I will not give another dime to the schools until the scores go up...PERIOD.

As for "historic districts"....I have worked on historic homes for 30 years and I thought I understood the rules. However after talking with numerous people involved in this new historic district....I guess I know nothing...and I still don't understand this plan.
    There are 3 types of historic districts, local, state and federal. The Highlands is to be a "Local Historic District" (therefore with the greatest control.)
    Marty Kohler has used the 50 year rule for this district. In other words if the property is 50 years old it can be declared "historic". (Example: Wright homes built in Chicago) The other examples where this rule has been used is for downtown areas that have been built over numerous decades in many styles. And as Mike would say.....HOWEVER....I have NEVER seen this rule used in a residential area with this range of ages. 
    Hamilton, Ohio has three historic districts, Rossville, German Village and Dayton Street and all of these areas feature homes built before the 1900’s.
    One of the benefits of a historic district is that owners of homes will not have to apply individually to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and incur the expense associated with this process. How many of these properties would qualify to be on the National Register of Historic Places? Very few of these homes would qualify to be placed on the National Regeister...imo
    Clearly Mr. Kohler has used the broadest interpertation of this rule for this new historic district. (Just because you have a rule does not mean it is wise to abuse it..imo) 
     I was told that these homeowners want to protect their investments, homes and neighborhood. When I asked from what, I was told that they didn't want these large homes to be split up at a later date into apartment units like the Sorg and to insure that the properties would be well maintained. (Then why not form the Highlands District Association or just declare these large homes historic?)
    Restrictions on properties...(Now this is where my 3 little gray cells went tilt..tilt..tilt)  When I asked about historic restriction on these properties I was told that this area would be under "SELF RULE" by members of this district. That items such as a new roof would not need to go before the City Historic Review Committee. That in fact the "Historic rules DIDN'T APPLY to them or their properties...tilt..tilt..tilt..tilt.
    Bottom line...everyone that I have talked with has a different interpertation
of the "Highlands Historic District" rules..what they are and what they can and can not do with their properties..tilt..tilt..tilt
    I think Mr. Kohler needs to go before Council and explain all the rules before this goes before City Council on September 1, 2009.
    Sooo...if this is the historic rule that Mr Kohler is going to use then all of Middletown can apply...tilt..tilt..tilt.