We are now in a rural section of Northern KY. A simple 1300 sf house on 12 acres. Hunting and fishing in our own back yard on our own property. Property taxes are half what they were in Middletown and I don't hit a single pot hole on the way home once I get off the interstate. I haven't heard a single siren, train, argument, or horn beep in the 4 weeks we've been here. I've heard slightly more gun shots though but I'm comforted to know they are my distant neighbors sighting in their guns for the coming hunting season.

I hope Middletown can find a way to rise from the ashes but I predict a further decline in the coming years. Glad we were able to raise our kids there without them  falling in with the wrong crowd. It really wasn't that difficult so I have to wonder why so many other kids get stuck in the heroin trap. Our oldest son has been working for AK for about 2 years now and I am thankful for that.

Over the last few months there I've witnessed more police activity than I have ever seen in my life. It's a terrible mess. A guy that moved into a house that shared our ally even lit a freaking cat on fire a few weeks back. Just amazing how many people there seem to have no soul. Heartless and hollow.

Good luck all.

Jason 

Over the years, some have endeavored (despite baseless critiques/personal insults) to explore debilitating issues found in impacted areas.  Cost-effective and highest/best use programmatic solutions have been offered.  Best practices ideas from cities with similar problems have been highlighted.  Even a community development practitioner's first-hand assessment of post-2008 priorities, policies, plans and programs may be found.

Major residential property demolition, questionable "downtown" re-development deals and utilizing over 50% of valuable CDBG funds for code enforcement don't seem to have produced promised positive results.  A continuation of the status-quo seems unlikely to generate the "brighter future" that's heard.

Despite our different thinking, all the best to his next effort elsewhjere

Another local hopeful bites the dust!

Follow his footsteps out of here?

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I, too, have harbored bitterness towards a handful of past/present senior city staff and three former city council members over the past almost nine years.  As Vivian Moon has told me so many times, I must let go of the past and to move on.  She's reminded me of the accomplishments that I was involved with during my short time of employment.  She's become a loyal, valued friend (like you).

My youngest daughter is an R.N. and specializes in elderly/disabled long-term care.  So many times she's spoken of adults like your dear wife, who've had life altering medical calamities at far too early a stage in life.  Not only does she provide compassionate daily care, but she interfaces with the families who grieve much the same as you and your son.  As I've told you many times before, your dear wife, you and your son remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I have deep respect for you because you genuinely care about the plight of the city and questionable hope for a return to the better days of the past.  Your posts are always heart-felt and address issues that far too many ignore.  Along with Spiderjohn and a few other remaining MUSA participants, you do make a difference.

My hope is that future posts will be absent the crude, vulgar, unintelligent comments that have disgraced the MUSA blog recently.  I trust that John Beagle will intervene and serve notice to those involved.

Happy New Year in your New Location...

 

Sorry goof ball nothing but 5 star ratings in the last 12 years. Thanks for playing.... Never had a rating under 4 stars. Here's your sign...

I moved here about2 and a half years ago from Los Angeles CA., and yes I miss it! I had been trying for over12 years to get SSDI. finally got  it. As I have had to move around most of my life. I was thinking I would move here, buy a house with the back pay from SSI. my Daughter moved here wither boyfriend  and lving here I could get to know her better, and it as well. the first house I bought was condemned, and Middletown was kind enough to buy ti back from me.in the short time    I have lived here, my wife had a stroke, I was conned out of 9000$ by a local contractor, had over 7000$ worth of things I had bought for the house stolen ( almost all of it new) and had 3 lawn mowers stolen as well. in loss angeles I lived on skid row. if you think this area is bad you aint seen nothing yet. for over 15 years the worst thing that happened was being called a cop (I am white). but here In less than 2 years my world fell apart and I have robbed blind. go figure. 

but still don't want to leave. no not a glutten for punishment just like  the place, and proud of the house house I own.