Middletown Forum : A good start???

A good start??? : SWOhio: I was aware of the...

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:59:13 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 03 2011 at 4:59am

SWOhio:

I was aware of the wording in this story when I asked you to cite it. I am also aware that there was an earlier version, with a different headline (that has now vanished from the local newspaper's archives) that had different wording regarding the city manager's absence.

Since I cannot be certain of the earlier story's verbiage, I will not try to repeat it here. I’ve already erred in memory recall once in this thread. That should suffice. But let me be clear!!! It did neither mention vacation, nor any other specific reason for Ms. Gilleland’s absence!!!

I also seem to recall a slightly different subject matter.

Too bad that we mere citizens aren’t privy to an agenda for the semi-secret, un-televised portion of OUR city council meeting, or it might’ve tickled my old, cluttered memory enough recall all subjects of that earlier article. It might also prompt more of us to attend these "work sessions". But perhaps they really don't want that, do they???

It’s also a shame that the local newspaper does not archive all articles dealing with local matters. I would be pleased to quote and cite the earlier version, as my goal is the truth!!!

A good start??? : I stand corrected. The article...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:43:18 +0000

Author: swohio75
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 11:43pm

I stand corrected. The article states that she was unable attend the meeting. But I understand she is on vacation.

City Council tables canal project
New report indicates city will need twice as much money to divert  water discharge.

By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer
Updated 8:56 AM Wednesday, March 2, 2011

MIDDLETOWN — Ownership issues and escalating costs have clogged plans to fix the stagnant Middletown Hydraulic Canal.

City Council tabled a discussion Tuesday on plans to redirect water discharged by Aeronca Inc. about 2,000 feet away from properties along the canal.

Scott Tadych, assistant engineer in the Public Works department, said the city set aside $200,000 for the project. However, a new report indicates that to pipe Aeronca’s discharge to a new location would cost about $450,000.

While it’s believed the company’s discharge is adding to the stagnant water problems, redirecting the water may not solve the issue entirely. Tadych added that Aeronca will not assist financially in the project. The company holds a valid permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to discharge the water at the current location.

Wilbraham Road residents have complained for years about unpleasant odors, mosquitoes and excessive algae growth connected to the canal, which abuts their properties. Tadych said this project is meant to address those concerns.

The hydraulic canal ceased flowing in 1993 after a state-owned dam broke. The majority of the canal is unowned and attempts to identify responsible parties to take action have been mostly unsuccessful, Law Director Les Landen said.

Councilman A.J. Smith was among the majority of council who said the project was “putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone” since it would not entirely fix the stagnant water issue nor address the problems with the rest of the 3-mile canal.

“Even if we know who owns it this project doesn’t solve anything so to me it’s a non-starter,” Councilman Josh Laubach said.

Members agreed to table the issue until their April 5 work session to hear comments from resident Gary Barge, who has researched and fought for changes along the canal for several years. Barge, along with City Manager Judy Gilleland and Public Works Director Dave Duritsch, was unable to attend the Tuesday meeting.

A good start??? : You are correct in that I confused...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:24:40 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 11:24pm

You are correct in that I confused the roll call at the 6:10 start of the meeting, where Mr. Allen was declared to be in the building but was not at his seat, and the roll call at the resumption of the meeting after the executive session, where Ms. Scott-Jones was declared to be in the building but was not at her seat.

Please cite the article "where the paper reported that the City Manager was ON VACATION."

=========================================================

From the Mar. 2, 2011, email transmitting the City Manager's weekly newsletter:

Subject:

Weekly Update- Sent from the desk of Judy Gilleland by Acting City Manager, Les Landen

A good start??? : I just watched the meeting, Mike,...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:09:11 +0000

Author: swohio75
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 10:09pm

I just watched the meeting, Mike, and your account of the meeting is off.

I did not find the Mayor's demeanor to be off. He does not appear to be grim.

The meeting starts with the Mayor seeking an Executive Session for the following purposes as outlined on the Council Agenda. He reads the motion pretty much from a piece of paper which one can assume is the Agenda. And it is the boilerplate language.

IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Under the authority of ORC 121.22(G) (4) Preparing for, conducting or reviewing negotiations or
bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and
conditions of their employment.

Now it is possible that they did all three of those items in that Executive Session.

A vote is needed to move into Executive Session, and there was a roll call. ASJ is seated and participates in the vote. As a matter of fact, she second's the Mayor's motion. It is Councilman Allen who is missing. It is not the Mayor who points this out. It is the Clerk of Council who does so during the roll. She states that he is in the building but not in the Council Chambers.

When the meeting starts again, it is ASJ who is missing. After the moment of silence and pledge, it is the Mayor who notes that she is returning from Executive Session. Bathroom break? Phone call? He likely made mention of this because she was present at the beginning of the meeting prior to the Executive Session.

I don't find it odd one bit that there was no mention of the City Manager's absence as Council members would have known likely known of her absence prior to the meeting or it was made mention of in the non-televised Work Session--where the canal issue was discussed and where the paper reported that the City Manager was ON VACATION.

If indeed she had been fired, wouldn't someone have just removed her name plate from the table versus turning it upside down.

A good start??? : Mike---Bingo!!! Why do you think...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:27:21 +0000

Author: acclaro
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 9:27am

Mike---Bingo!!! Why do you think Obama wasted all that bailout moneu on GM and the union workers buiding the roads and trains? To pay back the union. The unions raise hundreds of $ Mm that pass to Democrats. In turn, Dems use those hindreds of millions for campaigning. That's why the Dems are going nuts in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, elsewhere---breal the back of collective negotiation, no union dues or only by CHOICE, and no money to put into DEM campaigns. Its a power play. Without union contributions, they can't influence elections, and lose power.

And why do you think Dem Smith is so heavily bent on the union agenda? They fuel his campaign ambitions, An immature, rather poor politician, but with the union tit for tat, he gets to move up the food chain. That chain goes all the way to the Preident. Another reason Obama is so passionate about union workers in Wisconsin, WINK- federal campaign contributions, but its okay to cut federal workers jobs.

A sham, not even cloaked. Sorry President Harvey Middletown, your rah rah has been exposed for what it is, A power play---you keep me a fat beast feed well, you get my money at election time and my union's votes. Really won''t help Smith, and just keeps pushing Middletown's property values in the dumps.

A good start??? : Bocephus wrote:â€œItâ€™s obvious...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:42:12 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 1:42am

Bocephus wrote:

“It’s obvious we have to support those who support us,” Smith said.

If one thinks about it, AJ just made one of the most compelling arguements I've heard against unions in the public sector. The unions get to help elect the ones with whom they have to negotiate. And the ones with whom they have to negotiate rely on them to stay in office. This is not at all like the private sector. No wonder federal workers are not allowed to collectively bargain for wages, pensions, work rules, health care, etc.

A good start??? : Good lord,Harvey starting the...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:38:33 +0000

Author: acclaro
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 1:38am

Good lord, Harvey starting the "next" Wisconsin already. Sorry, but NO SUPORT here, the public safety levy needs to go back to 1.5%. Keep trying Mr. Smith, even an immature young man like you might get hired by someone's fire department. Anyyone looking for a good bargain? The city has done it again. A house bought for about $170 Kk on Marymont Ct now listed by Coldwell Banker for $129 Kk, a loss of $50,000. in about 5 years. Congrats Ms. Gileland, AK strike, and Wall Street.

Ms. Moon, love the $50,000 expenditure on the park equiment probably not a child uses but once a week. That would have taken care of the vault repair.

For those in favor of collective bargaining, these guys don't bitch, don't threaten, just do their job, and its a damn dangerous one at that Ashkicker, Harvey, Smith, and the other union supporters.

http://youtu.be/9zI3lXSOt3c

A good start??? : Vivian Moon wrote: GentlemenI...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:29:11 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 1:29am

Vivian Moon wrote:

Gentlemen
I believe Ms Judy is on vacation

In Libya???

A good start??? : Acclaro, I am sorry if I was...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:24:33 +0000

Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 1:24am

Acclaro,

I am sorry if I was not clear. It was Anita Scott-Jones (ASJ) that was "in the building" but not at her seat. AJ Smith was, indeed, present and accounted for, in the building and at his seat, during the post-semi-secret, early opening to the business meeting.

Side note to SWOhio: Note that the mayor went out of his way to explain where Ms. Scott-Jones was, while the City Manager got nary a mention. According to our City Charter, the City Manager is just as entitled to a seat (albeit a non-voting seat) at every City Council meeting as each actual, full-blown city council member.

A good start??? : AJ was busy helping organize the...

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:12:24 +0000

Author: Bocephus
Subject: 3702
Posted: Mar 02 2011 at 1:12am

AJ was busy helping organize the pro union anti-SB5 rally tomorrow at the Breiel and Grand intersection.Be sure to toss him a few PBJ sammiches as you drive by,all that work makes him hungry.

Opponents of bill to rally in Middletown

By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 9:03 PM Tuesday, March 1, 2011

MIDDLETOWN — Opponents to a bill meant to change collective bargaining laws for Ohio public employees are set to rally in protest in Middletown.

Jon Harvey, president of president of the Firefighters Local 336 in Middletown, has sent out an e-mail to people across the city encouraging them to attend the rally, set to take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. March 2 at the intersection of Breiel Boulevard and Grand Avenue in Middletown.

Councilman A.J. Smith, who has publicly spoken against the bill, announced the rally during the City Council meeting Tuesday night. Smith said he intends to be there.

“It’s obvious we have to support those who support us,” Smith said.

The bill, first introduced by Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Clearcreek Twp., would restrict collective bargaining rights for roughly 360,000 public employees in Ohio. A newly-introduced amendment to the bill would outlaw strikes by teachers, firefighters, prison guards and would allow dismissal of any workers who strike anyway along with docked pay, fines and up to 30 days in jail.

Supports of the bill claim the changes could save the state more than $1 billion.

Contact this reporter at (513)

705-2843

jheffner

@coxohio.com.

http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/opponents-of-bill-to-rally-in-middletown-1094791.html