Podcasts
February 13, 2024
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 Vernon is MTVarts’ Producer and Business Director, Janis Stone, and Creative/Artistic Director, Bruce Jacklin .
Today’s discussion:
- why the arts are so important to our community, and
- what opportunities are there to get involved in the arts
Mayor Matt Starr visits with different community leaders in Mount Vernon, Knox County, and within the State of Ohio to discuss issues relevant to the quality of life and the economic, social, and cultural sustainability of the community.
November 21, 2022
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.
Recently, the Freedom Center purchased a building downtown in Mount Vernon and plans to move therapy and education sessions to that location while renovating their current location to a recovery house. To do so, the Freedom Center is accepting tax-deductible donations to cover a matching pledge up to $300,000 for the costs.
Interested parties may visit https://freedomctr.net to make donations.
Mayor Matt Starr visits with different community leaders in Mount Vernon, Knox County, and within the State of Ohio to discuss issues relevant to the quality of life and the economic, social, and cultural sustainability of the community.
July 15, 2022
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, 2022 marks the 2nd annual Puppy PAWlooza event at BDK Event Center east of Mount Vernon on Coshocton Road. The event hosts a musical line-up of local and national artists along with a silent auction.
Nanette and Denise discuss why the Dogs of Knox County fund is so important to the both of them. Also, they get into how the commitment, dedication, and love the volunteers have of the Knox County Dog Shelter can boast such an impressive success record of adoptions.
Their purpose is to provide the Knox County Animal Shelter with support in rescuing unwanted, abused, and neglected dogs and to provide for their medical needs so they will not be euthanized. Dogs of Knox Fund Inc. locates rescues for unwanted stray, neglected and abused dogs and assists in providing shelter, food and care for their needs until the dogs are placed in homes through adoption.
July 6, 2022
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 curbside recycling for City residents
- issues facing residents regarding trash hauling logistics
- the relocation of recycling bins from the Park and Ride / Memorial Park to Opportunity Knox on Coshocton Road
- Knox County Clean Up Day
- new investments in recycling – adding new items to what can be recycled
For accepted recyclable lists, current events and recycling FAQs, please visit:
https://co.knox.oh.us/recycling-and-litter-prevention/
For questions: Matt Baugher, Program Manager, Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention 740-393-6704 matthewbaugher@co.knox.oh.us
February 8, 2022
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 to be comfortable in their kitchens and learn easy ways to cook at home, but is for anyone that wants to learn a new recipe. The team started with a few of Knox DD staff hosting the cooking show, then grew to people with disabilities and community members.
Through our Healthy Living Initiative, it is our hope that we can help make the healthy choice the easy choice and help people understand how to balance everything in their lives to live a wonderful and healthy life!
January 5, 2022 -- 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 protect those who are affected by domestic violence, stalking and intimidation, and those who feel powerless in those kinds of situations.
"If you see something, say something," says our panelists. You don't have to be the victim to report the violence. If the situation warrants immediate attention and is an emergency, call 9-1-1. Those who aren't sure may reach out to the City's Law Office at (740) 393-9562.