What a mess!!!

sj makes a good point and is to be commended for his efforts with MUM IMHO. Exemplification there are existing assets that can be utilized effectively. The series was excellent and had tremendous talent including some rather esteemed performers.

I know many attorneys, and not certain that many are good rianmakers at their own business, let alone being ED's for a city. Was that move you reference sj to placate the relation the attorney you make subtle reference with his partnership with the strained LR ruffled feathers? I don't know. Or maybe he's drafting the lease agreement, but isn't that what Landen does to earn a paycheck?

When will the recognition and comprehension occur has too much much damage been done to recover, and then start with the clean up effort like Japan? The neglect of the city's efforts on streets and infrastructure has lasting ramifications. Middletown is looking like a war zone with so many FOR SALE signs out. I could not believe Manchester yesterday, the old hospital area, everywhere including daVinci.

I can't comprehend with all these bimonthly emergency sessions and what not, why can't the council simply start with putting back in place an ordinance that reverses taking road funds to pay payroll? That's a no brainer 'baby step' correct?

Many arguments about Sunset, but city closes a pool that has been around since the 20's for $50,000 annual expenses, but collects buildings, including airports, golf clubs, and the $500 Kk was dropped with high risk, while shutting down Sunset that a fraction of those funds would have kept the pool open for 10 years perhaps. There is simply too much lack of logic accompanying so many decisions.

It used to be enough local movement up would sustain Middletown's housing market. For the past 5 years, more in Middletown want out, than want to stay within, and move up. The housing stock will be 15-20 years to purge, maybe longer. I agree with the change at the Renaissance, now adding more to the competing price point already in dismal shape.

You are correct a few council members are not the cause of the city's overwhelming and catastropic problems. But, the wrong moves continued to be played, the wrong assets held, and the pain threshold is reaching overwhelming proportion and consequence for a majority.  

   

Regarding the road funds, does anyone know what "fat" there is in the city budget that can realistically be cut?  We're stuck with the police/fire budgets for now, we can't sell Weatherwax even if we wanted to, what else....   I don't know what departments or people in that building can be cut without "services" going to the bone.  Don't tell me Kohler and Landen because their salaries would simply go to their replacements.  I would imagine the offices in the city building should be half empty.

TonyB, I apologize. My LR reference was Lenny Robinson, commercial real estate developer, as I thought and believe sj's reference was to Greg Pratt, a Middletown attorney in his post. Completely agree with your assessments. Pointing out the past however, does serve a useful purpose. If the path and direction is the same its been on, we are doomed. The repetition in that regard IMHO, is the path continues, perhaps worsening, than it has been on for decades. Does Cincinnati State help? I have no idea or has it been communicated how Cin State would offer programs in diversity ( one, few, all). The area around the hospital was the savior. What happened?

I'd like to see a plan that could be executed, that wasn't a macro Master without details that are workable (to Mike Presta's post), and a degree of security and comfort some one is actually guiding the ship besides MMF, and a constant spinning of the wheels getting no traction. Why is Monroe winning? Why is the Austin Reed area? 

   

I can't see why all our tissue factories closed down with all the cry babies in Middletown!

acclaro, I didn't mean to imply that pointing to the past isn't valuable. What I'm saying is that pointing to past mistakes is useful only when you learn the lessons of past mistakes and successes. Patterns in the past can help to avoid mistakes and promote success. There is no going back, ie. filling in Lake Middletown, etc. The earlier comment that those who put us in this mess starting 30 years ago can't hurt us now isn't true unless we avoid repeating those mistakes.

Tudor Brown, second post was unnecessary; if people couldn't figure out that your comment was meant in jest, then telling them you were kidding isn't going to convince them.

no crying on this end, and not trying to re-live the past.

acclaro, You've been very clear in your post that the problem is LEADERSHIP! I agree that what has happened in the past is what has got us to our present predicament. I agree also that you can have a whole room full of PhDs and not solve anything without leadership. I also agree that non-profits will not rectify the situation. Non-profit corparations are what you get AFTER you have a private sector tax base that can sustain the expense of infrastructure, police/fire protection and other necessary government services.

I'm doing a Tony I know but--  Turd (for short) whats really on your mind?

Mr.P==

Mr. Presta, Thank you for this thread and the insights it has provided. I finally realized that after 44 posts (including this one) that the real question has yet to be asked, so here goes: what IYHO are the real problems that this city faces? Take the position that you are advising a brand new city council. What would you tell them about the real problems this city faces?

“What are the real problems that this city faces?”

Great question, TonyB!!!

Who out there thinks that the answer is: “The number one, biggest problem that Middletown faces is ‘how do we keep the former downtown afloat?’”

http://youtu.be/KgNmTA728oY