«This Episode was recorded March 20th - The day after Hilliard’s punishing windstorm and the afternoon of the public Ohio EPA meeting at The Well»
Welcome everyone!
Our show opens with a look at the aftermath of high winds ripping across Hilliard leaving behind scattered damage but a quick community response. Tim shares what he’s seeing on the ground in the roofing and siding business, with homeowners dealing with missing shingles, hanging siding, and a wave of insurance claims that are getting harder to push through. Kevin adds reporting from the city side, where crews worked hard clearing fallen trees and keeping critical infrastructure like lift stations running. The overall picture is getting familiar for Ohio: rough weather, but a solid local response.
From there, we shift to township government, where Trish Barker has been appointed to fill a township trustee seat after a fast-moving selection process. With three new trustees now in place, the group discusses what this turnover could mean for decision-making in the township. Early issues like the recurring Ridgewood neighborhood parking problems, long-range sidewalk planning, and the upcoming Big Darby Accord review are already on the table. While much of the administrative structure remains steady, there’s a sense that the tone and direction of leadership could be evolving.
In our final stretch Jordan digs into a regional concern: how energy projects are being approved across Ohio. There’s a sharpening double standard in matters like a proposed solar project in Morrow County that’s faced preposterous resistance and our very own fossil fuel-backed hyperscale data center in Hilliard that’s setting records for quick approvals of unproven technology. With an Ohio EPA appeal already in process and a related meeting on deck, The Beacon asks how these decisions are really being made and who they ultimately serve.
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