Link Ahead with the City of Dublin, Ohio

“I'm a diplomat more than an activist, and my career journey has been one of understanding.”  That's how Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend describes his role as a leader in service to his tribal community. Chief Friend joins Lindsay and Bruce, in part, to talk about November as National Native American Heritage month. But this conversation goes much deeper as the Wyandotte's roots are embedded here in Ohio and across the Midwest. The Wyandotte were the last tribe to leave Ohio in 1843. They helped settle great cities like Detroit and Kansas City, Kansas. These days, Chief Friend visits Ohio often, and he calls a nearby Ohio city one of the most interesting places he's ever been. He's also brought young Wyandotte from Oklahoma to Dublin to visit tribal landmarks here including the Leatherlips Monument. (Yes, the Wyandotte leader called Central Ohio home in the 19th century) You'll also want to listen for several sage pieces of advice from Chief Friend, as it's obvious he's a servant leader, passionate historian and tremendous storyteller. Chief Friend is the first tribal chief to join Link Ahead, and we're so honored he joined us!

The goal to become the most connected community in the U.S. has reached another milestone! Our 'Fiber to Every Home' initiative is underway, and some residents are already connected to this groundbreaking system. Construction began in April of this year and it's really ramping up now. In fact, please be on the look-out for mailers and doorhangers from altafiber because those are definite indicators construction is coming to your neighborhood. Joining Lindsay and Bruce to talk about all the details is Senior Director of Corporate Strategy and Development at altafiber, David Kramer. They discuss the construction timeline, the benefits of fiber optics, the powerful capabilities of this system and costs of various packages for our residents and businesses. As David says, 'nothing beats light over fiber' as next generation broadband with multi-gig internet service is here!

Did you know there's a sunken steamship in Lake Erie on the National Registry of Historic Places?  Or, that Ohio is near the top of the list for the most historic sites among ALL 50 states?  City Council Member Amy Kramb brings her encyclopedic wealth of historic knowledge of Dublin, of Ohio and of architecture to Link Ahead, and we promise you'll be smarter because of it!   She's a third generation Dublin resident who began her path to City leadership by volunteering.  That led to years of services on Dublin Boards and Commissions and now, City Council. Her career as an attorney and professional architectural historian truly rounds out her passions for public service with historic reverence, good governance and public input. Plus, you have to stay tuned for rapid fire questions from Lindsay and Bruce as Amy tells us which historians she'd invite to dinner and what Ohio treat she'd serve them!    

Did you know now is a good time to head to your favorite garden center, as prices are lower? Even though fall is here, you have all kinds of options for a gorgeous autumn garden, and we have a couple of true experts to help you set it up! Tim Fleischer and Matt Guthrie are horticulturists for the City, and you've seen and likely admired their work all over town — from our parks to roundabouts. Tim and Matt also share insider secrets with Lindsay and Bruce, like what tools they can't live without and the must-haves to get through hot summer days and cold winter ones, too. Having trouble with deer munching on your plants? The guys share their favorite pungent perennials to keep the animals away. This episode is also another first for Link Ahead as we actually discuss another podcast series. That's because Tim and Matt have launched their own horticulture podcast, and the title is just about perfect.

A phone call comes into Dublin City Hall many months ago from a local family looking to sell their property and business.  That's how this whole thing began as you'll get the inside scoop from a family member herself.  Fast forward to today, the deal is poised to transform the West Innovation District into a transportation, sports and recreation mecca! Dublin is purchasing nearly 250 acres that include SportsOhio, Shepherd Excavating and Carter Farms. Among many options from this strategic investment, think of the symbiotic combination of SportsOhio with Darree Fields to create a dynamic sports complex to attract teams, fans and events from all over the country. Additionally, when combined with land the City previously acquired across the railroad tracks to the east, the Carter Farms parcels provide us with a prime location for a future passenger rail station, which is being studied right now. City Manager Megan O'Callaghan and Samantha Shepherd of SportsOhio join Lindsay and Bruce to talk about this historic investment, plus behind-the-scenes details on how it all got started with one phone call.

We hope you have heard of Envision Dublin, but if not, don’t worry — this episode is the perfect crash course! Envision Dublin is our city’s comprehensive master plan, a strategic roadmap guiding everything from large-scale developments and transportation initiatives to everyday details like sidewalk design and enhancing safety for our most vulnerable residents.

At the heart of these efforts is Jenny Rauch, our dedicated Director of Community Planning and Development. With two decades of service to Dublin, Jenny is deeply committed to balancing community input with expert recommendations. Whether she’s engaging with residents at public meetings or integrating feedback from City Council and consultants, Jenny’s role requires both meticulous planning and attentive listening.

Jenny often jokes about her “degree in coloring,” but it’s her keen eye for detail and passion for thoughtful urban design that truly shine. She’ll also share her humorous struggle to “turn off” her planning mindset when she visits other cities.

Whether you’re new to the conversation or ready to dive deeper, your voice matters in shaping Dublin’s future!

Ohio State University Women's Basketball Coach Kevin McGuff has access to the best workout facilities in the country at OSU. But many days, where does he choose to get his sweat on? At the Dublin Community Recreation Center! That says a lot: not just where he and his family choose to live, go to school and prosper but how he stays grounded and connected to our community as a whole. Coach McGuff actually joined us during what he calls his busiest time of year - the offseason. That's not a typo. You'll hear him tell it, but the basketball season itself is the grind of practices and games. The offseason is EVERYTHING else it takes to run one of the country's premiere women's programs: recruiting, massive travel, roster management, coaching appearances, off-season workouts; the list goes on. Plus, he and his wife, Letitia, have six children! Two are playing college basketball and the other four attend Dublin City Schools. Speaking of which, you have to hear what Coach McGuff says about Dublin Coffman's own, Jacy Sheldon, who was the fifth overall pick in the WNBA draft this year after an outstanding career at Ohio State. Sheldon is also the first Coffman player ever drafted into the WNBA!

He's a YouTube sensation, co-winner of the 2022 Steve Martin Banjo Prize, has toured the world many times and, as the Irish American News put it, 'Enda does things on the banjo that should be impossible.'  He is Enda Scahill and he's been playing the Dublin Irish Festival for 10 years now!  Enda joined Bruce and Lindsay from his studio in Ireland for this episode where he said Dublin, Ohio has become a second home to him. From the organization of the festival itself to the passion of the audiences,  Enda says musicians worldwide know our festival is THE one to play.  Enda drops some knowledge bombs, too, including a favorite coffee shop that he says serves some of the best in the world.  He also had a local haircut experience involving falling asleep in the chair and waking up to a big surprise. Plus, you have to stay until the end of the episode when Enda picks up his banjo and gives us a musical preview of the 2024 Dublin Irish Festival!  

23 million albums, multiple Grammy nominations and a four-time Female Vocalist of the Year who's recorded more than 20 top 10 singles including six number one hits! We're talking country music royalty - the legendary Martina McBride. She headlines our 2024 Independence Day Celebration at Coffman Stadium. So, what goes into planning one of Dublin's signature events and how are we able to book dynamic headliners year after year? The woman who leads our team in doing just that is Community Events Director, Alison LeRoy. She has the scoop on just about every touring performer and band out there because her job involves talking to everybody. But summer in Dublin is much more than the 4th. Alison joins Lindsay and Bruce to unveil details on weeks' worth of incredible events happening at Riverside Crossing Park: from Workout Wednesdays to Cinema Saturdays, there's something for the kids and adults alike. Have your smartphone calendar handy because this episode is full of events you'll want to plan right now!