A time for action!

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I’ve had occasion recently to approach our fair city from the south via Yankee Road, a route that I have not taken for quite some time. I have also recently had occasion to travel several other “neighborhood” streets and lanes that I have not traveled for quite some time and, quite frankly, I was flabbergasted (and it takes quite a bit to flabbergast me at this stage of my life).
Regardless of the nonchalanche with which our city leaders seem to treat this situation (in all but a few areas) I believe that it is time for drastic action.
It is clear to everyone but our leaders that CDBG money can be used for repair or replacement of our roads and streets, yet they seem dead-set against using it for this purpose, even though providing safe and adequate infrastructure is among the very first purposes of municipal government.
I believe that truly concerned citizens should join me in demanding that an ordinance be passed mandating that no CBDG funds be used for ANY other purpose until all streets possible (with a few exceptions to be addressed below) be brought into first class condition.
I believe that the Commission on Landmarks and Historic Structures has not only been given far too much power in this city, but also has been derelict in their duty. Therefore, I believe that we should demand that, in addition to the above ordinance, another ordinance should be enacted giving the history buffs their wish. This ordinance should mandate that all roads, streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and appurtenances in any and all Historic Districts shall forgo maintenance and repair and be allowed to regress to their 1860s era, historic state of muddy gravelly condition. This will have the added benefit of “traffic calming” in these areas. This ordinance should have a provision of “no reconsideration” until all other roads and streets in Middletown have been returned to first class condition, with the exception of roads and streets within one block in any direction of the residence of any member of City Council, or any senior member of city staff, their parents, siblings, or children..

People of Middletown, it is time that we begin to take back our city by whatever means necessary!!!

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Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: A time for action! Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 6:26am
	I’ve had occasion recently to approach our fair city from the south via Yankee Road, a route that I have not taken for quite some time. I have also recently had occasion to travel several other “neighborhood” streets and lanes that I have not traveled for quite some time and, quite frankly, I was flabbergasted (and it takes quite a bit to flabbergast me at this stage of my life). Regardless of the nonchalanche with which our city leaders seem to treat this situation (in all but a few areas) I believe that it is time for drastic action. It is clear to everyone but our leaders that CDBG money can be used for repair or replacement of our roads and streets, yet they seem dead-set against using it for this purpose, even though providing safe and adequate infrastructure is among the very first purposes of municipal government. I believe that truly concerned citizens should join me in demanding that an ordinance be passed mandating that no CBDG funds be used for *ANY* other purpose until all streets possible (with a few exceptions to be addressed below) be brought into first class condition. I believe that the Commission on Landmarks and Historic Structures has not only been given far too much power in this city, but also has been derelict in their duty. Therefore, I believe that we should demand that, in addition to the above ordinance, another ordinance should be enacted giving the history buffs their wish. This ordinance should mandate that all roads, streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and appurtenances in any and all Historic Districts shall forgo maintenance and repair and be allowed to regress to their 1860s era, historic state of muddy gravelly condition. This will have the added benefit of “traffic calming” in these areas. This ordinance should have a provision of “no reconsideration” until all other roads and streets in Middletown have been returned to first class condition, with the exception of roads and streets within one block in any direction of the residence of any member of City Council, or any senior member of city staff, their parents, siblings, or children.. People of Middletown, it is time that we begin to take back our city by whatever means necessary!!!
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 6:50am
	Unfortunately, it will never happen in the current climate, Mike. Too much apathy- no one gives a crap (except the few, the proud , the MUSA) We all know there's alot of unhappy people living in this town. We all know that alot of those unhappy people complain on a routine basis in this town and the city leaders don't care. We all know that no one has been successful in organizing all the unhappy, complaining people in this town to approach the city leaders in mass and we all know that until that happens, we will continue to point out the daily blunders made in this city to no avail........and that is very frustrating. Perhaps people like their "comfort zone" of complaining "from a distance" as opposed to telling council what they think at the meetings directly, E-Mailing them or writing Letters To The Editor. Perhaps they see their efforts in complaining as being futile and falling on deaf ears. (can't blame them for that) Perhaps people are too wrapped up in their own personal problems and don't have the time nor the mindset to attack the city's problems- easier to complain and takes less time to do so. Perhaps they're not planning to stay in town and choose to run away from this mess. Easier to leave it behind rather than attack and attempt to solve it. Perhaps the city leaders have beaten the people down so much, there is no more fight in them. Maybe a good tactic on their part to eliminate a threat of opposition. JMO

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 7:03am
	Vet, Help in regards to the matters you discussed may be on the way. There are other people in this town willing to try to take action. We just have not reached them yet.
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

viper771 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Mar 16 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 221	Post Options Post Reply Quote viper771 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 12:36pm
	They are supposed to be redoing yankee road here sometime. I had to put in a new apron, some curbs, and new sidewalk. I didn't want to pay the city to do it since I got a better deal, and I had to do some other concrete work anyway. The area between Verity and 8th is pretty.. seedy on Yankee. I usually don't drive down that way unless I really have to.

rngrmed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: May 06 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 309	Post Options Post Reply Quote rngrmed Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 12:48pm
	WAIT just a minute...does that mean they won't fund our new art center??? I can't get behind this, after all Yankee road has been messed up since I was a kid (I remember riding my bike down there in the '80's). Sarcasm of course...

Hermes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: May 19 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1637	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hermes Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 12:56pm
	Well thats one problem right there....it's called YANKEE when it should have been named CONFEDERATE.
	No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !!

randy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Official Joined: Jan 13 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1586	Post Options Post Reply Quote randy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 06 2010 at 2:29pm
	Mike, I have ben calling for some form of action for awhile now!! The problem is no one cares enough to show up and voice their feelings to those that lead the city into......HELL!!!!
	Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357

Storm Ahead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Immigrant Joined: Aug 04 2010 Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Storm Ahead Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 12:05pm
	Mr. Presta? What you want and what the Federal Government will permit you to do with CDBG funds may be very far apart. But you are right. It does start with the willingness of local officials, elected and hired.
	Stormy

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 10:18pm
	Storm: The repair of failed/failing streets IS a permitted use of CBDG funds, regardless of what you may have been led to believe. Everyone at City Hall knows (or SHOULD know) it. It has beens documented here, several times, and even has been admitted at meetings in city hall, although that may not have been reported. There may be some restrictions on where the streets to be repaired can be located, but I am on record, several times, as acknowledging that and stating that some of our poorest neighborhoods could end up with the best streets and that I support that, especially instead of "beautification" on a street that one cannot even drive down because of its poor repair. My only reservation now would be to put streets of city power brokers, their relatives and handlers LAST on the schedule, right behind Historic Districts (including downtown). These isolationist, primitive condition lovers should be given their wish.
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

Bob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Outsider Joined: Jul 29 2010 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 10:36pm
	I think there is $200,000 in CDBG funds being spent on paving this year....

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 07 2010 at 10:45pm
	ALL CBDG money should be spent on paving..this year and every year until our streets are all (except for the streets of people who wish to live in the 1890's) back in first class condition!!! $200,000/yeaar isn't even enough to do crack-sealing on some of our better streets to prevent them from deteriorating, and therefore extend their serviceable lives. Instead, our city leaders eschew this sort of sensible inexspensive maintenance and let our streets crumble while they squander our tax money on nonsense.
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012

Storm Ahead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Immigrant Joined: Aug 04 2010 Status: Offline Points: 18	Post Options Post Reply Quote Storm Ahead Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 09 2010 at 9:30am
	Thank you gentlemen. Mr. Presta, you make a most valid point. Oil-based asphalt will only increase in price and I think it takes approximately $130,000 to pave one mile of one lane road right now! We have over 500 miles of roadways. Has anyone ever asked what we pay in "consultant fees" and who those payees are? I bet we could pave more than a mile, maybe three!
	Stormy

Vivian Moon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vivian Moon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Aug 10 2010 at 4:11am
	Mike Do you hear that big sucking sound? That’s the CDBG funds going into that big black hole known as the new “Main Street Plan”.

angelababy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Aug 04 2010 Status: Offline Points: 103	Post Options Post Reply Quote angelababy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 2:04am
	They are supposed to be redoing yankee road here sometime. I had to put in a new apron, some curbs, and new sidewalk.