An Award For The City
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: Middletown News, Info and Happenings
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URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4771
Printed Date: Oct 02 2025 at 9:07pm
Topic: An Award For The City
Posted By: VietVet
Subject: An Award For The City
Date Posted: Sep 18 2012 at 6:21am
Journal article.....
Home > NewsPosted: 3:06 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 2012
City wins award for ‘My Town’ video
By Michael D. Pitman
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN —
The campy, and criticized, YouTube video designed to entertain city employees at last year’s holiday luncheon is an award winner.
The video, titled “My Town,” features city employees and some council members, singing why they love the city of Middletown to the tune of the Temptation’s hit song “My Girl.”
“The video was done in part to help boost employee morale during tough budgetary times,” said City Manager Judy Gilleland.
But once the video was seen by many on various Internet social networks, negative comments criticized the city for making the video — which cost $200 to produce — when the city recently cut millions from the general fund budget that included eliminating several unfilled police and fire positions and laying off five firefighters.
Gilleland said the negative comments turned out to be a positive for the video and the city.
“The video got extra play throughout the nation, and we received so many positive comments from cities throughout the nation that saw the video and loved it,” she said. “You cannot watch the video without smiling.” (OR CRINGING OUT OF EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE TOWN)
Lehtonen said the entry for the annual contest is $85 for members to 3CMA and $135 for non-members. Middletown is not a member
SO, THE CITY PAID $200 TO PRODUCE IT PLUS ANOTHER $135 TO ENTER THE CONTEST AS A NON-MEMBER. THAT'S $335 TO PRESENT THE TOWN IN A WAY THAT DREW MORE CRITICISM THAN POSITIVE REMARKS. HMMM. LOGICAL? THE CITY ALREADY HAS IMAGE ISSUES AS A BUNGLING, POVERTY-STRICKEN, BUMPKIN TYPE OF COMMUNITY. DID THE CITY NEED TO ADD TO THE MISERY?
Gilleland said it was an honor to receive the national award that took little time and money to produce “is quite an honor.” And when asked if she’ll do a similar video again, she said, “Absolutely.”
HOW ABOUT DOING IT ON YOUR OWN DIME NEXT TIME GILLELAND. AND FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD, CREATE A MORE CLASSY, PROFESSIONAL SCENARIO. AT LEAST HAVE THE SINGING IN TUNE AND COORDINATED......WITHOUT LANDEN. GOOD GOD!
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Replies:
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: Sep 18 2012 at 8:51am
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The biggest problem I see with this is the disconnect between Gilleland and crew and the Middletown residents/employess. You received much criticism from your community, because of timing and expense - and again it was an embarrassment. Yet you they are so proud of the positive comments across the nation and from Washington DC. Therefore you will do this again. The nation does not know the full story of what is going on in Middletown - so why does their comment matter more then the people that employ you. This was supposed to boost morale, not win an award. What is most important - what the nation thinks or what your local citizens think. Get your priorities straight!
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