Vice Mayor Lauren Copas Smallwood of Hamilton City Council

06/07/2026

Looking for an opportunity to serve our community and make a positive first impression for residents and visitors alike?

The City of Hamilton, Ohio - City Hall is currently hiring a Customer First Desk Receptionist. This role is often the first point of contact for people visiting City Hall, helping connect residents with the services and information they need.

If you enjoy working with people, providing excellent customer service, and being part of a team dedicated to serving Hamilton, I encourage you to learn more about this opportunity.

Applications are being accepted now. To view the position details and apply, visit:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hamiltonoh/jobs/5362803/customer-first-desk-receptionist

Join us in helping make Hamilton an even more welcoming and responsive community for everyone!

06/05/2026

This weekend, Hamilton will once again come together to celebrate community, kindness, and the value of embracing one another at the Hamilton PRIDE Festival.

No matter our backgrounds, beliefs, or life experiences, we all benefit from living in a city where people feel welcomed, respected, and valued. Events like Hamilton Ohio Pride Festival provide an opportunity to connect with neighbors, support local organizations and businesses, enjoy great entertainment, and celebrate the many people who make our community special. The festival includes a Pride March, family-friendly activities, local vendors, food, music, and more.

As Vice Mayor, I believe one of Hamilton's greatest strengths is our ability to come together as a community. We may not always agree on everything, but we can choose to treat one another with dignity, extend grace, and recognize the humanity in each other.

I hope everyone who attends has a safe, enjoyable, and meaningful day celebrating the spirit of community that makes Hamilton such a special place to call home.

Happy Hamilton PRIDE! 🌈

06/05/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to Hamilton this summer?

17STRONG-Hamilton is seeking volunteers for a variety of neighborhood projects and community events that help make our city stronger, cleaner, and more connected. Whether you have an hour to spare or are looking for an ongoing way to get involved, there are opportunities for all ages and interests.

Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet neighbors, support local initiatives, and take pride in the place we call home. From community events to neighborhood beautification efforts, every helping hand makes a difference.

Hamilton's greatest strength has always been its people! If you've been looking for a way to get involved, this is a great opportunity to be part of something positive happening in our community.

To view current volunteer opportunities and sign up, visit the volunteer registration page below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4CAAAA29A0FD0-64233824-2026/35175451 #/

Thank you to 17STRONG and all of the volunteers who continue to demonstrate that when neighbors work together, great things happen.

Thank you for your willingness to support the 2026 17STRONG Microgrant season. Our Microgrant Program helps bring resident-led ideas to life across Hamilton’s neighborhoods through events, projects, beautification efforts, gatherings, and community connection. These projects only happen because re...

06/02/2026

🌳✂️ Learn the Art of Tree Pruning! ✂️🌳

Do you have young trees at home that could use a little care? Join the Small Tree Pruning Seminar hosted by the Conservatory at Miami Hamilton and the Hamilton Advisory Tree Board!

🌱 Learn from a Certified Master Arborist
🌱 Discover proper pruning techniques for trees 1–6 inches in diameter
🌱 Enjoy both classroom instruction and hands-on outdoor experience
🌱 Earn 2 ISA CEU credits (for qualifying professionals)

📅 Tuesday, June 9, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011

This is a great opportunity for homeowners, tree enthusiasts, landscapers, and anyone interested in helping Hamilton's urban forest thrive. Healthy trees make our neighborhoods safer, more beautiful, and more resilient for generations to come.

📧 RSVP: [email protected]

📞 (513) 785-7556

🌳 Thank you to the Conservatory at Miami University Regionals and the Hamilton Advisory Tree Board City of Hamilton Tree Advisory Board for providing this educational opportunity and for their continued commitment to growing a greener Hamilton!

🌱🌳

06/01/2026

🏡 Dreaming of Homeownership in Hamilton? 🏡

Whether you're thinking about buying your first home or ready to take the next step, this FREE financial empowerment course is designed to help you navigate the homebuying process with confidence!

📅 Tuesday, June 16
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Hamilton City Council Chambers
345 High Street, Hamilton

Hosted by the City of Hamilton and First Financial Bank, the "Your Money, Learn to Own It" Empowerment Course will cover:

✅ Understanding credit scores
✅ Budgeting and financial planning
✅ Mortgage basics
✅ How much home you can afford
✅ One-on-one coaching and guidance from local experts

Homeownership can be a powerful tool for building financial stability, strengthening neighborhoods, and investing in our community's future. If you've ever wondered where to start, this is a great opportunity to learn in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. For more information, check out the event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1655783998936660

I am grateful to our partners at First Financial Bank for helping provide resources that empower Hamilton residents and support pathways to homeownership!

🏠💙

05/01/2026

🌞🍎 Free Summer Meals Are Back in Hamilton! 🍎🌞

I am proud to help spread the word about an incredible program from Hamilton City School District that supports our kids and families all summer long.

🚚 The Big Blue Food Truck will be traveling to splash parks across our city, providing FREE meals for all children 18 and under from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM throughout June and July. 💦

This is more than a meal. It is a full community experience!

💙 Thank you to Hamilton City Schools for continuing to lead this important effort to make sure no child goes hungry during the summer months.

👏 And a huge thank you to the amazing community partners who help make each stop special:

📚 Lane Public Library with the Bookmobile and activities
🪖American Legion sharing flag etiquette and fun extras
🐢 MetroParks bringing live animals and hands on learning
🏀 Boys & Girls Clubs with engaging activities
🥗 City of Hamilton Health Department promoting healthy habits and backpack support
📦 BCESC providing BREAK BOXES throughout the summer

These partnerships turn a meal into an opportunity for learning, connection, and fun.

📅 The food truck will visit different locations each day of the week including:

Millikin Woods
Benninghofen
Jim Grimm Park
Booker T. Washington Community Center

📲 You can view menus and filter for allergens here (available end of May):
https://hamiltoncityschools.nutrislice.com/

📣 Flyers will be sent home with elementary students, but please help spread the word so every family knows this resource is available.

This is what community looks like.
Hamilton shows up for our kids. 💙

04/30/2026

There’s something special about supporting the small businesses that make our community feel like home 💐

This Mother’s Day season, I encourage you to check out events like the Flower Bar + Wine Flights at the The Farmer’s Collective. It’s a thoughtful and creative way to spend time with someone you love while also supporting a local business that pours so much into our city.

📅 May 7 | 2–6 PM
🍷 Wine flights + 🌸 build-your-own bouquet experience

Events like this are more than a fun outing. They help strengthen our local economy, support entrepreneurs, and create meaningful experiences right here in Hamilton.

Let’s continue to show up for the businesses that show up for us ❤️

Link to register: https://shopthefarmerscollective.com/products/flower-bar-wine-flights-every-friday-in-march-from-2-4-pm?fbclid=IwY2xjawRRyCpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFNYnhXemtYcG5iSEFVeG93c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHifT0Yg4DucXaP3jyqQi2ipASWpRRQowm9X1nJoUm241PwF8l8MYHcsGosi0_aem_VnFh_y4GjHrvvGoSINWDew

04/28/2026

⚠️ Power Outage Information for Hamiltonians ⚠️

If you are currently experiencing a power outage, please stay safe and use caution around downed lines or hazardous conditions. 🚗

To view current reported outages and restoration updates, visit our outage map here: https://outagemap.hamilton-oh.gov/ 📍

To report a power outage, please call (513) 785-7550 and select Option 1. 📞

Please share this information with neighbors who may need it. Stay safe, Hamilton!

City of Hamilton, Ohio - City Hall

04/23/2026

Books have a way of opening doors, sparking imagination, and connecting us to the world around us 📚✨

As we celebrate World Book Day, I want to highlight the incredible work of The Lane Libraries and the role it plays in making reading accessible for everyone in our community.

This week alone, the library is offering:
📖 8 new bestsellers
🎧 6 new audiobooks
🧒 181 new children’s books
📚 Hundreds of additional titles, including many available online

From stories that inspire our youngest readers to resources that support lifelong learning, our library continues to be a cornerstone for education, creativity, and opportunity here in Hamilton.

World Book Day is a reminder of how powerful reading can be, especially for children. When we invest in books, we invest in brighter futures.

Take some time this week to visit the library, explore something new, or encourage a child in your life to discover the joy of reading ❤️

🔗 Check out what’s new here: http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?fb&p=2054-928

04/22/2026

🌎🌱 Happy Earth Day, Hamilton! 🌱🌎

Today is a great reminder that the small choices we make every day can have a big impact on the place we call home. As a city, we have a real opportunity to continue building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Hamilton for our families today and for future generations.

As part of my Live, Learn, Play framework, I see environmental responsibility as directly connected to the health, safety, and quality of life for our residents.

Here are a few ideas I’m passionate about exploring:
🌿 Expanding safe walkability and bike access, especially along our riverfront and neighborhoods
🌳 Investing in parks, green spaces, and tree canopy to support healthier communities
🚶‍♀️ Supporting safe streets and sidewalk improvements so families can walk and enjoy our city safely
🌊 Continuing to enhance and protect our Great Miami River corridor as a natural and recreational asset
🏡 Encouraging healthy homes initiatives that reduce environmental hazards and improve air quality

But the best ideas don’t come from one person, they come from our community.

💬 I’d love to hear from you:
What are your ideas for making Hamilton more eco-friendly and green?

Let’s keep working together to make our city a place where families can truly live, learn, and play in a healthy, sustainable environment. 💚🌎