Laubach feels Middletown is....

No longer Middletown without it's downtown.  This is to bad for the other 80-90% of Middletown.  To bad the East End can not secede from Middletown and become it's own thriving City or Township.

I'm beginning to regret my vote in the last contested Ward 3 election.

According to The Journal, the Cincinnati Pendleton Arts Center (PAC) has “eight floors filled with hundreds of studios accommodating some 400 artists.” But, according to Law Director Landen (a member of the local illuminati), the Cinci PAC has only 250 artists yet it is out of space and has a waiting list!!! So, who is wrong--The Journal or Mr. Landen???

An “extensive amount of demographic research” was performed, according to Economic Development Director Robinette. But he doesn’t have “real, specific numbers” because they simply do not exist!!! Yet he said over and over that the other PACs have a “long, established track record”!!! If they have a “track records”, trot them out and show us!!!

Additionally, here we are, less than two weeks from implementing this deal and with much work already having been done, and with all of the boosters singing praises and seeming so certain what a great deal this is for our city, yet two main parts remain a complete mystery!!!

The first is “Additional compensation.” In addition to the compensation set forth in paragraph (a)(1) Developer shall complete the interior finishing of the first and second floor of the Property as specified in the final floor plan, attached hereto as Exhibit “B”.

The second is “Repairs.” Prior to the conveyance of the Property, the City shall repair or cause to be repaired, the items described in Exhibit “C”

But where are Exhibits “B” and “C”???

Less than two weeks before this “emergency” is to be acted upon, everyone is certain it is a wonderful deal, yet we don’t even know what “additional compensation” will be paid nor what “repairs” must be made by the city for the deal to happen!!!! How could there possibly have been any sort of financial analysis made on this deal without knowledge of these two important items???

How can either the buyer, Mr. Verdin, or the seller, the City of Middletown, have any idea about possible RETURN ON INVESTMENT???

This is nothing more than either a shot in the dark on a wing and a prayer (at best) or a corrupt, pork-filled, risky scheme to plunder the public treasure (at worst).

Just read Mr. Laubach's comments in the Journal. Mr. Laubach, I have talked to you on occasion and you started out, during your campaign, to be a straight shooter and a refreshing change as opposed to the poor choices we had before for council. In all fairness, I must say, that with this decision, I am now regretting my support for you. Granted, I would never have supported the incumbant Marconi. His decisions were incorrect for the city throughout his years on council despite his indication that he cared for the city.

Could you tell us here on this site, and off the record, why you would think this "artzy" theme for the downtown area will boost interest and revitalize the area? What could Verdin and the arts possibly offer as to decent paying jobs, support jobs surrounding this facility, and in the generation of enough interest to keep the project going for a reasonable length of time? These "coffee shop" employment jobs couldn't pay more than 6 bucks an hour- same with any support jobs that would materialize from this venture. You know as well as I, that 6 bucks an hour isn't enough to live on. Josh, there is no decent employment opportunities in this idea, it will attract only a limited number of people on a monthly basis to the downtown area, you are endorsing the use of hard-earned taxpayer money rather than private funds to risk and it has a good chance of not lasting long because it offers so little to attract people. What could you possibly see in this idea that makes it attractive to you? I would be interested in hearing from Ms. Scott-Jones and Mr. Smith on this matter as well. If you supported this, why? Is there something we, on this site, are missing? How about you, Mr. Picard? You monitor this site as well. What are your "off the record" feelings on this?

Mr. Laubach:

Gee, Middletown will NOT be drawing from the SAME area as PAC-Cinci, according to Mr. Robinette's "extensive demographics study"!!!  PAC-scam in Middletown will be drawing from a THIRTY MILE RADIUS!!!

Mr.Laubaugh--I believe that Mr.Verdin purchased his Over the Rhine property, and has an invested stake in that project.

Jefferson, Smith, and Locke are rolling over in their graves!!!

If I were on council the first question I would ask of Judy, et al. is  WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO YOUR DOWNTOWN IDEAS AT ALL?  There is no credibility.  And they better show a heck of a lot more evidence, data, and proof that this can work instead of listening to a couple speeches and believing it on faith.

Why would any council member or city employee compare Middeltown to Cincinnati when Cincy has a population of 333,200 (2009 estimates) to Middeltown's 60,000± ?? And to make the statement if it works for Cincinnati it will work for Middeltown is ridiculous !! And to compare Over The Rhine with Middeltown is even more ridiculous !!

What are the stipulations of this Verdin taking over this building ? If the city hands it to him on a silver platter can he decide in 2 years to sell it or abandon it ? Because I'm guessing that the "business" won't be here in 2 years. Middeltown does not have the demographics to support something like this. It was reported that the art center in Cincinnati was successful only after 20 years !! Middeltown doesn't have 20 years to wait.

 

Who is going to go into an abandoned downtown area to buy art ??!!!! The artist who will set up downtown don't even have a place to go eat lunch.

 

This whole deal smells very very bad. The FDA told the fishermen in the Gulf to smell their catch for oil and other contaminants when they catch fish and other seafood,I think someone should be sniffing this deal before we all get contaminated.

vet,

Yes I am your 3rd ward rep. Yes I represent the voters. I have never received a phone call or an email from you, spider or others on concerns with this issue. I know you both and have spoken to you in person. I have never given you or others any reason to believe that you cannot pick up the phone or shoot me an email. I have held two town hall meetings (The overwhelming issues brought to my attention involve Section 8) and will hold another. For three council meetings in a row I declared my most recent meeting and encouraged everyone with any concerns, comments or ideas to come forward. Only 8 people showed.  The discussion from attendees was again Section 8 and the use of NSP funds. Spider can attest to that, he was there. The line of communication is wide open (And it will stay that way from my stand point). If you think I am wrong, fair enough. I can take criticism.  However, please do not  put me with other people because you disagree with what I say. Furthermore, I would encourage you or any others on this site to call or email me instead of only posting your concerns on this site. As I have stated before, I don’t always visit the site.

I spoke up last night because I ( sorry to keep using “I” but this is directed at me personally) believed it was prudent for me to share my thoughts with the voters. I could have remained silent and let this deal pass without saying a word. For some people this issue is unpopular. For others it’s very popular. Therefore as a councilmember with one vote, I am left to look at the information given to me and make the best decision possible. The decision to acquire the building was before my time. I have no say in that. It can remain empty (Not a good option. How can we expect to rid the area of crime without people coming to the area. Disagree with the “artsy” idea, it still brings people. I did not pick the kind of business. ), be demolished (which would require spending of public money) or repaired for someone to make productive use of. In this case, we have someone who is willing to move in and start a business quickly.  

I think we’re being awful hard on Mr. Labuach.  We can disagree without being disagreeable. 

 

It seems to me that Josh has done quite a good job since being elected to council.  He’s been one of the driving forces on reducing section 8, held several community events, does a great job communicating  with citizens (including coming on this board) and seems to be a man of honesty and integrity.  People are undoubtedly going to disagree with their elected officials from time to time but if we’re agreeing with Josh on 90% of the things he’s doing we shouldn’t hammer him on the one issue we disagree with him on.  I think that turning to personal attacks probably does not help change Josh’s mind. 

 

Fair enough Josh. I understand your response. Some comments.....

" I represent the voters" - Yes you do. Now that you realize that, how about showing us that you are willing to bring our wants, needs and wishes to the council table by engaging us in listening to what we have to say and repeating it at the council meetings.

" I have never received an E-Mail, phone call from you...." - No you haven't and I have been negligent about that. It's also a two way street. I look for my rep to solicit information from me by random phone calls, an occasional survey or any other means to "get the pulse" of what the people he represents are thinking on specific matters of the city.

"only eight people showed"- perhaps that should tell you that that is not the best way to encourage participation. The majority of people are just plain apathetic. Some work odd hours and can't attend and some want to attend but have other obligations (such as myself)

"Disagree with the "artsy" idea, it still brings people".- How do you know that? Beau Verre, an "artsy" store, hasn't exactly had the doors torn off the hinges with people flooding to get in the place, has it? What evidence do you have that the arts will attract a large group of people to the downtown area? It's gonna take alot more than that to bring people back downtown again.

"For some people, this issue is unpopular. For others it's very popular"- I would imagine, given the habits and practices of the people who live in Middletown, the MAJORITY of the residents don't care whether there is an arts district downtown or not. I also would imagine, again, given the demographics of the town's residents, that a very small percentage of the population find this idea appealing. This is a blue collar town Josh. It is not West Chester, Mason, Springboro, Indian Hill or Hyde Park. It is hardly a cultured town.

"be demolished, which would require spending the public money"- What?...What about spending the public's money on this loan to Verdin? Isn't that spending the public's money? What's the difference?

"In this case, we have someone who is willing to move in and start a business quickly"- Of course he is willing. He's having everything handed to him on a silver platter financially, with little to no risk to him. The taxpayer is taking the risk and you council people are suppose to be representing our best interests in this, but aren't. Question for you Josh. What happens after the city has sunk so much money into this venture and it doesn't pan out and Verdin leaves town? Is he out that much? No. Does the city coffers take a hit? Big time! Then what happens......you tell me. How many times does the city have to be financially gouged before the town leaders stop the money losing practices of loaning taxpayer money to fund what should be private money usage projects?