Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting
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=482
Printed Date: May 16 2024 at 2:17am
Topic: Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting
Posted By: VietVet
Subject: Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting
Date Posted: Jul 26 2008 at 4:19pm
Journal article- Saturday-"special" committee formed to discuss housing. Group discusses whether city employees should be eligible for CITY FUNDS for current housing program. Ms. Gilleland mentions that this could lead to the perception of favoritism for city employees. Yes, it could Ms. Gilleland. This is similar to sweepstakes programs where the employees are not eligible to participate. Who is on this committee? When was it formed? Are there any citizens, other than realtors on this committee? Why didn't the public know about this in advance? Who is guarding the chicken coop on the monies that will be disbursed IF this committee decides to offer this program to city employees and who is going to stop it if it develops into favored loans to the families of city employees? IE- how can we, the public, be guaranteed that there isn't any favoritism?Anytime city funds are used for any reason, the public has a right to know why,when, how, where and to whom the funds are given, ESPECIALLY if it involves city employees receiving citizens money. NO MORE SECRETS!You are going to have to start to let the public know what you are doing in advance- we always find out AFTER THE FACT on these little secretive committees. And yes,to criticism in advance, if you are a public servant, it is our business because you are subsidized with the public's money, just like the schools.If this city government hadn't developed a reputation of being so secretive and habitually lying to the public, maybe these questions never would have arisen. 
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Replies:
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Jul 27 2008 at 1:48pm
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vet--just check out the city employees/reps living in the S.Main St.historic district, then compare the addresses where the HUD and CDBG grant $$ is going.
And just who specifically is determining the recipients of these grants? Ya might find an interesting pattern there.
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Posted By: John Beagle
Date Posted: Jul 28 2008 at 4:42pm
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City Manager Gilleland is good for this community. The housing improvement and demolition meeting information is mentioned in many of the council meetings, and stories on this site. Quote from Manager Gilleland: "The important part is that I do my job in facilitating the process by bringing forward to council the issues, options and a recommendation. From there, the information received from public input and council discussion paves the way to a decision. There will be some times when a decision is not unanimous; this reflects the complex issues of government." Full statement: http://middletownusa.com/view_news.asp?a=3507 ------------- http://www.johnbeagle.com/" rel="nofollow - John Beagle Middletown USA News of, for and by the people of Middletown, Ohio. |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Jul 29 2008 at 6:42am
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"the information received from public input ... paves the way to a decision"
Sorry, Mr. Beagle, but every time I hear words to this effect from anyone at City Hall, it makes me either laugh uncontrollably, cry inconsolably, or vomit!
For at least the ten (plus) years that I have been back in town, the only "reaction" from City Hall to ANY public input from ordinary citizens has ended in snickers, giggles, and a "thank you, but sit down and shut up!"
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Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Jul 29 2008 at 6:51am
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Vet and Spider are correct!
It would be very interesting to see an accounting of just where all of our taxpayers' dollars have ended up in many of these programs.
Here's a project for ya John Beagle: Search the public records and report back just how much taxpayers'bucks have ended up in recent or present Middletown elected officials or City Hall big-wigs' pockets!
That should tell the tale of whether or not there are conflicts of interest or if they should be "eligible".
Dig for the facts, BEFORE you advocate for the priviliged few!
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jul 29 2008 at 7:15am
| "Information received from public input paves the way to a decision". To that statement, I offer the Street Repair Committee meetings scenario. The public had several members on that committee. They were invited, heard at times during that meeting and quickly dismissed by other members on the committee representing the city employees and city government. The city employees weren't happy with what was being proposed (downsize city government to save money) and the city government people resented some comments and yes, even snickered at some comments.The whole thing was rubber stamped with an income tax levy proposal waiting at the end. Now that's what I call real citizen to government comaraderie! To those who blindly support the city's position- don't be so naive- all is not what they would like to have you believe! |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Jul 31 2008 at 1:51pm
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Here is an interesting concept for neighborhood redevelopment:
St. Mary's Bank Drops Commercial Loans Rates By http://www.cutimes.com/author.php?author=42 - Michelle Samaad July 30, 2008 The $656 million credit union said it has dropped its commercial loan interest rate by 1% to 4.99%, and raised the maximum loan amount available at the discounted rate from $100,000 to $250,000. For loans over $250,000, interest rates will be blended with “market rates,” according to St. Mary’s Bank. In 2007, the credit union made changes to its $12 million loan program as part of the City of “By offering below-market rates to residents and businesses in this area, we’re showing our unqualified support for this project,” said Donald St. Germain, executive vice president and director of commercial lending and credit administration at St. Mary’s Bank. The credit union is also offering homeowners home equity and home improvement loans at discounted interest rates up to 1.25% off stated rates. |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Jul 31 2008 at 6:03pm
No need for a program such as this in Middletown, Swohio75. In Middletown PUBLIC funds (including taxes paid by the working poor) are used for these purposes, and to remodel the "historic" mansions on S. Main St.
Why would City Hall big-wigs want low-interest LOANS when they can take taxpayer funds that don't have to be re-paid?
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swohio75 wrote:Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Jul 31 2008 at 8:19pm
Oh really. Didn't know that. Can you enlighten us with specific examples and dollar figures? |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Aug 01 2008 at 7:04am
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[/QUOTE] Oh really. Didn't know that. Can you enlighten us with specific examples and dollar figures?[/QUOTE] That's a fair question and I am working on it. The more I look, the more I find that just does not smell right. You can be certain that I will provide all details when I have them nailed down.
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