Chat with Mayor Matt

Today we’re diving into a topic that affects every single home, business, and drop of water in our community. We’re calling this episode ‘H2Overhaul’ — because we’re talking about replacing broken and outdated water meters across the city. These upgrades aren’t just about fixing what’s broken. They’re about improving accuracy, efficiency, and making sure you only pay for the water you actually use...

Ohio HB 335 threatens to eliminate inside millage — the guaranteed funding our city uses for streets, safety, and services. This bill undermines the Ohio Constitution and puts local budgets in jeopardy. Listen now to understand what’s at stake and how you can help protect Mount Vernon.   #MayorMatt #MountVernonOhio #HB335 #LocalGovernment #InsideMillage #OhioLegislation In addition to providing co...

In this episode of Chat with Mayor Matt , I explain how SB 104 would take away our ability to regulate short-term rentals — and why that matters to your street, your safety, and your city. This bill puts investor profits above community stability. We can’t let that happen. Listen now and learn how to take action: Chat With Mayor Matt #MountVernonOhio #MayorMatt #SB104 #ProtectHomeRule #ShortTermRe...

Why HB 113 Threatens Mount Vernon’s Future In this episode of Chat with Mayor Matt , I break down how House Bill 113 could halt Mount Vernon’s ability to grow — even when landowners and developers want to partner with the city. This bill weakens local control, stifles regional growth, and sends the wrong message to businesses and families looking to invest in Knox County. Listen now to understand...

In this week’s Chat with Mayor Matt , Mayor Matt Starr of Mount Vernon breaks down why House Bill 92 is a bad deal for our city and others like us. The proposed bill protects negligent landlords and sticks responsible residents with the bill. We can’t let this happen. In addition to providing commentary on state and local issues, Mayor Matt Starr visits with different community leaders in Mount Ve...

T here can be a special relationship between the arts community and the local government. In previous episodes, we have spoken about the performing arts. This episode focuses on the visual arts in our community. Our partners at Kenyon College and Gund Gallery sat down with Mayor Matt in City Hall to talk about the creative avenues Kenyon, The Gund, and The Annex are providing  residents to exercis...

Continuing with our series on the Arts in Mount Vernon and more importantly, the relationship between the arts community and local government, we focus our attention on a brand awareness of entertainment known as Mount Vernon Presents .   The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium (MVAC) team members discuss the ins and outs of developing, producing, and partnering with others to plan our 2024 Mount Vernon...

The relationship between the government and the arts is a crucial one for thriving communities, and there is something very special happening in the City of Mount Vernon. This relationship has the potential to stimulate  creative problem-solving,  provide meaningful and authentic community engagement, and  increase a sense of belonging.  One company who has been doing this for a long time in Mount...

Mayor Matt chats with Ora Smith and Afet Kilinc of the Freedom Center in Mount Vernon.  The Freedom Center provides quality behavioral healthcare, and prevention education for children, adolescents, and adults.   Addiction and mental health are two issues that are interrelated.  Persons experiencing trauma on top of these other two issues requires a community to come together for solutions.   Rece...

Nanette DuMont is a transplant to Mount Vernon and a volunteer with Dogs of Knox Fund which helps raises funds for the Knox County Dog Shelter.  Denise Gamez is a 1988 graduate of Mount Vernon High School and is part of a foundation she and her husband, PGA Golf Pro Robert Gamez.  Team Gamez Foundation helps support scholarships for different charities supporting children and animals.  July 30, 20...

In this episode, Mayor Matt speaks with Matt Baugher from the Delaware, Knox, Marion, Morrow (DKMM) Solid Waste District on all things recycling and waste hauling.  Specifically, they talk about  the role DKMM has in the City negotiated deals with approved trash haulers free curb side recycling for City residents issues facing residents regarding trash hauling logistics the relocation of recycling...

Mayor Matt chats with Brittany Coon, Public Outreach Coordinator from Knox DD and Sherrie Simmons, Provider Relations Manager for Knox DD regarding a new program aimed to help individuals learn how to cook simple recipes through videos.  Easy Eats is a cooking show that highlights affordable, easy to follow and tasty dishes that anyone can make!  It was made to help people with disabilities learn...

Wrapping the series on domestic violence awareness, City of Mount Vernon Law Director, Rob Broeren, Assistant Law Director, Brittany Whitney, and Client Advocate, Ellie Cline discuss the City's role in handling domestic violence cases, identify how the City Law Office staff are helping victims become survivors, and outline how their work with other agencies in the community are helping to pro...

Ohio Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, joins Mayor Matt to discuss the Safe At Home Program through the State.  The Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program  was created by Substitute House Bill 359 (131st General Assembly)  to assist victims and survivors of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape, or sexual battery by shielding their personal information from public record and p...

Mount Vernon Mayor, Matt Starr, talks with Lori Jones-Perkins, executive director of New Directions; Jackie Peck, an advocate for the organization; and Knox County Recorder Tanner Salyers about domestic violence awareness and New Directions' services to the community in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, and legal and youth services. Lori works with nine staff members and a 13-me...

Mount Vernon Mayor, Matt Starr, talks with Knox County Recorder, Tanner Salyers, about a new program for Knox County called PropertyCheck .  This program helps protect residents against fraudulent activities relating to their property and alerts residents when official documents are recorded on their property. Any activity associated with the name of a person, an address, or a parcel number trigge...

In this episode, Mayor Matt chats with Festival Co-Directors, Joe Bell and Trina Trainor along with Board Member Joe Rinehart to review the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival which takes place Friday, August 13, Saturday, August 14, and Sunday, August 15 in downtown Mount Vernon.  (A special kickoff fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday evening (8/12) where the Cleveland Keys are performing in...

Mayor Matt speaks with Nathan Smith of Bird Scooters about the new wave of transportation that has arrived in Mount Vernon.  In this episode, Nathan discusses: Why have scooters anyway in Mount Vernon? What is the purpose of scooters in our overall transportation options? What are the rules and laws that apply to using scooters? Where will they go and how do you begin using one? Nathan also will a...

Mayor Matt discusses the Neighborhood Watch program in the City of Mount Vernon.  Guest Guy Hager engineered the organization starting with his neighborhood.  Since then, the Neighborhood Watch has expanded to the entire City (within city limits).  Information from mountvernonneighborhoodwatch.com outlines their mission and reason for beginning the program (which has roots dating back almost 50 ye...

Zoning law can be confusing in any municipality.  In this episode, Mayor Matt discusses permits with City Development Services Manager, Lacie Blankenhorn,  What necessitates a permit?   What kind of permits are there and what situation dictates the type of permit you need?   How do we go about getting a permit?  What is the process?  And Where can we find more information about permits in the City...

Emily Morrison, Community Relations Coordinator for the Mental Health and Recovery Board for Licking and Knox Counties, joins Mayor Matt for a discussion on how the agency's providers are handling mental health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Call volume is higher to the crisis call center (211) as well as the national hotline.  In today's episode, Emily points out some programs th...

Mayor Matt discusses the 2021 wastewater utility project list for the City of Mount Vernon.  City utility customers have been inquiring about specific projects and related costs which will have an impact on their utility bill.  Rising fixed costs, aging infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant and sanitary lines, and federal EPA mandates have brought the current rate into question regardin...

City of Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr discusses the myths and facts about the Covid 19 vaccinations now on the market.  Dr. Barry George, Cardiologist at Knox Community Hospital and member of the Knox Board of Health along with Health Commissioner Julie Miller of Knox Public Health delve deep into what you need to know about the vaccine.  Who should get the vaccine and who should not? What side ef...