Middletown Forum : Tonight's Council meeting http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : City Council : Tonight's Council meeting Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:39:31 +0000 Wed, 04 May 2011 13:13:06 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3842 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Tonight's Council meeting : Isn't there something in... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27286&title=tonights-council-meeting#27286 Author: TonyB
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 1:13pm

Isn't there something in the oath that you swear to become a city councilperson about "obeying the law"? Is there a statute of limitations for city councilmembers for violations of the law? Indeed, doesn't the admission of violation of the law constitute a "resignation" from council for said violation? Does that mean that the current council is in violation of the laws of the city and in contempt of the laws of this city and the state of Ohio? Someone needs to contact the state AG about this. I'll state my usual mantra; wrong is wrong!!! If you knowingly violated the law, you are guilty of malfeisance and not eligible to hold the public trust and the office you occupy!!! I believe that resignations and an immediate special election is in order!!!]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 13:13:06 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27286&title=tonights-council-meeting#27286 Tonight's Council meeting : "As an officer of the court,... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27277&title=tonights-council-meeting#27277 Author: Richard Saunders
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 8:35am

"As an officer of the court, I report all violations of the law." -- Leslie Landen
 
"Beware of quotes found on the internet.  Many are not genuine." -- Benjamin Franklin
]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 08:35:18 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27277&title=tonights-council-meeting#27277 Tonight's Council meeting : MIDDLETOWN — A debate regarding... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27276&title=tonights-council-meeting#27276 Author: VietVet
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 6:40am

MIDDLETOWN — A debate regarding the costs of improving Lefferson Road led some City Council members to debate whether to break state law

Vice Mayor Bill Becker pointed out the city had been “breaking the law” since the 1980s, adding he felt the state requirement was “unreasonable.”

WHAT? BREAKING THE LAW SINCE THE 80'S?


Councilmen Tom Allen and Dan Picard, both attorneys, were visibly uncomfortable by the discussion. Landen said it would be against their oath and his oath as an attorney to not follow what is state law.

LESLIE SAYS IT WOULD BE AGAINST THEIR OATH AND HIS OATH AS AN ATTORNEY TO NOT FOLLOW WHAT IS STATE LAW-

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME LES BABES!!!!!! YOU ARE THE BIGGEST PERPETRATOR OF BREAKING THE LAWS, ESPECIALLY IN INTERPRETING THOSE LAWS AS IT APPLIES TO THE CITY. WHAT A

“I am simply advising you there is an obligation to follow the law,” he said.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE LES WE HAVE COME TO KNOW, DOES IT?

Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips, whose department brought the law to the city’s attention and whose job it is to enforce it, said she would “absolutely not” turn her head from the law.

HOW NOBLE OF YOU TO SAY THAT, MS. PHILLIPS.

In the end, City Council voted unanimously to approve an estimated $6,000 assessment to homeowners to repair the road, install and connect homes to the new sewer line and add concrete curbs, gutters, and driveway aprons to the 42 properties on Lefferson Road.

The city agreed to remove sidewalks from the project and waive a sewer line connection fee, saving homeowners about $5,500 total.

Public Works Director Dave Duritsch said residents have the option of having the work assessed to their property taxes over the next 20 years, equating to about $35 a month.

THAT'S WORKING WITH THE CITIZENS AND LISTENING TO WHAT THEY DESIRE CITY COUNCIL....NICE COOPERATION.

JUST FORCE IT ON THEM IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES WITH NO REGARD FOR THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. NO MATTER THAT IT CREATES A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR THEM.]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 06:40:50 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27276&title=tonights-council-meeting#27276 Tonight's Council meeting : Kudos to Ms. Scott-Jones for calling... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27273&title=tonights-council-meeting#27273 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 5:59am

Kudos to Ms. Scott-Jones for calling out Mr. Landen, Esq., on his past (but erroneous) pattern of claiming that "Home Rule trumps state law"!!! Thumbs%20Up Thumbs%20Up 
 
Also, kudos to Mr. Laubach for standing his ground on the financial aspect of his votes on the labor contracts, and making it clear that it was about finances and not about "worth", safety, or any of the other social issues that Mr. Smith tried to introduce into the mix.  This is a tough issue, and a tough call...and a "yes" vote could have been justified for the reasons that some of the others mentioned (the uncertainty, and possibly worse financial impact of resulting in binding arbitration, etc.)  However, no one is advocating depriving either police or fire of safety equipment, etc., and Mr. Smith should not have introduced such items,--or "class size" (note to AJ:  the teachers' contract is under the jurisdiction of the School Board, not the City Council)--into the mix.
]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 05:59:30 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27273&title=tonights-council-meeting#27273 Tonight's Council meeting : Hmm... appointment employment... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27272&title=tonights-council-meeting#27272 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 5:34am

Hmm... 
  1. appointment
  2. employment
  3. dismissal
  4. discipline
  5. promotion
  6. demotion
  7. compensation

Why would council want to discuss "appointing" or "employing" someone if they are already considering "disciplining" and "dismissing" that same person???  Likewise, why consider "promoting" someone that you are considering "disciplining", "demoting" or "dismissing"???  And why is "compensation" an issue if you are going to fire the bum???

Then again, who am I to expect the City Law Director's intepretation of the law to make sense??? Confused ]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 05:34:59 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27272&title=tonights-council-meeting#27272 Tonight's Council meeting : For the benefit of the officers... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27271&title=tonights-council-meeting#27271 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 5:17am

For the benefit of the officers of the court:
 
Last night's executive session (as are most of this council's executive sessions) was held:
"Under the authority of ORC 121.22(G) (1) To consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official."
 
 
From ORC 121.22 (G)(1):

“…If a public body holds an executive session pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, the motion and vote to hold that executive session shall state which one or more of the approved purposes listed in division (G)(1) of this section are the purposes for which the executive session is to be held. …”

]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 05:17:48 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27271&title=tonights-council-meeting#27271 Tonight's Council meeting : Oh yes!!! Also for the THREE "officers... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27270&title=tonights-council-meeting#27270 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 04 2011 at 4:50am

Oh yes!!!  Also for the THREE "officers of the court" at last night's city council meeting:
 
I noticed that that a motion was passed to go to "executive session" in order to consider the:
  1. appointment
  2. employment
  3. dismissal
  4. discipline
  5. promotion
  6. demotion
  7. compensation
of a public employee or official.
 
ORC 121.22 has been interpreted to require the stating of exactly which of these items will be discussed, and not to simply provide a "laundry list" from which to choose.
 
Mr. Landen, I realize it will be a sad day, but exactly how soon will you be reporting this breech of law by your two fellow members of the bar (and YOURSELF, of course, for not warning council against this)???
]]> Wed, 04 May 2011 04:50:49 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27270&title=tonights-council-meeting#27270 Tonight's Council meeting : Hey Counselor!!! Regarding the... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27260&title=tonights-council-meeting#27260 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 03 2011 at 8:20pm

Hey Counselor!!!  Regarding the recently sold city-owned properties on Elmo Place, Gage Drive, and 14th Street:

Were these properties advertised for bids in accordance with City ordinances and State law prior to accepting the highest bid???

Remember, Counselor, you have a duty as an officer of the court to report violations of law!!!

]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 20:20:46 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27260&title=tonights-council-meeting#27260 Tonight's Council meeting : Hey counselor!!! Now that you... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27259&title=tonights-council-meeting#27259 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 03 2011 at 8:14pm

Hey counselor!!!  Now that you seem to be taking your role of an "officer of the court" seriously, would you like to revisit the memo found in the City Manager's office regarding ELECTIONEERING by MMF???]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 20:14:10 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27259&title=tonights-council-meeting#27259 Tonight's Council meeting : Hey Counselor, now that you seem... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27258&title=tonights-council-meeting#27258 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 3842
Posted: May 03 2011 at 8:09pm

Hey Counselor, now that you seem to have gotten religon about following state law, perhaps you should have another look at the HISTORIC COMMISSION ordinance and the workings of the Historic Commission OUTSIDE of defined Historic Districts!!! ]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 20:09:39 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842&PID=27258&title=tonights-council-meeting#27258