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Christopher Smitherman - Vice Mayor of The City of Cincinnati - takes on issues facing the citizens of Cincinnati to ensure transparency and accountability in our local government.

Christopher Smitherman


    • Jan 11, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 17 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Independently Speaking

    Episode 17: $71,000 "Gang of 5" Legal Bill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2019 16:01


    Vice Mayor Smitherman discusses the recently released, taxpayer funded, legal bills for the "Gang of 5."

    Episode 16: "Gang of 5" Issued Subpoenas

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2018 24:01


    Vice Mayor Smitherman updates the public on the self-proclaimed "Gang of 5" after they were issued subpoenas by Hamilton County Sheriffs Deputies.

    Episode 15: Baptist Ministers' Open Letter to the "Gang of 5"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2018 24:01


    Vice Mayor Smitherman responds to the open letter penned by some of Cincinnati's top Baptist leaders pertaining to the "Gang of 5."

    Episode 14: "Gang of 5 Update with Steve Goodin & Dan Knecht"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2018 24:01


    In a special episode, Vice Mayor Smitherman hand the reigns over to his private attorney Steve Goodin and Dan Knecht to give the legal explanation behind the "Gang of 5" and his noninvolvement in the case.

    Episode 13: "Gang of 5" Ordered to Release Texts

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2018 29:01


    Today Judge Robert Ruehlman ordered the "Gang of 5" to turn over all of their text messages from January 1 - April 1 of 2018. These texts are part of an ongoing case related to Ohio Sunshine Law violations on behalf on five members of council. Today, Vice Mayor Smitherman discusses the ramifications and the significance of this case.

    Episode 12: "City Solicitor Paula Boggs Muething"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2018 30:01


    Paula Boggs Muething is the City Solicitor for the City of Cincinnati. Raised in a small town in Kentucky, she went on to study at the University of Kentucky and later attended law school at the University of Cincinnati. Today she talks with Vice-Mayor Smitherman about family, schooling and the City of Cincinnati.

    Episode 11: "The Hank Mueller Scholarship Fund"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2018 30:31


    Hank Mueller was an Elder Graduate who suffered severe injuries during The Vietnam War. Since then he, along with three of his fellow classmates from the class of '66 have started a scholarship fund. Today Vice-Mayor Smitherman talks with Larry Kleem, Dan Hendy and Tom Scanlon about Hank and the scholarship.

    Episode 10: "Eness Jim"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2018 26:00


    Eness Jim is the owner of "Jim and Jacks on the River." He's a former barber and football coach and, today, talked with Vice-Mayor Smitherman about family, friends and what hard work truly means. "Jim and Jacks on the River" is located at 3456 River Rd.

    Episode 9: "November Ballot Issues"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2018 23:01


    Vice-Mayor Smitherman discusses important ballot issues ahead of the November Election. *For Ohio Voters* Early In-Person Voting: Begins October 10 Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins October 10 Election Day: November 6 (Polls Open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.)

    Episode 8: "FCC President Jeff Berding"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2018 37:21


    Jeff Berding is a former Cincinnati City Councilman and Bengals Executive. He is now the President and General Manager of FC Cincinnati. Today he talks with Vice Mayor Smitherman about the driving forces behind FCC and its impact on Cincinnati. 

    Episode 7: "#CincyStrong"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2018 30:01


    Today, Vice Mayor Smitherman is joined by Daniel Rajaiah, Executive Director of The Indian American Chamber of Commerce. Together, they discuss the impact that Prudhvi Raj Kandepi had on his family, friends and community and how we can come together during this time of grief. Prudhvi Raj Kandepi, Richard Newcomer and Luis Felipe Calderón. We remember and honor you. #CincyStrong

    Episode 6: "Shadow Government and the Gang of 5"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2018 22:31


    Vice Mayor Smitherman updates the public on illegal meetings held by 5 members of council, known as the "Gang of 5." Now, these same members of council are pushing to enact executive sessions in an attempt to create a shadow government.

    Episode 5: "Chief Eliot Isaac"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2018 25:31


    Police Chief Eliot Isaac is a 27-year veteran of the Cincinnati Police Department. Today he talks with Vice Mayor Smitherman about the problems facing our department, recent progress we've made and the sacrifices that come along with wearing the uniform.

    Episode 4: "City Manager Patrick Duhaney"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2018 24:00


    Patrick Duhaney is a father, husband, U.S. Army Veteran, DAAP Graduate and now the Acting City Manager of the City of Cincinnati. Today Vice Mayor Smitherman and the City Manager discuss family, faith and service.

    Episode 3: "2 Year Terms are Good for You"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2018 21:11


    Since the City of Cincinnati enacted 4 year City Council Terms, chaos has been the recipe and shadow governments have sprung up. Today, Vice Mayor Smitherman explains how we can hold our leaders more accountable to ensure transparency in government.

    Episode 2: "Mayor Cranley on 3rd Street Homeless Camp"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2018 25:01


    John Cranley - Mayor of the City of Cincinnati - discusses homelessness in the city, executive sessions and FC Cincinnati.

    Episode 1: "Gang of 5"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2018 17:24


    When 5 members of The Cincinnati City Council colluded to subvert the city government, they violated Ohio's Open Meetings Laws. Having lawyered up, they are delaying the release of text messages and the people of Cincinnati are fronting the bill.

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