Take On The Lake

Crazy Lawsuits, Illegal Workers & Open-Container Zones | What Missouri Just Changed (Ep. 42)

In this episode of Take on the Lake, host Nathan Bechtold sits down with Missouri State Representative Jeff Vernetti for a wide-ranging conversation that hits some of the biggest issues affecting the Lake right now. From predatory ADA lawsuits targeting local businesses, to illegal labor in construction, to the creation of open-container entertainment zones at the Lake—this was a legislative session with real, local impact. Rep. Vernetti also opens up about stepping back from social media after receiving a death threat during session, why that boundary has made him healthier and more effective, and how he dropped 30 pounds during the grind of the legislative calendar. The conversation then dives into his biggest wins from the 2025 session—including legislation that passed with zero opposition—before landing on the ongoing debate around data centers, AI infrastructure, and whether any of it actually benefits communities like Lake of the Ozarks. What changed. What didn’t. And what it actually means for people at the Lake.

The Man Helping Shape New Data Center Laws At The Lake | Ep 41 w/ James Rericha

The conversation around data centers at the Lake got heated fast. But behind the headlines, something bigger is happening. In this episode of Take On The Lake, I sit down with entrepreneur and local developer James Rericha. And midway through the episode James revealed something: he’s part of a team that's helping rewrite the code on how data centers are regulated in Camden County. James also was directly affected by how the whole "Data Center" and "Opportunity Zone" conversations got married... we get into that too. Among the many topics: * How new data center rules are actually being written * The difference between data centers and opportunity zones * What’s been misunderstood—and what hasn’t * The real tradeoffs around growth, taxes, and development

We Sat Down With the Developer: A Data Center, 3D Printed Homes, & A 2,000 Acre Master-Planned Community

The conversation around data centers, opportunity zones, and large-scale development at the Lake has gotten loud—and fast. So we did what we do: invited the developer to come talk about it. In this episode, Blake Hodits walks through his proposed 2,000-acre master-planned community near Camdenton—what it is, what it isn’t, how it doesn't have to include a data center... and how all the pieces fit together. Blake is equal parts dreamer, tech guy, and systems engineer. And that all comes across in this marathon of an interview. We cover: * The role of a potential data center * Why this project is much bigger than one single component * 3D-printed homes and other unconventional ideas * Water, power, and infrastructure questions * Why he didn't reveal his plans sooner (and whether he regrets it) * Where things actually stand right now Whether you’re for it, against it, or just trying to understand it—this is a chance to hear directly from the person behind the proposal.

Digging In On Data Centers: What Are The Biggest Questions Everyone's Asking? | Ep 39

In this episode, I begin with an apology and clarification on a recent video that... well, just didn't land quite right. Then we jump into the questions people are asking about data centers, in the aftermath of a frenzied week in Camden County related to this topic. I lay out the background (what happened last week), and the biggest questions/concerns people have about them.

Missing Tax Dollars & The Truth About Jeff City Politics | Ep 38 w/ Ike Skelton

Where's the money? In this episode of Take On The Lake, Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton joins me for a wide-ranging conversation on local government, state politics, and the decisions that impact taxpayers every day. We get into: * Ameren’s reported $6 billion profit—and what that means for consumers * How tax dollars are allocated (and where they sometimes don’t go) * The realities of Jefferson City politics and how decisions actually get made * Infrastructure challenges, budgeting, and transparency at the county level Whether you follow politics closely or not, this conversation offers a clearer look at how systems work behind the scenes—and why it matters. Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Follow LakeExpo for more stories from the Lake of the Ozarks #LakeOfTheOzarks #MissouriPolitics #Ameren #Taxes #LocalGovernment #JeffersonCity