http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : City Council : AGENDA 2-18-2014 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:43:45 +0000 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:47:41 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=5628 http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41128&title=agenda-2182014#41128 Author: over the hill
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 18 2014 at 9:47am

The majority of city council doesn't care about what the citizens want for our city. I've said MANY times on this forum where is the "fiduciary responsibility"of this council. They probably have some kind of immunity from prosecution which is a shame because they can walk away and say"oops, my bad" sorry. We probably wouldn't even get an "I'm sorry". IMO]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:47:41 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41128&title=agenda-2182014#41128 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41127&title=agenda-2182014#41127 Author: TonyB
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 18 2014 at 8:43am

Can't a citizen of Middletown file a lawsuit against these council members who contiue to thumb their nose at "conflict of interest"? I guess they figure if Clarence Thomas can vote for Monsanto in the Supreme Court, lowly city council members can vote for things in their interest without any repercussions!
]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:43:16 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41127&title=agenda-2182014#41127 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41125&title=agenda-2182014#41125 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 18 2014 at 7:42am

Mike P is correct
It is time for proper abstensions due to the web of personal/family connection, and for our Council to reject this folly of taxpayer expense.
Enough is enough--simply put
Not much job/business creation has come from the tens of millions "thrown at the wall, hoping that something will stick".
Leave it to the private sector to fund their property purchases and "gifts".

Drive down S Main St from the Manchester lotto First Ave.
Tell me what you see---these buildings need to be leveled--nothing historic whatsoever about them other than they need to be history(gone).
Historical Society sold their former folly there--look at it today under private ownership--a mess that resembles the condition of the Sonshine and Rose buildings.

Who would seriously want to locate a business there or live there?
The $$ needed to restore these structures is staggering and in no way cost-effective

And thru this long-running process of property purchases and giveaways, most area properties(especially in that area) are viewd as having little to no value. Plus the de-valuation has carried over to the rest of the city.

Hope for a better situation this summer to possibly help the few eating and entertainment options. They MIGHT make it if "authority" would disappear and get out of their way.
Time to have confidence in the private sector--let them alone top find their own way. Constant involvement and funding will never make them self-sufficient and responsible.

The "art" concept has not worked as hoped imo.]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 07:42:51 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41125&title=agenda-2182014#41125 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41124&title=agenda-2182014#41124 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 18 2014 at 3:59am

Of course the Mulligans and Picard think this is a great use of taxpayer funds, but...

Ms. Bronston and Ms. Scot-Jones...Can't you two think of ANY BETTER USE of federal, state, and local tax dollars than to finance these PRIVATE property renovation projects for wealthy investors???

ANY better use???
]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 03:59:17 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41124&title=agenda-2182014#41124 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41123&title=agenda-2182014#41123 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 18 2014 at 3:51am

Remember what Mayor Mulligan said back on January 30, 2012, and apply it to the taxpayer funding for these properties:

“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

By Mayor Mulligan's own standard, this doesn't meet the test!!!]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 03:51:55 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41123&title=agenda-2182014#41123 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41122&title=agenda-2182014#41122 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 18 2014 at 3:48am

Middletown Journal wrote: The five projects are estimated to have a total investment of more than $17 million, with the cost of Sorg Mansion unknown. The Manchester/Sonshine properties are estimated to have a $10 million investment, followed by Sorg Opera ($5 million) and Goetz Tower ($2 million).

What they are trying to say is this:

Even though these properties are in private hands, the owners cannot afford to restore them, so they want us taxpayers to foot the bill. City Hall agrees, since they think that $17 MILLION of our taxpayers dollars (plus the MILLIONS that will be required for the Sorg mansion) might--just might--bring a few thousand dollars into the city coffers while bolstering property values on South Main Street. That is why City Council is passing these "resolutions".

By charter, both Mulligans should abstain from voting on these resolutions.

By any measure of common sense, all members of council should vote "NO", since these properties will NEVER return the amount of tax dollars that they are asking for.

Of course, these resolutions will pass. Our dumbfounded members of council are only concerned with providing "ye olde playgrounde" for the couple of hundred misguided friends of city hall that want to live in the past, and are determined to spend every last dime we taxpayers have until they are proven wrong.

Does anyone think I'm wrong??? Then explain why these projects cannot be financed privately!!! The numbers just don't work...the return just is not there...they have to fleece a large number of taxpayers for the enjoyment of an elite few!!!]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2014 03:48:23 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41122&title=agenda-2182014#41122 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41121&title=agenda-2182014#41121 Author: swohio75
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 17 2014 at 9:35pm

VietVet wrote: "The projects: Sorg Mansion, the Goetz Tower, the Sorg Opera House, the Manchester Inn and Sonshine building are unique, historical projects and are “key assets that will drive future development” in the city, Hamet said." SERIOUSLY HAMET? THESE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SITTING FOR A DECADE OR TWO, ARE KEY ASSETS THAT WILL "DRIVE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT"? EXPLAIN HOW INACTIVE BUILDINGS CAN DRIVE THE FUTURE. "The five projects are estimated to have a total investment of more than $17 million, with the cost of Sorg Mansion unknown. The Manchester/Sonshine properties are estimated to have a $10 million investment, followed by Sorg Opera ($5 million) and Goetz Tower ($2 million)." I THOUGHT THE SORG MANSION WAS PURCHASED BY A PRIVATE PARTY (RAILROAD ENGINEER AND HIS WIFE RIGHT?) AND WAS NO LONGER IN THE POSSESSION OF THE CITY. IF SO, WHY IS THE CITY STILL INVOLVED? SAME GOES FOR THE INVESTMENT GROUP THAT BOUGHT THE OPERA HOUSE. IN PRIVATE HANDS RIGHT? WHY THE CITY INVOLVEMENT? WASN'T THE MANCHESTER RECENTLY PURCHASED FOR A BUCK? ALSO IN PRIVATE HANDS. WHY ARE THESE STILL "CITY PROJECTS"? LEAVE THE OWNERS TEND TO THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

The Mansion and Opera house have never been in the hands of the city.  Neither has Goetz/5-3.  Just the Manchester/Sonshine. 

The city is just passing a resolution of support for these projects as they submit applications for Ohio Historic Tax Credits.  It's a points-based system and resolutions of support from municipalities weigh heavily. 
]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:35:44 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41121&title=agenda-2182014#41121 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41120&title=agenda-2182014#41120 Author: swohio75
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 17 2014 at 9:33pm

Judy did not hire Marty.  If anything, she's substantially reduce his role and influence.   ]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:33:16 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41120&title=agenda-2182014#41120 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41119&title=agenda-2182014#41119 Author: acclaro
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 17 2014 at 8:47pm

When Bill Becker got the gift of city manager from Nancy Nix, other council members to boost his salary before retirement, he indicated and advocated the city needed to prioritize economic development, particularly the east end.

So what are these economic development directors doing? Writing historic grants for a dead city that will never be a Phoenix, rising from the ashes. They certainly have not generated revenue and spend their days worrying about Main Street. What a life of leisure they have, as does the MUM group.

Try staying busy without productivity accomplishing nothing. Wasteful, unproductive, living in fantasy. Would not last a week in private sector but coast to retirement at Donham Abbey. Instead of developing jobs, they are historic grant writers.

Anyone driving the train or Animal House is alive and well running the city?]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:47:33 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41119&title=agenda-2182014#41119 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41118&title=agenda-2182014#41118 Author: 409
Subject: 5628
Posted: Feb 17 2014 at 8:31pm

Mike_Presta wrote: 409 wrote: over the hill wrote: Why is the city buying all of these empty lots? For additional airport parking. These part-lots appear to be across the canal from the airport, and well over a city block from a bridge. Strange place for a parking lot???

Strange? YES, but I think we will see a pedestrian bridge across the hydraulic in line with Elwood St. The land on the north side of the hydraulic across from here is already cleared. I believe it was cleared to facilitate the water/sewer improvements at the airport. I think I recall that cleared area was also going to be used for RV/camper parking at one time. May be wrong.]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:31:21 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5628&PID=41118&title=agenda-2182014#41118