Ms. Gilleland made it sound as if all that might be allowed under CDBG regulations was perhaps some sidewalk, curb and gutter work. However, that is just NOT consistent with the FACTS!! It is simply NOT true!! Today, CDBG can be used to “create jobs through: the construction of public facilities and improvements, water and sewer facilities, streets…”

Here are just a few of over FOUR THOUSAND projects (all CBDG-eligible) seeking funding totaling over $26.5 TRILLION. As a part of the 2009 MainStreet Economic Recovery Plan (CDBG Programs), the individual project requests range from a mere $5,000 to over $4 HUNDRED MILLION each: 

Akron OH: CDBG Crouse Street Public Improvements (water main & storm sewer reconstruction, asphalt reconstruction, curbs, and sidewalk). $722,000

Akron OH: CDBG Dover Avenue et al Public Improvements (storm sewer, asphalt reconstruction, curbs, and sidewalk). $883,000

Akron OH: CDBG Rosalind Court / Gotham Court Pavement Reconstruction $462,000

Akron OH: CDBG Lock 3 Redevelopment ? reconstruction of Ohio Canal (storm sewer) $3,000,000

Akron OH: CDBG Wilbeth (Firestone Parkway to Dallas Roadway Improvements $4,500,000

Alhambra CA: CDBG Street Rehabilitation/Construction: Raymond Avenue, from Grand Avenue to Mission Road $900,000

Alhambra CA: CDBG Street Rehabilitation/Construction: Main Street, from the east City boundary to the west City boundary $8,000,000

Alhambra CA: CDBG Street Rehabilitation/Construction: Commonwealth Avenue, from Granada Avenue to Winchester Avenue $2,688,307

Anaheim CA: CDBG Construction of Fire Station No. 12 and Neighborhood Park - Platinum Triangle $14,000,000

Arlington TX: CDBG Sewer Service lines for low income households in NRSA $1,000,000

Arlington Heights IL: CDBG Street Rehabilitation $2,000,000

Atlanta GA: CDBG Replace 8 Fire Stations that are over 50 years old and under poor conditions $24,000,000

Auburn AL: CDBG Street Resurfacing $250,000

Auburn WA: CDBG Arterial Crack Sealing Program that seals cracks on 65 miles of arterial streets and 70 miles of local streets in a century old city with one of the lowest average incomes in county. This project is fully designed and ready and can start within 90 days. $1,900,000

Avon MN: CDBG Street Improvements $700,000

Avon MN: CDBG Stratford Avenue Improvements $500,000

Avon MN: CDBG Blattner Drive Improvements $300,000

Avondale AZ: CDBG Hill Street Extension - Acquire right of way and complete street extension and drainage improvements to eliminate crime and blight $400,000

Avondale AZ: CDBG Old Town Street Rehabilitation $1,200,000

Bayard NM: CDBG Reconstruction of local streets and state highway. $3,500,000

Cape Coral FL: CDBG Utility Expansion Program, Provide public water, sewer and wastewater recycle to replace well and septic-SW 6/7area, North 1 through 8 areas and facility expansion project $345,400,000

Why is Middletown city hall fighting tooth and nail AGAINST money for projects such as these, but FOR “beautification” money??? Don't we need streets, sewers, fire station repairs, etc. just as much as, or more than, any of these cities?

Mr. Haller, you ask: “What motivation does the city have to not use CDBG money for street repairs?”

That is what I asked back a few years ago when this program had first gotten underway, and that is what I asked last Tuesday night! For some reason, that is also what no one was willing to address back then, and no one is eager to address now.

Just for your information, it is up to THE CITY to make A PLAN (which may be modified every year) as to how they want to use the money under this program. The parameters are quite wide, including: “to meet one of the following national objectives for the program: … prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available.”

Our streets, and the combined sewer system, are certainly “blights” on our community and a barrier to “community development”, as is the condition of some of our firehouses. In addition, the condition of at least one firehouse is a “threat to health and welfare”. We have no other funding available (unless it is “tucked away in some of our other accounts.”).

It only becomes “disallowed” to use the CBDG funds for such items IF the “PLAN” that WE submit (or OUR yearly revision) does NOT include these things!!!

**************************

Yes!  Throughout the life of OUR plan the following have been included among what we asked for and received: Neighborhood beautification; purchase of foreclosed homes at auction and the rehab and resale of same; downtown facades and similar items; updating and repair of homes in blighted neighborhoods (and I believe this has included homes on SOUTH MAIN STREET, although I am unsure exactly which ones); demolition of abandoned or condemned structures; home ownership programs for residents who might otherwise not qualify; and the like.

You can see what this year’s planned expenditures are by watching the 1/20/2009 council meeting here: http://tvmiddletown.blip.tv/ - http://tvmiddletown.blip.tv/#1698606 . This info is shown when Ginger Smith approaches the dais, about 1 minute and 58 seconds into the broadcast on the little timer just below the lower left-hand corner of the picture.