New Nuisance Law
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Manager
Forum Description: Discuss the city manager administration including all city departments.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6072
Printed Date: Apr 27 2024 at 6:00pm
Topic: New Nuisance Law
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Subject: New Nuisance Law
Date Posted: Apr 08 2015 at 4:50pm
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Posted: 3:49 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Absentee landlords concerned with new nuisance
law
Adkins: ‘We’re not going to
put up with this for very long’
By http://www.journal-news.com/staff/ed-richter/" rel="nofollow - Staff Writer Some absentee landlords have already
contacted During Tuesday’s Middletown City Council
meeting, the new chronic nuisance ordinance received a first reading. City
Manager Doug Adkins said a recent Journal-News article about the proposed
ordinance prompted a couple of absentee landlords to make inquiries of the
police and community revitalization departments about it. Adkins said one landlord who lives outside
of Adkins said the proposed ordinance, which
was developed by city officials from similar ordinances across the state, is
designed to keep track of those properties that generate higher than normal
calls for city services by way of code enforcement violations and/or criminal
activity. The proposed ordinance was also reviewed by local landlords as well. Adkins said a chronic nuisance ordinance
attempts to identify those particular properties by reviewing and collecting
nuisances registered across all city departments, then city officials notify
the owner that his property is becoming a nuisance to the neighborhood. He said
the proposed ordinance would enable the city to take action against the owner
to recover ongoing future city costs in responding to and abating those
nuisances if the owner chooses not to take action to correct the situation. “The idea is to make sure the owner knows
that his property is becoming a problem before it escalates, and then to make
sure that either the problem is resolved or that the city is reimbursed for
future costs responding to problems at that property,” Adkins said. It also keeps track across city departments
on properties that are becoming chronic nuisance problems and blighting the
city, he said. It also keeps property owners accountable. “It’s the simple idea that we’re not going
to put up with this for very long,” Adkins said. “At some point (for those
property owners), it’s not going to be worth it to continue to allow this
nuisance property to…blight our neighborhoods.” The proposed ordinance gives the city
another tool to abate nuisance properties and address landlords who fail to
take action against the tenants causing the problems. It will also strengthen
the city’s ability to use sections of state law to address problem properties
because the city must be able to show it has tried to work with the property
owner. When there are problems at a residence,
police will send a letter to the property owner that police, fire or If a property is deemed to be a chronic
nuisance property, or if there is felony drug activity found and the landlord
does nothing to address the problem, some of the penalties include billing the
landlord for the cost of sending police, fire or EMS responding to a call;
civil penalties ranging from $150 to $1,000; being charged with a minor
misdemeanor with a fine of $150 for violating the ordinance and separate
offenses could be charged for each day the violation occurs or continues;
and/or revoking occupancy, health or other permits granted to the property
owner. The proposed ordinance has provisions to
protect landlords who do attempt to correct the problems; or who were unaware
of the nuisance, such as being out of town and tried to correct the problem
upon return; or after doing a background check on a tenant and was in the
process of eviction when an offense occurred. The draft ordinance also includes
an appeal process. “It is my belief that those landlords and
the homeowners in the neighborhood should not be subjected to ongoing nuisance
issues by the few owners who choose not to be responsible with their
properties,” Adkins recently said. “This is a quality of life and property
value issue. No one wants to live next door to, or to purchase a house next to
a continuing code enforcement violation or ongoing criminal activity.” |
Replies:
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 09 2015 at 6:01am
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This wouldn't have been a problem for the city officials if they had targeted a higher standing resident population rather than the Section 8, no or low income freebie handout segment of society who show no sign of caring nor taking responsibility for their actions. You don't see the Springboro's, the West Chester's or the Mason's of the area going after the people who cause these kinds of problems. They want more for their city as to class than those who run Middletown. Only here in Middletown do you see city leadership making decisions to open the city doors to attract people who cause these situations. If inviting more Section 8/low income/druggie/crime types to town was such a good idea, don't you think more would be doing it? Middletown and Adkin's crew asked for this to happen. Now, they got what they wanted and it's causing problems. Look in the mirror boys. There, you will see who is to blame. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 09 2015 at 7:17am
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Correct, Vet--Admin was the major culprit in creating the mass influx of Section 8, and YES--section 8 tenants are more lax in maintaining landlord properties since they can simply move on to another property. Still--this ordinance is a turning point to fixing the situation. Landlords who don't care will be made to either care or leave. Tenants who don't care will be pressured to do better or leave. At least we hope so. Good move by Council that took far too long to happen. |
Posted By: John Beagle
Date Posted: Apr 09 2015 at 2:51pm
Agreed ------------- http://www.johnbeagle.com/" rel="nofollow - John Beagle Middletown USA News of, for and by the people of Middletown, Ohio. |
spiderjohn wrote:Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 09 2015 at 3:14pm
| Error |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 15 2015 at 1:49pm
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Please notice that HUD Section 8 housing and tenants are not
mentioned once in this article and yet once again all of the current problems of We already have laws in place to solve these problems so why does Mr. Adkins
need more power, laws and fines? |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 15 2015 at 2:48pm
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The good 'ole boy club can do anything they wish and it is condoned by council (their puppets) and both the council and the city leaders are directed by the MMF (the true power in town). I would imagine Adkins and the city building power structure don't feel a need to explain anything to the people of this city, but a certain small inner circle group knows exactly what they are doing at any given time. They have been in charge for so long, have received little to no resistance for so long, and have run the city as a dictatorship for so long, they are not threatened in the least and feel invincible. The school board is the same way. They haven't listened to most people's wishes for the district in decades, have relied on their supporters and have done what they want. That's why the schools are such a cluster. No one on their side wants to change the failing ways. Business as usual. Why should they care as long as their yes voter support block keeps out-voting the no voters and passing the levies, they could care less about why the rest of us are fed up with the schools. The rules are made up in their favor and are to their advantage depending on the situation of the moment. That's also how Les Landen interprets the laws in this city. They change depending on the circumstances. All of these things contribute to the abuse of the majority, the catering to the select few and the overall disgust felt by most in the city. Even if the lawsuits drain this city of revenue, I don't think the city leaders are smart enough to realize the aftermath and if they did understand, I don't think they would care, they are that obtuse. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 15 2015 at 3:37pm
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Once again this little law is really all about City Hall needing more money in the nuisance coffers.. With every house City Hall removed in the 2rd Ward they lost about $1500 in property taxes. The majority of these empty lots can not have homes rebuilt on the property because of city zoning codes. So now City Hall has a big bunch of empty lots located all over town that they will need to mow all summer long. OOOOPS.... |
Posted By: Perplexed
Date Posted: Apr 15 2015 at 7:19pm
| I heard that the Dougmeister wants to replicate the tall grass prairies of Kansas in the second ward? There's lots of room for critters to roam now! |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 10:18am
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Posted: 7:00 a.m. Friday,
April 17, 2015 Landlords seek clarifications on nuisance
ordinance
By http://www.journal-news.com/staff/ed-richter/" rel="nofollow - Staff Writer Owners of rental properties in The proposed ordinance, which is slated for
final consideration Tuesday by Middletown City Council, is designed to keep
track of those properties that generate higher than normal calls for city
services by way of code enforcement violations and/or criminal activity or
other incidents requiring a public safety unit to respond. “The problem we have had in the past is
that we’ve never combined MPD, MFD and Community Revitalization code
enforcement records to identify problem properties. This is an effort to do
exactly that,” said City Manager Doug Adkins. “It’s about reducing crime and other
nuisance activity long term by better rental practices, resulting in fewer
calls for city services. It is not a revenue generator or cost-savings measure.
It’s a neighborhood quality of life improvement measure.” In addition, the proposed ordinance would
also enable the city to take action against the owner to recover ongoing future
city costs in responding to and abating those nuisances if the owner chooses
not to take action to correct the situation. “This is not intended to be a “gotcha”
ordinance, but a long-term solution to ongoing tenant issues,” Adkins said. While landlords have had an opportunity to
review a draft of the proposed ordinance, several have contacted the city for
additional clarifications on how the proposed ordinance would be enforced,
along with a better understanding of how it will work and provisions to protect
the property owner who is trying to abate the identified nuisance. When presented last month to the Middletown
Real Estate Investors Group for input, it was not made clear that they were
looking at the final draft. That proposal was submitted to City Council for a
first reading at its April 7 meeting and was slated for a second reading and
approval on Tuesday. The ordinance was developed by city officials and is a
hybrid of other ordinances from other Steve Bohannon, MREIG chairman, said there
were still some questions concerning enforcement, but he sees this as “a very
good win-win.” Bohannon said the new ordinance has teeth
in it and for the good of the community, it’s something that has to be done. He also wants to make sure that the elderly
have access to organizations to help them fix things on their property that
they might not be able to afford or do themselves. “This is a good start to reshape and
rethink how we do things and to go forward to make things better for the future
of A meeting between several landlords and
Public Safety Director David VanArsdale is being scheduled to further explain
and clarify the proposed ordinance, Adkins said. As of early Thursday afternoon, Adkins said
he had not made a decision about tabling the proposed ordinance. “The city has a good dialogue with the
landlord group, and I want to hear their additional comments,” he said. “If
there are changes that make sense to the ordinance that are brought forward by
the landlord group, I’ll consider tabling it at the April 21 meeting and bringing it back May 5
for a second reading with any amendments. The concerns raised so far were more
about execution and their understanding of how the ordinance will work, not an
objection to the concept.” “The idea is to make sure the owner knows
that his property is becoming a problem before it escalates, and then to make
sure that either the problem is resolved or that the city is reimbursed for
future costs responding to problems at that property,” Adkins recently told
City Council. The tracking of properties that are
becoming chronic nuisance problems and blighting the city will help keep
property owners accountable, he said. “It’s the simple idea that we’re not going
to put up with this for very long,” Adkins said. “At some point (for those
property owners), it’s not going to be worth it to continue to allow this
nuisance property to blight our neighborhoods.” The proposed ordinance gives the city
another tool to abate nuisance properties and address landlords who fail to
take action against the tenants causing the problems. It will also strengthen
the city’s ability to use sections of state law to address problem properties
because the city must be able to show it has tried to work with the property
owner. In addition to escalating penalties and
assessments against those owners of chronic nuisance properties, the proposed
ordinance also has “safe harbor” provisions to protect landlords who do attempt
to correct the problems; or who were unaware of the nuisance, such as being out
of town and tried to correct the problem upon return; or after doing a background
check on a tenant and was in the process of eviction when an offense occurred.
The proposed ordinance also includes an appeal process. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 11:03am
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“The problem we have had in the past is that we’ve never combined MPD, MFD and Community Revitalization code enforcement records to identify problem properties. This is an effort to do exactly that,” said City Manager Doug Adkins. “It’s about reducing crime and other nuisance activity long term by better rental practices, resulting in fewer calls for city services. It is not a revenue generator or cost-savings measure. It’s a neighborhood quality of life improvement measure.” You would have thought by now that the very nature of the "crime/nuisance/problem property situations", created by the ghetto building theme brought to town by the Gilleland Administration, of which Adkins was a part, would have prompted tracking and monitoring long ago. It is just now that the Adkins bunch sees the need to identify habitual negative situations? "In addition, the proposed ordinance would also enable the city to take action against the owner to recover ongoing future city costs in responding to and abating those nuisances if the owner chooses not to take action to correct the situation." "“This is not intended to be a “gotcha” ordinance, but a long-term solution to ongoing tenant issues,” Adkins said"" Good luck with that Adkins. “This is a good start to reshape and rethink how we do things and to go forward to make things better for the future of Middletown,” Bohannon said. “The big winner in all of this is the city.” And just how do the majority of the people in town, who are not Section 8 property owners, win Mr. Bohannon? We watch the city deteriorate as we get closer to ghetto status each day, while a small contingent of Section 8 property owners are paid using our tax dollars to lower the class of the city by providing housing to people who have a habit of not caring about too much of anything except their handouts. Is this "winning"? ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 11:57am
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Vet Mr. Adkins declared ALL of Middletown “Slumville USA” by using the HUD 54% rule several years ago so he could use CDBG Funds all over Middletown and not just the low income areas. Remember he used some CDBG funds to pave some streets in the Highland Historic District. “The problem we have had in the past is that we’ve never combined MPD, MFD and Community Revitalization code enforcement records to identify problem properties. This is an effort to do exactly that,” said City Manager Doug Adkins. “It’s about reducing crime and other nuisance activity long term by better rental practices, resulting in fewer calls for city services. It is not a revenue generator or cost-savings measure. It’s a neighborhood quality of life improvement measure.” Well this statement is not completely true…..Several years ago Mr. Adkins requested numerous changes to HUD Section 8 housing rules like those that are listed above….and these are the very rules that City Hall abused that will now be heard in the courts. It is because of this very abuse of power that the HUD Section 8 Program was moved to Butler County and Warren County. With the above law City Hall will have the power to do “Selective Enforcement” against ANY AND ALL citizens in Middletown…not just Section 8 landlords which were held to a higher standard to begin with as I have stated many times on this blog. We all want a better community to live and work in…however…giving Mr. Adkins and City Hall unlimited power is not the best answer IMO. We already have laws on the books to solve these problems. Please remember that once you give City Hall this power it will NEVER be returned to the citizens again...just like the gas taxes to repair the streets 30 years ago. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 1:02pm
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Please read this entire legislation because it applies to EVERY property in Middletown...not just rental property as they would like you to believe. I have only added the first page below... You are giving City Hall unlimited power http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/council/04072015_w.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/council/04072015_w.pdf |
Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 3:39pm
| Property maintenance,weeds,trees,shrubs these are all going to be included in this new legislation. I thought we already have ordinances to cover this.. Well it looks like city hall is going to be real busy cleaning up their own violations on weeds, grass and shrubs. What's that about stones and glass houses? JMO |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 3:51pm
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Yep..as we have stated on this blog many times before....City Hall needs to clean up its own house before they make demands on the citizens. ...and they still have not finished cleaning up the dump site between the East side fence line of the Middletown Cemetery and University Blvd, that I reported 10 years ago. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 4:43pm
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Making an issue out of a non issue. The ordinance is for chronic properties that have tenants that steal, do drugs, are loud, and corrupt. Landlords aren't doing proper background checks, or even doing background checks, so these people move into a property, and its non stop problems. Talked recently to a landlord, retired ATT sr executive from Maryland area, that had a tenant with a child, move in. Within a month, this woman, a parent, went into a big box store, and stole a 65 inch tv. It wasn't an hour that the police found her from security cameras, and spoke with her. They found out she was one of their drug informants, and did nothing but squeeze her for the bigger fish. These people are nuisances, but the decline of Middletown CREATED the problem. There is nothing a landlord will be able to control, other than a shuffle of property. Nuisance party kicked out of one property moves to a new property, and continues to be a nuisance. Your bigger problem is how the cty and city are sticking it to the average property owner on taxes, for those ignorant enough to own property in Middletown. The average difference paid between Joe the Plumber on Central, and those on the best streets in Middletown is about 100,000 in true market value. Take that number and multiply by .35, the calculation for tax, and Joe the Plumber is paying about 1,000. annually less, than the orthopedic surgeon living by the golf course. They capped the high earners on the backs of the middle to lower income earners. You got that fat library levy hitting you next in May. You folks don't get you pay 45% more for tax in Butler Cty than those in Warren. No need to worry about a nuisance law that won't effect you unless you party nightly, and troll for smiles on any section 8 holder regardless of background, just to get a monthly check. These nuisances are real. But, they are caused by a dying city attracting poor demographics. Just think what the future holds. In 2-3 years, the school district will be in the hole, after the majority of what, 20 votes, passed a massive building levy when student numbers are shrinking, and performance is going nowhere. The definition of nuisance has many connotations in Middletown, and not just party animals and drug dealers. It includes mindless individuals watching Rome burn, while paying a premium for a ticket, to watch themselves be beaten in the ring by a gladiator, and thinking its worth every buck for the benefit. That is the bigger nuisance. But, everyone peeks when approaching a car wreck, or a shipwreck in progress. Even if its their fate they are watching. Beam me up Scotty. |
Posted By: FmrMide81
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 5:30pm
| "fat library levy"??? It's a renewal you moron. But go ahead and vote NO and when they have to reduce hours they can send all the homeless, indigent folk to YOUR house to kill time-how 'bout that???? |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 5:34pm
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Yes Dean Rome is burning and City Hall called in a decorator to fix the problem...  But your sun glasses today beause that brighter future is just around the corner........ |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 5:41pm
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FmrMide81 I stopped going to the library... Isn't it true that the library is now having a major problem with bedbugs? |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 6:38pm
| FrmMide81, only a MORON would justify a levy increase, renewal, or ANY expense predicated upon it being a place to house the homeless. Its for Monroe moron. |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 17 2015 at 10:05pm
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Many of us were on board with the making of city ordinances more friendly. However, the focus has changed away from city friendly, to codified ordinances which are vague and ambivalent. Correct it and get the right focus. Highlighting the decline of city resources through this ordinance brings unwanted negative visibility. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 3:00am
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Factguy Many people in
this city have stepped up and gave freely of their time and talents over the
years to try to make
We have all read wonderful stories in the newspaper about a future project and we get all excited about it…and a year later the entire project turns out to be something entirely different that’s not wonderful at all but just another total waste of taxpayers money. Several years ago while all the cities around us were cutting cost and personnel Middletown did nothing and later decided to use 10% of our emergency funds to get them “over the hump” and it was right back to business as usual. Over the past 30 years City Hall has raped and raided every fund and now they want more…I will not give them another dime and I will vote NO on any and all levies. It is time for City Hall to learn to be frugal and live within their budget. Factguy, this is no longer a friendly city that cares for its citizens….this has become a power hungry City Hall operating under Home Rule with Vague Laws so they can do as they damn well please…and the above legislation is a perfect example of this fact.
What
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Posted By: Paul Nagy
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 3:52am
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Vivian, Then why not start a petition to have term limits for council. That would solve a lot of problems for all taxpaying citizens. Some of our younger taxpaying citizens need to step up to the plate and make certain they get enough signatures on the petition so that city council, city manager and the law director can't manipulate it and keep it from getting on the ballot. pn |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 4:35am
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Read this new ordinance closely, including all of the referenced ordinances, and you will find that City Hall can declare virtually ANY property in Middletown a "nuisance" under this ordinance. They might tell you that "that is not what it means", but THAT IS WHAT IT SAYS!!! You will be able to beat them in court, but that will cost you!!! ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 9:26am
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I want to help, fact guy I want to be a part of turning this city around, and I think that I have enough local experience and public confidence to do so. That being said, I agree with most of what Ms.Moon just posted. We need to stop being divided by location and thinking. There is room for everyone and something for everywhere. But most of us can't penetrate the inner circle of power and enablers. Are we really that un-important? Can they really do it without us? |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 9:28am
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The real problem with any codified ordinance in Middletown is it gives the city selective ability to hassle and become a nuisance for those it wants to purge or retaliate. Ever read the tax ordinance? It requires every 16 year old or over the DECLARE income, and pay income, even if the income is nominal. How many kids really file the form and pay city tax on the yards they mow each summer, the money made raking a yard. Had a friend tell me over coffee recently, his 27 year old son got a letter he hadn't declared income in the years he was in college at Middleberry in Vermont, then grad school at U of Vermont. He called, explained no income, attending college, and was a non resident. City gave him until 4/15 or threatened to have him arrested. Most attorneys know you don't use criminal threats as a collection agency tactic associated with ethic obligations. Kid filed form, paid his 100. penalty fine, unconscionable when no income was made, and said he'd never be in Middletown again. Some welcome wagon down at Donham, with a kid now working at Boston Consulting Group making more than 150,000 annually never wanting to set foot in city All the ordinances allow is discretionary hassle. Your friendly city at work with its ordinances that run people out, not in. ------------- 'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 11:25am
| City and council has a select number of people who they support, and vice versa. Room for many tokens, make you feel good supporters, but just window dressing. Real power and influence only with a few. Become an insider. Open a framing shop, or a storefront specializing in Italian opera. And be active in cty GOP, and do the festival in June. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 11:28am
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Spider |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 12:00pm
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Factguy You are correct....City Hall has been involved in toooo many inside deals with their favorite buddies. It is even worse than you and the citizens believes. Everytime I start reseaching a little problem that has caught my eye...I find another "Snake Pit". I know that you and others think that I just love to get on this blog and bash City Hall but this is not what I'm about. We have a serious problem at City Hall and the citizens have the right to know the facts...without the spin. Factguy we need to stop worrying about who is red and who is blue and come together and save our City. |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 12:33pm
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Ms. Moon, the city will be saved. Population will fall below 30,000, which is their plan, and what is budgeted in future for police and fire. Strong voter participation supporting the city makes every levy assured to be passed. Its only a matter of time before tax is raised to 2.0%, in line with Hamilton. The time being spent now is to get those off the merry go round that aren't on board, off, which brings population down to the goal. If you weren't on the bus to Greenville, thanks for the offer, but no thanks for participation. Straight talk.
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Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 12:50pm
| Acclaro: No truer words have been spoken. Thank you for your uncanny ability to cut to heart of these codified ordnances. What you have said is the truth and WILL all come to pass! JMO |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 12:59pm
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Well Factguy I guess this is where we will agree to disagree The numbers clearly show that our city can not survive on its current path and the EPA will be knocking at our door in 2016. If the tax rate goes to 2% we will lose even more people and business. What is that old saying "People treat you the way you allow them to treat you" It is time to get off the couch and march on City Hall. |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 1:38pm
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Recall when the MCSD put its signs up a week of two before allowed pursuant to the city ordinance? Recall Les L's response? "Oh, its okay. Maybe we need to give the ordinance some 'latitude' this time." No harm, no foul, total disregard of ordinance. Selective amnesia. Selective code enforcement. Just another arrow in the quiver or 'nuisance toolkit' for use when city wants to bring out the hammer and play smash-mouth. ------------- 'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 18 2015 at 1:46pm
| Yep Acclaro...we live under "Landen Law"...also known as make it up as we go law. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 19 2015 at 3:51pm
| I was told that this legislation is to be removed from Tuesday's agenda...however the agenda for the council meeting still has not been posted on the city web site |
Posted By: FmrMide81
Date Posted: Apr 19 2015 at 8:03pm
|
To Dean/Moron-Monroe is being financed by a donation left by someone who-obviously unlike you-knew what an asset a library is to a community. It does not surprise me you don't use the library-god forbid you learn or experience something new and useful-better to just stay at your keyboard and kvetch about every little problem in town. How sad for you. Vivian-yes,like many public places (Movie theaters, churches, daycare's, etc). there have been bedbugs found at the library. They have trained staff in proper treatment of suspect material and have had professional service when needed.. To anyone who feels libraries are outdated and unnecessary-PLEASE visit and see what is REALLY happening-not hearsay from those who just want to vote NO on every levy no matter what. Sit in on a children's storytime or attend a computer training class. Join the thousands (yes-thousands) who participate in the Summer Reading Program-there are many other programs that benefit both minds and bodies. As with any election it is better to know what you're getting for your vote |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: Apr 19 2015 at 9:23pm
| I am in King Library at least five times a week FM81, as part of my professional duties at the Oxford campus. You indicated Middletown Midpointe was used as a stable for the poor. No thanks for paying for public housing. Or, an alternative to Redbox for dvd's. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 6:09am
Why do they want the population at less than 30 thou? Losing revenue, property taxes, city income tax, less buying power in population loss....don't understand the logic......or complete lack of it. Why do the current crop of leaders have, as their agenda, the focus of town destruction and why do they insist on making this a small yuppie fru fru town like Oxford? The city demographics won't allow them to do so. This will never be just a college/artzy town. The atmosphere won't allow it. The city is surrounded by progress and activity and they want to make this place a quiet little laid back serene village? Ain't gonna happen no matter what their plans may be. Lebanon was once that quiet little village they now want for Middletown. Lebanon is slowly yielding to more activity and growth and is no longer the sleepy little hamlet it once was. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 9:27am
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If I recall, sometime ago the Master Plan indicated 30,000 was its sustainable goal. Part of the rationale was associated with police and fire support, the numbers the city could afford, and the type of citizens the city wanted, professionals, educated, etc. City is firm a vibrant downtown is the key to rebirth. Can't have destruction downtown and have a rebirth. Two major colleges in Middletown with the potential to have 10,000 students enrolled and a thousand administrators and faculty surely makes Middletown having the potential to host educated, well paid residents, and a place for retirement with golf, arts, and continued education. Progress is being made. Slower than many wish, but its coming.
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 11:54am
Your information on what the city leaders want for this city is incredible to read. It just demonstrates how out of touch they are with understanding this city and what the true needs are. I noticed that your post indicates that the city leaders aren't smart enough to entertain thoughts about what the people want for their city. Too narrow-minded to ask and tunnel-vision focus on just their ideas. How sad it is to have such uneducated and callous people at the helm. I will also include the description of pompous asses to the mix. MUM AND CINCI STATE will never achieve the 10,000 student mark you speak of. CS is stagnant after a few years of operation, not coming close to 1000 students, much less contributing to the 10,000 pie-in-the-sky goal. Vibrant downtown? How many decades does this city have to focus on the downtown area with gimmicks and bribes to locate down there, and how many decades do they have to observe absolutely nothing on ROI, before they get the message that it is in other parts of this town, that there is progress and interest? (East End) Downtown has been a relative ghost town for many years. Most in town have no reason to go there as there is little to generate a reason to visit. Why can't the incessant dreamers see that? Middletown for retirement, golf, arts and continued education better fits West Chester, Mason or Centerville, all upscale communities. This city will never be classified as upscale. Never has been, never will be with it's manufacturing heritage, culture and demographic make-up. Your suggestion of changing the personality and complexion of this city is way off base. Time to come down from the dream world and join the rest of us in the real world. A Chevy will never become a Ferrari. Live with it. The "type of people the city wants"? Seriously? More exclusion by those who are drowning in classism? Pompous behavior from immature people. Knowing the condition of this city and the little it has to offer right now, the city leaders actually think they can be selective in attracting professionals? Not even close to reality. In case they haven't noticed, the professionals have been locating to Mason, West Chester and yes, even Lebanon, not Middletown. This city offers nothing a professional wants nor needs as to social amenities, entertainment, housing, shopping nor jobs. I thought everyone knew that......until now. This idea of "what the city can afford" is nonsense. You don't base the direction and growth on "what you can afford" but rather, set progressive goals and focus on gaining the revenue needed for aggressive growth. "What the city can afford" is a copout and a lame excuse for not trying to land jobs and companies, not trying to increase revenue while trying to pigeonhole the city into making it what it is not, nor will ever be. Trust me, I've been here longer than most of the city leaders and I think I know the "flavor of this city" much better than anyone sitting on council or in the city building. Factguy, this information irritates me to no end if true. If this is the gameplan for this city, it is criminal in nature and the people who wish to proceed with this have criminal intent as to the damage they will inflict. They are purposely trying to ruin this city. Your bar is set extremely low as to progress being made. Actually, the bar hasn't risen from ground level as yet. I have no idea what you people are using for growth criteria. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: Perplexed
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 1:09pm
| Once again, an accurate response by Viet Vet. How sad that Dougmeister, his underlings and the City Council visionaries (?) choose not to comprehend. Maintenance of the status quo and power of the entitled is all that matters to them. Middletonians pay the price for this arrogance. |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 1:25pm
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Accomplishments- 1) Quaker Chemical expansion 2) MUM diversity/ strength 3) Cincinnati State addition 4) AKS Innovation Ctr 5) NTE 6) Airport 7) Downtown revitalization working 8) Community support of school levies, public safety, and public library levies (May will pass) 9) Second generation young adults moving back to Middletown 10) More money for street repair 11) Atrium continued success and added services vs old MRH 12) HUD Section 8 program moved to county 13) Effective tax credits to bring business into city 14) I Mm grant for footprint for lakefront rest stop, kayak, canoe, cycling Negativity. Does it ever stop? |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 3:54pm
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Counterbalance to Factguy list: 1. Positive move. How many jobs did this create that were livable wages- IE- $15-20 /hr. Anything less doesn't count. 2. MUM diversity and strength?- Helps with the marketing and image of MUM but how does that help the average Middletonian? 3. CS position?- No doubt an accomplishment to start the school. Not the issue here. Downhill from the starting point as it has been far short of projected goals and interest from potential students. Not considered a true accomplishment UNTIL and IF it develops into a major player as MUM has here. 4. AK Innovation Ctr- You mean the new proposed tech ctr? None of us know the impact of that as yet. Most employees will probably live out of the city and commute. Taxes to Middletown or Warren Cty? Dunno. 5. NTE?- TBD 6. Airport- a small impact on the city. Airport services benefit a select few. Skydivers, people who fly and own airplanes to hangar them. Not a major player on the main highway. 7. Downtown Revit work- nothing eye opening- much has been tried- very little has succeeded. I wouldn't call this a success as most storefronts are still empty after years of attempts. The PAC is on again/off again in vacancies. Not a lot of interest by residents as to the arts theme. Not an arts town. 8. Last levy passed by 24 votes. Not an overwhelming endorsement by voters even though the pro levy people turned out in full capacity. The schools are a failure and have been for years. Dismal performance and nothing close to call a success. 9. Moving back?- Funny, all the stories I have heard was that younger people were not only moving out of the city but Kasich was worried about losing Ohio people to other states. 10. More money for street repairs?- Laughable. This city has balked at fixing the streets since the mid 80's. Never has been a city priority since those days. Very little focus on streets based on prior activity and lane miles to pave. Pathetic attempts to keep the streets maintained. 11. Atrium is certainly more modern and offers good service. So did the old hospital on McKnight. We used both many times and both provided good care. 12. HUD?- You're kidding, right? Not an accomplishment because the level of Section 8 should have never gotten to the level it was in the first place. Way over the correct numbers for this city. You don't give credit to the ones who screwed up in the first place. 13. Bringing business to the city?- C'mon. Finding decent jobs for this city has taken a back seat to the downtown area for years. If the city would have focused as much effort on jobs as it has done on the downtown area, we would have had a decent amount of decent paying jobs in here for the residents to have improved their lives. Instead, the city's first priority has been the dam downtown and all other needs of the city has suffered because of it. 14. Lakefront rest stop?- Just been proposed. Nothing has happened as yet. Are you going to give them credit for something that hasn't even been built yet? Seriously, isn't this just all talk right now? And if and when it is built, it will just be a place for druggies and the downtown homeless to congregate. I'm guessing there will be as much negative publicity from this place as there was from the United Dairy Farmers store when it opened as to crime. Rose-colored glasses approach. Does it ever stop? ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: over the hill
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 3:55pm
| Well one out of 14 ain't bad😜 |
Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 3:58pm
That it is. Your above post is evident of what exactly is happening. I appreciate this mindset you and others are taking when it comes to making my hometown and the hometown of most others on here a better place. Thank you and others on council for your leadership. I can understand the frustration with wasted money, with the lack of past leadership, the failure of City Centre Mall, and on and on. But this iteration is feeling better, stronger, more focused and based on success other towns near and far have experienced. What I am wondering about is the potential for residential housing downtown for college students. Is this a possibility? With MUM and MUH becoming (almost) their own universities separate from MU-Oxford by 2016, it seems to me like now would be the time to start lobbying Miami Administration to buy places like the Manchester Inn and convert them to dormitory units for MUH. Utilize the MIddletown bus system, as Miami already does with BCRTA in town, and have college kids downtown with good bus access to the Middletown branch. This would be a great option for the students who didn't quite make the cut for Miami but still want the off campus experience, especially for those who still want to stay close to home. Hamilton would benefit a lot from a similar situation too. Is there any way this could happen? If so, what would it take?
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Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 4:07pm
Just saw this. I'm definitely not disagreeing with you VietVet. There's a major uphill battle to overcome. But certainly trashing the successes that have already happened isn't going to get anyone anywhere. Unless y'all want that garbage dump that will be needed within the next 5-10 years to ease the over capacity issues at Mt. Rumpke in Colerain and Stony Hollow in Dayton. The city of Trotwood is fighting off the very same garbage dump. Let's keep it in Colerain.... But specifically to your bolded point, yes and yes. Ohio's population is stagnant, and it is hemorrhaging college graduates despite the fact we have a disproportionate number of college students in respect to the overall population of the state. But what are college grads looking for? Community. That's it. Community. There are looking for a place where they can spend free time with friends, have some fun, and make connections. Why can't that place be Middletown? Hamilton is already getting a start. Kettering is doing a good job of it, as are Cincinnati and Dayton. And they did what Middletown is doing now. Let's see how it pans out. I'll make one initial bet that the craft brewery co-op in town will be a success. |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 4:21pm
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I believe there are limitations with financial aid and financial in general, for a commuter college or university, than a university that has dorms in place. Precisely, the question is are they allowed to have them and also charge fees for room and board with tuition. Wright State has very limited on campus housing, as do none of the traditional regional campuses, OSU Lima, UC Blue Ash, etc. Many missed the great piece in the paper yesterday that if successful, if Dayton and Cincinnati can be recognized officially, as one major metro area, it will rank 10th in the nation. Those working behind the scenes in this effort have great work, and had key successes. This includes the move north by P & G to move near Dayton for centralized logistics, with its southern, Cincinnati, headquarters facility. Once this comes to fruition, the attention and branding of a 10th ranked metro center will be a major catalyst for southwestern Ohio. And what city benefits from that and it dead center in the regional focus, creating a top 10 metro location in the United States. Its an exciting time for Middletown. And, education and a well trained work force plays a significant role in this effort. The rewards of this effort, once successful, will be substantial. Get on board, good things are happening. You just have to have your pulse to see the blueprint, but its there.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 4:53pm
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such extreme viewpoints I cover this town pretty much on a daily basis, and talk with a lot of different prople. I see the good and not-so-good first hand, and have a decent understanding of the hows and whys, I think. I often wonder if I live in the same town as a few of you. |
Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 5:18pm
Where? What points specifically? Mine or others?
Cover.... how? And who do you talk to? Out of these people you talk to, how many of them would not be eligible for AARP? What races / ethnicities / etc. do they span?
Well I don't live in Middletown anymore, but I still pass through it fairly regularly. So if you're referring to me, no we don't live in the same town. But we live in the same metro and the same basic place. I might be younger than everyone else here, but with that comes a certain knowledge base no one else on here can grasp. |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 5:19pm
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Factguy: Firstly, you are correct. One of the many versions of the many Master Plans regurgitated out of Donham Plaza over the last couple of decades did indeed list as one of Middletown's goals to become a "quaint village of about 28,000"!!! Secondly, you can't have it both ways!!! You can't have your "quaint village of about 28,000" and still become the vibrant, buzzing, central pivot point of a metroplex of 3,000,000+!!! ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 5:23pm
Thanks, that makes sense. Right now I doubt the student population could support it, but once you threw out the 10k number, that's what got my attention. And given the info on the Confucius Institute thread that stated a number of Chinese students are required to start by taking classes at the branch campus, I was thinking that would be an easy cash cow market. Would it be possible for the city to try and recruit this company to convert a building into housing or build new on a surface lot? http://studentsuites.com/" rel="nofollow - http://studentsuites.com/ I'm not sure how much you follow Dayton News, but this was the company that almost put in housing by Sinclair. For all I know, their effort might be continuing, but the site they chose had some restrictive deed covenants that could not be transferred and that caused the plan to fall through. Honestly the biggest disappointment in the past couple years for Dayton, but the amount of excitement around the idea from both students and the community alike was overwhelming.
That was big news, if it actually happens it should help everywhere in the area land a lot more investment. One correction though - the Cin-Day metro (or "Daytonnati" as I like to call it) would be the 18th largest in the US, not the 10th. If somehow we could snag Columbus in the mix (won't happen for 50+ years at least given current development patterns) then we would easily be in the Top 10. |
Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 5:30pm
I don't think anyone can possibly debate that these two goals are somehow dependent on one another. Middletown's paltry 45k population is peanuts when compared to the region. So yes, it can most certainly happen both ways. Middletown can be one simple city of 28k people in a metroplex of 3+ million. And this will happen is depopulation is actively sought (which why exactly is depopulation sought?) and other communities like Monroe, Springboro, etc. continue to grow.
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Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 5:45pm
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One area I have actively been pushing downtown, is for the city to give an income tax credit for zero local tax owed, to those working in West Chester, Liberty Township, and Mason, while living in Middletown. The city must raise wage earners residing in the city, and not rely on attracting more tax revenue from those working in the city. If you examine property tax, almost 60% or greater, goes to support the school district, and a minority portion to the city. In part, that is the basis for the city giving much property away downtown, as property tax has more limited impact upon Middletown. However, the balance between high wage earners living in Middletown and those earning a high income, must increase. The tide is lowering, not rising. If this succesfully occurs, and with the intersection of the large metro in Middletown, the balance of the right demographic with high income jobs is at an optimal equilibrium. Without making a change to the income tax credit, and accompanying ability to attract those in Mason, Liberty Township, and West Chester, in my opinion, Middletown will see more higher income wage earners leave, to take advantage of the lower tax. If you work in West Chester at AKS and pay 0 tax local, why would you want to pay .175 to Middletown annually? Hopefully, this will come about in the coming years, with additional ordinance changes.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 5:50pm
u obviously don't still live here or get around diversely, because a lot of your thinking is far off-from reality here. Maybe you don't have enough experience in dealing with decades of local government and our changing demographics--lacking understanding of why a lot of things have happened as they have. Youth is often wasted on the young lol |
Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 6:02pm
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Trotwood, one of the biggest mistakes ever made in Ohio was to kill the metro rail system linking Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland. If that had passed, the combination of Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati would have created a mass metro, which you are correct on size. Think of ease of commuting from work at the midpoint, while working north or south destinations. This is the reason we hear so much about regionalization and cooperation. Regionalism translates to successful metro. Metro brands 'big market.' Market values would rise, greater tax collected, lower consumer costs, Comcast, others, move in, drive costs down. Presently, ATT digital tv, Verizon DSL, many others, don't serve Middletown. Hamilton has made great strategic moves with his services for water, electricity, and natural gas. Convert your car to natural gas, and fill up at cty pump for 1.99 gal. There are many good things in the region incubator.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 6:08pm
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TRYING TO CLEAN THIS UP LEGIBLY: spiderjohn]such extreme viewpoints -------------------------------------------------- Where? What points specifically? Mine or others? Uhhh..on this message board---yours and those of others -----------------------------------------------------------
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Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 9:50pm
I remember the proposal well. It is amazing that they killed it off, especially given the fact that the federal government was paying for most all of it (if not all of it... I can't remember the exact details offhand). I know I would have used the line a lot if it were in place. It would be wonderful to be able to park at the Transportation Center Garage or at the Air Force Museum and take the train down to Cincinnati on Reds and Bengals game days, or even just to see the city in general. A similar proposal is running now for expanded service on the Chicago-Cincinnati Amtrak line, with possible stops in Oxford and Hamilton. Being an MU-Oxford student, I can ascertain that a significant portion of the student population is from Chicago and is carless. This would be a great way for them to get home, or even just visit the city in general (college kids do occasionally go for weekends in Chicago). Same would be great for UC, Purdue, IUPUI, and other students on the line, as well as Honda Greensburg employees that live in Indianapolis, businessmen (like consultants) travelling from firms in Chicago to Cincinnati and vice-versa, etc. It's still a stretch, but with some good luck it might happen. Factguy, I think there are a couple of other online communities out there that you would enjoy or at least should keep an eye on. I'll private message you info on them since I don't want to advertise competing discussions here. Also good to know about Hamilton and the CNG fueling station. I know Honda has a CNG version of the Civic that they mass produce now, and I'm assuming some other automakers might have CNG cars as well.
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Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 9:58pm
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sj, your post reminded me that I believe I read an earlier one associated with what was estimated to be an approximate $250 Kk the city spent on the Section 8 section system that one may have assumed was sold or gifted to the cty when they took over the HUD administration. While I don't have issues with the ordinance, although I doubt if it will have meaningful impact, I was struck by a thought the basis for the ordinance may be to salvage the roughly quarter million dollar software investment the city made to tie bad deeds/ crimes, to landlords and tenants to purge the number of vouchers, which now is used to hall monitor landlords and tenants as it was used before. If I recall, wasn't it also linked to the water department, because if one was on section 8 and missed a water payment, that automatically disqualified an 8 eligible/ recipient of section 8? Putting it simply----isn't is plausible the ordinance is really a means of salvaging an investment of nearly $.25 Mm in software costs that went down the drain when Section 8 admin was transferred to B Cty? Thinking out loud, but believe this is a key driver for the ordinance. Saving the software expense and investment more than anything IMO. ------------- 'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill |
Posted By: Trotwood
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 10:20pm
Five years ago it would have been extremist, sure. But now there are a lot of market trends and consumer demand changes toward urban living that weren't happening before. Most of these trends were ones which were prevalent virtually everywhere else in the US for many years prior. Here's a few articles about it: http://www.thewire.com/national/2014/03/more-americans-moving-to-cities-reversing-the-suburban-exodus/359714/" rel="nofollow - http://www.thewire.com/national/2014/03/more-americans-moving-to-cities-reversing-the-suburban-exodus/359714/ http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/03/where-millennials-are-moving-now/388748/" rel="nofollow - http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/03/where-millennials-are-moving-now/388748/ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/upshot/where-young-college-graduates-are-choosing-to-live.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/upshot/where-young-college-graduates-are-choosing-to-live.html?_r=0 Middletown has an inherent advantage over Monroe, Lebanon, West Chester, etc. because it has an urban core, urban housing, and at least has the bones to allow an urban lifestyle. The key will be installing the right amenities to make it happen and cleaning up the town enough to make it a place where people want to spend time outside. Look at Dayton. A lot of its recent success has been built around the rivers, the bike trails, the ball park, and the breweries with their big patios. In other words, its success has been about great community-fostering outdoor spaces. Middletown can have that happen too.
Which is more than I have done, admittedly, so I can't talk here. ----------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I probably should have phrased that better. I assumed when you made your prior statement that "who you talked to" were basically the same people you talk to here. But glad to hear that is not the case. Reading this board, I get a strong impression that most every regular member is white, male, and over the age of 50, with a few notable exceptions like Vivian Moon, which, if I had to guess, is white, female, and over the age of 50. Again, I would like nothing more than to be proven wrong, but I assume this is the truth - the general demographics of message boards of this nature point to my assumptions being correct.
I would assume youth is always wasted on the young haha. Just because a fish is there today doesn't mean it will be there tomorrow. Things change. Fast at times, slow at other times, and occasionally not at all. Would any of you have guessed Middletown would be what it is today 40 years ago? Probably not. You may know a lot about this one specific town, this five mile square block, but I for a hobby study development, what makes it a success, and what does not. I have looked at developments far into the past (like City Centre) and ones much more recent. There are a few key things that need to be done to get Middletown moving in the right direction with success from certain demographics of new residents, and so far the city is making good strides towards putting that infrastructure in place. Sure, there have been a lot of missteps. No one is arguing there. What can be said is that the city is now pursuing solutions that have been implemented successfully for decades in other cities, both near and far. I don't know if I can make you understand exactly what has been proven both by academics and industry alike to make a city better, but I can at least point you in the right direction. If you are really passionate about shooting down solutions that waste money and supporting those taht encourage positive sustainable development, follow these news sources. www.daytondailynews.com" rel="nofollow - www.daytondailynews.com bizjournals.com/dayton" rel="nofollow - bizjournals.com/dayton bizjournals.com/cincinnati" rel="nofollow - bizjournals.com/cincinnati citylab.com" rel="nofollow - citylab.com urbancincy.com" rel="nofollow - urbancincy.com www.streetsblog.org" rel="nofollow - www.streetsblog.org Note that most of these are not radical sites by any stretch of the imagination. They are business focused, conservative, and progressive all at the same time. They fight for the best solutions. And it is hard to be much more conservative than supporting solutions that use what already exists. So please, just give it a shot. The '70's aren't coming back, nor should they. But a better day can come.
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: Apr 20 2015 at 10:23pm
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Trotwood, you make many good points. Early in my career, I taught at U of C at Booth, and had many friends and associates whom lived as far away as Racine, Wisconsin and traveled the train down to downtown Chicago to work, or the many stops along the north shore, Arlington Heights, Barrington, and Chicagoland in general. It will be great news for southern Ohio if it becomes an extended metro area with positive impact on many. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 21 2015 at 6:21am
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"One area I have actively been pushing downtown, is for the city to give an income tax credit for zero local tax owed, to those working in West Chester, Liberty Township, and Mason, while living in Middletown. The city must raise wage earners residing in the city, and not rely on attracting more tax revenue from those working in the city" Factguy, we finally agree on something although I have some personal gain from your idea. I work at Wright-Patt, while living in Middletown, and pay no city tax to Fairborn. It all goes to Middletown on April 15th. Would be nice to see a tax credit for zero taxes owed for all out-of-town workers. I like your idea of not bleeding the working taxpayers in Middletown also. Don't see many high end wage earners coming to town. Nothing to offer them as opposed to West Chester or Mason as to amenities nor upscale climate. Also don't see attracting new high earner residents to town either with the current lower wage job selections available. Gonna have to go upscale here or somehow develop a company relocation program that will attract high wage jobs. Don't see that happening here with the current city situation and obsession with downtown development. I am assuming your first line "one area I have been actively pushing downtown......" that you would be Adkins. ------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over. |
Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Apr 21 2015 at 9:52am
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A goal of 30,000 residents? Will anyone alive today live to see that? And how exactly will this be accomplished? Even if you optimistically assume a run-off of Sec 8 over the years, that might account for a few thousand fewer residents.
And what to do with the thousands of homes that won't be needed with a population of 30k? Look at the time and expense associated with demo-ing a few hundred homes.
And all this talk about the growing Cin-Day metroplex. When you look at the map, the city of limits of Middletown are fairly large. Are we to assume this area will be growing and thriving and yet our large spot on the map will both be prospering and reducing in population at the same time?
Betweem this topic and the "downtown is critical" argument, my head is spinning in confusion.
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Posted By: Factguy
Date Posted: Apr 21 2015 at 10:20am
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Bill, I understand your confusion, which is well founded, the extension of the metroplex is based upon a distance north and south of the midpoint of the area for commuting to work. By definition, Middletown would be at or near the midpoint, thus providing either a large number of jobs, and thus, employers in the city. As an alternative, Middletown could be more of a bedroom community, with less employers, but more stability in residential consumption. The vision the city has is a mix of industry, education, healthcare, and manufacturing with the targeted residents. Any future vision or estimated plans for the city is heavily weighed against the future of AKS. If it is bought, what would happen to Middletown? Will its recent acquisition and integration be a success? When will it return to a stable profit based company is anyone's guess. Moreover, you are correct about the excess housing. The land bank eliminated some excess capacity but is doubtful, it would ever be refunded, albeit state or federal. There would be no money to tear down excess capacity. A personal observation is many older families are passing away, and their sons and daughters are moving back to Middletown, getting the home of their parent, and commuting to Cincinnati to work.
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Jun 03 2015 at 5:17pm
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Posted: 4:04 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 NEW DETAILS Landlords group calls proposed chronic
nuisance law ‘a good deal’
By http://www.journal-news.com/staff/ed-richter/" rel="nofollow - Staff Writer The
chairman of a Middletown landlords group called the revised version of a
proposed ordinance to address chronic nuisance properties “a good deal” that
will help the city “to start cleaning things up.” The
Middletown Real Estate Investors Group and City Manager Doug Adkins have spent
the past month clarifying the language of an ordinance designed to keep track
of properties that generate higher than normal calls for city services through
code enforcement violations, criminal activity or other actions that require a
public safety unit to respond. The
ordinance was set to be on City Council’s April 21 agenda, but was pulled so
city officials could have further conversations about it with local landlords.
The proposal is now set to go before council for consideration and final
adoption at the June 21 meeting. Adkins
told council Tuesday that the revisions clarified what was and was not a
nuisance as well as the landlords obligations. He said after meeting with the
landlords, “we now have a stronger ordinance that also kept the teeth in it.” “I
was pleased that most of the landlords see the value of this legislation and
just want to make absolutely sure they know where the line is drawn on what is
or is not included, and what action they must take to avoid being declared a
chronic nuisance property,” Adkins said. Steve
Bohannon, chairman of the MREIG, said a number of landlords took offense with
the ordinance initially, feeling that it would cause them to lose their
properties through seizures. But the revised ordinance has several key
provisions including the opportunity for a landlord to meet with the city’s
public safety director to discuss an incident to keep their property from being
designated as a chronic nuisance. “If
the landlords take the appropriate action when they are notified by police,
then they should be fine, and most should have no problem,” Bohannon said. “If
there is an (illegal) activity, then they will have to deal with it.” Bohannon
said he believes the proposed ordinance will force some absentee landlords to
get out of the business locally. “It’s
a good deal. The city needs to start cleaning things up,” he said. |