Mulligan refusing to debate is unfortunate Mr. Nagy, but was predictable. My observation is that either he doesn't want to debate the issues directly because it is an indictment on his abilities to run the city and those flaws will be exposed or his connection with MMF has made him so arrogant that he may feel he is "above the fray" when it comes to mingling with those not in the inner circle. Whatever the reason, the man owes the public an open forum so that we may elect the best person for the job. He has been here as long as I have. He should be ashamed of himself, given his contributions to the ruination of this city.

Poor choice Mulligan.   

So Picard's pro-union posturing is criticized but Nagy's debate stunt which is surely meant not to get at the substance of the issues but instead to make a splash is not a political ploy? While I can understand Mr. Nagy's tried and true trick of "embarrass the incumbent" I also do not criticize Mulligan for his stance -- why should he do it? There are plenty of opportunities for Mr. Nagy to get his position out into the public.

But one wonders who is out of touch with the public and our economy realities. Mr. Mulligan, who certainly understands our city's challenges and limitations, is very visible and attentive to our city needs, and as a reminder is but one vote out of seven? Or is it Mr. Nagy who opposes virtually everything and would therefore often be in conflict with blog heroes ASJ and Laubach? So by siding with Nagy are you also saying that ASJ, Lambauch, AJ are also frequently wrong in that they agree with much of the Mayor's positions and agree with him on the issues surrounding our budgetary challenges?

While improvement is no doubt needed in this city, when considering that the Great Recession and stagnant business development is not confined to Middletown, challenging Mr. Mulligan on his successes is a bit unfair. Go anywhere, to any council meeting, and listen to the moaning about business development. The problem with holding a bar incredibly high for the Mayor during these last 4 hellish years means that you are under a delusion that this city's problems are easily reversed. When the pitchforks and torches feel good they will produce no satisfaction in the next 4 years, even if Mr. Nagy is elected.

Paul Nagy wrote: He can't debate because he has nothing to stand on.

That's your opinion, and it's completely bogus. Mayor Mulligan has pointed out completely legitimate reasons for not wasting anyone's time debating you (I've pointed them out for you below). In my opinion you should be thanking him for passing on the debate, it wouldn't do you any good.

Whats wrong with a debate by the candidates for Mayor? What is Mulligan afraid of?

yes then no, answered with a press release

Many on here call for "common sense" and demand sound judgment from our city leaders, especially from those making $9000/year while spending an inordinate amount of their time engaged in trying to help guide the city.

You talk about the secret society of MMF'ers (I doubt there's a secret handshake) who fund the mayor. Isn't it sound judgment to accept political contributions from friends and acquaintances? Should he send the money back? I don't know of too many people that can be bought and paid for by a bunch of $50 and $100 donations. (Speaking of MMF: who pray tell, is benefiting or getting rich off of anything in this town, except maybe those that own the gold shops?)

You criticize a mayor who is known in the community both for family name and a long history of involvement in the community. Mr. Nagy has neither (and whose fault is the latter?)

The Mayor will show up at these forums and debates. Mr. Nagy has ample opportunity to get his message out both on TV and in print. Participating in a mayoral debate, a debate that is only desired by about 10-20 people on MUSA and in which the Mayor would surely "lose" according to the scorekeepers of MUSA, woudl not be using sound judgment.

Criticize city leadership all you want, and there is sufficient ammo for that, but in the end the MUSA haters seem to expect our mayor to behave irrationally. He is Obama -- he cannot win. A $900 flight to Boston, facial expressions during council meetings, and the fact he cannot put out all the raging fires of decline with the city's water pistol.

Stanky: "Many on here call for "common sense" and demand sound judgment from our city leaders, especially from those making $9000/year while spending an inordinate amount of their time engaged in trying to help guide the city."

And that's where the problem lies Stanky. They are "trying" to guide the city.....but the end result of their "trying" has been a catastrophy. Look at what they have done to the city in many facets. You can throw common sense out the window with YOUR city leaders whom you seem so eager to defend. None of this would have happened if common sense was on the table.

Stanky: "You talk about the secret society of MMF'ers...."

No secret society. They have a web site with members names listed. The secret part comes from their agenda not mentioned on the website. This secret agenda can be viewed by asking anyone on this site who picked up a copy inadvertently left outside the city manager's office and was discovered by accident. Ask those in the know here about the contents of the pamphlet. Perhaps someone here can list some key items in the pamphlet for Stanky.

Stanky: "(Speaking of MMF: who pray tell, is benefiting or getting rich off of anything in this town, except maybe those that own the gold shops?)"

How about the friends of the city who are in the Section 8 landlord business? Think the city ramped up it's Section 8 clients to gather more fed money to feed their pals in that business? How about all the demolition going on in town. Think there may be a connection in contracting the same demolition company time and time again. (Rausche) (sp?) Don't know, but perhaps. There is an acknowledged "inner-circle brotherhood" of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" mentality in this town. Has been for years. Probably in every town I would imagine.

Stanky: "You criticize a mayor who is known in the community both for family name and a long history of involvement in the community"

His mother was an educator in math. She taught calculus at MUM the first year in operation. I was a student of hers at the time. Dad...don't know. Known family name? Not necessarily to most Middletonians. Certainly not since the 50's since I've been around.

Stanky: "a long history of involvement in the community"

Other than being on council and a bank VP, what "long history" are you referring? Don't recall the family being "long involvers" in this community. Tell us about their involvement.


Stanky: "Mr. Nagy has neither (and whose fault is the latter?)"

Mr. Nagy hasn't been around nearly as long as the Mulligan family in town. Gotta start somewhere, just like the Mulligans did at one time. Can't use that against Nagy, can you?

Stanky: "Participating in a mayoral debate, a debate that is only desired by about 10-20 people on MUSA and in which the Mayor would surely "lose" according to the scorekeepers of MUSA"

What? No one on here said Mulligan would lose. Some, including me said they would like to see a debate, some said it would be futile and meaningless. No one has picked a winner I don't believe. Hell, as much apathy that is in this community, no one wants to see any debates. Look at the pathetic attendance at the forums and the percent of residents who actually get their fat carcasses off the couch and go vote. Pathetic.

Stanky: "Criticize city leadership all you want, and there is sufficient ammo for that, but in the end the MUSA haters seem to expect our mayor to behave irrationally"

No, we want the mayor (and all others in leadership roles) to make competent decisions for the benefit of ALL.....ALL citizens, rich, poor and middle class. There is strong evidence this is not being done at all. It would appear the decisions are being made by the MMF, a small group of influential people of power calling the shots and Mulligan and others are simply implementing those orders and following the directions given to them by that anonymous inner circle of influence.

Stanky: "and the fact he cannot put out all the raging fires of decline with the city's water pistol"

The irony here is that he was a part of the creation of all the "raging fires" with his involvement with MMF as a member. THEY created the fires using their agenda for this town, leaving the average citizen out of the equation. He has no intention of "putting out the fires", he and others have created. The "fires" are part of his agenda.

You wouldn't be a member of the elitist MMF club, would you? You certainly like to defend the ones who are indefensible as to the damage inflicted on this town. You see the town going down the toilet. Why would you want to defend people that have taken it there?

Stanky wrote: ... MMF. You guys don't get it. There is a Middletown Moving Forward and Moving Middletown Forward. Get them straight. ...

Stanky:

Let’s get one thing straight!!!

There are not two “MMFs”.  There is only one, and that one is “Middletown Moving Forward”, and they know it. 

Mr. Mulligan, Mr. Landen, the City Manager and all of their other important members all know it.

There is no “Moving Middletown Forward” and there never was.

REPLY TO LARRY MULLIGAN'S REFUSAL TO DEBATE!

Midd 29, are you a Mulligan fan? After all that you know about him? After seeing what has transpired during his time in office? After knowing he is on the MMF board, and has chosen to associate himself with a secretive, manipulating group of people with no scruples, morals or decency about them? Poor choice if you want a shread of honesty/decency in your city government.

You state....

"Can't wait for election day so Mr. Nagy will go away"

I counter with "Can't wait for election day so that, for the survival of the town, Mr. Mulligan (and all like him) will, hopefully, go away and we can start turning this town around.

You wouldn't be the Mulliganmeister himself, would you? Maybe a nephew or relation perhaps? There's some sick affiction you have in always defending those who have ruined this town.