Town Hall Ohio

Of Ben Franklin’s many famous quotes, one most often cited is “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” When it comes to our financial resources, few of us can afford to fail. Today, Kirt Walker of Nationwide Financial is our guest to help us think through how to build, grow and protect the resources we want to pay for the kid’s college, fund our retirements, and pass on the farm or whatever the goal. Financial planning 101, on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.

Ohio is a unique state. We have 11 and a half million people, and for virtually every one of us, there’s a farm within a 20 or 30 minute drive. Both urban and rural Ohioans desire a strong local economy and a fulfilling quality of life. Connecting to food and food producers is one of the biggest trends in society today. Today’s guests believe that the fate of both urban areas and rural can be enhanced by supporting each other, in large part, through a food economy. Local foods, urban development and farmland preservation, that’s our conversation this week on Town Hall Ohio.

Since the second Morrill Act of 1890, Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio has sought designation as a land grant university. Two years ago, that goal was attained. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome leaders from Central State to our studios to talk about what its designation as a land grant institution means to the university, its students and the Ohio community as a whole.

Last November, Ohioans overwhelmingly turned down a ballot measure to legalize marijuana in the state of Ohio. 7 months later, the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill that legalizes marijuana in the state of Ohio. Granted, there are significant differences between the ballot plan and the new law, but the fact is that public policy on marijuana in Ohio has changed dramatically and quickly. A law professor and a journalist join us to talk about Ohio’s new medical marijuana law, today, on Town Hall Ohio.

I think for most Americans, the term homeland security originated in the aftermath of 9-11. What many of us may not know is that Ohio has its own homeland security agency. It’s mission: prevention, protection, response and recovery. It works with literally hundreds of other state, federal and local agencies, and with the public, to carry through on that mission. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, Richard Zwayer, Ohio Homeland Security’s executive director, joins us to talk about the work being done to keep us all safe.

What we used to take for granted is now at the center of millions of conversations: food. How it tastes, who grows it, and is it nutritious, safe, and affordable? What’s the role of technology in putting foods on our plates? So called GMO foods have been at the center of debates and disagreements over food safety, environmental protection and even the structure of farming. GMOs in food and the food conversation- today, on Town Hall Ohio.

If you want to know what’s going on in state government, today’s panelists are some great sources. Jo Ingles of Ohio Public Radio, Mark Niquette of Bloomberg and Julie Carr Smyth of the Associated Press are experienced journalists who have the important job of keeping us informed about what’s happening in government. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’ll talk about the elections, what’s going on with various marijuana proposals and other hot topics from the state capital.

The Bob Evans brand has been part of the restaurant and grocery products landscape for more than 60 years. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, CEO Saed Mohseni and foods division President Mike Townsley, join Ohio Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about food, business and community building.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a new initiative- “Know your farmer, know your food.” Its main purpose is to support and promote the growing demand for local and regional food systems. Over the past 7 years, USDA has invested more than a billion dollars helping farmers, businesses, service organizations and communities, resulting in a huge boost in sales of local foods. On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, two top officials from USDA join us to talk about Know your farmer, know your food.

When it comes to truly momentous occasions, this is not one of them. But, it is an occasion of sorts. For ten years now, you and other loyal listeners have tuned in to Town Hall Ohio while getting ready for church, feeding the livestock or surfing around on your computer. The big names, the big issues…today, it’s a listen back over the past decade. Ten years of Town Hall Ohio, this week, on Town Hall Ohio.

Gardening and yard care is big fun and big business. Studies say 78% of Americans have either a lawn or some form of landscaping. Nearly half of all Americans engage in some kind of gardening. But the numbers drop when we’re asked how well informed we are about the proper care of our piece of the great outdoors. Today, we’re going to talk about some of the top do’s and don’ts of keeping your green space green. Our guest is Dr. Phil Dwyer, of Scotts Miracle Gro.

If you’re injured on the job, chances are you’ll come into contact with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. They’ve been caring for injured workers since 1912. Steve Buehrer has lead BWC for the past five years, but at the end of this week, he steps down from the job. Mr. Buehrer joins Farm Bureau’s Jack Fisher to talk about keeping Ohioans safe in the workplace and holding down the costs of safety for employers and taxpayers on this episode of Town Hall Ohio.

On this week’s episode of Town Hall Ohio, we welcome back a familiar guest. A former teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist and an ordained minister. He’s served as a member of congress, twice, and as governor of the great state of Ohio. Now, he wants to be our next United States senator. Ted Strickland’s Facebook profile highlights his work to create jobs, helping kids and his belief in Ohio values. We will learn more about what that means and why he wants to earn your vote on Town Hall Ohio.

Of the many ills facing society, one of the most horrifying is the explosion of drug abuse. We’re talking both illegal drugs or misused prescription medications, and the scourge isn’t limited to certain demographics or locations -- it’s affecting everyone, everywhere. How bad is it in Ohio? How can or should we respond? Today we’ll ask those questions of our panel representing law enforcement, state government and the medical profession. Ohio’s drug epidemic is this week’s topic on Town Hall Ohio. Guests are Andrea Boxill from the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team; Tim Maglione from Ohio State Medical Association and Washington County Sheriff Larry R, Mincks, Sr. Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services maintains a toll-free information and referral line for Ohioans seeking assistance: 1.877.275.6364. The line is staffed 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

State of the Economy - Episode 494 by Town Hall Ohio

Any fan of Law and Order or a John Grisham novel knows that the really big decisions made within our judicial system are made by the United States Supreme Court. And while presidents and lawmakers are in the news almost every day, it is far less frequently that we hear from or about the nine men and women who sit on the supreme court of the United States. How’s the court function? What’s in store with the recent passing of an associate justice? Why’s it matter to you and me? These are a few of the questions we’ll explore today on Town Hall Ohio.

One of the many really smart things America’s founding fathers did was to be guided by the concept of property rights. The ability of individuals to own things and determine how it’s used. Of course, with rights come responsibilities. Today on Town Hall Ohio, our guests are three lawyers. Today, we’re going to explore with them what it means to own property, what rights and responsibilities come with that and talk about some of the more common situations that may be the cause of some conflict, either with neighbors or the government.

On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we talk with three close observers of all things policy and politics in the Buckeye state. Statehouse reporters, Jackie Borchart of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Northeast Ohio Media Group, Marc Kovac of Dix Newspapers and the Youngstown Vindicator and Mike Thompson of WOSU - TV join us to discuss upcoming elections and pending legislation.

Speakers from recent Ohio Farm Bureau meetings including World Food Prize laureate Dr. Robert Fraley on feeding the world, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Ohio's illegal drug epidemic, NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka on work ethic, farming and football and Farm Bureau president Steve Hirsch on current ag issues.

What do you think of when you hear the term “environment”? Air, water, soil…Mother Nature? On this episode of Town Hall Ohio, we’re going to get a crash course in environmental issues, including how the environment affects us, and how we affect it. Helping us better understand these things are Dr. Brian Lower of Ohio State University and Dr. Larry Antosch of Ohio Farm Bureau. Two environmental scientists who are going to chat with us about complex issues in plain English.