Middletown's New City Manager

Judith A. Gilleland, currently City Manager of Pickerington, Ohio will start in her new capacity as Middletown's City Manager come January 2008.

At a December 14th swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials in the Middletown City Building Judy Gilleland made her first public speech to her new neighbors. Middletown, Ohio City Manager Judith A. Gilleland

Ms. Gilleland has had some time in office and has had opportunities to get to know the "pulse" of the city government and the people of this city. I'm sure that she realizes that there are two camps in town. The camp that agrees with the way that the city is being run and, in reality, has the largest influence as to decisions made for the town. The "other camp" sees the town differently and holds accountable, those that are making the decisions. These people see most of the officeholders and city employees as in need of some major help in the competence arena. They see waste and incorrect decisions that have resulted in fiascos such as Lake Middletown, Bicentennial Commons, the City Centre Mall and the street repair program that has been ignored, resulting in the deterioration of the infrastructure and streets. I have observed Ms. Gilleland with a look of shock and bewilderment on her face in some instances at meetings and on committees. I would imagine that she, at times, believes she has walked into a viper's pit.Welcome to Middletown. It's a shame that you couldn't have been here during the 50's/60's when the city was run properly.

Yes, and she is sending me her weekly updates to council for posting here.

You raise some good points, but at least we are getting some kind of communication from the city manager. Before it was what ever you saw on TV Middletown or read in the journal.