Middletown Forum : Council Agenda 6-19-2012

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : Its simple as this,the spineless...

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 22:04:22 +0000

Author: LMAO
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 26 2012 at 10:04pm

Its simple as this,the spineless ones has robed peter enough where he is broke so now they have to come after us landlords to try to make some of the money up.As I said from the beginning,I refuse to give them anymore.

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : Good point GG. I obviously do...

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:43:23 +0000

Author: acclaro
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 26 2012 at 8:43pm

Good point GG. I obviously do not own rental property, and there may be more beneath the surface that I am aware. As you referenced, its the landlords that will get in line with this, or punch enough wholes in the process to bring it a quick demise before it gets launched. I really don't have the complete picture what is the motivation behind it. I personally have always found Mr. Adkins quite balanced when I had the occasion to engage him when he was prosecutor, which was not often, but he was always quite pleasant and amiable.

Its up to the landlords and Mr. Adkins to work this one out. I'm an innocent by-stander on this one.

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : Acclaro, I donâ€™t doubt for...

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:49:57 +0000

Author: greygoose
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 26 2012 at 1:49pm

Acclaro,

I don’t doubt for a minute that collecting from the “whole” makes taking the pill a little more palatable, but there are definitely additional hurdles that the city incurs when trying to enforce code compliance with out of town landlords. Your explanation makes sense on the surface but I believe that the process is a little more complicated. I only state that because this problem is not unique to Middletown, but is well documented in many other cities. It may be nothing more than the added expense of serving notice when the landlord is located outside of the city limits.

Additionally, I don’t profess to know if there are truly constitutional issues with singling out a particular class of landlord, I’m just relaying that explanation that I was given. It will be interesting to see what the “committee” comes up with.

GG

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : GG, I did not mean to continue...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:47:55 +0000

Author: acclaro
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 7:47pm

GG, I did not mean to continue the discussion about the landlord scenario for many reasons, not the least of which I do not own, nor would have any intention of owning, rental property in Middletown, Ohio.

However, for simple clarity, I wanted to extend the following observation/ point. Mr. Adkins would not directly have any concern about enforcement, on constitutional grounds. The grounds may be perceived discriminatory, which indirectly has a constitutional basis on federal guidelines, although it would be a very high test and burden for a party to demonstrate, associated with practices that were directed towards out of city/ out of county land-lords.

However, it is nonsensical to use as a basis of support, compliance and delivery of service difficult to establish. Any business in Ohio, or any state in the nation, has listed, an agent of record for that state for that business, with a mailing address, not a PO Box. All one would do is pull up the electronic record, delivery to the address listed for the agent, and its done in compliance with the federal and state law. Its that simple. Therefore, I just don't buy into the rationale "delivery of notice" impedes enforcement.

The city surely has no problem tracking down individuals they deem behind on fines, so the city KNOWS how to get mail and notices to all living in rental property, owning a property, or owning multiple commercial properties. It is not a reasoned argument to make that to be the basis for Mr. Adkins actions.

As stated, as I don't own rental property and never would have an interest in doing so, I won't speculate what the motives are for the registration, but I don't buy the argument it is because out of town landlords make it difficult to make contact. That's ridiculous, as they have to have a listed agent for each business as required by law.

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : Goose let me say that Iam sorry...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:34:52 +0000

Author: greygoose
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 4:34pm

Goose let me say that Iam sorry for the name calling.Iam frustrated with council as alot of people in this town.As Vet said in his post above,they should be ashamed of themself,but have to have morals and scruples to feel shame.
I was like alot of people that just sit and not say anything but that all changed when they voted on rezoning the land that SUNCHOKE sits on now.Just couldnt see how anyone could do that knowing that there (SUNCHOKE)neighbors was going to be a Nursing Home and a School.I fought against it then and still fighting them today.Only thing they see is dollar signs.I also dont agree with this Lighting plan they have for Main Street.Why should we the taxpayers have to pay for something that a few want?When I first heard of it I was told that the expense was all on the people that lived on Main St.Me,myself and I went and knocked on 10 doors of people that live on Main St.and 8 out of 10 of those dont want them.But I guess since the Mayor and Kohler live down there it doesnt matter what they want.Just shows me once again how our leaders dont listen to the people.Lastly is this landlords have to register there properties.Makes no sense whatsoever when the property is already recorded.Yes there are landlord that live outside of the town,but why should the ones that dont have to pick up the tab for those that do?

LMAO,

You brought up three different topics. I have mixed emotions concerning the Suncoke project. I agree with acclaro’s statement that the city should do everything in its power to leverage AK’s presence in Middletown to bring in additional, related, businesses. It’s easy for me to say that when I am not directly affected by its presence…… that’s a tough call. I agree with you completely concerning the street light issue on Main Street. I have several dozen rental units with the vast majority being in Middletown. When I heard about the proposed landlord registration legislation, I directly asked Mr. Adkins why he felt this legislation was needed. He told me that the city had a very difficult time with code enforcement with out of town landlords and out of town banks. He anticipated “constitutional” issues if he singled out “out of town landlords”, thus the reasoning behind charging all of us. I’ve not been too concerned lately because I have “heard” that the committee that was being formed contained a couple of the more outspoken landlords against this legislation. With their involvement, I can’t imagine the legislation being punitive and, as a citizen, I am in favor of stricter code enforcement.

GG

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : Goose let me say that Iam...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:12:23 +0000

Author: LMAO
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 1:12pm

Goose let me say that Iam sorry for the name calling.Iam frustrated with council as alot of people in this town.As Vet said in his post above,they should be ashamed of themself,but have to have morals and scruples to feel shame.
I was like alot of people that just sit and not say anything but that all changed when they voted on rezoning the land that SUNCHOKE sits on now.Just couldnt see how anyone could do that knowing that there (SUNCHOKE)neighbors was going to be a Nursing Home and a School.I fought against it then and still fighting them today.Only thing they see is dollar signs.I also dont agree with this Lighting plan they have for Main Street.Why should we the taxpayers have to pay for something that a few want?When I first heard of it I was told that the expense was all on the people that lived on Main St.Me,myself and I went and knocked on 10 doors of people that live on Main St.and 8 out of 10 of those dont want them.But I guess since the Mayor and Kohler live down there it doesnt matter what they want.Just shows me once again how our leaders dont listen to the people.Lastly is this landlords have to register there properties.Makes no sense whatsoever when the property is already recorded.Yes there are landlord that live outside of the town,but why should the ones that dont have to pick up the tab for those that do?

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : bumper wrote: was born in...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:11:19 +0000

Author: VietVet
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 12:11pm

bumper wrote:

was born in middletown, lived in middletown for 50 years, moved out going on 6 years now, best move i ever made!! then my son and his wife moved out a year later, then i got my 82 year mother the hell out and moved her in with me, she was born in middletown also, its a damn shame what my old town has become,i got the hell out because of what the city leaders had done and are still doing the same old sh*t!! the the crime was getting to bad for me.. never really have a need or want to return but when i do which is not very often, i feel the need to have a loaded chamber carrying my glock model 23 with 15 round mag.. don't feel or have that need in the city i moved to!!! my son and his wife made me 1st time grandpa june 6 of this month 9 pound perfect baby boy~!!!! son has a nice home here now so im a happy camper!!! VET just wanna say your a good man, caregiver u are with your wife, im taking care of my mother she has copd with only 35% of lungs keeping her going, i have help from family, my niece is a blessing with given her baths and such.. just trying to keep her with me as long as i can..

Thank you sir for your comments concerning my wife. My son helps me out caregiving while trying to sleep, working evenings and into the morning hours. I take my turn each evening, all weekends and at night. EVERYONE should get a shot at caregiving to experience the "other side of life". It alters your life 180 degrees from normal, never to return to normal. Like caring for your mother, I am trying to keep my wife with me for as long as the MAN will allow me to. One day at a time is the best you can do.

I too, have been here a long time, through the good times and now through the disaster it is now. Sad to see my hometown going down the toilet. Incompetent candidates dominating the scene the last 3 decades causing the destruction of a once thriving city. They should be ashamed of themselves, but then again, you have to have some morals and scruples to feel shame.

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : goose: sometimes it bothers me...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:09:44 +0000

Author: greygoose
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 12:09pm

goose:
sometimes it bothers me when I hear how "negative" this forum and it's contributors are.
I can see why some think that way, however I really don't agree. I see it as the opposite a lot of the time.
Knowing many here a little better than you might know them, I realize just how much they care about a town in which most have spent their entire lives. If you can't feel their emotional attachment and desire for a "brighter future", then you might step back to understand a more broad viewpoint.
I often see our Council and admin as the divisive/negative force in the community. They have become so
self-centered and secretive, that it is insulting to the overall segments of our population. Watching/listening to them"find" huge sums of $$ for their pet projects to benefit those few preferred enablers who often "want" much more than they "need"---constantly favoring certain areas(co-icidentally where many of them live!)--
bending Council votes and procedures at whim--taking away the public viewing of OUR govt.'s work sessions--it gets old after a long while. And it is not trending towards the better/more inclusive.
Locally we no longer have a govt.FOR our citizens, we have a govt.OVER our citizens. Telling US what we should have or will get, instead of the opposite.
Our reps are all good people individually.
The answer and truth must be somewhere in the middle.
People around here are entitlled to differing opinions without being subject to denigration and downright hatred. IMO locally and nationally, the thinking, tax-paying public has been locked out and ignored, instead to pander to special interests and "friends".

Spider,

If you noticed, I stated that I have accepted the negative slant that this board has. I’ve come to realize that most of it stems from good intentions and frustration over our city’s current condition. I believe that the confusion caused by many of my posts is because I am still forming my opinions. At this moment in time, I don’t share the opinion of most on this board concerning our current leadership but that opinion is continually evolving. In the last few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that Mr. Kohler has caused irreparable harm to our community and Mr. Smith doesn’t have enough life experience to make the important decisions that need to be made. With that said, I am still supportive of most of what the current administrators have done to date. To be honest, part of that support is probably just my nature. I am a positive thinker and spent most of my career as a problem solver. Recently, I have made a conscious effort to let others know of the negative opinions that I have so that I don’t always come across as a city cheerleader. I’m truly open to opposing opinions but I don’t pay much attention to baseless rants about spineless ones. As an example, I really support acclaro’s idea to have the city incentivize investment in abandoned homes. Not all abandoned properties are to a point that they can’t be rehabilitated and incentivizing home ownership is a great alternative. I want to stress that my support is for owner occupied investments; this city is way too out of balance with the current number of rentals.

VV,

I am sure that we will have many disagreements in the future but I appreciate that you accept the fact that I don’t have a hidden agenda. In fact, I think that we have the same desired result in mind but disagree on how to get there (at least for now).

GG

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : HUD CAPER REPORTJune 30, 2011Page...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:57:30 +0000

Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 10:57am

HUD CAPER REPORT
June 30, 2011
Page 6
The City received $747,006 in CDBG funds for PY 2010. Combined with $243,617 of prior year funds and $1,271 in program income, the City had a total of $991,894 in entitlement funding for the 2010 program year. In addition, the City continued tracking its CDBG revolving loan fund in IDIS. $28,724.04 had been drawn down from the RLF in the program year 2010 leaving a total RLF available balance as of April 30, 2010 of $685,472.51. A total of $443,030 of CDBG funds were expended not including the $28,724.04 spent from the revolving loan fund. A remaining balance of $547,593.47 will be carried forward and used in the 2011 program year along with a revolving loan balance of $685,472.51.

We have been told for several years now that we did not have the funding to clean up and demo but a few homes in high crime, high poverty areas of our City.
The above numbers clearly show that we did have the money to take action in these areas. If in fact blighted homes was a priority of the City then why weren’t more of the above funds used ?
Since the 1970’s the CDBG funds have flowed into City Hall. Maybe we need to ask where were all these funds used. With all this funding over the years we shouldn’t have any blighted homes in the 1^st and 2^nd Wards.

Council Agenda 6-19-2012 : was born in middletown, lived...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:48:05 +0000

Author: bumper
Subject: 4617
Posted: Jun 25 2012 at 9:48am

was born in middletown, lived in middletown for 50 years, moved out going on 6 years now, best move i ever made!! then my son and his wife moved out a year later, then i got my 82 year mother the hell out and moved her in with me, she was born in middletown also, its a damn shame what my old town has become,i got the hell out because of what the city leaders had done and are still doing the same old sh*t!! the the crime was getting to bad for me.. never really have a need or want to return but when i do which is not very often, i feel the need to have a loaded chamber carrying my glock model 23 with 15 round mag.. don't feel or have that need in the city i moved to!!! my son and his wife made me 1st time grandpa june 6 of this month 9 pound perfect baby boy~!!!! son has a nice home here now so im a happy camper!!! VET just wanna say your a good man, caregiver u are with your wife, im taking care of my mother she has copd with only 35% of lungs keeping her going, i have help from family, my niece is a blessing with given her baths and such.. just trying to keep her with me as long as i can..