Middletown Forum : Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:07:55 +0000 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:04:33 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=482 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : Oh really. Didn't know that.... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1746&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1746 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 482
Posted: Aug 01 2008 at 7:04am


[/QUOTE]
Oh really. Didn't know that. Can you enlighten us with specific examples and dollar figures?[/QUOTE]
 
That's a fair question and I am working on it.  The more I look, the more I find that just does not smell right.  You can be certain that I will provide all details when I have them nailed down.
]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:04:33 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1746&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1746 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : Mike_Presta wrote: swohio75... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1745&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1745 Author: swohio75
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 31 2008 at 8:19pm

Originally posted by Mike_Presta Mike_Presta wrote:

Originally posted by swohio75 swohio75 wrote:

Here is an interesting concept for neighborhood redevelopment:
 <FONT face="Times New Roman"> Drafted by the city and planning commission, the plan calls for improvements in parks and green spaces, housing, business assistance, neighborhood identity and design, infrastructure, and security.

 

No need for a program such as this in Middletown, Swohio75.  In Middletown PUBLIC funds (including taxes paid by the working poor) are used for these purposes, and to remodel the "historic" mansions on S. Main St.


Oh really. Didn't know that. Can you enlighten us with specific examples and dollar figures?]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:19:37 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1745&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1745 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : swohio75 wrote:Here is an interesting... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1744&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1744 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 31 2008 at 6:03pm

Originally posted by swohio75 swohio75 wrote:

Here is an interesting concept for neighborhood redevelopment:
  Drafted by the city and planning commission, the plan calls for improvements in parks and green spaces, housing, business assistance, neighborhood identity and design, infrastructure, and security.
 
No need for a program such as this in Middletown, Swohio75.  In Middletown PUBLIC funds (including taxes paid by the working poor) are used for these purposes, and to remodel the "historic" mansions on S. Main St.
 
Why would City Hall big-wigs want low-interest LOANS when they can take taxpayer funds that don't have to be re-paid?
]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:03:33 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1744&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1744 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : Here is an interesting concept... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1743&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1743 Author: swohio75
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 31 2008 at 1:51pm

Here is an interesting concept for neighborhood redevelopment:
 

St. Mary's Bank Drops Commercial Loans Rates

By Michelle Samaad

July 30, 2008

MANCHESTER, N.H. — St. Mary’s Bank, the nation’s oldest credit union, has dropped its commercial loan rates and raised its lending threshold to woo businesses and homeowners to participate in a multi-million dollar neighborhood revitalization project.

The $656 million credit union said it has dropped its commercial loan interest rate by 1% to 4.99%, and raised the maximum loan amount available at the discounted rate from $100,000 to $250,000. For loans over $250,000, interest rates will be blended with “market rates,” according to St. Mary’s Bank.

In 2007, the credit union made changes to its $12 million loan program as part of the City of Manchester’s Rimmon Heights/West Side Revitalization Plan. Drafted by the city and planning commission, the plan calls for improvements in parks and green spaces, housing, business assistance, neighborhood identity and design, infrastructure, and security. Of the $12 million St. Mary’s program, $5.5 million is targeted toward commercial loans. 

“By offering below-market rates to residents and businesses in this area, we’re showing our unqualified support for this project,” said Donald St. Germain, executive vice president and director of commercial lending and credit administration at St. Mary’s Bank.

The credit union is also offering homeowners home equity and home improvement loans at discounted interest rates up to 1.25% off stated rates.

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:51:34 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1743&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1743 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : &#034;Information received from... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1722&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1722 Author: VietVet
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 29 2008 at 7:15am

"Information received from public input paves the way to a decision". To that statement, I offer the Street Repair Committee meetings scenario. The public had several members on that committee. They were invited, heard at times during that meeting and quickly dismissed by other members on the committee representing the city employees and city government. The city employees weren't happy with what was being proposed (downsize city government to save money) and the city government people resented some comments and yes, even snickered at some comments.The whole thing was rubber stamped with an income tax levy proposal waiting at the end. Now that's what I call real citizen to government comaraderie! To those who blindly support the city's position- don't be so naive- all is not what they would like to have you believe!]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:15:50 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1722&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1722 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : Vet and Spider are correct! It... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1720&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1720 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 29 2008 at 6:51am

Vet and Spider are correct!
 
It would be very interesting to see an accounting of just where all of our taxpayers' dollars have ended up in many of these programs.
 
Here's a project for ya John Beagle: Search the public records and report back just how much taxpayers'bucks have ended up in recent or present Middletown elected officials or City Hall big-wigs' pockets! 
 
That should tell the tale of whether or not there are conflicts of interest or if they should be "eligible". 
 
Dig for the facts, BEFORE you advocate for the priviliged few!
]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:51:28 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1720&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1720 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : &#034;the information received... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1719&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1719 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 29 2008 at 6:42am

"the information received from public input ... paves the way to a decision"
 
Sorry, Mr. Beagle, but every time I hear words to this effect from anyone at City Hall, it makes me either laugh uncontrollably, cry inconsolably, or vomit! 
 
For at least the ten (plus) years that I have been back in town, the only "reaction" from City Hall to ANY public input from ordinary citizens has ended in snickers, giggles, and a "thank you, but sit down and shut up!"
]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:42:20 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1719&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1719 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : City Manager Gilleland is... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1718&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1718 Author: John Beagle
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 28 2008 at 4:42pm

City Manager Gilleland is good for this community. The housing improvement  and demolition meeting information is mentioned in many of the council meetings, and stories on this site.

Quote from Manager Gilleland: "The important part is that I do my job in facilitating the process by bringing forward to council the issues, options and a recommendation.  From there, the information received from public input and council discussion paves the way to a decision.   There will be some times when a decision is not unanimous; this reflects the complex issues of government."

Full statement: http://middletownusa.com/view_news.asp?a=3507

]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:42:27 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1718&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1718 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : vet--just check out the city employees/reps... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1706&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1706 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 27 2008 at 1:48pm

vet--just check out the city employees/reps living in the S.Main St.historic district, then compare the addresses where the HUD and CDBG grant $$ is going. 
And just who specifically is determining the recipients of these grants?
Ya might find an interesting pattern there.
 
]]> Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:48:25 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1706&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1706 Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting : Journal article- Saturday-&#034;special&#034;... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1704&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1704 Author: VietVet
Subject: 482
Posted: Jul 26 2008 at 4:19pm

Journal article- Saturday-"special" committee formed to discuss housing. Group discusses whether city employees should be eligible for CITY FUNDS for current housing program. Ms. Gilleland mentions that this could lead to the perception of favoritism for city employees. Yes, it could Ms. Gilleland. This is similar to sweepstakes programs where the employees are not eligible to participate. Who is on this committee? When was it formed? Are there any citizens, other than realtors on this committee? Why didn't the public know about this in advance? Who is guarding the chicken coop on the monies that will be disbursed IF this committee decides to offer this program to city employees and who is going to stop it if it develops into favored loans to the families of city employees? IE- how can we, the public, be guaranteed that there isn't any favoritism?Anytime city funds are used for any reason, the public has a right to know why,when, how, where and to whom the funds are given, ESPECIALLY if it involves city employees receiving citizens money. NO MORE SECRETS!You are going to have to start to let the public know what you are doing in advance- we always find out AFTER THE FACT on these little secretive committees. And yes,to criticism in advance, if you are a public servant, it is our business because you are subsidized with the public's money, just like the schools.If this city government hadn't developed a reputation of being so secretive and habitually lying to the public, maybe these questions never would have arisen. ]]> Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:19:49 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=482&PID=1704&title=housing-improvements-demolition-meeting#1704