Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser cover art

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser

By: Joe Strecker Productions
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About this listen

 The city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are run by the same party. There is no overight or dissenting voice....this is where Todd Zinser comes in. Todd bio is below

https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP19/20150225/102984/HHRG-114-AP19-Bio-ZinserT-20150225.pdf

He will keep an eye out on all the shenanigans in Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati. Nothing gets by Todd Zinser...the Citizen WatchdogCopyright Joe Strecker Productions Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Charter Committee's Candidates

    Charter Committee's Candidates
    Jul 15 2025
    Reflecting on my early days in Cincinnati politics, I recall the challenges faced by non-Democratic candidates trying to make their mark in a predominantly one-party city. This episode brings those memories into sharp focus as we introduce the Charter Committee's latest slate of candidates for the 2025 City Council elections. With Laketa Cole, Steve Goodin, Don Driehaus, Dawn Johnson, and Aaron Weiner on board, there's palpable excitement about their potential to reshape the city's governance. We explore the Charter Committee's esteemed history, while examining the hurdles these non-Democratic contenders might face.

    The episode takes a thoughtful look at the Charter Committee's stances on pressing issues, such as public safety and economic development in underrepresented neighborhoods like Bond Hill and Avondale. This discussion naturally pivots to Mayor Aftab Pureval's ambitious plans to redefine the Democratic Party through his Majority Democrat initiative and the tangible effects of his policies, including the Green Cincinnati Plan. As we speculate on the political dynamics that could unfold, the anticipation is high for the Charter Committee to catalyze significant conversations around Cincinnati's future. This is more than just an election campaign; it's a potential turning point for the city's political landscape.
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    24 mins
  • Gun Violence and ACT for Cincy

    Gun Violence and ACT for Cincy
    Jul 8 2025
    Gun violence is one of Cincinnati's gravest issues, but is the ACT for Cincy initiative truly making a difference, or is it another instance of big promises with little follow-through? Join Todd as he scrutinizes the allocation of $3 million towards community grants, dissecting components like Boots on the Ground, Safe and Clean, and the Human Services Violence Reduction Fund. Despite the fanfare, the mayor's silence on this topic during his recent Cincinnati Edition appearance speaks volumes about the initiative's impact, or perhaps the lack thereof.

    Turning our attention to the city's financial health, we question the transparency and results of Cincinnati's financial freedom blueprint. What are the true outcomes of initiatives like the $800,000 spent on "Boots on the Ground"? Can such social spending eventually sink the city into fiscal instability? We'll discuss our concerns about these potentially risky financial maneuvers and ponder the implications for Cincinnati's future.
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    19 mins
  • Cincinnati's Pension Liability

    Cincinnati's Pension Liability
    Jun 30 2025
    Cincinnati's pension crisis looms larger than ever, and ignoring it isn't an option. The city's current approach—with a $64 million surplus just sitting on the sidelines—is stagnating progress. Asset sales are a band-aid, not a cure, and the risks involved in regionalizing the waterworks make it a gamble we can't afford to lose. Our episode spotlights the city's hesitance to act on the straightforward advice from pension trust trustees: incrementally increase employer contributions. This simple yet effective strategy could revitalize the pension fund by 2045. Instead, Cincinnati's priorities lie elsewhere, leaving one of its most critical financial obligations in jeopardy.

    Join Todd as he scrutinizes the city's financial strategies and call for an urgent reallocation of resources. Redirecting surplus funds to tackle urgent pension liabilities, deferred maintenance, and infrastructure deficits is not just prudent, but essential for ensuring the financial stability of both the city and its employees. We argue for a shift in focus from new commitments to honoring existing promises, like those to the pension participants. Together, let's address these looming liabilities head-on, making sure they no longer overshadow Cincinnati's financial future.
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    18 mins

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