Middletown Forum : Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : Economic Development : Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons Tue, 10 Nov 2026 21:55:17 +0000 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:21:51 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1966 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : SupportMiddletown- I was asking... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14329&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14329 Author: VietVet
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 1:21pm

SupportMiddletown- I was asking how the BICO Endowment was connected with the PRIDE group. I was not trying to suggest that the city use the BICO money to fund the cemetery. Just asked the connection, if any, with Mort's group. Another thing to consider is that the city is legally obligated to take care of the cemetery, whereas the downtown area is at the discretion of the city leaders and the funds available. Do you know who donated the BICO money for the Commons? Wonder how much money is accumulated each year from the endowment and how much has been spent since it's inception????? (and on what)

You mentioned that "they surely can't use this fund to upkeep the cemetery". On the contrary- they certainly can use funds intended for a specific purpose on other things (and have)--- look at what happened to the road funds in the 80's. It went into the General Fund and hasn't been returned to the road fund yet!!!!! That's why there's been no road improvements all these years. This city is famous for it's "creative financing"/numbers juggling/phantom funds movements over the years.]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:21:51 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14329&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14329 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : SupportMiddletownI do not believe... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14322&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14322 Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 12:24pm

SupportMiddletown
I do not believe that Vet suggested that the endowment for the Commons be used for the the cemetery.
However I do have a real problem with the missing Perpetual Care Fund held by the City for the care of the Middletown Cemetery.
Support I would be willing to bet that more people visit the Middletown Cemetery than the Pickwick Building and the Bicentennial Commons each year.
People from all over the USA visit this cemetery every year.
It's not a matter of downtown vs cemetery.
The problem is that money has been spent on the parks and downtown for years and yet no money has every been spent at the cemetery for any repairs to the grounds, drives, tombstones or the vault for years.
Why shouldn't the cemetery deserve equal treatment and dollars?

]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:24:35 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14322&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14322 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : I believe the BICO endowment is... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14320&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14320 Author: SupportMiddletown
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 11:58am

I believe the BICO endowment is at the community foundation. It was created when the Commons was constructed and they use the interest to make improvements.

VietVet, they surely cannot use this fund to upkeep the cemetery. It is only to invest in BICO. The money was donated originally for this purpose, so I don't see how you can argue against using it there. It is not like the city choose between funding the BICO and not the cemetery.
 
I am 100% for preserving the cemetery (especially the vault), but it seems quite odd that so many people on this site seem to be against spending money for old things that few visit. How can people see potential at the cemetery, but not downtown? 
]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:58:07 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14320&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14320 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : Who is holding the endowment for... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14307&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14307 Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 7:20am

Who is holding the endowment for the Bicentennial Commons account ..the City or the Middletown Community Foundation?

How much money is in this endowment?
Is this endowment set up to where only the interest can be used each year?
It was my understanding that this parking lot was really for those working at Mid-Fest.
Who paid for this work to be completed and from what fund?
]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:20:46 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14307&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14307 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : SupportMiddletown- Reference question... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14302&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14302 Author: VietVet
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 6:48am

SupportMiddletown- Reference question #3- "The cemetery project still has a large funding gap". At last count, the money needed to repair the vault was around $68,000. (Correct Vivian?) This parking lot paving job probably cost at least that much or more. Do we take care of the Pioneer Cemetery or do we pave a parking lot that may never see a car parked in it? Apparently, we do the parking lot thing, holding out hope that, as someone wrote on this site, "If you build it, they will come". How is the BICO Endowment tied in to the PRIDE groups wants and wishes? You attempted to answer all but question #2- where did the asphalt come from, who authorized the pavement and acquiring the work permits issue. No info. for that? Are you going to stick by your answer to question #1? Little usage, perhaps due to a lack of parking? Lack of parking didn't seem to hamper the folks at the Blues Festivals. I believe the lack of activity at the Commons is simply a lack of interest by the city to use the facility. It was someone's pipe dream years ago as an attempt at creating an "entrance way" from the west into the downtown area and it, like the Lake and the Mall, flopped. The city has a history of creating "attraction points", but then have no clue how to market them after they are built nor how to get the maximum usage from these projects. Most die on the vine and are demolished years later, wasting more "cash strapped city" money.]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:48:29 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14302&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14302 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : Story embellishes on the usage... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14301&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14301 Author: SupportMiddletown
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 1:12am

[QUOTE=VietVet]Story embellishes on the usage of the Commons. Several questions need to be asked here.

1. What is the justification for the activity at the Commons when there has been very little usage since it was built. A few Blues Festivals, a wedding and some drill team practices hardly qualifies it for high usage. Couple the infrequent usage with the problem of the mosquito breeding ground by the former Lake Middletown and the river (which caused problems at the Blues Fest years ago) and the facility isn't as "entertaining" as one would have hoped it would be.
 
PERHAPS THE LOW USAGE IS DUE TO A LACK OF PARKING.

2. Where did the "recyled asphalt" come from? The North Breil project perhaps? Who authorized that pavement to be laid and were the proper work permits acquired by the PRIDE group?

3. How can the PRIDE group get this project done so easily and the group that wants the vault restored has to fight every inch of the way with the city?
THE MONEY WAS SITTING THERE READY TO GO. THE CEMETERY PROJECT STILL HAS A LARGE FUNDING GAP.

4. Were any taxpayer funds used for this or was this all private PRIDE funded monies that paid for this
THE MAJORITY CAME FROM THE BICO ENDOWMENT, BUT I'M SURE SOME CITY FUNDS WERE USED, IF ONLY THROUGH STAFF TIME

5. Are the PRIDE group and city officials really expecting this much activity at the Commons to justify additional parking?
 
IS THERE A BETTER USE OF FUNDS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR BICO?
]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:12:33 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14301&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14301 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : By the way, recycled Asphalt has... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14096&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14096 Author: lrisner
Subject: 1966
Posted: Nov 20 2009 at 1:00pm

By the way, recycled Asphalt has value nearly as much as new Blacktop. This was a ruse to spend City funds for inappropriate reasons,Just another reason for  me to leave Midd and make my Property just another Rental, ]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:03 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=14096&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#14096 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : Smartman......................... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=11320&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#11320 Author: Rail Fan
Subject: 1966
Posted: Sep 21 2009 at 6:30pm

Smartman..................................ClapClapClap
 
Vivian........................................ClapClapClap
]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:30:33 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=11320&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#11320 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : And why not Viv? Auntie Ann runs... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=11314&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#11314 Author: Smartman
Subject: 1966
Posted: Sep 21 2009 at 5:43pm

And why not Viv? Auntie Ann runs things and Sam is Judy's boy toy! ]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:43:04 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=11314&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#11314 Parking Lot Completed At Bicentennial Commons : “the Bicentennial Commons account”... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=11308&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#11308 Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 1966
Posted: Sep 21 2009 at 5:16pm

“the Bicentennial Commons account”

    Hmmmm…the Bicentennial Commons account…I thought this was a restricted perpetual care fund set up to take care of the Commons area such as lights and flowers. Have they now closed out this account?
    You will notice that they don’t tell you where the City funds came from to help pave this parking lot.
    Again Ms Judy Gilleland has granted another of the items that were on the Wish List of Ann Mort and Sam Ashworth.]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:16:58 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1966&PID=11308&title=parking-lot-completed-at-bicentennial-commons#11308