Middletown Forum : Ms. Scott-Jones http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : City Council : Ms. Scott-Jones Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:57:02 +0000 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:04:32 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1681 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Ms. Scott-Jones : Pacman wrote:Mike I think we... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9399&title=ms-scottjones#9399 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 7:04am

Originally posted by Pacman Pacman wrote:

Mike I think we are mixing two different issues.  I don't care if Michel's pulled a petition to change Council makeup or to allow everyone to paint their houses neon pink.  It is simply his right to do so, regardless if you or I or anyone else approves of the subject of the petition or the wording. 
Pac:
Yes, and I absolutely strongly agree!!!  And I never meant to imply that I disagreed.  If I somehow gave that impression, I sincerely regret doing so.
 
I guess that I am guilty of mixing two issues.  While I am sure that the very intelligent, civic-minded readers of this forum find the substance of this particular petition chrystal clear, for many others who do not follow city affairs as closely, that may not be so.  They may not understand that they could lobby council or even petition to add a referendum for any of the other council make-ups that they find more to their liking.
 
I am simply pointing out that something about THIS PARTICULAR CHOICE, as suggest both by the charter committee AND by this pettion sticks in my craw.  It allows the choice ONLY of the change that makes future council the "MOST MANAGABLE" by groups such as "Moving Middletown Forward" that MAY not have the best interests of the entire citizenry at heart.
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:04:32 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9399&title=ms-scottjones#9399 Ms. Scott-Jones : Mike I think we are mixing two... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9398&title=ms-scottjones#9398 Author: Pacman
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 6:45am

Mike I think we are mixing two different issues.  I don't care if Michel's pulled a petition to change Council makeup or to allow everyone to paint their houses neon pink.  It is simply his right to do so, regardless if you or I or anyone else approves of the subject of the petition or the wording. ]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:45:53 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9398&title=ms-scottjones#9398 Ms. Scott-Jones : MOREQUESTIONS FOR ANITA SCOTT-JONES:CITY'S... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9394&title=ms-scottjones#9394 Author: Ima B. Lever
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 2:49am

MORE QUESTIONS FOR ANITA SCOTT-JONES:  CITY'S "DOLLAR HOME" PROGRAM
 
Maybe you can ask Judy Gilleland or Doug Adkins for the readily available answers to the following questions at this Friday's meeting of the Housing Subcommittee of the City Council?
 
Question 1:  What do you know about the City's "Dollar Home" program of purchasing, rehabilitating and re-selling FHA foreclosed homes with HUD funds that was initiated in early 2006?
 
Question 2:  Of the 10 homes deeded to the City by FHA, there's six that still have not been "REHABBED" in Ward 2.  Were you aware that a sizable amount of HUD monies have been doled out for property taxes, insurance and maintenance since 2006?  Did you know that significant City staff time has been spent on this project with very little to show?
 
Question 3:  Have either of you ever sought information from the City's Community Revitalization Department relative to their "PLANS" for these six neglected houses?
 
Question 4:  Since more than "THREE YEARS" have passed since this project was initiated, did you ever question the City's ability to undertake "MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR" City Council approved plans to dramatically undertake more HUD-funded housing?
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:49:55 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9394&title=ms-scottjones#9394 Ms. Scott-Jones : QUESTIONS FOR ANITA SCOTT-JONES... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9393&title=ms-scottjones#9393 Author: Ima B. Lever
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 2:46am

QUESTIONS FOR ANITA SCOTT-JONES
 
Maybe you can ask Judy Gilleland or Doug Adkins for the readily available answers to the following questions at this Friday's meeting of the Housing Subcommittee of the City Council?
 
 
1)  Of the $100,000 in HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds allocated for residential property demolition for the 5/1/2009 - 4/30/2010 Program Year, how many houses are targeted?  Of these, how many are situated in Ward 2 and what are the property addresses?
 
2)  Of the $2.144 million in HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP - Round One) funding received by the City of Middletown, how many houses are targeted for demolition?  Of these, how many are situated in Ward 2 and what are the property addresses?
 
3)  Of the $400,000 plus in HUD Home Investments Partnerships (HOME) Program funds received by the City of Middletown for Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance over the past two years, how many Ward 2 purchasers were aided out of the 75+ households?  What are the property addresses of these Ward 2 first-time buyers?
 
4)  Of the $2.144 million in HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP - Round One) funding received by the City of Middletown, how many of the 20 vacant, foreclosed houses that are targeted for acquisition/rehabilitation/resale are situated in Ward 2 and what are the property addresses?
 
5)  Of the $19+ million in HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP - Round Two) funding that the City of Middletown applied for on July 17th, how many more vacant, foreclosed houses are there that will be targeted for acquisition/rehabilitation/resale?  Of this amount, how many are situated in Ward 2 and what are the property addresses?
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:46:48 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9393&title=ms-scottjones#9393 Ms. Scott-Jones : Pacman wrote:Mike did you see... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9392&title=ms-scottjones#9392 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 1:49am

Originally posted by Pacman Pacman wrote:

Mike did you see the Council Meeting last night. It is not a matter as to whether anyone agrees with what Jeff Michel's Petition is about as much as his Right to Pull the Petition and gather the appropriate signatures and have the matter placed on the November Ballot.
Yes, I did see the meeting.  Did you read the very first phrase of the very first sentence of my post? 
 
Originally posted by Pacman Pacman wrote:

If the Matter is written as the  Proposal in Exhibit "A" and it gets on the Ballot then that is the only choice that the voters have to make for the November Ballot.  You either vote to change the Charter, Not to change it or not vote.  I am not understanding what you are trying to say.
I am trying to say exactly what I said: 

"So, while I agree that this matter is up to the voters, what I do NOT agree with is giving the citizens who do not follow the issues as closely as we on this board do, the impression that these are the ONLY CHOICES that they have!!!"

"I’m sure that there are many people who think that FOUR WARD COUNCIL MEMBERS, plus an at-large mayor may be the best choice, and they may see this as the closest they can get. Many others may deem that SIX AT-LARGE, plus a mayor would be their preference."

"Also, with NINE OTHER charter amendments on the ballot, is there a possibility of confusion, which may result in some voters marking this issue “YES” by mistake?"

"My friends, I am reticent, yes, reticent. It gives me pause that the ONLY CHOICE that either the CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE or Mr. Michel want to give to the people is the ONE CHOICE that leaves city council in its “MOST MANAGEABLE” form!!!"

I may have confused things by omitting the fact that, if people prefer any of the other, LESS MANAGEABLE, council make-ups, they would have to either petition to put it on the ballot OR lobby city council to do so.
 
Originally posted by Pacman Pacman wrote:

I am not saying whether I agree with the Proposal but I do agree with Mr. Michel's right to pull the petition according to the City Charter without being maligned for doing it.
"I also STRONGLY agree with the people’s right to petition,..." ]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:49:46 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9392&title=ms-scottjones#9392 Ms. Scott-Jones : Randy you need to emmty you Private... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9390&title=ms-scottjones#9390 Author: Pacman
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 1:19am

Randy you need to emmty you Private message box on MiddletownUSA.]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:19:44 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9390&title=ms-scottjones#9390 Ms. Scott-Jones : Mike did you see the Council Meeting... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9389&title=ms-scottjones#9389 Author: Pacman
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 1:18am

Mike did you see the Council Meeting last night. It is not a matter as to whether anyone agrees with what Jeff Michel's Petition is about as much as his Right to Pull the Petition and gather the appropriate signatures and have the matter placed on the November Ballot.
 
If the Matter is written as the  Proposal in Exhibit "A" and it gets on the Ballot then that is the only choice that the voters have to make for the November Ballot.  You either vote to change the Charter, Not to change it or not vote.  I am not understanding what you are trying to say.
 
I am not saying whether I agree with the Proposal but I do agree with Mr. Michel's right to pull the petition according to the City Charter without being maligned for doing it.
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:18:57 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9389&title=ms-scottjones#9389 Ms. Scott-Jones : Change the makeup of City Council,... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9388&title=ms-scottjones#9388 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 12:43am

Change the makeup of City Council, AND the County Commission!!!
 
Well, well, well...Hello Ms. Nancy "I have no further political ambitions" Nix, former Middletow city council person and member of the "in crowd"!!!
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:43:52 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9388&title=ms-scottjones#9388 Ms. Scott-Jones : I also STRONGLY agree with the... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9385&title=ms-scottjones#9385 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 05 2009 at 12:30am

I also STRONGLY agree with the people’s right to petition, Pacman, but my gut tells me that something might be wrong with the way these issues may be presented on the ballot.

First, let me make it perfectly clear that I have NOT seen the petition!!!

All that I know about it is that in his July 28th letter to The Middletown Journal Mr. Michel stated that he was “compelled to pull a petition of submission for a proposed amendment to the charter for the purpose of adding ordinance 02009-46”.

　

EXHIBIT "A"

PROPOSAL

That Article II, Section 2 and the first paragraph of Article II, Section 3 of the Charter be amended to provide for the election of five members of City Council, consisting of a mayor and four members elected at-large, effective for the general election in 2013 and the City Council seated January 1, 2014, such amended section to read in full, as follows;

SECTION 2. CITY COUNCIL.

Effective January 1, 1994, there is hereby created a City Commission, which, effective

January 1, 2001, shall be named City Council, consisting of seven (7) electors, residents of the City of Middletown, who shall be nominated and elected as provided in the Charter, and shall exercise all powers, authority and rights, legislative, executive and administrative, now vested in and exercised by the City of Middletown and its several officers. All powers, authority and rights vested in or granted to the City of Middletown, its prior legislative authorities and members thereof, shall, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the State of Ohio and of this Charter, be vested in, possessed and exercised by said City Council and the several members thereof, or under their direction. Effective January 1, 2014, the number of electors, residents of the City of Middletown, composing City Council shall be reduced to five (5).

Prior to January 1, 2014, City Council shall be comprised of two (2) of the City Council members and the Mayor of the City of Middletown who shall be elected "at large" (by all qualified electors of the City of Middletown) and the remaining four (4) City Council members who shall be elected "by ward", (by only the qualified electors of one ward of the City of Middletown), one from each of the four wards. Effective January 1, 2014, City Council shall be comprised of four (4) City Council members and the Mayor of the City of Middletown all of whom shall be elected "at-large" (by all qualified electors of the City of Middletown).

Prior to January 1, 1994, the City Commission was composed of five (5) members in accordance with previous Charter provisions. (Amended 11-6-1990; 11-7-2000; 11-8-2005)

SECTION 3. ELECTION.

In the general election to be held in 2007, and every four (4) years thereafter, two (2) City Council members and the Mayor shall be chosen "at large". The mayoral seat shall be elected separately from the two (2) at large seats, and a candidate for Mayor must file and run as a candidate for Mayor. In the general election to be held in 1993, and every four years thereafter, until the general election of 2013, four (4) City Council members shall be chosen "by ward". City Council members chosen "by ward" shall be electors residing in the ward from which they are chosen. In the general election held in 2013, and every four years thereafter, two (2) City Council members shall be chosen at-large. All City Council members shall be chosen for a term of four (4) years, except as provided in the next paragraph of this section. 　

[Remainder of section remains unchanged]

Ed Richter’s July 20th Journal article about the petition states that “If successful, the proposed amendments would eliminate the 8-year-old ward election system and cut council from seven to five members - four at-large and a directly elected mayor.”

I agree with Mr. Richter’s conclusion.

It is my understanding that this will be a “Shall the Middletown City Charter be amended…”-- “YES” or “NO” type of ballot issue.

So, while I agree that this matter is up to the voters, what I do NOT agree with is giving the citizens who do not follows the issues as closely as we on this board do, the impression that these are the ONLY CHOICES that they have!!!

I’m sure that there are many people who think that FOUR WARD COUNCIL MEMBERS, plus an at-large mayor may be the best choice, and they may see this as the closest they can get. Many others may deem that SIX AT-LARGE, plus a mayor would be their preference.

Also, with NINE OTHER charter amendments on the ballot, is there a possibility of confusion, which may result in some voters marking this issue “YES” by mistake?

Last, but certainly not least, we still have the specter of “Moving Middletown Forward” hovering menacingly in the background!!! Please allow me to repeat my thoughts from my post on an earlier thread about that clandestine group:

I am concerned that, among other things, this organization is actively involved in:

Recruiting and training candidates for City Council

Fundraising for council candidates ($5,000 per candidate?)

Speech-coaching candidates

Establishing issues for candidates

Not giving away its main goal of recruiting and quietly helping groom selected candidates

I am also troubled that this organization appears to be conspiring to:

Surreptitiously form committees while concealing objectives and goals

Quietly “groom” their “selected candidates”

Change the makeup of City Council, AND the County Commission

Eliminate at-large seats from City Council

Make City Council “more manageable”(?!?)

My friends, I am reticent, yes, reticent. It gives me pause that the ONLY CHOICE that either the CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE or Mr. Michel want to give to the people is the ONE CHOICE that leaves city council in its “MOST MANAGEABLE” form!!!

]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:30:11 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9385&title=ms-scottjones#9385 Ms. Scott-Jones : Anita - Do youremember stopping... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9379&title=ms-scottjones#9379 Author: Ima B. Lever
Subject: 1681
Posted: Aug 04 2009 at 10:22pm

Anita -
 
Do you remember stopping by my office at the Municipal Building in early 2008 shortly after you were elected to the City Council?  Do you remember asking me if there were CDBG funds available for the repainting of the Community Center on Lafayette Avenue?  Do you remember me telling you that there was a modest amount of funds available in the Community Improvement Program account.  Do you remember me telling you that I would recommend this matter to the attention of the now-defunct HUD Consolidated Planning Committee for their consideration.  Do you remember how $7,000+ was allocated for the purchase of materials, equipment, etc.  Do you remember how this project was to be completed in the Fall months of 2008?  Since you have mentioned this project so many times at City Council meetings I thought that I would refresh your memory.
 
Nelson Self
]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:22:10 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1681&PID=9379&title=ms-scottjones#9379