as a research tool and the challenge of finding a healthy balance between efficiency and preserving the human creative process. Throughout the conversation, Tom returns to the importance of continuing to learn, honing the craft and creating work that adds something valuable to another person’s life. Links from This Episode Explore Tom Post’s artworkNews A Clermont County man faces a felony vandalism charge after Union Township police said he destroyed a Flock automated license-plate reader  Investigators said nearby cameras and purchasing records helped identify the suspect  Loveland approves a master-planning agreement for the Schildmeyer riverfront property and Veterans Memorial  The planning process will examine flood conditions, environmental restrictions and possible low-impact public amenities  Loveland’s preserved riverfront property must remain primarily dedicated to conservation and passive recreation  Loveland reviews a comprehensive rewrite of its Planning and Zoning Code  Proposed zoning changes address residential infill, administrative approvals, parking, signs and short-term rentals  The draft would cap short-term rentals at 50 citywide and limit each owner or affiliated entity to three properties  Council requests corrections and additional explanation before taking final action  The Union Township Zoning Commission recommends approval of the 18-home Bishops Grove development on Shephard Road  Residents raise concerns about traffic, drainage, smaller lots, privacy and tree removal  Union Township trustees will make the final decision on the rezoning  Milford residents discuss downtown parking, infrastructure, school capacity and stalled development  The former Milford South Elementary School remains tied up in litigation  Milford continues a study of downtown parking availability and wayfinding  New Richmond seeks interest from boat owners who may want dedicated space at the Liberty Landing dock Events Second Saturday in Haussermann Park  Ralph Shepherd Concert Series featuring the Williamsburg Band  New Richmond Farmers Market  Morning Mindfulness Walk at Shor Park  Community CPR Class  Pattison Park Lodge Public Viewing  Concert in the Park featuring Rita Beach and Mary Herbert  Explore the Bone Wars  Union Township Farmers Market  Union Township Pickleball Slam  Cincinnati Hamfest and ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention  Birding Across the Suspension Bridge  Yoga in the Park  Foraged Tea Time and Hike: Sumac Lemonade  Clermont County Historical Society presents A History of Clermont County  New Richmond Farmers Market  Field Day Beekeeping 2.0Follow Let’s Talk Clermont on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for the Thursday newsletter.If the show brings you value, consider supporting us through your time, talent, or treasure. Visit Let’s Talk Clermont online to subscribe, donate, share a boots-on-the-ground report, or contact the show.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate    

Ep. 75 — Cynthia Tait and the Loveland Shorts Film Festival We start this week with news from around Clermont County, including more than $2.28 million in federal funding for local housing, infrastructure, and community-service projects. We also cover Tate Township’s proposed zoning rewrite, opposition to Milford’s Flock license-plate cameras, and a major renovation proposal for Grant Career Center. The news section concludes with an update on New Richmond Schools, including a larger-than-projected general fund deficit, lower property-tax collections, utility expenses, tax increment financing revenue, and a new electronic parking-pass system. Interview — Cynthia Tait Cynthia Tait joins the show to talk about the Loveland Shorts Film Festival, independent filmmaking, and the enduring experience of watching a movie inside a theater. Now entering its third year, the festival was started in 2024 by Gary Giver and Dan Peterson. Cynthia explains how the event grew from their shared love of short films into an international festival supported by filmmakers, local businesses, the City of Loveland, and the surrounding arts community. The festival accepts films lasting 20 minutes or less, ranging from one-minute animated pieces to longer narrative films. Its lineup includes comedy, romance, science fiction, horror, animation, documentaries, family-friendly selections, and work from first-time filmmakers. Cynthia takes us behind the scenes of the selection process. Films are submitted through FilmFreeway, reviewed by volunteer screeners, and evaluated for storytelling, acting, directing, sound, cinematography, and overall impact. Festival nominees are then considered by judges with professional experience in filmmaking and film education. We also discuss what attendees can expect during festival weekend, including multiple screening blocks, workshops, morning coffee hours, filmmaker conversations, after-parties, and a family-friendly film program. Cynthia also introduces the Loveland Shorts Film Club, a free year-round community for people interested in movie trivia, theater outings, drive-ins, and other film-related activities. The conversation eventually turns into a celebration of movies themselves. Cynthia shares memories of seeing Mary Poppins as a child, visiting dollar theaters and drive-ins, and building a lifelong appreciation for film. We talk about Star Wars, The Sound of Music, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, James Bond, Monty Python, The Birdcage, subtitles, library movie collections, and the charm of watching a story unfold in a historic theater. And, despite Patrick’s repeated objections, the Loveland Shorts Film Festival still does not serve popcorn. Links from this episode Loveland Shorts Film Festival2026 Festival ScheduleFestival Tickets2026 Featured FilmsInformation for FilmmakersThe official festival website includes dedicated pages for the schedule, tickets, featured films, and filmmaker information. News Clermont County commissioners approve more than $2.28 million in federal funding for 22 housing, infrastructure, and community-service projects  Funding will support affordable housing, first-time homebuyer assistance, home repairs, sidewalks, road improvements, riverfront parking, senior services, food assistance, and workforce development  Tate Township releases a proposed rewrite of its zoning resolution for public review  The proposed zoning code includes new standards for accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals, data centers, solar developments, signs, lighting, parking, and property maintenance  Cryptocurrency mining would be prohibited as a primary use under the proposed Tate Township regulations  Milford residents protest the city’s use of Flock license-plate recognition cameras  Protesters raise privacy concerns while Milford police describe the cameras as tools for criminal investigations and wanted-vehicle alerts  Grant Career Center proposes a $59 million renovation and expansion of its Bethel campus  The November ballot request includes a 1.15-mill bond issue and a 0.84-mill permanent improvement levy  Grant Career Center officials say enrollment has grown beyond the capacity of the building, which originally opened in 1976  New Richmond Schools ends the fiscal year with an approximately $1.8 million general fund deficit  Lower property-tax collections, slightly lower state funding, and higher winter utility costs contributed to the district’s financial results  The district is preparing an electronic parking-pass application to reduce paperwork and improve student-fee collection  Local candidates and organizations with levies on the November ballot are invited to contact the show for an interview Events Hike with Clermont County Park District staff at Shor Park  Union Township Farmers Market  Union Township Summer Concert featuring Fourth Day Echo  Music Under the Moon featuring Ralph and the Rhythm Hounds  Cincinnati Nature Center Summer Bird Walk  Community CPR and AED Class  Cincinnati Nature Center Summer Native Plant Sale  Trail Yoga at Cincinnati Nature Center  Foraged Ice Cream Foray: Sassafras  Clermont County Fair  New Richmond Farmers Market  Concert in the Park featuring Astrovan  Concert in the Park featuring Jeff Henry and the Necessary Evils  DIY Jewelweed Salve  Ralph Shepherd Concert Series featuring the Ohio Military Band  Loveland Shorts Film Festival  Sense of Nature: Hike and Make Your Own Incense  Yoga in the Park  Milford Farmers Market  Follow Let’s Talk Clermont on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for the Thursday newsletter.If the show brings you value, consider supporting us through your time, talent, or treasure. Visit Let’s Talk Clermont online to subscribe, donate, share a boots-on-the-ground report, or contact the show.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate   

 Episode 55 — Malini Vijayan — Clermont County Public Health We start with a few regional updates, then we sit down with Maalini Vijayan, Assistant Health Commissioner of Community Health Services at Clermont County Public Health, 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. Interview — Malini Vijayan (Clermont County Public Health) What Clermont County Public Health does and how the department is structured (including why operations run out of two buildings)Community Health Services highlights: WIC, immunizations, communicable disease work, complex medical help, injury prevention, and harm reductionEnvironmental Health Services overview: food licensing and inspections, plumbing, water and waste, and how the permitting side fits inPublic health partnerships across the county and why “health” includes things like housing and transportationData and trend tracking, including youth mental health and substance use indicatorsAvian flu and what to do (and not do) if you encounter dead wildlifeWhat COVID was like from the public health side, what changed, and what the agency is still seeing todayIn the NewsCincinnati’s budget shortfall and the possibility of department cutsBrown County’s petition effort to restrict large data centers via a constitutional amendmentWilliamsburg’s summer street resurfacing scheduleBatavia’s DECA “Dog Den” earning national recognition as a school-based enterpriseEvents roundupWizard of Oz — Mar 13 (7:30 PM), Loveland Stage CompanyPancakes in the Park — Mar 14 (9 AM–12 PM), Pattison Park LodgeWild Pokémon Creations — Mar 14 (10 AM), Amelia Branch LibraryCelebrate Pi Day — Mar 14 (2 PM), Miami Township Branch LibraryArt à la Carte — Mar 16 (5 PM), New Richmond Branch Library (ages 12+)Spring Wreath — Mar 17 (5 PM), Batavia Branch Library (registration / wait list)Virtual: Lunch & Learn Native Plantings — Mar 18 (12 PM)Homeschool Discovery Days: Animal Folklore — Mar 20 (1 PM), Hartman Log Cabin (preregistration)Meet Frog and Toad — Mar 21 (2 PM), Union Township Branch LibrarySpring Equinox Women’s Camping Retreat — weekend program, Chilo Lock 34 Follow on Facebook & Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.FacebookInstagramNewsletterIf the show brings you value, consider supporting us!Donate