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| Middletown Community News |
| Questions & Answers With Middletown City Council Candidate John Soppanish |
| Tuesday, September 22, 2009 9:19:56 AM - Middletown Ohio |
Interview And Photo By: Randy Lewis
Tell us a little about yourself and what qualifies you to represent the Second ward?
I’m John Paul Soppanish, Middletown resident for 67 years. Retired from AK Steel service laborer, pipe fitter, pipe fitter apprentice instructor. Proprietor of B & G Distributing Co. Purveyors of Fine Magnetic Medical Supplies. Member of Holy Family Parish. Member of the Knights of Columbus, council 1610. 4th degree Knight. Active in Holy Family Church activities.
Active in ward 2 and city programs. 1) volunteering at ST. Vincent DePaul food pantry. 2) Committee member Amanda / Damon Park Place Matters. 3) Chairperson Douglas Park – Place Matters. 4) Vice Chair ward 2 Community Council. 5) Committee member ward 2 Multi-Cultural Festivals. 6) Volunteer 2009 Midd-Fest. 7)Vice Chair 2009 Middletown Charter Review Board. 8) Participating in Focus Session for Middletown City Schools new Superintendent.
Where would you like to see the city in the next few years?
We have learned a hard lesson putting all our eggs in one basket. (Industry) A combination of research, Technology, industry and specialty businesses is the key for future survival. Decent paying, quality of life jobs for workers. This will put money back into the cities coffers.
What is your plan to replace the businesses that Middletown has lost?
The economic development team must be placed on emergency status. Doing business 24/7 and doing no other task. If they can’t handle the task find someone who can. We also need a tight line of communication between the city and our present businesses. If they have a problem and we can help them survive then lets do our best. From our past records we have not been the best partners. This must change. Who are we protecting?
There are grants to also help business.
1) US. Government Administration Grants & Loans for start up. Small and large existing businesses.
2) Dept. of the Treasury:
1. Community & development financial institution programs.
2. Bank Enterprise Awards Programs.
3. Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati community investment program provides below market interest loans.
How would you begin to repair and strengthen our relationships with the surrounding communities?
Middletown and surrounding communities need to pull together as a team. Every city has its weaknesses and assets. Through cooperation and communication everyone can gain strength. We pull together to attract tourism, such as conventions, sporting functions. City emergencies, buying in bulk. Use the whole South West of Ohio and the surrounding communities as an attraction for businesses and recreation.
What would you like to see happen with the downtown area?
Our we focusing on down town as a whole? Will she ever be "The Queen" she once was in the 40'2, 50's and 60's? There is a good beginning ion the West end, Main to Broad. At the East end from the tracks going west there are a number of businesses doing well and the buildings pleasing in appearances.
From the East at the tracks moving west demolish and make people friendly green fields for future development of buildings no longer structurally sound and eyesores. From Broad Street now work eastward block by block as the economy and growth in the future calls for. Possibly not all of down town needs to be businesses.
What are your thoughts on Middletown's Section 8 situation and what would you like to see happen?
The survival of Middletown is in jeopardy with the present numbers of section 8 housing. It is presenting too much of a drain on the city's coffers. Cut it back. There will always be a need for some section 8 housing just like the need for Shared Harvest, St. Vincent-de-Paul and other food banks. At present, both are being greatly misused.
At present, the city manager feels our city council should oversee Section 8 housing.
A separate committee consisting of two members from each ward, two members from the real estate businesses and two owners of Section 8 housing to discuss their problems with the tenants and regulations.
One person from the city with knowledge of building codes to keep Consoc on top of quality control in case they miss a code violation. Police records person to perform background checks for criminal and drug abuse.
This committee should report to the city council committee and the city manager. Provide Head Start Classes, adult literacy classes, consumer credit counseling, money management and home buyer classes for family self sufficiency participants. This will help solve the problems.
Tell us how you would handle the city's budget concerns?
Reduce the waste and fat. Place every city debt on a realistic working budget and stick to it. Stop using the general fund as a means to feed the beast. Go back to city ordinances that allocate revenue to particular projects, infrastructure etc. roads, sewers and stick to it. Keep allocated money from being used for pet projects.
In your opinion, what is the biggest problem that needs addressed in Middletown and how do we repair it?
Its Plural Problems:
1. Jobs - Paying jobs to decently support a family and a quality of life.
2. Education - New schools prove buildings don't teach our children. The dropout rate and scores below state ratings. Discipline out of control.
3. City - Now that the city as a whole is considered low income, what do other communities and strangers think? Move to Middletown? Shop or visit? Don't think so. Have we forgot about economic development and allowed a few to run our city on Hud money and C.D.G.B. funds?
We have a lot of work to do. Yes, we can and we will succeed. Let's get started.
Please be sure to take time and VOTE.
Discuss in the forum
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Archived Comments
| 9/10/2009 10:03:07 AM | Pacman | | As far as your comment on Section 8, I agree. But as far as your committe goes you should also include some members from the Business Community, i.e. Service/Retail businesses as they are greatly affected by the excerssive poverty in Middletown. | | 9/10/2009 10:43:54 AM | Paul Nagy | | John Soppanish is a hands on citizen and has proven his concern for the city through the years by his great contributions of time, deeds and energy. I strongly endorse John Soppanish and think his continued contributions will make our city a better place. Good luck John! | | 9/10/2009 11:43:52 AM | Gary Barge | John, I met you in 07 and we have talked on numerous occaissions. We worked together on the Weed & Seed program for the 2nd Ward. All that time and effort was blocked by the powerhouse. To the people of the 2nd Ward this is your candidate for Nov. 3. I have the utmost respect for John Soppanish. You can rely on him and he will always tell you like it is.He has nothing but the best intentions for the 2nd Ward. GO JOHN. you have my support even though I'm not in the 2nd Ward.
Gary Barge | | 9/10/2009 12:07:39 PM | VietVet | | John sounds like what we need on Council. Straight forward, no nonsense and logical. Let's start cleaning Council's house in November with people like John. After we straighten up Council, let's clean the deadwood out of the city building. Mr. Soppanish has the correct ideas to start the change we need to correct the destruction caused by past and the current leadership. Vote for Mr. Soppanish!!! Help change Middletown! | | 9/14/2009 8:31:25 AM | THE WEAVER | | I think John Soppanish is the person we need for the second ward. He has put in his time to help the second ward. This is where his heart is--in improving not only the second ward but the City as a whole. His ideas are fresh and innovative. I wish him the best of luck in the upcoming election. Be sure to get out and vote on November 3rd. | | 9/29/2009 5:53:30 AM | Nelson Self | | John Soppanish is the only Ward 2 City Council candidate who speaks out of the issues of importance. He brings maturity, experience, accountability and inclusiveness to all of the people of western and southwestern Middletown. | | 10/7/2009 8:58:11 AM | g dawg | | Anyone have thoughts on J.S's accusations about Smith's pictures being altered...all of the comments say J.S. is the only candidate focused on real issues, a strightshooter, etc, etc. Sounds like an act of desperation to me. J.S. is what, 67? Time for some of the younger generation to have their chance...can't do much worse than the mess other generations have gotten us in to. Since most people on here are buddies with him, I don't expect to see anything negative about him. Prove me wrong. | | 10/7/2009 9:06:07 AM | Jack Fate | | OK dawg--this was a bad and un-necessary move by Mr.Soppanish. Common knowledge that AJ worked for the Obama campaign and was fairly well-connected. So what is the real issue? John should be concentrating on his showing tonight and winning the ward spot by championing the important issues. His public speaking has been terrible, evidenced by his stammering last night. I now question his qualifications to fill that position if he is off chasing such petty non-issues. Time to re-think support on this one. | | 10/7/2009 2:26:30 PM | FactFinder | I was going to vote for Soppanish however after going to several meeting where he spoke I became concerned about Mr. Soppanish's temper and how he my react if he became a council member.
AJ Smith may be young but I have talked with him several times and find him well informed on the current issues concerning the City. |
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