The construction has been poorly done and the design, really criminal. There were at least 3 back to back total wrecks at the Middletown exit in mid December during the first snow accumulation. The road is at a 20 degree slope, maybe 30.

 

But, when the state patrol says they have no idea what caused the accidents, other than hitting the concrete and bouncing into the middle lane, is the court serious about charging the driver with a felony? Gee, does Middletown need court costs and fines that badly. The poor woman could have been killed and is charged with a felony, how bad does it get.

 

Sorry, just saw something about the court above that made me think of the accident and a felonycharge for driving next to a slab of concrete.   

 

Lets talk taxes and consultants. Consultants are hired to provide the answers you want, or afraid to tell your constituents (that includes commercial business as well). If that is an impediment to the city manager's leafership, which one with apparent inside knowledge of the city provided, that's a problem currently.

 

Taxes at 1.75% are simply non competitive to other communities. You bundle in all the problems Middletown has, and attracting business and residents from other communities and states will never become sustainable. The outcome? Declining population and the death spiral.   

 

After that, your plan starts to make sense. The city has no reason to be in real estate without a plan that serves the taxpayer, not exploit them. Reducing Section 8 housing will be the natural result of Federal and State budget cuts. Dedicating funds to street and infrastructure should be a no-brainer. Cincy State deal should never have been mentioned until Cincy State formally approved it. Until that happens...?

 

Now your plan goes awry somewhat. Rely on Butler Co. services? They can't provide what they are responsible for now, no way they could pick up the slack. Quit using consultants? It's supposed to be a cost-saving measure. It would help if they hired outside consultants who tell the truth. Reduce the tax rate? This city has a hard enough time providing services with the current rate.

 

The rest of these all deal with leadership. I appreciate your post.

B) Shut-down court system and jail

C) City GET OUT of real estate business

D) Have executabe plan to reduce secion 8 hosuing stock

E) Dedicate funds to street repair and infratsructure

F)  Articulate the Cincinnati State deal. If you can't, it's non conceptual, and a waste of time and money.

G) Rely more on Butler Cty services including crime, downsize, and consolidation than the gouging of water bills, etc. 

H) Quit using consulatnts who tell you what you want to hear and are paid to know.

I)   Reduce income tax rate to 1%

J)  Focus upon all citizens, not just a few whom know little or less than the city does.

K) Focus upon what a city is supposed to do- protect citizens, provide safe roads, and parks. Get out of airport, golf, and overall housing market.

L) Understand what a Master Plan is, and how it is to be executed, instead of meaningless generalities.

M) Eliminate leadership whom is ineffective and continues a pattern of denial and make believe. In other words, facing reality instead of holding on until retirement. Its called accountability.

 

Its a start. Too late? Think of Middletown as a melting pot....of nuclear rods. Maintain a safe distance 50 miles away. 

 

Ferris

 

 

 

Actually, no; I don't think you're a negative whiner. It always seems that Middletown is at the back end of any wave that lifts the local economy. By the time our council sees it, plans for it, and finally acts on it, the benefits have crested and are on the way down. We wind up with expensive ideas past their useful life expectancy and the never endless debate about where did we go wrong.

 

Is there anyone in this town who can offer a coherent vision for what needs to happen to turn this around?

Anyone?

I am shocked--shocked I tell you--that I did not get an engraved, personal invitation!!!

Wait, I know!!!  It's probably delayed due to the earthquake.  Yeah...that's it!!!

 

As a pocketbook, I like it better when warm cash rubs against my sides, instead of dirty hands digging into me daily, providing no return in value.