Kevin is getting comfortable with his new teaching schedule - his written pieces will return next week!William Lutz has been a contributing columnist for the Troy (OH) Daily News and the Piqua (OH) Daily Call. He is a non-profit executive director and a lauded veteran of local government. He is also a graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio earning a Bachelor of Science in Urban Affairs and a Master of Public Administration.
In addition to offering consulting services with his own company - Bill now writes a daily newsletter focusing on greater Miami County, Bethel Township, (Troy and Piqua specifically) via the Substack platform Civic Capacity.
In this engaging episode, Bill, Kevin, Jordan, and Tim go deep into the dynamics shaping Ohio's local communities. They kick things off with a friendly debate over the high school football contrasts between Massillon/Mansfield and Troy/Piqua, before tackling the ins and outs of township government, annexations, and the ever-important topic of water capacity.
The conversation moves to the larger and always fascinating relationship between county and township administrations – who calls the shots, and who falls in line? They also explore what happens when that old farm suddenly becomes prime real estate: who wants it, and for what purpose?
Shifting gears, the crew navigates the world of “New Media,” residential development trends, and the often-overlooked inner workings of local government. They touch on plate readers and camera surveillance, and the risks posed by massive data collection in our communities.
Sharing a bit of insight into his own process, Bill shares that he writes from the perspective of a storyteller, trying hard to translate complex topics into relatable information every resident can understand. On cue, the episode takes a dramatic turn with the story of a historic courthouse in Troy, almost lost to a surprise midnight demolition attempt (among other mischievous maneuvers).
They dig into the murky waters of defining "blight" for municipal gain, and discuss the popularity of financial mechanisms like TIF (among others) in Bill’s area. The group then explores the limitations facing municipalities that lack their own development power and are regularly pushed towards public-private partnerships.
Bill offers his take on the overall state of Ohio's economy and local government missions, while comparing how "Development Corporations" operate in Troy and Hilliard. The episode wraps up with a look at how these communities lean on their unique strengths, the evolution of township governments, and Bill’s five-year forecast for building better local leadership and outcomes.
William Lutz of Civic Capacity - HBAC 77