Questionable Legislative Procedure

Gary when Ms Ford called for a vote to remove the legislation it failed by 5 to 2, so the legislation was not removed from the agenda and then it was amended to the new version.  After that your guess is as good as mine I am not a lawyer.

All of Signatures on the petitions were not invalid.  I am not sure of the exact number that were, but I want to say just over 100 were.

In fairness to Mr. Mulligan, the speaker rambled on about the issues before targeting Mr. Landen for termination associated with economics. It was an extremely poor presentation for a woman who overall, was quite articulate. She just presented her argument wrong. As for Mr. Mulligan, obviously council wants fewer people and more than are in their camp to rubber stamp. Mr. Landen doesn't seek a professional counsel's advice for other issues which are unsuccessful. What I do find amusing, although quite predicatable, is when Mr. Mulligan uses his utilitarianism argument: "we have to consider what's in the betterment of the greater number than the few." So, in his previous moral theory, the majority didn't matter on council, as the majority voted and said no, we don't need that on the ballot. Then, the majority of 50,000 residents or about 48700 said, thanks but no thanks, we won't sign the petition. Utilitarian principles were an inconvenient truth Mr. Mulligan did not not like. That should have been the argument, not the economy is bad and we should fire this attorney for getting a second opinion while a few workers are being laid off. Kant would recognize the dichotomy Mr. Mulligan.  

I am woorking on it  my email is glb@cinci.rr.com

What happened to Paul Negy's terrific letter to the Mayor. It was just here yesterday. I want to show it to some people for their opinion, Please repost it or return it to the forum. Thanks.

Mr. Barge,

Mr. Marconi, I've just got to jump into the fray here even though this conversation is mainly between Mr. Barge and you. Goodness gracious, where to start!

You mentioned a conspiracy theory concerning the ballot issue on the ward system removal and the reduction of council members. Imagine how "Joe average" citizen feels when they hear that Council voted NOT to place the issue on the ballot by a 4 to 3 count. Then, we hear where Mr. Michel is circulating a petition to have it placed on the ballot, even though Council had rejected it. Next, we hear that the petition failed to acquire enough valid signatures for the ballot. Finally, we hear where council members won't likely change their vote on the 4 to 3 numbers BUT--BUT wait! Schiavone "changes his mind" and votes to allow it to happen resulting in a 5 to 2 passage and "it's a miracle!!!!" it's on the ballot. Tony, it shouldn't have gone back to Council the second time around. You already rejected it once. Do you now see how this looks to us mere mortals? Isn't it convienient that Schiavone changed his mind. Wonder who bent his ear (or arm) to change his vote??? Hint: might have been an MMF member- you know, that secretive society that we're not to mention. Shhhhh.

Next- "It is common practice to have additional legislation ready to go based on either direction Council decides"- Wow, Tony- sounds to me like the guy who is in business that shows one set of books to the auditor and keeps the real set hidden from public view. Sounds like Council has had alot of practice with quick outlets when they're in a tight spot- ehh. Also sounds like some things may be pre-determined as to decisions made. How subversive!

Next- Regardless of the content of Ms. Bronson's comments, the mayor was on public display at the Council meeting. He needed to be cognizant of the fact that his conduct was being scrutinized as all of you councilpeople are. He should have taken her handout, listened to her resignation request and calmly asked Ms. Bronson to meet with he and Mr. Landen AFTER the meeting in a city building conference room behind closed doors for futher discussion. Probably the professional way to handle this situation instead of a public "dressing down" of a citizen THAT PUT YOU PEOPLE BEHIND THAT DESK AND THAT YOU WORK FOR as hard as that is to comprehend at times.

Next- "Coffee with a Councilman"- went to a few at Java Johnny's. Most of the time was consumed by the guest that you brought with you. The time you did entertain comments, you received point blank, no nonsense questions asking you to explain some uncomfortable subjects and you wanted no part of that, if I remember correctly. So, what's the point in having them if you councilpeople are going to treat it like a regular council meeting and act like you're "just not set up at this time to answer any questions" ala Mulligan's favorite line? You really didn't expect to get happy thoughts and that it was going to be all rosy for you, did you? C'mon Tony!

Next- It's awfully ironic that you as a councilmember can smile and have positive thoughts and yet be a part of a group that spreads around so much misery in this town. How does one smile when they know the game that is being played on the people? ( I can hear the old wheels of denial turning in you head right now) Another mystery of life.

You're a nice person Tony- just misguided due to too much exposure to the MMF club and their henchmen. Do yourself a favor and stop listening to what they're shoveling.

And finally- with all that said- Happy Anniversary to you and your wife. We just hit 37 years in May of 2009.   

Tony Marconi wrote: What is all this wackiness about some secret society with Middletown Moving Forward ??? Do not confuse this with a local group called Move Middletown Forward. I do not know who is the organizer or organizers of that group. Middletown Moving Forward meets every quarter and it is open to the public.

Can we please move on. This is getting way outta hand. From what I can read. Mr. Marconie responded to Mr. Barge's post (It appears that he joined the blog to do so) and gave a reasonable reply to the questions. Everyone was respectful about the various viewpoints and in the end made it clear they we're gentleman and I would assume felt comfortable getting back to each other about issues they still needed to clear up. Then along comes additional accusations from other regulars and then Mr. Presta who has a hissy fit about info in the managers outer office. Mike maybe it's well desearved pent-up frustation but I think you blew it by not continueing a reasonable dialogue with your representative.

I would image you could have gotten alot more of your questions answered with a little less anger and a lot more civil dialoge. I personally don't think it's all some sort of  consperacy just cause your say so, and I know your sincerly just trying to get some answers to your questions, but I'd just let ya hang myself if I was bloged to in such a fashion. 

  I have questions about a great many things that happened at last weeks City Council meeting
  I’m having a real problem with this entire Community Revitalization Department and the new plan that the City has developed.
    I was told that Mr. Adkins was hired for this position to do some major housecleaning of pesky little legal problems within this department. I’ve also been told that Mr. Adkins is a very bright man however this isn’t a position where you can do on the job training. It involves hundreds of different programs funded by many departments of government. I’m sure he has a six inch thick manual on the top of his desk beside a very large bottle of aspirins. I wish him well.
  When we on this blog stated that Middletown was going in the wrong direction and becoming the Section 8 Capital of Ohio we were told we were wrong and negitive. Then when Forbes said we were among the fastest dying cities again the city said they were wrong and called on Ann Mort and Sam Ashworth to put a plan of action together to clean up the city and invite Forbes to visit this time next year. (I think you need to cancel this plan) And each week all we heard was what a bright future and great things were on the way for our fair city. The only thing that was missing from this plan was the cheerleaders.
  Then we learn that for the last three years Mr. Kohler has been passing out CDBG funds under the 54% slum rule,,,(SLUM? Where did that word come from)
  Then we’re told that all HUD Housing will be overseen by Ms Gilleland and the City Council without any citizens on this board…Hmmm
  Now Mr Adkins wants to use the CDBG funds for some of their special little projects and again they pull out the 54% slum rule this time to declare the entire City a slum so they can use the money wherever they want.  
  Next we are told that Mr. Adkins posted a PUBLIC NOTICE in the newspaper about this plan and we should have seen it…Hmmm.
How can it be a PLAN when it does not answer the basic questions of; How Much, Where, When, and How? Even City Council didn’t seem to know what he was talking about or asking for. Why was a Public Notice posted for the public WITHOUT any specifics included for the public to respond to?  Again you have made a MAJOR decision about CDBG funds without any input from the public...And for you to say that there is not $600,000 worth of needs in Ward 2 is a joke.
  Well City Council you have now declared that Middletown is a SLUM and like a bell ya can’t unring it.
Please stop the parade and send the cheerleaders home I’ve heard enough.

What about it Mr. Marconie about that HUD guy who is let go for spilling the beans about city secrets?

Sadly HUDtown or Slumville, Ohio can be our city?