Lenny Robinson and Grand-Standing?
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Economic Development
Forum Description: Local government efforts to develop the local Middletown area economy.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3388
Printed Date: Oct 17 2025 at 2:41am
Topic: Lenny Robinson and Grand-Standing?
Posted By: swohio75
Subject: Lenny Robinson and Grand-Standing?
Date Posted: Oct 18 2010 at 7:31pm
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At the September 8, 2010, Middletown Planning Commission meeting, developer Lenny Robinson stood before the Commission and said that he was formally withdrawing his petition to the city to vacate what will be the old Commerce Drive off SR 122 East of I-75. He said that it would be done in writing the following morning.
He mentioned he had a $4.5 million project lined up that would bring 80 jobs. Look at what was included as part of the Council Workbook: 
The date of the request is October 6, 2010. I want to like Lenny. He is obviously a smart man. He has obviously made a lot of money. I don't always agree with him. I am pleased the project is moving forward, but there does seem to be some grand-standing on his part. |
Replies:
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 1:18am
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Don't jump to conclusions and think this letter wasn't prompted by a verbal deal made with the city prior.
I don't mind if he grand stands. He's a property owner and the city wants to get in the real estate business in this area. He has every right to hold out and use any loophole he can find to get him the best return possible. |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 10:15pm
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Grandstanding???
Here we have a legitimate businessman standing in front of City Council talking about trying to bring EIGHTY NEW JOBS to our city, and what does our "business friendly" (
 ) Mayor do???He says: Your three minutes are UP!!!
WHAT the heck is wrong with these people?? ------------- “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: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 4:16am
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Mike I noticed that Judy stated that the City was going to appeal the court decision on our signage laws. (more money out the door) |
Posted By: Nelson...Himself
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 5:07am
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I will always remember the response of Les Landen to a question last night at City Council.
It was something to the effect........................."Miss Judy made me do it."
  Lenny Robinson was superb in rightfully embarrassing The Queen of Middletown, etc.
I wonder if Les is roundly reprimanded today by Her Royal Majesty of One Donham Plaza?
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 6:40am
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If it be true, that Les is the twin of Oliver Hardy (you be the judge), then the appropriate phrase to this situation is:
"Well Lenny, this is another fine mess you've gotten me into" 
Ole' Les is trying to steal one from comedian Flip Wilson who used the line "the devil made me do it" years ago as Geraldine.
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Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 8:01am
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Landen and Kohler should both be summarily dishcharged!!!
(That's lawyer talk for "FIRED"!!!) ------------- “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: Oct 20 2010 at 8:18am
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No SWOhio, I don't see Mr.Robinson as grandstanding at all.
jmo
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Posted By: Nelson...Himself
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 8:19am
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Mike,
Thanks..for..attending..last..night's..City..Council..meeting.
We..appreciate..your..comments..about..non-resident..membership..on..City..boards,..etc.
 |
Posted By: Nick_Kidd
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 8:27am
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This conduct goes on daily in our city building. When anyone on council tries to change the mindset in the city building, someone on council will always say "we don't want to micro-manage". Well council, if city employees are destoying our city, operating criminally or not in the best interest of our city, we expect our elected "leaders" to correct the problem. If council will not correct these problems, then they should be held personally responsible! Once again we see that council only gets the information that city employees want them to have. I also enjoyed seeing Judy decide that this conduct be hidden from the public by sending it to "executive session". How much corruption is hidden by "executive session?" The reasons for "executive session" should be narrowed to absolutely NECESSARY items not a catch-all for anything embarrassing or criminal. ------------- Government is not the answer to problems, government is the problem. |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 10:35am
| Isn't there a Council liason on the Planning Commission where this petition to vacate would have been mentioned? How can no one on Council be aware of this situation? I believe that the lawsuit was encouraged by our ED dept. Legal dept.was obviously involved at the direction of the city manager. Seems someone should be reporting/updating these important situations with the rest of our govt. |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 11:04am
| If you review and evaluate the number of appeals the city (and Mr. Landon) have lost, many which are unconstitutional to begin, I would not be too worried about the successful outcome on appeal by LR. If he wins, city pays his attorney fees through 12 D appellate court, so money probably being wasted on this effort, although I have not reviewed the reasoning for the action. Many of the ordinances are unconstitutional and would not survive a challenge. Admiration goes to LR to have the nerve to step outside the network and push back on city when its wrong legally. LR is well known in community, but puts business before politics---Bravo, an exception to the norm who collapseand run to find cover. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 11:09am
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Name Address Zip Code Term Expires
01 Amburgey, Chris 1109 Orchard Street 45044 2010 02 Brickey, Tom 539 Cedarwood Court 45042 2012******* 03 Dalton, Michael 1815 Londonderry Drive 45042 2012 04 Gross, Gary 4909 Shannon Way 45044 2012 05 Marconi, Tony 4521 Rosedale Road 45042 2012 06 Mejias-Yancey, Joanne 409 Regent Drive 45044 2011 07 Vacant 2011 Kohler, Marty One Donham Plaza 45042 Scott Jones, Anita One Donham Plaza 45042 Taken from the city site under Planning Commission members as of 10/20/10 |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 11:34am
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Lenny mentioned the lawsuit in great detail at the September Planning Commission meeting. I believe Council's rep to Planning Commission - Anita Scott Jones-- was in attendence. Lenny also mentioned the petition to vacate, but also said he was formally withdrawing that request. See the reason for this post. |
Posted By: Anita Scott Jones
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 12:57pm
| Yes, I am the council representative for Planning. the planning Commission met on September 8, 2010 and I was NOT in attendance. I had a previous engagement. |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 1:04pm
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^^
My mistake.
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Posted By: Voice of Reason
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 10:46pm
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I am curious about this one, can someone bring me up to speed about it? I am, however, skeptical about the reality of bringing 80 jobs--what is the industry? What exactly are the jobs? How will the $4.5M be spent? If he is vacating the land, is this just some sour grapes about having to leave?
I will admit to being in the dark about it, so if anyone can fill in the background about it I would greatly appreciate it. ------------- "Ask not what your country can do for you..." JFK |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 10:50pm
This coming from the guy that has constantly praised non-resident Walter Leap's participation in Middletown's Consolidated Planning Advisory Committee. |
Nelson...Himself wrote:Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 10:56pm
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After listening to Lenny's comments during public comment, I would agree that he isn't/wasn't grand-standing. He was able to explain in more detail his reason for the original request to withdraw the petition and why it was resubmitted.
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