Beckerisms

Union Township Update

Flock cameras

Although “Flock” is a brand name, I’m using it generically to refer to automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems.

Many people support ALPRs for reasons including:

• Helps rapidly solve crimes such as recovering stolen vehicles, homicides, and kidnappings.
• ALPR technology has been in use for decades, traditionally deployed in cruisers or mobile vehicles without incident.
• Provides law enforcement with tools that result in greater efficiency in conducting law enforcement activities.
• A force multiplier by allowing many law enforcement agencies to pool vehicular data.
• A car flagged in one state or county can be flagged instantly in another, helping with Amber Alerts, missing persons, and suspects who cross jurisdiction lines.
• Cameras only capture plates and vehicle info, not identity, and only alert on vehicles already flagged in a database.
• Like other security cameras, ALPRs may discourage crime in areas where they’re installed.
• Time-stamped, photographic records can be more reliable in court than eyewitness accounts.
• Officers can quickly narrow a suspect vehicle search that would otherwise take days of canvassing or subpoenas.
• Safeguards such as audit logs, retention limits, and restrictions on which agencies can query the data address most abuse concerns.

Many people oppose ALPRs for reasons including:

• Nationwide mass surveillance system that tracks, logs, and shares movements without a warrant.
• Concerns about abuse by malevolent governments to harass or profile people based on their movements, travels, activities, and/or affiliations.
• Concerns about integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications associated with it.
• Law enforcement officers have misused the cameras for stalking purposes.
• Dozens of innocent motorists pulled over, jailed, or held at gunpoint after a false vehicle match.
• Legal scholars argue the technology violates the Fourth Amendment by storing personal data accessible to a growing network of law enforcement agencies.
• Lack of local control or oversight over policies developed and implemented by jurisdictions who share and access the network, lack of enforcement for fraudulent use due to this issue.
• Concern about use of system by out-of-state law enforcement entities to enforce laws that are not applicable in all states.
• Lack of federal and/or state laws criminalizing misuse of the system or unlawful selling of data captured.
• Security of data, what is done with the data held by private corporations, and concerns that this data is being marketed, sold or repurposed.
• Opposition to the apprehension and deportation of illegal aliens.

So, what is Becker’s position?
My thoughts have evolved as follows:
When we installed Flock cameras two years ago, they weren’t controversial. Frankly, I didn’t give it much thought. Flock cameras were featured in the Union Township Fall 2024 newsletter. Nobody reached out to us with any concerns.

During 2026 the controversy reached Union Township. My position was that busting the bad guys is always a good thing. The Flock cameras were essential to solving multiple ATM robberies. Better yet, illegal aliens were the criminals in some of those robberies. Busting them was a win-win for the community. Furthermore, there is no right to privacy in a public place. Additionally, the family of the kidnapped Nancy Guthrie in Arizona would have welcomed Flock cameras in her neighborhood.

As local opposition mounted, it was unclear whether it was a vocal minority or the sentiment of the general public. I met with a representative from Flock and reviewed the UT Police protocols. Those meetings alleviated my concerns. Although there are some hills I’m willing to die on, the Flock camera issue isn’t one of them. If the public wants them removed, I’ll vote to do so.

Opposition continued to mount. Constituents sent me materials to review. One of the videos I watched on this topic referenced Covid. That was the tipping point. I considered how President Obama weaponized the EPA to shut down multiple coal-fired power plants nationwide and some locally. (How did that impact your electric bill?) I also considered how Governor DeWine and Amy Acton weaponized state agencies to close businesses, schools, and prevent access to loved ones in nursing homes. We are still reeling from those decisions. Many will never recover. Could a future president, or potentially a Governor Amy Acton, weaponize Flock cameras against the people? Hell, yes! We should learn from past practice.

Finally, we had a town hall meeting on September 21, 2026. It was a packed room. Multiple articulate speakers respectfully addressed the Board of Trustees with their concerns. I didn’t need any more convincing. I’m all-in to deactivate and/or remove all ALPR cameras throughout Union Township. My expectation is that the Board will vote to do that during our October 13, 2026 meeting.

Upcoming UT sponsored events and schedule

September 26, 2026 – End of summer fireworks. Live music will begin at RJ’s around 4 p.m., a touch-a-truck event will begin at 5 PM, and inflatables and more begin at 6 PM Rozzi’s famous fireworks will light up the sky around 8:45 PM.
October 4, 2026 – Firehouse open house at Station 51 (water tower) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
October 10, 2026 – Police Department open house at 4312 Glen Este-Withamsville Road from noon to 4 PM.
October 12, 2026 – Columbus Day – UT offices are closed.
October 13, 2026 – UT Trustees regular business meeting at 6 PM.
October 17, 2026 – Sip N Shop from noon to 4 PM on the UT Civic Center campus.
October 31, 2026 – Halloween from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Union Township welcomes new and growing businesses

Some of the following may be pending trustee approval:

• Scander & Leo’s Pizzeria is now open for business. It’s next to Teal Side Diner.
• The VA Clinic, located in Ivy Pointe, is now open.
• Tienda Minimart (Latin Grocery Store) is now open for business at 499 Old State Route 74 in Mt. Carmel.
• Costco has submitted plans to build a 166,739 square-foot facility (approximately the same size as Meijer) with 30 gas pumps on 22 acres at the foot of Ivy Pointe Blvd on Aicholtz Road behind Best Buy. Omni Drive will be vacated (cease to exist). Demolition is expected to begin in 2027 and construction is expected to be completed in 2028. See Local12 story here: local12.com/news/local/costco-plans-to-build-new-store-clermont-county-cincinnati-union-township-eastgate-aicholtz-ivy-pointe-joe-dills-jobs-development-vote-approval. The project has been unanimously recommended for approval by the Zoning Commission.
• In correlation with Costco plans, Eastgate Community Church (Omni Drive) has submitted plans to relocate onto Aicholtz Road. The project has been unanimously recommended for approval by the Zoning Commission.
• Permits have been issued for AutoZone to move into the old Big Lots building on Eastgate Boulevard. Litigation among the land owners has been resolved.
• The Shop (Rental Space for Sports Training) is coming to 1216 Clough Pike and is expected to open in November 2026.
• Redwood on Tealtown Road is expanding and is expected to be complete by the end of 2027. The project was approved by a prior board of trustees.
• The old Applebee’s off Glen Este-Withamsville Road is being taken over by Tobala Cantina & Grill (4440 Glen Este-Withamsville Road). They are expected to open in November 2026.
• The Rumpke facility located off Round Bottom Road is now accepting “junk vouchers.” Two per household per year can be obtained at the new Services Garage located at 3919 Bach-Buxton Road.
• UDF has received approval to construct a new, $10 million UDF along Bach Buxton Road, north of the Provision Living Campus. They are expected to open by August 2027. Final permits have been approved by Zoning.
• UDF plans to bifurcate its former location along Glen Este-Withamsville Road, south of SR 32. Some minor work is underway, but largely has yet to begin.
• The Loop Soft Serve Ice Cream Parlor at 519 Old State Route 74, in Mt. Carmel, is on hold by the County awaiting Civil Plan requirements.
• Construction activity has begun near Aldi in Eastgate. Northern Building: Expecting to break ground on T-Mobile by the end of September 2026. Middle Building: Still determining end-users, Bibibop pulled out. In discussion with First Watch, Swig Soda, Potbelly, and Currito. (Future adjacent retail sites to the south have had an impact on interested users). Looking to whitebox the middle building with the County before the end of the year and finalize the interiors with end users, once determined. Construction is underway on the Southern Building (Daycare).
• The Cove is located adjacent to the roundabout at Eastgate Blvd. and Ferguson Drive. Substantial completion of the project is expected this year. A salon and office have obtained occupancy permits through the Township. In addition, Scramblers, a breakfast/brunch-style restaurant, is completing interior renovations. Second-story users are expected to open in September. The Italian restaurant is in design.
• Ana’s Eyebrows are relocating out of the Eastgate Mall and into 626 Old SR 74 (Grammas Pizza strip mall).
• 7-Eleven will build at 1005 Old SR 74 and is expected to be permitted before the end of 2026.
• Barnes and Noble is planning to move into the former Grocery Outlet space at the Eastgate Pavilion Shopping Center.
• Honda East is expanding its operations in Cherry Grove. Construction has begun and completion of the new building is expected this year.

Recent Union Township Trustees meeting videos

September 21, 2026 Work session – Flock cameras (2h 3m)
September 8, 2026 Business meeting (2h 11m)
August 11, 2026 Business meeting (5h 43m) Executive session (22m)
July 14, 2026 Business meeting (41m)
July 9, 2026 Special meeting to consider a tax levy (1h 19m)
June 9, 2026 Business meeting (3h 50m) Executive session (1h 17m)
May 26, 2026 Work session (1h 14m)
May 12, 2026 Business meeting (2h 2m)
April 14, 2026 Business meeting (4h 1m)
March 10, 2026 Business meeting (3h 2m) Executive session (17m)
February 10, 2026 Business meeting (2h 36m)
February 9, 2026 UT Community Improvement Corporation (8m)
January 13, 2026 Business meeting (55m)
January 2, 2026 Reorganization meeting (28m)
December 15, 2025 Special meeting (33m)
December 9, 2025 Business meeting (2h 35m) Executive session (35m)
November 18, 2025 Business meeting (2h 48m) Executive session (1h 24m)
October 14, 2025 Business meeting (1h 36m) Executive session (50m)
September 9, 2025 Business meeting (2h 2m) Executive session (32m)

Event calendar 

Disclaimer: All events, locations, and times are subject to change.

September 26, 2026 – End of summer fireworks. Live music will begin at RJ’s around 4 p.m., a touch-a-truck event will begin at 5 p.m., and inflatables and more begin at 6 p.m. Rozzi’s famous fireworks will light up the sky around 8:45 p.m.
October 4, 2026 – Firehouse open house at Station 51 (water tower) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
October 5, 2026 – UT GOP meeting at 7 PM at the Civic Center.
October 5, 2026 – Voter registration deadline.
October 6, 2026 – Absentee and Early In-person voting begins.
October 10, 2026 – Police Department open house at 4312 Glen Este-Withamsville Road from noon to 4 PM.
October 12, 2026 – Columbus Day
October 13, 2026 – UT Trustees regular business meeting at 6 PM.
October 15, 2026 – Clermont County Township Association meeting at the Sheriff’s Office beginning at 6:30 PM.
October 17, 2026 – Sip N Shop from noon to 4 PM on the UT Civic Center campus.
October 21, 2026 – Clermont County GOP meeting at HQ at 7 PM.
October 26, 2026 – AMT meeting at the UT Library at 6:30 PM.
October 31, 2026 – Halloween
November 1, 2026 – Daylight Saving Time ends. Turn clocks back one hour at 2 AM.

Video central

PragerU – Christians: Still the World’s Most Persecuted Minority
Laura Ingraham – Open borders at any cost (9 min)
PragerU – People Over Climate (6 min)
Don’t Walk, Run! Productions – Lindsay Clancy Jurors IGNORED the Judge & BRAGGED About It! (10 min)
The Babylon Bee – Exclusive: Lindsay Clancy Jury Speaks Out (2 min)
PragerU – Should America Lead the World? (5 min)
Dr. Steve Turley – WNBA Commissioner RESIGNS as Things Go from Bad to WORSE!!! (18 min)
John Becker’s gearhead trash talk video (6 min)
Tom Z

BeckerGOP YouTube Channel archives

Presentations and discussions at the Union Township Trustee meetings

Concealed Carry Part 1 – January 11, 2022 (9 minutes)
Concealed Carry Part 2 – February 8, 2022 (12 minutes)
Union Township Debt Presentation – March 8, 2022 (10 minutes) Slides
Union Township Property Tax Distributions – April 12, 2022 (7 minutes) Slides
Union Township 2021 Financials – May 10, 2022 (14 minutes) Slides
Union Township 2021 Expenses Deep Dive – June 14, 2022 (14 minutes) Slides
Union Township First Half 2022 Financials – July 12, 2022 (13 minutes) Slides
Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) – July 12, 2022 (10 minutes)
UT Concert Series – August 9, 2022 (5 minutes)
Natural Gas Aggregation Discussion – September 13, 2022 (9 minutes)
Cost of 2022 Concert Series and Fireworks – September 13, 2022 (14 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Board of Trustees Discussion (38 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Public and Board of Trustees Discussion (100 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Six Month Moratorium (12 minutes)
Board Discussion: Meeting Rules (36 minutes)

Recent videos introducing The Becker Report

September 2026 (10 min)
August 2026 (9 min)
July 2026 (6 min)
June 2026 (6 min)
May 2026 (12 min)
February 2026 (14 min)
January 2026 (7 min)
December 2025 (5 min)
November 2025 (6 min)
October 2025 (9 min)
September 2025 (7 min)

Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!

“…John Becker, an ‘archconservative’ former state lawmaker from the Cincinnati area…” as described by Cleveland.com (February 2021).
“[State Rep. John Becker,] one of Ohio’s most conservative lawmakers…” proclaimed Cleveland.com (October 2020).
“Clermont County State Rep. John Becker, one of the most conservative members of the Ohio House…” according to Cleveland.com (August 2019).
Becker wins “Sponsor of Liberty” award by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (October 2018).
“Becker has a legitimate claim as the state’s most conservative legislator,” according to The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer (September 2017).
“Rep. John Becker, suburban Cincinnati Republican… [holds] the unofficial title as the General Assembly’s most conservative lawmaker,” proclaimed the Columbus Dispatch (September 2015).
Becker wins prestigious William Wilberforce Leadership Award (April 2015).
“GOP Ohio House freshman Becker is no shrinking violet,” headlined the Columbus Dispatch (December 2014).
“Becker…is arguably the most conservative member of the Ohio House,” said The Cincinnati Enquirer (January 2014).
Ranked as a top tier “most archconservative” by the Columbus Dispatch (September 2013).

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Introduction (38 seconds)	Second Amendment (36 seconds)
Taxes (49 seconds)	Energy (55 seconds)
Pro-Life (42 seconds)	Creation Science and Evolution (42 sec.)
State Government Spending (45 sec.)	State Government (37 seconds)

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Disclaimer
Nothing in this newsletter constitutes legal advice. I am not an attorney and do not play one on TV. This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any other organization, or affiliation. Much of it is simply my opinion. I am fully and solely responsible for my opinion. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not “The Gospel according to John.” Additionally, I don’t necessarily try to be “fair and balanced.” After all, I didn’t get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?

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