Well, Middletown, what now? The pandemic may speed up descent downan already slippery slope.

Why not take this“opportunity” to bring allof us together to rebuild? Let’s cease to tear down and begin torenew and re-purpose what remains. Loosenthe over reaching regulations on small business and actuallyencourage anyone with the desire, imagination and know-how to reviveMiddletown’s economy. Remember, “it’s the economy stupid”?

Thevision for “greater” Middletown in both place and ideology needsto be more open and inclusive. Let our city government overseerenewal, innovation and progress without thechoking and unnecessaryordinance and red tape. A majority of the building code whichstifles new business, needs to be expunged. This code was introducedand compounded by former city manager, Adkins. Forexample, rulesdictateexactly what and how newlandscaping would be installed in great detail!

Voluntarismshould be encouraged as a very useful, cost effective aid withminimal oversight by the city. Some building trades and businesses aswell as individuals may be interested. Voluntarismhas been discouraged and even punished at times. Foryears, Vivian Moon was aconsummate volunteer who legally,above board andsingle handed improved, repaired, landscaped and managed the historicMiddletown Cemetery. Shealso served as unpaid researchcontact for genealogy inquiries. A former city manager, JudyGilleland, confiscatedVivian’s legally foundednon-profit cemeteryfund (some of which were herpersonal contribution) andhad her flower beds mowed down. Vivianwas subsequently banished from the cemetery.In a word, unconscionable.

Sadly,there are homeless people in our midst andpoverty level families.They could become part of our recovery by providing themwith meals and other needsin return for volunteerlabor such as cleaning andmaintenance of buildings, streets and parks. Thiscould be coordinated by existing organizations.Veryreminiscent of aidduring the great depression and the WPA.

Let’sgo Middletown! War on the pandemic!