Wanted: Resident input

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   Posted: 7:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Wanted: Resident input on improving life in Middletown
By Ed Richter
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — 
Middletown Moving Forward, the city’s community improvement corporation, has started to work with resident to identify what can be done to improve the quality of life in the city.
“We’re going to work with CBI (Community Building Institute) to start our visioning program to get thorough engagement with the community to get a meaningful vision and develop an action plan,” said Calista Smith, MMF interim director. “It will take about a year to get an action plan in place.”
Smith said information will be gathered at various community functions and events throughout the summer months such as all-citizen community forums, First Friday, Broad Street Bash, Movies in the Park, National Night Out, Arts Festival and Back to School Fair. Other events will be community forums geared toward various demographics as well as neighborhood canvassing and online surveys. A meeting with community organizations is being planned for July 23 to also solicit ideas, Smith said.
To promote community involvement, MMF plans to produce “What if Middletown,” a video explaining the purpose of the program that will be posted online at www.WhatIfMiddletown.com with links to register for forums and more.
All events will focus on discussing issues that affect the quality of life of residents and the economic sustainability of businesses.
The first of several community workshops will be held between September and November. Task force groups will be created to look deeper at various issues and search for best practices in other communities, according to the plan outline. They will also look at past city plans to see what did and did not not work. The steering committee will keep the task forces on track and ensure that they are meeting regularly.
A second community workshop will be held in January 2016 and a draft vision statement will be prepared in February. The vision statement will be unveiled in March during a third community workshop. Also in March, the vision statement will be presented to community organizations, city government and other groups for endorsement.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
What’s your idea for Middletown’s brighter future? Submit ideas online at www.whatifmiddletown.com

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Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Wanted: Resident input Posted: Jun 16 2015 at 9:06am
	Posted: 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015 Wanted: Resident input on improving life in Middletown By Ed Richter Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Moving Forward, the city’s community improvement corporation, has started to work with resident to identify what can be done to improve the quality of life in the city. “We’re going to work with CBI (Community Building Institute) to start our visioning program to get thorough engagement with the community to get a meaningful vision and develop an action plan,” said Calista Smith, MMF interim director. “It will take about a year to get an action plan in place.” Smith said information will be gathered at various community functions and events throughout the summer months such as all-citizen community forums, First Friday, Broad Street Bash, Movies in the Park, National Night Out, Arts Festival and Back to School Fair. Other events will be community forums geared toward various demographics as well as neighborhood canvassing and online surveys. A meeting with community organizations is being planned for July 23 to also solicit ideas, Smith said. To promote community involvement, MMF plans to produce “What if Middletown,” a video explaining the purpose of the program that will be posted online at www.WhatIfMiddletown.com with links to register for forums and more. All events will focus on discussing issues that affect the quality of life of residents and the economic sustainability of businesses. The first of several community workshops will be held between September and November. Task force groups will be created to look deeper at various issues and search for best practices in other communities, according to the plan outline. They will also look at past city plans to see what did and did not not work. The steering committee will keep the task forces on track and ensure that they are meeting regularly. A second community workshop will be held in January 2016 and a draft vision statement will be prepared in February. The vision statement will be unveiled in March during a third community workshop. Also in March, the vision statement will be presented to community organizations, city government and other groups for endorsement. HOW TO GET INVOLVED What’s your idea for Middletown’s brighter future? Submit ideas online at www.whatifmiddletown.com

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 16 2015 at 9:45am
	Already have a forum and citizen input. Have had for years. For the most part, it reveals the opinions of those who think the city is on the wrong path and has been for years under many different leadership teams. The forum also entertains the opinions from those who support most of what is going on in town. The support is for the schools, city hall, council and the downtown effort. Those participants of the forum express strong feelings for the city/school administrations and believe things are just as they should be. There are many different angles discussed on the forum. There are efforts, at times, to produce data to support the opinions on almost any topic one wishes to consider concerning the city of Middletown. This forum is called MUSA, and, if all posts are considered, represents the overall views of those who are vocal and probably those who choose not to get involved or could care less one way or the other. The work has been done that is being proposed by Ms. Smith. I predict this resource will not be used because it has the reputation among city inner circle supporters as being the anti-Christ of the city doctrine on almost all subjects. The truth is here. The MMF and city leaders, perhaps Ms. Smith, and those who will only accept input that they agree with will deny that this is a viable resource for data collection. It is, despite their denials. Most, in their camp, just can't admit that they may be wrong on a lot of fronts. We shall see how open-minded this becomes as to ideas accepted by city leaders. There is a case to be made for doubt.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 16 2015 at 10:00am
	Hmmm...Isn't this the same plan they used 5 years ago before they invested all that taxpayers money to buy all those buildings for THEIR DOWNTOWN DREAM?

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 16 2015 at 11:07am
	Here is the link to the last big discussion MMF had about their new "Strategic Plan" www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4614&title=strategic-plan

TonyB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Jan 12 2011 Location: Middletown, OH Status: Offline Points: 631	Post Options Post Reply Quote TonyB Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun 21 2015 at 10:34am
	Want to improve life in Middletown: FIX THE DAMN ROADS!!!

Analytical Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Nov 19 2015 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 562	Post Options Post Reply Quote Analytical Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 12 2018 at 11:51am
	Interesting previous posts by Vivian Moon, Viet Vet and Tony B about "real" resident involvement opportunities in Middletown. Have things changed for the better over the past three years?

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jul 12 2018 at 12:18pm
	The Journal publishes this type of story enticing people to get involved. We all know by now that this is just a passification effort by MMF and the people in power in this city. It is an attempt to tell people "we care about what you think city residents" but in actuality, they only value opinions by selected members within the inner circle of friends of the city. Bottom line here.....if you agree with what they want for the city and you express it, your comments will be welcomed into the fold of acceptance. If your suggestions are outside the realm of their theme, it will be politely addressed and promptly filed in the circular round file. They control these events and they are never free and open as to acceptance by them. Never has been. They want you to participate but the truth is, they would really rather you wouldn't unless you are a supporter for their agenda. They like the illusion of free, accepted and open dialogue. It is so they can say at least we tried to get people involved. Of course, those who see it this way will be labeled as "naysayers" and "negative" but in reality, it is the manner in which this city has operated for many decades. The city has always had their select, accepted, close knit community and has never indicated that all others were included in city decisions. My experiences begin in the 60's as to timeline operating in this manner. It seems to have gotten progressively worse as time has gone by. They must control the people through exclusion.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.