Eye On Oshkosh - Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill, taped 6-5-25

On the most recent edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz welcomes new Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill. She has been on the job since February, and even though many people are familiar with her and where she came from, we wanted to give viewers and radio listeners a chance to hear those things again – just in case they missed some of the introductions made early on, or in case someone would like to hear them again. 

Also part of the discussion was a new city ordinance for the Fox River as it runs through the community and as it relates to shoreline erosion; some street construction projects happening this summer and a couple of other infrastructure projects; planned renovations for The Grand Oshkosh; and the Municipal Services Payments program, a program directed at state-owned properties in Oshkosh such as the prison and university. 

These properties are tax-exempt, yet they receive city services such as police and fire protection. At one time, under the Municipal Services Payments program (MSP), the State fully paid Oshkosh to provide those services, but over the years the amount of money reimbursed has dwindled to about 37%, leaving city residents who own properties holding the bag for the remaining nearly 63%. There is a movement calling on Madison to start refunding the city at 100% for these services which, if done, would reduce each person’s annual property tax bill by about $72. A resolution asking the state to begin paying 100% for their own buildings’ fire and police protection has been signed by members of the Common Council and several other elected officials are in full support of this, as well. You can let your local lawmakers know that you’re in favor of Madison fully-funding the MSP program by contacting them or by reaching out to Joint Finance Committee members directly in Madison. Think of the difference approximately $72 would make to you on your own property tax bill!  And thank you City Manager Grill for bringing this to everyone’s attention!

Also on this show is a brief discussion of the potholes in so many city streets and how to report them to the city, short of calling the road division on the phone. 

You won’t want to miss this show. You can see it here or by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/YCtcq82O6Kg 

Eye On Oshkosh - Parks and Library summer activities - taped 5-15-2025

On this edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz talks with Oshkosh Parks Director, Ray Maurer, and Oshkosh Public Library director of library development, Lisa Voss, about the dozens of activities happening in the community this summer. No matter your age and no matter your interests, you are absolutely sure to find something fun, creative or educational to do within the parks department or library. Summer is right around the corner. This is your chance to learn about the many activities they have to offer so you, your kids, or your entire family can jumpstart your summer the moment the calendar says “First Day of Summer.” 

Watch the show here or by going to this link: https://youtu.be/E1BkIu7M5pA

Eye on Oshkosh - World Relief refugees, taped 5-1-2025

On the most recent edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz spends the hour visiting with three staff members of World Relief in the Fox Valley and Chippewa Valley region of Wisconsin. 

During this highly-informational hour, we’ll find out what World Relief is and who the many refugees they assist are, as well as the various countries they come from. These people are doctors, dentists, lawyers, and other professionals, as well as people who possess various skilled trades. It might also interest viewers to know that anything these folks get in the way of financial compensation they are expected to repay and they must apply for U.S. citizenship within a specific period of time after arriving in the U.S. 

This is a show that will dispel many beliefs or myths. You’ll definitely want to watch this. You can watch it here or by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/KapPfEhVlHk

Eye On Oshkosh - Pups on the Runway, Writers Conference - taped 4-17-2025

On the most recent edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz talks with her guests about two exciting events coming up in Oshkosh.

First is the Pups on the Runway event at Becket’s Atrium in City Center on April 24 from 5 to 8 pm. For a mere $10 you can enjoy an evening of fun as dogs and their parents strut their stuff on the runway, as well as refreshments and raffles. A cash bar is also available that evening. Clothing is furnished by several boutiques in the Oshkosh area. The money raised goes to help pay for the ongoing care for Phoenix Charles, the facility dog at the Day by Day Shelter. Ongoing care includes his veterinarian visits, immunizations, prescriptions he may need from time to time, food and other miscellaneous costs. Phoenix was on the show too. This Boxer, donated by Journey Together Service Dog, Inc., helps to keep staff, volunteers and guests calm and relaxed. He can easily turn a bad, sad, or frustrating day into one filled with love and doggie hugs and kisses. 

The second segment was a discussion about the Writer’s Conference in Oshkosh on the first Friday and Saturday of May. It’ll be held at the Oshkosh Convention Center, And this year, they will offer a large Book Fair that will be open to the public on Saturday, May 3 from 9 am to 4 pm. If you’re a writer or would like to explore the world of writing, you can also attend the conference. Registration information for the conference is talked about during the show, but you can always access it at https://lakeflywriters.org/2023-conference-schedule-coming-soon. 

Check out this show to see Phoenix Charles and hear all the fun things associated with these two events that are right around the corner. You can either watch it here OR by going to this link: https://youtu.be/5sJxx5JHQ-E. 

Eye on Oshkosh - Oshkosh Common Councilors, taped 4-3-2025

On this edition of Eye on Oshkosh, Cheryl Hentz visits with sitting Oshkosh Common Council members Kris Larson and Jacob Floam who share news about some of the many housing developments going on or soon-to-start in the city. These are developments that have something to offer for everyone, no matter their income level, including those with low-to-moderate income. 

They also discuss the recent valuations of residential and commercial properties in the city and what property owners could expect when all is said and done; as well as the idea of creating a Tenant-Landlord Resource Center in the city. Information is also provided about the water project happening soon that may temporarily change the taste of city water, but stressed it is still safe to drink. 

If you want an update on things happening in the city of Oshkosh, this is one show you’ll not want to miss. It can be seen here or by following this link: https://youtu.be/_u5_lURbtFo. 

Our thanks to Kris and Jacob for taking time out of their busy schedules to come on the show. 

Eye on Oshkosh - Spring election, county exec and school board candidates

On the latest edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz chats with Jon Doemel and Gordon Hintz, candidates for the position of Winnebago County executive, and Molly Smiltneek, Michael Ford and Jacob Wolf, candidates for the Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education. 

Due to some technical problems earlier in the month, we were unable to tape a show earlier in the month where we could have had more time with the candidates. So on this episode, we were crunched for time and could not explore all the things we had wanted to with the candidates, but we tried to cover the more salient points. Some of you submitted questions to us to ask the candidates and we tried to dovetail them with some of our own questions. Please accept our apologies if we didn’t get to a particular question you may have sent in. We and the candidates did the best we could with the time we had. On that note, we want to thank the candidates for being as concise as they were in answering questions so we had more time to cover other topics.

On this episode, you’ll hear why the candidates are seeking the positions they are and why they believe they’re the best-qualified. You’ll also hear what the county is trying to do currently and what it will be doing in the future in partnership with others to create more housing in the area. 

Meanwhile, the school board candidates discuss the upcoming referendum, the district’s huge $1.2 million misstep with regard to purchasing homes for an expansion or construction of a new South Park school, and behavioral problems with some students at Vel Phillips Middle School, resulting in the police being called on numerous occasions. 

Whatever your position on issues or candidates in the April 1 election, PLEASE make sure to vote and let your voice be heard. If you have any questions about polling places, or how to register to vote, contact your local clerk of courts and they can help you.

You can watch the show here or by following this link: https://youtu.be/Qzve2xPpHR4

Eye On Oshkosh - Oshkosh Area School District issues - taped 2-20-2025

On this edition of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz spends the hour visiting with Dr. Bryan Davis, superintendent of the Oshkosh Area School District. 

One topic heavily discussed was the recent discovery that the $1.2 million spent to purchase five homes to either enlarge or rebuild South Park Middle School, was wasted because of zoning changes that occurred more than a year ago which don’t allow buildings with large numbers of people in them to be located in the runway/departure zone of Wittman Regional Airport.  The district assumes full responsibility for this mistake and Dr. Davis explains what they’re going to do about this moving forward.

They also talked about the school referendum going on the ballot this past April 1, 2025, in which the district is asking voters to approve $197.8 million for the construction of a new middle school and, additions and improvements to other schools. If the referendum fails in April, Dr. Davis explains what that means to the district and that they’ll put together another referendum to bring forward next April.

They also talked about the recent activity of two school board members who created fake Facebook accounts to oppose the upcoming referendum and the district’s policies, in general; the district’s recent report card; school safety issues; etc.

You can see the show here or by following this link: https://youtu.be/SJA3h8umBkw