Middletown Town Hall with Josh Laubach

 

I will do everything in my power, and would ask others for help, support, and facilitation after reading this, to bring busloads of people out to the polls that normally sit at home, to meet in the bursing and assisted living homes, with their grandchildren, and say, this must be defeated, because the city committed just like they did 5 years ago, they'd get than levy passed that did nothing to bebenfit the citizens, and made sure the fat cats remained fat.  

 

Heck, AJ Smith doesn't need to worry about a referndum, in Middletown they have done nothing, Salaries with a minor GDP adjustment, no pay cut, and no asking for a higher % all based on assuring the city workers, council will get that levy renewed. Whatever it takes to organize efefctively for a change, enough will be committed to roll back the tax to 1.5%.

 

What's the point of even discussing 2012, the precdent has already been set, other than now the sole focus on defeating the wasteful spending of ,25%, which will be pursued with zealous activity and purpose.   

I would like to correct one thing. Universities do not supply books, paper or any other materials. Food at the MUM food court is subject to the same sales taxes as any other restaurant in town. The need for those books, paper and such would offer business opportunities in the downtown area to fill those needs.

I am not an economist, Keynesian or otherwise and as far as axiomatic (had to look that one up, lol), it's evident to me until we find out the specifics that nothing about this is self-evident other than we've bought the buildings. The benefits are all conjecture at this point.

 

Spider, you were there and didn't intro yourself; unless you did and I didn't realize who you were. Your recollection of Mr. Laubach's infrastructure statement is accurate.

 

Vet - I agree that the other members of council have shown no interest or support for this idea that I'm aware of. If they have, I'm sure we'll hear about it.  Mr. Laubach did say that he would prefer not to go the referendum route; he is correct that this should be a legislative issue decided by council. If citizens really want this and the council won't support it, the question becomes one of whether we can overcome apathy. I would not want to put money on that proposition.

acclaro--I see Cincy State as a "win" for the city, as the only possible option(at this time) to bring any life back to that portion of the city. As mentioned, students will need textbooks/supplies aprroximate to their classes--nourishment as they spend time in the area--and the entertainment distractions well-assoiated with student life(realize that this will not be a typical dorm/townie atmosphere). Nothing has worked in the area so far, from the current "stakeholders" and municipal approaches. Out-of-town thinking is the obvious next step. Hopefully this will also materialize with the PAC project eventually(I believe that our Mayor stated PAC to have used their allotment of taxpayer funding already). Unlike PAC with a once a month gathering, C St. would be a 5-6 day per week activity, probably from AM to PM. C St.students may well be older, family people, with current employment. Causing them to take evening classes and such. Could be an attractive draw that would bring into place city entrances from the W Middletown area and beyond, rt 4 from Liberty/Hamilton/Fairfield, and from the other end of rt.4 from Carlisle/Germantown. Down rt 73 from Franklin/Springboro, not to mention the locals who will not go on to be doctors,lawyers and executives.

 

so--then we can finally move forward to "fix" the rest of this city(which has been ignored for far too long).

 

jmo and hope at this point.

 

As for the very enjoyable MU-M music series from last year, I don't see anything of that scope up-coming with the loss of David Finkleman for an extended period. I have heard nothing about a venue change to MHS or any artists being booked. I was helpful in bring the series initially here, and advising on artist selection. That, and selling the concept locally, was the extent of my involvement . 99.9% of the credit should go to Howard Epstein & family, Mike Pratt and the Oxford brass who approved the project. It was much fun, a under-appreciated boost to the perception and ambiance of our community imo.

 

Lets explore your kennesyian economic theory and axiomatic viewpoint of downtown and Cincinnati State. You begin and conclude with pure speculation. That is where my point began. You state can, may, perhaps it may happen. Woukd you agree with the following. if not PLEASE enlighten me!

 

i) At this juncture, Cincinnati State has no idea what to forecast for no. of students attending nor what curriculum they will offer, yes, no, maybe?

ii) We have ni idea how emplyees will be here; 20, 1000, how many will commute right, or move?

iii)  We have ni idea WHEN Cicinnati State will begin to hold classes. It could be 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020? We don't know!

iv) Keynesian economics, law of supply and demand theory. Because we have some downtown that means we will have more expenditures? How much, what category? Books you say, food, paper, supplies? All provided by Cincinnati State---just like MUM has the food court. How does that translate to businesses downtown?

v) YMCA memberships---because there are breaks, we may have more uptick in Y memberships---how many?

vi) Renaissance area. How many houses will be built for those we have no idea are moving, and what impact does this have in Middletown?

 

These "macro generalities" have been ongoing for 6 months, with no idea when an answer will materialize.

 

vii) What if anything, could > $500,000 have been spent in alternative based upon the countless unknowns associated with thsi project?

 

May I assume these answers in detail were given at the meeting last night?   

I do understand why city council likes the informal meeting venue. That being said; I would encourage council to hold EVERY meeting of council, formal or not, in council chambers. No amount of comfort is worth the distraction that this has caused and is continuing to cause. There are simply too many important problems facing the city and this is distracting from it. If you want to be comfortable, resign you seat and go to your residence and put your feet up and watch council from the comfort of your living room. This issue is simply not worth the time being expended on it.

The benefits of having Cincy State downtown should be obvious but apparently, I'm mistaken about that. I see the benefits in this way:

 

  1. Students coming downtown to take classes are going to spend money downtown. This is a classic economic case of supply and demand. If you have a supply of people coming downtown, a demand for things like books, food, entertainment, etc. will follow. This provides business opportunities to fill those demands.

  2. Economic activity downtown cannot but help the city's revenue stream. By how much, of course, is up for debate but there will be revenue generated. I think we can all agree that the city need a diversified revenue stream.

  3. Faculty for the school will hopefully move to Middletown. Many people have said to me that the beginning of Middletown's decline was the Armco HQ moving out of town. Depending on the number of classes offered and the diversity of those classes,  we could have a number of well paid individuals contributing to the city's income tax. Certainly can't hurt the city bottom line.

  4.  Cincinnati State could be the catalyst for further development in the downtown area. There are other assets that are downtown that could benefit, including the redevelopment of other buildings in the downtown area.

 

I'm sure that there are more advantages that I haven't listed; by the same token, there will be problems associated with the development downtown. Nothing is ever going to bring Middletown back to former glory; my hope is that this will give Middletown and the downtown a beginning. As I've said; it is all conjecture until the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed.

 

Mr. Laubach made his feeling and intentions clear that he would like to see a dedicated fund for infrastructure improvement. It is more of the how to accomplish this; whether thru legislation or referendum that is now the issue as is whether the other 6 members of council support such an action. Only time will tell  about that.

Can any member of council actually state that they did NOT expect City Council meetings to be held in CityCouncil Chambers???  Where did you think City Council meetings where going to be held???

 

Beginning with TonyB, your point is correct. Anything in writing, other than a contractual obligations, MEANS NOTHING, otta. So, Cincinnati State says we love Middletown, even sign a Memomorandum of Understanding, whatever. It has no teeth, it MEANS NOTHING! Hell, agter six months, there is still no one on council including Mr. Laumbach, that can articlate what the presence of Cincinnati State means to the city. Cincinnati State hasn't even modeled its demographic impact upon student population! Anyone have an idea how many students are going back to scholl and how competitive it is to GET STUDENTS? So why is this such a boost, we'll sell more gas, more beer, more homes, 5 buildings won't be torn down? Does no one ever want a straight-forwad answer? Surely it did not come last night.

 

What financial crisis Mr. Lambaugh, multiple sides of coucnil and city leadership speaking different tongues! The city has stated everything is on a nice trendline for 2011, so we have sime concerns about 2012. Those concerns are dictated by one thing Mr. Laumbagh, and that is the few $ Mm the city will lose with a .25% drop in tax revenuethat nothing statistically was accomplished by the public safety levy. Hell, even the fire department is on the record stating it costs more in expense, SUBSTANTIALLY, to get to the Atrium, in hundreds of $ Kk in diesel fuel et al, and TIME.

 

So next year, because of the runaway train, we should be worried about pensions? Kasich took care of that, you have the tools to handle it. Are you and council planning on using them? Again....no answers. Smith out trying to get his union job by showing he is against the SR5 initiative, and there is this nice "glitterig generality" Mr. Lambaugh brings up called: "we want the city to know we have serious financial siutaions before us." Mr. Lambaugh, my God man, the city hasn't maintained streets in >20 years, that's serious. The city has lost all credibility: the untouchable 255 reserve is now down to 15%, but that hasn't affected the bond rating or interest on borrowing. The city even went and refinanced debt on the airport because interest rates were so low.

 

The city and all council members, have no credibility. I am sick of it. Mr. Mulligan, I am taking you up on it. I am out of here. I''ll take my capital loss and move where there are people who can give answers, think, and quit spinning these constant macro topics which have no teethm mean nothing, and 99.9% of the rsidents think progress is being made. Insanity is doing and SAYING the same thing over and over. This is the exmple of Insanity, heard year after year, informal council meeting after another. I give up, time to pack it in.     

 

  

 

Did Mr. Laumbagh indicate how soon he was putting back on the ballot, the dedicated infrasturtcure fundsor even mention it?

 

The Moormans have a niche business that is uniue; it has nothing to do with Middletown other than they were here when they built the business, actually the husband, not the wife.

 

The complaints on the chatterbox between Mr. Mulligan, Picard, and Smith does nothing. 4/7 are up for re-election. There would be no success in a recall as not enough signatures would support it in the 2nd ward. Everytime I think these 'citizen' meetings have any death, I am sorrowly disappointed. This one is another. 12 people show up and 2,000 for Sam Ashworth's birthday bash?  Apathy pretty apparent.

 

Don't think there will be any credible alternatives running against any incumbantin Nov of 2011. This cycle continues year after year, and just doesn't stop. 

I got the impression that it was Cincy State that came to Middletown not the other way around. I also found that the money spent to purchase those buildings could not have been spent on anything other than redevelopment of the downtown. I'm still concerned that we've put the cart before the horse. While Cincy State has made a serious committment; it is not a final committment. When they sign a deal, I'll stop worrying about this. While I admit I was relieved to hear some of the information presented, I'll wait to congratulate anyone til it's a sure thing!!!