Mort and Ashworth

I think this town needs allot of things including what Ann and Sam are doing.

come on Vet and Mike---

Spider- thank you for the critic. Once again I have fallen off the wagon. I apologize for offering my opinions that seem to offend you. You're correct! I do rant about the same old things in a consistent fashion. That's because it's the same old problems with the same old approach/suggestions/nonsense by the same old city leaders with the same old attitudes. When they change the situation, I'll change the dialog.NOT POLITICAL?NOT OFFICEHOLDERS?- They don't have to be political or officeholders to shout the message of the city leaders. Don't know too much about Ashworth, but Mort seems to echo the messages served out by the city leaders. She's the PR rep for them, is she not? I said before that what Mort and Ashworth are proposing are ok, AND I also said that it doesn't make a dent in what is really wrong with the town. What they are proposing can come later after the real problems are fixed, Spider. I agree, we all need to be involved but we also need to prioritize what comes first in importance to revitalizing the city. Your posts waffle alot, Spider. First you post how bad something is in town, then you post a "cheerleader- Rah-rah" post like this one. Which side of the fence do you really sit on? Distrust of Council/Admin?- You've got to be kidding! Even you post on these topics! Ain't this the pot calling the kettle black? The "Good News" magazine?- And pray tell, what monumental feat was accomplished by this publication as to the revitalization of the city? What was the readership and circulation of this magazine? Lastly, yes,you're right again!- this doesn't have anything to do with Section 8, red light cameras, choke plants, etc. That's the problem. They're suggesting "detrashing" the town and not talking about more important matters at this time like Section 8, the choke plant, red light cameras, new jobs, condition of the streets/infrastructure,city cooperation with the neighbors,lack of business opportunities, etc. It would appear that we have some major differences in opinion as to approach in "revitalization"!

Mike, dig a little deeper and you will find more...

Mike- Ms. Mort said that if you came to this meeting asking for money or to complain, you're out of luck. They have no money to fund these projects. She said if you want to tackle painting the fire hydrants, for example, you need to contact the city before you start and if ok, go out and buy your paint and start painting. Looks like if one wants to start a project or contribute to an existing one, the cost for the supplies will be out of their own pocket. No city money will be used according to info. given last night.She also said they have 123 projects on the list so contact her first before you start,to see if there is duplication of projects.

Perhaps the city(on behalf of Middletown Pride) can ask Lowe's , Meiers , Sears or other stores to donate some paint in exchange for a city tax writeoff or some free publicity. Wonder if the city folks have even tried that approach??? Mr. Wood, you're on the Park Board. Do you know how they handle the budget for building materials and paint for the parks?

Isn't the city, through the park department, supplying the paint for the NAACP to paint the Community Center?  What is the difference between that and, say, painting fire hydrants?

2000+   At the risk of being criticized by other members of our illustrious forum, I will offer these comments. IMO, Mort is allowed to organize these events with the city's blessing, and is given maximum exposure in the Journal for anything she wants to tackle because she is a member of the inner circle of influential citizens and, as such, given preferential treatment. Her request to funnel any and all projects through her Pride group is testimony of her controlling nature she has adopted. Her actions suggests that she has controlling interest in the idea department for this city. This is a perfect example of the attitudes I believe to be prevalent throughout the city leadership. It's a "my way or the highway" management philosophy and turns some people off as to cooperation. She ( and other leaders) want to know why people don't want to cooperate? Perhaps it's because THEY don't care what you have to say, just do what WE want. We'll do the thinking- YOU do the "doin'" WHAT she is trying to do is to her credit. HER APPROACH may be in question. The Lawrence Mulligan picture on the Forbes magazine idea was clever. Mr. Ashworth seems to be a creative soul and seems very congenial.

It's hard to believe that it took Forbes listing to bring attention to the fact that Middletown is slowly fading into the history pages. The plight of Middeltown has been known to some for several years or even decades,but others absolutely refuse to accept this fact. You have to face the present in reality in order to make changes for the better and the future. Middletown is a has-been. It's glory days are over and have been for some time now. The steel mill no longer backs the city unless there is something big in it for them. That mill is what made Middletown. Now all of a sudden no more mill backing & the council as well as citizens are left to stumble around in the dark. A certain handful of "influential people" are still trying to run the show as if this was the hayday,it's not. And no one knows what to do.