Tonight's Council meeting

Hey counselor!!!

From the City of Middletown’s Codified Ordinances:

Ҥ 220.09 SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY.

(a) The following procedure is hereby established for the sale of City-owned real property:

…

(3) Any City-owned real property which is estimated to be worth five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or more shall be sold in accordance with the procedure set forth in this division (a)(3).

A. If the City determines that real property should be sold, the City Manager, or his or her designee, shall cause the real property to be appraised. If the appraised value of the real property is less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), the real property may be sold in accordance with division (a)(2) of this section. If the appraised value of the real property equals or exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), the City Manager, or his or her designee, shall cause the sale of the property to be advertised one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. The real property shall be sold in an “as is” condition unless otherwise indicated by the advertisement. The City shall receive bids on the real property for a minimum of 15 calendar days from the date of the advertisement.”

From the Ohio Revised Code:

Chapter 721: SALE OR LEASE OF PROPERTY

721.03 Lease or sale of real estate - advertisement for bids.

No contract, except as provided in section 721.28 of the Revised Code, for the sale or lease of real estate belonging to a municipal corporation shall be made unless authorized by an ordinance, approved by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative authority of such municipal corporation, and by the board or officer having supervision or management of such real estate. When the contract is so authorized, it shall be made in writing by such board or officer, and, except as provided in section 721.27 of the Revised Code, only with the highest bidder, after advertisement once a week for five consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipal corporation. Such board or officer may reject any bids and readvertise until all such real estate is sold or leased.

Gee, counselor, do you or either of the two other attornies in the room recall these laws being followed in say, oh, the case of the sale of THE JOHN ROSS BUILDING to Mr. VERDIN, for example????

Hey counselor!!!  Now that you seem to be taking your role of an "officer of the court" seriously, would you like to revisit the memo found in the City Manager's office regarding ELECTIONEERING by MMF???

Oh yes!!!  Also for the THREE "officers of the court" at last night's city council meeting:

Hmm... 

1. appointment
2. employment
3. dismissal
4. discipline
5. promotion
6. demotion
7. compensation

Why would council want to discuss "appointing" or "employing" someone if they are already considering "disciplining" and "dismissing" that same person???  Likewise, why consider "promoting" someone that you are considering "disciplining", "demoting" or "dismissing"???  And why is "compensation" an issue if you are going to fire the bum???

Then again, who am I to expect the City Law Director's intepretation of the law to make sense???

MIDDLETOWN — A debate regarding the costs of improving Lefferson Road led some City Council members to debate whether to break state law

Vice Mayor Bill Becker pointed out the city had been “breaking the law” since the 1980s, adding he felt the state requirement was “unreasonable.”

WHAT? BREAKING THE LAW SINCE THE 80'S?


Councilmen Tom Allen and Dan Picard, both attorneys, were visibly uncomfortable by the discussion. Landen said it would be against their oath and his oath as an attorney to not follow what is state law.

LESLIE SAYS IT WOULD BE AGAINST THEIR OATH AND HIS OATH AS AN ATTORNEY TO NOT FOLLOW WHAT IS STATE LAW-

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME LES BABES!!!!!! YOU ARE THE BIGGEST PERPETRATOR OF BREAKING THE LAWS, ESPECIALLY IN INTERPRETING THOSE LAWS AS IT APPLIES TO THE CITY. WHAT A

“I am simply advising you there is an obligation to follow the law,” he said.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE LES WE HAVE COME TO KNOW, DOES IT?

Health Commissioner Jackie Phillips, whose department brought the law to the city’s attention and whose job it is to enforce it, said she would “absolutely not” turn her head from the law.

HOW NOBLE OF YOU TO SAY THAT, MS. PHILLIPS.

In the end, City Council voted unanimously to approve an estimated $6,000 assessment to homeowners to repair the road, install and connect homes to the new sewer line and add concrete curbs, gutters, and driveway aprons to the 42 properties on Lefferson Road.

The city agreed to remove sidewalks from the project and waive a sewer line connection fee, saving homeowners about $5,500 total.

Public Works Director Dave Duritsch said residents have the option of having the work assessed to their property taxes over the next 20 years, equating to about $35 a month.

THAT'S WORKING WITH THE CITIZENS AND LISTENING TO WHAT THEY DESIRE CITY COUNCIL....NICE COOPERATION.

JUST FORCE IT ON THEM IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES WITH NO REGARD FOR THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. NO MATTER THAT IT CREATES A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR THEM.

Isn't there something in the oath that you swear to become a city councilperson about "obeying the law"? Is there a statute of limitations for city councilmembers for violations of the law? Indeed, doesn't the admission of violation of the law constitute a "resignation" from council for said violation? Does that mean that the current council is in violation of the laws of the city and in contempt of the laws of this city and the state of Ohio? Someone needs to contact the state AG about this. I'll state my usual mantra; wrong is wrong!!! If you knowingly violated the law, you are guilty of malfeisance and not eligible to hold the public trust and the office you occupy!!! I believe that resignations and an immediate special election is in order!!!