Mike Robinette Gone!!

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Spider.....Don't understand how you could interpret that I meant you were damaged. How did you arrive at that conclusion?  Merely suggested that while we were on the "appropriate song for the situation kick" that I would offer that song as if to imply that Smith had "damaged" his personal and political self and that what Robinette had done to the city during his tenure was damaging.....that's all. 

This incident itself may not have had anything to do with city business but it sure ain't helpin' the city image either. Robinette himself surely had plenty to do with the "city business" as he helped establish this cluster we have now in stagnated econ. devel and, with the help of Kohler's incompetency in planning, has made a joke out of "business friendly". 

"Where do we go from here?"....gotta get rid of the perps first before we go anywhere, IMO. Can't start out in a new direction until you eliminate the roadblock keeping the city from doing so. That would be most of council and the city manager and her clowns. JMO 

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 10:32am
	Spider.....Don't understand how you could interpret that I meant you were damaged. How did you arrive at that conclusion? Merely suggested that while we were on the "appropriate song for the situation kick" that I would offer that song as if to imply that Smith had "damaged" his personal and political self and that what Robinette had done to the city during his tenure was damaging.....that's all. This incident itself may not have had anything to do with city business but it sure ain't helpin' the city image either. Robinette himself surely had plenty to do with the "city business" as he helped establish this cluster we have now in stagnated econ. devel and, with the help of Kohler's incompetency in planning, has made a joke out of "business friendly". "Where do we go from here?"....gotta get rid of the perps first before we go anywhere, IMO. Can't start out in a new direction until you eliminate the roadblock keeping the city from doing so. That would be most of council and the city manager and her clowns. JMO

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 11:01am
	John- I asked Robinette the same questions about marketing Middletown's amenities that you mentioned ie. labor, affordable housing, location between two major cities. He called me a year or so ago and he mentioned that there are systems in place, computer-wise, that are being used periodically to contact the city about possible development. I asked him if the city ever sends out packets to employers looking to relocate in Ohio and other states, instead of waiting for someone to "come knockin'" and he said the city didn't do that on a repetitive basis. I also asked him if the city did anything else beside computer and mail out contacts to potential employers but he wouldn't elaborate. Indications are that his department wasn't a ball of fire in doing this. There is a reason why Middletown is lagging behind everyone else in this area in development and job opportunities. Either they aren't trying as hard as the other cities, don't know how to approach potential new businesses/residents, created too high of taxes to make it appealing, developed too many obstacles driving businesses away, don't have the proper network and contacts or they have screwed this town up so badly, that any mention of locating to Middletown is not taken seriously.

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 11:32am
	I totally disagree Bill Murphy had an y impact upon Middletown. 4th/ 5th generation websites are a means of generating buzz and interest, but do not promote a city to the point of bringing in residents and businesses. Sites generate ad revenue, and give information, as Middletown has totally revamped it's website. It has done all it can by "regionalizing" itself. The bar is pretty low if anyone advocates a Bill Murphy clone be found. Taxes, or the lack thereof, and quality of life and convenience, propel both businesses and residents. Middletown has neither, Its taxes are high, and the "low housing" is attributed by the incomprehensible failure to put money into maintaining streets and infratsructures---simply put, it is a mess, and everyone knows that as a fact. The situation with Mr. Robinette and AJ Smith was a matter outside the realm of daily work, but a needless embarrassment for both parties. I ask, knowing Robineet's background was more in finace, and not business nor economic development, how was he an appropriate candidate? Simply because he had a few connections in the Miami Valley? That doesn't get you much, nor has it. Everything that has transpired has nothing to do with any initiative spurred by the city. And, its impact has been negligible. Add to that the fact Ohio is losing about 300,000 residents, with the rust belt sector cemented to its identity, and giving away houses and eduaction, and buikdings for "art" does nothing to bring in tax revenues, quality schools, and a thriving community. Face facts: Middletown lost two ED's in a short period of time, a football coach, and many businesses. Its throwing money on PAC and Cinci State on a prayer someone else can figure it out. The city is dead, beyond recovery, and continues repeating the same mistakes constantly. Save tyhe money, don't even waste time nor money on a ED. Let Neyer and the others that really run the city, continue on. People WANT OUT of Middletown---NOT IN.

Hermes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: May 19 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1637	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hermes Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 1:07pm
	Wonder why the city never mentioned that "Greentree" is not a "new business" but just relocating from Monroe ? The way the city carries on they make it out to be some big new adventure that Robinette successfully carried out and conquered. Especially when Greentree was planning to relocate all along. Another one them "Hhhmmmm's"
	No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !!

Neil Barille Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Jul 07 2010 Status: Offline Points: 238	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neil Barille Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 1:19pm
	I've heard Mr. R enjoyed his golf games during working hours. No doubt drumming up tons of business. In my days at the city I never would have dreamed of such a thing.

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 14 2011 at 1:48pm
	Neil, that's why the city keeps the golf course open, so it is a perk for its employees. Mr. Robinette was a retired double dipper who made no impact upon Middletown, and was nothing more than friend of Judy, given a job, as she was friend of interim city manager. This laughing stock mentality just keeps on and on. No one at city hall is making strides in moving forward, the game is to create this false image has much brighter the future will be, until they retire. Any other city in Ohio, where the residents have a backbone, they'd be fired in a New York minute. In Middletown, its part of the game. Expect PAC to close shop within 3 years. Cinci State is a shell game tetering on disaster before it begins. City getting ready to invest capital funds for equipment, when they should outsource it to Superior Blacktop. What city hall has done would be a crime in most cities, but its business as usual in Middletown. Had enough of AJ Smith. This young man is delusional. Too much drama queen. Texting messages coming in, and now he wants secret service protection. This city is nothing but a Three Stooges comedy hour 24/7. No worries on Robinette, Rhonda will find some work for him in Trenton, after she gets her slary restored with Freking & Betz's hammer. A city of entitlement in ruins.

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 23 2011 at 9:13am
	Journal Jan 23..... "In the short term, Middletown City Manager Judy Gilleland said the city departments can absorb Robinette’s responsibilities. But the job or its responsibilities can’t go unfilled forever. “There is a difference between what a staff and a team can absorb in the short term versus the long term. While we’re not going to miss a beat in the short term, like other communities, staff is spread very thinly across departments and economic development is a priority,” Gilleland said." So, Robinette wasn't doing that much and Gilleland is "parting out" his job duties. She says "other departments can absorb his responsibilites" If true, then, when you are cutting jobs, as you say you are doing in the city building, why not cut some of these high paying directors jobs and have the remaining directors "absorb some responsibilities"? Gilleland states "economic development is a priority". Good one Judith! Horsepucky

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 23 2011 at 6:24pm
	This quote is from a local newspaper article about economic development: “Cassidy Turley offers business location advisory services and is asked by companies to find sites or buildings and demographic information such as labor force, tax structure and utility rates.” If Turley would just pay attention to Middletown City Hall, he would know that businesses aren’t concerned by things like that. If Turley would just pay attention to Middletown City Hall, he would know that all a relocating business looks for in a new location is bike paths, doggie parks, and historic districts.
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012