Let's Talk Clermont

• Township–village relations and how to lower the temperature
• CRAs, annexation, and school/fire funding (including CJFED)
• Growth, density, and what “preserving character” could mean in practice
• Parks, green space, and quality-of-life investments
• Transparency, meetings, and engaging residents
• Rex’s track record (former village council member, former township clerk & administrator) and why he’s running again

• HB 28: Why Ohio has different levy types (additional, renewal, renewal + inc/dec, replacement), how HB 920 set the stage, and what HB 28 would do (eliminate replacement levies). Status check and a reminder to contact Sen. Terry Johnson if you’ve got a view.
  
  
• Context for CPS: What CPS actually does (screening, investigations, family-first services, removals only as a last resort), why confidentiality limits what they can say publicly, and how referrals work.
  
  
• The placement crisis: Fewer foster/residential beds, higher needs (acuity), workforce shortages, rising daily rates (avg ~$570/day for group homes; some residential placements >$1,000/day).
  
  
• Levy details (Clermont County CPS)
  • Ballot type: Renewal with a 0.2-mill increase (not a replacement).
  • Effective millage would move from 0.46 to 0.66, still below the original 0.8 mills.
  • Cost: $23.33 per $100k of home value per year (about $7 more per $100k than now).
  • Why ask now: Last year placement costs topped ~$7.5M; the existing levy brings in ~$3.6M and is used almost entirely for placement-related costs. Federal/state dollars cover other mandated services and prevention.
  • Scale: ~1,332 maltreatment investigations last year (~1,172 children served without removal); ~283 kids required placement.

• Tue, Oct 21 — 6:30–7:30 PM @ Williamsburg Library (tonight)
• Sat, Oct 25 — 12:30–1:30 PM @ Goshen Library
• Tue, Oct 28 — 6:30–7:30 PM @ Amelia Library
• Sat, Nov 1 — 1:30–3:30 PM @ Miami Township Library

• Value-for-value: first on-air producer mention goes to Dr. Kelly Scarf. Thank you!
  
  
• Tomorrow’s guest (Oct 22): Rex Parson, incumbent candidate for Batavia Township Trustee, campaign-focused follow-up.

• Animal Shelter remodel: funding breakdown and Oct 18 volunteer training
• New Richmond schedule changes (third-Tuesday winter meetings; Nov 3 & Nov 18 committee times)
• Union Township ESID annual meeting: Mon, Nov 3, 9:30 AM (UT Civic Center)
• Pierce Township BZA opening (alternate, 2-year term): apply via [email protected]
• Batavia zoning recap: Stonelick Ridge recommendation to deny; Drees Homes recommendation to approve with conditions
• Today’s guest: Danielle Wessel on transparency, fire/EMS funding, growth, CRAs/TIFs, and green space
• Next week’s guests: Dotty Meier & Anne Gross (CPS levy), Rex Parson (Batavia Township Trustee), Michael Kinner (Batavia Village Council)
• Help wanted: volunteer to recap local high-school sports

• HB 124 recap and where it stands now
• Tomorrow’s guest teaser: Danielle Wessel, Batavia Township Trustee candidate
• Kiwanis impact across Clermont County
• Fields of Honor opening ceremonies Saturday, Nov. 1

• Dedicate or sponsor a flag: https://k20220.site.kiwanis.org/
• Send tips, guests, or events: [email protected]
• Follow on Facebook & Instagram and join the Thursday newsletter

• HB 113, simplified: why contiguity and acreage caps matter, and how a “merits” review could slow rubber-stamped annexations.
• Parks & trails: volunteer-built paths, invasive honeysuckle removal, and the case for year-round facilities.
• Sidewalks, bikes, traffic & parking: connecting neighborhoods to downtown, ideas for a second river crossing, and rethinking the Loveland-Madeira corridor (safer, more walkable, business-friendly).
• Public transit & school busing: what a small, smart system might look like.

We start off with quick county news on the M/I Homes referendum fight headed to the Ohio Supreme Court, then we talk with West Clermont School Board candidate Rich Glisson to discuss school funding, pensions, and how to rebuild trust with voters.

You’ll hear:

-A brief primer on Ohio’s five public pension systems and how “pickup” arrangements work, especially STRS “pickup on the pickup.”

-Why Rich favors an earned income tax approach (and how it could track growth) alongside sunsetting certain property taxes.

-A candid look at entry-level teacher pay, a top-heavy admin structure, and ideas to move dollars closer to classrooms.

-Concerns about legal spend vs. peer districts and the value of public, on-record questioning by the board.

-Coordination gaps among township, county, and schools on growth, TIFs, and capacity and how to fix them with real communication.

We finish with a quick events rundown for Oct. 10–18 across Clermont County.

Correction noted in-episode: When discussing tax options, Rich clarifies an earned income tax applies to residents who live in the district, not everyone who works there.

Bills mentioned: HB 473 (pickup prohibition), HB 280/SB 239 (OP&F employer rate), HB 73 (OPERS DROP for law enforcement), HB 413 (state/local spend database), HB 96 (FY26–27 budget; STRS governance), SB 69 (retirement reform intent).

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Episode 26 of Let's Talk Clermont. We start with a quick look at news from around the county. Clermont Sun’s 2025–26 resource guide, a mystery odor in New Richmond, a Pierce Township BZA notice (Oct 15), and a major Batavia Township hearing (Oct 9) to rezone ~425 acres near Lexington Run. Then we sit down with John Harper, a lifelong Batavia resident, pharmacy lead tech, and Air Force vet running for township trustee. Harper talks slow-growth instincts, recording and publishing meetings, and annexation/CRA tensions with the Village. We also touch family, faith, and why “property rights” and “pacing growth” don’t have to be opposites. As always, we close out with some county events.

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Episode 25 of Let's Talk Clermont. We start with quick county updates Tate Twp land-use survey & a Sept 22 zoning session, New Richmond’s America 250 mural & Liberty Landing work, Bethel-Tate school ratings, and Loveland’s new assistance hub. Then we sit down with Denise Harrison and Jamaica Sturgill from The Plane Street Coffee House & Café in Bethel to talk restaurant life, small-town revival, and their push to lower athletic fees so more kids can play.

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Episode 24 of Let's Talk Clermont. We start with a quick roundup of Clermont County news. ODNR’s call to report EHD in deer, Goshen’s proposed redevelopment of Eagles Nest, and Milford’s Oakwood Apartments trash problems. Then we sit down with Deidre Hazelbaker, candidate for Loveland City Council. We talk about thoughtful growth, river and greenspace protection, traffic, better city communications, PFAS/water concerns, and how schools and the city can work together. Plus, why a balanced business mix matters, and what campaigning really takes.

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