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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

42:09

Todd interviews Ralph Hodge

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/03/18

Todd Zinser explores the complexities of local government investments, focusing on how public funds are managed, invested, and overseen. Guest Ralph Hodge shares insights on investment strategies, transparency, and fiduciary responsibilities in the public sector.

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29:22

The Rising 15 - Motions, Reparations, and Their...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/03/05

In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the Rising 15 neighborhoods in Cincinnati and the proposed reparations program aimed at addressing historical injustices related to housing discrimination. He explores the historical context of Cincinnati's housing policies, the various motions related to the Rising 15, and the implications of the reparations motion introduced by city officials. The conversation delves into the funding sources for the reparations program, the challenges it may face, and the

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21:41

Ongoing challenges facing the Cincinnati retirement...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/02/23

Todd Zinser discusses the ongoing challenges facing the Cincinnati retirement system, particularly in light of a recent mediation regarding a class action lawsuit. The conversation delves into the funding status of the pension system, the implications of the Cincinnati Futures Commission's recommendations, and the potential regionalization of the city's waterworks as a means to address the pension deficit. The episode highlights the city's moral obligations to its retirees and the need for strategic

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26:07

The City's Inability to Spend All the Railway Money

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/02/17

In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the ongoing issues surrounding the Cincinnati railway trust fund and the city's struggle to effectively utilize the funds for infrastructure projects. He highlights the low percentage of funds spent, the challenges faced by the city in managing these resources, and the need for better accountability and transparency. Todd offers recommendations for improving the situation, including increasing the city's capacity to manage infrastructure projects and

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29:00

Citizen Watchdog - First year podcasting recap

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinser reflects on the past year of podcasting, discussing key themes such as public safety, railroad issues, internal audits, and ongoing investigations like the lead pipe scandal. He emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in city governance, highlighting conflicts of interest and the impact of COVID funds on local government. Looking ahead, Todd shares his plans for future initiatives and the importance of oversight in Cincinnati.

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23:55

Cincinnati's COVID Money Distribution and Oversight...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/02/02

In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinser delves into the complexities surrounding the COVID funding received by the city, exploring how the funds were categorized, the challenges in tracking their distribution, and the implications for future tax increases. He highlights the lack of transparency in spending and the need for accountability in how the funds were utilized, particularly concerning nonprofit support and budget stabilization efforts.

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21:32

Emergency Ordinances

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/01/29

In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the mechanics of passing legislation in city council, focusing on the increasing normalization of emergency ordinances. Todd highlights the implications of this trend on democracy, citizen engagement, and the legislative process. Through research and analysis, the Citizen Watchdog reveals the alarming frequency of emergency ordinances and the challenges they pose to public oversight and accountability. Todd calls for reform to ensure that citizens have a voice

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19:12

Understanding Truancy: The Hidden Crisis in...

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/01/20

In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, host Todd Zinser delves into the pressing issue of truancy in Cincinnati Public Schools. He highlights the significant impact that absenteeism has on students' learning environments and the overall school district. Zinser discusses the evolution of truancy management, noting the shift from traditional truant officers to absence intervention teams, which aim to address chronic absenteeism through a more supportive approach rather than punitive measures. He

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20:51

Proposed Income Tax Increase

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/01/12

In this episode, Todd Zinser discusses the recent proposal to increase the earnings tax in Cincinnati, examining the city's financial situation, including the impact of COVID relief funds and previous tax increases. Todd argues that the city has sufficient funds and questions the justification for the proposed tax hike, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in city budgeting.TakeawaysThe city has received significant revenue increases recently.COVID relief funds were intended for

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25:03

Raising Taxes

Citizen Watchdog with Todd Zinser ·

2026/01/05

In this episode of Citizen Watchdog, Todd Zinzer discusses the complexities of taxation in Cincinnati, focusing on the recent tax increases, historical context, and the implications of government spending. He critiques the current city council's approach to managing taxes and budgets, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency in public finance. The conversation also touches on the impact of property tax reassessments and the potential for earnings tax increases, urging

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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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