Everything Is Local

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The Beachwood Library Controversy: The latest developments in the proposed library relocation, growing community opposition, and why residents are demanding answers before the project moves forward.

• Where’s the Money Going? Questions about the true cost of the project, the city's financial commitments, the school district's responsibilities, and the still-unknown price tag for rebuilding the athletic fields.

• Transparency or Damage Control? A heated discussion about closed-door meetings, public input, accusations of misinformation, and why the hosts believe community members deserve clear and honest answers from elected officials.

• The Fight Over Youth Sports: What happens to Beachwood's athletic programs if the existing fields disappear, whether the proposed replacement space is realistic, and why the promise of 73% more field space is being questioned.

• What Happens to the Old Library? The debate over demolishing the existing building, whether another school could purchase and use the property, and what that decision could mean for the community.

• The Impact on Students: A closer look at how moving the library could affect middle school students who use it after school, including transportation, independence, access, and the practical challenges of getting students between buildings.

• Election Day Is Here: Mike and Shana discuss Ohio's political races, Sherrod Brown, Vivek Ramaswamy, campaign controversies, polling, and their predictions for several key races.

• Plus: Bernie Kosar texts, Halloween candy sticker shock, winning buckets of booze, political fundraising, theater investments, celebrity connections, and plenty of laughs along the way.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• Beachwood’s $30 Million Library Debate: Residents are demanding a public hearing, a complete project budget, and a clear timeline before officials move forward with the proposed library relocation.

• Where Are the Fields? Questions surrounding claims of 73% more playing space, unfunded recreation plans, the removal of mature trees, and potential traffic and neighborhood impacts.

• Who’s Paying for the Entire Project? Why residents want a comprehensive breakdown of the costs involving the library, school district, city, renovations, transportation, maintenance, and the future of the existing library building.

• A Young Resident’s Perspective: Jack joins the conversation to explain how relocating the library could affect middle schoolers who rely on its computers and teen area, especially after school.

• The Push for Public Input: A look at the Beachwood FIRST website and petition calling for additional studies and greater transparency before major decisions are made.

• Ohio Politics Heating Up: A discussion of the Senate race, Sherrod Brown, campaign strategy, and a controversial political advertisement attracting attention.

• Cleveland Guardians Playoff Heartbreak: Mike reflects on playoff baseball, Gavin Williams’ potential arm injury, the team's future, and what Cleveland might look like with a bigger payroll.

• Plus: Halloween party stories, bar mitzvah memories, questionable flavored vodka, and a spirited debate over whether Arby’s really deserves all the hate.

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In Episode 77 of Everything Is Local, Matt and Shana dive into the latest controversy surrounding Beachwood’s proposed library, the future of local youth sports and a wide-ranging discussion about politics, elections and the issues shaping the country.

• Why the proposed $30 million Beachwood library continues to face criticism over its cost, the loss of recreational fields and unanswered questions about who will pay for the necessary engineering work.

• The backlash to a letter sent to residents about the library project, why its tone has frustrated community members and whether officials are listening to the people they represent.

• What the proposed library plans could mean for book collections, public events, youth sports and the families who rely on Beachwood’s existing facilities.

• Why residents are demanding more transparency, independent impact studies and a public meeting before the library project moves forward.

• The latest political developments heading into the midterm elections, including competitive Senate races, the state of the House and whether Democrats could make major gains in traditionally Republican territory.

• A discussion about political endorsements, campaign fundraising and why some candidates are struggling to connect with voters.

• The debate over congressional decorum, the growing influence of online political commentators and the First Amendment questions surrounding a controversial Ohio case.

• Why the Cleveland Guardians need to make the most of their playoff run, the frustration of small-market baseball and the looming possibility of a major MLB labor dispute.

• Plus, a look back at the 2016 World Series, the Browns’ unexpected win and the sports-related superstitions Cleveland fans just can’t shake.

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In Episode 76 of Everything Is Local, Mike and Shana break down the latest developments surrounding Beachwood’s proposed library project, local spending and the community’s future, along with a heated conversation about consent and college culture.

• Why the proposed $30 million Beachwood library could mean fewer recreational fields, expensive engineering work and major safety concerns near Fairmount Boulevard.

• The unanswered questions about who will pay to rebuild the fields, when they’ll reopen and whether the city and school district are passing responsibility back and forth.

• Why the hosts are questioning the school district’s changing explanations about the library plans, public access to athletic fields and a new policy restricting informal field use.

• How the loss of recreational space could affect youth baseball, softball and soccer, particularly kids who rely on local leagues rather than travel sports.

• The financial concerns surrounding Beachwood’s infrastructure projects, including millions already committed to engineering work and whether the city can afford the projects it is planning.

• A candid discussion about the Cornell sexual-assault case, consent, fraternity culture, bystander responsibility and the way public figures discuss the people involved.

• What the conversation reveals about college social life, changing attitudes toward sex and the importance of holding people accountable without losing sight of empathy.

• Plus, Cleveland Guardians playoff nerves, Browns frustrations, baseball memories and a few reminders about upcoming Beachwood community fundraisers.

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In this episode of Everything Is Local, Mike and Shana dig into several local issues before getting into a much bigger national conversation:

• Why Beachwood teenagers were reportedly told they could not use the Fairmount fields when the fields were not being used, and what the school district's facility-use policy actually says about community access.

• The frustration over changing explanations for why the kids were removed from the fields, and the larger questions about accountability and oversight within the school district.

• How the fight over access to the fields connects directly to the proposed $30 million Beachwood library and the concern over losing even more athletic space in a community that already has limited fields.

• The city's effort to declare the Fairmount Temple property “blighted,” why the hosts question the reasoning behind the designation, and what it could mean for a potential future property-tax incentive.

• The $8 million purchase price for the Fairmount property, why developers may not be willing to pay anywhere near that amount and the debate over whether taxpayers should ultimately absorb the difference.

• The broader tension between local tax incentives and Cuyahoga County's financial struggles, particularly when it comes to health and human services and other safety-net programs.

• A lengthy and heated discussion about the Cornell University sexual-assault case, consent, changing perceptions of sexual behavior and the responsibilities of students who witness questionable situations.

• What parents should be teaching their kids about consent, relationships, group-chat culture and recognizing when a situation crosses a line.

• The conversation takes a few unexpected turns into college culture, Alabama football, dress codes, “side boob” and the changing social norms around dating and sex.

• Plus, a surprisingly deep discussion about the death penalty, wrongful convictions and whether the state should have the power to execute someone.

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In this episode of Everything Is Local, Shana, Mike and Matt break down the latest developments surrounding Beachwood’s proposed new library and the controversial Fairmount Temple property:

• The latest library plans, including the proposed auditorium, private study spaces, maker room and the impact the project could have on Beachwood’s remaining youth sports fields.

• Why the school district’s plan to move engineering classes into the current library raises major questions about transportation, classroom time, operating costs and whether the idea has actually been studied.

• The growing frustration over the library’s planning process, including the claim that more than $1 million was spent planning a library at the current site before it was determined the property was too small.

• The City Council meeting, public comments and the criticism surrounding how community members were given an opportunity to ask questions about the new library design.

• The proposed $30 million-scale library project and the debate over whether a large auditorium is actually necessary when other nearby facilities already offer large event spaces.

• The Fairmount Temple property, the city’s $8 million purchase and the revelation that developers may be willing to pay substantially less than what Beachwood paid for the land.

• What declaring the Fairmount Temple property “blighted” could mean, including the potential use of property-tax incentives and the impact that could have on county-funded health and human services, developmental disability programs and other safety-net services.

• Questions surrounding who is responsible for paying for the library-related infrastructure, parking and sports-field improvements, and why the city and school district appear to be giving different answers.

• Whether Beachwood City Council will ultimately approve the proposed “blighted” designation and how residents can make their opinions known before the next steps are taken.

• Plus, a few detours into Mike’s championship softball tournament, The Dukes of Hazzard and some classic TV nostalgia.

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In this episode, Mike, Shana, Matt take a deep dive into the proposed new Beachwood library and the questions surrounding the project:

• The latest presentation for the proposed library and why the new plans for the surrounding sports fields are raising even more questions.

• The massive amount of dirt and engineering that could be required to level the property, and the unanswered question of who will actually pay for that work.

• Why moving the library could significantly reduce the space available for Little League, softball, soccer, and other youth sports, especially after the loss of Hilltop.

• The idea of moving high school engineering classes into the current library building and the practical questions about how students would actually get there every day.

• Why the existing Beachwood library is still heavily used, particularly by middle school students who rely on it as an after-school gathering, study, and activity space.

• Whether the community has actually been given a meaningful opportunity to weigh in on moving the library, and why the hosts believe the public needs more information before major decisions are made.

• The broader question of spending priorities, including the proposed $30 million library and Cuyahoga County's need for additional funding for health and human services and other community safety-net programs.

• The upcoming City Council meeting and why the hosts believe residents should attend, ask questions, and make their opinions known before the library project moves any further.

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This is another great episode where Shana and Matt talk about:

• The controversial TIF proposal in Orange Village and why they believe the plan could divert tax revenue that voters intended for schools and other public services.

• The growing criticism of Orange City Council, including questions about whether council members are doing enough to challenge the mayor and scrutinize major decisions.

• The development of new housing in Orange and whether the community really needs more expensive residential units competing with nearby cities.

• The decline of youth sports and recreation programs in local communities, and why access to fields, facilities and organized sports matters for families.

• The debate over Ohio politics, including the upcoming governor's race, candidates' positions on voting laws and transgender athletes, and what makes someone qualified to lead the state.

• The importance of political candidates being willing to communicate, debate and listen to the people they represent instead of simply relying on party politics.

• The influence of wealthy business leaders and billionaires in American politics, along with a larger conversation about Donald Trump, political polarization and whether either major party is actually getting it right.

• Why local government matters so much and why voters should pay attention to their city councils, mayors and local decisions instead of only focusing on national politics.

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With Mike currently away with family, this is another great episode where Shana and Matt talk about:

• The history and controversy surrounding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including the Green Line, Areas A, B and C, and how the Oslo Accords divided the territory.

• Why hundreds of thousands of Israelis live beyond the Green Line and the different political, religious and economic reasons behind the settlements.

• The differences between Zionism and religious Zionism, and how Jewish historical and religious connections to the land influence the settlement debate.

• The 1947 UN partition plan, the creation of Israel, the 1948 war and how those events shaped the borders and political realities that exist today.

• The complicated history of Palestinians, Jordanians and Israelis in the region, including the question of whether the absence of a historic sovereign Palestinian state determines modern questions of sovereignty and political rights.

• The role of religion and history in the conflict, including access to Jerusalem's holy sites and why the city remains so important to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

• The Law of Return, the Holocaust, Jewish displacement and the different ways Israelis and Palestinians understand the history of displacement and belonging.

• Whether Israel can negotiate the future while continuing to change the reality on the ground through settlement policy, and why understanding the nuance and history behind these issues is so important.

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With Mike currently away with family, this is another great episode where Shana and Matt talk about:

• The ongoing debate over moving the Beachwood library and what that could mean for the school fields and students who currently use the library after school.

• The problems with the Hilltop and Halcyon roundabout and how Matt finally got the confusing stop and yield signs addressed after years of pushing the issue.

• Why South Woodland and Solon Road needs better pedestrian safety for people crossing to the Solon Road Circle.

• Beachwood football and the excitement surrounding the team.

• The conversation turns national and international as they discuss Israel, the E1 development area, the two-state solution and what E1 could mean for the future of Israel and a potential Palestinian state.

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This is a great episode where Mike, Shana, and Matt Hildebrand talk about:

• The three property tax increases Beachwood residents are facing in 2027 and why the average homeowner could see a net increase of about $887.

• Why Beachwood City Council quietly increased the city's inside mills from 1.6 to 4 mills, generating millions of dollars in additional revenue.

• Beachwood's spending, the mayor's new $50,000 car, his salary increases, and whether the city really has a revenue problem or a spending problem.

• The controversy surrounding the city's purchase of the Fairmount Temple property for $8 million and the city's apparent plans to classify the property as a blighted or urban renewal area.

• How an urban renewal designation could allow Beachwood to divert millions of dollars in property tax revenue away from the school district and county agencies.

• Why Orange Village and Cuyahoga County officials have begun pushing back against tax increment financing and other development incentives.

• Questions surrounding Mayor Justin Berns, his brother's involvement in a proposed development, and why the timing of when the mayor learned about his brother's involvement has raised questions.

• Why Bob Hardesty copied Beachwood City Council on his correspondence about the situation and made it clear that the school district could not support the proposal.

• Questions about what was discussed during an executive session and whether the discussion was appropriate given the stated purpose of that meeting.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The proposed new Beachwood library and why the plan to build it on the community's main sports fields has become such a controversial issue.

• Why the current library's existing meeting space, the proposed auditorium, and the nearly $30 million price tag have Mike and Shana questioning whether the project is actually necessary.

• The lack of a clear plan for replacing the sports fields that would be lost if the library is built at the proposed location.

• The upcoming Planning and Zoning meeting and why August 27th could be an important date for the future of the library project.

• The lack of transparency surrounding the library discussions and why so many important details have been discussed in executive sessions rather than in front of the public.

• A proposed TIF in Orange Village and a contentious City Council meeting where council members began questioning the administration about the financial details of the development.

• Why TIFs and other development incentives deserve more scrutiny from residents and why elected officials should be willing to question their own administration.

• The differences between Beachwood and Orange Village when it comes to local government, public meetings, transparency, and how elected officials handle difficult questions.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The ongoing debate over parking at the Beachwood pool and playground, including whether residents should have priority parking and the challenges created by the new $4 million playground.
• Their thoughts on pickleball, the movie The Dink, and whether the sport has officially become the new “easy tennis.”
• The upcoming preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk case, questions surrounding the evidence, the videos of Tyler Robinson, and why so much of the case still doesn't seem to make sense.
• The JFK assassination, conspiracy theories, reasonable doubt, and why Mike thinks people have become more willing to question official versions of major events.
• The debate surrounding Charlie Kirk's comments, DEI, hiring based on qualifications versus representation, and whether students should have teachers who look like them.
• Changes in the Beachwood school district, new students coming into the district, athletics, and the importance of representation for students from different backgrounds.
• The COVID-19 pandemic, school shutdowns, vaccines, Anthony Fauci, his newly discussed diary, and whether there should be more accountability for the decisions made during the pandemic.
• The importance of questioning science, what public health officials got wrong, and whether the country learned anything that could help if another pandemic happens.
• Plus plenty of Cleveland Guardians baseball, local sports, family stories, and the usual political arguments and random conversations.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• Mike getting called for jury duty on a double murder case and the comments that quickly got him dismissed from the jury pool.
• The growing controversy surrounding proposed automated traffic cameras in Beachwood and whether they are really about safety or generating revenue.
• Frustration with city council transparency, emergency legislation, and how major decisions are being communicated to residents.
• The proposed new library project, concerns over losing baseball and softball fields, and larger questions about city planning and priorities.
• The Fairmount Temple TIF discussion and ongoing debates over development, taxes, and the future direction of Beachwood.
• Parenting middle schoolers, academic struggles, sports pressure, and learning how to handle failure and adversity.
• Youth baseball tournaments, soccer debates, Cleveland sports frustrations, and the chaos of raising competitive kids.

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With Mike away, this is a great episode where Shana and the crew talk about:

• Amy Acton’s campaign for Ohio governor, her stance on data centers, and what voters want to hear from candidates heading into election season.

• The state of Democratic politics, Sherrod Brown, campaign messaging, and the challenge of connecting national political strategies with what actually matters to local voters.

• Rising grocery prices, shrinkflation, food deserts, WIC, and whether government-backed grocery stores could actually make food more affordable.

• The dramatic differences in home prices across Cuyahoga County, including Beachwood, Cleveland, and East Cleveland, and what those numbers say about the communities around us.

• Whether celebrities and professional athletes should be expected to use their platforms for political and social causes, plus the impact people like LeBron James and MrBeast can have through philanthropy.

And, of course, there’s plenty of Everything is Local chaos along the way — from iced coffee strategies and Costco bills to teenage appetites and whatever rabbit hole the internet sends the crew down next.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The growing concerns surrounding The Vantage apartments, ongoing code violations, and what the City of Beachwood can (and can't) do to help residents.
• The future of Beachwood Place Mall, changing retail trends, and what the loss of major department stores could mean for the city's economy.
• The debate over tax increment financing (TIFs), redevelopment projects, and how public incentives should be used.
• Local politics, the upcoming election, and why voters should pay close attention to the issues affecting their own communities.
• Summer travel, Tim McGraw, Hersheypark, baseball season, Joey Fatone, and plenty of laughs along the way.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• Why the proposed Fairmount Temple TIF has become one of the most controversial issues currently facing the city.
• The debate surrounding Beachwood's inside mill levies, sewer frontage assessments, and how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
• The University Heights home synagogue case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court and what the decision could mean for local zoning laws.
• Akron Children's Hospital's plans for the former Notre Dame College campus.
• Summer baseball, fireworks, city services, and why local residents should pay closer attention to local government decisions.

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Mike is back, and Episode 62 covers everything from birthday gifts and backyard chaos to one of the biggest debates happening inside the Democratic Party today.

This week's conversation includes:

• Mike's return to the podcast after missing last week's episode, along with stories from his "bachelor week" while Nikki was away.
• A heartbreaking local driving accident and a thoughtful discussion about driver's education, road safety, and the lifelong consequences of tragic mistakes.
• Stories about casinos, poker, sports betting, bourbon gifts, electric vehicles, and why Mike's greatest poker victory may have been pure luck.
• A deep dive into Michigan's Senate race, Chris Van Hollen's endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Party's growing divide over Israel, progressive politics, and how candidates navigate controversy.
• A broader conversation about the future of the Democratic coalition, foreign aid, U.S.-Israel relations, and the shifting priorities of Democratic voters.

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With Mike away at a baseball tournament, Shana is joined by Matt Hildebrand for a wide-ranging discussion that goes far beyond local politics. This is a fascinating episode where they talk about:

• The Trump administration's new Memorandum of Understanding with Iran and whether it is a meaningful agreement or simply an agreement to keep talking.
• The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah, and the broader implications for American foreign policy and Middle East stability.
• The changing relationship between the United States and Israel, the growing partisan divide surrounding support for Israel, and what the future may hold for both Israelis and Palestinians.
• Michigan's high-profile U.S. Senate race, Abdul El-Sayed's campaign, AIPAC's influence in Democratic primaries, and how younger voters are reshaping the political landscape.
• The challenges of balancing humanitarian concerns, national security, and political realities in one of the world's most complex conflicts.

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This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The City of Beachwood's proposed vote to re-levy charter mills and what it could cost the average homeowner each year.
• Why Mike believes City Council should publicly justify any tax increase and let residents vote on it instead of approving it directly.
• Beachwood's growing revenues compared to neighboring cities and whether the city truly needs additional tax dollars.
• The proposed replacement of Mayor Justin Berns' city vehicle and broader concerns about city spending priorities.
• Discussions about a possible new Beachwood Police Station and whether renovations would make more sense than a costly replacement.
• Mike and Shana's thoughts on government transparency, public accountability, and how major spending decisions should be explained to residents.
• A lighter conversation about Mike's upcoming trip to Columbus, Nikki and Ellie's trip to Los Angeles, and Mike's concerns about handling baseball uniform laundry while they're away.

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