Vue From The Top

From Homeless to Hopeful - March 2026

In this episode of Vue From The Top, titled “From Homeless to Hopeful,” host Melissa Morandi and Mayor Charlie Cleves sit down with Kim Webb, CEO of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, for an in-depth conversation about homelessness in the region and the shelter’s mission to move individuals from crisis to stability. Webb shares how the shelter has evolved from a winter-only cold shelter into a 24/7, year-round facility offering emergency beds, shower and laundry services, an on-site health clinic, and a housing work program that helps guests secure employment and long-term housing. The discussion explores the realities of hidden homelessness, housing affordability challenges in Northern Kentucky, and the success of the Campbell County Cold Shelter partnership. The episode also highlights the upcoming Homeless to Hopeful fundraiser, inviting the community to support efforts that provide dignity, opportunity, and a pathway forward for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Flock Safety Cameras - February 2026

In this episode of Vue From The Top, City of Bellevue Director of Marketing and Communications Melissa Morandi is joined by Bellevue Police Chief Jon McClain, Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson, and Mayor Charlie Cleves for an in-depth discussion on Flock Safety cameras and how they are used to enhance public safety. The conversation breaks down what Flock cameras are, how license plate reader technology works, and why Bellevue is considering their implementation. Chiefs McClain and Thompson explain how the cameras are strategically placed at city entry and exit points to help solve crimes such as hit-and-runs, vehicle thefts, burglaries, and robberies—while also serving as a powerful deterrent to criminal activity. Chief Thompson shares real-world examples from Elizabethtown, where Flock cameras have been in use for three years, including their role in Amber Alerts, multi-agency crime investigations, and the rapid recovery of a stolen vehicle with a child inside. The episode also addresses common community concerns, including privacy, data retention, and who has access to the information, emphasizing strict controls, a 30-day automatic data deletion policy, and limited, law-enforcement-only use. This informative episode offers transparency into modern policing technology, highlights regional cooperation between law enforcement agencies, and explains how Flock Safety cameras are designed to protect communities—without tracking law-abiding residents. Disclaimer: This summary was generated using artificial intelligence based on the provided transcript and is intended for informational purposes only.

Bellevue-Dayton Firefighters Toy Drive - November 2025

In this episode of Vue From The Top, host Melissa Morandi sits down with Mayor Charlie Cleves, Fire Chief Brent Schaefer, and Captain Nick Scott to highlight the long-running Bellevue–Dayton Firefighters Toy Drive. The team shares the 30+ year history of the program, how it has grown with community partnerships like the Hensley family and Kroger, and the careful process behind selecting and supporting local families in need. Listeners get an inside look at the months-long preparation, the massive toy sorting and wrapping operation, and the heartfelt stories that inspire the firefighters to keep the tradition alive. The episode also introduces new ways the City of Bellevue is supporting the effort this year through the “Bundle Up Bellevue” initiative. The conversation wraps with details on how residents can donate toys, funds, and winter clothing, ensuring local children and families have a warm, joyful holiday season. This summary was generated using AI.

Educate NKY - November 2025

In the newest episode of Vue From The Top, host Melissa Morandi, Director of Marketing and Communications for the City of Bellevue, sits down with Mayor Charlie Cleves and guests from Educate NKY — Dr. Jenny Watson, Vice President of Early Learning and Family Power, and Tom Haggard, Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy. The discussion focuses on how Educate NKY, a regional nonprofit partnership, works to connect schools, families, and communities across Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties to expand educational opportunities for every child. The organization doesn’t run programs directly but instead serves as a convener and connector, helping coordinate and strengthen efforts that already exist in the region. The conversation highlights Read Ready, a city-led early literacy initiative that Bellevue has joined alongside other Northern Kentucky river cities. Dr. Watson explains that the program aims to improve kindergarten readiness by aligning community resources for children from birth to age five and tracking progress through key indicators. Mayor Cleves and Melissa share Bellevue’s successful reading initiatives, such as the Adopt-a-Pet Reading Program and maintaining 26 Little Free Libraries, as local examples of how the city promotes literacy. The group also discusses the Footsteps2Brilliance app, a bilingual early literacy tool, and the importance of reading proficiency by third grade as a predictor of long-term academic success. The episode closes with encouragement for residents to get involved — whether as one-on-one reading mentors, volunteers, or advocates — and an invitation to join Bellevue’s upcoming Read Ready committee. Melissa also reminds viewers about the city’s upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on November 29, featuring a snowplow parade, Santa’s visit, and a community celebration. This summary of “Educate NKY,” an episode of Vue From The Top, was generated using AI and may contain minor inaccuracies. For the full discussion, watch the official episode.

Beach Park Expansion - September 2025

In this episode of Vue From The Top, host Melissa Morandi sits down with Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves and Assistant City Administrator Sam Shelton to discuss the exciting expansion of Bellevue Beach Park. The conversation covers how the city secured the property from the DuPont family, the vision for connecting Bellevue to Dayton through Riverfront Commons, and the potential for a new amphitheater and event space along the river. Mayor Cleves and Shelton share personal stories about the property’s history, the importance of acting quickly to secure it, and how the expansion will solve challenges like event space, connectivity, and parking. They also outline next steps, including community input, design planning, and exploring grants and sponsorships to bring the vision to life. The episode closes with a look at upcoming community events in Bellevue, including Art in the Park, the Farmers’ Market Tailgate edition, and the annual Fall Fest at Bellevue Beach Park.