Middletown Forum : Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : News Stories : Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:38:01 +0000 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 11:32:29 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=6414 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : Post ReplySpider said:“Once... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47764&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47764 Author: whistlersmom
Subject: 6414
Posted: Feb 02 2017 at 11:32am


Post Reply

Spider said:
“Once again, I fundamentally agree with you, wmom. Esp on the quality of life issues. We keep giving away things, yet planning to charge more for less. When people shop out of town(I can't buy all of my clothing at Wal Mart or Meijers) we end up dining out of town, seeking entertainment out of town and often re-fueling(because it is usually less expensive) out of town.”

Middletown has the highest property tax in the state, one of the highest income taxes, but very few quality of life amenities and some of the lowest performing schools. Mention of these issues is conveniently avoided by city government. Any of these can keep our city from recovering.

“Dishonest--not so much imo--they pretty much do their thing in our face flaunting the authority. Integrity is ingrained imo, though it can be somewhat misguided. Wasteful, rep[etitive and expensive are my key concerns.
I am ok with Adkins---not so much with Council. They have the power to steer the ship. Until new younger leaders who want to re-focus priorities to bring back their future living area step up, we are going to see the sos obviously. Face it--current Council/Mayor often run un-opposed. We honestly don't need more 60-70yo "new" leaders.”

Mr. Adkins strongly suggested that city council raise water, sewer and trash rates (enterprise funds) to siphon off money for street repair – dishonest imo. While Adkins was director of revitalization he neglected to follow the rule that the city must take possession of properties before they could be demolished. Could this be the reason why we have not yet been reimbursed for all this demolition?   Also voting not to use Auto and Gas Funds for streets is dishonest, imo. Adkins has done even more damage to Middletown by misguiding city council. Remember the section eight fiasco! Tearing down everything before bringing in jobs will stop any recovery. It will be difficult to find two new, young leaders this fall in the face of this quagmire. They will have to deal with the remaining entrenched and misguided council.

“We have quality real estate stock for bargain prices. We have the same with commercial space. Outside of that we have image issues from crime, poverty and poor school ratings to go along with lack of quality of life amenities. I don't see more brew pubs in the former downtown as the answer.”

I agree. But cheap real estate and commercial space will have no appeal to home buyers or businesses until our real problems are addressed.

“These cycles happen, are common to our geographics, and can linger far too long. Hopefully we are working our way out of this one. I can't be as negative and attacking any more(hasn't helped anything), though I want to be realistic. And hopeful--with positive results to follow.”

I think that Middletown’s present and previous city government’s problems are the result of poor judgment plus lack of research and deliberation before declaring an emergency to vote in legislation which has only just been suggested.


]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2017 11:32:29 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47764&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47764 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : Once again, I fundamentally agree... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47760&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47760 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 6414
Posted: Feb 01 2017 at 9:10am

Once again, I fundamentally agree with you, wmom. Esp on the quality of life issues. We keep giving away things, yet planning to charge more for less. When people shop out of town(I can't buy all of my clothing at Wal Mart or Meijers) we end up dining out of town, seeking entertainment out of town and often re-fueling(because it is usually less expensive) out of town.

Dishonest--not so much imo--they pretty much do their thing in our face flaunting the authority. Integrity is ingrained imo, though it can be somewhat misguided. Wasteful, rep[etitive and expensive are my key concerns.

I am ok with Adkins---not so much with Council. They have the power to steer the ship. Until new younger leaders who want to re-focus priorities to bring back their future living area step up, we are going to see the sos obviously. Face it--current Council/Mayor often run un-opposed. We honestly don't need more 60-70yo "new" leaders.

We have quality real estate stock for bargain prices. We have the same with commercial space. Outside of that we have image issues from crime, poverty and poor school ratings to go along with lack of quality of life amenities. I don't see more brew pubs in the former downtown as the answer.

These cycles happen, are common to our geographics, and can linger far too long. Hopefully we are working our way out of this one. I can't be as negative and attacking any more(hasn't helped anything), though I want to be realistic. And hopeful--with positive results to follow.

I don't feel that I have been sitting here quietly doing nothing for the last few decades, but that is my opinion of myself lol. Others here obviously disagree.]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2017 09:10:10 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47760&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47760 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : Council members and city administrations... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47759&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47759 Author: whistlersmom
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 31 2017 at 8:50pm

Council members and city administrations (past and present) have, for years, ignored the law and the rules under which city governments should operate. When corruption or law breaking by city officials was(is) brought up, council and others say they want to look forward not back – in effect dropping the matter. Corruption and law breaking was never addressed, therefore, it has grown to what we have today. When the state auditor told of the impending fiscal cliff, the Mayor and city manager told us that everything is just fine. No matter that Moody’s has down graded Middletown’s credit rating twice in the last few years. Take no notice that our quality of life amenities (swimming pools, golf course, Sebald Park, Bicentennial Commons, etc.) have been given away, sold or destroyed. The only way to stop the decline of Middletown is to replace council, the city manager and everyone in the city building that is part of the problem. Honesty and integrity is a must if Middletown is to recover from years of mismanagement. Council should be spending tax dollars for the intended purpose and for the betterment of Middletown, instead of buying more real estate to give away or funnel it to their cronies.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmond Burke]]> Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:50:37 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47759&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47759 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : I pretty much agree, though that... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47756&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47756 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 30 2017 at 9:27pm

I pretty much agree, though that is old news where we have to move on.
So we learn and get it going the right way quickly -- elect new leaders hopefully
Move ahead to better times
We must think positively towards a fresh future
Hopefully not pie in the sky--times are tough out there]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2017 21:27:26 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47756&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47756 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : All of Middletown would benefit... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47755&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47755 Author: whistlersmom
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 30 2017 at 9:10pm

All of Middletown would benefit if we can halt the mismanagement under which the city has suffered for years. The foremost problems would have solved themselves if the funds the city received were used for the original intended purpose for which the citizens voted. The citizens have been deceived. For example: 1.) None of the original 1.5% city income tax is(was) used for its original intended purpose--half for streets and parks (infrastructure) and half for water sewer and trash. 2.) Council voted not to use the money from The Auto and Gas Funds which the city receives from the state for streets. It is NOT legal to use those funds for any other purpose. What they were used for is unknown and far as I know they disappeared. 3.) How can council justify voting on emergency legislation to lease the first floor of Geotz Tower when it was revealed in two days they were short of funds and may have to lay off people who were supposed to occupy the building.

If we can not get council and management to act responsibly and with itegrity regarding our fiscal well being, then we will continue to have the same problems to our demise.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing." -Edmond Burke     ]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2017 21:10:15 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47755&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47755 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : wmom--not trying to report anyone... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47754&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47754 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 30 2017 at 5:48pm

wmom--not trying to report anyone or cause trouble. the job at hand is hard enough without it. just wanting to see equal for everyone, which should make us better by benefiting everyone from the bottom up. if that is the kind of attention that u seek, then go for it. but what result from it would make u happy?]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2017 17:48:52 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47754&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47754 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : Since the auditor's fiscal... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47753&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47753 Author: whistlersmom
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 30 2017 at 4:13pm

Since the auditor's fiscal alert has been published the citizens might take this opportunity to express concerns about our city government's operation directly to the auditor's office. I Googled the Ohio State Auditor and sent an email about some of my concerns. I received acknowledgement of receipt but no reply yet. A number of emails to the auditor about so many serious concerns will get much more attention than one. Here's the address   OhioAuditor.gov/contact.html How about it??]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2017 16:13:40 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47753&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47753 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : "Mulligan said he ... doesn’t... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47751&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47751 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 28 2017 at 4:37am

"Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012" ... but yet we keep pouring tons of money into anything associated with the former downtown!

How about it, Mayor Mulligan???  What has changed since January, 2012???
]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2017 04:37:46 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47751&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47751 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : PS: Spider is correct with his... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47750&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47750 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 28 2017 at 4:30am

PS: Spider is correct with his immediately previously post.

Millions for downtown, but nothing for areas such as where his businesses were?  Yet his businesses served thousands while downtown caters to hundreds.
]]> Sat, 28 Jan 2017 04:30:05 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47750&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47750 Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert : Okay...here's the thing:.no... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6414&PID=47749&title=middletown-fiscal-condition-alert#47749 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 6414
Posted: Jan 28 2017 at 4:23am

Okay...here's the thing:.no matter what anyone says, if you want to make change, you have to find some folks who are willing to run for city council.  There are a host of people in Middletown who are honest, intelligent, and knowledgeable of both economics and the engineering aspects needed to repair our third world infrastructure.

Two seats are up this November, and they are up City-wide, including the areas of our city in Warren County.

We no longer have "WARD" representation, so no matter where anyone lives they can run.

If you want to improve things in our city, find a good candidates, have them get the few signatures on the petitions that they need,  and begin supporting them now.

If you don't do this, and you let the same old "rubber stamp" people be/remain on City Council this fall, then "Qwitkwerbellerakin"!!!

This is likely the last opportunity that we will have, and if you wait until summer/fall to run an outside candidate, he/she will lose.

That is just my two cents worth.



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