MUSA Blog Forum http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; MUSA Blog Forum : Last 10 Posts Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:35:08 +0000 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:34:37 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.50 30 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp MUSA Blog Forum http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Second Hand Store Enforcement http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2787&PID=17306#17306 Author: acclaro
Subject: Second Hand Store Enforcement
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 9:34am

Using the police force to intiimidate civil matters is against the grain of accepted protocol. Go call the local police when you have a matter which is both civil and potentially criminal. 99% of the time they'll run from you and say, "its a civil matter, not criminal." They don't want to be bothered by it. And yet the city is using police to shakedown store owners. And I thought we had a public safety issue in town? But they can send police out to second hand shops to comply with civil ordinances. This city never ceases to amaze.
 
For those curious about Missouri, and Dr. Price, I just read Kansas City is shutting down 29 out of their 61 schools to avoid bankruptcy in the school district. And yet they pay $235,000 for an out of state superintendant. When you realize how hard other communities have it, it makes one wonder how is Middletown pulling off this off, keeping that beast so healthy. Remember the next levey when cries of safety are used for a .25% increase, how police are used to check on the Goodwill or Salvation Army. 
 
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_closing_schools
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:34:37 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2787&PID=17306#17306 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Auto & Gas Tax Fund http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2788&PID=17305#17305 Author: acclaro
Subject: Auto & Gas Tax Fund
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 8:57am

This is one item which gives me serious pause, and the explanation furthers that. It appears nearly $1.3 Mm of funds dedicated only to bridges and physical structural repair is allocated to mowing and electrical maintenance on street lights. This does not comport with the Articles at the State of Ohio as to how these funds are to be spent, which come directly from the state. Additionally, why would it be an accounting efficientcy to move dedicated funds accounted for, into the general fund, and then out. This statement is one which should give many pause and requires further investigation. This does not square. And by no means from my own review, does the Article state cities or municipalities are to be using state funds as a garnt for road and bridge maintenance to pay for mowing grass.
 
Others interpretations/ thoughts? 
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:57:03 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2788&PID=17305#17305 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Atrium ER Runs http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2789&PID=17304#17304 Author: randy
Subject: Atrium ER Runs
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 8:49am

Taken from the March 7, 2010 Middletown City Managers Report
 
 
Our Fire Division tracks squad runs by general category and we cannot, without some analysis, determine which runs could be diverted from the ER. The Fire Chief confirmed that more access to health care in underserved areas will reduce the runs to the ER both by having access more available so that conditions do not become acute and by having a facility nearby that residents can access without calling the squad.
 
Veiw the full report here: Weekly Update to City Council from the City Manager March 7, 2010
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:49:32 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2789&PID=17304#17304 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Auto & Gas Tax Fund http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2788&PID=17303#17303 Author: randy
Subject: Auto & Gas Tax Fund
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 8:44am

Taken from the March 7, 2010 Middletown City Managers Report
 
 
There was a question about the Auto & Gas tax fund revenues at our last Council meeting. The revenue in this fund is derived from state gasoline tax and vehicle license fees along with money from the general fund. Total revenues in 2010 are about $2.9M, expenditures are about $3.2M. This fund is used for routine street maintenance and for traffic control along with snow plowing and grounds maintenance (mowing, landscaping, etc). There are 3 work divisions setup under this fund. Street Maintenance ($1.9M), Grounds Maintenance ($700K), and Electronics Maintenance ($616K). Most of the work accomplished by these divisions use the revenue from the state. The money transferred to the Auto & Gas Tax Fund from the general fund ($514K) is used to cover costs that would normally be paid out of the general fund, but for organizational and accounting efficiency are paid from the Auto & Gas Tax Fund. This information can be found on page 4-15 and 4-16 of your budget. The Auto & Gas tax fund is managed by the Department of Public Works and Utilities with Dave Duritsch as the department head.

 

Veiw the full report here: Weekly Update to City Council from the City Manager March 7, 2010
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:44:08 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2788&PID=17303#17303 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Second Hand Store Enforcement http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2787&PID=17302#17302 Author: randy
Subject: Second Hand Store Enforcement
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 8:41am

Taken From the March 7, 2010 Middletown City Managers Report
 
 
We are beginning to enforce the new ordinance. Each store will be visited personally by our police division who will work with the owners to review our requirements and ensure compliance. Aside from the requirements of the merchandising, we are also reminding the owners of the operating hours and sign restrictions. Attached to this update is a letter that will be given to each owner. They will also be given a letter from the Chief of Police outlining the requirements.
 
 
Veiw the full report here: Weekly Update to City Council from the City Manager March 7, 2010
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:41:57 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2787&PID=17302#17302 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Carillon Bell Tower http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2786&PID=17301#17301 Author: randy
Subject: Carillon Bell Tower
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 8:39am

Taken from the March 7, 2010 Middletown City Managers Report:
 
 
I am pleased to report that the Bell Tower is in the process of being repaired and will soon be entertaining us. The inner workings of the carillon were damaged by a power surge last fall during a storm. The structure was a gift to the city in 1998 by the Casper family in memory of local attorney Jack Casper. The Casper Family wanted to encourage residents to congregate downtown and enjoy the music.
The Middletown Community Foundation generously awarded a grant in the amount of $21, 450 to accomplish the necessary repairs. The Verdin Company of Cincinnati will be providing the equipment to make the Carillon Bell Tower operable.
 
Veiw the full report here: Weekly Update to City Council from the City Manager March 7, 2010
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:39:44 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2786&PID=17301#17301 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Spring Has Sprung http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2780&PID=17300#17300 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: Spring Has Sprung
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 6:14pm

Uh oh!!  I sense an opportunity for our "business friendly" city hall to attack another Middletown business.  It's always "great weather" for them to do that (at least in their Director's eyes)!!!]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:14:11 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2780&PID=17300#17300 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Middletown State Of The City Address http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2785&PID=17299#17299 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: Middletown State Of The City Address
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 5:59pm

WOW!!!  A real, live, bona fide DIGNITARY, right here on our MiddletownUSA Forum!!!
My heart is racing.  Who says they don't respect us???
 
No more "Randy", people!!!  From now on, it's "Mr. Lewis"!!!
]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:59:31 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2785&PID=17299#17299 Community Revitalization : Green Space appears to be good http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2778&PID=17298#17298 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: Green Space appears to be good
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 5:48pm

Vet,
I see that you are RIGHT!!!
I don't want to be LEFT behind!!!
I think that our city leaders will turn things around in the next THREE WEEKS!!!  Folks, look for great things out of city hall the rest of this month.  The time is right, the stars are aligned, it is inevitable!!!
]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:48:58 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2778&PID=17298#17298 Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Spring Has Sprung http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2780&PID=17297#17297 Author: PattiGal
Subject: Spring Has Sprung
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 3:51pm

Hopefully everyone will get out and take a walk, open their windows and let the freshness blow through, and visit their local businesses for some long-overdue shopping!! ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:51:56 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2780&PID=17297#17297