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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. 59 - Sunburns, Sports Parents, and the Coach Perk Fan Club Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

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

Jack’s eighth-grade graduation, winning Athlete of the Year, and the emotions that come with watching your kids grow up.
The impact of great coaches, why Coach Perk has become a local legend, and how strong mentorship can shape kids far beyond the playing field.
Travel baseball tournaments, sports-parent culture, and the friendships that develop when families spend years together on the same teams.
A controversial local basketball coaching incident and a discussion about accountability, leadership, and expectations in youth sports.
The Cleveland Cavaliers playoff run, the Browns, Myles Garrett, and the never-ending roller coaster of being a Cleveland sports fan.
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, celebrity culture, and what it must be like to live under a constant spotlight.
Summer homework, AI-assisted cheating, and the challenges parents face trying to keep kids engaged academically during break.
Sunburns, farmer’s tans, motorcycle stories, and all the little moments that make Northeast Ohio summers memorable.

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Ep. 58 - Beachwood Shooting Mystery, Pool Hot Dogs, and City Hall Frustrations Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana are joined by Beachwood resident Joanna Henze to talk about:

The mysterious early morning shooting in Beachwood, the confusing details surrounding the incident, and why many residents feel communication from the city was lacking.
The rumors, theories, and neighborhood reactions after shell casings, police tape, and investigators flooded the area.
Questions about public safety, emergency alerts, and whether residents should have been warned to keep kids inside before school started.
Past Beachwood incidents that residents still feel never received proper public explanation or transparency.
The ongoing debate over speeding enforcement, traffic cameras, and whether Beachwood is prioritizing the wrong public safety concerns.
Funny side conversations about old TV shows like Hunter, neighborhood gossip, and what actually makes a front porch great.
Opening weekend at the Beachwood pool, hot dog reviews, and classic summer nostalgia.

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Ep. 57 - Jury Duty, Traffic Camera Chaos, and Why Everyone’s Fighting in Beachwood May 26, 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. 56 - Traffic Cameras, Parenting Fails, and Why Everyone’s Mad at City Hall May 19, 2026

Show notes

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

The disastrous Cleveland Cavaliers playoff performance, Dan Gilbert sending buses of fans to support the team, and why Cleveland sports continue to emotionally destroy everyone involved.
Parenting teenage athletes, handling failure on the baseball field, body language, leadership, and the brutal reality of youth sports pressure.
The difference between harmless trash talk and genuinely hurting someone’s feelings, plus the unwritten rules of teenage boy humor.
Volunteer work with the Akron Woman's City Club, rebuilding community organizations after COVID, and mentoring younger women in leadership and nonprofit spaces.
Gaming culture, kids cursing online, awkward parent phone calls, and trying to figure out what’s actually appropriate behavior in modern multiplayer games.
Why every parent eventually becomes “the house where all the kids hang out” and the chaos that comes with it.
The massive controversy surrounding proposed automated traffic cameras in Beachwood, including concerns about privacy, surveillance, revenue generation, and whether the cameras are actually about safety at all.
Arguments over emergency ordinances, transparency in local government, and frustration with how city council communicates major decisions to residents.
Why critics believe traffic cameras unfairly target working-class drivers and commuters while generating millions of dollars for municipalities.
Speed bumps, sidewalks, school zones, and whether cities are genuinely solving safety problems or just creating new ways to collect money.
Sports betting parlays, irrational Cleveland sports optimism, and how a $10 bet somehow turns into a 50-minute discussion.
The Browns, Deshaun Watson controversy, separating athletes from personal behavior, and whether fans should care about the morality of professional sports stars.

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Ep. 55 - RFK, Traffic Cameras, and the Battle Over the New Library May 12, 2026

Show notes

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

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaking in Cleveland, free speech, media outrage, and the debate over controversial public figures and public health messaging.
Vaccines, autism claims, political “kookiness,” and whether people in positions of authority should be held to a different standard when discussing science and medicine.
Music, politics, and why the hosts completely disagree on Kid Rock, Eminem, and celebrity culture in general.
Mother’s Day stories, forgotten anniversaries, parenting moments, and the reality of long-term marriage.
The failed Sheetz proposal, city council transparency, and why publicly taking a position on controversial votes actually matters.
Unexpected praise for councilmember Pete Smith and a broader conversation about leadership, accountability, and having the courage to stake out unpopular positions.
The proposed traffic camera expansion, debates over speeding enforcement, privacy concerns, and whether automated tickets are really about safety or just revenue generation.
The controversial new library proposal, fears over losing youth baseball and softball fields, and questions about whether replacing a relatively modern library makes financial sense.
Retail hiring struggles, bizarre no-show interviews, and what it’s like trying to staff hourly jobs in today’s economy.
Hospital expansion rumors, men’s health clinics, colonoscopy stories, toenail fungus disasters, and surviving father-daughter ice skating performances.

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Ep. 54 - Booze Wins, Sheetz Vote, and the Reality of Local Politics May 05, 2026

Show notes

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

A big win at a local fundraiser, including a second “basket of booze” victory, and why timing that win right before COVID turned out to be perfect.
The upcoming Sheetz vote, behind-the-scenes conversations with council leadership, and predictions on how the decision will ultimately play out.
A candid discussion about authenticity in local politics, supporting friends versus standing on principle, and why some public arguments don’t feel genuine.
City council dynamics, titles, and whether formality and “pomp and circumstance” help or hurt real community engagement.
The reality of civic involvement, how much residents actually want to engage, and whether local government visibility is a good thing, or just noise.
Youth sports, indoor soccer memories, and how little some facilities have changed over the years (for better or worse).
Trading cards, kids, and the ongoing debate over whether any of it is actually an “investment.”
Vegas stories, getting older, and how what counts as a “great trip” changes a lot over time.

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Ep. 53 - Sheetz Showdown, Free Speech Firestorm, and Local Politics Exposed Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Mike and Shana are joined by returning guest Matt Hildebrand, and they talk about:

The heated battle over the proposed Sheetz location, why residents and businesses are pushing back, and predictions on how the city council vote could unfold.
Transparency in local government, whether council members should publicly state their positions before voting, and frustrations with leaders avoiding accountability.
Traffic studies, development talking points, and skepticism over claims that the proposed project would actually improve congestion.
Neighborhood issues including the rejected cul-de-sac proposal, park improvements, tree removal, and how city spending priorities are being questioned.
The controversy involving an Orange City School District employee’s social media post, and a broader discussion about the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, public employment, and accountability.
Assisted dying legislation in Ohio, generational politics, and why some major public issues receive far less attention than they should.
Sharp opinions, local drama, and the kind of honest conversation that keeps listeners coming back each week.

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Ep. 52 - Restaurant Fails, Cul-de-Sac Chaos, and a Free Speech Fight Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

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

A local restaurant shutdown over health violations, what actually matters when it comes to food quality, and why soggy egg rolls might be the real dealbreaker.
New restaurant spots, rising dining costs, and why eating at home is starting to feel like the better (and cheaper) option.
Family dynamics, getting older, and the realization that roles start to shift when it comes to parents, money, and responsibility.
A proposed cul-de-sac plan impacting multiple Beachwood neighborhoods, why residents are frustrated, and how local decisions can directly affect daily life.
The ongoing Sheetz debate, traffic concerns, and skepticism around what “economic development” really means for the city.
The Orange School District controversy involving a staff member’s social media post, free speech, and the line between criticism and discrimination.
A broader conversation about Israel, antisemitism, public reaction, and whether institutions are overstepping when responding to personal opinions.
Global politics, U.S. foreign policy, and how media narratives shape what people focus on versus what actually matters.

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Ep. 51 - Local Leadership, Real Life, and Running for Change with Ebony Spano Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

This is a great episode where Shana is joined by guest co-host Wendy Leatherberry for a special interview with county council candidate Ebony Spann, and they talk about:

Ebony’s decision to run for County Council District 11, what the role actually entails, and why oversight and accountability at the local level matter more than people realize.
Balancing campaign life with motherhood, including raising a son with autism and managing the stress and structure that comes with it.
Her journey from growing up in poverty to joining the Navy at 17, building a business, and creating a life rooted in independence and resilience.
The diversity of District 11 and how her lived experience across different economic and social environments shapes her approach to leadership.
County-level challenges like budgeting, jail and wellness center issues, and ensuring qualified people are appointed to key positions.
Mental health, economic disparity, and the reality that these issues affect every community regardless of income level.
Leadership philosophy, decision-making, and what she hopes to accomplish in her first year if elected.

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Ep. 50 - Passover, Big Promises, and the Library Controversy Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

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

Passover traditions, family seders, and a hilarious (and honest) take on why Passover desserts need serious improvement.
The Guardians home opener, betting stories, and the simple joy of a weekend nap during baseball season.
A deep dive into the proposed new library project, including cost concerns, location changes, and whether the plan actually makes sense for the community.
The debate over adding an auditorium, potential relocation to Fairmount fields, and what could be lost in terms of recreational space.
Frustrations with city leadership, transparency, and what they see as “performative” decision-making versus real follow-through.
Youth sports, school facilities, and why strong athletic programs play a major role in building community and shaping kids.
The broader question of what makes a school district truly strong—from academics to extracurriculars to community engagement.

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