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Vivian Moon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 29 2015 at 5:51pm
Yes siree Spiderjohn you hit the nail on the head with that statement...nothing changing anytime soon.
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acclaro View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 29 2015 at 10:56pm
Great news just came! No school taxes expected for 5 years because the economics are so bad in Middletown the state of Ohio is providing the school district with substantial funding. Lets hope there is more money coming back from the school buildings based upon the higher state calculation.

Nothing has changed in Middletown for years, with the exception of the spinners about a come-back, many that aren't even around anymore. Just stumbled across this in an archive. Where are they now? Candidly, perhaps it really wasn't an exaggeration of a demise.


City burying magazine’s dying list

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

Four years ago, in a much-publicized slap in the face, Middletown was named one of the fastest-dying cities in America, according to Forbes magazine. It was a shot at the city, but there was plenty of ammunition: the empty downtown storefronts, the city’s medium income and a 10-percent jump in the poverty level from 2000-07.

I’m not here to tell you Middletown will ever be equal to Mason — or for that matter, any of the bordering communities — but the city is taking small steps toward respectability, like the failing student making Cs.

Consider that within the last month, Middletown became home to the county’s only community college, downtown businesses received a $50,000 facade grant and Middletown native Kayla Harrison won the gold medal in judo at the 2012 London Olympics.

Middletown now has two gold medalists: Harrison and Jerry Lucas, who led the U.S. men’s basketball team to gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics. How many towns with 50,000 residents can brag about double gold?

But more important than athletic achievements — that’s something I never thought I’d write — Middletown seems to be building a foundation for the future. We didn’t go from All American City in 1957 to No. 10 on the fastest dying list overnight.

Hopefully, the transformation doesn’t take that long.

Since 2011, downtown has welcomed the Pendleton Art Center, Tufts of Hair, @the Square and Cincinnati State Middletown.

The biggest news, of course, was the opening of Cincinnati State Middletown. Last week, more than 200 students started classes, and by all accounts, the college was well-received. With the addition of the students, there’s already a different feel downtown. You have to look both ways before crossing Main Street.

It’s more alive, taken off life support.

These students also should see a more attractive downtown. More than $650,000 will be spent on eight downtown businesses through the Facade Improvement Program being managed by Downtown Middletown Inc. Patrick Kay, director of Downtown Middletown Inc., said the funds will take businesses “to that next level,” and it “leverages more money downtown.”

When certain businesses improve their facades, hopefully surrounding businesses will also update their curb appeal.

I loved the way Les Landen, law director and acting city manager, addressed the momentum he’s feeling downtown at a recent City Council meeting. He called Middletown a “vibrant and healthy community” and praised the school district for producing “great kids.”

But he wasn’t done.

He shot back at Forbes.com: “Be damned with Forbes. We are moving ahead. We are going to be around for a long time doing a lot of good things.”

Apparently, the reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated.



 
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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VietVet View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 30 2015 at 6:28am
"I loved the way Les Landen, law director and acting city manager, addressed the momentum he’s feeling downtown at a recent City Council meeting. He called Middletown a “vibrant and healthy community” and praised the school district for producing “great kids.”

But he wasn’t done.

He shot back at Forbes.com: “Be damned with Forbes. We are moving ahead. We are going to be around for a long time doing a lot of good things.”"

To most, it would be a terrifying feeling not to be able to get a grasp on reality, walking through life with blinders on while believing that what you say is actual truth. But then again, it is Les Landen, professional puppet, yes man, team player and chief Kool-Aid sampler for the people who dwell in the halls of denial at One Donham Plaza.

I would invite Mr. McCrabb to compare his thoughts when this article was written with the actual situation today. Look at CS and, being truthful with oneself, compare the starting numbers with the current enrollment and then consider the amount of time it has taken to start with 200 and grow to the current 700. Not very impressive, especially when it was suppose to be 5000 (later revised to 3000) in five years. Compare the downtown area as a whole from the time this article was written to the current downtown landscape. Given the timeline, do you still think there have been major strides toward any eye-opening growth? If so, your idea of progress and mine couldn't be further apart.......and then there is the ultimate rah-rah cheerleader Patrick Kay mentioned in the article.   Mercy sakes.

I like this statement from McCrabb.....

"With the addition of the students, there’s already a different feel downtown. You have to look both ways before crossing Main Street"

Yeah, 200 students will create a preverbial Times Square log jam and the criteria for success is that "you have to look both ways before crossing Main St." Did he really say that? This is the criteria for success, looking both ways before crossing a street? Are the downtown supporters that desperate in their description of what success means and in explaining the HUGE impact CS has made downtown?
I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
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Dean View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dean Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 30 2015 at 9:10am
One of the best examples of success in Middletown has been the efforts of the California developer that bought the Mall by Meijers and Krogers. The city did not spend any money there, but to his credit, he has done an excellent job of bringing in complimentary businesses. Recently, they paved all the areas that had severe potholes and it has been nicely redone. Its an example as Mr. spiderjohn has stated, let private enterprise buy and succeed.

Cincinnati State is an investment many can still debate either way as to benefit. I know college graduates that have degrees from top schools that went back to Cin State, earned a Computer Engineering, or IT Management associates degree, and are making a high income working with top consulting firms. Many downtown businesses have invested and offer nice discounts, I think Buck's is 15%, for them.  Its always wise to look both ways when crossing a street. But, it is doubtful when downtown, there will be enough auto traffic that would cause the slightest delay in walking across the street. The city spent enough money that it has cost on average, $1300. a Cincinnati State student attending the downtown school. Lets all hope in time, that number goes down with increased enrollment and money spent by students on downtown businesses. The cost/ benefit analysis presently suggests uncertainty whether the Cincinnati State investment is thumbs up, or thumbs down. Time will tell. But, there is a comeback kid, and its called The Mall by 75.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 30 2015 at 9:23am
Rereading this article makes me ill.
After pouring all this money into the "Downtown Dream"  the Thatcher buildings, PAC building and grant money....how many jobs have been created in the downtown area?
How many jobs have left the downtown area during this same time period? 
How much money have we lost in property taxes since almost all these buildings are now non-profit and or are still sitting empty?
And soon we will have the TVM building sitting empty...





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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep 30 2015 at 9:36am
I have two questions:

1) What benefit does the airport ownership by the city of Middletown have? With the new proactive business development model, is the city trying to lure UPS, FedX, Boeing, Airbus, or some air cargo company to town? Is there some expectation a massive Fortune 100 company is going to be attracted to Middletown because of an airport which offers a competitive advantage. Just don't get what purpose a city owning an airport provides.

2) How much help in down payment assistance and what are the caveats, for the city assisted home owner program? Is it $500, $1,000, $5,000?

As for crossing a street on Central, and looking both ways....most would be more concerned about being hit by a bike, than a car.
'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 409 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 15 2015 at 11:21pm
TV Middletown to sign off permanently

By Ed Richter
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN —
TV Middletown will permanently fade into the city’s history just after its 18th anniversary.

The TV Middletown board, which has been struggling to continue operations for the past few years, voted Dec. 10 to cease all operations and permanently close the local television station.

In a letter dated the same day to City Manager Doug Adkins, TVM board president Mike Scorti said Time Warner Cable has been notified of TVM’s intentions to cease providing a signal to Channel 24 as of Jan. 10, 2016. TVM was required to provide 30 days notice to Time Warner Cable notice per its agreement.

Scorti said the decision to stop providing all services was due to many factors, citing TVM could not depend on regular financial support; many former viewers are now seeking local information via social media which was an outlet the non-profit organization could not support; and the board wanted to end operations “on a high note, leaving the community with the memory of TVM’s high quality programming.”

In late September, TVM announced it was going to a social media format. It also announced the layoff of its entire 2 1/2-person staff as well as placing its equipment and its building 1131 Central Avenue up for sale.

For the past few months, TVM and city officials have gone back and forth concerning funding. The non-profit organization sought additional funding from the city to make ends meet but did not provide a financial plan that was satisfactory to city officials. TVM operated on a budget of $150,000 a year — $112,000 from the city and $38,000 from the Middletown City Schools. Middletown City Council has budgeted $112,000 for TVM in the 2016 budget.

The city has agreed to loan TVM $20,000 to help maintain the building and cover utilities until a sale is made, Scorti said in the letter. He said once the building is sold, those funds would be returned to the city immediately.

“Thank you for supporting TVM through the years,” Scorti wrote. “We realize it is time to close TVM, like other institutions, has run its course.”

During Tuesday’s Middletown City Council meeting, Adkins said he has contacted Time Warner Cable and informed them that the matter would be discussed further at council’s annual goal setting retreat in January.

He also said that OurTownTV has submitted a proposal to pick up programming where TVM stopped. Since late October, OurTownTV began producing various community interest features that are streamed via the internet.

Adkins recommended loaning the $20,000 to TVM and also would like the city to look at the TVM’s equipment as well as getting an understanding to determine if bringing it in-house was a viable option. He said the city is already upgrading the camera equipment in the council chamber.

“If it doesn’t work out, we can shut down TV Middletown or put out an RFP (request for proposals).”
Every morning is the dawn of a new error...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 16 2015 at 10:02am
Yep...Just another business obituary for your "Good Old Days" or "Do Remember When" file..and another empty building in THEIR DOWNTOWN.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote middletownscouter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 16 2015 at 10:12am
So the $112k that the city was giving to TVM was coming from funding provided annually by Time Warner by the city supposedly to provide local programming on Time Warner.

With TVM shutting down, what is the city going to do to continue to honor their end of the agreement with TW? Or maybe more to the point how long until TW pulls that funding?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 16 2015 at 11:55am
Wink...I'm sure City Hall will come up with a really great explanation and plan for that money...Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vivian Moon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 03 2016 at 5:50pm

Posted: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016

Middletown considers future of Channel 24 after TV Middletown

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN 

The future of community television in Middletown remains unclear as the city has yet to say whether it will keep Channel 24 or not.

Last month, the TV Middletown board, which provided content and programming that operated on Channel 24 on the Time Warner Cable grid, gave notice to the cable television provider that it will permanently cease providing a signal on Jan. 10 citing that TVM could not depend on regular financial support as the leading reason of several reasons.

The nonprofit organization has been struggling financially for the past few years and many of its former viewers were seeking local information on social media, an outlet that TVM could not support. TVM, which launched programming 18 years ago, was required to provide 30 days notice to Time Warner Cable per its agreement.

For the past several months, TVM and city officials have gone back and forth concerning funding. The non-profit organization sought additional funding from the city to make ends meet but did not provide a financial plan that was satisfactory to city officials. TVM operated on a budget of $150,000 a year — $112,000 from the city and $38,000 from the Middletown City Schools. Middletown City Council has budgeted $112,000 for TVM in the 2016 budget.

In late September, TVM announced it was going to a social media format. It also announced the layoff of its entire 2½-person staff as well as placing its equipment and put its building 1131 Central Avenue up for sale. TVM board president Mike Scorti also requested a $20,000 loan to shutter the community television station and that it would be repaid once it sold its building.

Scorti said the end of TVM on Channel 24 is “very sad” and noted that it produced 400 programs a year. He said the TVM board is actively trying to sell the equipment and already has two prospects interested in buying their building at 1131 Central Ave.

“The building is in great shape,” he said.

Once the equipment and building are sold and the city loan is repaid, Scorti said the board is required as a nonprofit organization to distribute all funds to charities before it can dissolved.

“All good things come to an end,” Scorti said. “We did the best we could.”

City Manager Doug Adkins told Middletown City Council at its Dec. 15 meeting of the TVM board decision to end operations. At that time, he told council that he had contacted Time Warner Cable and informed them that the matter would be discussed further at council’s annual goal setting retreat that is set for Jan. 23.

Adkins was on vacation this week and could not be reached for additional comment for this story.

At the Dec. 15 council meeting, Adkins recommended loaning $20,000 to TVM assist in shuttering the community television station. He also wanted to look at the TVM’s equipment as well as getting an understanding to determine if bringing it in-house was a viable option. Adkins said the city is already upgrading the camera equipment in the council chamber.

“If it doesn’t work out, we can shut down TV Middletown or put out an RFP (request for proposals),” he said.

Adkins also said he received an unsolicited proposal from He also said that OurTownTV has submitted a proposal to pick up programming where TVM stopped. Since late October, OurTownTV began producing various community interest features that are streamed via the internet.

New proposal offers new opportunity

In his proposal, Kevin Stamper of OurTownTV was seeking a five-year contract at $62,000 a year that also included a probationary period, to provide management, production, implementation of both on demand and live stream programming via Channel 24 and through various social media avenues, including, but not limited to FaceBook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. He said that the city, community and school programming would be delivered on all devices “and no one would be left behind.”

Among the various items in the proposal that included two to five new shows per week; three to five streaming events per week; and two to four uploaded, non time-sensitive, shows per week; monthly reports on social media reaches and projections; monthly strategy and production meetings with city officials; a bi-monthly class/workshop for community content providers; and a student/community intern/apprentice program.

“With all of the new things coming (to Middletown), it’s a terrible time to lose coverage,” Stamper told the Journal-News.

“TV Middletown did a great job and we want to do those things that are now being missed.”

Stamper said he has met with Adkins and other city staff members as well as Time Warner Cable to discuss the picking up where TVM left off. He said the new OurTownTV has been getting viewers and that he has received calls for event coverage.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike_Presta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 03 2016 at 10:47pm
According to some, Joe Mulligan single-handedly engineered the shut-off of funding from the City to TVMiddletown.

This means that Joe Mulligan is responsible for 3 people (employees of TVMiddletown) losing their jobs and health insurance.

It also means that THREE other non-profits, housed in the TVM building, will be forced out of their long-term homes: Downtown Middletown, Inc.; the Middletown Community Pregnancy Center; and The Middletown Health and Safety Council.

Now the fee that WE THE PEOPLE pay to Time Warner Cable for a local access TV channel will now be used to fund First Friday, or some other downtown nonsense, thanks to Joe Mulligan and the other council members.
“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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 04 2016 at 9:29am
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