Downtown Facades/Police Cruisers

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   Council will offer "forgivable loans" for downtown merchants for improvements for their businesses. Good idea to encourage improvements and to stimulate downtown activity. Question- where does the money come from for these business loans? Is taxpayer money used? If so, how does the taxpayer benefit? Cruisers- 9 new ones to be purchased- one was totaled, the other eight have gone beyond the "disposal criteria". Questions- how many quotes did the city get before deciding on the Van Wert dealership? By historical data, does the Ford cruiser give the best service or could a GM or Chrysler product be more cost effective as to wear/tear, service, etc.Other towns have gone to an "economy" scaled down version of the full sized cruiser. Has this been considered? Has the "disposal criteria" been reviewed and perhaps amended to extend the life of the cruisers a year or two longer? These are lean times for all and we're all trying to get more "mileage" out of what we own. Article doesn't say what the criteria is based upon or if other dealers were approached. New chassis for an ambulance- Strayer said, in the Dec 16th Council meeting that the city wants to sell the old lightbar and chassis to another entity. If they can be sold they must still be good. If still good, why sell them and spend another $60,000 placing the old module on a newer chassis? The only game in town on this one is also located in Van Wert. That's odd. Does someone in Middletown have an exclusive buddy in Van Wert or are there other similar businesses in other towns that could be examined?  Just asking.