Vet,

Apparently, the Mayor’s “vision” for the future of Middletown is that of a “quaint, sleepy village of about 20,000 serfs on welfare, and with cobblestone lanes and a hitching post in front of the home of every member of the privileged class”!!!

I would prefer to see a mayor and council with a vision of a “vibrant, modern, growing city, with economic opportunities for both blue and white collar workers of every description.”

Most of the semi-secret, upstairs work session was spent on rehashing budget woes for 2011 and 2012. It is anticipated that during the remainder of 2011, four police officers’ and four firefighters’ positions will be eliminated by attrition. Another four police officers and one more firefighter must be eliminated by Reduction In Force (RIF). Also one position in the Planning department will be eliminated as well as some other positions in various departments that I could not keep up with. This will leave another $65,000 worth of cuts required to be found somewhere in the 2012 budget. (My plan was to suggest that they “find” $9,900 of it by not approving the DECORATIVE lampposts on S. Mains St.)

A financial consultant mentioned that the City’s debt is increasing every year!!! Then the upstairs meeting was adjourned

Downstairs, we find that somehow the taxpayers’ “share” of the decorative lampposts, which had gone from “$7,700+” at the last council meeting to $9,900 in this meeting’s workbook, had now gone from “$9,900” in the workbook to “about $3,000” tonight!!! This is due to some new way to calculate each abutting property owner’s share of the cost. Due to this new method, the legislation was pulled from tonight’s agenda and rescheduled for the next meeting. 

No estimate was given for the taxpayers’ share for the next meeting. (Rumor has it that Jimmy the Greek is laying: 6 to 1 for $7,700+; 9 to 2 for $9,900; 3 to 1 for “About $3,000”; 2 to 1 for “$1,000 or less, plus extras”; 6 to 5 for “the sky is the limit--it's taxpayers' money!”. )

Mayor Mulligan announced his candidacy for reelection and gave a short campaign speech. Mulligan mentioned that he wants to “pursue our vision”!!! Does anyone know what that vision is??? If so, please be kind enough to share it with the rest of us.  (Hopefully, it is NOT decorative lampposts on every street!!!  )

Side note to Mr. Landen, Esq. (Officer of the Court): Please keep track of all time used by Mayor Mulligan campaigning during City Council meetings so that any other candidates for mayor can be given equal time at future council meetings.