STATE OF THE CITY

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     Posted: 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2014
      
City changes on tap at State of the City
By Rick 
McCrabb
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — 

     Middletown Mayor Lawrence P. Mulligan Jr. is expected to address a wide range of topics at tonight’s State of the City.
     Among the changes he’s expected to discuss include: Middletown City Council, its composition and members; adjusting to the challenges of the city’s proposed budget; economic development through job creation and revitalization; changes in the operation of the city; and changing city managers.
     Middletown City Council dropped its ward representation this year, and now, instead of seven members, there are five.
     City Manager Judy Gilleland has said the city needs to reduce its budget by $2.25 million over the next two to three years, and most of the cuts are expected to come from public safety, with layoffs to the fire and police departments. She said spending in public safety has increased by nearly 30 percent since 2000, while spending in all other general fund 
     activities has decreased by 29 percent.
     She said 72 percent of the general fund is public safety related and of that, 89 percent is personnel related.
     The fire and police unions have publicly criticized the budget cuts, and Dora Bronston and Dan Picard have supported the unions. Picard was re-elected last fall to council and Bronston was elected to council for the first time.
     The city is focusing its efforts on revitalizing downtown, and spurring development in the East End, near Ohio 122 and Interstate 75. Five historic downtown properties recently were purchased, and all are hoping to qualify for grants that will finance extensive renovations.
     Gilleland announced her retirement, effective June 6. The city is accepting resumes through the end of April, and hopes to name her replacement in early June.
     Also at tonight’s event, Marcia Andrew, president of the Middletown City School District board of education, will talk about the district and two major awards will be presented.
     Yudell and Stephen Hightower, owners of Hightower Petroleum in Middletown, will receive the 8th annual Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr Humanitarian Award and Barb Reuss will receive the fourth annual Armbruster Memorial Award, named of honor of Jim Armbruster, owner of Armbruster Florist and a former city council member.
     Robert “Sonny” Hill’s widow, Patricia Hill, and Melinda Armbruster, Jim’s widow, are expected to attend the event.

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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(1) Quote Reply Topic: STATE OF THE CITY Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 8:55am
	Posted: 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2014 City changes on tap at State of the City By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Mayor Lawrence P. Mulligan Jr. is expected to address a wide range of topics at tonight’s State of the City. Among the changes he’s expected to discuss include: Middletown City Council, its composition and members; adjusting to the challenges of the city’s proposed budget; economic development through job creation and revitalization; changes in the operation of the city; and changing city managers. Middletown City Council dropped its ward representation this year, and now, instead of seven members, there are five. City Manager Judy Gilleland has said the city needs to reduce its budget by $2.25 million over the next two to three years, and most of the cuts are expected to come from public safety, with layoffs to the fire and police departments. She said spending in public safety has increased by nearly 30 percent since 2000, while spending in all other general fund activities has decreased by 29 percent. She said 72 percent of the general fund is public safety related and of that, 89 percent is personnel related. The fire and police unions have publicly criticized the budget cuts, and Dora Bronston and Dan Picard have supported the unions. Picard was re-elected last fall to council and Bronston was elected to council for the first time. The city is focusing its efforts on revitalizing downtown, and spurring development in the East End, near Ohio 122 and Interstate 75. Five historic downtown properties recently were purchased, and all are hoping to qualify for grants that will finance extensive renovations. Gilleland announced her retirement, effective June 6. The city is accepting resumes through the end of April, and hopes to name her replacement in early June. Also at tonight’s event, Marcia Andrew, president of the Middletown City School District board of education, will talk about the district and two major awards will be presented. Yudell and Stephen Hightower, owners of Hightower Petroleum in Middletown, will receive the 8th annual Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr Humanitarian Award and Barb Reuss will receive the fourth annual Armbruster Memorial Award, named of honor of Jim Armbruster, owner of Armbruster Florist and a former city council member. Robert “Sonny” Hill’s widow, Patricia Hill, and Melinda Armbruster, Jim’s widow, are expected to attend the event.

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(1) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 10:31am
	Another dog and pony show, with warm, wonderful news about a community that is thriving in their opinion, but in actuality, dying because of their activity. They are not honest enough with themselves to admit that they are the creators of this catastrophy we once were proud of. The people who will show for this event, will be the dreamers, incapable of dealing with the reality of the situation. It will end up being a "rah-rah cheerleader" session with the audience absorbed by Mulligan's every word, shaking their heads in approval.....just like puppets controlled by the strings. Dreamers in a fairytale and those in denial is a sad thing to see if one is a realist and operates on logic. Sad to see people compromise themselves like this....especially in public. We could do much better without this gameplan.
	I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.

FmrMide81 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Resident Joined: Aug 26 2012 Status: Offline Points: 188	Post Options Post Reply Quote FmrMide81 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 3:02pm
	It's too bad you can't give Mulligan some truth serum prior to his speech-it would certainly be a time saver as all he would say is "It sucks."

over the hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 19 2012 Location: middletown Status: Offline Points: 952	Post Options Post Reply Quote over the hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 5:25pm
	Wow FmfMide81 now that would be entertainment worth watch. I'd pay money to hear and see that.

over the hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 19 2012 Location: middletown Status: Offline Points: 952	Post Options Post Reply Quote over the hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 5:28pm
	Well, you still can't get a drink at the bar at STAINED. They hope to get their license in a couple of weeks.

over the hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 19 2012 Location: middletown Status: Offline Points: 952	Post Options Post Reply Quote over the hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 7:47pm
	Well half his speech was singing the praises of our city manager. What is wrong with this man? Does she send him a check on a regular basis? She must cry on his shoulder that she "don't get no respect" Well respect where respect is due.IMO

acclaro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jul 01 2009 Status: Offline Points: 1878	Post Options Post Reply Quote acclaro Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 8:15pm
	Let's try this one more time. Larry Mulligan and the council members (2 others), knew the goal was to focus cash downtown. They brought in Gilleland to execute their direction. She has done it flawlessly. She takes her orders from them; they don't respond to her direction. Cincinnati State was NOT Judy Gilleland's idea- council members. The money taken out of GF to get the matching state funds? Council, not JG. The 50% gift to waste on the river front? Council, not JG. A gift by the way to support their efforts for GOP. The lamps on Main. Council, not JG. Paving Thornhill? Council, especially DP. Not JG. Akers Packaging tax break? Council. Moving school admin into city? Council, not JG. Consolidation to push levies. On and on....but not JG. The waitress, not the chef.
	'An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.' - Winston Churchill

over the hill Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 19 2012 Location: middletown Status: Offline Points: 952	Post Options Post Reply Quote over the hill Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar 25 2014 at 10:07pm
	Then why do we have to keep hearing about all her accolades that Mulligan likes to bestow on her and then brag about?