So much for the past.  It is possible to change the direction of policies and programs to bring about positive change.  I do wish the best for Middletown and all of its' citizens.

 

Intimidation can be real and imagined. Seems we have seen both just from reading this forum. Seems that you have the facts on your side, which is one extremely powerful ally. Don't know your medical/mental/legal status with everyone, however if the situation allows, it HAS to be YOU who brings these issues forward in another forum, being the MJ, TVM televised forums(what about the up-coming town hall ward 1 meeting?). If you are up to the presentation(which could be organized into several consecutive presentations), I would think that the crowd would be full of support for any positive effort to bring corrective action to our city situation.

 

The landscape downtown IS changing, and WILL continue to change in a positive direction. Our new Councilmembers are showing signs of becoming more determined instead of backing down, and may well be joined by a couple of existing Councilmembers, leaving a weakened minority representing the old way.

 

The tide is beginning to tur, my online friends, and don't be surprised if a few KEY Admin faces begin to support the new way of thinking. Don't give up or slow down. Ramp it up as best you can, being creatively positive and innovative with ideas for change/solutions.

 

The citizens of this city WILL prevail with sensibility and constructive thinking.

It will be strong like the wind and water--nothing can stop the flow.

 

 

So, Vet what's the next priority? Again, don't put your faith in investing in time to develop and replae council. Some argued months ago certain members should be removed as well as employees, Mr. Kohler comes to mind. I recall Mr. Mulligan basically stating go pound sand, "ain't happening on my watch." So why waste the time?

 

Should some be removed for unethical dealing? I don't think that would yield anything do you, and there would be no basis for it.  Therefore, what priorities can be altered? Well, you'd say section 8. I'd argue by contract and obligation accordibgly, little can be done to impact numbers. And is that really a core function of city hall, I think not, and acknowledged as such by city council at their retreat.

 

Now lets talk public safety. Apparently, money allocated for safety and employees was spent elsewhere---is that a correct assumption? If so, how is that investigated, and should it be? Probably so.

 

Infrastructure. Well, if the golden boys on council due their due diligence the ordinance will be changed back 20 years, or we'll know other motives serve council's agenda than common sense actions.

 

Should the tax levy be defeated in a few years, rolled back to 1.75? No doubt in my mind, what is anyone getting now? Not much service which city hall assures all is aware. And the school levy, should it be renewed? Debateable, and probably no, asI doubt anyone could point to anything that the levy would bring about possitively in increasing resident interest or property values. All the realtors of course, will cry how the city will plunge, but it couldn't get any worse, any thinking mind would agree on that.

 

As for organization, I think it begins with what objectives are laid forth. Don't harness people for the sake of harness, set some basic objectives. Form a concensus most functions non essential will be outsourced. How about the golf course---would that attract a few thousand voters? Probably. Roll back the tax---another no brainer, there's 7,000 votes there.

 

What's missing? Streets? Potholes? Dog playgrounds? $50kk- $100 KK on consultants that have contributed noting? Pick 3-4 top of mind issues, and you;ll ave 10,000 strong that will drwarf MMF. Then, taking back the city begins. During the good days you refer, Armco made that happen. Today, its all man and woman for themselve. This is a start and it bypasses city council and government who will never be on board or think of the big picture. They care about survival to retirement, not what Middletown becomes in 10 years. Recall the selling point on the 2.25% levey was paving streets in two generations. In six months, the ship begins to raise, and begin its descent to the depths of the sea.

 

A memo to Nelson Self: Mr. Self, no one in the city of Middletown is worth nor has the ability to ruin one's life in spite of their efforts. Tey aren't wort the time. But them behind you. If you have claims, file them, Otherwise, do some HUD consultanting and realize you moed into a mess which has been around for years. Its not worth impacting your health further to seek the truth when those wo should seek it, and incabale of confronting it, and won't. You could write a dissertation, have it published, but it will not alter the mindset of those you work. They care about one thing---survival. Forward thinking, doing what's right, being fair and equitable to all, is simply the least of their collective concerns. You see, they think they know, more tan you, I, and 49700 residents.                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City council and the school board are not the answer nor solution. They never have been. As others stated, the wisdom which came from the council at the recent retreat was text book 101 in urban development, aka, public safety, infrastructure. Stating the obvious is an overstatement.

 

What about someone pushing the ordinance back...question and request  to the young bucks whom are new to council, the one that's allowed funds to be diverted 20 years? That would seem to be a no brainer to most, but it never progresses, never is mentioned. Of all considerations, that is one that is deserving of emergency legislation.

 

Why is the city spending money dedicated to safety elsewhere? Who cares if 4 positions aren't filled, if it is not impacting safety. The .25% increase was never about safety, but about protecting an income stream, it slowed the hemorrage from AK executive management bolting. 

 

Economic development and the Master Plan? Neither exist or are pursued. Neyer leads the way on development with a wrecking ball runnig a close #2. The master plan is just works of aspiration at such a high level it wouldn't pass in an intro 101 marketing class at MUM.  There are problems, and there are solutions. What is visible is the enormity of the problems, What is lacking are constructive solutions. They won't come from city hall. They won't come from city council. They won't come from the school board.

 

Oh well, in another 3 months, the Bash kicks off, and we all can get drunk listening to the entertainment and at least for a day, have some relief from the nightmare of being trapped in this city. If anyone has a good exit strategy, please contact me immediately..   .