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Everything Is Local — Government
Everything Is Local

Have you ever wondered what really goes on in local government? I’m Mike Burkons, your host and a former city council member. Some people loved me, some… well, let’s just say they weren’t fans but I’m here to pull back the curtain on the decisions that shape local communities. Every week, I’ll share insights from my time in office and break down local issues,controversies and dramas occurring in local governments in the area, not just in Beachwood, in a way that’s easy to understand and maybe even a little entertaining. Whether you’re interested andpassionate about small town politics and its drama that comes with it, and the local issues that affect your quality of life on a daily basis, this show is for you. We’ll cover these types of issues occurring in Beachwood and other local suburbs, chat with local experts and residents, and—who knows—go off-topic if the conversation gets interesting. Because here, it’s not just about government, it’s about what matters to you. So join me on “Everything is Local”—where understanding your community starts with listening.

Copyright: © 2024, Mike Burkons, All Rights Reserved

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 69 - Beachwood Property Taxes, The Fairmount Temple Deal & Questions Surrounding the Mayor's Brother Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike, Shana, and Matt Hildebrand talk about:

• The three property tax increases Beachwood residents are facing in 2027 and why the average homeowner could see a net increase of about $887.

• Why Beachwood City Council quietly increased the city's inside mills from 1.6 to 4 mills, generating millions of dollars in additional revenue.

• Beachwood's spending, the mayor's new $50,000 car, his salary increases, and whether the city really has a revenue problem or a spending problem.

• The controversy surrounding the city's purchase of the Fairmount Temple property for $8 million and the city's apparent plans to classify the property as a blighted or urban renewal area.

• How an urban renewal designation could allow Beachwood to divert millions of dollars in property tax revenue away from the school district and county agencies.

• Why Orange Village and Cuyahoga County officials have begun pushing back against tax increment financing and other development incentives.

• Questions surrounding Mayor Justin Berns, his brother's involvement in a proposed development, and why the timing of when the mayor learned about his brother's involvement has raised questions.

• Why Bob Hardesty copied Beachwood City Council on his correspondence about the situation and made it clear that the school district could not support the proposal.

• Questions about what was discussed during an executive session and whether the discussion was appropriate given the stated purpose of that meeting.

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Ep. 68 - Beachwood Library Battle, Lost Sports Fields & Orange Village TIF Controversy Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The proposed new Beachwood library and why the plan to build it on the community's main sports fields has become such a controversial issue.

• Why the current library's existing meeting space, the proposed auditorium, and the nearly $30 million price tag have Mike and Shana questioning whether the project is actually necessary.

• The lack of a clear plan for replacing the sports fields that would be lost if the library is built at the proposed location.

• The upcoming Planning and Zoning meeting and why August 27th could be an important date for the future of the library project.

• The lack of transparency surrounding the library discussions and why so many important details have been discussed in executive sessions rather than in front of the public.

• A proposed TIF in Orange Village and a contentious City Council meeting where council members began questioning the administration about the financial details of the development.

• Why TIFs and other development incentives deserve more scrutiny from residents and why elected officials should be willing to question their own administration.

• The differences between Beachwood and Orange Village when it comes to local government, public meetings, transparency, and how elected officials handle difficult questions.

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Ep. 67 - Charlie Kirk, COVID Reckoning, and the Questions Nobody Wants to Ask Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

The ongoing debate over parking at the Beachwood pool and playground, including whether residents should have priority parking and the challenges created by the new $4 million playground.
Their thoughts on pickleball, the movie The Dink, and whether the sport has officially become the new “easy tennis.”
The upcoming preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk case, questions surrounding the evidence, the videos of Tyler Robinson, and why so much of the case still doesn't seem to make sense.
The JFK assassination, conspiracy theories, reasonable doubt, and why Mike thinks people have become more willing to question official versions of major events.
The debate surrounding Charlie Kirk's comments, DEI, hiring based on qualifications versus representation, and whether students should have teachers who look like them.
Changes in the Beachwood school district, new students coming into the district, athletics, and the importance of representation for students from different backgrounds.
The COVID-19 pandemic, school shutdowns, vaccines, Anthony Fauci, his newly discussed diary, and whether there should be more accountability for the decisions made during the pandemic.
The importance of questioning science, what public health officials got wrong, and whether the country learned anything that could help if another pandemic happens.
Plus plenty of Cleveland Guardians baseball, local sports, family stories, and the usual political arguments and random conversations.

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Ep. 66 - Comedy, Culture Wars & The Beachwood Tax Abatement Nobody's Talking About Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

Mike getting called for jury duty on a double murder case and the comments that quickly got him dismissed from the jury pool.
The growing controversy surrounding proposed automated traffic cameras in Beachwood and whether they are really about safety or generating revenue.
Frustration with city council transparency, emergency legislation, and how major decisions are being communicated to residents.
The proposed new library project, concerns over losing baseball and softball fields, and larger questions about city planning and priorities.
The Fairmount Temple TIF discussion and ongoing debates over development, taxes, and the future direction of Beachwood.
Parenting middle schoolers, academic struggles, sports pressure, and learning how to handle failure and adversity.
Youth baseball tournaments, soccer debates, Cleveland sports frustrations, and the chaos of raising competitive kids.

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Ep. 65 - Ohio Politics, Rising Prices & The Real Cost of Living Local Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

With Mike away, this is a great episode where Shana and the crew talk about:

• Amy Acton’s campaign for Ohio governor, her stance on data centers, and what voters want to hear from candidates heading into election season.

• The state of Democratic politics, Sherrod Brown, campaign messaging, and the challenge of connecting national political strategies with what actually matters to local voters.

• Rising grocery prices, shrinkflation, food deserts, WIC, and whether government-backed grocery stores could actually make food more affordable.

• The dramatic differences in home prices across Cuyahoga County, including Beachwood, Cleveland, and East Cleveland, and what those numbers say about the communities around us.

• Whether celebrities and professional athletes should be expected to use their platforms for political and social causes, plus the impact people like LeBron James and MrBeast can have through philanthropy.

And, of course, there’s plenty of Everything is Local chaos along the way — from iced coffee strategies and Costco bills to teenage appetites and whatever rabbit hole the internet sends the crew down next.

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Ep. 64 - The Vantage Crisis, Beachwood Mall's Future & The Politics Shaping Our Community Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• The growing concerns surrounding The Vantage apartments, ongoing code violations, and what the City of Beachwood can (and can't) do to help residents.
• The future of Beachwood Place Mall, changing retail trends, and what the loss of major department stores could mean for the city's economy.
• The debate over tax increment financing (TIFs), redevelopment projects, and how public incentives should be used.
• Local politics, the upcoming election, and why voters should pay close attention to the issues affecting their own communities.
• Summer travel, Tim McGraw, Hersheypark, baseball season, Joey Fatone, and plenty of laughs along the way.

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Ep. 63 - Beachwood's Tax Fight, Fairmount Temple Controversy & The Supreme Court Case That Could Change Local Zoning Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

• Why the proposed Fairmount Temple TIF has become one of the most controversial issues currently facing the city.
• The debate surrounding Beachwood's inside mill levies, sewer frontage assessments, and how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
• The University Heights home synagogue case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court and what the decision could mean for local zoning laws.
• Akron Children's Hospital's plans for the former Notre Dame College campus.
• Summer baseball, fireworks, city services, and why local residents should pay closer attention to local government decisions.

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Ep. 62 - Retirement, Driving Disasters, and the Democratic Party's Identity Crisis Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Mike is back, and Episode 62 covers everything from birthday gifts and backyard chaos to one of the biggest debates happening inside the Democratic Party today.

This week's conversation includes:

Mike's return to the podcast after missing last week's episode, along with stories from his "bachelor week" while Nikki was away.
A heartbreaking local driving accident and a thoughtful discussion about driver's education, road safety, and the lifelong consequences of tragic mistakes.
Stories about casinos, poker, sports betting, bourbon gifts, electric vehicles, and why Mike's greatest poker victory may have been pure luck.
A deep dive into Michigan's Senate race, Chris Van Hollen's endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Party's growing divide over Israel, progressive politics, and how candidates navigate controversy.
A broader conversation about the future of the Democratic coalition, foreign aid, U.S.-Israel relations, and the shifting priorities of Democratic voters.

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Ep. 61 - Iran Deal Drama, Michigan's Senate Race, and the Future of Israel Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

With Mike away at a baseball tournament, Shana is joined by Matt Hildebrand for a wide-ranging discussion that goes far beyond local politics. This is a fascinating episode where they talk about:

The Trump administration's new Memorandum of Understanding with Iran and whether it is a meaningful agreement or simply an agreement to keep talking.
The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah, and the broader implications for American foreign policy and Middle East stability.
The changing relationship between the United States and Israel, the growing partisan divide surrounding support for Israel, and what the future may hold for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Michigan's high-profile U.S. Senate race, Abdul El-Sayed's campaign, AIPAC's influence in Democratic primaries, and how younger voters are reshaping the political landscape.
The challenges of balancing humanitarian concerns, national security, and political realities in one of the world's most complex conflicts.

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Ep. 60 - Tax Hikes, New Cars, and Beachwood Budget Battles Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about:

The City of Beachwood's proposed vote to re-levy charter mills and what it could cost the average homeowner each year.
Why Mike believes City Council should publicly justify any tax increase and let residents vote on it instead of approving it directly.
Beachwood's growing revenues compared to neighboring cities and whether the city truly needs additional tax dollars.
The proposed replacement of Mayor Justin Berns' city vehicle and broader concerns about city spending priorities.
Discussions about a possible new Beachwood Police Station and whether renovations would make more sense than a costly replacement.
Mike and Shana's thoughts on government transparency, public accountability, and how major spending decisions should be explained to residents.
A lighter conversation about Mike's upcoming trip to Columbus, Nikki and Ellie's trip to Los Angeles, and Mike's concerns about handling baseball uniform laundry while they're away.

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