Council Member Ford took the time to answers the question we asked  a few weeks ago. To see her responses view the full story here   Questions And Answers With Leslie Ford

Sorry John to disagree with you on this. Ford's answers are glossed over, generalized, non problem solving talk. Anyone who can speak can recite non answers represented here. She has demonstrated that she doesn't have the capacity to offer any real solutions to our many problems in this city. To begin to improve Council's impact and credibiliity, she needs to be one of the first to go in November. She has done nothing but occupy a seat on Council and doesn't appear to have the overall sharpness of knowledge to help us out of our dilemma. She would do well not to run again unless she changes her entire approach to the job and gets a little more "cerebral" on problem solving. JMO

I have been encouraged by her recent voting record(perfect score with me Tuesday evening), and think that she has gradually improved over time. I seriously ? her commitment to the job, though the job is honestly asking far too much for the compensation(if you are not retired and financially secure).

 

Sorry, Mr. Beagle, but it appears that you are easily impressed.

Where would you like to see the city in the next few years?

I would like to see a few things progress. In the second ward, I would like to see continued progress towards unity of areas of the second ward, specifically the Amanda area and the Douglass Park area. They are only separated geographically by less than a mile or two, but they still "feel" separate. I would like Amanda, Douglass Park, and Downtown to be more united. In addition, while I have supported East End
Development, I would like our focus for infrastructure and economic development to have more emphasis on ward 2. I also am optimistic that the coming rail system (if we are selected as a stop) will be a catalyst for more development on this side of town.

Ms. Ford seems interested in Second Ward unity, and I don’t blame her but by continually focusing only on the Second Ward can’t she see that it is contributing to the DIVISION of the Second Ward from the rest of the city? Ms. Ford is not alone in this myopic view. “Diversity” or “Unity”??? Which shall it be??? We can’t have both.

I admire the fact that Ms. Ford is “optimistic that the coming rail system (if we are selected as a stop) will be a catalyst for more development on this side of town”, but what in the world makes her think that it actually WILL be a catalyst, if it occurs?

What is your plan to replace the businesses that Middletown has lost?

Aside from more incentives that the city can provide (tax relief) I would like to pursue a more aggresive advertising campaign to lure businesses to relocate here. I realize that will be of some expense, and given our budget situation, we really can't spare much at all. However, I think the long-term gain to the city will be well worth the expense.

Ms. Ford, that is not much of a plan. I would rather heard you say something about what our new, expanded Economic Development Department IS DOING for our city, and what will happen if they do not produce results!!! We could do a lot more “advertising” with the money saved by eliminating that department if they cannot produce results.

The first thing that needs to be done is to UN-do all of the business-killing damage that Mr. Kohler has done.

　

How would you begin to repair and strengthen our relationships with the surrounding communities?

I think we as the leadership have already taken steps in this regard. I think the key is to continue to keep the lines of communication open, and to continue to support their efforts. I think cooperation on both sides will strengthen relationships in the long run. I think we now have an attitude of openess that other communities are starting to recognize.

The “key is to continue” the “steps” that “the leadership have already taken”??? Ms. Ford, are you not aware that we are either in, or have just finished, litigation with our two closest neighbors: Franklin and Monroe??? Have you noticed that the Butler County Commission has held one of their regular weekly meetings in nearly every other political subdivision in this county except for Middletown, the second largest city in this county???

Yes, the County Commission has thrown a few bucks our way in the last several years, but no where nearly as much as we SEND to them and no where nearly as much as we might expect proportional to population, area, or need.

What would you like to see happen with the downtown area?

My dream is for downtown to be highly developed. I would like to add that Downtown and the East End are not (or should not) be competing entities, but rather they ideally should be complementary. Downtown could be artsy and eclectic, with specialty shops, and have homes for artists and students. I'd like to see stores that reflect the character of Middletown.

Dreaming is fine, Ms. Ford, but when will we begin being PRACTICAL for a change. Is there any LOGICAL or statistical reason that you can cite WHY our FORMER downtown should be “highly developed” with PUBLIC funds??? Middletown has been waiting for over thirty years to hear this information!!! Please share it with us!!! Yes, it COULD be “artsy and eclectic”, by why SHOULD it be, especially at public expense??? It COULD be a light industrial center, or it COULD have been a hospital, or a community college or a number of things. But there are REAL REASONS why it became none of those things. And Ms. Ford, as far as “stores that reflect the character of Middletown”, haven’t you looked lately??? There ARE pawn shops and second-hand stores. It DOES reflect the current character of Middletown. Would you kindly explain how “artsy and eclectic” reflects the current character of Middletown???

Ms. Ford, what you and the others refuse to understand is that IF Middletown‘s true character was “artsy and eclectic”, private developers would be fighting over the cheap downtown properties to market the “specialty shops and homes for artists and students” that you non-realists think there is such a need for and are so anxious to develop at someone else’s expense!!! It’s that simple, Ms. Ford…it really is!!!

What are your thoughts on Middletown's Section 8 situation and what would you like to see happen?

I think we as a city need to be honest about who we are and where we are, economically. We are a working-class city with a lot of citizens that need assistance. I think that the section 8 program should remain in place, and that we should not reduce the number of vouchers issued. I think stereotypes about citizens receiving section 8 assistance are unfounded. This is a program that assists residents in becoming more self-sufficient. We need to stop worrying about our "image" and get to the business of helping those in need.

“I think we as a city need to be honest about who we are and where we are, economically. We are a working-class city with a lot of citizens that need assistance. We need to stop worrying about our "image" and get to the business of helping those in need.”…Leslie Ford (in preceding paragraph)

Now, Ms. Ford, please repeat that THREE TIMES!!! It is the exact OPPOSITE of what YOU said in your answer to the previous question!!! I am glad to see that YOU are in COMPLETE AGREEMENT with ME!!!

So how about it, Ms. Ford? Please “stop worrying about our image!” Stop wasting the taxes paid by our “working-class” citizens by trying to DREAM that we are “artsy and eclectic” and that our “citizens that need assistance” need a bunch of snooty “shoppes” and high end “townhouses” that no developer in his right mind would dare risk his OWN money to develop in our FORMER downtown!

Tell us how you would handle the city's budget concerns?

This is a tough one, because the cuts we have made to city departments have our staff working on a shoe-string. I'll tell you what the answer is NOT. Staff reductions are not an option for me. That would be the classic knee-jerk reaction, but my belief is that you hold on to your good city workers in times of trouble. They've been fantastic. I think if we all work together, we will find a solution.

Ms. Ford, please review your facts. Other than police and fire, how many employees were on the city payroll five years ago? How many are on it today? Since we keep hearing that “no one has gotten a raise”, how many people (note that I said “people”, NOT “positions”) are making more today than they were five years ago???

Case closed!

In your opinion, what is the biggest problem that needs addressed in Middletown and how do we repair it?

The Economy/Jobs. I believe we are at 12% unemployment, and we as a city are really struggling. We have to be more aggressive in drawing in new businesses, and also providing the job training to our citizens so they can compete in this tight economy.

Well, finally, I agree with YOU (mostly)!!! But can you kindly explain to me how ANYTHING you said anywhere above will do ANYTHING to improve our competitive position against the thousands of other similarly situated cities across the state and nation?? If you can do so…and do so with facts, and logic, and sense (as opposed to dreams and wishes, and the like) I will turn into your biggest supporter, and help to the best of my ability to get YOU elected!!!

Respectfully,

Mike Presta

Thank you for that comment on my "admonition" on cerebral thinking. Glad to have you as a critic to my posts. I am certainly richer for it. You were curious as to what would have impressed or satisfied some of the most frequent posters here?- Some specifics to back up Ford's generalizations would have been nice. Less emphasis on the "feelings" talk about the community and "flavor" of the town and more "concrete" talk on offering solutions to problems would have been nice. I would be curious to read your ideas and offerings as to responses and to know what would have impressed you about Ford's comments. You have criticized the "negative" posters on here many times, pointing out our many "weaknesses", and you have frequently defended the city people, but you have seldom taken the occasion to offer your versions of the way it should be. How about now? Marianne- IMO courtesy and respect for city leaders only goes so far. When they constantly screw up and become the secretive enemy of the people just occupying a chair on Council or intentionally driving the city into the ground, it's time to just call it as it is and stop pretending they are reputable. Just as you can't understand why some of us constantly criticize these people, we find it equally puzzling why you and others constantly defend them when the evidence is so apparent that they are not worthy of our support. How bad does it have to get before you feel like we do?

VietVet wrote: Thank you for that comment on my "admonition" on cerebral thinking. Glad to have you as a critic to my posts. I am certainly richer for it. You were curious as to what would have impressed or satisfied some of the most frequent posters here?- Some specifics to back up Ford's generalizations would have been nice. Less emphasis on the "feelings" talk about the community and "flavor" of the town and more "concrete" talk on offering solutions to problems would have been nice.

I was asking what folks would rather have heard her say - ie, be specific about the concrete ideas you wanted her to express.   

VietVet wrote: I would be curious to read your ideas and offerings as to responses and to know whyat would have impressed you about Ford's comments.

Where did I say that her comments impressed me?  I was impressed that she responded given the tone of many folks here.  I don't think I remarked anywhere about the substance of her answers. 

VietVet wrote: You have criticized the "negative" posters on here many times, pointing out our many "weaknesses", and you have frequently defended the city people, but you have seldom taken the occasion to offer your versions of the way it should be. How about now?

What do you mean by "the way it should be"?   Are you asking for me to blather here about what I'd like to see done to improve the town? 

Why would I offer my vision for Middletown here on this forum?  I don't think it would be a particularly useful exercise, nor do I think this medium lends itself to reasoned discussion.  As people who know me know well, I'm invested in improving the community, and I do what I can through the means that I have.  When I have an idea about improving something, I go to the people I think have the means of accomplishing those things; I don't post about it on a blog, because I haven't found that blogs are the most useful mechanism for achieving what I hope to achieve.  Others disagree, I suppose, and that's ok. 

VietVet wrote: Marianne- IMO courtesy and respect for city leaders only goes so far.

I don't see how a lack of courtesy and respect achieves anything with city leaders, but it's not for me to say that anyone's approach is right or wrong - I just have yet to see negative approach achieve much good in this town or have yet to see much good come from what I often see here beyond allowing folks to "vent".  Nothing wrong with that. 

VietVet wrote: When they constantly screw up and become the secretive enemy of the people just occupying a chair on Council or intentionally driving the city into the ground, it's time to just call it as it is and stop pretending they are reputable.

Secretive enemy of the people? Wow.  Those are some harsh words.  I would say you're venturing into the vague territory you accuse Leslie Ford of occupying here.
 

VietVet wrote: Just as you can't understand why some of us constantly criticize these people, we find it equally puzzling why you and others constantly defend them when the evidence is so apparent that they are not worthy of our support. How bad does it have to get before you feel like we do?

I'm not sure what you mean by me constantly defending them.  Maybe my old age is causing me to forget posts, but let me see if I can recall the subjects I've addressed.  As you note, I've remarked about the lack of civil attitude by some folks here in their posts and asserted that I didn't think it was particularly productive.  In recent weeks, I've posted regarding the work of the Charter Committee.  Neither of those things seem even remotely connected with defending City Council or City leadership.  If I say that I've interacted with some folks in city government and found them civil and willing to listen to me, I don't think that fits your accusation either. 

I hope I never feel as you do - or at least as your posts indicate. I don't know you, so I'm just speculating, but your posts express a great deal of frustration and a sense of powerlessness.  If those are inaccurate assessments, I will stand corrected. 

I have an occupation that allows me to try to do a lot of good in the community.  I chose that profession precisely because of that; I tell my kids it's the family business, so I take it seriously and I think I'm reasonably good at what I do. I can always improve, but that's where I make a difference (I hope).  So, nope, I hope I never feel as you do, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to do what I do on a daily basis. 

Thank you for your response.

M

Marianne- Thank you for the response. I guess we'll just agree that we disagree with each other's approach to these posts and that we will never be on the same page in discussing various subjects. It appears we are radically different in our views of this town. I'm curious. How long have you lived in Middletown? I've seen 60 years of good times, mediocre times and the current bad times and use those 60 years as a basis for comparison to assess the overall climate of the town as it is today. The town is in the worst shape it has been in in over 30 years right now. (JMO of course.) You are correct in your assessment. I am very frustrated. As for feeling "powerless"? Only to the degree that it will be very difficult to erase the inner circle of people that are destroying a once prosperous town and the powerless feeling comes from knowing how difficult it will be to drive them out of office and the city building. I would like to see a totally new regime take over the city and the schools. One that has the ability to make competent, logical, citizen oriented decisions and one that has the vision AND KNOWHOW, to actually DO what they envision and plan.Prioritize and work on the basics like roads and the infrastructure first and move on to the next priority. I would like to see this town gain it's image back and be a respected community within the region again. Get rid of all the Section 8 and HUD programs and stop the welfare town theme immediately. I'd like to see the kids come out of the Middletown schools prepared for the demands of the working world or college. Yeah, I'm frustrated as he-- with these "leaders" who don't seem near as passionate about this city as the people on this site. Most all here, if in a leadership role, would guide this city in the right direction.

Pacman wrote: Marianne States:   "Why would I offer my vision for Middletown here on this forum?  I don't think it would be a particularly useful exercise, nor do I think this medium lends itself to reasoned discussion.  As people who know me know well, I'm invested in improving the community, and I do what I can through the means that I have.  When I have an idea about improving something, I go to the people I think have the means of accomplishing those things; I don't post about it on a blog, because I haven't found that blogs are the most useful mechanism for achieving what I hope to achieve.  Others disagree, I suppose, and that's ok."    This seems kind of an odd statement as you surely jumped in on the Police Chief issue with the Charter Review Committee and its position to look at outside candidates.  I guess there is not enough personal interest in the rest of the City.

I addressed something specific in what the Charter Review committee did; my discussion of the selection of fire and police chiefs was part of a greater concern with the Committee's approach.  I expressed that here, and I sent my concerns to city council members.  Talking about a "vision" for Middletown seems vague to me.  They are two different things.  Nothing odd about it.

Marianne- You state "why would I offer my visions for Middletown on this forum?" Simply put- because we would be interested in what your solutions are for the town to emerge from this malaise and to find out if you're on this forum to contribute or to criticize. It may also enlighten us as to whether you even have a vision. You also state "I don't think it would be a particularly useful exercise, nor do I think this medium lends itself to reasoned discussion". Ouch!!! that hurts. We, who participate are not capable of "reasoned discussion" on this site? None of us know what we're talking about here. Is that your inference? You sound a tad bit on the elitist side of the fence, similar to our esteemed city leaders in their opinions of us mere mortals. Do you consider yourself an elitist, Marianne? If so, I'll use one of your lines in one of your previous replies to me- "I wouldn't want to feel as you do." Finally, you state- "I haven't found that blogs are the most useful mechanism for achieving what I hope to achieve."- THEN WHAT ARE YOU PARTICIPATING ON THIS BLOG FOR? Isn't this site a waste of time for you, given that statement?

Hey Dr.C--everyone here is self-important imo.

Cinci is about to have a major "Knee Jerk Reaction".

Mr. Picard Candidate for the 4th ward just emailed me his answer to our question, so look for them first thing Monday moring.