Sure Would Have Been Nice

Today's Journal......

Middletown will lose $2M through state budget cuts

The city may be facing big cuts after learning state budget changes could cost Middletown $2 million in funding.

City Manager Judy Gilleland said the city was already poised to lose $221,000 this year due to cuts to the local government fund as outlined in Gov. John Kasich’s state budget. Now a 54-percent reduction in reimbursements for the tangible personal property tax — a business tax — could reduce Middletown’s state funding as much as $874,000 this year and $1.1 million in 2012, Gilleland said.

“It’s important that we make our state elected officials aware of how this budget will affect Middletown,” she said.

Before the state funding cuts, Middletown was set to deficit spend $762,000 this year to cover its increasing costs with shrinking revenues, according to the city budget.

Relying on fed money handouts to run fed programs and not making the effort to attract decent jobs and companies into town for revenue in the last 30 years.

How's that lookin' for ya now city leaders? No one behind that council desk nor sitting in that city manager seat looking out for the future for 30 frikkin' years.

Vice Mayor Bill Becker suggested the city should be looking at more cooperative efforts with other cities that will also be feeling the pinch.

“Those communities that survive will be the ones that work together to get through this,” he said.

How's that gonna help Becker? Do you think other communities are going to share any goodies they have with Middletown? Does Middletown have anything to offer in it's current condition? Do you really think that other towns will be that cooperative in these tough economic times? Some surrounding communities still remember the land grabs years ago. Think Franklin and others out east will help Middletown? Doubtful with the past relationships Middletown has had with them. It may have come back to bite you Becker.

I thought that everything went well and was expidited with only 4 Councilmembers and vice mayor Becker running the show. I was surprised at how he brought citizens' concerns genuinely into the mix without our Mayor's "We aren't set up to answer ?s" and "Pack your bags and leave" approach. Really opened my eyes to the type of person we need in the centerpiece role(with an election up-coming!). No 7 people trying to get in their say--no personal attacks or one-upmanship. Correct that we don't need 7 Councilmembers, though the elimination of wards helped to destroy any remaining neighborhood feel or thinking(along with the school system's consolidation plans). other opinions?

With possibly $2MM out of city coffers, even the weak-kneed panderers on council need to admit it's time to cut.  That is unless they want to bring down the unassailable 20%, 10%, make that 5% reserve fund.  

In Middletown Journal today:

Brighter future 2013, 5 instead of 7, at large! I'm sure several of the posters will throw their hats into the mix to help solve the problems that plague this city government. 48,000 people, saving the neighborhoods with the ward system, are you kidding me. Lets move on to the real problems! Problems that affect all of us and can be corrected without being on a certain part of a map.  

Ground swat I would love to get involved in some aspect of bringing the value of this city up. I can tell you from experience that unless you have a bank roll or a name to drop good intentions will not get you far. No one will tell you "no," but you can guarantee your place in the line up will be known. Spider John makes a good statement. There are admin here now that have never been out of their office(except for lunch)to have any real info on this city. If it doesn't come across their desk it didn't happen. If it becomes a problem first overreact, and then throw money at it till it goes away. Cuts won't affect those that have the clout around here. They will affect the citizens and the employees.