Let's Talk Clermont

Patrick Venturella
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News and Views for Clermont County, Ohio

  1. Sep 24

    Episode 83 - Ron Grethel - Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 62

    Ep. 83 — Ron Grethel on Election Reform, Flock Cameras and Ohio House District 62 This week, we start with local news from around Clermont County and the region before sitting down with Ron Grethel, Libertarian candidate for Ohio House District 62, for a wide-ranging conversation about election reform, privacy, data centers, family policy, property taxes and what he believes state government should look like. We begin in Mount Orab, where the village is considering a proposed High-Tech Overlay that would establish additional regulations for data centers and other high-tech development on industrially zoned land. The proposal comes after sustained public opposition to data-center development and an earlier village moratorium. Residents are also asking officials to determine what may already be permitted under Mount Orab’s existing zoning code before moving ahead with new regulations. At the Clermont County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner David Painter raised two issues he believes local governments should be paying closer attention to: automated license plate readers and data centers. Painter pointed to questions surrounding privacy, Fourth Amendment protections and data access involving Flock cameras, while also encouraging local officials to study data-center development before making long-term zoning decisions. The ATF has also deployed a Crime Gun Intelligence Mobile Command Center to Batavia, where federal agents are working alongside the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. The mobile unit gives investigators access to ballistic analysis, firearm testing, fingerprint and DNA collection, and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. Officials described the deployment as a regional investigative resource rather than a response to a newly announced spike in Clermont County gun crime. In Batavia Village, Council unanimously approved a pre-annexation agreement involving approximately 104 acres for a proposed mixed-use development between State Route 32, Harold Road, Old State Route 32 and the Trotters Way area. Plans discussed by officials include retail along Harold Road and a mix of residential development behind it, with the possibility of attracting a large national retailer and grocery store. The project still faces annexation, zoning and additional development review. Flock cameras were also a major topic in Batavia. Several residents urged Village Council to discontinue its automated license plate reader program, raising concerns about privacy, data sharing and Fourth Amendment protections. Council did not make a decision but agreed to continue reviewing the program and hear from both Flock representatives and critics of the technology. Batavia Council also heard questions involving a TIF ordinance approved earlier this year. A resident raised discrepancies involving the property identified in the ordinance and referenced agreements with Batavia Local Schools and Great Oaks. Village Solicitor Chris Moore told Council the ordinance probably needs to be corrected and said he would investigate and bring the matter back for further review. And Milford Schools says it has reduced general-fund appropriations by roughly $5 million compared with last year while continuing to manage projected deficit spending. District officials say fiscal year 2026 ended substantially better than previously forecast and that they are continuing to monitor spending, revenue and cash reserves as they work through the current five-year forecast. Interview — Ron Grethel Ron Grethel is running as a Libertarian for Ohio House District 62, which includes portions of Clermont County. Ron talks about what brought him into politics after serving eight years as an Air Defense Artillery officer in the Army National Guard, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and later building a career in insurance and software development. We start with what being a Libertarian means to him. Ron describes his philosophy as less about the familiar “taxation is theft” formulation and more about “don’t tread on us” — limiting abuses of power by both government and private institutions while maintaining a government capable of enforcing basic rules. From there, we get deep into election reform. Ron explains his support for ranked-choice voting and open primaries, arguing that the current primary system gives a relatively small group of partisan voters substantial influence over who reaches the general election. We discuss how ranked-choice voting works, Alaska’s election system and Ohio’s restrictions on local governments adopting ranked-choice voting. That leads into the barriers facing independent and minor-party candidates in Ohio, including signature requirements and ballot-access rules, and a broader conversation about whether the two-party system creates incentives that contribute to political polarization. We also talk about family policy. Ron discusses a bipartisan paid family and medical leave proposal in Ohio and why he supports creating a program that could give workers time away from their jobs to care for a new child, sick spouse, parent or other family member. The conversation expands into adoption, maternity costs, childcare and the financial pressures facing families. Ron talks about his own family’s experience with adoption and discusses policies he believes could reduce some of the upfront financial barriers associated with adopting a child or having a baby. We also discuss an Ohio proposal that would create additional state records involving pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes. Ron explains his privacy concerns with creating government records of miscarriages, stillbirths and abortions and discusses how those concerns fit into his broader view of government data collection. Then we get into data centers. Ron argues that if Ohio communities are going to host major data-center developments, state and local governments should examine their effects on energy, water, infrastructure and taxpayers. We discuss tax incentives, energy generation, small modular nuclear reactors, water use and whether communities hosting large developments should receive more direct benefits from them. That conversation naturally brings us to Flock cameras. Ron, who works as a programmer, walks through how he believes automated license plate reader technology could be designed differently. Rather than maintaining large databases of vehicle movements, he suggests systems could compare plates against narrowly defined law-enforcement alerts and immediately discard information that does not match. We discuss warrants, data retention, private companies collecting information on behalf of government and the broader question of how constitutional privacy protections should apply as surveillance technology becomes more capable. From there, we move into property taxes and local government. Ron discusses land-value taxation as one possible alternative worth examining and talks about the importance he places on local control and keeping government decisions closer to the people affected by them. And then things get wonderfully wonky. Ron introduces us to “Article the First,” one of the original constitutional amendments proposed alongside what became the Bill of Rights but never fully ratified. The amendment dealt with congressional representation and the number of people represented by each member of the U.S. House. That launches a conversation about congressional districts, the Wyoming Rule, centuries-old unratified constitutional amendments — sometimes called “zombie amendments” — and what happens when constitutional proposals are sent to the states without an expiration date. Finally, we talk right to repair, open-source software and what it actually means to own the technology we buy. From tractors and automobiles to old iPads and digitally purchased video games, Ron argues that consumers should have greater ability to repair and continue using products after manufacturers stop supporting them. Links from This Episode • Ron Grethel for Ohio House News • Mount Orab considers new High-Tech Overlay regulations for data centers • Residents question what Mount Orab’s existing zoning code already permits • Commissioner David Painter raises Flock camera privacy and data-center issues for county attention • Pierce Township continues its data-center moratorium while studying possible regulations • ATF deploys Crime Gun Intelligence Mobile Command Center to Batavia • Batavia moves forward with pre-annexation agreement for proposed mixed-use development • Proposed Batavia development could include a major retailer and grocery store • Batavia Council begins broader review of its Flock license plate reader program • Residents raise privacy and data-sharing concerns involving Batavia’s Flock cameras • Questions raised over Batavia TIF ordinance approved earlier this year • Village solicitor says the TIF ordinance may need to be corrected • Milford Schools reduces general-fund appropriations by approximately $5 million • Milford continues monitoring projected deficit spending and cash reserves Events • Monarch Migration Hike at Clingman Park • Night at the Museum — Cheers for 250 Years at the Bethel Historical Society and Museum • Hike with Park Staff at Ten Mile Creek Nature Preserve • Loveland Oktoberfest • Fall Equinox Women’s Camping Retreat at Clingman Park • Clermont County Food and Farm Tour • Fall Bird Walk at Cincinnati Nature Center • Yoga in the Park at Sycamore Park • Milford Art Affaire • Farm-to-Table Dinner at Harmony Hill Vineyards • New Richmond Farmers Market • RAPTOR Inc. Open House Follow Let’s Talk Clermont on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for the Thursday newsletter. Facebook Instagram Newsletter

    Episode 83 - Ron Grethel - Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 62

  2. Sep 17

    Episode 82 - Terry Cole - Colemine Records

    Ep. 82 — Terry Cole of Colemine Records and Plaid Room Records on Building a Record Label, Running a Record Store and Making a Life in Music This week, we start with local news from around Clermont County before sitting down with Terry Cole, founder of Colemine Records and co-owner of Plaid Room Records in Loveland, for a conversation about records, independent music, entrepreneurship and what it actually takes to build a record label and record store. We begin with Clermont County’s latest update on housing and growth. County officials say Clermont continues to grow considerably faster than Ohio overall, with much of that growth concentrated along major transportation corridors in the western and central parts of the county. Officials reviewed roughly 3,800 new housing units last year and are working with townships on long-term land-use planning aimed at balancing development with infrastructure and preservation. That rapid growth is also beginning to put pressure on parts of Clermont County’s sewer system. County officials specifically pointed to portions of Goshen and Miami townships where sewer-line capacity is becoming a constraint on additional development. The county is studying water and sewer capacity as it considers where future growth can realistically be supported. In Pierce Township, trustees have extended the township’s data-center moratorium through May 31, 2027, while officials work on new zoning regulations. The extension comes as Crane Data Centers explores a roughly 300-acre industrial site along U.S. 52 near the former Beckjord power plant. No formal development application has been submitted, but the proposal has already drawn considerable public interest and concern. Tate Township is approaching a major decision on an overhaul of its zoning resolution. Trustees will hold a public hearing September 28 on a proposed rewrite of the township’s zoning code following months of meetings, public input and revisions. In Loveland, the city has announced its fall brush and leaf collection schedule. Brush pickup begins October 5, followed by leaf collection starting October 12, with neighborhood collection dates continuing into November. And Union Township trustees have scheduled a special September 21 town hall devoted to the township’s use of Automated License Plate Reader cameras. Residents will have an opportunity to hear more about the system and weigh in as trustees consider its future use. Interview — Terry Cole Terry Cole is the founder of Colemine Records and co-owner of Plaid Room Records in historic Downtown Loveland. Colemine started in 2007 with a focus on releasing raw, authentic soul music on vinyl. In 2015, Terry and his brother Bob opened Plaid Room Records, creating a brick-and-mortar record store that also became home base for the growing label. Terry walks us through the business from the inside: how a label works with artists, gets music recorded and released, presses physical records and ultimately gets that music into the hands and ears of listeners. We talk about how Colemine began, how something that started small developed into a full-fledged business and why opening Plaid Room became an important part of making the label sustainable. Terry also talks about the realities of owning a record store in an era when nearly every song ever recorded is instantly available online. We get into why people still buy vinyl, what makes record stores different from simply streaming music and the role a good independent shop can play in building a community around music. It’s a conversation about music, records and entrepreneurship, but also about what happens when someone takes something they genuinely care about and figures out how to build a life around it. Links from This Episode • Colemine Records • Plaid Room Records Photo credit: Mitch LaGrow News • Clermont County updates its housing and growth strategy • County officials say Clermont continues to outpace statewide population growth • Roughly 3,800 new housing units reviewed or approved during the past year • Sewer capacity emerging as a constraint on development in parts of Goshen and Miami townships • Pierce Township extends its data-center moratorium through May 31, 2027 • Developer explores a roughly 300-acre data-center site near the former Beckjord power plant • Tate Township schedules final public hearing on major zoning-code rewrite • Loveland announces fall brush and leaf collection schedules • Union Township schedules September 21 town hall on Automated License Plate Reader cameras Events • Night Hike: ’Possums and Pawpaws • Milford Farmers Market — Five Points Landing • Batavia Farmers Market • Clermont County History & Museum Day • Major General William Lytle’s 256th Birthday Celebration • Milford Farmers Market at the Greenhouse • Simmons Farms Saturday Farmers Market • Annual Lantern Lighting Ceremony • Sunset on the River • New Richmond Farmers Market • Fall Equinox Foraging Hike • Music on the River — Daniel Bennett and the Dirty Shirleys • Monarch Migration Hike • Night at the Museum — Cheers for 250 Years • Hike with Park Staff — Ten Mile Creek Nature Preserve • Loveland Oktoberfest • Fall Equinox Women’s Camping Retreat • Clermont County Food & Farm Tour • Fall Bird Walk • Yoga in the Park • Milford Art Affaire • Farm to Table Dinner at Harmony Hill Vineyards • RAPTOR Inc. Open House 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. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!

    Episode 82 - Terry Cole - Colemine Records

  3. Sep 10

    Episode 81 - Brooke Hathaway-DeSantis - Bike Trail Books

    Ep. 81 — Brooke Hathaway-DeSantis of Bike Trail Books on Books, Community and the Human Side of AI This week, we start with local news from around Clermont County and the region before sitting down with Brooke Hathaway-DeSantis, owner of Bike Trail Books in Loveland, for a conversation about independent bookstores, reading, community, small business and the complicated role artificial intelligence is beginning to play in creative work. We begin in Wilmington, where a resident has filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s use of emergency legislation to approve rezoning connected to a proposed Amazon Web Services data center. The dispute centers on whether the emergency designation improperly prevents residents from challenging the zoning decision through a referendum. A judge has temporarily paused the latest zoning action while the case moves forward. In Loveland, debate continues over the city’s Flock license plate reader cameras. A resident presented City Council with a petition signed by nearly 400 people calling for their removal, citing privacy, data-sharing and effectiveness concerns. Council members largely defended the cameras as a useful law-enforcement tool while acknowledging unresolved questions about how information may be accessed by other jurisdictions. Loveland is also moving its Downtown Streetscape Phase One project closer to construction. The project would combine visible improvements such as sidewalks, lighting, curbs and street trees with major water, stormwater and sanitary sewer work. The city is pursuing state and federal funding, with construction potentially beginning in late summer 2027. Flock cameras were also a major topic in Union Township. Trustees agreed to hold a special town hall-style work session before the October business meeting to hear from police, residents and other stakeholders. Trustee Michael Logue introduced a motion to temporarily suspend the Flock program until stronger written policies and safeguards were adopted, but the motion failed 1–2. Union Township trustees also approved a zoning change for roughly 9.98 acres that would accommodate six single-family homes. The proposal passed 2–1 after discussion over density and how the development fits the township’s long-term plans. And Costco continues moving forward in Eastgate. Union Township officials announced that the retailer has officially submitted plans for its proposed development, marking another step in the zoning and approval process. Interview — Brooke Hathaway-DeSantis Brooke Hathaway-DeSantis is the owner of Bike Trail Books, an independent bookstore in historic Downtown Loveland. Brooke explains how a visit to a small bookstore during a 2022 trip to Virginia planted the idea that eventually became Bike Trail Books. What began as an online-only experiment quickly grew into pop-ups, story times and book clubs before Hometown Cafe offered her space for a small physical bookstore. Within weeks, the online business had become brick and mortar. Brooke talks about bootstrapping the store, the importance of supportive local partners and why choosing Downtown Loveland turned out to be one of the most important decisions she made. We also get into the realities of running a small bookstore. Brooke discusses thin margins, staffing, balancing business ownership with raising young children and why she invested in employees much earlier than many new small-business owners might. Brooke describes independent bookstores as modern “third spaces”, places outside the home and workplace where people can gather, develop relationships and build community. Bike Trail Books leans heavily into that role through memberships, a dozen monthly book clubs and events ranging from book bedazzling and educational workshops to Classics and Cocktails and Read Between the Wines. We talk about the broader resurgence of independent bookstores, the strength of Cincinnati’s indie book scene and the Cincinnati Bookstore Crawl, which now brings readers through dozens of independent bookstores across the region. From there, the conversation takes an unexpected turn into artificial intelligence. We talk about the difficult questions facing writers, artists, designers and small-business owners as AI becomes increasingly capable. Brooke explains why she draws a line around using AI for creative work while still recognizing its usefulness for business operations. Our conversation becomes an exploration of where useful technology ends and human creativity begins  and what happens when small businesses and individual creators are left wrestling with ethical questions that much larger corporations may have little incentive to consider. Brooke also talks about what she is reading, how audiobooks fit into her life and what genres are moving through the bookstore. We discuss fantasy, romantasy, horror, science fiction, middle-grade books and the challenge of getting young readers into the right book at the right time. And Brooke gives us plenty of recommendations. Among the books discussed are The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Midnight Library, I See You’ve Called in Dead, The Ministry of Time, Dungeon Crawler Carl and The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. And a big thank you to Brooke for suppling the episode art for this week's episode! Links from This Episode Bike Trail BooksLibro.fmBookshop.org News Wilmington resident challenges emergency legislation used for Amazon Web Services data-center rezoningLawsuit raises questions about residents’ ability to pursue a zoning referendumLoveland residents present petition seeking removal of Flock license plate reader camerasLoveland officials defend Flock cameras while acknowledging continuing privacy and data-sharing concernsLoveland moves Downtown Streetscape Phase One closer to constructionUnion Township plans special public work session on its Flock camera programMotion to temporarily suspend Union Township’s Flock cameras fails 1–2Union Township approves zoning change for six additional single-family homesCostco officially submits plans for its proposed Eastgate developmentEvents Union Township Farmers Market Season FinaleMiami Township Community CPRUnion Township CPR/AED TrainingMilford Farmers Market at Five Points LandingBatavia Farmers MarketMilford Farmers Market at the GreenhouseSecond Saturday at Haussermann ParkBatavia Fun FairNew Richmond Farmers MarketClermont County Tire Disposal DayAmerica 250 Revolutionary War Veterans Monument DedicationLoveland Farmers MarketPawpaw Hike at Pattison ParkWilliamsburg Farmers MarketPawpaws Along the Paved LoopMusic on the River — Wild CarrotNew Richmond Homecoming ParadePawpaw Hike at Klingman ParkNight Hike — Possums and PawpawsClermont County History and Museum DayMajor General William Lytle’s 250th Birthday CelebrationSimmons Farms Saturday Farmers MarketAnnual Lantern Lighting CeremonySunset on the RiverFollow 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. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!

    Episode 81 - Brooke Hathaway-DeSantis - Bike Trail Books

  4. Sep 6

    Episode 80 - Corey Kafka - Jester's Cards & Games

    Ep. 80 — Corey Kafka of Jester’s Cards and Games on Gaming, Community and Finding Your People This week, we start with a packed round of Clermont County news before sitting down with Corey Kafka, owner of Jester’s Cards and Games in Milford, for a conversation about Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer, tabletop gaming and the community that grows around local game stores. We begin at the Clermont County Commissioners meeting, where a resident raises questions during public comment about possible future development at the former Zimmer power plant site. The resident points to information she says she found in the PJM interconnection queue regarding a possible 629-megawatt natural gas project. Commissioners say they have no information about a new development at the site and have not signed nondisclosure agreements related to it. Commissioners also reject a proposal supporting a Clean Ohio grant application that would have preserved roughly 54 acres of the Fix family property in Jackson Township. Public access becomes the central point of disagreement, with Commissioners David Painter and Bonnie Batchler voting against the measure and Commissioner Claire Corcoran voting in favor. Clermont County is also confronting rising employee health-care costs. Medical claims are running substantially higher, and officials are considering changes to deductibles, employee contributions and coverage of working spouses as they try to reduce the size of the county’s projected 2027 insurance increase. We also have an update on the former Beckjord power plant property near New Richmond, where Clermont County officials say they are prepared to pursue federal litigation aimed at forcing cleanup of coal ash stored near the county’s primary drinking-water wells. In Loveland, officials continue working on a rewrite of the city’s noise ordinance. The discussion centers on whether enforcement should continue relying on objective decibel limits or move toward a broader “reasonableness” standard based on factors such as time of day, duration and how far noise travels. In Union Township, the Zoning Commission recommends approval of six additional detached homes in the Briar Hill redevelopment along Glen Este-Withamsville Road. We also look at plans for a proposed Costco in Eastgate, where the retailer has formally entered the township zoning process for a roughly 166,000-square-foot warehouse and fuel station. And in Milford, City Council continues weighing downtown parking options, seeks approximately $850,000 in state funding for cleanup of contaminated soil at the city-owned Harvest Market parking lot, begins discussions about the future of its park levy and approves additional repairs at the Happy Hollow sewer lift station. Interview — Corey Kafka Corey Kafka is the owner of Jester’s Cards and Games in Milford, a local game store built around trading card games, miniature wargaming, tabletop games and, perhaps most importantly, community. Corey explains how he went from working as a welder to owning a game store almost by accident. A longtime gamer who first played Magic: The Gathering in the 1990s, he had largely left the hobby behind before his kids introduced him to Commander and brought him back into the game. From there, things get nerdy. We dig into what makes Magic such an enduring game, from its five-color system and nearly endless deck-building possibilities to Commander, premodern Magic, drafting and the strategy behind building a deck that actually works. Corey and Patrick compare favorite colors, tribal decks and different approaches to the game before moving into the much darker universe of Warhammer 40,000. Corey explains the basics of Warhammer, including how armies are built, how point systems work and why winning is often about completing objectives rather than simply destroying your opponent’s army. We also take a tour through some of the game’s factions and lore, from Space Marines and the Imperium of Man to Chaos, Orks, Tyranids, Necrons and more. But the conversation eventually comes back to something bigger than cards, miniatures or dice. Corey says the real product a local game store offers is a social life. Jester’s hosts games and events throughout the week, including Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Gundam, miniature games and even Super Smash Bros. The store offers tables, terrain and hobby space where people can walk in, find a game and meet others with the same interests. Corey talks about building a store where newcomers do not have to feel intimidated, where experienced players are willing to teach and where people from very different walks of life can form friendships around a shared hobby. We also discuss the resurgence of tabletop gaming, the role nostalgia played during and after COVID, and why games that once carried a stereotypically “nerdy” reputation have become increasingly mainstream. Corey’s message to anyone curious about gaming is simple: walk into a local game store and give it a try. You may come for the cards or miniatures, but you might stay for the people. Links from This Episode Jester’s Cards and GamesNews Resident raises questions during public comment about possible future development at the former Zimmer power plant siteClermont County commissioners say they have no information about a new Zimmer development and have not signed NDAs related to the propertyCommissioners reject support for a Clean Ohio conservation proposal involving roughly 54 acres in Jackson TownshipPublic access becomes the central issue in the Fix property conservation voteClermont County faces a sharp increase in employee health-care costs heading into 2027County officials consider changes to deductibles, employee contributions and working-spouse coverageClermont County prepares for possible federal litigation over cleanup of the former Beckjord power plant siteLoveland continues rewriting its noise ordinance and debates decibel limits versus a reasonableness standardUnion Township Zoning Commission recommends approval of six additional homes in the Briar Hill redevelopmentCostco formally submits plans for a proposed Eastgate location in Union TownshipMilford continues considering solutions to downtown parking shortagesMilford seeks approximately $850,000 for cleanup of contaminated soil at 300 Main StreetMilford begins discussions about the future of its park levyMilford approves additional repairs at the Happy Hollow sewer lift station while investigating whether the force main may be contributing to pump problemsEvents Art in the Park — Artist CharcoalBirding Canoe FloatYoga in the ParkMilford Farmers Market at Five Points LandingMilford Farmers Market at the GreenhouseSimmons Farms Saturday Farmers MarketLoveland Art FestivalNew Richmond Farmers MarketMorning Mindfulness WalkLoveland Farmers MarketClermont County Safety Council — The Next Frontier of Safety: Well-Being and Suicide PreventionBatavia Farmers MarketWilliamsburg Farmers MarketMusic in the Park in New RichmondHoots and DoodlesHerping Night Out — Frogs, Snakes and MoreUnion Township Farmers Market Season FinaleMiami Township Community CPRUnion Township CPR/AED TrainingSecond Saturday in Haussermann ParkBatavia Fun FairFollow 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. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us! Donate

    Episode 80 - Corey Kafka - Jester's Cards & Games

  5. Aug 27

    Episode 79 - Debbie Davidson - Ohio House of Representatives Candidate for District 63

    Ep. 79 — Debbie Davidson on Education, Rural Development and Ohio House District 63 This 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 Davidson Debbie 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 Episode Visit Debbie Davidson’s campaign websiteNews Loveland 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 2028Events Premier 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. Visit Let’s Talk Clermont online to subscribe, donate, share a boots-on-the-ground report, or contact the show. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us! Donate

    Episode 79 - Debbie Davidson - Ohio House of Representatives Candidate for District 63

  6. Aug 20

    Episode 78 - Gary Knepp - Clermont County Historian

    Ep. 78 — Gary Knepp on Camp Dennison and Clermont County’s Civil War History We’re back after last week’s storms and power outages with two weeks of news from across Clermont County. We start with a potentially massive advanced-manufacturing development in Williamsburg Township, where county officials have approved a tax-abatement agreement for a project that could begin with roughly one million square feet of manufacturing space. We also look at major stream-restoration and stormwater work, plans for a $100-million-plus expansion of the Lower East Fork wastewater treatment plant, and what those infrastructure projects may tell us about Clermont County’s continued growth. In Batavia, Village Council has given itself final approval over major planned developments, adopted a new policy toward residential tax abatements and annexation, and the effort to put dissolution of the village before voters has been rejected by the Clermont County Board of Elections — although a court challenge could still follow. We also cover West Clermont Schools’ worsening financial outlook, New Richmond Schools’ improved budget forecast after major spending reductions, Loveland’s $14 million PFAS treatment financing package, Tate Township’s proposed zoning rewrite, and a potential expansion of Union Township’s marijuana-related Joint Economic Development District. Interview — Gary Knepp Clermont County historian and author Gary Knepp returns for his third appearance on the show to talk about his new book, The Story of Camp Dennison – 1861–1865. Camp Dennison was one of Ohio’s largest Civil War military facilities, serving as a training camp, hospital and discharge center for tens of thousands of soldiers. At its peak, the camp held enough men to rival some of Ohio’s largest cities. Gary explains why the camp was established near Cincinnati, how its access to the Little Miami Railroad and river made the location valuable, and how fears of a Confederate attack helped shape its early mission. We also talk about the Siege of Cincinnati, when soldiers and civilians mobilized to defend the region as Confederate forces moved through Kentucky. But Gary’s book goes far beyond dates and troop movements. Drawing on letters, diaries, military records, photographs and years of archival research, he reconstructs the experiences of the people who actually passed through Camp Dennison. Those stories include a Quaker officer who entered the war but refused to carry a firearm, a chaplain who rode under fire to bring water to wounded soldiers, prisoners who survived Andersonville, soldiers facing disease and primitive medical care, and Clermont County men whose wartime experiences eventually carried them to some of the Civil War’s most important battlefields. Gary also describes everyday life at the camp — learning to march, drilling with rifles, eating hardtack and salt pork, battling measles and other diseases, visiting nearby churches, writing letters home and finding ways to pass the time between assignments. The conversation explores Camp Dennison’s enormous military hospital and the transformation of Civil War medicine after battles such as Shiloh produced casualties on a scale the country had never experienced. Gary explains the realities of battlefield wounds, amputations, disease and the work of the Sisters of Charity, who cared for soldiers at Camp Dennison before serving in hospitals closer to the fighting. We also talk about Gary’s research process. The book took roughly 25 years to complete and sent him through the National Archives, historical societies, museums, battlefields and small towns across the South as he followed the stories of individual soldiers. Along the way, he uncovered forgotten records, tracked down locations described in wartime letters and worked with private collectors whose photographs and artifacts help bring the story of Camp Dennison to life. Finally, Gary discusses what remains of Camp Dennison today, efforts to map the original camp using modern technology, and upcoming walking tours that give people a chance to explore the site themselves. Links from This Episode Visit Gary Knepp’s websiteFind The Story of Camp Dennison – 1861–1865 on AmazonNews A challenge over a proposed data-center ban in Trenton heads to the Ohio Supreme Court after city officials reject the petition over a dispute about the number of signatures requiredClermont County approves a Community Reinvestment Area agreement for a potentially massive advanced-manufacturing project in Williamsburg TownshipThe Williamsburg project could begin with roughly one million square feet of manufacturing space and may ultimately include multiple phasesPublic records strongly suggest the development may be connected to Lonza’s proposed $1 billion biotech manufacturing project, although that relationship has not been publicly confirmedThe Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District announces a free scrap-tire collection event at the Clermont County FairgroundsClermont Soil and Water moves ahead with its largest stream-restoration project to date along the Lower East Fork Little Miami RiverPlans continue to remove the old Cloverlick Creek low-head dam near BethelClermont County begins work toward updating its countywide comprehensive land-use planSoil and Water reports increasing stormwater, flooding and drainage demands alongside continued developmentClermont County prepares for more than $100 million in improvements and expansion at the Lower East Fork Wastewater Treatment PlantThe long-term plan could increase the plant’s normal treatment capacity from roughly 9 million to 14 million gallons per dayBatavia Village Council gives itself final approval authority over detailed plans for major planned-unit developmentsBatavia adopts a new development policy discouraging residential property-tax abatements except in extraordinary circumstancesThe village also says it will no longer actively pursue annexation simply for the sake of growthThe Clermont County Board of Elections rejects the petition seeking to put dissolution of the Village of Batavia on the November ballotPetition organizers could still seek review from the Ohio Supreme CourtWest Clermont Schools says recent Ohio property-tax changes could reduce projected revenue by roughly $40 million to $50 million over the next several yearsWest Clermont officials point toward a possible property or income-tax levy in 2027 as the district faces declining reservesLoveland secures $14 million in Ohio EPA financing toward a roughly $17 million project to remove PFAS from its drinking waterTate Township moves forward with a comprehensive rewrite of its decades-old zoning codeTate’s proposal includes new rules for data centers, short-term rentals, home businesses, solar development, accessory dwelling units and other land usesUnion Township schedules an October public hearing on an expansion of JEDD No. 9, the district associated with retail marijuana dispensariesNew Richmond Schools says aggressive cost cutting has dramatically improved its near-term financial outlook following revenue losses tied largely to the closure of the Zimmer Power PlantNew Richmond administrators warn some of those reductions are now contributing to larger class sizes and reduced capacity for open-enrollment studentsWork continues at New Richmond’s riverfront docks, which remain closed to the publicEvents Union Township Farmers MarketNatural Dye and Nature TriviaMilford Farmers MarketStonelick Township Junk Disposal DaySimmons Farms Saturday Farmers MarketConcert in the Park featuring Zac AttackMusic in the Park in New RichmondPremier 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 MarketFollow 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. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us! Donate

    Episode 78 - Gary Knepp - Clermont County Historian

  7. Aug 6

    Episode 77 - Tom Post - Local Artist

    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. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us! Donate

    Episode 77 - Tom Post - Local Artist

  8. Jul 30

    Episode 76 - Brian Barger - Owner of B-Yond INK

    Ep. 76 — Brian Barger on Tattooing, Artistic Integrity, Apprenticeships, and Building B-Yond INK We start this week with news from Clermont County and beyond, including the alleged misuse of law-enforcement databases and Flock license-plate readers by a Florida detective, the latest Children’s Protective Services levy proposal, Clermont County’s new property valuations, and Loveland’s continuing debate over a citywide noise ordinance. We also cover concerns about an automated license-plate reader near Bridgeway Church, Pierce Township’s moratorium on data-center development, and the arrival of a new 300-foot boat dock for New Richmond’s Liberty Landing riverfront project. Interview — Brian Barger Brian Barger, owner of B-Yond INK, joins the show to talk about tattooing, artistic responsibility, building a loyal clientele, and the long road from apprenticeship to owning his own shop.  Brian shares how a difficult period in his life led him toward tattooing. After learning the trade in Cincinnati and working at several shops around Clermont County, he eventually opened B-Yond INK with help from a close friend he originally met as a tattoo client.  The conversation explores the relationships that form between tattoo artists and their clients. Brian explains why word of mouth has shaped much of his business and why some of his closest friendships began with someone sitting down in his tattoo chair.  We discuss the responsibility that comes with creating permanent artwork. Brian does not believe in tattooing anything on anyone simply to make money. He talks about refusing designs he does not feel comfortable executing, recommending other artists when a project falls outside his strengths, and steering younger clients away from face, neck, hand, and other highly visible tattoos they may later regret.  Brian also explains how he works with clients to turn their initial concepts into stronger designs. That includes adapting AI-generated references rather than copying them directly and finding a balance between what the client imagines and what will work as a lasting tattoo.  The conversation moves through Brian’s favorite styles, including black-and-gray work, colorful cartoon-inspired pieces, watercolor effects, and cover-ups. He explains how shading can completely transform a design and why the same tattoo can look very different depending on the artist creating it.  We also discuss the traditions and rules behind American traditional and Japanese tattooing, along with the importance of understanding symbolism, color, placement, and composition before attempting a specialized style.  Brian talks candidly about tattoo pain, long sessions, numbing creams, blood-sugar crashes, scar tissue, aging skin, ink blowouts, and why both the artist and the client need to recognize their physical limits. He recalls one marathon session that lasted from early afternoon until four in the morning and explains why he would never attempt that schedule today.  A major part of the conversation focuses on apprenticeships. Brian describes the work ethic, humility, sanitation training, artistic foundation, and willingness to perform everyday shop duties that aspiring tattoo artists need. He also warns prospective apprentices to research their mentors carefully and avoid shops that exploit, mistreat, or dangerously haze people trying to enter the profession.  B-Yond INK artist Skyler joins the conversation near the end to discuss her move from corporate work into tattooing, her background in painting, and her interest in traditional and black-and-gray illustrative work. She also explains why Brian’s commitment to tattooing and his clients made B-Yond INK the place where she wanted to build the next stage of her career.  And, as one of Clermont County’s most devoted Cincinnati Bengals fans, Brian shares his ultimate professional goal: tattooing a Bengals player and watching his work spread through the locker room. He also confesses to completing one particularly painful assignment—a Kansas City Chiefs tattoo shortly before the Bengals lost in Kansas City.  Links from this episode  B-Yond INK — Official Website B-Yond INK InstagramBrian Barger’s InstagramSkylar Sheeley's Instagram News   A Florida detective is arrested and fired after allegedly using law-enforcement databases, including the Flock Safety network, for personal searches.  Clermont County commissioners place a Children’s Protective Services renewal levy on the November 3 ballot.  The proposed levy would continue an existing tax rather than add a new one.  Clermont County property values increase by an average of approximately 23% following the county’s six-year reappraisal.  Homeowners are encouraged to review their updated valuations and challenge them through the Board of Revision when appropriate.  Loveland continues work on a citywide noise ordinance addressing amplified downtown music, parties, outdoor speakers, vehicle noise, and other recurring disturbances.  Loveland officials debate whether enforcement should rely on measurable decibel limits or a broader reasonableness standard.  Bridgeway Church asks officials to relocate an automated license-plate reader positioned near its entrance.  Pierce Township considers creating guidelines for placing license-plate readers near churches and other sensitive locations.  Pierce Township’s temporary moratorium on data-center development remains in effect through October 2026.  Township officials examine water use, electrical demand, equipment noise, generators, pollution, and the potential concentration of data centers near residential areas and the region’s aquifer.  A new 300-foot dock arrives in New Richmond for the $13.4 million Liberty Landing riverfront project.  Liberty Landing is expected to add improved river access, walking areas, and public seating when completed. Events   Sense of Nature foraging hike and incense-making workshop at Klingman Park  Yoga in the Park at Sycamore Park  Milford Farmers Market at Five Points Landing Park  New Richmond Farmers Market at the River Village Shop  Dinosaur Encounter at the Williamsburg Library  Concert at the Cardboard Boat Museum featuring Eric “Big Easy” Penn and Chuck Vogel  Pierce Township National Night Out at Locust Corner Park  Union Township Police Night Out at Veterans Memorial Park  Second Saturday at Hauserman Park  Ralph Shepherd Concert Series featuring the Williamsburg Band  New Richmond Farmers MarketFollow 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. Facebook Instagram Newsletter If the show brings you value, consider supporting us! Donate

    Episode 76 - Brian Barger - Owner of B-Yond INK
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

News and Views for Clermont County, Ohio

Information

  • Creator
    Patrick Venturella
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Clermont

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