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Know- good news ...Middletown

Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown Community
Forum Name: Middletown News, Info and Happenings
Forum Description: Discuss any Middletown Ohio area news story.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6516
Printed Date: Oct 15 2024 at 9:50pm


Topic: Know- good news ...Middletown
Posted By: whistlersmom
Subject: Know- good news ...Middletown
Date Posted: Aug 16 2017 at 9:08pm
OuchThe fickle finger of fate has struck again in today’s news from the banks of the hydraulic canal in beautiful downtown Middletown...

Two suspects have been charged with dumping a dead body discovered in a decomposed condition (suspected overdose). On the WCPO 9 NEWS I think the people who were responsible for dumping the body across the street from their home stated that they didn’t report the death because they feared the city would declare their property a nuisance (and possibly tear it down.)

A small downtown business was robbed two nights in a row. Both Lebanon and Mason have offered to welcome the business owner to their community … and he will likely be moving soon.

Channel 19 reported extreme cruelty to, and torture of cats (probably by children in the neighborhood according to witnesses).

It’s all probably due to the housing situation!!! Mr Adkins says that’s Middletown’s big problem.

According to Mr Adkins and Chief Mutterspaw, these same things happen everywhere all the time.

Let’s ask Mason or Lebanon how many dead bodies they found recently.





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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke



Replies:
Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Aug 17 2017 at 1:00am
Well,

I will say for one thing that I attended the forum at Parks elementary a week or two ago - and I can honestly say that the numbers just don't lie.  There is indeed a housing crisis in our community.

I tried my best to make a point at that meeting - the point being that housing is an issue (and a major issue) but that there can't be a single minded focus on housing - the situation is much deeper than that.

Now - I said that, and Mr. Adkins (who of course knew I wasn't going to sit there without asking questions and giving input) didn't shy away from it - he agreed that there has to be a greater focus on the upgrading of our entire community and not just housing - but he believes that a strong focus on housing stock is one of the prime ways to bring our community standard up.

Oh - Doug, if you are reading this and I am sure you are - I hope I just summarized your comments accurately.  If not - it is what I took away from the conversation.

I think that there's room for improvement in our community in every single category across the board - and I don't think that any solution based solely on housing will be successful.

What I will say is that - my approach from the beginning, and I've said it over and over - jobs first, then most of the rest will fall right into place.  When Middletown people have jobs in the town that are worth staying for and living here for - only then will the community begin to thrive more!  This is purely anecdotal - but the reason that I and my family originally put roots in this town was location.  1/2 way between Cinci and Dayton and a quick easy commute either direction......because even then the schools were bad (didn't have kids then) and the community was declining (AK was beginning its descent) and well - everyone I knew questioned my wanting to live in Middletown!  Then I got a job (Dayton) then another (Cincinnati) and well - there ya go!  Never have worked here....neither has my wife.

We have a community that needs people - and a reason for them to be here.  Let's face it - if you want a place to sleep and be entertained - you don't need Middletown - that's what the whole Liberty area is for.  Those people just wanted out of the city (they still work there for the most part) and love living there.  Frankly, we can't recreate liberty here, but we can be all we can be - and it's going to have to center around jobs.

Yes, housing is an issue - and no one here can deny the west end issues (don't know how to otherwise describe it) and the ensuing media circus that surrounds it doesn't help.  I can't however legally, morally and ethically find a way to make that all work without impinging on peoples property rights and using the law as overreach, so the best thing I can think of is to raise the standard of the entire city by bringing organic wealth through the plethora of jobs this town so desperately need!

Want to fill the coffers?  Won't work with a focus on housing alone - in fact, that will do little to raise city funds.  However - bring jobs, jobs, jobs and more jobs and watch the coffers fill, watch the town be able to do all those things it hasn't been doing and watch as Middletown becomes a destination spot not a desperation spot.

I love Middletown - else I wouldn't be here - but we've got to do more, housing included, but it's not the only nor is it the most effective way to address all the problems.  I want to help, and Lord knows I have offered, but up until now it has only been "there will come a time" and "we'll get to that part" - so I guess time will tell.

Whistlersmom - you know I love ya - but the rhetoric has to stop unless real solutions are going to be given.  In the case of Mr. Adkins at least he has (yet to be revealed) a solution and he at least has a focus.  Let's focus together here on middletownusa.com on solutions instead of slander.  Okay that term was a bit harsh - but I think you understand where I am coming from.  I've said it before - and I'll say it again - until we become of one mind and solution oriented - we'll not get anywhere.

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: dezzyfits
Date Posted: Aug 17 2017 at 3:26pm
I see alot of uplifting stuff in middletown. i guess it just doesnt make it mainstream. Stern Smile heres something i found recently. me and my son did it it was really fun! Thumbs Up

http://middletownrocks.com/" rel="nofollow - http://middletownrocks.com/


[from facebook]
Middletown, Ohio Rocks!
We all know it! The Middletown Rocks group has a mission - To paint, place, and hide rocks for the community to find and enjoy. Too often we are blind to the beauty and good that is hidden in plain sight. These colorful and fun rocks are a reminder and a smile.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/middletownrocks/" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/groups/middletownrocks/


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dez


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 17 2017 at 8:46pm

 Buddha,

Isn’t this forum and topic having to do with news, info and happenings? Did your comment here offer any of those? But there was a blatant (not even thinly veiled) accusation of slander which had absolutely no basis. Only the facts were presented with some admittedly uncomplimentary remarks. Remarks and opinions come under a constitutional right, freedom of expression (which is now being very heavily exercised in the national news).

The comments made in your post were concerned less with news and more with rhetoric coming from the usual opposing sides. There is an eagerness to express your opinion at a personal level. Among the rambling personal comments there is agreement with Adkins that housing is a major issue but there’s a failure to mention that Adkins can be quoted (right on his own blog) as being exasperated by people insisting that Middletown needs jobs, industry and business.

The balance of your comments are mere repetition of topics expressed on other forums on this blog.

Your last comment includes the idea that we must all be “of one mind and solution oriented.” What happens if that single mindedness is misdirected into narrow mindedness that promotes a misguided direction that fails to provide a solution but continues and compounds the problems? Isn’t that what’s been happening for years in Middletown? Focusing on the wrong things over and over gets us nowhere.

We do need people who will stand together against continuing the status quo. And we need people who will clean up our over blown rules of government and get back to basics, then present some realistic solutions for our poor condition.





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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 2:42am
Well then, perhaps you should be running for office.  When will you be filing your petitions?  You've only got a few days left.  I'd love to be the first to sign....

For what it's worth - I don't just blow my horn here - all that I have said here have been taken to the top.  You'd be surprised to find that Mr. Adkins isn't really as you describe.  What it boils down to, after speaking with him on multiple occasions, is that he believes that the housing stock is perhaps the one way that he an council actually have some power over and can effectively control - while all the other areas we need to improve are simply not achievable by the stroke of a pen.

If you don't want the status quo - get with it and run for office and get it changed.  But be aware - in the public eye the least of your worries will be little ol' me out here on the forum....imagine this whole board out to get you everyday on everything you say and/or do....

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: dezzyfits
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 7:53am
that is some truth buddhalite Handshake

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dez


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 8:58am
Come on--there is no one here out to "get" anyone.
While not holding anyone completely responsible, many are weary of the level of crime, drug abuse, poverty, filth, economic improvement( living wage jobs and real business recruitment), quality of life retail, dining and entertainment options. Put a struggling academic situation in the mix. Over the last three decades we have watched neighbors to the north, south and east grow far beyond our progress.

Forbes, Reuters, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, HBO etc now use Middletown as the poster child for down and out opiate fueled desperation and economic distress. Are they all wrong? Did MUSA, JD Vance cause these issues, or are they merely starting points for discussion?

Come on bud bob-you are hardly the only person to discuss these things with local leadership--and what have these discussions really accomplished outside of ego massaging??

Small gains are being made, though we have a very long way to go. Reality says that our scholastics, athletics, poverty level and amenities are at the bottom along with outside perception of our community. Outside of the residential housing situation, we have far too many commercial/industrial graveyards that are deteriorating past revitalization.

It is definitely up to all of us to work toward solutions. Face it--council and admin and school board will be the same after November. Can we expect a change of course? I hope so.


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 10:53am
Excellent overview of events as I see it spider.

Sad but has to be accepted that we will not see any real needed change in our next election cycle. Same old song for Middletown. No new idea candidate(s) will take the time to run for election. Not enough time to campaign, job responsibilities, lack of money or thinking they haven't a chance to win I would suspect. History tells us the MMF/city sponsored candidates have it locked up before voting even starts. Gotta keep the inner circle city theme going you know with an endless supply of programmed robotic candidates. Some time worn candidates cycle between council and the school board, but, at times, the same old faces seem to be the only choices......or, not voting at all.   

The past/current crop of leaders and future candidates see the city priorities and theme as:

Downtown focus at all cost while the rest of the city is ignored. Millions of taxpayer money spent for their own selfish wants without taxpayer approval.

The ignorant arts theme for a blue collar city with demographics with absolutely no interest in the arts. A total disconnect from the people. Why?

City projects/property acquisitions done for "friends of the city" only, sometimes with no stipulations at all. Don't ask for city help if you're outside the box.

Exclusion of people who care about the city but are not in the good old boy club. The city leaders will deny this happens but we long timers have seen it in action for years.

Inclusion for people in the city club. Has been rather apparent now hasn't it. Those in charge don't try to hide it.

Council requirements include agreeing on what the pre-conceived plan is in conjunction with the city manager prior to council meetings. No questions asked in council meetings. No need, they already have the plan of action provided to them prior to the meeting. Rubber stamping all that is presented in council meetings. No dissenters allowed.

Acceptance, (but signs of life on dealing with these issues recently) of the current status for the city as to crime rate, drug use, poverty level, poor shopping/entertainment amenities, government assistance programs, substandard job/livable wage selections, "open spaces/desolation/bombed out" areas.

Turn a blind eye to the poor road/infrastructure situation.

Raise taxes/water and sewer rates on residents until they bleed financially. Don't try to soften the blow by getting jobs and companies in here to help pay the city revenue. Naw, wouldn't want to do that. Just beat on the people. It's easier to do.

Claim to be business friendly, then do all they can to drive potential business away......I refer you to the O'Reilly's fiasco downtown with the intrusion of the worthless historical committee being involved. Ridiculous.

The school board as educational city leaders and their inability to change the academic direction of this school district for decades. Same old tune of failure. Same old types of people sitting behind the school board desk with their worthless meetings that accomplish little to nothing as to recognized progress. It is a stalemate as to production from this group. Sure, they succeeded in getting some new schools built but these new schools have produced nothing of value and the district is still a catastrophe. I would suspect that any future school board candidates will be cloned from the current and previous ones. Sad to see, year after year, the lack of quality people participating as school board members.

The people want livable wage jobs and a good selection as well.

The people want decent schools yielding decent progressive results.

The people want decent roads and infrastructure.

The people want a crime reduced, drug free clean city in which to live.

The people want lower taxes and want companies that have the money to take the lead in revenue provision for the city.

The people want shopping selection and entertainment for their families.

The people want a government that is inclusive and is open minded enough to actually listen to what the people want rather than to passify the people by pretending to listen on the surface while not caring at all and doing what THEY want when all is said and done.

I don't see any of the listed items above being done for the people to call any area as meeting the needs of the people.






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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 12:14pm

 Buddha,

Again, you are in the wrong forum and topic … but here you are … so

Reference to your claimed personal encounters with “the top” (as you describe Mr Adkins) looks suspiciously like a ploy to defend his failed policies.

Contrary to your opinion, Mr Adkins and council actually do have all the power and control over all the issues. That’s the problem! Their focus on housing (a non-issue) calls attention away from the fact that they are ignoring all the real problems, most of which they, themselves, have created. Specifically, what has Mr Adkins done during his tenure as Director of Revitalization or City Manager to improve Middletown? The exact opposite comes to mind as follows: Failure of PAC, Cincinnati State etc., to revitalize downtown; Failure to maintain infrastructure; Losing our best amenities – Weatherwax Golf Course, Sebald Park etc.; Losing value of and revenue from major real estate give aways or $1 sales to favored insiders … ad nauseum. And the current administration seems to care less about our protests and is hoping that we will tire of repeating the same old criticism of the same old mistakes.

Admission of failure is a bitter pill. It’s not an easy thing to do. But learning from your mistakes is much better than continuing to make the same mistakes over and over. The current administration’s denial of our condition is another major fault.

Spider and VietVet, … you have hit the nail on the head with your comment! Sadly, those of us who share your views have failed to effect any changes through the ballot box. Few potential candidates are thick skinned enough to withstand being attacked by the powers that be. The few who have succeeded in being elected to council were publicly, unmercifully and unjustly criticized into submission and finally quit their council seat in the next election. Hope for change in the current administration is very thin. We should be organizing to file recall petitions and also present new candidates for the next election. If we don’t start NOW the next election will have the same old results.

Agreed Buddha … Mr Adkins has not revealed the contents or goal of his five year plan. We are almost three years into this unknown plan wih NO POSITIVE RESULTS. Dougie can leave Middletown high, dry and bankrupt to pursue greener pastures and use his “experience” as City Manager on his resume.  



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 2:00pm
SmileAugust 18,2017

Candice Keller, our Ohio State Representative from Middletown, made The Journal’s front page news!

Her salient comments show an ability to use common sense in a knee jerk world of political correctness.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 5:38pm
whistlersmom:

"We should be organizing to file recall petitions and also present new candidates for the next election."

Council and school board recalls.......might as well attempt to purge the school board while we purge the council.

Need to go to the Board of Elections, pick up some recall forms, enlist interested people to take them around town for signatures. Need 10% of the registered voters to qualify the recall lists. Get the required recall number to meet (and some extras just in case) from the elections board I guess.

At the same time, we need some committed candidates starting with two right now for council I believe. Need some school board member candidate participants as well.

Who will initiate the activity? Been proposed off and on on this forum for years now. Nothing to date has happened.

I could take some recall petitions around the northeast part of town for a start. Can't be as active as I would like to be being confined to the house taking care of my wife but could enlist my son to watch her at various times to procure signatures. Someone want to make the trip to Hamilton for the forms? Others want to take the forms around town to have signed? Need people from all areas of town on this.

Anyone know a pool of good solid people who want change and have knowledge of the city issues to discuss competently to offer as candidates? A good political organizer familiar with getting people elected would help.

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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Aug 18 2017 at 5:46pm
Originally posted by whistlersmom whistlersmom wrote:

SmileAugust 18,2017
<p style="margin-top: 0.04in; margin-bottom: 0.04in; line-height: 150%">
Candice Keller, our Ohio State Representative from Middletown, made
The Journal’s front page news!


<p align="left" style="margin-top: 0.04in; margin-bottom: 0.04in; line-height: 150%">
Her salient comments show an ability to use common sense in a knee
jerk world of political correctness.





Seems like a common sense, straight shooting, tell it like it is, no nonsense person. I voted for her and every time I read what she has to say, I feel I made the right choice. A refreshing approach from the dam politically correct, kinder/gentler nonsense prevalent in today's screwed-up society. Why do we listen to the minority numbers and cower down as a majority while we cower in the corner? Intimidation is alive and well and the irony is that the minority numbers are doing the intimidating in a democratic society. How is that happening? Ridiculous.

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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 24 2017 at 9:05pm

There is some new “buzz” about solar energy. Lots of technical advancement/improvements are being made. Government grant money is still available for solar energy installation.


Some old news:

Did you know that the city of Middletown received grant money for construction of a new solar energy powered city garage years ago? The state of the art system was installed but was never used – never even tried out!!! Excuse: Maybe no one in the city knew how to use it! What a farce!! Isn’t that committing fraud on the Federal Government? – accepting grant money and then not following through with the intended purpose of the funding? Middletown could have been on the cutting edge – an example of a forward looking, savvy city.

In addition to that, the entire system has disappeared!!! That’s a lot of expensive equipment! Did Council authorize its removal? Was it trashed? Or did it “go somewhere”? Somebody must know. Removal of that size system could not go unnoticed. If it did go unnoticed that certainly demonstrates some fancy behind the scenes shenanigan.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 27 2017 at 10:52pm

 The Journal News has published on Saturday August 26, 2017 in the legal notices that $201,359 of CDBG FUNDS have been requested by Butler County to be released to Middletown for DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

This could be cause for celebration but only if the funds are actually used for their intended purpose and for people who need the assistance. The citizens have no way of knowing to whom those funds go or for what and how many properties. Maybe the city should be publishing in the Journal News legal notices exactly where and how government grants and funds are spent.



The Journal News has published in the Sunday August 27, 2017 notice of two public hearings by the City of Middletown Planning Commission, concerning the property at I-75 and route 122 and Union Road.  A zoning change from Business Center Hub to Business Center Office is being considered on behalf of Kettering Health Network. This does not appear to be a major zoning change ...  the difference between Hub and Office. Must be another trivial bureaucratic hoop; just one more way Middletown discourages businesses and jobs that might locate in Middletown. Acceptance of an enterprise of this size and desirability should be streamlined and encouraged, not held back and delayed. The entire zoning system needs to be repealed and replaced with the basics that will eliminate the need for approval by four or five redundant bureaucracies.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Aug 28 2017 at 1:04am
Whistler'sMom -

Thank you for sharing recent Middletown Journal-News information regarding the city's HUD funding legal notice and Planning Commission public hearing notice.

Most MUSA participants aren't familiar with this topic, but, the subject 8-26-17 legal notice pertains to the HUD Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program and funds customarily requested from what was known as the Hamilton-Middletown Consortium (Cities of Hamilton plus Middletown).

As recently as mid-2008, the city received $400,000+ annually and provided assistance to 60+ new first-time home owners over the prior 12 months.  However, things were drastically changed beginning in March 2009.  Now, the city receives about $200,000 annually and the administration of the Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Program was farmed out to a Hamilton-based non-profit organization.  It's thought that the number of new first-time home buyers assisted annually is about 50% of 2008 figures.  And, roughly $200,000 of HOME Program funds formerly received annually by the city are now allocated to other Butler County townships, etc.

Because of major changes in CDBG and HOME Programs funding allocation priorities since my departure, not only has the Down Payment/Closing Cost activity been restructured, but, the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program was terminated outright.  These actions were necessary to provide for much costlier housing code enforcement administrative staffing, etc.

I hope that this newest trip down HUD lane clarifies things.  I''m also hopeful that Mr. Adkins would be amenable in providing a simple database and legible/easily viewable program activity location map depicting the specific locations of Down Payment/Closing Cost recipient homes.


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Aug 28 2017 at 9:49am
Additionally, about 2010 or 2011, Mr. Adkins sought/received HUD designation for the entirety of the city to become a low- to moderate-income municipality.  This permitted first-time buyer households of all incomes to be eligible regardless of financial need.  Previously, only first-time buyers with incomes at or below 80% area median were HUD eligible to apply for/receive secondary financing.

It should also be noted that Community Development Division staff once administered twice-monthly Home Buyer Education Classes held at One Donham Plaza.  During the last year of my tenure, 300+ prospective first-time home buyers successfully completed this HUD-approved eight hour curriculum.  Now, the current city administration has also farmed out this formerly successful, high impact endeavor to a Hamilton-based non-profit organization.  No information is available as to the number of annual class attendees or the location(s) of said classes.

The elimination of the former "target areas" Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program, the dramatic reduction in Down Payment & Closing Cost assistance (DPA) funding, the significant decline in Emergency Home Repair funding, the transference of Home Buyer Education classes and DPA program administration to a Hamilton-based non-profit have had a colossal negative impact on Middletown's most vulnerable neighborhoods situated mostly in former Ward 2 and Ward 1 areas.

I maintain that city Community Development priorities, policies, plans and programs promulgated since March 2009 have accelerated housing problems within Middletown.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 28 2017 at 11:00am

Thanks to Analytical we are better informed about the misuse of government funds. Quote from his last post:

Because of major changes in CDBG and HOME Programs funding allocation priorities since my departure, not only has the Down Payment/Closing Cost activity been restructured, but, the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program was terminated outright.  These actions were necessary to provide for much costlier housing code enforcement administrative staffing, etc.”

Maybe all the funds went to administrative costs to pay inspectors to abuse owner-occupants who are seniors having difficulty keeping their property up to city requirements. Owner-occupancy is admittedly at an all time low. But Council seems determined to stay the course of paying for “administration” and “inspectors” of a program which will no longer benefit the intended people or may cease to exist due to lack insufficient funds (drained by administrative cost). Leave no doubt, misuse of funds has worsened the conditions they were intended to help.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Aug 29 2017 at 2:10pm
Besides the current CDBG itemized administrative budget provided below, Vivian Moon recently queried as to what happened to the $250,000+/- computer software program and hardware(?) that Mr. Adkins purchased for the Section 8 Program a few years back?  Was it sold or given to Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority (BMHA) when the city relinquished all Section 8 Program administrative duties?

Additionally, it wasn't too long ago that Mr. Adkins GLOATED that there were only 850+ Section 8 Program units out of 1662 situated within Middletown city limits.  When repeatedly questioned on this BOLD STATEMENT, he said that this was the number given to him by BMHA and that he was tired of talking about this subject.

I must remind Mr. Adkins and MUSA participants that as recently as 2008, I obtained from C.O.N.S.O.C. a database of all Section 8 Program properties including property addresses and landlord names.  This was forwarded by me to Judy Gilleland, Major Mark Hoffman, Les Landen and Marty Kohler.

With this being said, and with Mr. Adkins having lavishly spent HUD funds for a all-world Section 8 Program database, are we to assume that he has no record of current Section 8 Program properties within the city limits?  Are we also to assume that BMHA would not maintain said database following the transfer?  Are we to believe that BMHA would NOT PROVIDE said database to Mr. Adkins since?

One more time, how can anyone explain the reduction of 1,600+ subsidized rental units to 860+ recently?  Comments publicly made immediately following the transfer to BMHA never PREPOSTEROUSLY BOASTED of such a huge reduction in numbers of properties as was the case earlier this year.  So far, Mr. Adkins has remained shielded due to the blind support of One Donham Abbey loyalists, thereby avoiding serious confrontation .

Now is not the time for exaggerated claims and baseless promises.  Middletown is a troubled community that requires well-planned, cost-effective and transparent solutions.


Originally Posted by Analytical: Mar 05 2017 at 1:25pm
               STRAIGHT FROM  ONE DONHAM ABBEY

The workbook for next week's City Council meeting includes the city staff proposed
budget for the 2017-18 CDBG Annual Action Plan.  Of the $670,261 provided to the
city by HUD, $474,397 (70% plus) will be spent for administrative purposes (Rehab
Program Delivery, Code Enforcement and Administration).

Emergency Repair Assistance - $50,000
Rehab Program Delivery - $15,000
Fair Housing (H.O.M.E.) - $5,000
Legal Aid of Southwest Ohio, LLC - $15,000
Community Center - $41,000
Senior Center - $46,000
Code Enforcement - $330,345
Demolition - $38,864
Administration - $129,052 (Estimated)
TOTAL = $670,261

For some reason, the workbook does not mention the amount of HUD funds to be
received for the 2017-18 HOME Program, NSP program income, etc.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 29 2017 at 8:41pm
 Agree, Analytical!  And Iwant to add:

Mr Adkins “erroneously” stated that there was a fortuitous reduction in Middletown’s Section 8 vouchers. He was reporting only the vouchers under the Butler County/Middletown program (895 vouchers) and ignoring the Warren County/Middletown program (767 vouchers). There was no change/reduction in the total number of Middletown’s 1662 vouchers (but perhaps an attempt to manipulate the facts and figures to his advantage). 


Adkins knows just what he's doing ... twisting the facts.





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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Aug 29 2017 at 11:34pm
SpiderJohn, VietVet, swohio75, Whistler'sMom, Vivian Moon, etc. -

It seems that last year's property taxes for the vacant/deteriorating Manchester Inn, due and payable by the 8-3-2017 deadline, remain $7,000 in arrears.  Recent car trips by the Goetz Tower show no signs of re-construction activity.  Nothing is new to report on the status of the re-construction of the Rose Furniture and Sonshine Building properties.  The Strand Theatre remains a large, highly visible eyesore on Central Avenue.  And, I dare not mention other stalled and not-yet-started so-called "former downtown" projects as SpriderJohn would say.

Over the years there's been so much blustering about the above "former downtown" revitalization projects and how good things were just around the corner.  The only question today remains, what's taking so long?  Middletown citizens deserve some straight talk.


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Aug 30 2017 at 10:52am
There seem to be so many pertinent questions to ask City Council candidates regarding the "former downtown" projects, neighborhood housing priorities and policies, economic development activities and jobs actually created.  It appears that the responses of Joe Mulligan and Dora Bronston would be of greatest interest.  It would be useful for other candidates, those who've never served on City Council, to voice their opinions, evaluations and potential changes.

How informative it would also be for other current City Council members to offer their individual opinions as to the direction that One Donham Abbey senior staff have taken over the past 8.5 years relative to community development.  It seems unlikely that any of these four "representatives of the citizens" would be willing to speak out.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 30 2017 at 10:11pm

 Thumbs UpWay to go Monroe for landing Amazon and 1000 new jobs!!!!

Middletown could have been the location of choice for similar business and industry ventures.

If only the acres of property adjacent to I 75 had not been foolishly zoned as high-end residential.

Business and industry continues to build up at interchanges all along the I 75 corridor close to Middletown. Commerce likes locations with quick easy access to major highways. Cry But our Council decided to zone our commercial appropriate, interchange acreage as residential. What were they thinking? … Oh, they weren’t thinking. There are plenty of other more appropriate locations for housing. Besides, who would want to live adjacent to a noisy highway.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 31 2017 at 8:19pm

From the Journal News August 31, 2017 Section B State and Local

PUBLIC SAFETY

Another suspicious fire at ‘eye sore’

Middletown firefighters called to fire in abandoned building.

By Lauren Pack
Staff Writer

" rel="nofollow -

- - This abandoned building at 3310 Tytus Ave., the site of a suspicious fire Tuesday, has been the site of several fires over the past few months.

- - RICK MCCRABB/ STAFF

- - - Middletown firefighters were called Tuesday to the abandoned building at 3310 Tytus Ave. and found a fire inside.

- - “ - There was a small fire. A pile of stuff on fire inside,” said Middletown Fire Chief Paul Lolli.

- - “ - It is fair to say the fire was suspicious,” Lolli said.

- - - However, Lolli said the “eye sore” is still accessible to people.

- - - It appeared someone could have entered the building, according to firefighters.

- - - Kidd said the electricity to the building has been turned off for at least four years and he did not have insurance on the building.Kidd indicated he had many issues over the years with people and stealing items and vandalizing the property, according to the report.

- - - - M - i - ddletown city officials did not respond to this newspaper’s requests about the status of the building.

- - .



When the fire department arrived at 3310 Tytus Avenue, the location of a “suspicious fire”, the front of the building was totally secured and boarded up. The gate through the 8 foot fence surrounding the property had been secured with a heavy chain and padlock until June 20 when the fire dept informed the owner, Nick Kidd, that they had cut the chain earlier that day to check on smoke coming from behind the building.

 The owner has had to secure the fence repeatedly, due to vandals and thieves who continue to operate in the area. This time, the fire department was responsible for leaving the fence, and therefore the rear of the building, unsecured. In the article, fire chief, Lolli admits that upon arrival they were aware that the gate was unsecured and there was easy access to the rear of the building. So, why did they completely demolish all the boarded-up, intact heavy aluminum and half-inch thick plate glass doors on the front of the building for a small fire, easily accessible in one end of the back of building?

The building became an eyesore because the city tagged it to be torn down nearly four years ago, Nov 5, 2013. At that time, Kidd was having serious heart surgery, but his business was still in operation there. Reason for condemning the building was various and unclear according to the notice placed on the building. Then later, the city claimed not to have the money to pay for the demolition. Kidd’s attorneys consulted the city about making any required repairs and saving the building, but the city would not agree. The condition of the building did, then, deteriorate because repairing a condemned building is a senseless expense. Again the city is responsible for that.

Because the city had placed demolition notice on the front of the building, Middletown’s booming population of section 8 housing, drug addicts and thieves went to work on vandalizing or taking the equipment and supplies and anything else of value that they could haul away. This resulted in the total loss of Kidd’s business and commercial property. At that time the police dispatch phone number was answered with a recording … and even if you stayed on the phone all day long you never got an answer to a call about the thievery and vandalism. So police did not respond to Kidd’s numerous problems with break-ins. In today’s article the fire chief, Lolli, said this fire was suspicious. There was no indication of how the small interior fire was discovered.

Isn’t it interesting that according to the article, the city doesn’t want to reveal to the Journal News the true status of the building? It might also reveal that the city condemned the building, then failed to carry through on the intention to tear it down, leaving it vulnerable over a period of years to vandals and thieves. The owner has not had commercial use of the building for years but all along has been billed for full commercial property taxes and out of his own pocket, paid to keep the building secured. The city turned off the water to the building but billed him for storm water sewer charges when no storm sewer ever existed there. When $1000 of charges were not paid, the city illegally transferred those charges to Kidd’s home address next door. When he did not pay that bogus bill, the city shut off the water to his home. If that is not abuse, what is? The owner ceased to pay the exorbitant property taxes on his building which was scheduled to be torn down. He was notified approximately a year ago that the property would go up for sheriff’s sale for non-payment of taxes.

I sent a copy of this post to Lauren Pack’s email address offering her the opportunity to report the rest of the story … an opposing view point … but she required more information instead of verifying the presented facts on her own. Perhaps she was instructed to do so. She is only a staff writer. Haven’t heard anything more from her. So much for unbiased reporting.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Sep 01 2017 at 1:21pm
There's so much to be learned (and valued) from the community betterment endeavors of other municipalities comparable to Middletown.  Information is power.  There's more than one way to skin an apple.  Idea sharing can enlighten and empower citizens.

Middletown is at a crossroads in terms of priorities, policies, plans and programs.  Job creation/economic development, older areas property re-investment, downtown/other commercial rejuvenation and home ownership promotion are major issues and opportunities.  Senior city staff and elected officials need to be more receptive to fresh ideas and new, more productive/cost-effective solutions.

MUSA participants can and should have a meaningful role in the hoped for re-birth of Middletown.   This opportunity is at your disposal.


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Sep 02 2017 at 10:33am
Monroe's Successful Economic Development Efforts To Provide Potential New Job Opportunities For Middletown's Residents

E-retail giant Amazon is planning a new fulfillment center in Monroe that could create 1,000 jobs.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority moved Wednesday to approve a 10-year tax credit for the company, which would create more than $26.7 million in payroll in Warren County. The 10-year tax incentive would be worth close to $3.8 million if  http://companies.bizjournals.com/profile/amazon/101412/" rel="nofollow - Amazon  creates the jobs promised. The company's new building will cost $30 million.

The state has not immediately identified a location for the new center, but several sites there are being marketed as ready for development. IDI Gazeley has several large sites in the Park North development, along Gateway Boulevard, including two that could support a distribution center of up to 1.2 million square feet. That site has already recently won several major distribution hubs.
The state says it's hopeful Amazon will top its jobs commitment, as has been the case with its two standing hubs in Columbus. Jobs are expected to be created through the end of 2020, state documents show.

"The proposed project is competitive with multiple states in the Midwest and would result in significant job growth and capital investment," according to a memo from Ohio Development Services Agency. "The company is key employer in state and has been very successful in over-performing its commitments."
Amazon officials have not responded to requests for additional details on the new facility.

A JobsOhio spokesperson said it will continue to work with the company on the project, noting it's not a done deal and there are still steps to take before the company fully commits to the center. REDI Cincinnati, the economic development group that oversees development in Greater Cincinnati, also confirmed it was working with Amazon.

"The tax credit is an important step in the project and we continue to work closely with the companies as well as state and local partners to move it forward," JobsOhio spokesperson Matt Engelhart said.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Sep 02 2017 at 11:41am

The Channel 9 NEWS reported this morning that restrooms of Middletown’s McDonalds on Verity Parkway are now locked.


Due to the numerous overdoses occurring in the restrooms, there is access only upon request.


Mr Adkins’ discussions and summits concerning the drug epidemic in Middletown seems to have had no positive effect.

Action speaks louder than words. What action has been taken by the city??


Here’s one place that the police department could closely monitor to advantage! The mere show of presence of law enforcement would be a deterent.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Sep 02 2017 at 11:38pm
I am really confused here.  Anytime that someone on this board talks about the drug problems in our fair city - everyone wants to point at the police - as if the Police could somehow do more or be more proactive or whatever....

Let's get something straight.  Police work is 90% reactive - and 10% proactive.  Middletown's Finest are some of the best in the world - and I thank them for their dedication, devotion and protection.  I pray for them everyday.  I hold them in the highest esteem.  Furthermore, Mr. Adkins is trying his best to shed light on it, fund it, do anything he can to stop it - but it's not really in his bag o' tricks....

But - I don't blame them for the drug problem.  I don't believe they have a magic bullet that will fix the problem.  I don't blame anyone but the criminals themselves for the problem.

For starters - arrests for drugs this year are up 55%!  That's INCREDIBLE!  That's great police work......but.....

Look the laws of supply and demand are at work here.  I'll borrow a phrase from Mr. Adkins (and don't even try to imply I'm kissing butt here....you know who you are) that "we imported poverty into our city" (in reference to the whole Section 8 debacle) and that precipitated the entire falling apart of certain sections of town that are now riddled with poverty, joblessness, crime and drugs.  That's just the facts.

Now - until you kill the demand - you won't kill the supply. 

I don't really see how the police can help this - and with the light sentences most of these people get (often because the dealers carry as little product as possible so the sentences are lighter) even arresting more and more doesn't have the affect that stopping the demand could ever have.

I stand by our police.  I stand by Chief Muterspaw (even if from behind he kinda looks like Doug Adkins - and FWIW, don't embarrass your self by calling him that.....lol) and his men and women who keep us safe everyday.

It's a shame what has happened to our town - but the people are the problem, not our police.

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Sep 03 2017 at 4:36am
Please consider the impact of the following priorities, policies, plans and programs as they relate to the amount of criminal activity (including drug distribution, usage, etc.) in Middletown over recent years:

1)  the "alleged" major reduction of Section 8 units "within the city limits" over the past two or less years;
2)  the "mega demolition" of hundreds of residential dwellings in older neighborhoods over the past six years;
3)  the tax levy passage that facilitated the "hiring of more police officers" in recent years; and,
4)  the increased allocation of CDBG funds to institute a "major expansion of code enforcement actions" citywide.

Are there successful initiatives being implemented in other municipalities nationwide that should be considered for replication in Middletown?  Are there valid reasons for additional city revenues to be earmarked to help combat these debilitating issues?

It's acknowledged that the City Manager, Police Chief and the city as a whole have a formidable task ahead of them.


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Sep 03 2017 at 7:45am
Contrary to the preceding post, please consider the impact of the past 8.5 years and the de-emphasis of neighborhood stabilizing activities in Middletown's older and/or otherwise vulnerable/declining neighborhoods:

1)  the "elimination" of the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation (OOHR) Program ;
2)  the "diversion" of the $500,000+ OOHR revolving loan fund to the mostly residential property demolition effort;
3)  the "80% reduction" in funds for the elderly, handicapped home owner Emergency Home Repair (EHR) Program;
4)  the "50% reduction" in funds for the first-time home buyer Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program; and,
5)  the "elimination" of prospective purchaser Home Buyer Education (HBE) classes held at One Donham Plaza.

NOTE:  The city farmed out first-time purchaser HOME Program funds (administration and loan capital) for the Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance Program to a Hamilton-based non-profit entity.  As recently as 2008 more than 60 new home purchasers were assisted annually.  In addition, the city has also farmed out the administration of HBE classes to said Hamilton-based non-profit organization.  Again, as recently as 2008, about 300 prospective home buyers were assisted annually.

Strengthening neighborhoods housing quality and percentage of owner-occupancy must once again be a priority of the City of Middletown.  These attainable tools will help combat crime/drug usage while bolstering personal responsibility and sustainability of property pride.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Sep 03 2017 at 4:26pm

The heroin epidemic in Middletown is now considered front page news in the Sunday Journal.

QUOTE:

LOCAL COMPANIES Heroin epidemic strains businesses

Butler firms take steps to prevent overdoses from occurring on site.

By Rick McCrabb and Mike Rutledge
Staff Writers

One of the doors at the McDonald’s restaurant on Verity Parkway in Middletown has been made into an exit only to help curb drug traffic through the business. GREG LYNCH PHOTOS/ STAF

The MidPointe Library in Middletown has removed the doors to its restrooms, which has helped curb drug use at the facility.

The McDonald’s restaurant on Verity Parkway has taken several steps to help prevent addicts from overdosing on the property, including an “exit only” sign. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

BUTLER COUNTY — The heroin epidemic, which already is straining public safety budgets, now is changing how some local businesses operate.

Several local businesses have taken measures to reduce the possibility of patrons overdosing on their property.

The McDonald’s restaurant on Verity Parkway in Middletown has issued remote buttons that allows cashiers to unlock the restrooms for their customers and the entrance door closest to the restrooms is marked “exit only.”

A manager at the Middletown McDonald’s said he couldn’t comment about the new safety steps.

The corporate office, in an email, wrote: “The safety and well-being of customers and employees is our top priority, and we have taken appropriate measures to ensure a positive experience while in our restaurant.”

In the first eight months of this year, Middletown police have filed 49 reports at the Verity McDonald’s, five more than the entire 2016, according to police records reviewed by this newspaper.

This year’s reports include 10 drug complaints and five overdoses. Some of those complaints have been for illegal activity inside the restaurant, while most have occurred in the parking lot, according to the records.

Rick Pearce, president of the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, said he understands the issues facing businesses and organizations that are open to the public.

While it is sad that businesses that deal with the general public have to go to such measures to ensure the safety of their customers and employees, I do feel that the community at large understands why they have moved in that direction,” Pearce said.

Middletown police also said they have been notified that other local fast-food restaurants and retail stores have locked their public restrooms as a way to keep illegal activity from occurring.

Rodney Muterspaw, Middletown’s police chief, said he believes addicts use drugs in public places so they can be found in case they overdose. If they overdose at home, he said, someone may not find them before they can be revived.

He noted that overdoses are down 25 percent in the city in the last three months.

Middletown Fire Chief Paul Lolli said more than in public restrooms, his department is seeing an increase in overdoses in parking lots, including convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, even churches. Drivers also have overdosed while stopped at intersections, he said.

Lolli said he often wonders what’s happening in a public restroom.

My gosh, who’s in your bathroom now,” he said.

He said security “is a problem” for business owners.

It’s a concern,” he added.

Middletown resident Anne Gilmore, 34, said whenever she takes her three children, ages 5, 7 and 11, to a public place — a restaurant, library or amusement park — she’s hesitant sending her children into the restroom alone. She closely monitors how long her children are in the restroom and if anyone enters or leaves.

You can’t be too careful,” said Gilmore, who added when she was a child her parents were worried about her getting abducted by a stranger.

Now, as parents we’re worried about people overdosing in front of our kids. This is a different world we’re living in,” she said.

Georgia Thorton, 73, of Hamilton, agreed.

It’s hard to feel safe anywhere,” she said while downtown. “People get on (heroin) and you don’t know what they will do.”

The entrance doors to the men’s and women’s restrooms at MidPointe Library’s Middletown branch have been removed, but that was based on the architect’s recommendation because it made the rooms more handicap-accessible, said Cari Hillman, public relations director at the library.

She also noted the library, 125 S. Broad St., has trained staff and off-duty Middletown police officers to ensure every effort is made to keep the library safe.

Some restrooms in Hamilton have been closed due to drug usage.

The first-floor restrooms on the city’s side of the Government Services Center were closed because of drugs and public indecency, said Hamilton Director of Public Safety Scott Scrimizzi. People are directed to the second-floor bathrooms, which are near the court security checkpoints on both sides of the building, he said.

Access to the first-floor restrooms on the county’s side of the building has also been limited, according to Butler County Asset Director Randy Quisenberry. Those restrooms are open during business hours when there is an event scheduled.

The Butler County Juvenile Justice Center has been a “substantial drop” in vandalism after the county spent $38,000 to fix the destruction in the first-floor restrooms three years ago, said Tim Myers, Information & Administrative Services Manager.

He said the bathrooms feature material and finishes that are difficult to vandalize and he credited surveillance cameras and more patrolling for the drop in illegal activity.

In the past, people had trashed the bathrooms ripping a mirror off a wall in the men’s bathroom, graffiti decorated the stalls and walls, counter tops were cracked, and sinks flooded, officials said.

One Hamilton business owner recently spoke to City Council about the illegal activity outside her business at the corner of South Edgewood Avenue and Commerce Street.

Darleena Thenot, who owns Edgewood Denture, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, said she realizes Hamilton has “an extreme problem, but something has to be done.”

She told council: “I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Thenot was overcome with emotion talking about the illegal drug activity she sees in areas of the city..

I work hard,” she said. “My husband works hard. I don’t want to see our business going down because of these issues.”

She’s cleaned up vomit near her business and people have urinated on nearby buildings, she said.

Thenot said she wasn’t putting the police “down.” She said her father is a retired Hamilton police officer and her brother recently retired from the Butler County Sheriff ’s Office.

It’s everywhere,” she said of the drugs.

I don’t have time for any of this, but I’m willing to make time to see what we can do for the area,” she told council.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Sep 03 2017 at 4:27pm

 The Journal News article reveals a lot about cause, effect, consequences and reaction to the drug epidemic in Middletown and Hamilton.


Overall gist of the article appears to point out the continual necessity for businesses and public places to increase or implement new measures to combat the increasing drug epidemic and high crime.


And our City Manager still doesn’t see that the city’s concentration on housing (a non-issue) isn’t going to solve the real problems under which our citizens suffer. Who would want to move here and pay market value for a home in a community with rampant drug problems, high crime, no amenities, poor school academics, no shopping and crumbling infrastructure.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Sep 14 2017 at 12:23am

Here’s some slightly stale but very pertinent news plus some interesting back ground information:

Let’s compare the cost of 3 new schools in Fairfield with Middletown’s new schools. First, read this Journal News report on Fairfield:

FAIRFIELD 3 new schools begin classes in Fairfield 10,000 students attend first day; $80M construction project is complete.

By Michael D. Clark
Staff Writer

BY THE NUMBERS

$80M Fairfield City Schools construction project price tag to build a new Freshman School and two new elementary schools — Central and Compass

10,000 The number of students who started classes in Fairfield Schools on Tuesday. About 20 percent of those students began learning in the new schools.

1929 The year the former Central Elementary building opened. The school was demolished this summer.

FAIRFIELD — It was an opening of a historic new chapter Tuesday morning in Fairfield City Schools as students began classes for the first time in three new school buildings. Thousands of students poured into the Butler County city school system’s new Freshman School and two new elementaries — Central and Compass — all part of an $80 million construction project years in the making.
In all, 10,000 students started classes and school officials said the first part of the first day went off without any significant problems. The opening school day excitement had youngsters in Central Elementary — and their parents — wide-eyed with excitement.

Fairfield school parent Amber Shope had two children attend the antiquated former Central Elementary building, which opened in 1929 and was demolished this summer. Neither she nor her children miss it. They are very excited and had trouble falling asleep last night,” said Shope after dropping her children off at the new Central Elementary.

They were pretty much running into the new building. They love the new building,” she said. “It is a major change compared to the old Central. It is a major upgrade and the rooms are a lot bigger.” Fairfield Schools Superintendent Billy Smith said it was a special kind of first day of classes for students, parents and all city residents.

Our community could not be more excited. They have been waiting for today all summer long,” said Smith. And longer when it comes to construction — two years — and a decade in planning, said Fairfield Board of Education Vice President Michael Berding as he greeted students. It’s a whole new learning environment and we’re excited for the kids,” said Berding.

While the district is now one of the few in the history of Southwest Ohio school systems to simultaneously open three new schools — Hamilton Schools did the same about a decade ago — the new buildings are just part of the sweeping changes for the city schools.

The district’s 10 schools have also changed grades offered in buildings, which impacts thousands of other students.

And the public will get a chance to see what their tax money bought — they approved a school tax hike in 2014 for the new schools — at dedication ceremonies and tours being offered this weekend.

Dedication ceremonies — with public tours to follow — at each school will take place Saturday at:9 a.m. at the Freshman School, 8790 North Gilmore Road11:30 a.m. at Compass Elementary, 8801 Holden Blvd.1 p.m. at Central Elementary, 5054 Dixie Highway

Inside the new Fairfield Freshman School, Makylah Taylor, was seeing her new building for the first time and was thrilled. I like how our classrooms are spread out by hallways and wings,” she said of the airy, expansively designed school featuring multi-story wings of classes. It’s really pretty and I really love the colors,” said Taylor as she paused before making her way to her first class.

A quote from Middletown’s report to Moodys’Rating Service Sept 25, 2014, reveals an expensive plan. “Approximate $165 million Master Plan from 2003; ….current use of proceeds for remaining CFAP monies to be used to finalize relocation of middle school and improvements to high school….”


Now compare planning and expenditures of Middletown and Fairfield school boards.


Fairfield spent a total $80 million on a new middle school plus 2 new elementary schools. Fairfield has a similar number of school buildings (10) for a larger total city student body of 10,000 housed in 3 new, and 7 other well maintained or renovated older buildings, some of which were advantageously re-purposed to house different grade levels. It appears that they have demolished only one building since the tax hike in 2014.


Currently Middletown’s school buildings (numbering 11,soon to be 10) cost twice as much or more than Fairfield’s, for Middletown’s dwindling student body of 6,000 (down from a maximum 6,600 in 2010-11).

Middletown tax payers approved a $75 million school levy for replacing two or three buildings. For this levy, the state gave “matching” funds specifically for building new schools. The $ amount of the matching funds is unknown, at least some research has not found it. The next levy for $96 million was to build the new middle school and renovate the high school. So our school buildings’ total cost in millions is $75+$96+$? state matching funds=$171+?. It’s a shame that a true total can not be quoted.


It seems the extra state funding befuddled the school board. The matching funds could have been used to reduce our high tax rate by lowering the amount of the next $96 million levy for the new middle school plus renovating the high school. But the school board decided to change their original plan of renovating more of the newer elementary schools. Instead, Middletown has built 6 new elementary schools, remodeled 2 and has unnecessarily torn down relatively new buildings along with some older renovated, well maintained buildings. Verity School, a newer well maintained building with several acres, was unnecessarily abandoned and eventually sold to Berachah Church (and put to good use) for $200,000+.


Cost savings should be important to a city so deeply in debt. The savings might have amounted to tens of millions of dollars that could have gone to much better use. This amounts to a lot of unnecessary spending on buildings that have yet to improve the quality of the students’ education which still ranks among the lowest in the state. High taxes and low academic rating describes a sick perverted system on its way to committing suicide.

Middletown has 11 schools, 8 elementary, 2 middle (to be replaced with 1 new building), and 1 high school. The eight elementary are:

6 Newly Constructed: Rosa Parks 2007, Highview 2007, Creekview 2007, Wildwood 2008, Miller Ridge 2008 and Mayfield 2008.

2 Remodeled: Amanda in 2006 and Central Academy in 2008.


The Manchester Tech School was turned over to Butler Tech purportedly to run Middletown’s Tech School for them. But Butler Tech found it more expedient to send all the tech students to their main campus on Route 4, leaving the Manchester Tech building unused. This resulted in Middletown citizens paying property taxes to Butler Tech (it’s listed on your property tax statement) while continuing to pay taxes for Middletown’s own Tech School. The new taxes being paid to Butler Tech were never voted on by Middletown residents, so according to our charter, that tax is illegal. Now the school board wants to tear down Manchester Tech after installing new AC, replacing the roof and maintaining the building after Butler Tech gave it back to Middletown. There went a lot of wasted tax dollars!


Middletown school board does seem much more interested in passing levies and collecting money than in educating the children of Middletown. Price was the choice candidate for superintendent because he had gotten two levies passed at his previous school system. Was there ANY consideration given to how he would improve our poor academic rating? When Price was asked about school performance he claimed that 

Middletown schools were near the top in the state when in fact Middletown was rated 

599 out of 612 school districts. Test results dropped every year during Price’s tenure.


The sole purpose of the school system is to provide our children the opportunity to get 

the best possible education. The apparent dismal failure to do so, after going to such 

extreme expense to the tax payer is INEXCUSABLE !



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Sep 19 2017 at 6:19pm

 A Journal News’ 9/19/2017 report by Ed Richter, titled “Middletown’s anti-OD work hailed” is more propaganda probably dictated, as usual, by Mr Adkins.


The Journal article about the 11th Heroin Summit says:

“Three months after some dire predictions were made, the number of heroin overdose runs and deaths have declined.” . . . .

Through May 31, the city has experienced 451 nonfatal overdoses and 49 fatal overdoses, according to city records. During 2016, there were 458 overdoses in the city and 74 fatal overdoses.”

Adkins said those numbers have gone down from June 1 through Sept. 16 with 303 nonfatal overdoses and 16 fatal overdoses recorded.”

Note there is no comparison made with the TOTAL numbers from All of 2016 and 9.5 months of 2017.

Because of the arbitrary division of 2017 into 2 periods in 2 different paragraphs, comparison is difficult to make between 2016 and 2017 numbers of overdoses. It’s seems purposely done to create confusion.

Here are the numbers put back in order.


9.5 months in of 2017 Nonfatal OD’s 754 (451 thru May+303 June-Sept 6) Fatal OD’s 65

All 12 months of 2016 Nonfatal OD’s 458 Fatal OD’s 74


Now you can see the dramatic increase over the past 9.5 months of 2017 ... the total number of nonfatal overdoses was 754 (or 79 every month) compared to ALL 12 months of 2016 the total number of nonfatal overdoses was 458 (or 38 every month). The 9+ month, 2017 numbers of nonfatal OD’s is nearly double the 12 month, 2016 numbers. NOT A GOOD RECORD, and it belies the false impression of improvement Mr Adkins gives by juggling and jumbling the numbers.

The opening line of the article, stated above, should say that the dire predictions were on point.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: middletownscouter
Date Posted: Sep 20 2017 at 11:03am
The assumption in that article is coming from a limited view of the data and isn't really well explained.  Math is math, but interpretation of numbers can be skewed easily to paint the picture that one wants while being technically correct but not a true representation of the entire story.

All of 2016 (365 days) had 458 non-lethal and 74 lethal for a total of 532 overdoses.  That's an average of 1.3 non-lethal and 0.2 lethal per day (or 1.5 total overdoses per day).

Per-day average is what is important because that's where you can get a more accurate representation when you're comparing performance based on unequal date ranges.

For the first five months of 2017 (151 days), there are 451 non-lethal and 49 lethal for a total of 500 overdoses.  That's an average of 3.0 non-lethal and 0.3 lethal per day (or 3.3 total overdoses per day).  That's a per day average increase of 60% for lethal OD's and 138% for non-lethal OD's (127% combined) compared to all of 2016.  

For the second time period of June 1 through September 16 (108 days), there are 303 non-lethal and 16 lethal for a total of 319 overdoses.  That's an average of 2.8 non-lethal and 0.1 lethal per day (or 3.0 total overdoses per day).  That shows a decrease from the first 5 months of the year on a per-day average of 54% for lethal and 6% for non-lethal OD's (11% overall).  This performance is where the claim of a decline can be based.

Taking that rate of decline and projecting it out through the end of the year (which is a very simple guess that takes no factors into account but the published numbers), the last 106 days of the year should result in 279 additional non-lethal and 7 lethal overdoses (287 total).  Adding it all up would then be for a year end 2017 of 1,033 non-lethal and 72 lethal overdoses (1,106 total).  Average per day would be 2.8 non-lethal, and 0.2 lethal, or (3.0 total overdoses per day).  Comparing that projection for year end 2017 versus actual 2016 would result in an increase of 126% for non-lethal overdoses, a decrease of 3% for lethal overdoses, for a 108% overall increase over 2016.  Which in the end is still over double the total, with the only decrease being a slight slide in lethal overdoses.

The claim of a decline could be more in the rest of 2017 has been better than the first five months.  Which is true.  If you took the same rates of the first five months of 2017 and projected it out for the entire year, there would be 1,090 non-lethal and 119 lethal overdoses for a total of 1,209 OD's.  So the decline for June through mid-September projecting out means that a year-end 2017 should see 57 fewer non-lethal and 46 fewer lethal overdoses (104 total fewer). 

So maybe the article should be framed more along the lines of "It's going to be bad, but not as bad as it looked like it would be at the end of May, so there's that."


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 20 2017 at 12:10pm
For me, all of the number crunching are for statisticians. Bottom line, it's bad here in town and another black eye for the community. I'm looking at the overdose situation from a source/treatment/pay for services/what are some solutions standpoint. We know that Adkins and company have been meeting at Atrium to discuss solutions but I have yet to hear a viable course of action. A lot to time spent "talking" about it, but no action to my knowledge.

The number reporting are a result of the overabundant overdose activity. The numbers mean nothing as to solving the issues.

1. Who are the drug dealers who supply the pipeline to Middletown?
Get 'em off the streets and make it too hard to deal in the city. Come down hard on these disgusting "humans". Take their money, their car and house and their freedom. Muterspaw has it right on this subject but it needs to be enforced in a hard nosed manner making it so difficult with too much to lose for the dealers, they won't come back here. Is that doable for Muterspaw and still work within the framework of the law? Can we write our own Middletown law that would be enough of a deterrent?

2.Before a person takes their drugs, they know there is a possibility of OD'ing. Have they prepared for their OD by purchasing Narcan? Do they have a reliable person to administer after the OD? If not, why not? If they haven't prepared accordingly, then they set themselves up to die. If they care that little about their own life, why is it any concern of the taxpayer? Why should the taxpayer buy the supply of Narcan carried by police, medics and fire personnel? It should be funded by the user entirely and the user should be charged the medic run, ambulance usage, emergency room charge and any accompanying treatment done. Charge their insurance company. No insurance, pay out of pocket if they have a job or garnish their welfare benefits if no job) NOT the taxpayer's responsibility.

3. If they use in a restaurant bathroom, fine them for illegal trespassing, make it MANDATORY that they attend a "drug dry out/weening" program on the first time and if they don't, throw them in jail for a certain time. No drugs for them in jail so let them "crave" the hard way.

4. I happen to agree with Picard and others. I don't believe the city and the taxpayer should be responsible to take care of those in our city who choose to use. THEIR decision and one that is not our problem to fix. No more than a one time response from our medics. That's it. We should not condone nor cater to multiple, repeat offenders on drug usage. If we do, it will be an endless cycle of reviving these weak-minded people. Gotta draw the line in the sand somewhere. Make it one time and then they are on their own. Stop listening to the humanity riddled/bleeding hearts out there who want to save people who refuse to act right in society, want a continual bailout and take no responsibility for their actions. The coddling crap must end or we have no chance of regaining control of society ever again. There must be deterrents in place to deter unacceptable behavior.   

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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Sep 20 2017 at 2:17pm
"For me, all of the number crunching are for statisticians. Bottom line, it's bad here in town and another black eye for the community. "

VietVet, come on now.  This is indeed a black eye to our community - however - things seem to be heading in the right direction - give credit where and when it is due - we owe that to the hard working men and women who police our streets everyday.

As far as the law goes - let's all come to an understanding that the police can't just roll down the street and arrest a bunch of people.  That's not how our law enforcement system works!  Our system demands probable cause and/or a warrant.  Those all mean that the police don't have carte blanche - it has to be caught and or snitched then a process has to be followed and many of these dealers are street wise.  Lt. Cunningham shared at a meeting one night that the dealers only carry a certain amount so the penalties are lighter should they get caught and are back in 90 days on the streets selling again.

FWIW - I agree with everything else you said.  It needs to be codified that if you OD in Middletown - the taxpayer isn't going to take the hit for your poor choices!

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 20 2017 at 2:54pm
budda:

"VietVet, come on now. This is indeed a black eye to our community - however - things seem to be heading in the right direction - give credit where and when it is due - we owe that to the hard working men and women who police our streets everyday"

The numbers are too high. The cost for Narcan too high. Police ranks on the street are stretched too thin and no time to police other crimes as they seem to be responding to too many OD's. Overtime costs for the city to police the extra criminal activity. I am on the cops side. I know that they are doing all they can within the confines of the laws as they are written. My message was more about giving them more power to enforce stricter laws and changing the city laws (if possible) to reflect a tougher stance on drug dealers and their pipeline. Elect "hanging judges". Inflict longer, harsher sentences and stop being so dam nice to criminals. I suggested the laws be made so rough on dealer offenders that they will no longer do business in the city. I don't know whether the city has the latitude of changing certain aspects of a law to make it more than effective on keeping the dealers out. If it needs to be stopped at the supplier who supplies the dealers, perhaps that is the starting point. That would require a regional meeting rather than a localized Atrium one. Where ever the supply point is to the dealers to cut their supply off. Nothing to sell, no money to make, the dealers leave the area. Probably impossible to do given all the loopholes. Don't know. Any packages arriving by truck company or airport should be checked against a known list of dealers in the area, the package is held and the cops are notified. Maybe like a "no fly/ suspected terrorist" list that airports have.

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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Sep 20 2017 at 3:57pm
Viet,

You are right - the numbers are too high and the law isn't harsh enough - but we still have a system in place in our country where people are innocent until proven guilty.  There's a giant system in place that for the innocents' sake should never be circumvented.  And hanging judges are great until it's one of your family members that have to face said judge...and I'm no legal scholar, but some of what you are describing I believe violates the 4th amendment?  

I agree with your sentiments - but when these folks find work that pays enough to survive without turning to criminality - I think a majority of the problem will go away.  I just believe that supply and demand is more to blame here than the dealers themselves....if there's a demand, you'll never kill the supplier.

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Sep 21 2017 at 10:56am
Buddha:

"but we still have a system in place in our country where people are innocent until proven guilty"

If this is so, then why are people locked up before they go to trial? Why are they arrested and jailed if presumed innocent?

IMO, this is a statement that we all hear often but is counter to what really occurs in the sequence of arrested-jailed-prosecuted-found guilty or innocent-jailed or freed. The way the legal system handles things is more like "people are presumed guilty until proven innocent and released". People are not presumed to be innocent. They have to prove their innocence and are treated as guilty until that happens.   

Buddha:

"And hanging judges are great until it's one of your family members that have to face said judge"

Haven't had that situation with the family but I would be inclined to support the judge if a family member violated the law. I'm not a "make a special exception because they are a family member" type of person. More of a "rules are rules" type and if you violate the rules, you must pay the price. It is the only way to maintain a structured standard with no exceptions and I'm all for that. There must be a deterrent for law violators, stringent enough to make them change the behavior and distasteful enough for them not to repeat. That requires harsher laws, lose the kinder/gentler/forgiving nonsense and hanging judges. We need more hard nosed than compassion now. Compassion and repeated forgiveness is what has gotten us to the way society is now and that ain't good.

Buddha:

"but when these folks find work that pays enough to survive without turning to criminality"

There will always be lazy scumbags who will not work in legitimate jobs and will always resort to selling drugs for income. You can offer as many high paying big money jobs you want but there will always be people who will reject them in favor of drug dealing. Providing jobs will not eliminate crime unless everyone wants to do legitimate work for a living and we all know that won't happen.   

buddha:

"just believe that supply and demand is more to blame here than the dealers themselves....if there's a demand, you'll never kill the supplier"

Eliminate the supply, starve the heroin pipeline. No heroin selection source, no choice to use. People either kick the habit, find an alternative or die. No other choice.


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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 02 2017 at 9:03am

Premier Health had a full page ad in Sunday 10/1/17, Journal News, defending Atrium Medical Center against the possibility of competition from the proposed new Kettering Medical facility. They really must feel very threatened!!

First, a little background … When Premier built Atrium, they insisted, unnecessarily, that the Middletown Regional Hospital be demolished (perhaps insuring that they would have no competition). City Council agreed to this. The new hospital has approximately half the number of beds that the old hospital had. So Middletown lost half the capacity for local hospital patients.

Basically, all the rooms at Atrium are private, for which Atrium charges a higher rate than surrounding hospitals. Since lower priced semi-private rooms are not available, all the patients pay a premium price. But, some major health insurance companies, like United Healthcare, will not agree to pay the private room, higher rate. Looks like Atrium has priced itself out of business. Before admitting some patients whose insurance may not cover the hospital bill, Atrium has demanded they sign a statement that they will be personally responsible for payment of their care. Also, some insurance companies have informed people who live in this area that they do not think the outcome of care at Atrium meets their standards. What’s worse is, some city employees are insured by United Healthcare!! So, all of those city employees must go out of town for in-hospital care. For example, the accident involving Detective Justin Camper. He was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton for treatment!

Now Mr Uhl, president of Atrium, has taken out a full page ad to whine about having some “healthy” competition which will not present the previously mentioned problems for patients. Those problems were created by Atrium itself. Middletown is paying for their poor judgement. Kettering would supply sorely needed, much better insured coverage, locally, which Atrium obviously can not.

When will Middletown City Council get it’s head out of … the sand and make decisions for the good of the citizens? 



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 05 2017 at 9:15pm

“Atrium Days removes barriers in Middletown” headlines the article in the Journal News Thurs. 10/5/17 by Rick McCrabb.

Michael Uhl, President of Atrium, appears to have taken the initiative to better serve Middletown and to improve relations between Atrium and the community. Even at this late date any and all much needed efforts are appreciated and hopefully will be sustained and quickly recognized and used by those in the community who need it the most. Kudos, Mr Uhl !

Some people may think that your new found generosity toward the community has something to do with the vote, by council, on the zoning for Kettering Medical. Does the timing for this thoughtful move seem suspiciously fortuitous? But we can hope that it’s truly out the goodness of your heart and concern for the welfare of Middletown citizens that the numerous serious needs for services is finally being taken into consideration. Even so, the problem with the hospital’s inability to serve people with insurance which does not recognize Atrium, has not been addressed. Also, the services being offered by Atrium thru already established agencies, are only advisory and “will offer referrals for emergency assistance and eventually, referrals for health care services” (but to where those referrals will be directed is not stated).

The following is a quote which appears on Mr Adkins’ blog with comments in parentheses and :

Going outside of hospital walls to bring health information (not services?!) to people in the community is just one example (what other examples are there?) of how Premier Health and Atrium Medical Center strives to improve access to services (does not say provide additional services!) with key partners,” said Michael Uhl, president of Atrium Medical Center. “Atrium Days is an opportunity for community members to meet our staff, ask questions about their health or about the hospital’s services (services which Atrium may not be able to provide), and walk away with health tips from our different subject matter experts.”(but walk away with no real services provided?)

In other words, Atrium Days is an opportunity to listen to an infomercial for Atrium Medical Center.

Why hasn’t the new multimillion dollar, Middletown Health Center, on Verity Parkway been included in this partnership group? They, along with all the other agencies are already providing essential services to the community and not just talking about.

The real partnership here seems to be between Adkins and Uhl for the purpose of squelching any competition for Atrium, thereby limiting growth, jobs and healthcare for Middletown citizens.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 09 2017 at 8:47am


The Sunday Journal News, October 8, 2017 contained and presented multiple sides and view points concerning the Kettering Medical Facility’s rezoning request.


Mr Adkins has repeatedly pulled this item from council agenda over the last month or so. The reason for this? … might be Mr Adkins’ method of conducting and controlling city business while, by his own admission, circumventing the Sunshine Law (which was addressed on this forum and on Mr Adkins own blog in February of 2017).


Quote from the City Manager’s Blog titled “City Council Deliberations” and dated February 17, 2017:

“My policy has always been that City Council can ask anything about anything on the agenda up until Tuesday night.  On Tuesday night, I want them to come to Council with all of their questions answered and with a full understanding of what I want them to vote on.  The only question Tuesday night should generally be whether or not to pass the legislation presented.  They should fully understand what we are proposing and why we believe it is in the best interest of the city to pass the requested legislation.


“If there is a serious problem with what I have proposed, generally it would have been raised by City Council two weeks ago when I first told them what was coming on the agenda.  At that point, we can either answers questions and provide information sufficient to resolve their concerns, or we can pull the items from the agenda before we finalize the meeting because City Council is not ready to move forward with whatever the issue is in its current form.”


“So theoretically, Tuesday is a pretty mundane experience.  All questions previously and completely answered.  All information previously provided. City Council makes a fully understood and educated decision on each piece of legislation.”

To sum it up, Mr Adkins will “pull items from the agenda” until “City Council makes a fully understood and educated decision” … the desired decision that Mr Adkins has dictated. And there will be no deliberations since the vote has been predetermined out of public view, thereby circumventing Sunshine Laws.

In the instance of Kettering Medical Facility rezoning, perhaps Mr Adkins has not sufficiently ‘educated’ the council to vote (as he wants) against the rezoning, thus the delay.

But this delay may have backfired! Kettering Health Network placed a “cover sleeve” on the Sunday paper titled “Health Care … How It Should Be” which thoroughly explains why Middletown needs Kettering Medical’s full service, comprehensive care facility. By way of comparison, Premier/Atrium’s defensive duplicate full page ads appear even more “whiny.” Unbelievably, they try to claim that another medical facility will not create jobs and may even do the opposite. Seems the fear of competition for their high cost ,below standard services (according to United Healthcare) has perverted their ability to think logically.

In addition, there is a front page article which addresses healthcare costs; specifically the dispute between United Healthcare and Premier/Atrium that exposes numerous serious problems (of Atrium’s own creation) that are the real reasons for Atrium’s ‘failure to thrive’ and inability to compete.





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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Oct 09 2017 at 3:55pm
Whistler's Mom:

Please note that you just summed up what I have said numerous times (and even previously in this very topic you challenged me over this) that Mr. Adkins view of the world is that there's NEVER any discussion about ANYTHING ever supposed to happen at a council meeting - and that if there is discussion then he didn't do his job and that council should fire him. And that's an exact quote.

He feels that he's supposed to work everything behind the scenes and that it just goes for a 100% vote during the council meetings.  Now - he'll tell you it doesn't violate the sunshine laws and that's how it goes everywhere...and that he's the strong man in the organization by charter (that part is correct) and council are just approving sheep.

Well - let's talk about this for a moment.

1. Maybe this doesn't exactly violate the sunshine law, by rote, but it SURE DOES VIOLATE THE LAW IN SPIRIT!  The spirit behind the sunshine laws was to promote the inner-workings of the decision making to the people to ensure that the public can hold any/all public officials accountable for their indiscretions, cronyism, no-bid contracts, incessant back-scratching and the proverbial smoke filled rooms.  Well - that's exactly what we have in this city - a giant smoke filled room at One Donham and it must be stopped.  Now, I will say that no member of this council has ever refused to take criticism, comments or attempts to change their votes...but we also have no purview into the decision making process at all.  I thought we had made some headway on that dog park issue (at least there was the previously forbidden DISCUSSION) but then Moon made his comment and the rubber stamp came flying.  This all violates the intent of the sunshine law - and just flat stinks if you're a taxpaying citizen.

2. I plan on, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, to be at this next meeting regardless if the Kettering debacle is on the agenda or not - one, because I have some things to say and two, well, it has to be said in terms that these people understand.  And the more people come to speak about it - the better - because it's going to take ALOT of citizens actively voicing their opinions on this to change the outcome.

3. This Kettering issue I firmly believe is a landmark issue for this city.  Either this council is going to promote a pro-growth agenda for this city - or Middletown is finished.  I firmly believe the key to keeping this city in tact, addressing the issues, cleaning the place up and filling the city coffers is linked directly to this deal.  We don't get this - we won't get anything else....remember to at least one of our beloved candidates the whole east end is just an 'amenity' - which makes me believe she's just another downtowner who is gonna waste even more of our dollars on a dog that just don't hunt.

4.  Never mind, carpal tunnel won't let me type anymore - but this council has a chance right here and now to put Adkins in his place by forcing the override of the commission veto and showing some muscle and showing their desire to see this city progress.  If they don't - we lose - and we may lose it all.

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 09 2017 at 9:06pm

The front page Journal News article on October 8,2017, regarding “Healthcare Costs” deserves close scrutiny! Here are some excerpts in black followed by comments in red.



Unless a deal is reached soon between UnitedHealthcare and Premier Health, thousands of people with Medicare plans through the insurer will soon have to decide whether they want to switch insurance companies or health care providers next year.

Does council really think that Atrium will win this battle opposing the largest healthcare insurers in the U.S.? Does council understand that Atrium’s services are overpriced and under performing?

That leaves many Medicare recipients with a dilemma. Medicare open enrollment period starts Oct. 15. and runs until Dec. 7. With the two parties saying their negotiations remain far apart, the 4,000 Medicare Advantage members with UnitedHealthcare that use Premier Health are faced with choosing a new doctor or a new insurance company.

You can get a new doctor affiliated with a competent (and less expensive) hospital and keep good insurance or go to Atrium Hospital and ? insurance (which will not be United Healthcare or Anthem since both have unsolved problems with Premier).

The dispute centers around the giant insurer’s plan to rank hospitals and doctors in tiers based on cost and quality, with the goal of incentivizing lower health care costs.

Premier opposes the ranking system, which it says is already steering patients away from its hospitals and providers.

Our bottom line is off millions per month by this,” Duncan said.

Premier (Atrium) opposes being ranked by cost and quality! Isn’t that a surprise? Does Atrium really think losing United Healthcare patients (especially the large number of patients who are insured under medicare) would help their bottom line?

Although early data indicates that about 45 percent of the ER volume it normally gets from UnitedHealthcare-covered patients is staying with them, the remaining 55 percent appears to be going to other providers, he said.

Patients with health benefit plans that are part of the UnitedHealthcare tiering system have lower co-payments if they choose doctors from a group ranked “tier 1,” which includes physicians the insurer considers cost-efficient.

Premier officials say the ranking system doesn’t take into account expenses the hospital system has for offering specialized care such as its Level 1 trauma center, high-risk maternity care, and burn care. The cost data used by UnitedHealthcare to determine its tiers is skewed by these higher-end services, according to Premier.

Isn’t cost-efficient care described as the best care for the money? Atrium isn’t a Level 1 trauma center, it is a Level 3, the lowest trauma level in this area (look it up on the current rankings on the web). Can you explain how United Healthcare’s use of cost and quality to determine its tiers is at all unfair to Premier (Atrium)? They are just dealing with the facts!

All of Premier’s proposals maintain its position as one of the most expensive health systems in Ohio while also demanding local businesses be restricted from offering competitive benefits that put consumer choice first and allow workers to be rewarded for choosing quality, cost-efficient care providers,” it stated.

Is Middletown’s council going to allow Premier (Atrium) to continue without any competition? Is council, once again, going to support their buddies to the detriment of the citizens of Middletown, by limiting the citizens to high cost and poor quality healthcare?

Premier officials dispute the data used by United-Healthcare, calling it “incomplete and misleading.” They also say it doesn’t account for the unique services that Premier provides and the high number of Medicaid patients that it treats at a financial loss to the health provider.

Medicaid does not pay the full cost of care, it says, so the system must either absorb a $50 million loss on its books or cost-shift from elsewhere to cover the difference.

It’s our high-priced, high-cost, very specialized services that are driving our prices up,” said Duncan.

Does Premier (Atrium) think that they are the only hospital serving Medicaid patients? Isn’t Mr. Duncan, Premier’s chief financial officer, right when he says “It’s our high-priced, high-cost, … services that are driving our prices up?

In one example that Duncan described as a typical visit, a UnitedHealthcare patient arrived at the emergency room and received a $4,000 bill. Withholding the name of the patient, he said UnitedHealthcare designated the full bill to the patient.

From May, when the contract expired, to August, Premier saw roughly 1,100 similar UnitedHealthcare emergency room cases, Duncan said.

Do the ‘unique services’ that Atrium touts include billing a United Healthcare patient $4000 for an emergency room visit? The statement Atrium made here, about this patient, doesn’t tell whether they left with or without having received any services. If memory serves, this patient’s experience was reported as NOT receiving services but was charged for ‘arriving’ in (being admitted to?) the emergency room. Mr Duncan described this as a ‘typical’ visit to Atrium’s emergency room!!! and he said there were 1100 similar emergency room cases!!! IF all of those cases were charged $4000 that would be $4,400,000 … a lot of money for NOT performing any services IF all 1100 were like Mr Duncan’s ‘typical’ example.

Premier CEO Mary Boosalis said “from a pure humanitarian point of view,” she’d like to forgive the patients’ bills because they are stuck in the middle of something they can’t control. But, she said, that would be a slippery slope that would not only be prohibitively expensive, but also eventually lead to insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Anthem not being motivated to negotiate with Premier.

Does it really sound like Premier is motivated to negotiate with United Healthcare and Anthem ? And vice versa! Atrium has created it’s own untenable slippery slope for which they will try to blame everyone except themselves. The patients will bear the brunt of high costs if Atrium can successfully stick it to them. Don’t see anything ‘humanitarian’ about that!

Mr Adkins advocates that city council should not allow Kettering Health Network to provide healthy competition for Premier (Atrium) which would indirectly amount to the city providing Atrium financial support. Something doesn’t smell right. Council, you were elected to serve the citizens of Middletown not protect Atrium from competition!



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 9:37am
Originally posted by whistlersmom whistlersmom wrote:

Mr Adkins has repeatedly pulled this item from council agenda over the last month or so. The reason for this? … might be Mr Adkins’ method of conducting and controlling city business while, by his own admission, circumventing the Sunshine Law (which was addressed on this forum and on Mr Adkins own blog in February of 2017).


What proof do you have that his has pulled this item?  I'm calling this out as BS unless you can provide proof other than / hearsay. 

The last time there was a zoning change for property on Yankee Rd, it was approved by Planning Commission at the Dec 2016 meeting and not heard in a Public Hearing at City Council until their Feb 7, 2017.

Because the Kettering case is involves rezoning, it will require a Public Hearing at Council. Public Hearings are required to be advertised in advance so many days.

This is likely why it has not a appeared on the City Council agenda at this point.  I would anticipate it at this next Oct meeting. 


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 12:23pm
This is a very interesting and controversial situation.

How can Council/Admin deny Kettering to do what the area was designed to be? Was Atrium promised exclusive along with free property?
They continue to deny health coverage to a large % of necessary plans, so shouldn't the citizens be protected by another similar service that actually accepts their health coverage? Won't this make both entities compete for clients by lowering health costs/rates??

Help me out here swohio!


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 2:10pm
Spider- Actually - There are two areas of the city that are zoned for hospitals with beds.  1.) The land that Atrium/ Premier owns.  2.) The area directly across the street from Atrium (unsure who owns).

That's it.  That's why the Kettering property needs rezoned if they want beds.  It did not need rezoned to do what was originally intended for the site.

With the update to the Zoning code, I don't believe there is a change to this.

Not saying its' right or wrong, just stating the facts.

I have not heard Admin's or Council's position on the Kettering situation.  Just what planning commission determined based on the public hearing and facts.  

Staff's recommendation to planning commission was for APPROVAL. 


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 7:10pm
thanx--good to know
so--shouldn't the emphasis be on whatever provides the most people in the area the most affordable and varied health care options possible during this time of uncertainty?
especially the way that Premiere is trending?
don't see a serious issue to re-zone an adjacent parcel to match, considering the services provided

and for the downtowners and junkies this weekend:

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.21%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wIptH1awUNI?ecver=2" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" width="641" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>



Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 7:17pm
https://youtu.be/wIptH1awUNI


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 8:09pm
As I said, staff's recommendation was for approval.  Assumption is that the City's Planner ran this recommendation up through the chain of command (to Adkins likely) who didn't see an issue with the recommendation.  

The decision is now in Council's hands.  I can't say why Planning Commission denied, because the Admin has decided that Planning Commission meetings are not necessary to record and broadcast on their YouTube channel as had previously been done. 

If I were a sitting council member, I would vote to rezone.  Kettering would not be able to develop a full-fledged institution on the size of parcel they purchased, and there are some serious limitations with that parcel due to its topography, electrical lines, and with much of the land to the south owned by MCS and Grace, not sure there would be enough room to expand.  

Atrium is crying wolf, in my eyes.  It's not a real threat to their business, and the development does serve a population that cannot be served by Atrium due to insurance coverage.  

No brainer to me.  





Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 9:51pm
I've heard that at least four of the five city council members are required to vote in the affirmative if the rezoning request is to pass?  I'm also told that one city council member is steadfast in their opposition to this measure.  What do you or your sources say about this SWOhio75 or SpiderJohn?


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 10 2017 at 11:17pm
lol--I have no sources whatsoever on Council or in Admin


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Oct 11 2017 at 1:03pm
You're way too modest, Steve.


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 11 2017 at 1:25pm
I have no inside understanding of hour Council or Adkins feels on the subject


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 11 2017 at 4:44pm
lol nelson--I might rate slightly above Vet, mom and you, but not sure


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 16 2017 at 1:33am

The Sunday, 10/15/17, Journal News has a new full page ad opposing the zoning change for Kettering Medical. It contains a list of supporters who are mainly doctors and others who are directly dependent on Atrium for a lively hood. In total they are a very small elite group making a desperate attempt to keep Kettering from providing the rest of Middletown’s citizens with an affordable, full service hospital.

We need people to speak up in support of the Kettering Medical Facility rezoning during the Public Hearing at the Council Meeting on Tuesday 10/17/17. This is very important to Middletown if you want a hospital that will accept your insurance and serve your healthcare needs!!!

The “endorsement ad” makes some statements which neglect to tell the “whole truth” on several points and even seems to twist the facts to suit their purpose.

First they claim that the new hospital “stood with Middletown and stayed local.” The truth is … Atrium originally wanted to build out of town, and would have, except Middletown gave Atrium the land east of I75 and sold $195 million in bonds to build the hospital here. After all this generosity, Atrium refused to retain the name, Middletown Hospital, and required that the old hospital be demolished as part of the “deal.” The city of Middletown provided all the infrastructure (water, sewer, storm water sewer and roadway) all free of charge as a bribe to keep the new hospital in Middletown. Kettering Medical is asking for NO FAVORS, NO MONEY and NO HELP from Middletown. Instead they want to CONTRIBUTE TO Middletown … jobs and a full service hospital recognized by major insurance companies.

Next, they claim that when Atrium was built, there was a need for “expansion” (larger capacity?) of the hospital. The whole truth is … the old Middletown Hospital which Atrium replaced had about twice the number of beds in the new section (and probably 4 times the number of beds if you include the old section of the Middletown Hospital). Thus the expansion was actually a downsizing. And the new hospital proudly promised there would be 1000 new jobs … but the truth is they eliminated 1000 jobs. Now they are contradicting their original claim to need an expanded hospital by claiming that our city is not large enough to support a second hospital. Can’t have it both ways!!!

Next, they claim that Atrium supports local schools, but in truth those local schools receiving Atrium’s support are Franklin/Warren County schools, and NOT Middletown/Butler County schools!!!! The city of Middletown has to pay Franklin school district for the loss of property taxes due to Atrium’s non-profit status. Remember the big fight with Franklin school district about Middletown trying to force students in the area surrounding Atrium north east of the Rte122 and I-75 intersection? The state of Ohio settled that in favor of Franklin and labeled Middletown’s action an attempted money grab.

Atrium, will soon, no longer have an agreement with United Healthcare (and perhaps Anthem) and may not even be in negotiations to come to an agreement. Additionally, United Healthcare has questioned the quality of care and the high prices charged at Atrium. They have sent letters to their insured, advising them to seek new doctors associated with a hospital other than Atrium.

Before being admitted at Atrium, patients whose insurance may not be accepted there, are asked to sign a form stating that they will be personally responsible for paying Atrium’s high priced bill (which also makes the patient responsible for any charges that are over and above what their insurance might pay). Some of those patients could easily be bankrupt by a potentially expensive hospital stay … which could cost $100,000 or so. Seems a bit like extortion.

There are multiple reasons why Atrium has mostly empty beds (poor quality care and high prices, the major ones) and that’s a result of their own short sighted, self-serving mismanagement. Atrium beds are empty because Middletown citizens have found it necessary to go out of town to seek quality care under their insurance plans. They are actually unable to use Atrium. This is the very reason that we need Kettering’s “new beds” that Atrium is so desperate to turn away.

How can Council, in good conscience, justify turning down the zoning change for Kettering?



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 16 2017 at 12:05pm

Journal-News FRONT PAGE Oct. 16 2017:

Hospital’s expansion plans worry Premier”

Premier, Atrium’s parent company, is so worried about having to face stiff, healthy competition that they are pulling out all stops to try keep it at bay!!! What’s really ludicrous about their position is that they say that providing more and better healthcare options for the Middletown community is a bad idea. Maybe it’s a bad idea for Atrium but it’s the best thing that could happen for the Middletown area.

The Journal article barely mentions the fact that Atrium is not able to adequately serve the Middletown area with basic healthcare because they do not accept insurance from the major insurance companies that serve most of the local citizens. They are actually trying to keep Kettering Medical from making a major investment in Middletown, bringing in new jobs and growth. If that presents a problem for Atrium, that’s Atrium’s problem. They might just be forced to provide services equal to the competition and learn to accept insurance!!!

Having healthcare services clustered in the designated Renaissance area was part of the city’s plan for Middletown. Compare it to clustered explosion of growth in competing healthcare facilities in West Chester along I-75!!! Why not Middletown??? If Kettering is able to locally supply Middletown with insured healthcare, patients will be no longer need to leave Middletown to receive care. That means we would retain not lose healthcare dollars in Middletown.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 16 2017 at 12:24pm
Originally posted by whistlersmom whistlersmom wrote:

Next, they claim that when Atrium was built, there was a need for “expansion” (larger capacity?) of the hospital. The whole truth is … the old Middletown Hospital which Atrium replaced had about twice the number of beds in the new section (and probably 4 times the number of beds if you include the old section of the Middletown Hospital). Thus the expansion was actually a downsizing. And the new hospital proudly promised there would be 1000 new jobs … but the truth is they eliminated 1000 jobs. Now they are contradicting their original claim to need an expanded hospital by claiming that our city is not large enough to support a second hospital. Can’t have it both ways!!!

Wrong again.  MRH had 310 beds.  Atrium reports to have 328 beds. I do believe when Atrium came online it had less than 300 beds, but just slightly.  It does appear the number has increased.

I am happy to site my sources...if you would do the same.



Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Oct 16 2017 at 3:25pm
SWOhio75 -

Thanks to the very, very considerable research and inquiry of a respected, long-term MUSA participant, much of what's stated on this blog is derived from city department information, a couple of courageous local elected officials, and the recognition of successful municipal government community revitalization practices happening elsewhere.

There's nothing wrong with encouraging senior city staff to re-assess their questionable priorities, policies, plans and programs to produce the highest/best uses of limited city funds for lasting, cost-effective outcomes.  Many citizens await the oft-proclaimed revitalization of the Goetz Tower, former Rose Furniture Building, former Montgomery Ward Building, vacant land plus the former Woodworking Shop within the 1300 block of Central Avenue plus Vail Avenue, vacant land near the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks (Duncan Oil Deal), former First National Bank Building, etc., etc. 

The latest research indicates that there's only $330,000+ left in the Downtown Fund and $95,000+ in the UDAG fund.  Since CDBG funds are utilized mostly for the city's Code Enforcement activities, that source of investment capital is no longer available.

You might consider speaking with Sam about these matters.


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Oct 16 2017 at 3:38pm
Oooops!  How could I possibly have forgotten to include the Manchester Inn plus the Snider Building to this list of potential projects?  Ermm


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 16 2017 at 4:30pm

I believe that MRH’s newer sections had about 368 rooms, all of which had at least 2 beds and some of which had 3 beds; making the total capacity well over 700 beds! which is more than twice the beds at Atrium!



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 17 2017 at 7:22pm

Has anyone noticed that the entire Atrium/ Kettering matter has ABSOLUTELY NO MENTION AT ALL in the 10/17/17 Journal-News after Kettering abandoned their zoning request yesterday afternoon? (The reason for that might be very interesting!)  Maybe Kettering will be making other plans for a hospital at a nearby location along or near I-75 close to Middletown.  In that case, Atrium and the city of Middletown will be vulnerable to their competition and will probably lose more of the healthcare market share and tax revenue.


Mayor Larry Mulligan deserves major credit for loosing this and other opportunities to improve Middletown’s dire social-economic condition. Mulligan, under the “guidance” of city manager, Doug Adkins, has too often used our taxpayer’s money to the city’s detriment.


A change in leadership on city council will be required in order to attain a fair and honest local government which will represent all of Middletown instead of a select few. If no resignation(s?) is forthcoming, then the time may be ripe for a recall petition. This change, if successful, ought to be followed with the selection of a new city manger who will hold the city’s best interest above his own.


Unless a majority of Middletown’s taxpaying voters come out in support of making necessary changes in our city government, we will suffer many more years of abuse.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 17 2017 at 7:36pm
http://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/" rel="nofollow - https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/


Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 17 2017 at 9:05pm
Originally posted by swohio75 swohio75 wrote:

http://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/" rel="nofollow - https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/



Because we were directed to a supporting site concerning Kettering, and, having read the explanation, does not make it so as told by the city manager. With the lack of truthful, open, honest communication from this city government, it makes it extremely difficult to know what is correct. We are a forum of doubters and for good reason. We do not necessarily believe what is told to us by city hall. We are not that gullible. Some will throw themselves on the sword for the city leaders and believe anything they are told. Most of us are not that foolish.

I still do not know why the city leaders didn't welcome Kettering with open arms unless they were intimidated by Atrium's medical influence in town. Good paying jobs. Possibility of some quality people locating to Middletown instead of the rubbish we seem to attract. The creation of a competitive medical choice situation for the people of this city. The addition of another medical facility along the Union Rd. corridor. A possibility of Kettering Medical offering more diversity for medical procedures, testing and outpatient services. A possibility of people who have insurance that Atrium won't take receiving medical services from Kettering instead, and, of course, the great benefit of more medical facilities close to home that will be used in greater numbers by an aging Baby Boomer population.

No reason what so ever to have denied any Kettering Medical facility proposal IMO. Another blown opportunity by this so-called "business friendly" city. When they can demonstrate just how friendly this town can be, they screw that up too. Seems to me that everything the city building touches, they screw up. Sad to see.   

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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Oct 17 2017 at 11:56pm
I might know what's going on.  That facility they built in Franklin on 73....is an identical footprint to this one.  You wanna bet that Franklin will welcome them with open arms to do literally ANYTHING in their city?  You betcha!  They're smart.  We're.....well our leaders are....not so much.

Once again we lose out to our surrounding communities due to One Donham's arrogance.  When will they realize we've given away the store to Monroe, Franklin, etc.......and start thinking about the real future of this city?

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 11:07am
excellent point bud bob--+ Kettering takes my(and a lot of others') insurance
I will have no problem going there first, and on to Sycamore if necessary
I don't see why council is against this, siding with Atrium vs the large majority of citizens/health care
time for change next month imo!


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 12:01pm
Originally posted by buddhalite buddhalite wrote:

I might know what's going on.  That facility they built in Franklin on 73....is an identical footprint to this one.  You wanna bet that Franklin will welcome them with open arms to do literally ANYTHING in their city?  You betcha!  They're smart.  We're.....well our leaders are....not so much.

Once again we lose out to our surrounding communities due to One Donham's arrogance.  When will they realize we've given away the store to Monroe, Franklin, etc.......and start thinking about the real future of this city?

Bob
The Franklin facility is not on the scale of what's being built in Middletown. The Franklin facility is a $10 million, 12-bed emergency center. It is 12,000 square feet with about 40 employees. 

The Middletown facility is a 67,000-square-foot medical center (5x the size of the Franklin facility)  that will offer a full-service emergency department, outpatient lab and imaging services and medical office building for physician practices. It is also expected to create over 100 jobs.

I am not saying they won't expand in Franklin.  However, their existing property does present challenges from an expansion standpoint.

The good news is this is a large development and a big investment by a company on a dilapidated piece of property in an area that has seen anemic growth at best.  


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 12:08pm
Hmmm.....you may very well be right - but I stand firm that we're gonna lose out to our neighbors to the north and south until this city wakes up!

It's gonna take some of us to rise up run!

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 12:57pm
Originally posted by spiderjohn spiderjohn wrote:

time for change next month imo!
Oh - is that why I saw a couple of Mulligan campaign signs on your front lawn? Wink


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 1:04pm
lol--they pay me for the locations--always take the $$
what is your yard sign rate?


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 1:23pm
No yard signs here. 


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Oct 18 2017 at 3:45pm
SWOhio75, thanks for the Mulligan yard sign sighting.  How ironic?


Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 19 2017 at 11:37am
ironic? hardly--don't read in to this as meaningful
hey politicians--my yard is for sale!

I really like Mrs.Mulligan's thinking towards our school system--I will vote for Todd Moore and her
Council--I have no hope for them--major disappointments imo
I will vote for Ami Vitori and probably one other--maybe Joe since he has to listen to my thinking while we play golf weekly--I like Dora but not a fan of anything Joe or she has done while serving + I want Council to open up discussion at their meetings instead of privately prior. Time could be saved during pre-meeting instead of during meeting, + giving interested citizens more insight in to individuals' leanings and reasoning.

Yes--I am capable of having real constructive friendly conversations with most of these people.
Surprise!


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 20 2017 at 9:56am
Oh Spider- Feel free to support whomever you'd like.  I don't judge. 

Honestly, I am missing Anita Scott Jones these days!

Tal has been a good addition. Ami will make a good addition as well.

 



Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Oct 20 2017 at 11:16pm
If I actually thought I could rent my yard, I would.....that's an interesting thought.  Makes me wish I had a corner lot somewhere....

I'm kinda fence sitting on for whom to vote.....SW, do you care to expound on why Ami would be a good addition?

Bob


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 21 2017 at 11:53am

Journal-News articles of interest concerning Kettering rezoning request … annotated in red:

Middletown planners deny Kettering Health Network’s rezoning request

Ed Richter Staff Writer Wed Sept. 13, 2017

MIDDLETOWN

UPDATE @ 9:14 p.m.: A request by Kettering Health Network to rezone two parcels in Middletown to develop a $30 million outpatient medical facility was unanimously denied by the city planning commission on Wednesday night.

The planning commission rejected the city planning department’s recommendation to approve the request, which would enable KHN to have eight to 20 inpatient beds and offer other hospital services.

The decision followed a 90-minute public hearing that included testimony from representatives of KHN, Atrium Medical Center and Premier Health.

The case will be forwarded Middletown City Council next month to uphold or reverse the planning commission’s decision concerning the two parcels off Ohio 122 at Union Road, less than a mile from the Atrium campus.

Richard Haas, KHN senior vice president, said the organization has spent more than $4 million on the nearly 13.7-acre site to demolish a motel that was filled with asbestos.

Haas, the only person to speak in favor of the request during the public hearing, said the request would allow KHN to admit patients overnight. He also said KHN did not intend to build an entire hospital.

When asked why the request was not made in May, when the planning commission approved the preliminary and final site development plans, Haas said, “it was in the back of our minds” but as the process has evolved, KHN officials decided to seek the rezoning.

Several Atrium representatives cited the 100-year relationship with Middletown, the $300 million investment to build the hospital as well as the city’s previous plans that Atrium would anchor a high-tech and healthcare corridor along Interstate 75.

We were concerned their plan entailed more than what they presented (in May),” said Robert Curry, an Atrium attorney.

Curry said the city’s master and comprehensive plans cited Atrium as the anchor for development and that other businesses would be diversified and complimentary to the hospital. He said KHN’s proposal would be duplicative and ignores the zoning distinctions in the city plans.

The city’s “master plan” authored mainly by Mr Adkins (who has been careful to remain behind the scenes during this controversy), was obviously written with extreme bias for the purpose of protecting Atrium from competition. No government has a legal or ethical right to favor or promote one competing business (of any sort) over another, but, shamefully, this seems a common practice. (Just another nail in the coffin of our democracy!) The restrictive zoning ordinances (if they exist) for the “high-tech and healthcare corridor along I-75” in Middletown’s Renaissance development, were also especially designed to support the desired, established bias with “hair-splitting” requirements for any unwanted competition for Atrium.

Dr. William Andrew said he was “angry” about KHN’s request because they are “someone from outside that’s coming in and hurting the institution that binds us.”

He said KHN’s request was duplicative and unnecessary and said he’d rather see that property be sold to someone else in keeping with the plan.

Andrew called this “a carefully crafted plan that was designed to inflict as much damage to Premier Health.”

Dr. Andrew is angrily accusing KHN of “a carefully crafted plan” while ignoring Middletown’s biased “carefully crafted” zoning ordinances which prevent healthy competition for Atrium. Anti-competition was pre-meditated and applied by the city to the detriment of Middletown citizens.

David Pearce, a former Middletown hospital board member, also cited the 100-year partnership with the city and noted the board’s decision to build the new hospital in Middletown was a way to “pay forward” for the community. He said the zoning was a key pillar to that decision and now that’s coming into question.

Early on, Atrium made every effort to dissociate itself from Middletown Regional Hospital, even demanding MRH’s demolition. Middletown was not Atrium’s first choice location. They agreed to stay only when Middletown gave them the land, provided all infrastructure (no charge) and sold $300 million in bonds for construction. (Does this look like bribery?) What has the community received in return for all these contributions??? Now, count the losses ... poor quality care and Atrium’s subsequent loss of local availability of major insurance coverage. Most of the insured population must go out of town for their healthcare … AK employees? Some city employees? Insured under Medicare supplement and so on! Due to this loss of market-share, Atrium/Premier is in a “fiscal pickle” of their own making!! Now they are falsely claiming that Atrium is an extension and continuation of MRH’s good reputation and 100 years of service to the community. REALLY?? Do you believe that Atrium’s supposed “partnership with the city” puts the best interest of the community above Atrium’s own? The people of Middletown do not owe them anything and it’s high time that city hall, Mr Adkins and city council recognize the fact.

Pearce also said a decision to approve the request would be fraught with “a number of unintended consequences.”

Michael Uhl, Atrium’s president, said Atrium gives a lot to the city in terms of contributions as well as a number of services and programs that benefit and support the community as well as bringing new partners to the city.

Planning commission member Todd Moore asked whether there was a maximum of eight beds approved for the request.

Michael Maiberger, Premier Health’s chief operating officer, said, “it would be a game-changer if overnight stays were allowed…. If that happened, we’d have to look at everything…. We don’t fear competition but when you have duplicative services, it will be hurtful.”

All their complaining and protest only serves to prove that their greatest fear is the competition which they are calling “duplicative services” that “will be hurtful.” Premier’s CEO, Michael Maiberger, claims (fears?) that “it would be a game-changer if overnight stays were allowed” and in the next sentence he says they don’t fear competition!?!? Which is it Mr Maiberger? True, it may be hurtful to Atrium but it would benefit the majority of Middletown’s citizens who must go out of town to get healthcare that Atrium can not provide!! This is in direct conflict with basic fair trade business practices in the USA. It screams an invitation to corruption!!!



UPDATE @ 12:35 p.m.

Middletown city officials said Kettering Health Network they were unaware of any plans to expand a proposed 63,000 square-foot facility from a planned outpatient clinic with an emergency department, diagnostic services and offices into a full-service hospital.

This was not in the plans that Kettering had shared with us initially,” said Jennifer Ekey, city economic development director. “Our first knowledge was when they made the application.”

Kettering representatives filed the rezoning request on Aug. 18 and the city received a letter dated Aug. 23 from Richard Haas, KHN senior vice president, informing them of their plans concerning the rezoning, according to city planning department records.

Ekey did not think KHN was adding more employees as the structure remains the same as approved before.

She said Atrium was notified as were the other property owners in the area through the city’s normal notification process.

UPDATE (Sept. 13):

Atrium Medical Center officials will be attending tonight’s Middletown Planning Commission meeting to share their concerns about a proposed project by Kettering Health Network, according to an Atrium spokesperson.

Michael Uhl, president of Atrium Medical Center, expressed concerns about Kettering Health Network’s rezoning request to build a full hospital in Middletown, about one mile from Atrium.

“… we share the same concerns of many others in the community regarding the impact overbuilding may have on rising health care costs,” Uhl said in a statement.

http://www.journal-news.com/news/middletown-approves-plans-for-new-30m-medical-facility/Np9fa1En0jiUEV3JZxIWfI/" rel="nofollow - - y

When the planning commission approved variances for Kettering Health Network’s first plans in May, City Planner Ashley Combs said the Law Department had no objections to the project.

Combs said that the city worked closely with Kettering Health Network throughout the process.

Staff believes this project will be a great addition to the East End,” Combs said in May.

Kettering Middletown’s preliminary and final development plans as approved in May were expected to create 110 new jobs, including registered nurses, respiratory therapists, imaging and lab technicians and support staff.

The city staff planning department, I believe, has no authority to make decisions for the city, but their recommendation was originally FOR REZONING for Kettering. An apparent insider, swohio75, posted the following quote on MUSA, giving an (informed?) opinion explaining the probable chain of events beginning with staff at city hall ...

Oct. 10, 2017

As I said, staff's recommendation was for approval.  Assumption is that the City's Planner ran this recommendation up through the chain of command (to Adkins likely) who didn't see an issue with the recommendation.  

The decision is now in Council's hands.  I can't say why Planning Commission denied, because the Admin has decided that Planning Commission meetings are not necessary to record and broadcast on their YouTube channel as had previously been done. 


If I were a sitting council member, I would vote to rezone.  Kettering would not be able to develop a full-fledged institution on the size of parcel they purchased, and there are some serious limitations with that parcel due to its topography, electrical lines, and with much of the land to the south owned by MCS and Grace, not sure there would be enough room to expand.  

Atrium is crying wolf, in my eyes.  It's not a real threat to their business, and the development does serve a population that cannot be served by Atrium due to insurance coverage.  


No brainer to me.”  



Take note of the underlined sentence above that says “Admin has found it unnecessary to record and broadcast on YouTube” the Planning Commission meetings. That, in effect puts a shroud over more city business decision making processes and further violates the Sunshine Laws.



FIRST REPORT (SEPT. 12)

Kettering Health Network wants to rezone its site in Middletown to allow for a full-service hospital, this news outlet has learned.

The rezoning would allow Kettering Health Network to provide overnight stays for patients and other hospital-based services, according to the request.

Middletown Planning Commission will consider the request at its meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Middletown City Building.

Kettering Health Network received approval May 10 from the Middletown Planning Commission to build a $30 million facility that included only an emergency department, outpatient clinic, and medical offices at the 3400 block of Union Road, south of Ohio 122 and just off the Interstate 75 interchange.

The Middletown facility will be the ninth hospital in the Kettering Health Network system, which also includes Fort Hamilton Hospital in Butler County, as well as an emergency center in Franklin, Kettering College and more than 120 outpatient facilities in southwest Ohio.

The new Kettering Health Network facility is planned less than one mile south of Atrium Medical Center, a hospital operated by Premier Health.

The underlined quote above should be considered a half truth. The rezoning request was to allow Kettering to provide overnight service for 8 to 20 beds which, by way of comparison to Atrium’s 300+ beds, does not a full service hospital make!! Atrium/Premier is intimidated by even this minimal competition!! Had the rezoning been approved, Atrium might have been forced to negotiate insurance contracts and actually provide healthcare to the community.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 21 2017 at 11:57am

The following comments made on the digital Journal News are overwhelmingly in favor of KHN. But these and other opposing viewpoints are routinely well hidden or ignored and the opposition is never interviewed nor has an opportunity to have an opposing opinion published.

29 comments

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10203841290827959" rel="nofollow - Susan Hayes Christia n https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10203841290827959" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

As a former Atrium employee ( & MRH pre-Atrium, 1994-2008) who is insured through my husband's UHC policy via AK retirees' plan, I preferred to receive our healthcare locally whenever possible. I appreciated the feeling of receiving more personal care from coworkers & caregivers who were also neighbors. Unfortunately Premier/Atrium has decided NOT to accept our AK provided insurance. Their decision makes me welcome the possibility of receiving quality care from a nearby Kettering facility without having to travel outside my community. Rejecting the insurer of our town's largest employer makes Atrium/Premier more vulnerable to local competition from another healthcare provider.

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10203842233211518" rel="nofollow - Susan Hayes Christia n https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10203842233211518" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

We need easy healthcare access in our community for AK employees & retirees. If Atrium/Premier don't want our business/insurance coverage I'd appreciate a local Kettering option. Premier's choice to reject us.

FurlongGates Sep 14, 2017

Since the city has such a great 100+ year relationship with Atrium/Premier, maybe they can ask them to approve a contract with UMR so the Miami University employees can use Atrium instead of going to outside hospitals such as Kettering and Mercy.  If they're not willing to do that - then let Kettering build. What's more important people or money? THAT'S HYPOTHETICAL!!  

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1034357223316296" rel="nofollow - Rose Bac k https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1034357223316296" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 14, 2017

Middletown shame on you. This summer my child got a ESR infection from swimming Swimmers ear but it was hurting her so bad I chose to take her to E.R .Atrium walked in the door to A Zoo a line and waiting room packed and shirt staffed ..we left went right up the road to Kettering health Network ..Went right in and in one hour walked with medication easy breezy Will continue to deal with them .Atrium us substandard and has always been.

Ratmandu Sep 14, 2017

This is straight out politics ! This is the city taking care Atrium ! I don't know why because Atrium sold the city out and joined the Dayton Miami Valley Hospital Atrium Network ! Kettering Hospitial Network is far better and would kill Atrium and the city knows it ! That's why they are going to prevent them from putting in a full service Hospital with patient stay rooms. An Emergency Care Center they could not prevent but a Hospital they think they can. Pathetic self serving political move to be sure !



https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/824817890952342" rel="nofollow - John James https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/824817890952342" rel="nofollow - rom Facebook Sep 16, 2017

Why is atrium afraid to have some competition? They don't take my insurance so I can't use them anyway, however Kettering does honor my insurance

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10207562973352609" rel="nofollow - Karen Smit h https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10207562973352609" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 16, 2017

I don't know why atrium would have any say so in this, Middletown needs another hospital. When atrium won't take insurance from its own people then get someone who will. They are afarid they will lose money, they probably are now, not taking United health Care. Atrium has not had any competition it's time they should. maybe they would let our doctors work there again. It's a shame we get admitted to our hospital and can't have our doctors. I hope Kettering gets what they want or need. Stay out of it atrium it's none of your business. Wake up city of Middletown do the right thing. Kettering if. Middletown keeps go outside the city limits and build whatever you want, Trenton would be a good place to build.



https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10155792019854697" rel="nofollow - Tyler Cheatha n https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10155792019854697" rel="nofollow - rom Facebook Sep 14, 2017

Good! Shut that sh*thole across the street down!



PapawEarl Sep 14, 2017

Agree! Let's make it clear though that there is no Atrium Network. Atrium is just the name of the hospital once known as Middletown Regional Hospital and Middletown Hospital before that. It was almost as if they didn't want the new digs to be associated with a dying city. A dying city that at one time was the backbone of that hospital! Middletown Hospital made a lot of $$ from Armco, Aeronca, Black-Clawson and many other companies that have dwindled away over the past 30 - 40 years. So, while the city died Atrium moves on only to leave the city with the consloation of naming the grounds that the hospital sits on as the Middletown Regional campus.

BTW....the part about Atrium being in a network is correct only it is called the Premiere Network, not Atrium Network.

PapawEarl Sep 14, 2017

CONTRIBUTIONS??? Yeah, Mason and Franklin got carpet for their high schools' football fields but, outside of a lousy 4th of July fireworks display, which wasn't much more than a few sparklers being lit, what else have they done for Middletown? The only reason for the fireworks was to remind people of their 100 year existence. Council better think hard before they vote on this. Kettering is quite generous in giving back to the communities they serve. I'm sure that if Middletown was still like it was back in the 1950's and 60's, that Atrium would pony up more and still use the city's name in its' title. But the bottom line is that increased medical attention is always a staple in any community. The statement about 'overbuilding' is a joke. Has that guy ever been to West Chester or Liberty Twp.? Those residents are more than happy to have what they've got and I' m sure that folks around here would be more than grateful to have Kettering's full service even if it is on a smaller scale. As for Atrium, business will go on as usual. Adding Kettering to the mix is more of a brotherhood rather than a competition!

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1233325260013155" rel="nofollow - Kent Keller II https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1233325260013155" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

Free market. Do whatever creates more jobs and competition. Lower prices and more options.

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10203563075223234" rel="nofollow - Wayne Hall   https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/10203563075223234" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

Good! Atrium needs close competition plus Kettering accepts United Health Care.



https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1059982264020649" rel="nofollow - Candy Bailes https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1059982264020649" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

I hope it goes through! Atrium isn't going to take ANY Marketplace (Obamacare) insurance policies.....which means most all local doctors will not take it either.....yeah, serving the community....not.



https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1060603603958515" rel="nofollow - Candy Bailes https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/1060603603958515" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

I lost my insurance policy, one I liked, Aetna several years ago because of Obamacare. Then I was forced to get a policy from the Marketplace. I went with Aetna, paid a lot more for an awful policy, but did so because of the doctors and facilities on the list because. I was going to have two surgeries. I WAS TOLD by the Marketplace employee out of the Chicago office I COULD receive the needed surgeries from my doctors in another state....total lies! Then the following year I had to pick again from the Marketplace, again another terrible high priced awful company and policy. They will not pay for medicines I've taken for decades, even through their same company. If it's a cheap med they will approve it, but more average cost mess they won't. Then one year, lost count, think it was last year, in August they up and cancelled coverage from all hospitals and doctors that were on the list and the ones in my contract. So, again this year I had to pick another insurance company and policy, which is one of if not the best Premier Insurance policies......all Premier facilities Atrium, Miami Valley, and such. Now, for this coming year those facilities and Premier Insurance will not be a choice on the Marketplace. As of right now only two companies are participating in Obamacare and Atrium does not take them, but to my knowledge Kettering does. Again, it's all about money, control, and politics and the ones that don't receive free government healthcare or work for a large Union controlled company, you slowly and sometimes rapidly die while playing the Obamacare guessing game struggle. Where's the, you can keep your doctor, your policy, and save about two grand a year plan?

Veteran 4817 Sep 12, 2017

Here we go again , Change the zoning now. Sounds to me the RIGHT palm did not get greased . Hey Kettering Health more $$$$$$ to the ZONING people !!!!

https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/849591811820032" rel="nofollow - Robert State   https://www.facebook.com/app_scoped_user_id/849591811820032" rel="nofollow - from Facebook Sep 13, 2017

obama care doesnt float,....i was going to get a much needed surgery on my feet at the same time the principle insurer pulled out,....NO SURGERY FOR ME,.....my knee is messed up and two busted rotor cuffs, they didnt want to cut on me, always some stretchin exercize....and if your above poverty level your screwed too, my sister owes a 12 thousand dollar deductible.....i did however get a umbilical surgery for my hernia.....obamacare sucks.....doctors and hospital charge too much.....well have to suffer and die en mass.....



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Oct 21 2017 at 12:40pm
Whistler'sMom -

Brace yourself for the usual outpouring of sarcastic comments/insults from the naive and One Donham Abbey sympathizers.  They're the ones who actually choke off reasonable dialogue/outreach while blaming others for any potential diminished participation.  And, thanks for resident comments that you've included.  That's the real barometer of average Middletonians.


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Oct 21 2017 at 11:08pm
11 hours and counting.....no sympathy yet.  

Even my 9-year-old can't defend the city on this one!


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"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: middletownscouter
Date Posted: Oct 23 2017 at 8:44am
Agreed.  As one of those nearly lifelong residents who now has to travel outside of Middletown for my healthcare because of insurance issues with Premier / Atrium, I'm looking forward to KHN opening a facility in town.

Even my PCP is out of network now since Premier bought out PriMed.  So for the moment I'm stuck going to the Little Clinic at Kroger for most of my healthcare while I search for a new family doc.


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 24 2017 at 1:22am

This Journal-News article Wednesday. October 18, 2017 seems to contain “Richter-ized” propaganda to support Mr Adkins (unverified) claim that approval of Kettering rezoning required a super majority, 4 out of 5 council members, to reverse the planning commission’s disapproval. Comments in red.

Hospital zoning support battle waged by email

Kettering, Premier sent 300 missives over Middletown project.

By Ed Richter
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — Before Kettering Health Network pulled its rezoning request to allow overnight patient stays at its $30 million facility under construction in Middletown, the healthcare organization and its main competitor in the region — Premier Health — each worked to sway Middletown City Council to support their opposite stances on the proposal.

More than 300 emails were sent to city leaders since Middletown Planning Commission denied Kettering Health’s rezoning request last month as both sides lobbied for council support of their side.

A super-majority of council members, four of the five members, was required to reverse the planning commission recommendation.

Mr Adkins, please tell us (if you can) exactly what ordinance contains the rule that a super majority is required to reverse any recommendation by a bureaucratic planning commission!!!! If this can not be demonstrated, then Kettering should be allowed to revisit their rezoning request, and win an approval with a simple majority of 3 votes.

City staff had recommended approving the request to the planning commission and city council.

During the required 30-day notice period between the planning commission meeting and next council meeting, Kettering Health officials met separately with council members to explain their desire to add as many as 20 beds for overnight patient stays at the 63,000-square-foot facility slated to open in mid-2018.

Kettering Health needed the two parcels off Ohio 122 at Union Road, about a mile south of Atrium Medical Center, to be rezoned as the current zoning code was written as part of the incentives to have the hospital, now Atrium Medical Center, built there. While other types of healthcare facilities were permitted uses, there was a specific category for hospitals for patient stays for 24 hours or more.

There would be no need for any of this controversy if the zoning code had been written without the preconceived, preplanned bias to unfairly insulate Atrium from competition. Why should Middletown’s citizens be limited to 1 hospital facility?? City hall had already bribed Atrium with free land, free installed infrastructure and $195 million in bonds to build the hospital. Taxpayer money paid the bribe!!! But that didn’t satisfy Atrium. By contrast, Kettering is asking for no assistance and is able to provide insured care. Read on to the next comment.

Kettering Health gave no reason for withdrawing the requests, which the city received about noon Monday from Richard Haas, Kettering Health senior vice president.

Our decision to withdraw our rezoning request has no impact on our original plans for the medical facility,” Elizabeth Long, Kettering Health spokeswoman, said in a statement. “Our services will include a freestanding Emergency Department; outpatient services such as Lab and Radiology; and a Physician Office Building. Construction is on track and we will be caring for patients by mid-2018. We are enjoying a great partnership with Middletown city leaders and we look forward to furthering our involvement in the Middletown community.

In a letter to Mayor Larry Mulligan urging for council to uphold the planning commission’s decision, David Pearce, a former Middletown Regional Hospital board member, said “the zoning was intentionally crafted with the $300 million hospital as the key centerpiece/ stakeholder.”

Take note!!!! “the zoning was intentionally crafted with the $300 million hospital as the key centerpiece/ stakeholder.” THE ZONING WAS INTENTIONALLY CRAFTED … and a virtual monopoly took over Middletown’s healthcare.

Pearce said that in the past 17 years “nothing has changed and the zoning remains critical to the hospital’s (and its partners’) success.”

Since when is it ethical for a government entity to use zoning ordinances to create a monopoly; especially one that has had such adverse effects on our city’s quality of healthcare and the loss of availability of health insurance. These are big changes in the last 17 years.

That zoning for the hospital was part of the city’s master plan adopted in 2005.

Where, in the 2005 master plan, does it say that the zoning for the parcels designated for healthcare facilities should be biased to favor one facility over another? Besides, in 2005, Atrium was not yet built and special zoning for them could not have been in the original master plan. And even if it was in the plan, it is unethical to arbitrarily limit competition in the healthcare marketplace. A monopoly usually results in higher prices and lower quality! That is exactly what our citizens are complaining about already!!!

Premier Health employees and other community supporters emailed dozens of letters to council members to uphold the planning commission’s decision. A number of the email letters contained the same paragraphs with Premier Health’s main points:

That they believe in providing quality health care to the Middletown community and proud of the hospital’s 100 years of service. At the outset, Atrium wanted to erase our memory of MRH. Now that Atrium is failing dismally they want to claim to be an extension of MRH’s proud 100 years of service.

That they want these high-quality services to continue and feel that the addition of unnecessary hospital beds would jeopardize Atrium’s ability to continue offering specialty services that benefit the community. Comments from the community do not describe Atrium’s hospital services as high quality. That’s why so many beds at Atrium are empty.

That adding a second hospital in Middletown will not create new jobs long term, but could cost the jobs of Middletown citizens who have worked there with pride for many years. Atrium has half the number of beds that MRH’s new section had which resulted in the loss of 1000 jobs. when Atrium opened.

Note that this entire article is biased in favor of Atrium. The claimed dozens of emails in show of support is limited to Premier employees and associates. The numerous expressions of opposition (such as the reader comment section which follows Journal articles in the digital copy) are totally ignored. They can be viewed in a previous post on this forum.

Atrium Medical Center is proud to be the City of Middletown’s hospital. As evidenced by our 100-year legacy serving the community, we are committed to continually improving health services for Middletown area residents. Our patients come first,” Michael Uhl, president of Atrium Medical Center, said in a statement. “As a stakeholder in the City of Middletown’s economic development efforts, Atrium will continue to work with the city and others to revise the master plan. By working collaboratively to update the master plan, it could benefit all parties and promote the overall economic viability of the city.”

Atrium and Michael Uhl should be ashamed of trying to take credit for the proud 100 year legacy of MRH. Atrium has continually reduced the quality of health services and they lack the necessary contracts to provide insured services to the majority of area residents (which makes patients their last consideration). The statement that the master plan will be revised/updated looks like it will be reworded to agree with all of Atrium’s pretenses to be a pillar of the community. A match stick might better describe that pillar.

Contact this reporter at 513-755-5067 or email Ed.Richter@coxinc.com.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Oct 25 2017 at 10:00am
The city is NOT in violation of Sunshine Laws by not broadcasting Planning Commission meetings on You Tube, as the meetings are held in an open and public setting--anyone can attend. 

I want you to prove that Atrium has half as many beds and has resulted in 1000 lost jobs.  You have never been able to substantiate these claims while continuing to broadcast them in a public forum. 




Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 26 2017 at 8:04pm

See comments in red on Mr Adkins “explanation” of Kettering’s abandoned rezoning request which he posted on City of Middletown Manager’s blog.

Kettering Health Network Rezoning Request

https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/" rel="nofollow - October 17, 2017October 17, 2017 https://citymanagermiddletown.com/author/middletowncm/" rel="nofollow - City Manager Middletown https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/#comments" rel="nofollow - 1 Comment

There’s been a lot of discussion around town on the benefits and pitfalls of allowing Kettering Health Network to add overnight beds to their facility at the old Reyton Inn site at the I-75 Interchange.

Kettering (KHN) originally came to the city with a plan to build a $30 million outpatient medical facility that offered an Emergency Room and outpatient services. As the project progressed, KHN revisited the original plan and inquired about adding 8-20 beds for overnight stays in space that wasn’t otherwise designated. As it stands now, an outpatient stay is anything less than 23 hours. In order to accommodate that request, a zone change would have to be sought and approved by Planning Commission and subsequently, City Council.

That’s right, our “leaders” have “intentionally crafted zoning ordinance” which split hairs and make it as difficult as possible for anyone to bring in good jobs and healthcare for a majority of the citizens. Every other nearby area would welcome the opportunity to have KHN’s jobs, services and professionals especially if, like Middletown, Atrium was their only choice for healthcare. It would be great to go to a local doctor or hospital that would accept our insurance.

The KHN application for a zoning change went to Planning Commission, and after a long public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended denial of KHN’s zoning request to allow the hospital beds for overnight stays. This had no impact on the original KHN plans for the facility.

The Planning Commission (even after staff recommended approval) recommended denial of KHN’s zoning request. I wonder why?

On the MUSA blog, blogger swohio75 (who seems to be in the know in the city building) says:

As I said, staff's recommendation was for approval. Assumption is that the City's Planner ran this recommendation up through the chain of command (to Adkins likely) who didn't see an issue with the recommendation.


The decision is now in Council's hands. I can't say why Planning Commission denied, because the Admin has decided that Planning Commission meetings are not necessary to record and broadcast on their YouTube channel as had previously been done.”

This sounds like a complaint from swohio75 that the Planning Commission meetings are no longer recorded or easily available for public view. We need more people to take note that our city government is becoming more unapproachable and unresponsive because more and more government processes are taking place out of public view. What an invitation to run a muck!!


Do you know why the Planning Commission meetings are no longer recorded and broad cast?Adkins’ directive to discontinue YouTube recording of the Planning Commission meetings conveniently keeps meetings and discussions hidden from the citizens. Mr Adkins, ... didn’t we lose about $360,000 which the cable company paid to Middletown annually for their cable TV monopoly, but was actually money to be used for the operation of Public Access Channel 24!!! That money (according to you) was just a gift to the city and if any funding went to Channel 24, it was just out of the goodness of your heart. In truth, that money did not belong to the city at all, but was only for the public access channel. Adkins closed Channel 24 down, citing their lack of funds to operate, funds which the city had confiscated. Because our city business is longer monitored by the public via broadcasting, our city government has become even more unresponsive to the citizens they were elected to serve. City council is oblivious to this just like they are oblivious to other city admin methods of circumventing the Sunshine Laws!!! “Little” things like the Sunshine Laws mean nothing to Adkins.


After Planning Commission votes on a proposed zoning change, the matter comes to City Council to affirm or deny the recommendation of Planning Commission.  Under City Ordinances, there must be a published notice of public hearing at least 30 days before the matter can come before City Council for consideration.   The notice was published and the 30 day notice period meant that the matter would not come to City Council at the October 3rd meeting, but rather on Tuesday’s meeting on October 17th.

The delay was not staff driven, Planning Commission driven, or at the request of either KHN or Atrium Medical Center.  It was simply a matter of Middletown law which requires that people know about the proposed change and have 30 days opportunity to express public opinion, both at the Public Hearing, and also to their City Council representatives.

Why did Mr Adkins’ Planning Commission recommend opposing Kettering’s request?? Mr Adkins may have had a lot to do with Planning Commission’s denial. It seems rather convenient that he brought up the zoning ordinance that “requires 4 affirmative votes to overturn Planning Commission’s recommendation. (He has total control over these boards and commissions! Remember when CVB didn’t do exactly as Adkins wanted?? So, he forced the entire board to resign and replaced them with his own puppets; even though requests for resignations and appointments to boards is a function of council).


The KHN zoning request was set to come to City Council today.  Under Middletown Ordinances, if City Council wishes to reverse the recommendation of Planning Commission, it takes an affirmative vote of four of the five Council members to overturn Planning Commission’s recommendation.  Four out of five City Council members would need to vote yes to allow the KHN zoning to be changed to permit hospital beds at the new facility.  City staff recommended to City Council that the zoning be changed to allow the beds as requested by KHN.

This is a misquote … the zoning ordinance amendment does not describe the total number of council members as 5.

Here’s the amendment found under Middletown zoning ordinance which addresses Council’s voting requirements to overturn a Planning Commission recommendation:

1284.01 of the Middletown Ordinances
http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Ohio/middletown_oh/parttwelveplanningandzoningcode/titlefourzoning/chapter1284amendments?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:middletown_oh$anc=JD_1284.01" rel="nofollow - -

CHAPTER 1284:  AMENDMENTS

Section

http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=jumplink$jumplink_x=Advanced$jumplink_vpc=first$jumplink_xsl=querylink.xsl$jumplink_sel=title;path;content-type;home-title;item-bookmark$jumplink_d=ohio%28middletown_oh%29$jumplink_q=%5bfield%20folio-destination-name:1284.01%5d$jumplink_md=target-id=JD_1284.01" rel="nofollow - 1284.01    Amendment to text and map.

http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=jumplink$jumplink_x=Advanced$jumplink_vpc=first$jumplink_xsl=querylink.xsl$jumplink_sel=title;path;content-type;home-title;item-bookmark$jumplink_d=ohio%28middletown_oh%29$jumplink_q=%5bfield%20folio-destination-name:1284.02%5d$jumplink_md=target-id=JD_1284.02" rel="nofollow - 1284.02    Procedure for amendment.

http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=jumplink$jumplink_x=Advanced$jumplink_vpc=first$jumplink_xsl=querylink.xsl$jumplink_sel=title;path;content-type;home-title;item-bookmark$jumplink_d=ohio%28middletown_oh%29$jumplink_q=%5bfield%20folio-destination-name:1284.03%5d$jumplink_md=target-id=JD_1284.03" rel="nofollow - 1284.03    Application fee.

CROSS REFERENCES

   Fee for zone change - see P. & Z.  http://library.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=jumplink$jumplink_x=Advanced$jumplink_vpc=first$jumplink_xsl=querylink.xsl$jumplink_sel=title;path;content-type;home-title;item-bookmark$jumplink_d=ohio%28middletown_oh%29$jumplink_q=%5bfield%20folio-destination-name:1286.02%5d$jumplink_md=target-id=JD_1286.02" rel="nofollow - 1286.02

Bookmark § 1284.01  AMENDMENT OF TEXT AND MAP.

   Whenever the public necessity, convenience, general welfare or good zoning practice require, the City Council may, by ordinance, after recommendation by the Planning Commission and subject to the procedures set forth in this chapter, amend, supplement or change the regulations, district boundaries or classifications of property, now or hereafter established by this Zoning Ordinance or any amendments thereto. No such action shall be taken until the proposed amendment or change has been submitted to the Planning Commission for approval, disapproval or suggestions. The Planning Commission shall be allowed at least 30 days for consideration and report. Any ordinance which violates, differs from or departs from the recommendation of the Planning Commission, shall not take effect unless passed by the affirmative vote of at least four members of the City Council.

(Ord. 4886, passed 12-27-1968)

This amendment was in effect prior to 2014. The number of council members was reduced (in 2014) to 5 of the original 7. That means that prior to 2014, the required 4 out of 7 votes (54%) was a simple majority vote, not a super majority vote. A simple majority vote by our current 5 member council would be 3 out of 5, … not 4 out of 5 … which would require an unheard of 80% majority.

Apparently Kettering’s rezoning request would have (should have) been approved.

Mr Adkins prides himself on being a lawyer, so it’s difficult to believe that he wasn’t aware of the truth of this matter. Not to mention that it appears our law director, Les Landen was also unaware??? And perhaps our (lawyer) council member Dan Picard didn’t know either? If any of them were aware … well … what would you conclude????

On Monday, October 16, 2017, around noon, KHN submitted a letter to me formally withdrawing their application to rezone the two parcels in question, thereby abandoning their request to add hospital beds to the new facility.  The KHN zoning requests have been removed from today’s City Council agenda and they are no longer under consideration by the City at the request of KHN.

Again, this does not change the original designs of the facility to offer Emergency Room services and outpatient services.

There have been discussions in the community that the city supported or didn’t support the KHN plan and that the matter was somehow subjectively being manipulated by City government to get a particular outcome.   This one is by the books folks.  Planning Commission made their recommendation.  The city followed the law and standard procedure to publish notice and offer time for comment.  KHN withdrew their request completely with no input from  City staff.    I do not know their business reasons for withdrawing their request.

So KHN withdrew their zoning request, probably thinking that they were going lose the council vote. Mr Adkins, if this one is by the books” then we want to see and read the book. Is it Adkins’ little book of hide the facts, discussions, and meetings? Adkins claims not to know the reasons that KHN withdrew their request completely. Kettering, at this point had talked directly to council members and was aware of their positions and thought that the 3 of 5 votes in their favorsupposedly, would not be enough. … Mr Adkins, you knew this!! Reportedly, Mulligan and Moon were against the request. KHN didn’t know that a simple majority, 3 of 5 votes, was all they needed.

If city hall insists on preventing KHN and others to bring in new much needed enterprise which will promote growth and prosperity in Middletown, then our city will continue to fail while everyone around us is thriving. This is rejecting a gift horse that was a positive in every way. KHN has ask for no money or tax breaks from the city. If all of council, the city manager and city staff have to be replaced to save Middletown, so be it. January of 2018 may see petitions circulating to recall council, followed by hiring a new city manager and staff.

There will be no public hearing on this item or a vote of council tonight.  The request is withdrawn and done.

I hope this explains the process and time-line so people can understand what happened and why.

Yes, Mr Adkins, we do understand what happened and why! Unfortunately, with your help Middletown is losing jobs, tax dollars, residents and self respect. Allowing the good old boys mind set to keep destroying our city should no longer be tolerated by the citizens.



Hard to believe that Mr Adkins has not edited out the only comment made.

One thought on “Kettering Health Network Rezoning Request

  1. Dan jones

    https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/17/kettering-health-network-rezoning-request/#comment-1087" rel="nofollow - October 17, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    This is a huge loss to the people of middletown!! Most who live in this city cannot afford transportation so they’re forced to go to atrium for their medical needs. As everyone in this town knows and as any medical professional will tell you atrium is the worst hospital in southwest Ohio! It doesn’t effect me I drive to UC west Chester or Kettering but it hurts the tens of thousands of poor residents of our city! What would’ve been the big deal of just giving them the permit? It would’ve meant more tax dollars for the city and improve the city overall! Thanks for taking the time to read! Let’s make middletown great again!!!



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: RoyG
Date Posted: Oct 27 2017 at 2:20am
Someone passed on some information to me about this rezoning bid. The size of the Kettering Hospital had never changed, it was still going remain the same . It all came down to over night beds. In my opinion I guess this was going to cost Atrium to much money. Atrium having to compete with another hospital. In regards to the city of Middletown they have their own publicist in the form of the Journal news and Ed. It is time for the people of Middletown to wake up. The poverty level has doubled in Middletown from 2010 it was 12.7% in 2017 it is 24.9% so it has doubled. One of the biggest things to combat poverty is jobs. We have a chance to bring in more but no was the answer. Time to wake up and elect people not connected and not a bobble head. Thanks for you time Roy Gordon  

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Roy Gordon


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Nov 02 2017 at 5:51pm

WCPO, Channel 9 TV news, has been doing investigative reporting on local police departments. (You can see it on WCPO.com) Three days in a row, their reports included a segment about specific complaints on Middletown police officers (three officers to be exact). The reports exposed records of misconduct from excessive and unnecessary use of force to sexual harassment.

Perhaps the most scandalous of these reports was the numerous filings against Lieutenant James Cunningham by fellow police officers (both male and female) concerning sexual harassment. Many of the complaints were made BEFORE he was promoted to lieutenant! There was minimal disciplinary action taken by Major Hoffman (who maybe should be held complicit?) for Cunningham’s numerous and serious violations. Cunningham, as a police officer, was doing the very things for which he could arrest others. It’s shameful that good officers have been subjected to such working conditions.

Were there many other incidents that went unreported or ignored? This investigation encompasses only the last 3 years. But what other violations and suspensions have occurred and been condoned by the police department and municipal court over the other 25 years of Cunningham’s tenure?

Since our city manager, Mr Adkins, has requested Cunningham for some of his “special” projects unrelated to policing, such as locating blight for the city to seize (or buy … like Bar Boca for $35,000) and tear down. It would appear that Adkins is also complicit!. Adkins had to know about Cunningham’s record, in fact, Mr Adkins was Prosecutor for the city when Cunningham was a patrolman and sergeant.

Cunningham has been allowed to retire rather than be fired or held responsible for his actions, thus continuing to be rewarded for bad behavior and Middletown residents are paying for it. He has demoralized our police department, maligned our residents and been the source of deep embarrassment to the city. NOW OUR TAX DOLLARS WILL PAY FOR HIS RETIREMENT!! One more financial nail in the city’s coffin.

Where was council when all this corruption was taking place? Were they waiting for instructions from Mr. Adkins or were they just oblivious as usual? Shouldn’t council have some questions for Mr Adkins at the next council meeting? Oh, they’re still waiting for instructions.

Wonder if the group of people who have been abused or maligned by Cunningham have thought of going for a civil suit?



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Nov 07 2017 at 7:57pm

More demolition. More demolition.More demolition. Less Middletown. Lost Middletown.

Here’s some slightly stale news that may be worth another look.


Journal News Friday, October 27, 2017

Butler students set for big transition

By Michael D. Clark
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — In less than a year, Middletown Middle School will go from the oldest school in Butler County to the newest.

Warren G. Harding was president of the United States when the doors of the then-Middletown High School were first opened to students in 1923.

In the early 1970s the old school was converted into a middle school for the Butler County district, and at the end of the current school year, the final class bell will be the last to ring forever at the school campus at 1415 Girard Ave.

Starting in August 2018 the city’s middle school students will be the first class to learn in the new 135,000-square-foot middle school that will be attached to an equally new, 2,200-seat arena joined to a renovated Middletown High School.

Plans for commemorating the old school building are already underway, with special ceremonies scheduled in December to say a formal goodbye to the basketball court that saw the legendary NBA Hall Of Famer Jerry Lucas, Butch and Chris Carter, Archie Aldridge and so many other notable players compete.

Current plans call for the old school to be demolished, said school district officials.

While we might be saying goodbye to a building that certainly means a lot to the entire community, we are not saying goodbye to the history, successes, traditions, and memories created at the (old school),” said Middletown City Schools Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr.

Honoring our rich traditions will help make the transition to the new state-of-the-art building more special for our students, teachers, and community. The new Middletown Middle School building will provide our students the opportunity to continue to build on the rich culture of success laid by previous alumni,” said Styles.

George Long, business manager for the city schools, said students will be taking a classroom leap of 94 years when they enter the radically modernized Middletown Middle School at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

There are approximately 50 learning spaces in the new building, not including the breakout (learning) spaces in each wing. What’s great about the new Middle School is we’re building extra wide hallways and utilizing them as classrooms outside the classroom,” said Long. “We don’t want to keep students at their desks when they can meet in the middle to collaborate and explore new learning tools.”

It will be a busy weekend of Dec. 8 because on that Friday the district will say goodbye to the Miller Gym at the Middletown Middle School and on Saturday they will herald in a new era at the High School Arena.

On Dec. 8, the Middies will host the Hamilton Big Blue in the Miller Gym along with Middie Legends, throwback jerseys, and dedicated fans. On Dec. 9, the Middies will welcome Lima Senior High School and the Middie Faithful to the brand new Middletown High School Arena.

The excitement around the new Middletown High School and Middle School is palpable around this town and I am excited to finally share one part of the new construction with our district,” said Styles.

There goes another landmark in the DOWNTOWN area to be replaced with a blank, a black hole and an empty lot to mow. We can only hope that education will become the focus of our school system now that all the expensive construction is soon coming to an end. There was never any excuse for failing to meet the most basic academic standards. Now there will be nothing to draw attention away from academic failure.

The former Middletown High School has to be in good (if not excellent) condition in order to continue to be used as our Middle School! Why should an historic building, including the Wade E. Miller Gymnasium, be razed when it could be put to excellent use by the school system or the city or the combination, as administrative offices, meeting rooms, small convention center, DOWNTOWN gym for the Middletown YMCA or a private fitness center, a cafeteria for senior citizens, a soup kitchen, drug rehab center or the base for a Middfest celebration?

There are so many good things the city could do for the 95% of Middletown’s population who are less fortunate than the downtowners and other insider friends of city hall. The city is currently renting space in empty buildings from “supposed investors” who have failed to make any investment in buildings which were largely given to them.

Shameful, thoughtless, self centered … and that’s being kind because there are much more derogatory terms that would describe people in a city government who have no regard for what 95% of it’s residents think or feel.

City hall will say to this … ‘Why don’t some of this 95% make their opinions known?’ Well … so few people bother to take their complaints to council meetings because they are met with so much resistance, ... three minute restrictions to speak IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SPEAK AT ALL. If you are granted what council considers the privilege of speaking, council members are too busy shuffling papers to listen or make eye contact. Usually no questions are answered and at the end of your three minutes the only comment is an imperious “We’ll get back to you” or “Thank you for your comment”.

And if they really don’t like what you say, the following week a notice may be in the mail that you will have to paint your second story gutters because there’s a speck of peeling paint up there! And you’ve got two weeks to do that or they will have a contractor do it (do you think there was any bidding for this sort of contracting?) and charge you three times the cost. Then, if you don’t pay the city, the charges are added to your property taxes!!! Yep, it’s the ‘ole rule by intimidation.



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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Nov 07 2017 at 11:32pm
I was at city hall tonight.  You weren't.

I got up and voiced my opinion - you didn't.

I had productive conversations with members of council.  You didn't.

I got to meet some great men of valor (Purple Heart Society presented the colors).  I shook their hands almost in tears trying to convey my thanks to them for their service.  You didn't.

And that goes for the rest of you.  Sitting out here complaining doesn't change anything.  They read - they forget - they just don't care.  At least you are visible and in their minds if you show up and actually challenge them.

I did.  You didn't.

Bob


-------------
"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Nov 07 2017 at 11:38pm
Oh yeah - and for what it's worth - I got the sideways stare down when Adkins saw me turn in my card.

But - not one council member did ANYTHING other than pay me rapt attention during my comments.  And, no one gave me any time limit - no one did anything untoward.

I already know it had some impact.  Sometimes, a calm cool head and rational arguments work.  Will council go ahead and pass the legislation in two weeks?  I don't know - but I am following up with each councilperson to try to get them to stand up to Adkins' blatant unnecessary give aways.....we shall see.

I'm doing my part - all I can do for the next two years - then we shall see where we go from there.

Bob


-------------
"Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises


Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Nov 08 2017 at 9:03am

More demolition. More demolition.More demolition. Less Middletown. Lost Middletown.

Here’s some slightly stale news that may be worth another look.


Journal News Friday, October 27, 2017

Butler students set for big transition

By Michael D. Clark
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — In less than a year, Middletown Middle School will go from the oldest school in Butler County to the newest.

Warren G. Harding was president of the United States when the doors of the then-Middletown High School were first opened to students in 1923.

In the early 1970s the old school was converted into a middle school for the Butler County district, and at the end of the current school year, the final class bell will be the last to ring forever at the school campus at 1415 Girard Ave.

Starting in August 2018 the city’s middle school students will be the first class to learn in the new 135,000-square-foot middle school that will be attached to an equally new, 2,200-seat arena joined to a renovated Middletown High School.

Plans for commemorating the old school building are already underway, with special ceremonies scheduled in December to say a formal goodbye to the basketball court that saw the legendary NBA Hall Of Famer Jerry Lucas, Butch and Chris Carter, Archie Aldridge and so many other notable players compete.

Current plans call for the old school to be demolished, said school district officials.

While we might be saying goodbye to a building that certainly means a lot to the entire community, we are not saying goodbye to the history, successes, traditions, and memories created at the (old school),” said Middletown City Schools Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr.

There goes another landmark in the DOWNTOWN area to be replaced with a blank, a black hole and an empty lot to mow. We can only hope that education will become the focus of our school system now that all the expensive construction is soon coming to an end. There was never any excuse for failing to meet the most basic academic standards. Now there will be nothing to draw attention away from academic failure.

There are so many good things the city could do for the 95% of Middletown’s population who are less fortunate than the downtowners and other insider friends of city hall. The city is currently renting space in empty buildings from “supposed investors” who have failed to make any investment in buildings which were largely given to them.

Shameful, thoughtless, self centered … and that’s being kind because there are much more derogatory terms that would describe people in a city government who have no regard for what 95% of it’s residents think or feel.





-------------
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke



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