Note To City Council:

Talking Heads wrote: GS, if you are referring to the TH post above calling for action, it was not a joke. It was complimentary to some and did offer a solution. Provided an opinion/suggestion  - as most do on this site - about and for those who seem fed up with the past, current, and potential future of Middletown to take collective action. This could result in a formidable plan for the city that provides increased opportunities for the livelihoods of residents and businesses. I'm certain some bloggers do much volunteer work and strive to bring stability to Middletown. Reverse what V. Moon stated as what leads to failure and you have the foundation for success.

Talking.....I applaud your suggestion about taking action concerning the future of Middletown. On several occasions in the past, attempts have been made to organize and throw some resistance toward the current regime and changing the current direction and priorities of this city. Unfortunately, the attempt at the old Montgomery Ward building on University and the attempt at the Library died as a result of the apathy found in most of this town. Couldn't get anyone to show up in any numbers to make it worth while. Perhaps you could suggest an approach that you think might work to stimulate the people enough that they would show in numbers to any meeting?

" Part of the solution ". Was taught to saying nothing if it wasn't nice or helped solve a problem. Any time you like to tell me your solutions please have at it. This will come off like a third grader but if you like to compare time cards for volunteering please send me a private message so you can enlighten me on how to get involved. What a joke!! Again are the drug stores in town closing early, must be cause some folks aren't getting their meds.

Hey talking head:
Since your post directly followed my post, I'll assume that you are referring to me.
Rest assured that I have been inside pretty much every business property in this city numerous times, and over decades.

Why should a "leader" make over $100,000.00 while we lose firemen and cops and our city goes down hill. Also, why do we pay so much to our leaders when we are such a small city?

Mr. P,

I think they like to call that "having the same vision". The problem seems to be that their vision is a little fuzzy on details, like: who's going to pay for it and how it advances the community. The devil is always in the details!

If some of you had been in the buildings of downtown that you mention, had vision (and not just a mouthpiece) then perhaps you wouldn't be so quick to judge which are worth saving and which are not.  Suggest you get out and be part of the solution and not the deterioration of Middletown and its entire community. 

Vivian...

Don't see how the MMF'ers are going to convince anyone that the Rose Furniture property, the Jobs and Fam. Services building, the property next to Hook Field, nor any of the banks from the Thatcher purchase fiasco as historic and fed grant qualified. Perhaps the Manchester, the Sorg Opera House, the Sorg Mansion and the old US Hotel may qualify.

It is disgusting to see these people spend so much time, money and effort in a 3 block area of a dormant, desolate downtown area and have apparently abandoned the area around I-75, which is, of course, where the real growth is happening, judging by the activity up and down the corridor. The Austin Pike area north and the 129, Union Center area south, is evidence that this is the case, yet the morons running this town ignore the obvious, ignore the intelligent development of other communities, and are obsessed with an area 5-7 miles off the beaten path that is difficult and confusing to get to by out-of-towners.

The town is being torn to pieces and sacrificed in the name of protecting the value of a few S. Main St. homeowners like Mulligan and Kohler.

Spider, you mentioned that Mort and Joe Mulligan "rock the boat". Isn't it the general consensus that Mort and Joe Mulligan are friends of the MMF and were nothing more than additional council puppets that spoke when told to by their masters behind the curtain? We're not going to get them to do the right thing for this town. They, like Becker, Allen, Picard and, at times, Scott-Jones, are all bought and paid for. (yes, I said it, Ms. Scott-Jones.....sometimes you go right along with the crap the others are shoveling) JL is the ONLY one who puts up at least token resistance to this nonsense on a semi-consistent basis and even he votes on their side sometimes. Sad to see. No one for the people on a continual basis. No one.

Spider
I believe the only thing that you forgot was the 1.2 million bond for the demo of the Swallens Building & Garage and all the loss of property taxes since the City purchased all these buildings and demoed some of them.
So I went to the closet and dusted off my Crystal Ball to see if I could see what will happen next……
Now that the Cincy State deal is down to only one building with 250 students they are about to be exposed for what this deal was really about. In order to complete their plan under the cloak of Cincy State they will need to purchase the following properties ASAP or within the next 6 months.

◦  MMF will buy the Sorg Opera House
◦  Ms Judy will transfer all of the other Cincy State (Thatcher Properties) over to
    MMF Inc. to get them off the City’s books. (Landbank)
◦  MMF will buy the old Rose Furniture building on Main Street
◦  MMF will buy the old US Hotel building on Main Street
◦  MMF will buy the Family & Jobs building on Central Ave
◦  MMF will buy the property next to Hook Field
◦  MMF may try to buy the Sorg Mansion, however money may be a problem

This will give MMF TOTAL CONTROL over a 3 blocks area of THEIR DOWNTOWN

◦  MMF will then apply for Federal Grants for restoration of these Historic
    properties and the property values of Main Street will be pumped up and saved.

 

Pac, I have enormous respect for you and your positive spirit. However, on Middletown, and raising money to put into infrasture, it will never happen. Let me tell you why.

Firstly, if your position is there should be no taxes raised, middletown has had in place for at least a year, a means where residents on a street can carry a 60% vote, and have the city pave the road, repair gutters, aprons, et al. So, that resolves the problem you reference by allowing citizens to amortize that expense over tim. To my knowledge few, if any, have taken advantage of that program.

Secondly, in the event any money was dedicated, that was prpoed by councilman JL, and it failed by 6-1 I believe. Hence, that would never pass.

Thirdly, I would never trust any funds in a tax or an accrued collection solely for roads, as the city would use those funds, and give a % to other areas of expenditures, just like the public safety levy.

There is no means of accomplishing the goal you advance, and i, who sated for yers they should dedicate a % of funds to roads. JL tried that, and they told him to go pound sand, and pack his bags.    

Thank You Mr. P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  and Acclaro who continues to break it down. Ms. Moon will you have any posters ready for sale on Monday?

Vivian,
 The city does have a vision, a plan and has acted on it. The problem is the leadership is lacking one important element: competence!!! If MMF is any example of the leadership skills in this town, it wouldn't matter not one iota whether they had a vision, plan or acted on it!!!

Support,

Acclaro brings up a valid point; where's the money to come from. It's not like developers are beating down the door to come to Middletown; it seems that every time a developer is interested, the city either nixes the plan or gives them free rein and a tax break. Those projects always seem to be non-profit or no risk, such as PAC. I also find it amazing that after crying about too much housing, the city will hold a public hearing to build more housing!!! Not to mention, you don't just build a downtown. You can build an area that looks like a downtown but that doesn't make it one. Branding or rebranding something doesn't make it so; calling fecal matter a rose doesn't change the smell!!!