Hello My name is Roy Gordon candidate for city council 2017.  I read a forum couple weeks back here at Middletown USA. It talk about city council members and how they were in line with the Middletown city doctrine. Those members include current, former and even some that are running for city council that are on boards at the city. I think the biggest reason why people like that keep getting elected here is that people are afraid of being politically correct. This year we can use one thing out of Donald Trump's play book. What I mean, let's quit playing nice to the same old same old politics as usual. Lets call them for what they are bobble-heads. I will speak on what I have learned and studied from following city council for 16 months. I will use the lesson from my life and how i was raised. I will not make it personal. Some of It will not be political correct, because the poor, low income and Middle Class cant afford It any More in Our Beautiful city. You don't have to Vote for me but let's quit voting for these bobble-heads. Thank You Roy Gordon.

Roy,

I'm all for it - and I'm also willing to spearhead it, do whatever, even moderate it if need be - I think it would be a great idea.  I'd love for it to be sponsored by MiddletownUSA.com - it would be a great way to publicize the forums for sure and we're gonna need a space where we can do this too...John Beagle - you up for allowing the association?  Anyone know a good non-partial place to hold the event?

Can't see it happening.
Probably the best approach would be to attend the Chamber forum.
1.Arrive early--reserve a spot if necessary--sit in front.
2.Submit appropriate constructive ?s that apply to situations and candidates.
3.Be respectful throughout--don't interrupt, make faces or disturb anyone/anything.

As citizens, this is YOUR forum
i hope to attend and see all of you there!
Should be interesting......

It would definitely be nice to be able to know more about the candidates.  Since Mr. Mulligan and Ms. Bronston are either incumbents or previous council members at least there is something to know about them, their prior record, etc.

Ami's invested a lot of money in the city.  She's actually putting her money where her mouth is.  Most people don't do that and people always say that's what they want, well there you have it in her.

Rhodes, the city has also provided generous financial support of Ms. Vitori's downtown re-development as noted in the following 5-20-2016 MJ article "excerpts".

Vitori!

Here’s an interesting Journal News article dated October 6, 2017

Brewery, hotel projects get grants Duke Energy money helping to finance Middletown projects.

By Ed Richter Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — A Middletown organization received two grants to assist a pair of downtown economic development projects.

As part of its Urban Revitalization Grants program, Duke Energy presented Downtown Middletown Inc. a total of $34,100 to assist the Manchester Hotel and Snider/Sonshine Building projects. The grants were made during a presentation ceremony Thursday afternoon at the Hotel Covington, which received the grant in 2013.

According to Lee Freedman, Duke Energy spokesman, the energy company announced 10 projects that received catalyst grants totaling $307,352 to support urban redevelopment and stimulate growth, job creation and further investments in local communities in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky.

“Duke has always been a great partner for Middletown development and redevelopment projects,” said City Manager Doug Adkins. “Their continued participation and investment in Middletown is greatly appreciated. The Manchester Inn and Snider buildings are exciting and challenging projects. Duke’s grants move the project one step closer to fruition.”

Property owner and developer William Grau could not immediately be reached for comment.

‘(Duke’s) continued participation and investment in Middletown is greatly appreciated.’
Doug Adkins, Middletown city manager

City officials said the grants will be used to aid in the planning of both projects.

The Manchester Hotel grant was for $18,700 to help redevelop the 70-room, full-service boutique hotel and conference center and to create 70 new jobs that will serve as an anchor and catalyst in redeveloping the city’s urban core. Duke Energy said the hotel will also partner with Cincinnati State so that students studying culinary arts and hospitality will be able to get hands-on experience.

The adjacent Snider Building, also known as the Son-shine Building, will receive a grant for $15,400. Plans for the building renovation include a microbrewery and taproom that would create 40 new jobs and also help to anchor the revitalization of the downtown business district. The project also plans on partnering with Cincinnati State’s new brewery program.

In 2016, DMI was awarded a $20,000 grant to help transform what was once a J.C. Penney in downtown Middletown into Torchlight Pass, a destination for dining, retail and family entertainment.

“Our urban cores are the hearts of our communities,” said Jim Henning, president of Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky. “Today, they present opportunities for positive change and prosperity. These important collaborations will create jobs, spur additional commercial activity, and serve as hubs for these communities and their residents for generations to come.”

Since 2011, Duke Energy has provided $1.88 million in Urban Revitalization funding to 58 projects in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky to help spur economic development in the region.

Contact this reporter at 513-755-5067 or email Ed.Richter@coxinc.com.

It’s agreed that receiving grants from Duke is always a plus for Middletown. But, how can the $ amount of Duke’s 2017 grants have any impact on the several million dollar projects proposed by Grau years ago, when those projects have yet to go beyond planning? Additionally, Cincinnati State’s culinary arts school in Middletown, as far as I know, was taken off the table (online classes, if they exist, aren’t quite ‘hands on experience’). Duke may have ‘misunderstood’ the situation with Grau and the city! A smaller enterprise that has shown progress and a willingness to contribute their own money and time (similar to Ms. Vitori’s Torchlight Pass) would have been a much better choice. But that’s difficult to find in Middletown.

One more point about this subject comes to mind. To whom will the checks for the grants be written? How and when will the funds be distributed? Downtown Middletown Inc. is not a government agency even though the salary of their director has been (and may be still) paid by the city. If as the article infers, DMI designates who will receive grants; shouldn’t that instead, be under the city government’s authority and direction?

It's been learned from applicable city staff that only $95,000+ remains for the Downtown Facade Grant Program.  As most know, an old Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) loan proceeds provide the source of these funds .

Whistler'sMom -

At the July 7, 2015 meeting of the Middletown city council, second reading legislation was approved granting Manchester Inn plus Snider Building 100% tax exemptions for 12 years.