by David Miller, Editor
On December 15, 2016, a Loveland City Hall newsletter was sent to residents announcing, “Downtown Development on the Horizon.”
The announcement continued, “Thus in 2017, the plan is for the current City Hall to be demolished. The planned replacement (elevation renderings shown above) is a four story building.“
The story sounded a little fishy to Loveland Magazine as we keep a pretty close eye on City Hall and we had never heard of the proposal, let alone how it could be a done deal. Also to be sure we did not miss something we 
researched past meeting minutes and found no council vote… no discussion… nothing. Someone at City Hall had written a story that wasn’t true, yet that didn’t stop the Loveland Herald from running with the story. Why wouldn’t they, they would not know better as they had stopped attending Loveland Council meetings years ago. Never-the-less, the Herald was able to gather enough quotes to write about the imminent demolition of Loveland’s City Hall.
Loveland Magazine never reported the story because we knew it was not true.
The newsletter and the Herald story fit the textbook definition of “fake news”, except it wasn’t going to end up being “fake” if City Hall could get away with the backroom scheming it took to hatch the plan. Many residents had different ideas.
The other things residents became aware of was the sudden announcement to impose very high fees and severe restrictions for community groups holding public events. Many residents had different ideas.
Add to that, the announcement that Donna Bednar would not be re-appointed to the Loveland Beautification Committee, and the subsequent resignation of all but one member.
Add to all of this upheaval was when behind City Hall’s closed doors a decision was made to “Trademark” the name Christmas in Loveland and the surprise announcement that City Hall had usurped the event that belonged to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.
It’s where the hashtag, “#lovelandtransparency” comes from.
This is where the stories below start and will give readers a final chance to catch up on our City Hall reporting (including the successful re-call effort of the sitting mayor) before they go to vote next Tuesday. These are resident views, candidate views, and some of the legal challenges both residents and council members faced this past year.
These stories below appear in the order they were published – oldest to newest.
Committee upset that Donna Bednar was not re-oppointed to Beautification Committee
Exclusive report and video: Beautification committee resigns en-mass at Tuesday council…
“On the sly” – How City Hall pirated Christmas in Loveland
[Exclusive Video] Farmers’ Friends are foes of new fees
Citizens again in mass – denounce new City event policy and…
Amazing Charity Race gives City Hall ultimatum and February 28th deadline
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO] Highlights of council debate on public event policy and…
Councilmember Pam Gross: Community needs to address these questions
Weisgerber and Bailey accuse Mayor of calling for special meeting at…
What Charter says about Council meetings
Up-date on joint meeting of Council and Community Improvement Corporation
Here’s what Vice-Mayor Settle didn’t want you to know
[Exclusive Video] “We will rise!” – Shouting matches erupt at council…
[Exclusive Video] Joe Wahler barks at Council and their proposed vendor…
[Exclusive Video] Process of building new City Hall – Re-set and…
Tom Calarco: Outrageous flaunting of power at City Hall
Peggy Goodwin: The Loveland Farmers’ Market will open as scheduled
[Lisa Freeman] “Put a halt to the destruction of city hall.”
[Mary Ann Lynn to City Manager] “Relative to these concerns, I…
Councilwoman Pam Gross drops McCarthy-esque bomb on local company with 75…
[Richard Fisher] “I really need to know all long-term income projections…
[Exclusive Video] Tom Calarco gave Mayor an ear-full about Bill of…
Barry Kuhn embarrassed by behavior and lack of respect on both…
[Exclusive Video] Farmers’ fee fight ends with bitter bite
[Exclusive Video] Oury will run to replace Fitzgerald in recall election
A somber, soft spoken Deirdre Dyson asks City Hall: “Whatever did…
[Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall
[Exclusive Video] Jenny Lindgren has questions about a new City…
[Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall
[Exclusive Video] How new City Hall project will be rolled out…
Memo from CIC to Council for building a new City Hall
Chamber asks for Loveland Council to return their two signature events
Councilwoman Angie Settell to residents: “Enough is enough.”
Future of City Hall: An open letter to City Council
Loveland Council and Community Improvement Corporation sued over violation of open…
Who is Joe Wessels and what does he do at City…
City Hall apple pies and interest, she said, she said, he…
[Video] CIC’s City Hall Repurposing Recommendation by Jay Stewart
Council can’t agree on when public gets chance to weigh-in on…
Powers and Smith urge more, not less, public input into tearing…
Steven Smith: “Put citizens in the driver’s seat to develop a…
[VIDEO] Mayor announces Zero Tolerance Policy: No whispering or passing papers…
[VIDEO] Mike Meldon wants Council to respect the environment
[EDITORIAL] Council and City staff must curb Mayor Fitzgerald’s reign of…
[VIDEO] Tom Morris says there is a suspicious lack of information…
[VIDEO] Dick Dyson wants answers about Pam Gross sitting in too…
[LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV] Russ Dolezal tells Council, “Woman take it slow.”
Elizabeth Blust to Mayor Fitzgerald: I don’t give you permission to…
Who is running for School Board and Council? – Other Election…
[Exclusive Video] Council Majority shuts down meeting and goes home
Mayor’s Kumbaya Moment pivots to Bye Y’all as Council meeting abruptly…
Diane Powers proposes direct election of Mayor and term limits
What Vice-Mayor Angie Settell didn’t want you to know [Part2]
Three Council Members jointly see a better way to address and..
[Video] Mary Ann Lynn questions truth of Councilwoman Gross’ letter to…
[Video] Dick Dyson still wants answers about Pam Gross
Sherry Hamlin says agenda change equals illegal backdoor discussions
[Video] Tom Morris asked if we are sacrificing Loveland’s quality of…
[Video] Fitzgerald Re-Call Petitions delivered to Elections Board
What you should know about recall elections
What does Loveland Charter say about electing/recalling Mayor?
Mary Ann Lynn: Time to end Loveland soap opera
[VIDEO] Tim Canada proposes term limits and direct election of Mayor/Vice…
Election Board rejects Recall petitions
Three candidates officially file for Council and School Board seats
Loveland Magazine will broadcast this event “Live” on Facebook today
[VIDEO] Interview with Halie Rebeccaschild after turning in Fitzgerald recall petitions…
[VIDEO] Dianne Bomar says the dignity of Loveland has been tarnished…
Ned Portune is a candidate for the Loveland Board of Education
[BREAKING] Board of Elections gives Loveland Mayor 5 days to resign…
This Loveland Council meeting will be talked about for quite some…
Kent Blair launches Loveland council campaign featuring resident engagement platform (Has since withdrew his name from ballot)
Fitzgerald files appeal on recall decision
Recall of Mayor Mark Fitzgerald is “On” again
Open letter to City Council, and candidates: “I’m asking everyone to…
[BREAKING] Loveland Mayor calls for Special Meeting of Council
Mayor does not need to call a “Special Meeting” to comply…
[VIDEO] Shanda Gentry was appalled by behavior of elected officials
Tonight’s special council meeting omits open forum – Other recall news
Mark Fitzgerald resigns as Loveland Mayor and councilmember
Fitzgerald’s long time “Running-Mate” talked about his friend
Halie Rebeccaschild: “Mark Fitzgerald’s pathetic attempt to discredit those brave enough…
Tim Butler launches Loveland council campaign
Solicitor tells Council their meeting was not proper and Settell is…
Kent Blair withdraws as candidate for Loveland council seat
Council hopeful Andy Bateman’s Candidate Statement
Apply to be appointed to Loveland Council
How to apply for Loveland Council vacancy
Business group seeks transparency during election
Hamilton County BOE denies protests filed against Gross and Batemen nomination…
Barry Kuhn’s Campaign Statement
Tom Morris: Council news broke with a scripted middle finger
Ryan Kulik: Loveland Deserves a Better Class of Politics
James McKenna responds to Ryan Kulik
Rob Weisgerber on allegations by Tim Canada and Pam Gross
Ryan Kulik: Political motivated amateurs have taken over
Loveland Community Heartbeat PAC responds to Mr. Kulik
An Apology from Ryan Kulik
Campaign Statement of Pam Gross
Loveland Magazine’s Voter Poll
Ryan Kulik announces he is working for Pam Gross campaign
“Outsiders • disruptive • liberal • partisan amateurs • anti-growth •…
Hamlin asked why lifelong resident would not receive same privilege as…
Off and on again Council meeting for Tuesday?
No Council quorum – no meeting
City will not issue subpoena for former city manager
Golladay says three blind mice Settell, Gross, and Zamagias must fully…
City council no-shows: “Alignment of planets” or “Act of political cowardice?”
Rob Weisgerber: “Their absence was intentional.”
Gentry says only politics played into the absence of three council…
Campaign Statement of Neal Oury
Campaign Statement of Dave Blumberg
Meet the Council Candidates Night on Thursday, October 26
Meet the Candidates for Loveland School Board on Wednesday, October 25
Choosing right Council candidate is imperative so we don’t go back…
Jonathan Goolsby: Loveland deserves a thoughtful listener on City Council like…
Watch Now – Loveland Council Candidate Forum
Attention Loveland Voters – know your candidates!
Concerned about character, Loveland?
Neal Oury responds to Ron and Fran Patterson and Tim Canada
Hamlin to Oury’s critics: “That’s it? That’s all you got?”
Watch Loveland School Board candidates face the public
Voting Info: It’s is one week away, but voting already underway
Sunday at midnight last day to submit election commentary
Pondering the confusion of State Issue 2?
I couldn’t be prouder says son, Peter Weisgerber
Lynn Oury: “Neal has a common sense approach to problem solving.”
Candidate Butler says we can do better
Peggy Goodwin: I’m casting my vote for Tim Butler, Neal Oury,…
Accurate and detailed. Great job Dave. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Amazing and thank you.