From: Harvey Poff

June 16, 2012

Saturday morning, June 16, 2012, several members of the Middletown Police and Fire departments will begin walking the neighborhoods they serve in search of positive votes for the upcoming August 7 vote on the renewal of this continuing Public Safety Income Tax Levy.

The group will meet at the IAM Local 1943 Union Hall on Crawford Street to receive their assignments and will then fan out in the city for several hours as a major door-to-door campaign kicks off.

Mayor Larry Mulligan and Levy Committee Chair Harvey Poff will be in attendance to lend their support to the officers and the levy.

Mayor Mulligan stressed the importance of the levy campaign, “Our Public Safety forces are constantly being asked to do more with less. In recent years state funding has been cut, local tax income has decreased and other funding has been slashed. Both Police and Fire Departments have reduced expenses in all areas of operation including a reduction in the number of police officers and firefighters available to respond to the ever-increasing demand for their services. These officers are always ready to come to our aid when we call for help, now it is our turn to support these fine public servants and put Safety First.”

Harvey Poff said, “As a former Middletown Police Officer and retired Director of the Public Safety Academy at Butler Tech, I know first hand how stretched our police and fire officers are and how much the renewal of this levy is needed.”

The 1/4% City Income Tax dedicated to funding a portion of the cost of provided Public Safety services will expire at the end of 2012. While that tax brings in approximately $2.9 million of the $21 million required to run the departments at their current levels, it is vital to maintaining today’s level of services.