I'd like to respond to your post Pacman.....

PACMAN-"Why does everyone think that Middletown must have high paying jobs?"

Because high paying jobs allow people to have disposable income rather than "living from paycheck to paycheck" money. When people have disposable income, they buy houses instead of renting, they buy that car for the wife, they purchase more clothes, have more money for the kids, buy new furniture, appliances...more money flow in town. If we are content with Wal-Mart, fast food and Dollar General choices and the lousy wages they pay, no one has any hope for upgrading their standard of living. JMO

Pacman- "This is something that just is not going to happen ever again"

You're right....if we never pursue better jobs for the town. No one at city hall seems to see the need to even attempt the pursuit of decent jobs here, Sun Coke, being the exception. Instead of targeting $6 to $9 /hour, why don't we strive for $15-$25/hour? A household with two incomes at $15 to $25/hour can live quite nicely here in Middletown. Not a "Donny Trump" lifestyle, but not hurting either.

Pacman- "Middletown needs a New High School and A New Middle School (Not remodeled) to compete with other local suburbs"

Nope, disagree Pac. Don't need new facilities to compete. The new elementary schools have proven it's not the building. All new elementaries have produced minimal improvement. It's the method of instruction, the discipline needed, the parental support at home and the commitment of the admin. and teachers that will get the results we should be seeing. New buildings mean nothing if there is no quality of content inside.


Pacman- "If the city would concentrate on appeling to middle income residents and children rather the low income citizen that we currently have that cause most of the expense and problems, Middletown could turn itself around"

Not going to happen as long as Gilleland, Mulligan, Kohler, Landen and others are running the town. They don't care about the middle class (except at levy or tax time of course). Just care about your money. They care about their buddies and their masters, the MMF'ers who make their decisions for them. The low income are the reason for fed dollars and city revenue in lieu of bringing jobs to town for revenue. They need the low income for money, hence, they get all the attention. The low income programs are the cash cow and the city doles out the money to all who are participants like sugar daddies.

Pacman- "The last city I lived in prior to Middletown had 100,000 people in it and 0 industrail, mechanical, or other high paying jobs. It had 4 Walmarts, and a dozen or so grocery stores. Most jobs were average paying minimum wage filled by students and part time mothers etc"

Without decent jobs in this town, that makes Middletown a commuter town or bedroom community where people would live but would not work here. The wage taxes on commuter income goes to the town that the people work in, not Middletown. Not helpful to the city pocketbook. That drastically reduces the money flow and revenue generation needed so badly now (and currently supplied through fed government handouts like Section 8 and other ghetto producing programs)

Pacman- "The Schools run on the grading systems and most schools in this city (aleast 8 yrs ago anyway) were graded "A" or "A+".

IMO, the last time the schools even approached the "A" or "A+" level was in the 60's. This school system has been going down the toilet since the 70's as to quality of education.

Pacman- "This city was the place to live and raise your children"

Yep, in the 60's it was. Now, it has had the heart ripped right out of it by poor leadership, poor decision-making and with no vision, and with that went the quality of living that once thrived here. The city leaders we have had since the 80's has been extremely poor and we are seeing the end results of that now. This city has been decimated by ineptness at the helm. JMO

SupportMiddletown wrote: I am always amazed at how Mike is so on top of things. Most assuredly, he knows more about enrollment and class schedules than Cincinnati State, which has only been holding classes since 1969.

Well, I am eager to learn, and I am after the TRUTH…so tell me…EXACTLY what classes are being offered at Cinci State’s Middletown campus this fall???

I am anxiously awaiting your answer, SupportMiddletown!!

Let me be blunt.  Cinci state has not announced what classes will be held here at their “Middletown campus” this fall, yet they have begun “enrolling students”!!!  Apparently I am the only one who finds this unusual.

Are they really just “enrolling students” for classes at their Cincinnati campus or for online classes???

How can they be enrolling students for classes at the “Middletown campus” if they have not yet announced what classes will be offered at the “Middletown campus”???

Why does everyone think that Middletown must have high paying jobs?  This is something that just is not going to happen ever again.  Middletown has a better chance of being a suburb to Dayton and Cincinnati if the City leaders get off their asses and clean out the garbage in the city. 

Some comments pertaining to the article.....

MIDDLETOWN — Cincinnati State’s first student enrollee at its downtown Middletown campus helped raise its first sign Monday, signifying the college is open for business here

THAT'S A START. 4999 TO GO TO MEET THE PROJECTED 5000 IN 5 YEARS. THIS ARTICLE IS A LITTLE PREMATURE AS TO MEETING NUMBER QUOTAS AND RAISING THE IMPACT LEVEL ON THE "WOW" FACTOR, ISN'T IT?

“This is opening up not just a place of employment and filling a building, but it’s pairing the people who are going to be working in a variety of things down the road.” Bill Triick comment.

AND WHAT WOULD THAT "PAIRING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE WORKING IN A VARIETY OF THINGS DOWN THE ROAD BE BILL? AS IT STANDS NOW, YOUR STATEMENT IS VOID OF ANY MEANINGFUL SUBSTANCE. JUST PAPER QUOTE JIBBERISH

Middletown Mayor Larry Mulligan said the school will help people in the area improve their education and standard of life

AND HOW WILL THIS SCHOOL "HELP PEOPLE IN THE AREA IMPROVE THEIR EDUCATION AND STANDARD OF LIFE" IF THEY CAN'T USE THE EDUCATION TO APPLY IT TO EMPLOYMENT IN AND AROUND MIDDLETOWN BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T ENTICED ANY COLLEGE LEVEL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO TOWN? IT'S ONE THING TO SUPPLY THE PREREQUISITES TO UPSCALE EMPLOYMENT.....IT'S ANOTHER THING TO SUPPLY THE END RESULT OF THAT PREPARATION BY SUPPLYING JOB OPPORTUNITIES. YOU PEOPLE HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE CYCLE REQUIRED TO MAKE IT WORK. THEY MAY GET THEIR EDUCATION HERE, BUT THEY WON'T STAY. NOTHING TO APPLY THE EDUCATION TO LAWRENCE.

“This is one step forward of many steps forward,” said Mulligan. “It’s going to mean so much to open up the entire region, and open up so many opportunities for so many people.”

SEE COMMENTS ABOVE.

We’re here today because it started out with one man who had a dream, Perry Thatcher,” said Owens to a crowd of about 100 in the lobby of the future branch campus
A "CROWD OF 100"

SLIGHT EMBELLISHMENT

Higher Education Partners will be taking the financial risk, developing the Middletown campus for Cincinnati State. And during a time where people are frustrated with government, Higher Education Partners CEO Michael Perik said Middletown, Cincinnati State and Ohio made progress happen.

“Today’s an example that with the right leadership, with the right commitment from the state, the right commitment from the local community, you can actually still make progress,” he said.

MIGHT WANT TO BACK OFF THE RHETORIC A LITTLE OWENS. JUST ONE STUDENT SO FAR FOR SUCH FLAMBOUYANT TALK. SAVE IT FOR WHEN YOU REACH YOUR PROJECTED 200 STUDENT NUMBERS....OR BETTER YET, THE 5000 NUMBER. THEN THERE WILL BE CREDIBILITY IN YOUR STATEMENTS.

It’s projected that more than 200 students will enroll this fall at Cincinnati State Middletown, and more than 3,000 students will enroll within a few years. The school will offer eight associate degree programs, including Conley’s desired field of study, hospitality management

"PROJECTED"....MORE THAN 3000 STUDENTS WILL ENROLL WITHIN A "FEW YEARS". VAGUE, AMBIGUOUS, GENERALITIES OFFERED HERE. NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE AS YET. 3000 IN A "FEW YEARS" (3 YEARS?....4 YEARS?....WHAT CONSTITUTES A "FEW YEARS"?), WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME FOR THE 5000 NUMBER? THE ANSWER IS......THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN ANY NUMBER PREDICTIONS AS YET WITH JUST THE ONE RESPONDENT SO FAR. IT IS STILL A "HOPE" THAT THIS WILL WORK OUT........SO JUST WRITE THE ARTICLE AS SUCH PITMAN. CUTOUT ALL THE DRAMA, REPORT WHAT HAS OCCURED AND TONE DOWN THE IMPACT TO THE "WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED" LEVEL. THAT'S ALL.JMO

Concentration is on downtown. Forget Breiel or the East End. City leaders can't focus on more than one thing at a time as to econ. dev. Gilleland and crew either are not interested in maintaining the Breiel businesses or think the problem will magically fix itself in time. East End WAS the focal point........that is, until Mulligan, Kohler and others told Gilleland to do something about preserving some neighborhood home value where THEY live by attempting to make the nearby downtown area viable.(To hell with the rest of us as to preserving our home values) The rest of the town burns while the S. Main St. crowd fiddles. The professional office area on Breiel and the first impressions of the city at the I-75 interchange have taken a backseat to an area of town that has repeatedly seen attempts at revival taken and have repeatedly failed. Right now, the way the interchange looks, you may as well relocate the Riverside trailer park there. Would add to the trashy look at the interchange now. Totally misfocused. Totally inept......all of 'em.

Patrick Kay quote...... "Downtown Middletown Inc. Director Patrick Kay is also here because of Cincinnati State.
    “I took the job because Cincinnati State was going to be coming here,” he said. “That would be another major stepping stone to push Middletown into that next phase.”

THE "NEXT PHASE" IS GOING TO BE BUILT AROUND 200 STUDENTS AND A WISH LIST FOR 3000 IN FIVE YEARS? THAT'S IT? NO OTHER PLAN TO ESTABLISH SOME DIVERSITY TO FALL BACK ON IF CINCY STATE DOESN'T WORK OUT AS PLANNED? NO OTHER IDEAS FOR DEVELOPMENT OTHER THAN A SCHOOL TO STIMULATE THE WHOLE DOWNTOWN AREA? COULDN'T THERE BE SIMULTANEOUS IDEAS IN PLACE OR ARE WE ONLY CAPABLE OF ONE-AT-A-TIME THINKING FROM CITY LEADERS?

    "And to have a destination location, like a college, will bring people downtown, Kay said. Cincinnati State officials anticipate that more than 200 students will enroll for the fall semester, and project more than 3,000 students within five years".

OH, I DON'T KNOW KAY. WHEN THE COLLEGE IS UP AND RUNNING, UNLESS IT SPAWNS OTHER ENTITIES OF INTEREST LIKE RESTAURANTS, MOVIES AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENT, I DOUBT THAT MOST WILL BE HEADED TO DOWNTOWN.....UNLESS YOU USE THE COLLEGE FOR CLASSES. DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT HAPPENING WITH SUCH A SMALL COLLEGE OPERATION PLANNED.

    “Having a college downtown is like putting an amusement park right in the middle of your downtown,” Kay said. “You really can’t ask for much more to have a college in your downtown. It pushes the direction of the downtown in a positive direction. It’s definitely going to spring board (economic development) a lot faster.”

AN AMUSEMENT PARK! 50/ 50 CRAPSHOOT ON THE "SPRINGBOARDING ECON. DEVEL. A LOT FASTER (IF AT ALL) WE SHALL SEE IF YOUR PREDICTIONS COME TRUE. WE WILL CONGRATULATE YOU IF THEY DO. WE WILL NOT LET YOU FORGET IT IF THEY TURN OUT TO BE PIPE DREAMS. WANNA REALLY STIMULATE TRAFFIC FLOW/PEOPLE FLOW, HOTELS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA? PUT IN A CASINO. START WITH THE CONVERSION OF THE MANCHESTER INTO A SMALL CASINO AND SEE HOW IT GOES BEFORE EXPANDING. WHY SHOULD THE FOLKS IN INDIANA ENJOY ALL THE RESIDUALS OF CASINO REVENUE? JMO

AND MORE FROM GILLELAND......

"But Gilleland said Cincinnati State “will have the most ability to significantly affect the downtown; perhaps the entire city.”
    The typical needs of many college students, she said, will likely spur development, such as coffee shops, small retail stores and restaurants.
    “I envision a thriving downtown area centered around education, entertainment and the arts,” Gilleland said. “There will be people walking around the streets visiting the many shops and restaurants. This energy will spill over into the entire city, which will make Middletown a more attractive place for young people and families.”

NOPE! THE STIMULATION STARTS WITH GOOD PAYING JOBS TO AFFORD WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING GILLELAND. GOTTA HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME IN YOUR POCKET TO USE THE RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOPS, THE ARTS AND RETAIL STORES. NO EXTRA MONEY......NO SPENDING IN YOUR DOWNTOWN.......UNLESS YOU ARE COUNTING ON PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN TO PATRONIZE YOUR DOWNTOWN. CART BEFORE THE HORSE MENTALITY IMO. GONNA TAKE MORE THAN A REVITALIZED DOWNTOWN TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE. GOTTA ENTICE THEM WITH DECENT EMPLOYMENT FIRST, RIGHT?

Correct, I used to eat there often as well as Capozzi's, but checked out of Middletown completely. My dining is now in West Chester or down on the Montgomery Inn. Thx for correction.  

The bizarre paradox, indeed, irony of the stringing together of Cincinnati State because the city is incapable of bringing private business into Middletown, only public sector gifts such as the appellate court, OJFS (now closed), MUM, and C State, social security office, is that MCSD is losing enrollment, and of course, has dismal performance, and now the city of Middletown is now TASKED with bringing in enrollment increases for Cincinnati State.

I mean, what a paradoxical relationship. The MCSD is losing enrollment, putting a greater burden on the residential property tax owner, and yet the city of Middletown is focusing on increasing enrollment for Cincinnati State. Does this madness ever end?

Think raising tax rates don't matter to businesses? I ask you drive down Breiel again, and look at how many FOR LEASE signs are out. If you are renting or have a lease, companies are moving out of Middletown right and left. The building owned by the Schiavoni restaurant owner that was/ is across from the old Fenwick building is now up as well---FOR LEASE. Take a peek at CS & H's sign---FOR LEASE- AGGRESSIVE PRICING. They want out of that building and the tax burden so badly they'd give it to Cincinnati State.   

From MJ:

It is all so ridiculous.  Can you imagine if an actual company were moving to town to bring in actual jobs?  What kind of over-the-top hyperbole would these local hacks be able to summon then?  Likely we wouldn't hear too much about it because it wouldn't directly impact the downtowners. 

Cincy State viewed as a partner
Miami U., Cincy State are two of five partners in Greentree Academy.

By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer 10:03 PM Saturday, April 7, 2012

    Cincinnati State Technical & Community College will add to Butler County’s reputation as an educational hub in the region, and not be competitor in the growing industry, local experts say.
    The college announced last week it had signed a contract with Higher Education Partners, meaning a downtown Middletown campus will open in the fall in the former CG&E building. More than 200 students are estimated to enroll the first year.
    Cincinnati State will be the county’s first community college, and Perry Richardson, a spokesman for Miami University’s regional campuses, said the two schools have been partners since they entered into an articulation agreement in 2008.
    “It is an agreement that is intended to improve service to area students. Basically it’s an agreement to collaborate,” said Richardson. “I think the citizens of Butler County can be proud that there are so many (educational) options, and they’re convenient, they’re affordable and they’re high quality.”
    One of the collaborations between the schools helped open in 2011 the Greentree Health Sciences Academy in neighboring Warren County. Other partners in the academy include the city of Middletown, Atrium Medical Center and the Warren County Career Center.
    “This is about collaboration not competition,” Richardson said of Cincinnati State coming to Middletown.
     “What this can do is create a system of student transfers between our systems that can be a seamless and effective as possible.”
    Cincinnati State Academic Vice President Monica Posey said being in the same county as Miami University will enhance that partnership.
    “This will provide more of a chance for our faculty to connect and hopefully develop some programming together,” she said.
    Posey said many students already transfer to Miami University from Cincinnati State.
    “They’re going to start near home and they’re going to finish near home,” she said.
The years of anticipation, and for some impatience, about when Cincinnati State would officially sign the deal to open its downtown campus melted Thursday when school officials announced they had signed a 20-year contract — which has four five-year extension options — with Massachusetts-based Higher Education Partners.
    In the future, Butler County won’t be just an educational hub in the region, but THE educational hub, said state Rep. Tim Derickson, R-Hanover Twp., who represents about half of Middletown.
    “Higher education is kind of a priority in this county,” Derickson said. “Even though (Cincinnati State) is starting out on the small scale, there’s not any reason for any of us to believe it’s going to stay on a small scale. They’re going to grow.”
    Posey said Cincinnati State wants to contribute to that future.
    “We’re moving in that direction and Cincinnati State is happy to be a part of that,” she said.
    Cincinnati State has approximately 10,500 students enrolled per semester at its main campus on Central Parkway in Cincinnat. At least 3,560 students could eventually be at the Middletown campus in the years go come, according to study results conducted by Boston-based Macguire Associates and released last June. Posey said having a few thousand students in Middletown in five years is the school’s target.
    Programming is still being developed for the Middletown branch campus, but Posey said “there will be different opportunities.”
    “We’re going to have a range of different programs, and we’ll have two areas of focus,” she said.
    Those students who intend to transfer to a four-year program, like at Miami, will be offered general education courses, and associate degree programs in technology. Courses will feature online and classroom classes, and hybrid options.
    Posey said the school is also looking toward workforce development “and we’re planning some training opportunities that employes can take advantage of as well as individuals.” One of those opportunities is offering stackable certifications. Ohio Sen. Bill Coley, R-Liberty Twp., said the signing “represents many more options for citizens of Butler County, which is a great thing,”
    “It’s a different market than Miami University and they’re going to complement each other very well,” Coley said.
    The Cincinnati State deal is also an economic development opportunity for the city.
    Derickson said while teaching and staff jobs be created — though an exact number has not yet been determined — every student will be training for some type of job.
    “That’s what education is all about,” Derickson said. “It’s not only about expanding your knowledge, but it’s about getting a job.”
    Bill Triick, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, said the community college will “fill a tremendous void.”
    “The educational institution is applying more qualifying graduates to the jobs available because they focused on the jobs available,” said Triick.
    Triick said the chamber has been working with the college to help students be co-op students.
    “We told them we couldn’t guarantee jobs, but we told them we would do everything we could to facilitate their students meeting with local employers to see of there’s jobs that can’t be filled while they’re going to school,” Triick said.
Page 2 of 2
     Higher Education Partners CEO Michael Perik calls community colleges “the workhorses” of education in the country. He said the student base of any community college is diverse, from students not ready for a four-year school to older students looking for a new career.
    “That’s why we love the community college market,” Perik said, “because it serves such a range and it’s so relevant of what’s going on in our country now.”
    Higher Education Partners first started when Bristol Community College opened its e-Health Careers Institute in southern Massachusetts in 2010. The college started with a few hundred to now more than 2,000 students, Perik said. The Cincinnati State deal will be a template for how many projects will be done in the future, he said.
    “What I’m really excited about is this is not only going to be a terrific educational project, but a terrific economic development project for the city,” said Perik, who added there are other deals in discussion around the state and country. “In this day and age and in this economic environment, it’s difficult to get projects like this done unless you have this tripartite cooperation.”

 

Mike