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PODCAST

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser

Joe Strecker Productions

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 belowhttps://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP19/20150225/102984/HHRG-114-AP19-Bio-ZinserT-20150225.pdfHe will keep an eye out on all the shenanigans in Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati. Nothing gets by Todd Zinser...the Citizen Watchdog

government

All Episodes

18:48

Dissecting Cincinnati's $8.1 million Settlement

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/12/11

In this episode, Citizen Watchdog Todd Zinser discusses the recent $8.1 million settlement approved by the Cincinnati City Council regarding a class action lawsuit stemming from the protests following George Floyd's death. He examines the public's reaction, the council's handling of the situation, and the broader implications for law and order in the community.Chapters00:00 Cincinnati's $8.1 Million Settlement Overview11:49 Public Reaction and City Council's Response17:06 Implications for Law and

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18:18

Inside the City's Lead Pipe Scandal

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/11/27

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

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21:28

Fraud Indicators in the WIC Program

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/11/18

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

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20:54

Holding Leaders Accountable in Cincinnati

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/11/10

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

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26:49

Breaking down Mayor Aftab's "Accomplishments"

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/10/31

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

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22:13

The Collaborative Agreement Refresh

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/10/20

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.

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26:41

Reviewing of Iris Roley's contracts

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/10/06

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,

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14:10

Mayor's Conflict of Interest With Nonprofit

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/09/29

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."

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20:42

Rethinking Safety in Our Cities

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/09/15

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

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25:04

Mismanaged Resources in Cincinnati's Lead Pipe Program

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/09/08

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

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19:12

Rethinking City Decisions and Upcoming Elections

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/09/04

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

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28:52

Todd Zinser LIVE with George Brunemann from...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/08/28

Join George Brunemann from RestoreLiberty.US for an engaging conversation with Cincinnati expert and former Inspector General Todd Zinser, who pulls back the curtain on the city's most pressing challenges. Todd, known for his podcast "Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser," brings his insider knowledge to explore the complexities of crime data accuracy and governance that are impacting Cincinnati's public safety landscape. In the wake of a viral video from the jazz festival, Todd shares his firsthand

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23:47

Eliminating District 5 Who's Watching Out for Safety?

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/08/22

Cincinnati's controversial decision to eliminate Police District 5 is stirring up more than just civic debate; it's reshaping the city's entire crime landscape. With a surge in violent incidents, including a high-profile downtown episode and the heartrending murder of Patrick Heringer, the repercussions of this restructuring are both immediate and profound. Our exploration uncovers the disconcerting lack of communication from city officials as they grapple with escalating violence, while hastily

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21:41

Tensions Between City Law Enforcement, the...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/08/12

What are the secrets behind Cincinnati's groundbreaking approach to reducing violence and promoting public safety. Todd will guide you through the fascinating journey of the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) and its deep ties to the city's Collaborative Agreement, revealing how a focused deterrence strategy spearheaded by Dr. Garcia and David Kennedy took shape. Along the way, learn about the roles played by city officials like Cecil Thomas and Mayor Mallory, and Iris Roley.Let's focus

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17:23

System Failures - Investigating the Tragedy of...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/08/06

This episode promises to shed light on the critical oversights in the handling of Mordecai Black, spotlighting alarming gaps in parole supervision and inter-agency communication. Join Todd as he dissects the complexities surrounding the case, driven by Sarah Heringer’s fervent calls for a transparent timeline and accountability from the authorities. We will scrutinize the role of halfway houses, GPS monitoring, and the puzzling actions of the Cincinnati Police Department as we explore how these

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25:06

Sarah Heringer's Demands

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/07/28

Patrick Heringer's murder shouldn't just be another statistic lost in Cincinnati's rising crime rates. We're demanding answers, accountability, and a commitment to change. Join Todd as he scrutinizes the city council's lackluster response and highlight Sarah Heringer's powerful calls for action. From her demand for a detailed timeline of failures to her push for a public safety audit, Sarah's voice echoes the frustrations of a community seeking justice. We dissect how systemic breakdowns allowed

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24:39

Cincinnati Financial Freedom Blueprint

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/07/23

This episode promises to guide you through the city's plan to boost financial stability, launched under the Cities for Financial Empowerment's City Start program. Unveiled in June 2023, this $2.125 million initiative tackles six pivotal areas, from managing delinquent debt to fostering job mobility, homeownership, and equity. We'll explore the city's commitment, reflected in a projected $11 million spend, and the urgent call for transparency in tracking these transformative interventions.Join Todd

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23:38

Charter Committee's Candidates

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/07/15

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

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18:35

Gun Violence and ACT for Cincy

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/07/08

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

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18:08

Cincinnati's Pension Liability

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2025/06/30

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

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40 results

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