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Middletown South |
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viper771
MUSA Resident Joined: Mar 16 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 221 |
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Posted: Aug 19 2010 at 12:11pm |
Yeah, everyone else thinks everything but the newer east side is the worst part of town ;)
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angelababy
MUSA Resident Joined: Aug 04 2010 Status: Offline Points: 103 |
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If you want an older house to restore etc... You could try the newly created historical district ,would love to have a new quality family in town nothing is happening in that area,Too listen to everyone else it's the worst part of town.
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Kujani1840
Outsider Joined: Dec 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Thank you Mikepresta and spiderjohn for your comments. I totally agree with your statement about the reason for the property being so cheap; however 100k worth of improvements on that house and it would be amazing, but with the condition of the neighborhood it doesn't warrant the investment, at least not now. I don't see anyone doing anything with those houses other than making them into multi family homes. If someone could come in and buy the entire block and restore them and sell them as single family homes, as my wife and I joked that we would, then they could make a difference. Just buying one and making it nice is going to help much. It would make a nice start, but unless something is done with the rest of the street, it's a waste of time and money.
As far as Atlanta, good grief, you are not lying there. Atlanta's problems are the same as Middletown's just on a much larger scale: poverty, housing conditions, mis management of funds, etc... Of course Atlanta also has a MUCH worse crime problem than Middletown will hopefully ever have with all of the gangs, illegal immigrants, the taxes are outrageous even to live in a dumpy neighborhood, plus they have corruption amongst City Hall. The last Mayor hired all of his friends and gave them 6 figure salaries with absolutely no responsibilites. He then bankrupted the city and moved to Florida. Of course he had to go to jail for a whole 6 months and brush up on his golf game. Some of his friends would clock in at work and then leave and go play golf, go shopping, go home or wherever they wanted to go. We actually live in a suburb of Atlanta.
I do appreciate the time everyone has taken in this forum. I am still a fan of Middletown and I hope that someone can revitalize it soon. Who knows, if I hit the lottery, I may still come in and buy up all the homes and "save" it anyway. Happy new year.
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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kujani--if the S.Main St.properties were in good order, you wouldn't be able to buy them so cheaply.
Unless you go to an up-scale community, Ohio is full of similar issues in most areas.
Then again--you pay premium for real estate in those areas.
Honestly--I doubt that anything said on this message board would sway your family's decision on such an important decision.
We are what we are--same with Atlanta(which has it's own problems).
Best of luck to you--whatever you choose.
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Kujani:
I am glad that you got to the truth. Now that you have posted it, expect to be roundly criticized as being negative, a scoundrel, mis-informed, ignorant, lazy, hard-hearted and worse.
Good luck in Franklin, I am certain that you will be an asset to that community.
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Nelson R. Self
MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 03 2009 Status: Offline Points: 279 |
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My prayer in 2010 is for City Council members to insist upon transparency and accountability from senior City staff at One Donham Plaza. How refreshing it will be for average citizens to know what is really going on at City Hall and for senior staff to be held accountable for their actions (or inaction).
The truth will set the captives free !!
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wasteful
MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 793 |
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Interesting how someone can read some Newspapers, Blogs, other web sites on the net and come to the reasonable conclusion that Middletown is over run with Section 8, all in the name of City Supporting itself on Federal Dollars.
Also interesting how Judy, Dave, Tony, Jim, Anita, Leslie, Larry and Bill can't see what has been done and continues to be done by them each month all for the almighty federal Dollar.
Destroy the City, destroy the Schools, destroy the will of the people. destroy the business community, destroy the infrastructure, destroy the job market and all for what...........to maintain a Power Grip on the city and push more dollars into a failing City Hall.
Thank You City Leaders.
All of a sudden 2010 is not looking so good.....................
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Kujani1840
Outsider Joined: Dec 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Thank you, I really appreciate that. We actually found a few homes in Franklin, one in the Mackinaw Historic District? They do look really nice. My friends will be looking at them this weekend. We do really like the area. We were so upset with the South Main houses. They looked so beautiful and have so much character. There are some older houses that are for sale in Middletown that look really nice, but ...... Anyway, thanks for helping out. Take care.
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viper771
MUSA Resident Joined: Mar 16 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 221 |
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Franklin is a nice little town north of Middletown. I wanted to move there but I wasn't able to afford the old house that we wanted to get in the first place. Check out some of the houses on Oxford road and the historical society there was very helpful to me.
I am sorry to hear of your decision about Middletown but it is totally understandable. My wife and I are still new to the town but we know it will be an uphill battle for awhile. Good luck to you and your family, and I do hope you guys find your perfect home :)
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Kujani1840
Outsider Joined: Dec 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Spiderjohn, why would you doubt my sincerity? Do you think I have nothing better to do than to read hour after hour for days on end until 3 or 4 am about Middletown and the available homes? To watch every video on Youtube about Middletown? To read every newspaper article that I could find on Middletown? I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I could find something better to do than to waste your time. You have no idea how serious I was. My wife and I talked non stop for a month about moving to Middletown. We fell in love with the pictures of 700 South Main Street. We had already made many plans on what we could and would do with the house. We plan on opening a business near the area and even joked that if our business became successful enough we would buy more of the historic homes, renovate them and sell them to single families and personally save Middletown. Obviously, that's not even a remote possiblity even if we became millionaires. As far as my intention, we have decided to look elsewhere. Believe me, it is a very painful decision. I had my brother in law, who is a realtor, my sister and her husband and my best friend, who is a licensed housing inspector, go and check out 700 South Main Street and 514 South Main Street. They all agreed that both houses, the bones of them anyway, were absolutely beautiful. But they had been neglected for so long that it would take approximately $100k to renovate 700 South Main Street. We were trying to suprise our family so I was trying to use another realtor. She failed to mention to us that the house had been CONDEMNED and all of the windows were boarded up and that it had been used previously as what appears to be a homeless shelter. It needs a roof, wiring, plumbing, etc... 514 Main Street has had a lot of work done on the inside, but it has a big mold problem. They also found that quite a few of the other homes around it had their windows boarded up. Now, in all of my years as a police officer, I've worked in many neighborhoods that had many vacant homes. Not all of them had to board up the windows in order to keep them from being broken into or damaged. The ones that did were normally very bad neighborhoods with a lot of crime. Now, I'm hearing talk of an active gang problem from some of my police friends. I've considered all of those factors; the crime, section 8 problem, the condition of the homes, the state of the education (approximately 30% of students don't graduate and 2% attend college). I'm not trying to talk bad about anyone. It sounds to me like there are a lot of good people stuck in a bad town with not much hope. I'm not that brave of a person to subject my 2 toddler children to an uphill battle.
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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wow kujani--you concern yourself with banter between those posting here more so than the true assrssments of our community?
These are honest and reasonably accurate opinions of the city where WE live.
I am wondering if YOU are for real or just playing around.
SWOhio is presenting many legit positives about the area.
He obviously is knowledgeable and loves Middletown, seeing a much brighter future down the road.
We ALL hope for that.
Still--I don't believe that SWOhio lives or works anywhere near Middletown.
We have our negatives obviously, and you seem to want a fair appraisal of our community from those who frequent this forum.
Pretty much what you have recieved.
You might try the TV MIDDLETOWN website for replays of Council and Planning Comm.meetings to understand a little more.
And visit the Middletown Journal website for daily news and opinions.
We could use more mid-upper scale families, buying into our excellent real estate market.
Rosa Parks school is definitely on the improve with a young Mr.Edwards as the principal. He is a fine local man determined to make things better, and is doing so.
We have fine local restaurants--The Meadows,Stefano's,Java Johnny's.Taste of Memphis,Checkers,The Jug,The Anchor,Grecian Delight and others I regret not mentioning. Retail options are very thin and going the wrong direction. Still--as mentioned you aren't far away from every option(as you would know being from Hamiltucky). Atrium is a good medical facility.
Our local govt. is in transition and WILL be changing to a more citizen-friendly direction. THEY brought on the Section 8 glut to keep their job security and benefits. This direction has destroyed our retail environment, with NO help or involvement from city economic development. A real black mark against them.
We have a good, fair Mayor. A genuinely nice person who DOES care and listen. Don't really agree with his overall philosophy, but that is a work evolving. Our Council WILL be moving to a more receptive direction for citizen concerns and input. The old guard who has masterminded our decline is aging rapidly and beginning to lose their death grip on local govt.
We are just the concerned citizens.
We care very much, even though we don't always agree.
There is "right and wrong" in our opinions.
Hopefully we will sort through them and apply the best solutions to unification and a brighter future.
Our area formerly known as downtown and our empty retail centers can only get better. Same with our schools. We need real employment--nothing unusual to the Midwest industrial areas. Residents need income--not subsidy. Bail-outs are hardly the answer to anything.
Mr.Laubaugh is a fine young man who may well work to change t he direction of our city.
I like him very much, and have confidence in his approach and enthusiasm.
In essence--
you asked--we answered
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swohio75
MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 13 2008 Status: Offline Points: 820 |
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Those of us, like myself, who try to look at Middletown and its future in a positive light often come under a lot of criticism on this site. However, just because we keep a positive attitude doesn't mean that we aren't equally as frustrated with some of what's happened in our town--in particular the Section 8 and subsidized housing issues.
That being said, Middletown’s future is in people who are willing to make an investment in our community, such as Kujani. And I could not be more thrilled that he or she is considering Middletown as home—and even more thrilled that he or she is looking at our historical district. I agree with Kujani that the bickering and negativity could be a big turn off for perspective residents that this community desperately needs. A lot of you hammer the city on not being business friendly. Take a look in the mirror and see just how friendly you are being to potential residents yourself. To answer your questions about the school district. I am a firm believer that a child can get a great education in Middletown’s schools, so long as education is a top priority in the family’s household. Middletown’s school “issues” are in the form of test scores. Research shows that low income kids perform poorer on tests, and with the abundance of low income kids in our district, it’s no wonder test scores are lower and progress is slower. The issue with purchasing a home in on South Main is the elementary school for that neighborhood—which is Rosa Parks Elementary. It has consistently been the poorest performing school in the district. Students, however, qualify for school of choice which I believe means you can send your child to another elementary school in Middletown. Middletown currently has two middle schools—Vail and Verity. They are both about equal in terms of performance, but Vail is the larger of the two schools. As long as your child gets on the “advanced” track in middle school and stays on that track through high school, he or she will be fine. Also, high school students can also enroll in Miami University Middletown coursework their junior year (I think), and it is right across the street from Middletown High School. As you probably have come to the conclusion, South Main Historical District is a mix of single family and converted multi-family homes. There are both single family and converted homes on the market at the moment. Converted homes tend to be less expensive. Some multi-family have been converted back to single family homes. Marty Kohler—Middletown’s Planning Director—lives in the district. He is currently restoring a home that was used as a nursing home for many years. I was in it a couple of years ago and saw some of the renovation. He would be an excellent resource for you. And because the house is part of a district that is listed on the National Register, you may be able to qualify for federal funds for help with renovation. I am no expert in that regard, but again, Marty may be willing to help you. Here are some amenities close to the historical district: Middletown Public Library—has been top rated in the nation Middletown Area YMCA The Great Miami Connection Recreation Trail which will eventually link up to Cincinnati and Dayton along the river. In Middletown, it connects you Smith Park. Middletown Tennis Club is on the edge of the district, which historically has been a top-notch club http://www.middletownsportscomplex.com/home/ You have a 9-hole golf course in the district with pretty reasonable rates to join the club—which also has a pool. Three long-time congregations within walking distance—First Methodist, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Catholic community not too far away either. Miami University Middletown has a center downtown with lots of activities There’s the Broad Street Bashes and other activities around Governor’s Square throughout the year. Used to be a Farmers Market—not sure. As far as shopping is concerned, there is a newer Kroger just down Main Street at Engles Corner along with a CVS. There are some restaurants in that area as well—mostly fast food. More fast food and convenience type places along Verity near Germantown Road. Downtown does not have much to offer in terms of dining and shopping at the moment, but I believe in the next five years Downtown could see a major transformation. There are some things in progress that could be very good for the area in general. There is a great spirit of volunteerism and giving back in Middletown. And there is still a lot of pride. And a lot of apathy. And a lot of frustration at the same time. Middletown has a great history, much potential and many challenges to overcome. But no community is perfect. You seem to like older homes. Middletown is a community full of them. West Chester, Mason, Monroe, Trenton, Springboro, eh not so much. |
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VietVet
MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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Kujani- you have just stated in your post one of the many reasons that are causing the negativity in our posts. Bingo! your Section 8 comments as to over abundance, using the program as a revenue generator instead of luring companies and employment to town for revenue (like most towns do), and the people outside Middletown calling us "section 8- welfare-low income- low class- etc. (image has gone down the toilet) ALL of these issues has infuriated us here on this site. You have just realized why we are all so angry! Now, you understand.
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VietVet
MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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Well Pac, what other explanation would you have for the lack of interest, apathy and general malaise from the general populace of this town? IMO I'm not treating my statements as assumptions at all, but rather observations over time. I don't need to know each individual in town to make a generalized statement about the absence of enthusiasm and citizen involvement, do I?
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Kujani1840
Outsider Joined: Dec 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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I'm really beginning to wonder if we should move to Middletown with all of the hostility flowing between the members on here. I think I received a handful of helpful responses and the rest turned into everyone arguing. I understand that some of you believe that you're being helpful by being "honest" but to a prespective resident, you're giving us a very bad opinion. I do have questions for the council man, however. I'm not sure if he can or will answer them on here or not, but we're very concerned about the percentage of Section 8 housing in Middletown. We have relatives visiting and they say that Middletown is called "Section 8 town" by outside residents. According to my research, Middletown has twice as many Section 8 vouchers as the rest of the entire county! To me, that's absurd. Is that the only way that Middletown has to make money? Over 11 million dollars from the government? It sounds like welfare for the city to me. Even my friends outside the city can't believe that Middletown has resorted to collecting a check from the Federal government to get by. I hope it can get resolved. We would still like to move there but I hope that we can get more helpful suggestions.
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Pacman
Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612 |
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You guys as making some big assumptions about people you either don't know or have only met once or twice.
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randy
MUSA Official Joined: Jan 13 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1586 |
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Vet, It's too bad that people feel this way. Until people come out and stand up, and make those in charge listen you cant bitch JMO. It's no different with voting, if you don't vote you cant complain. So if people want to say "this is whats wrong with our city, and this is what should be done" they need to do it at a meeting at least once. You and I have spoken many times at these meetings, along with Spider, Presta and Nagy. I know people are busy, hell we are all busy but this is our town and if you really want to see some change then one would make time to show up.
If people are are SO frustrated ,as you say, one would think you would show up just to tell council to kiss your @$^ I am hopeful that some things will change with the new blood on Council, but it is still up to us to force change. |
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Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357
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VietVet
MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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randy- they won't show up at council meetings to speak their mind for the same reasons they wouldn't show up at Nick Kidd's meeting a few years ago at the old Montgomery Ward building, nor the Sunday Library sessions a while back, the 3rd Ward Marconi thing at the Senior Citizens Center nor the "Meet The Candidates" sessions before the last election ........they are angry, frustrated and feel helpless and without a voice, but they won't get up off the couch, jump in the car and come to the meetings to voice their feelings or ask questions. The old "Apathy Disease" is always with us. Apparently, it's going to take much more than what is currently happening to get the people out in numbers. I guess the town just hasn't gotten bad enough yet or the people haven't been personally affected enough by the city for them to react. Too busy fighting the day to day problems at home to add another problem fighting the city, or, they would just rather move out of the city and leave it all behind. Alot of people sitting on the sidelines watching but not wanting to get in the game. JMO
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randy
MUSA Official Joined: Jan 13 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1586 |
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Wasteful & Mr. Dave, Here is my problem with this whole discussion you two are having. Dave wants us to focus on the positive of which there is not that much of and Wasteful wants us to focus on the negative which there is too much of. My question for both of you and for all reading this post, is this....why do you not attend council meetings? I go to everyone and it's all ways the same couple of people there, the SpiderJohn's the Mike Presta's and the Vet's. Why dont all of you show up, fill out a citizens comment card and speak your mind? And please dont tell me it's because you get no answer from council or you get the standard "we are not set up to answer question's at this time." i have been there and hear those response to, so what, go anyway. If 50 people showed up ready to talk it might open some eyes. If the next week 100 showed up it might send a message.It's not about Council answering you it's about showing them you are willing to come down there and tell them just how you feel, ask one of them a question directly, If they dont answer come back next week and ask again, tell them you will be back next week. There is a room full of people there and many watching on TV Middletown show them the way council is acting. Turn to the TV Middletown cameras and ask the citizens watching to come down and join you next week.
Mr. Dave you are right about one, you should never let someone else dictate what you do or say.
Glad to see you stop by Mr. Laubach. Cant wait to see you in action on the 5th.
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Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357
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Laubach
Outsider Joined: Aug 12 2009 Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Sorry. My email is joshual@cityofmiddletown.org
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Laubach
Outsider Joined: Aug 12 2009 Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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kujani1840;
My name is Josh Laubach. As a Middletown City Councilman, I would love to see you and your family move to Middletown. Although we have suffered setbacks, we have a great deal to offer those looking to find a solid community with great character and potential. Please email me and I would be happy to assist you with any information I can. If I don't know it, I will point you in the right direction. Thanks, Josh |
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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new potential resident--the BEST real estate values are in mid-city imo.
Plenty of wonderful/interesting homes at very good pricing.
Puts you closer to what amenities are available.
You could play the schooling issue many different ways when the time comes, and the local district can only get better.
Honestly, crime in Middietown is pretty much pg rated when compared to serious locations.
Come here--be nice, helpful and constructively involved-we will love you and help you however possible
These are very good people here--just ignored by our local government, which will be changing faces through the next election--guaranteed
I like the S Main old mansion and would try it if I had a family or the talent to fix it up
There is another nice piece in the Highland area for big $$ that could also be a masterpiece, though the asking price + fix-up makes it a bad investment imo.
jmo
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wasteful
MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 793 |
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Dave like I said people with Blinders on. Dave being truthful is not being negative. Telling the world that "Middletown has a Bright Future" under the current circumstances is being less than truthful.
We as citizens want answers and actions to:
Reduce Poverty
Reduce Section 8
Improve and maintain our Infrastructure
Improve our schools
Shore up our business community
The Amenities that come with a City of 50k population
Control Crime
Be able to have a dialog with our leaders
etc. etc. etc. etc.
Now being a good neighbor which I am sure most if not all of us on here are is not going to solve the major issues of this city. If you want the fluff and the nicey nice talk just turn on TV Middletown daily and you will get plenty of it as they do not have discussions about the above issues.
Are there quick fixes for the above nope, but ignoring the citizens unless they have the right last name or a big fat wallet isn't the answer. Pretending the issues don't exist doesn't make them go away. Telling people that Middletown is currently a wonderful place to live doesn't either, especially when they are talking about dropping a boat load of money on some property.
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Pacman
Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612 |
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The two area Private schools that are probably the most well known are:
Middletown Christian School
John XXIII Elementary/Bishop Fenwick High School
My son goes to Middletown Christian and he loves it there. Cost is about $4500.00+ a year. The other option is to enroll your kids in the surrounding Public schools districts with open enrollment. There are several excellent school districts in surrounding areas. Madison or Monroe, etc.
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Kujani1840
Outsider Joined: Dec 27 2009 Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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That's what I was afraid of, Pacman. What are some of the private schools in the area that are reasonable and successful?
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