Join us on Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser as we unravel the complexities of the city's lead service line replacement program, which has been running for several years. This episode uncovers startling revelations from a recent audit that found significant mishandling of the scrap lead pipes, intended for recycling, that mysteriously went missing over a five-year period. We explore the implications of this oversight, the environmental hazards it might pose, and the city's accountability in ensuring proper disposal of these potentially toxic materials. We'll also discuss the procedures the city employed to protect workers, but question whether these measures are sufficient or merely scratching the surface of a much larger issue.

Could Cincinnati transform its city services by handing over the reins of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to Hamilton County? Tune in as Todd Zinser dissects the historical and financial intricacies of Cincinnati's administration of this vital nutrition initiative. With a substantial $3.5 million budget in play, Todd grapples with the perplexing lack of transparency in fund allocation between city and county residents. The deep dive zeroes in on the alarming gaps in the internal audit, revealing a failure to meet Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards (GAGAS) and exposing weak internal controls over EBT cards, crucial for program integrity.

What if your neighborhood was quietly being reshaped by unregulated group homes, or if the seniors in your community were living in appalling conditions? In our latest episode, we pull back the curtain on a host of pressing issues facing our city, starting with the growing concern over group homes in East and West Price Hill.

We also examine the shift in how schools manage truancy, moving from truant officers to innovative absence intervention teams.

Our journey doesn't stop there. We tackle the complex world of government contracts and grants, focusing on identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. This conversation is not just about oversight; it's about empowering you, our listeners, to play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability. Visit my Facebook page or www.cincinnatiwatchdog.com to share any insights or information you might have.

Is Mayor Aftab Purval over-hyping his achievements ? Join Todd Zinser as he unravels the truth behind his claimed milestones in Cincinnati. From the largest infrastructure grant in U.S. history to groundbreaking financial programs, Todd scrutinizes the reality of these declarations. Was the credit for the Brent Spence Bridge grant truly earned, or are we seeing a puffed-up narrative? And those so-called "baby bonds"—are they really what they seem, or just 529 savings accounts with a misleading label? Todd lays it all out, from grant funding discrepancies to the complexities of city finances managed by nonprofits, inviting you to question the transparency of it all.

Todd sifts through promises of 40,000 new housing units and bold zoning changes. Are these goals feasible, or just political smoke and mirrors? Todd's critical eye also lands on the hefty millions poured into public safety upgrades—will these truly translate into safer neighborhoods? Lastly, Todd tackles crime prevention initiatives like Act for Cincy, pondering their real impact in the absence of concrete results.

This episode tries to put the Collaborative Agreement in perspective. There is no longer a formal agreement and perhaps the solution is for all the parties to negate an actual agreement rather than keep touting the Collaborative Agreement as if it is still a formal agreement.

City contracts should prioritize the public good, but Cincinnati's recent agreements with Iris Roley raise serious questions. Why would a city bypass competition and transparency in awarding contracts? Todd scrutinizes the city's decision-making process, the financial stakes at play, and the city manager's ongoing review. Caught on body-worn cameras, Roley's role in police collaboration has drawn criticism, especially from the Fraternal Order of Police. Yet, the city dismissed these complaints, leaving us to wonder about the implications for public trust and accountability.

In our latest Citizen Watchdog episode, we peel back the layers on procurement irregularities within Cincinnati’s government. Uncovering unauthorized commitments, missing documentation, and the peculiar attachment of the Government Square Initiative to Roley's contract, we expose systemic issues that could undermine taxpayer value. The unfair competitive advantage rule kept Roley from bidding on a program she helped craft, highlighting a critical conflict of interest. Join Todd for an engaging exploration of these pressing issues and the urgent need for transparency and integrity in public contracting.

Mayor Aftab's conflict of interest created by his membership on the board of directors of Cintifuse, which is a non-profit receiving a lot of money from the city as a "Leveraged Support Partner."

City Hall's reluctance to invest in public safety is jeopardizing our city's future. With a staggering $5.42 million supplemental appropriation now on the table due to a tragic crime incident, we critically examine the city council's approach to safety investments and their over-reliance on crime statistics. Our discussion doesn't stop there; we also shed light on our pursuit of transparency, revealing significant gaps in documentation related to Iris Rowley’s consulting contracts with the city. This episode provides a thorough examination of urban public safety policies, questioning the prevalent narrative that simply addressing societal roots can curb crime.

Corruption and financial mismanagement aren't just the costs of doing business—they're symptoms of a deeper problem. This episode uncovers the shocking findings of an internal audit on Cincinnati's lead service line replacement program, revealing how misappropriated scrap lead pipes have lined the pockets of a city employee while the city failed to capitalize on their recycling value. As we peel back layers of neglect, a disturbing picture of oversight—or lack thereof—emerges, raising pressing questions about how city resources are allocated. Are we too complacent in addressing these systemic issues? Join us as we dissect the imbalance in financial auditing and the Civilian Complaint Authority, and why it matters.

Explore the broader financial implications of the missing lead pipes over a five-year period and how it highlights a glaring need for accountability and transparency. The episode pushes against the prevailing narrative that treats corruption as inevitable, arguing instead for a robust audit program to safeguard against financial leakage. Governance, risk assessment, and transparency aren't just buzzwords—they're the keystones of effective city management. Additionally, discover how to access the detailed audit report and additional resources on CincinnatiWatchdog.com, complete with graphs, photos, and a unique visual from ChatGPT. Prepare to rethink what you've been told about city oversight.

This episode sheds light on the urgent need for a formal risk assessment within the city, highlighting my frustration with the city manager's lack of transparency and dismissive stance on essential reports. We dissect the Cincinnati Futures Commission's hurried conclusions, questioning the undue influence of business interests and the glaring lack of neighborhood voices, as revealed in a critical memo from Meeka Owens.

As Cincinnati gears up for election season, we can't afford to overlook the city's unfinished business. This episode sounds the alarm on the broader implications of the proposed 2026-2027 budget, touching on critical initiatives like regionalizing the water works and leasing golf courses, all stemming from the Futures Commission’s agenda. We urge you to arm yourself with knowledge—review the commission’s report and Meeka Owens' insights on CincinnatiWatchdog.com. Staying informed is crucial as we navigate these pivotal issues and prepare to make informed choices at the polls.