By Judith Gilleland

Middletown Division of Fire

We recently had all ground and aerial ladders tested by Non-Destructive Testing Services of Caledonia, MI. The testing process included visual and load testing to comply with National Fire Protection Association standard 1911 2012 Edition. These tests are conducted annually and assure the ladders are safe to climb. As with pumper testing, aerial and ground ladder testing costs are reduced by Butler County fire departments combining together to get quantity pricing.

Middletown Police Division

Sgt. Bradley Carrozza graduated from the Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Kentucky.  This intensive, college-level police management course is designed to develop future leaders of the department, while providing skills and information that can be used immediately upon return of the officer.  The three-month long course of instruction requires the student to stay on campus and to write 16 papers, give presentations on a variety of topics and work long hours.  Congratulations to Sgt. Carrozza, the latest police supervisor to graduate this prestigious course.

Let’s Recycle

An average American generates nearly 1 ton of trash a year, but all that waste doesn't have to go to the landfill.  Be “Green” and recycle your bottles, cans, paper and more!  Rumpke offers a convenient curbside recycling program in Middletown, giving customers a means to reduce the amount of trash sent to the landfill. Here’s a link that describes what Rumpke recycles:  http://www.rumpke.com/for-yourhome/recycling

Want to get started?  Recycling bins or green toters on wheels are available during regular business hours in the City Building lobby, free of charge for Rumpke customers!

 Yankee Road Paving

GREAT NEWS! The City’s contractor working on Yankee Rd. project paved the surface course of asphalt this weekend between Oxford State Road and MADE Industrial Drive on Saturday and Sunday.    This included the intersection at Oxford St. Rd. and Yankee Rd.  Traffic was maintained with temporary lane closures.  Traffic delays were kept to a minimum; however they were necessary to ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling motorists as traffic passed through the work zone. There is still work to done including pavement markings, traffic signal installation, driveway paving, seeding, and mulching.  Thanks to our engineering staff for ensuring the success of this street improvement project.   Remote Time Entry Departmental representatives are meeting with Information Systems and Finance to enter their first remote entry payroll this week.  This is another endeavor of staff to streamline the process, increase efficiency and to save more trees.

Cemetery Board Meeting Cancelled

The Cemetery Board Meeting for November has been cancelled.  The next meeting will be December 19.

Planning Commission

The Middletown Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing to review a request by James Pierson to redevelop a portion of the auto dealership at the corner of Nelbar Street and Verity Parkway as a CVS Pharmacy.  The meeting will be on Wednesday November 14 at 6:30 pm in the City Council Chamber of the City Building at One Donham Plaza.

Boy Scouts Visit

The Boy Scouts – Pack 85-Den 2 toured the City Building as one of their governmental projects last week.  They had a great time here at the City Building – especially the Council Chambers!  Lots of great questions and ideas! 

Presented by: Middletown Community Foundation

The 6th annual Home for the Holidays Santa Parade will be held Saturday, Nov. 24th, starting at 4 p.m.

Location: Broad Street to Manchester Avenue

"Mark your calendars to share in the fun and excitement of the 6th annual Holiday Santa Parade on S. Broad Street, to Manchester Avenue" said Jamie Murphy and Linda Moorman, parade chairs.  "That Saturday evening the parade with its Macy style stop performances, colorful floats and flying balloons, Santa Paws, antique cars, civic personalities, the Grinch, holiday characters and children will be escorting Santa in to mark the official start of the Middletown holiday season."  One portion of the parade will be the Santa Paws.  Dress yourself and your dogs in holiday attire to walk in style in the parade.  All animals must be on a leash and people friendly.  Santa will leave his sleigh and be on stage at the Square to hear all those wishes at the conclusion of the parade on Governors Square Stage.

Volunteer organizers are still looking for participating organizations for this year’s parade, which will celebrate a special emphasis on Middletown’s children and their talents, Linda said. This year’s theme is “All I want for Christmas”.

"Our special focus this year is on attracting new and exciting organizations to the parade, especially those which might have colorful dance, musical or other artistic styles to feature," Jamie said.

To get more information or obtain an application form, call 513-425-7312 and leave a message.  Someone will contact you within two days.  You can also email rmoorman@cinci.rr.com to get an application form or website at www.thesantaparade.com to learn more about how your company, civic organization or non-profit group can participate. The deadline for submitting parade participation applications has been extended Nov. 15.

"This is the 6th straight year for the Middletown Santa parade," Jamie said.  “Children of all ages just love it. We’re sure this year will be better than ever.”  Hundreds of people from Middletown and the surrounding cities turn out every year for the small but mighty parade which starts at the Middletown Public Library at 4 p.m. and goes north up Broad Street to Central Avenue at Governors Square Park and ending at Manchester Ave.  About 50 or more units typically participate in the parade.  TV Middletown the exclusive television sponsor which will film while station personalities will narrate the event and will be rebroadcast on TV Middletown throughout the holiday season.  Also sponsoring will be Light up Middletown, Middletown Community Foundation, Butler County Convention and Visitors Bureau, BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studios, Bella’s “a unique boutique”, Alliance Printing and Mailing, Legacy Fine art Studio, Art Avenue Custom Framing, Alpha Dawg Records &Alpha Remax.  Parade participants are still being sought. 

Light Up Middletown begins next Friday in Smith Park

Light Up Middletown is the drive through fantasy light display open from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, 6-10 p.m. nightly.  Santa and Mrs. Claus are appearing every Friday and Saturday ‘til Christmas 7-9 p.m.  Photos with Santa are available.  Light Up Middletown is located in Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue with admission by donation.  For information all 513.423.18777 or www.LightUpMiddletown.org.