Wake up people!!

Pacman- I guess I am saying that people in town are "circling the wagons". Go out for a meal on a Friday or Saturday evening and notice that the number of people have dwindled as compared to better times. The streets are relatively empty. The combination of the poor economy, people losing their jobs, high prices at the pump and the grocery store, a feeling of hopelessness of staying even, much less getting ahead has evaporated. THEN---- you add the ineptitude of the city leaders who are not intelligent enough to provide even the basics for a town to survive and you have a recipe for major citizen depression. Doesn't matter whether it's a Blues Fest, an Art festival, a parade, a downtown bash, a council or school board meeting, or any other event to promote entertainment, it will not be well attended because people don't want to leave the house. They've been beaten down for too long with no hope in sight and in the city leaders' case, they have given the people no reason to be interested in what they do- other than to pound their mode of operation on every front.

But Pac- having these activities in the Towne Mall area would pull the people away from the downtown area and defeat the purpose of having events for the downtown. Also, hasn't the downtown area been designated as the "Got Art" center with Beau Verre as the hub? They are trying to find a theme to draw people down there and the theme is art. Problem is, there may not be enough "cultured" people living in Middletown to really appreciate nor understand the "art thing" to support it. It's still a relatively "uncultured" blue collar town and may always be. More beer drinking than wine tasting type of crowd.

Vivian projects like this are fine and doable around here.  What I am talking about is placing all of your eggs in one basket.  In otherwords focusing on making downtown an Art lovers dream or a Mecca for the Art World it is just not feasible in Middletown.  I personally think the City Council and Admin spend entirely to much time on the Downtown area with their Art World aspirations while the rest of Middletown suffers.  Now that being said if PRIVATE Individuals with PRIVATE MONEY want to turn downtown into a Major Art Mecca and destination hey I am all for that.

You guys are killing me on here!
You tell me what East End Businesses are doing for the citizens of Middletown? You suggest the downtown festival move to the east end, that sort of defeats the purpose of doing "downtown events". The Bash seems to draw lots of people, and why is that? The man heading that event owns a business in Franklin for God's sake!
What sort of things do the East End businesses do to draw people from the heart of Middletown out of the downtown? Towne Mall is dead, so why don't you use the East End businesses to host a "concert", "music festival", "bash", etc.? With the construction going on in the east end, I try to actually reroute myself from that area.

The "hopping" area close to the east end is actually the Shopping Center & the Breiel Blvd area. My Opinion Only, if that counts for anything.

The above events you mentioned are FREE. Bring a lawn chair. You don't have to buy anything if you don't want. What is wrong with listening to great music? Absolutely nothing!

Mom- I buy almost everything here in Middletown. Always have. Lowe's, Sears, fast food, gas, groceries, car repairs, medicine for the wife, lawn supplies, ----all bought in Middletown. As for the music and bringing a lawn chair for free---- yes, I attend the Blues and Bikes every year. Have them taped on cassette from the first one ever held to the most current. Depending on the music type, I will attend these events downtown ( or at the AK pavillion on occasion) As for your reply about people staying home alot nowadays--- Yes, it is happening in other cities. I was just trying to compare the Middletown of old to the way it is now. This "stay at home" mentality is partly due to depression caused by the economy and partly due to the depression of the people as to how they view this town being run. Why do you appear to be so "testy" and irritable toward these generalized statements? You seem on edge as you reply to these posts.

1) Find me one business in the East End that is willing to help promote "something" in their part of town.
2) I am a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, friend, and business owner.
3) To some of you that know who I am, it has been tough in the building that we are located, I appreciate your confidentiality.
4) Hubby and I discussed staying downtown, it's part of our identity. Our 2 major clients are located outside of the city, by the way.
5) Downtown is close to our home & our 2 teenagers still trying to make it thru high school, yes it is Madison. I did not graduate from Madison, hubby did in 1976.
6) If I sound a little stressed? I will let you know more after Wednesday of this coming week. Please if you know my identity, keep it to yourself. Thanks.
7) The building that my business is located, is also where I shopped with my parents as a child. Before anyone else moved it. (it was like des'ja vous (sp), when inspecting when we checked out the place).
8) Location is not a problem for us, unloading supplies & customers finding us IS!
9) I initially posted to this site because to me Middletown is downtown first and then the surrounding areas second. I expected positive reactions for downtown, but that is probably not the case in this day & age. I have always been a loyal shopper/buyer in Middletown as personal and business (as much as possible for the business, limited).
10) As a business owner, you can pick & choose who you think will help your business along when it comes to.....sponsorship so to speak. This year was pretty much the defining year for us, at this point in our business. The Art Central Foundation, Madison Township Springfest and The MidFirst Ohio Challenge. There is a limit to time/money you can do with each one as being a major player.   Personalities play in to this. These 3 are personal and motivational for us. Sorry if you disagree. But, these 3 have been good for us.

You have to remember, this is MY OPINION AND POSTINGS ONLY, not my hubby. I am on 2 of these committees, he is on 1. That's not to say we don't support each other. Yeah, I've been testy lately.   Owning a business and life combined can be brutal sometimes. I also have some personal family issues happening, but thank god for good doctors and Jack Daniels! And sometimes 56 Degrees after work or someplace else on the EAST end that serves alcohol (El Rancho). I'm also 51 yrs of age and allowed to be the way I am!!!!

Please don't make me regret this post!!!!
Thanks
Deb

February 3, 2009

 

To Ed Richter -

 

In the most recent e-mail that was sent to you, it was noted where a property on 8th Street was not only rehabbed, but a significant amount of HUD funds were used to refinance private debt.  This information was fully shared with the HUD Consolidated Planning Committee and City Councilmen Schiavone, Marconi and Armbruster by Skip Batten.

 

In addition to that situation, Skip mentioned that a minimum of five other previous housing rehab participants had private debt refinanced with HUD funds.  Skip has the original files for all of this and he provided copies of some information to City Councilman Marconi.

 

All of the above happened prior to my arrival in Middletown.

 

Nelson Self

Plaintiff: NANCY E. NIX, TREASURER

Defendant: JEWELL BELL, ET AL

Address: 810 EIGHTH AVE., MIDDLETOWN 45044

Case # : CV08073058 Appraised: $15576.01  Starting Bid: $0

A realtor member of the now-defunct HUD Consolidated Planning Committee for Middletown researched this matter.  Property taxes are delinquent dating back to 2002.  How could past and present City staff approve ANYONE for housing rehab loans and grants if their property taxes are delinquent?  Please tell us Queen of Middletown?

This would be a grave error in judgement if true.  What say you Ms. Vivian?

Madison Mom