The next time that we vote for Mayor, elect MISS VIVIAN MOON!

An incredible statement to make by Ford!!!! Forget image??? Be in the business of helping those in need??? Ford wants to continue to make this a welfare, hand-out, Section 8, slumtown with the populace having a "freebie" mentality. Apparently, her mission is to lower the status level, income level, educational level, job choice level, housing level, image level, and quality of life level of this town by dedicating this town to "helping those in need". Apparently, she would be content to have the whole town be comprised of Family Dollars, Dollar Generals, Thift Shops, Salvation Armys, flea markets, shabby single wide trailers and government subsidized low income housing units with junker cars, blinds hanging out the windows, graffitti written all over the buildings, trash everywhere, discarded furniture thrown in the front yard or stacked by the curb, refrigerators on the front porch and all the other pleasant stereotypical amenities attributed to this style of living. Is that what you really want Ford?

Ford nees to go, you will never bring this city back with thinking like this:

"I think we as a city need to be honest about who we are and where we are, economically. We are a working-class city with a lot of citizens that need assistance. I think that the section 8 program should remain in place, and that we should not reduce the number of vouchers issued. I think stereotypes about citizens receiving section 8 assistance are unfounded. This is a program that assists residents in becoming more self-sufficient. We need to stop worrying about our "image" and get to the business of helping those in need."

Your right.....I need a laptop

Mr. Picard Candidate for the 4th ward just emailed me his answer to our question, so look for them first thing Monday moring.

Cinci is about to have a major "Knee Jerk Reaction".

Hey Dr.C--everyone here is self-important imo.

Marianne- You state "why would I offer my visions for Middletown on this forum?" Simply put- because we would be interested in what your solutions are for the town to emerge from this malaise and to find out if you're on this forum to contribute or to criticize. It may also enlighten us as to whether you even have a vision. You also state "I don't think it would be a particularly useful exercise, nor do I think this medium lends itself to reasoned discussion". Ouch!!! that hurts. We, who participate are not capable of "reasoned discussion" on this site? None of us know what we're talking about here. Is that your inference? You sound a tad bit on the elitist side of the fence, similar to our esteemed city leaders in their opinions of us mere mortals. Do you consider yourself an elitist, Marianne? If so, I'll use one of your lines in one of your previous replies to me- "I wouldn't want to feel as you do." Finally, you state- "I haven't found that blogs are the most useful mechanism for achieving what I hope to achieve."- THEN WHAT ARE YOU PARTICIPATING ON THIS BLOG FOR? Isn't this site a waste of time for you, given that statement?

Pacman wrote: Marianne States:   "Why would I offer my vision for Middletown here on this forum?  I don't think it would be a particularly useful exercise, nor do I think this medium lends itself to reasoned discussion.  As people who know me know well, I'm invested in improving the community, and I do what I can through the means that I have.  When I have an idea about improving something, I go to the people I think have the means of accomplishing those things; I don't post about it on a blog, because I haven't found that blogs are the most useful mechanism for achieving what I hope to achieve.  Others disagree, I suppose, and that's ok."    This seems kind of an odd statement as you surely jumped in on the Police Chief issue with the Charter Review Committee and its position to look at outside candidates.  I guess there is not enough personal interest in the rest of the City.

I addressed something specific in what the Charter Review committee did; my discussion of the selection of fire and police chiefs was part of a greater concern with the Committee's approach.  I expressed that here, and I sent my concerns to city council members.  Talking about a "vision" for Middletown seems vague to me.  They are two different things.  Nothing odd about it.

Marianne- Thank you for the response. I guess we'll just agree that we disagree with each other's approach to these posts and that we will never be on the same page in discussing various subjects. It appears we are radically different in our views of this town. I'm curious. How long have you lived in Middletown? I've seen 60 years of good times, mediocre times and the current bad times and use those 60 years as a basis for comparison to assess the overall climate of the town as it is today. The town is in the worst shape it has been in in over 30 years right now. (JMO of course.) You are correct in your assessment. I am very frustrated. As for feeling "powerless"? Only to the degree that it will be very difficult to erase the inner circle of people that are destroying a once prosperous town and the powerless feeling comes from knowing how difficult it will be to drive them out of office and the city building. I would like to see a totally new regime take over the city and the schools. One that has the ability to make competent, logical, citizen oriented decisions and one that has the vision AND KNOWHOW, to actually DO what they envision and plan.Prioritize and work on the basics like roads and the infrastructure first and move on to the next priority. I would like to see this town gain it's image back and be a respected community within the region again. Get rid of all the Section 8 and HUD programs and stop the welfare town theme immediately. I'd like to see the kids come out of the Middletown schools prepared for the demands of the working world or college. Yeah, I'm frustrated as he-- with these "leaders" who don't seem near as passionate about this city as the people on this site. Most all here, if in a leadership role, would guide this city in the right direction.

VietVet wrote: Thank you for that comment on my "admonition" on cerebral thinking. Glad to have you as a critic to my posts. I am certainly richer for it. You were curious as to what would have impressed or satisfied some of the most frequent posters here?- Some specifics to back up Ford's generalizations would have been nice. Less emphasis on the "feelings" talk about the community and "flavor" of the town and more "concrete" talk on offering solutions to problems would have been nice.

I was asking what folks would rather have heard her say - ie, be specific about the concrete ideas you wanted her to express.   

VietVet wrote: I would be curious to read your ideas and offerings as to responses and to know whyat would have impressed you about Ford's comments.

Where did I say that her comments impressed me?  I was impressed that she responded given the tone of many folks here.  I don't think I remarked anywhere about the substance of her answers. 

VietVet wrote: You have criticized the "negative" posters on here many times, pointing out our many "weaknesses", and you have frequently defended the city people, but you have seldom taken the occasion to offer your versions of the way it should be. How about now?

What do you mean by "the way it should be"?   Are you asking for me to blather here about what I'd like to see done to improve the town? 

Why would I offer my vision for Middletown here on this forum?  I don't think it would be a particularly useful exercise, nor do I think this medium lends itself to reasoned discussion.  As people who know me know well, I'm invested in improving the community, and I do what I can through the means that I have.  When I have an idea about improving something, I go to the people I think have the means of accomplishing those things; I don't post about it on a blog, because I haven't found that blogs are the most useful mechanism for achieving what I hope to achieve.  Others disagree, I suppose, and that's ok. 

VietVet wrote: Marianne- IMO courtesy and respect for city leaders only goes so far.

I don't see how a lack of courtesy and respect achieves anything with city leaders, but it's not for me to say that anyone's approach is right or wrong - I just have yet to see negative approach achieve much good in this town or have yet to see much good come from what I often see here beyond allowing folks to "vent".  Nothing wrong with that. 

VietVet wrote: When they constantly screw up and become the secretive enemy of the people just occupying a chair on Council or intentionally driving the city into the ground, it's time to just call it as it is and stop pretending they are reputable.

Secretive enemy of the people? Wow.  Those are some harsh words.  I would say you're venturing into the vague territory you accuse Leslie Ford of occupying here.
 

VietVet wrote: Just as you can't understand why some of us constantly criticize these people, we find it equally puzzling why you and others constantly defend them when the evidence is so apparent that they are not worthy of our support. How bad does it have to get before you feel like we do?

I'm not sure what you mean by me constantly defending them.  Maybe my old age is causing me to forget posts, but let me see if I can recall the subjects I've addressed.  As you note, I've remarked about the lack of civil attitude by some folks here in their posts and asserted that I didn't think it was particularly productive.  In recent weeks, I've posted regarding the work of the Charter Committee.  Neither of those things seem even remotely connected with defending City Council or City leadership.  If I say that I've interacted with some folks in city government and found them civil and willing to listen to me, I don't think that fits your accusation either. 

I hope I never feel as you do - or at least as your posts indicate. I don't know you, so I'm just speculating, but your posts express a great deal of frustration and a sense of powerlessness.  If those are inaccurate assessments, I will stand corrected. 

I have an occupation that allows me to try to do a lot of good in the community.  I chose that profession precisely because of that; I tell my kids it's the family business, so I take it seriously and I think I'm reasonably good at what I do. I can always improve, but that's where I make a difference (I hope).  So, nope, I hope I never feel as you do, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to do what I do on a daily basis. 

Thank you for your response.

M

Thank you for that comment on my "admonition" on cerebral thinking. Glad to have you as a critic to my posts. I am certainly richer for it. You were curious as to what would have impressed or satisfied some of the most frequent posters here?- Some specifics to back up Ford's generalizations would have been nice. Less emphasis on the "feelings" talk about the community and "flavor" of the town and more "concrete" talk on offering solutions to problems would have been nice. I would be curious to read your ideas and offerings as to responses and to know what would have impressed you about Ford's comments. You have criticized the "negative" posters on here many times, pointing out our many "weaknesses", and you have frequently defended the city people, but you have seldom taken the occasion to offer your versions of the way it should be. How about now? Marianne- IMO courtesy and respect for city leaders only goes so far. When they constantly screw up and become the secretive enemy of the people just occupying a chair on Council or intentionally driving the city into the ground, it's time to just call it as it is and stop pretending they are reputable. Just as you can't understand why some of us constantly criticize these people, we find it equally puzzling why you and others constantly defend them when the evidence is so apparent that they are not worthy of our support. How bad does it have to get before you feel like we do?