Revelos & Jack's
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: Fun Pictures and Video
Forum Description: Share your Middletown Area Fun Photos and Video
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3283
Printed Date: Apr 29 2024 at 2:11am
Topic: Revelos & Jack's
Posted By: 409
Subject: Revelos & Jack's
Date Posted: Sep 13 2010 at 9:16pm
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Looks like Duncan is ready to take down the Revelos & Rec Center buildings.
Fencing was put up around the area today.
Noticed last week that the old Duncan space was leveled & seeded by S&K.
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Replies:
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 13 2010 at 9:26pm
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Can't say I'm sad to see that ugly strip center go.
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Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Sep 13 2010 at 9:33pm
| what will become of this land, if the fantasy choo choo nevers comes to be? Even if we get a train stop, it may take 5-10 years! |
Posted By: Mtown
Date Posted: Sep 13 2010 at 11:36pm
| New development coming independent of 3C rail |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 2:50am
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This cracks me up. Here the city passes the Historic Czars law and now the city is going to tear down the corner building, which could easily be rehabbed and used along with any real re-development of that area.
You all wonder why this city is going down the hole? Nothing but a bunch a liars and money grabbers in it to line their pockets or the pockets of their buddies. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 5:47am
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This entire block will be the new Duncan Oil Stop & Shop If you think the Rec Center was ugly.... |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 6:39am
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Will this new Duncan Oil place really have the traffic flow to support another gas station and conv. store. There is a gas station/conv. store at the point of 1st Ave./Central and Sutphin already in place. Too close together to do a decent amount of business, aren't they? Is there really enough traffic heading downtown and out of downtown to support this? Didn't know Central was that busy on any given day.
Are you suggesting that the new Duncan Oil will be an ugly thing to look at Vivian? Just a square box for the store with an aluminum awning over the pumps?  It will be the first thing people see as they pass the flowery DOWNTOWN MIDDLETOWN sign by the tracks. No doubt, a good first impression to the arts, the old fashion street lamps, the proposed high speed train departure area and old tyme theme the city leaders are trying to create.  
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Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 9:03am
| Vet - If your talking about Middtown they still did a good business when Shamrock was on the corner. Both places done quit well I think. But remember too that UDF wants to build a new place on the site of the old Salvation Army lot and they are selling gas too so downtown will have plenty of places for tourist to stop at. I agree with Rhodes....the city is on this so called historic kick but yet any building that is historic they want torn down. I guess what applies to us mere lowly citizens doesn't apply to higher echelon business. I think Ike Godseys store on the corner would be much better. |
Posted By: Mtown
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 10:13am
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Ms Moon
Your negative attitude about everything is very old |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 11:16am
| Mtown- Your comment was directed toward Vivian, but, in defense of us long time negative Middletown residents, please understand that we are very frustrated at our city leaders and are at the end of our rope with the direction this city has been taken in the last 30 years. Couple that frustration with the fact that there is so much apathy in town and we opponents to city hall can't seem to get the "angry mob" off the couch to organize in enough numbers that city hall will take note and listen to us. There are alot of people in this town that are angry at the way it is being run, but there are but a few that are willing to stand up and resist. Because it is always a few, we present no threat to city hall's way of life. It is a sad situation and, to date, no solution has been realized. JMO |
Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 11:53am
Drove downtown tis morning and the demo is going on, it shouldn't take more than a day or two to knock down the buildings.   ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: Mtown
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 12:41pm
| It seems this site is full of negativity. Why not focus on bringing about positive change instead of just griping. |
Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 1:18pm
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Mtown, the "positive change" of which you speak will come about only when bonehead decisions, incompetent personnel, and backroom deals cease to exist. In many cases, if city admin and council would simply NOT take the action they ended up taking, that would count as a positive.
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Posted By: 409
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 1:29pm
The Rec Center is down.
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 2:06pm
Because there are a number of factors preventing positive change from happening and no clear point in which to start to attack all of the problems with this town. 1. Some positive changes would require control of the city's money (budget)/re-prioritizing /re-direction of that money to areas not held in high importance by the current administration,for the purpose of providing the basic road/infrastructure repairs and other basics to start. The frills would come at a much later date. Currently the frills override the basics. Backassward. It would be plain and simple at first and the people would have to realize that it will be a long process to fix what has been destroyed all these years by past and present city leaders. They have torn this town to pieces with their ignorant decisions, mis-direction and focus. 2. Reconfiguring the priorities in town. No system/method in place, even with a majority consensus of the citizens to take control of the direction of this town. The only way to do it would be through a recall election and the establishment of a new council with like-minded MUSA-type people, who would then remove the city building people from their positions and hire like-minded MUSA-type people to do as they were directed by said council. The decent people who would make good council members have businesses to run, have jobs to go to, or have other matters that make it extremely difficult to adjust their schedules to accomodate a council seat. Almost have to be your own boss (I offer Mulligan who can take off anytime he wants to go cut a ribbon or read a proclamation somewhere, Becker who apparently sets his own daily schedule and is semi-retired or the lawyers who seem to have flexible hours)as evidence. None of these people are strapped to a production machine, work shift work or seem limited as to the time they can devote to this. 3. A special effort should be made to place an emphasis on CITIZEN INCLUSION government- not CITIZEN EXCLUSION as we have now. Special emphasis should be to invite the seasoned business people in the community to help set up a real "business-friendly environment, not the cluster we have now. The city government should do everything it can to help business start/establish/ and stay long term. A total revamping of what Kohler has assembled is needed. His program (picking and choosing who comes and who goes depending on if HE likes the business or not) needs to be thrown in the trash can and he needs to leave town. 4. A major focal point would be for council to instruct the Econ.Dev. department to set up a real program for attracting jobs to the community, not this weak attempt by Robinette obtaining these $10/hour or less, non-livable wage jobs to town and Kohler having any influence at all in this area. Council needs to pay special attention to this and needs to interact with this department on a frequent basis as this department provides the lifeblood to growing this community- decent GIVE PEOPLE HOPE JOBS. Again- DECENT REVENUE GENERATING JOBS. Need to upgrade who we attract, both in employers and in quality employees who will, hopefully become new residents of this town. JMO Now, Mtown- this post offered no gripes- just a positive outlook on what could happen IF....IF people would get off the couch and start organizing. Gotta clean out the deadwood before we start planting the new trees. |
Mtown wrote:Posted By: OhioLimos
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 4:47pm
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Wow, the building in those most recent pics doesn't really look that old. ------------- http://www.viplimoohio.com - VIP Limo Ohio limousine rental |
Posted By: 409
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 5:28pm
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Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 8:25pm
| It wasn't built in 1965, it was built in the 1980's. (Jack's Rec Center) |
Posted By: 409
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 9:00pm
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 9:01pm
That it does. But I was thinking early 1980s as well. |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 9:17pm
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Auditor site is wrong. Bundy Building was still standing as of 1983.
http://www.middletownlibrary.org:8080/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/Crout&CISOPTR=4139 - library lens |
Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 9:40pm
| No way that was 1965. I clearly remember it being the 80's. |
Posted By: 409
Date Posted: Sep 14 2010 at 9:57pm
Does anyone remember the RR flagman's shanty that sat next to the tracks on Central Ave?
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 1:54am
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Well I can't wait to see what kind of sign Duncan Oil installl on this building.. Did anyone else watch the last City Planning Meeting? Mercy....Mr. Kohler is in a world of do-do again. |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 2:37am
| Vivian, what's the scoop on Kohler? I missed it. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 8:06am
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At the last City Planning Board Meeting on Sept 8 it was discovered that the current Middletown Sign Ordinance was unconstitutional and Mr. Kohler seemed clueless and unable to answer the questions of the board members. Board members didn't seem very happy.
Ya just got to watch it |
Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 9:28am
| Well Kohler being clueless isn't surprising because everyone in city hall is clueless. |
Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 11:12am
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I watched it this morning and things get interesting at 46:45
http://tvmiddletown.blip.tv/ - http://tvmiddletown.blip.tv/ ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 11:20am
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Oh crap randy sue, does this mean that with the Planning Commission members being unhappy, they are about to give 'ole Marty a Kohlerinoscopy?
An hey, Hermes, why you dissin' on the boys and girls at the city buildin'. Bet if you hung around 'em, you'd learn to like them and see their ways.
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Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 11:30am
Vet - I have been to the top of the mountain...I have seen the valley below.....and I can't think of anything else smart to say 
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 7:24pm
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randy-just watched the meeting. Mercy! Lenny Robinson said it loud and clear- the city sign law from Kohler HAS BEEN DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL BY THE COURTS, produced documents, and re-stated his case for the absent-minded professors behind the curved desk. I would think that the court involvement and the non-legality of the law would provoke an act of urgency from these people to protect the city from major lawsuits- but no, just a discussion to "table it" until more is learned. No sense of urgency? Amazing! Don't know about Brickey, Marconi, Amburgey and the others. Don't seem to have alot on the ball if what I saw demonstrated was the norm. Amazingly, when Kohler said the city has retained a specialized lawyer, and when asked by Amburgey for the name of this lawyer, Kohler couldn't remember the name and said he was from Cleveland. Now, either Kohler is lying about this retention, or he has fabricated yet another story to satisfy his ego to control everything he gets his hands on. Kinda had that "deer in the headlights" look as he was being questioned. Typical committee formed in Middletown. Not a one of them took charge and motivated the committee to act with any urgency. Just stammered and mumbled through the whole ordeal. What a crock.
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Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 7:44pm
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Ahhhh, what the hell are you all Bitching about. Kohler said the sign ordinance contained, I believe his word was an "error". Now Kohler must be right as Gilliland thinks of him as the Cities savior and fair haired boy that knows and sees all. Gilliland about goes into orbit with glee when she talks about Ole Kommandant Kohler. Had to get a laugh out of it when Kohler basically tried to pass off a ruling of Unconstitutional as a small error..
Did I also hear Lenny right when he said he was pulling a $4.5 Million deal for Middletown that would have brought about 80 jobs to the city, because of Kohler's inaction on the matter. I can't believe Kohler continues to skate on by with a job in this city. No one person should have this much control over what a city this size does.
 Kommandant Kholer
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Posted By: SupportMiddletown
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 8:07pm
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Thank you very much for keeping us up-to-date with photos 409!!!
I'm not sad to see the strip mall go, but the Revelos will be missed.
Someone mentioned the Bundy building, so I thought I'd post a 1983 picture from the library website taken just before its demolition. It once contained a theater in the center and had gorgeous detailings.
 http://www.middletownlibrary.org:8080/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/Crout&CISOPTR=4137 - http://www.middletownlibrary.org:8080/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/Crout&CISOPTR=4137 In the next block accross Central Avenue stood the Harlan block in 1983. It would only stand until 1990 and later be the Auto Zone site.
 http://www.middletownlibrary.org:8080/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/Crout&CISOPTR=4132 - http://www.middletownlibrary.org:8080/cgi-bin/viewer.exe?CISOROOT=/Crout&CISOPTR=4132
These large apartment buildings likely provided cheap housing to the many incoming factory workers, especially those at Sorg Tabacco which was stood directly across from Bundy building until 1958.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 8:46pm
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Thanx for those memories, Support.
Beautiful and functional for the longest time.
I had forgotten about that corner just b4 the railroad tracks.
Was with Mr.Revelos this weekend.
Legendary man--very well-liked.
What we just demoed was a mess.
Please keep on going to the west down Central
What we may have might not be much better if the Repubs win the state governorship.
Kasich says the high speed train plan will be shelved immediately as being too costly and in-effecient.
A study of wasted and huge bureoucracy imo
Strickland or Kasich----imagine that
I couldn't stomach watching their conversation
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 10:09pm
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Let's not forget the Bundy building was actually a conversion of the old Decatur Buggy Works.
The conversion occurred around 1911. First modern loft redevelopment of an industrial site :) http://www.middletownlibrary.org:8080/cgi-bin/viewerCISOROOT=/Crout&CISOPTR=13000 
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Posted By: SupportMiddletown
Date Posted: Sep 15 2010 at 10:34pm
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I'm sure they didn't get all the environmental contamination out! ------------- |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 6:29am
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Spider- Mike- in reference to the first picture by Support.....the building by the rr tracks used to be a pool hall. The second picture by Support....on the closest end in the picture was about where Dearth's Hobby Shop was located. Do you remember Dearth's? Bought my first HO train set in there as a kid. This building stood next to the old P. Lorrilard Polar Bear tobacco warehouse didn't it?
Thanks for the pictures 409 and Support! Good memories from a better time in this town. |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 9:38am
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I watched the video link this morning posted above. I find it hard to believe a man like Lenny Robinson can show up at a city planning meeting and be treated rudely. He's had many multi-million dollar developments under his belt. I'm not saying they should roll out the red carpet, but come on, what's with the sneering attitude? Are they jealous of him?
Who is that Brickey guy and what was his problem with his authoritarian act? The people on that council, except for Amburgey (I think that's his name, 2nd guy from left), were pathetic. It's an embarrassment to watch. The one woman seemed like she was just dying to take on Robinson like she was "in the know". Marconi came off like a hillbilly bump on a log, like he always does. I've said it before, I'll say it again, this is what happens when you put "middle class" nobodies in charge. Does anyone know how long Kohler has been working for the city? Why is he allowed to get by with his consistent bad track record? |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 11:33am
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Rhodes- I think your "rude" description of the way Mr. Robinson was treated is accurate. Brickey is a former member of the school board I believe. Don't remember if he was on any other boards or committees beside the school board and this planning committee. Others would remember.
Incredibly, some had nothing to say. Others did alot of talking, especially Amburgey, but the content of the conversation was spent on indecisions about making a decision to table the darn request and not enough focus on asking point blank questions to gather information that they should have been provided in the first place. Wouldn't have to table this if they would have started asking direct questions. Too easy to use the delay tactics rather than to face making a decision I guess. It was almost like they were scared to ask Kohler to be accountable for getting them the information that they were entitled to. Kohler seemed to sense their weakness and treated the whole inquiry as if it didn't matter. Another group of people on a committee meeting for the purpose of talking but not making any decisions to solve problems. Sounds like council. I believe,(correct me if I'm wrong) that Kohler was fired from a city of Lebanon job with the same position as city planner a few years ago. Might be wrong on that though. |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 11:49am
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I'd like to hear more information on whether Kohler got fired from his Lebanon job if anybody happens to know.
I'd also like to know how Kohler, who appears to be of modest means, was able to pay $235,000 cash for his home on S. Main. Maybe he's a good saver, most people that are good at investing/saving would never buy a property that will not appreciate in value like he did. The characteristic traits of someone who has that much cash available doesn't seem to fit his situation. I'm not saying anything improper took place, but something seems a little out of step. |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 12:03pm
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Rhodes I believe Mr. Kohler is paid about a $120,000 a year to be head of our planning department. Mr. Kohler put this board between the rock and the hard place...
You can bet that Mr. Kohler was peeled down like an onion by this board after this meeting.
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 12:39pm
That's really none of your business.
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 12:43pm
I thought it was closer to $80-$85k. Maybe $120k with benefits?
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 12:47pm
It's the third time in 15 years that Lebanon has fired Planning Director Marty Kohler by eliminating his job. This time, the city has decided to replace the director with a city planner position.
Lebanon OKs cutting 4 jobs
Council action starts hottest recent debate
By Cindi Andrews, mailto:candrews@enquirer.com - candrews@enquirer.com The Cincinnati Enquirer LEBANON — City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to make budget changes that included eliminating the planning director and three other city jobs. The issue sparked the most heated debate since the new council took office three months ago, with Councilman Ron Pandorf alleging that he was shut out of the budget process. The council majority's motives in putting employees out of work were questioned by several speakers, including former Councilman MarkFlick. “Behind the smoke screen of eliminating positions to reduce the budget is political genocide,” he said. Councilman James Reinhard, however, blamed the previous council's “wild spending” for the city's current tight finances. It's the third time in 15 years that Lebanon has fired PlanningDirector Marty Kohler by eliminating his job. This time, the city hasdecided to replace the director with a city planner position. The 2002 budget revisions also eliminate the human resources manager and clerk, and the information technology director. But two of them will probably remain with the city: The clerk has been moved to a different position, and IT Director Don Senteney has applied for the newly created, lower-paying job of information technology coordinator, City Manager Pat Clements said. Mr. Kohler and Human Resources Manager Carolyn Carlisle will get five weeks' severance pay if they agree not to sue, City Attorney Mark Yurick said. |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 1:19pm
I just made it my business, how you like that? |
Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 1:19pm
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It doesn't matter what salary they draw or how many times they've been fired,what does matter is the fact that Kohler,Gilleland and several others NEED TO BE FIRED NOW. Replacement shouldn't even be of concern until they are all out. I think the city would run itself just fine minus these people,it couldn't get worse. ------------- No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !! |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 1:38pm
| Hermes, actually it does matter because it frames a bigger picture. When a salary doesn't line up with a normal $235,000 cash home buyer, that's enough to raise flags with me. It appears he's been government employed for many years, so what gives on that one? And the fact he's been fired 3 times in 15 years from the same city that eliminates his job each time REALLY seems odd. What are the chances?!?! |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 1:49pm
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Posted By: Bill
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 1:51pm
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How he paid for his house doesn't matter. He may have received an inheritance for all we know.
Spider, check your Inbox......
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 1:55pm
Inheritance? Stock market investments? Prior gain (big one) on a real estate purchase? Or just really thrifty over the years.
It really is none of your business what anyone can afford and by what means they are able to make the purchase.
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 2:38pm
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I enjoy working with Mr.K, though we seldom think alike. I would imagine that he could not get any price close to what he has invested in his home.
Property in that area is pretty much worthless since people really can't afford the necessary upkeep to those properties in a not so great location.
2 others outside of myself showed for the Master Plan Committee last night.
Pitiful.
Council/Admin should go over attendance sheets from board/committee meetings.
Those who don't attend should be excluded from next year's consideration for appointment, and removed if their term is not expired.
Find citizens who WANT to participate, regardless of their name or affiliations.
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Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 2:41pm
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Here is the Court Case Mr. Robinson talks about at the City Planning Commission meeting.
http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/courtdecision%282%29.pdf - http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/courtdecision(2).pdf
He also sent me some other things of interest
http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/signline_30_31combined%20%282%29.pdf - http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/signline_30_31combined%20(2).pdf
http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/Medina%20Handout%202004%20%282%29.pdf - http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/Medina%20Handout%202004%20(2).pdf
http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/sign_ordinances%20overview%20%282%29.pdf - http://www.middletownusa.com/pdf/sign_ordinances%20overview%20(2).pdf
This is my personal favorite
http://mikerobinette.com/ - http://mikerobinette.com/
------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 4:29pm
I really don't care if you don't think it is my business. People of his means don't normally pay CASH in that price range and have ZERO mortgages on a property. It raises flags. When somebody is a public employee that goes around filing CRIMINAL CHARGES against a guy like Lenny Robinson over some ridiculous Score sign, their odd behavior does become EVERYONE'S BUSINESS. I'm not saying he didn't get the CASH legitimately. I'm saying something doesn't add up for the NORM. People that usually have enough CASH to buy a rehab mental home for $235,000 do not normally waste money like that in declining neighborhoods. Someone who has saved or been frugal doesn't splash around CASH on a bad investment. Your pom pom cheering for Kohler on this site is getting old. |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 16 2010 at 10:07pm
You were off by about $30,000 Download Data Last name First name Title Salary Employer Year Kohler Martin D Planning Director $89,013.25 City of Middletown 2009 |
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Sep 17 2010 at 6:00pm
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Thank you swohio for the correction and additional information |