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HUD Programs: Citizen Participation Opportunities?

Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Community Revitalization
Forum Description: Middletown Community Revitalization News
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1911
Printed Date: May 09 2024 at 11:34am


Topic: HUD Programs: Citizen Participation Opportunities?
Posted By: Rail Fan
Subject: HUD Programs: Citizen Participation Opportunities?
Date Posted: Sep 09 2009 at 4:12pm
 
 
Subj: FW: 1-6-09 council meeting 
Date: 1/6/2009 4:46:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: mailto:Robyn.L.Mcnally@pncmortgage.com - Robyn.L.Mcnally@pncmortgage.com
To: mailto:Nelsonself@aol.com - Nelsonself@aol.com
Sent from the Internet aolmsg://00f2c150/inethdr/2 - (Details)
 
fyi

Robyn L. McNally
Mortgage Consultant
PNC Mortgage, LLC
MAC M6886-021
201 E Fifth Street
Cincinnati,  OH  45202
(513)464-7383 Tel
mailto:robyn.l.mcnally@pncmortgage.com - robyn.l.mcnally@pncmortgage.com

-----Original Message-----
From: amarconi@cinci.rr.com [mailto:amarconi@cinci.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:45 PM
To: Mcnally, Robyn L.
Subject: Re: 1-6-09 council meeting

This is disturbing and needs to be questioned at tonights meeting.

Thanks, Tony

---- Robyn.L.Mcnally@pncmortgage.com wrote: 
I was reviewing the agenda for tonights council meeting.  I noticed that on the agenda is the 1st reading for the projected use of funds from the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.  This is the old title for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG funds).  I find it very disturbing that there is a reading on this since no one on the Consolidated Planning Committee has been able to review any of the proposals from the organizations requesting these funds.  There were meetings scheduled in December, however they were cancelled by Ginger Smith.  I emailed Ginger myself requesting to get copies of the applications to send out to the committee members - at that time I was told they would be presented at the Housing Sub Committee meeting in Dec.  We still have not received any more word of when our meetings will take place or who has applied for these funds.
 
It is my concern that this money will also be used for more demolition of blighted properties in the city.  That is why we have been shut out on reviewing any documents.  With a large sum from the Stabilization money going towards the demolition, it would not make since to add more money to an area that has not been founded to be successful in our community as of yet.  If we only focus on one area to improve the city, we will only cause more damage then what the goal was.
In several of the Housing Sub Committee meetings it was mentioned that management thought our main focus was for the CDBG funds.  I really feel that it was decided from management that our committee was not to exist anymore.  If this is the case we need to be informed of this.  The money that comes in is for the city of Middletown, and individuals should have a right to say where they feel this money can help make a difference to the community.  If we just tear properties down - then what are we doing to assist the existing citizens of the community.  It may help make the neighborhoods look better - but there is more issues then just ugly properties in this community.
Please let the committee know what steps we need to take - at this time we are at a loss, and do not feel that we are taken seriously by the management.
 
Thank you for your time.
 
Robyn L. McNally
Mortgage Consultant
PNC Mortgage, LLC
MAC M6886-021
201 E Fifth Street
Cincinnati,  OH  45202
(513)464-7383 Tel
mailto:robyn.l.mcnally@pncmortgage.com - robyn.l.mcnally@pncmortgage.com



Replies:
Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Sep 09 2009 at 5:03pm
If you have 1000 vacate properties that are uninhabitable is it not better to tear them down than to continue the cycle of absentee ownership and housing which is sub standard?  Is that what this is talking about homes that are slated for demolition?


Posted By: Rail Fan
Date Posted: Sep 09 2009 at 10:38pm
Pac -
 
Do the above e-mails speak to the current absence of meaningful citizen participation in the formulation/selection of HUD-funded project activities and allocation of CDBG, HOME and NSP capital resources?
 
Now, is it possible that there may be no transparency in government and the citizenry is kept at arms length in decision-making process?  Do we end up being told what is good for us by a handful of power brokers?
 
I believe that we both prefer an open and inclusive process where government provides the general public with fair and reasonable opportunity to be heard.
 
JPS


Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Sep 10 2009 at 6:48am
Rail I think much Citizen Participation has been curtailed since Gilleland has taken over and in some cases it is not for the good.
 
But I also agree that these properties need to go rather than spending Millions to recycle housing that is past it's usefull life.



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