Joining us are Recreation Director Julie Michon and recreation specialist Jimmy Ekstedt. And we're here to unwrap all the magic memories and exciting new additions coming to this year's celebration, including the brand new Winter Magic at Montgomery Quarter.

Today we're diving into one of our favorite programs, the Montgomery Citizens' Leadership Academy (MCLA). If you've ever wondered how your city really works, from budgeting and council decisions to snowplowing and emergency response, this is your chance to find out. MCLA is a ten-week immersive experience that runs from January through March. Each week, we explore a different aspect of city operations, including the tools and technology used by our police and fire departments, how your tax dollars are spent, and how services are delivered to your neighborhood. Joining me today are two recent graduates of the program, Robbe Bluestein and Jenny Hardison, proud members of the class of 2025.

During this episode, we are joined by Bev Horstman and Kelly Zimmerman from Braver Angels to learn about the upcoming community workshops to help bridge the political divide. To learn more about the workshops and to register, visit https://www.montgomeryohio.gov/braver-angels-bridging-the-political-divide-workshops/.