Housing Code Enforcement Smoke Screen

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Subj: Section 8 applicants to face tougher screening  Date: 4/20/2009 11:02:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time From: Nelsonself To: erichter@coxohio.com CC: amarconi@cinci.rr.com, davids@cityofmiddletown.org, bymyflwrs@fuse.net, becker_william@sbcglobal.net, Paul@PaulRenwick.com, Robyn.L.Mcnally@pncmortgage.com, wleap@cinci.rr.com, pnagy@att.net, mprest@erinet.com, drbronston2001@yahoo.com, jerryglover@att.net, vivianmoon@juno.com, chrisamburgey@yahoo.com

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Ed -

 

When I flew up here (at my own expense) for my interview for the Community Development Administrator position in early November 2006, Marty Kohler proudly spoke of the Section 8 program and how it had grown under his direction over the past few years and was infusing HUD funds into neighborhoods resulting in upgraded rental housing conditions.

 

My predecessor (Angela Tucker) would not allow HUD-funded housing code enforcement personnel to cite Section 8 properties with violations.  She told staff that I later inherited that CONSOC was being paid to ensure that all properties met HUD's Housing Quality Standards.

 

Shortly after assuming my position  I changed Ms. Tucker's policy at the urging of Annette Accurso and Cathy Walton, Housing Code Specialists.  Whenever they encountered potential problems involving Section 8 properties, I would contact Sandra Joseph directly and request her action and a follow-up call.  Please know that I spent many hours on the phone and sending e-mails to CONSOC in this regard as did my staff.

 

Beginning in early 2008 my involvement with Section 8 decreased markedly as the City Manager and Mr. Kohler pretty much handled everything.  Once Ginger Smith arrived on the scene I had no involvement whatsoever.  You know all of this from our conversations and my e-mails.

 

I thought that you'd want to know in view of Sara Mills quotes in your article posted online tonight.

 

Nelson Self

CD Administrator "RESIGNED?"

Good Morning Pacman -

Maybe that is why they got the contract..........hush money?

According to what we hear from City Hall, it seems that the immediate future of Middletown is uncertain at best due to a pending budget deficit, ambitious plans to demolish numerous buildings and the campaign to ticket thousands of property owners with code violations.  What are we to believe about these and other matters such as limiting billboards, etc.?  What is the best strategy for us?

Perplexed- Mike referred to the unseating of the four Ward incumbants. He's right. The only way that us mere citizens are going to change OUR city(not theirs) is to replace the people and those like them(including the gutting of city hall with forced resignations(law director, all department directors and the city manager) after we change Council) Worthy potential candidates to effect change would be Mr. Presta, The Spider, Pacman, Ms. Moon, Mr. Nagy, Mr. Barge, Mr. Soppanish, and people with like-minded, focused, logical, "for the people", out in the open, attack the problems-cut the crap, progressive vision. These are all extremely high quality people and would be an asset to the city in a leadership role. In other words, the exact opposite of what we have now.

What about Vet for another run at school board?

With the phony Washington, D.C. stimulus dollars coming here by the truckload, I won't be one bit surprised to see your prediction become a reality Mrs. Moon.  And, keep in mind that those freshly printed greenbucks can't be doled out forever by our tax and spend Congress plus the Obama administration.

 

It seems likely that there will be even more City deficits in the coming years.  If so, massive layoffs at the City Hall or new municipal taxes are surely on the way.  Of course, some high echelon managers who are steering our 'state of affairs' will have moved on to greener pastures by then.  Then, someone new will inherit their mess.