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Wednesday, November 27, 2024 |
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Tuesday's hidden discussions |
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Mike_Presta 
MUSA Council 
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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 Topic: Tuesday's hidden discussionsPosted: Jun 03 2011 at 4:32am |
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Once again next Tuesday evening, Middletown’s top elected officials, the City Manager, and senior city staff will huddle in a cowardly manner behind doors that are as closed as the law allows (and arguably more so) in order to discuss the budget and plans for a tax increase as far away as they can get from the eyes and ears of the citizens of Middletown. They will give the usual cold-shouldered but weak explanations about how their work sessions are technically “open to the public” while showing their complete disregard to the elderly, the infirm, those without transportation, those whose jobs or other scheduling problems interfere, and the growing number in these difficult times who just don’t have the $4.00 per gallon to squander on gas to Donham Plaza, while the citizen-furnished Council Chambers sit empty and the taxpayer-funded cameras therein sit idle. Say what they may, the real truth is that they are either afraid or ashamed to hold these discussions in front of the only ones who truly deserve, in fact are entitled, to be “comfortable” with the discussions: The People of Middletown!!! Keep this in mind the next time that you see:
It is should be painfully obvious that they do NOT have YOUR best interests at heart (or they wouldn't be hiding from you to discuss it), nor do they actually trust YOU to know what they really have to say!!! What they say when the cameras are rolling is BULL SH*T, meant only as propaganda!!! If not, they would say that cr*p at the work sessions in a conference room (when no one is listening) and be discussing the real city business in City Council chambers, where it ought to be discussed. |
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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TonyB
MUSA Citizen 
Joined: Jan 12 2011 Location: Middletown, OH Status: Offline Points: 631 |
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Posted: Jun 03 2011 at 1:30pm |
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Mr. P,
It's obvious that our City Council is comfortable with their decision to hold work sessions upstairs. Whether they don't understand the concern or just don't care, they simply aren't going to change their minds. That is something else the voters should consider. What they are going to do and who will suport it should be the ultimate decider for the voter. My question is, will our citizens bother to find out the facts or will the "good news" propaganda cover up what has been done? I just don't see enough outrage at any decision government makes at any level. People may complain but so long as they have the "illusion" of democracy they won't get involved. The facts that politicians are in the pockets of those who pay for their campaign doesn't even seem to matter to voters. It's going to take a calamity like a government default and the resulting depression before anyone really notices and by then it will be too late.
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Jun 03 2011 at 5:32pm |
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Mr. B: I don’t disagree. However, the “good news only” propaganda campaigns by some and the apathy of others are only two of the reasons I feel all the more compelled to point out this travesty every time it occurs. Remember: All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. City council is supposed to discuss and transact the public’s business in the full view of the public, so that the public can feel comfortable, not a few members of council or city officials. This practice of moving the discussion and debate of controversial items out of council chambers and into a less accessible conference room away from the public’s eyes and ears is an outright insult--a slap in the face--to the citizenry. It is also a blatant violation of the public trust. |
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Jun 03 2011 at 11:55pm |
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I have just begun to review the 6/7 council meeting workbook, and I see from the agenda that Mayor Lawrence P. Mulligan, Jr. has seen fit to move not only the general budget discussions out of council chambers, but also discussions about:
Thus, two more controversial items will be discussed as far away from the public’s eyes and ears as they think they can get away with. SHAMEFUL!!! |
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen 
Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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Posted: Jun 04 2011 at 9:54am |
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A travesty that our elected officials feel that they need to privately discuss the most important issues facing our city. Public televised discussion enhances the citizens' awareness of the very tough crucial issues facing the entire community. The room is there and camera ready. Why they would meet elsewhere un-documented, then legislate based on these semi-private discussions is a slap in the face of all concerned citizens. Why make being informed as difficult as possible?
Best solution for someone able and up to speed would be to attend the early upstairs session, take notes, then use citizen comments to ? and inform the public on the issues discussed, opinions shared, and expect councilmembers to answer ?s before they vote on these issues. If you go over 3 minutes discussing pending legislation and/or fundamental city issues/responsibilities, then nbd. It is all for the right reasons. If a cut-off is attempted, force the issue. Would the mayor/council evict a concerned citizen rightfully discussing issues from upstairs?
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Jun 04 2011 at 10:45am |
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A good idea, Spiderjohn, but who knows how long it would take a citizen to recap what will be said--because who knows what they will really discuss??? Will the discussion of the Sunset pool demolition lead into a discussion of the point that summer is finally here and the Smith Park splash pad cannot open??? What about the budget discussions??? There is a rumor going around town that the City's latest real estate venture (the ill-timed purchase of the three buildings at the corner of Central and Main) has cost the general fund another $350,000 during the short time we have owned them. This drain can only get worse after Casper & Casper, and others, leave and won’t this substantially worsen our budget crisis??? If these items are heatedly discussed upstairs, and then brought up by a citizen downstairs--by a mere citizen, especially one like say, me--I certainly can see council having that person evicted. This is exactly the reason that the entire City Council meeting should be held in the City Council chambers!!! |
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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TonyB
MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jan 12 2011 Location: Middletown, OH Status: Offline Points: 631 |
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Posted: Jun 04 2011 at 1:56pm |
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Mr. P,
I could not agree more about this whole thing. You and I both know that this will not change until we have a new council and may not change even then depending on who gets elected. I can't believe that this city is so short sighted to demolish the only public pool left in town without at least trying to sell it. Saves them the money for demolition and gets this subsidy off the city's books. I intend to attend the meeting and speak about an option to sell some of the assets of this city. Of course, I expect to get my few seconds and then get cut off again and have my idea ignored but I would be remiss if I didn't speak up. That is the true frustration with this council, they simply don't listen because they already have their mind made up. It's the same with the upstairs meeting; they simply don't care the impression they give because few speak up about it. I doubt they'll even be "heated discussions" they already have the votes to do anything they want.
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Vivian Moon
MUSA Council
Joined: May 16 2008 Location: Middletown, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 4187 |
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Posted: Jun 04 2011 at 3:00pm |
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Mike |
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Neil Barille
MUSA Resident 
Joined: Jul 07 2010 Status: Offline Points: 238 |
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Posted: Jun 04 2011 at 5:07pm |
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Tony, the city has tried in the past to seek bids on running the pools. I believe it was attempted for one summer, maybe two. But with attendance so low, I'm guessing no company wants it. Same would go for "selling" the pool. If no one can make a profit operating the pool why would they buy it?
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TonyB
MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jan 12 2011 Location: Middletown, OH Status: Offline Points: 631 |
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Posted: Jun 04 2011 at 9:54pm |
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Neil Barille (if that is your real name, lol),
Thanks for the post, I think what would be a viable option is for the citizens, not the city government to own the pool in the same way that the city of Green Bay own the Packers. Why couldn't a sale of the pool be organized around a "citizen ownership"? If 10,000 people payed $30 for a share of the pool, $300,000 should be able to buy and operate the pool. I'm not an attorney so I don't know all the legal stipulations that would be involved but it seems a better option than destroying the last public pool in the city!!!
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Jun 05 2011 at 1:40am |
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A small point, but the citizens already own the pool. I'm just saying...
(The citizens own everything that the City of Middletown owns. City Hall and the administration just think that they own it.)
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Hermes
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: May 19 2009 Location: Middletown Status: Offline Points: 1637 |
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Posted: Jun 05 2011 at 9:02am |
You want the tax payer to pay more than once for a swimming pool ?!!! City hall is not an entity to itself,it does not own anything,the people own it as it was maintained,built and paid for by the tax payer. Personally I think closing the pools was the best idea,today we are seeing many illness's and disease coming from public pools. I for one would never even think of getting into a "public cesspool" which is what a public swimming pool is. Many people today own their own backyard pools and with water parks I personally see no need for a city owned pool.
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No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !!
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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Posted: Jun 05 2011 at 3:02pm |
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The un-necessarily purchased properties and the high prices paid, along with loans forgiven to entities well-capable of repayment:
The high cost of maintaining these dormant structures in anticipation of C St taking them over:
The high-cost giveaways to the PAC, which is way under capacity and honestly producing very little revenue and attraction:
The total # of city-owned properties in the former downtown area:
The increasingly expensive bike path disaster:
A splash pad at Smith Park which is disfunctional(announced as the heat wave started):
Over-emphasis and expense on city parks that go basically un-used:
The concept of INCREASING Section 8 vouchers by 15%(after a promised reduction of 50%) coupled with the plan to DECREASE public safety staffing by 20%-25%:
The dormant nature of the Towne Mall area:
The abandonment of all business areas in between the areas mentioned above:
The combined effort by city and school admin to eliminate any concept of neiborhoods in our community:
As Ricky Ricardo might say to Council and admin--
"You gotta lot o' 'splainin' to do"
So--please stop the double talk and stonewalling.
Conduct the citizens' business openly and in a manner as easy to access as possible(TVM which is funded by our cable fees and private donors)
Bring meaningful job creation to all areas of the city
We can have all of the "bashes" and "walks" you choose, however something must come from it all. More businesses must be positively impacted by the feel-good events.
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Smartman
MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jun 14 2008 Status: Offline Points: 299 |
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Posted: Jun 05 2011 at 8:18pm |
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Well said Spider.
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Richard Saunders
MUSA Resident
Joined: Jun 30 2010 Status: Offline Points: 232 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 3:02am |
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spiderjohn
Prominent MUSA Citizen
Joined: Jul 01 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2749 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 6:34am |
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not certain, Rick
Counting on accuracy of what was reported
have not been down that way in a while
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VietVet
MUSA Council
Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 6:37am |
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Richard
I think the information was in reference to a story in the Journal concerning the different water delivery systems at Smith Park and at Douglass Park. If I remember correctly, Jackie Phillips of the Health Dept. gave an explanation related to the health factors on each splash pad. Has something to do with a closed loop versus an open loop system I think. Anyone remember the specifics on this? I can't remember a thing anymore.  Thanks in advance.
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middletownscouter
MUSA Citizen
Joined: Oct 11 2010 Location: Sunset Park Status: Offline Points: 501 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 8:30am |
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I remember that article. It basically said that Smith Park's splash pad needs a better filtration system and they also need to post signs explaining not to drink (really???) the splash pad water and also not to play in it if you have the runs. I also wondered if they already fixed those issues as Smith Park's splash pad was certainly in operation last week on Thursday when I took my son to select soccer tryouts.
What I'd like to know is if City Council is so gung-ho on demolishing Sunset Pool (a huge mistake) because it won't make them money then what are the plans to demolish or sell the golf course which has been operated at a loss from day one. The difference, in my opinion, is that the pool would mostly be used by those families who cannot afford to build their own backyard pool, join a country club or pay for passes to The Beach or King's Island - the working class and below, of which there are many in this town. Golf on the other hand, is traditionally an elitist game. It's an expensive sport and being able to afford to get the equipment and pay the fees to play cements your status as a person of means. Mighty white of you council, mighty white of you. PS - Why is it that the City claims they cannot afford to operate the pool for even ONE season (about $20k), yet according to a recent journal article they've got $80k available to demolish it. Does anyone else see the absurdity of that? http://youtu.be/rYqF_BtIwAU |
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 10:14am |
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I guess that I am the one who first “reported” this under:
Posted: 14 May 2011 at 3:30am The next thing that made me go “hmm” was found in the April 12, 2011, BOARD OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT MINUTES. On page 19 of 71 of the workbook, Environmental Health Director, Carla Ealy, reported: “Last month Janay and I attended a public swimming pool meeting held by Ohio Department of Health regarding the new rules that were effective April 1st. The main revision of the rules is regarding spray grounds. We have two located in Middletown, Smith Park and Douglas Park; however, only Douglas is licensable. This is determined by whether or not the water recirculates. Recirculated water requires a disinfection system. There are other minor updates for public swimming pools that we will address during our routine inspections.” Hmm…??? I guess that I “reported” it again earlier in this thread. If Middletownscouter is accurate in “reporting”: “Smith Park's splash pad was certainly in operation last week on Thursday…”, then the question becomes: Is the City of Middletown operating an unlicensed spray ground??? I don’t know, I’m just asking the question!!! One would think that our City Law Director and officer of the court, Les Landen, Esquire, would either stop it or would report it to the proper officials, if the City were in violation of any regulations. That is what he said he would do in a recent council meeting!!!
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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middletownscouter
MUSA Citizen
Joined: Oct 11 2010 Location: Sunset Park Status: Offline Points: 501 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 10:18am |
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I can stand by my statement Mr. P. Not only did I personally see the splash pad at Smith Park in operation on Thursday 6/2/11, but my wife took my kids to the splash pad on Memorial Day - 5/30/11. Had I not been napping after the parade I would have told her to go to Douglass instead.
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Mike_Presta
MUSA Council
Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483 |
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Posted: Jun 06 2011 at 5:24pm |
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Hmm…I think I’ve got it!!! Maybe the Fuhrer-ette plans to have the children cited for playing in an unlicensed spray ground!!! Maybe it’s the latest part of her plan for “revenue enhancement”!!! The money from the fines could go towards a doggie park, or perhaps an extra nice vintage of wine at the next party at the Pendleton Art Center.
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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