Resident urges Lincoln Heights to correct Wi‑Fi reporting, clarify $1.1M funding plan and locate parkour equipment

At the opening of public comment at the Jan. 12 Village of Lincoln Heights council meeting, resident Laverne Mitchell raised concerns about transparency and accountability related to the village’s public Wi‑Fi project and recreational equipment.

Mitchell said a Channel 9 video had circulated on social media "restating that residents were concerned about the $150,000 Hamilton County commissioners gave the Village Of Lincoln Heights for free Wi Fi." She told council that the village Wi‑Fi consultant, Mr. Bailey, "cleared up the misinformation that was given out by a Lincoln Heights organization and some misinformed residents" in November or December, and asked whether the mayor or administration would request a correction from Channel 9 and reporter Mr. Shakur. "We should ensure that they responsibly, Channel 9 and mister Shakur, responsibly report on the village of Lincoln Heights," Mitchell said.

Mitchell also asked for transparency about funding: "How does counsel or the administration plan to raise or fund the $1,100,000 needed to complete the Wi Fi installation? Funding for municipal Wi Fi does come from our local taxes that the residents pay or from government grants, which is what we did receive." She asked whether the village would seek private partners to lower costs.

On recreation, Mitchell said parkour equipment purchased with WeThrive funds more than three years ago has not been installed. She said former acting manager John Key bought the equipment and that subsequent managers and public‑works staff found installation cost‑prohibitive. She asked the council to direct the manager, the recreation committee or commission to follow up so the village meets obligations to WeThrive and provides activity on Memorial Field. "I hope you would direct your manager Brown, the recreation committee, and or the recreation commission to follow‑up on this so that we meet our obligation to We Thrive," she told the council.

Council members acknowledged the comment; the meeting record shows no formal correction to the media was issued during the session, and no detailed funding plan for the $1.1 million installation was announced.

What happens next: Mitchell asked for a correction to Channel 9 and requested follow-up from the village manager and recreation committee; the council indicated staff follow-up is appropriate and managers were named as points of contact for further inquiry.