For our nation, 2009 will be remembered as a year that brought economic challenges not seen since the Great Depression. For Middletown, 2009 will be remembered as a year in which we met the challenges that a nationwide fiscal crisis brought to our community with the perseverance and pride that characterize the citizens of this community.

Having responded to the difficulties of 2009, we look forward to a brighter 2010.

While maintaining financial accountability to residents, we stayed aligned with the city’s priority areas: increasing economic development opportunities, improving the socioeconomic balance, restructuring our Section 8 housing program, and enhancing the city’s image.

Highlighted are some accomplishments by your city departments in 2009 that support these priorities:

• Public safety — The Middletown Division of Fire responded to 9,703 total calls for service — 7,978 medical emergencies and 566 fire calls which accounted for $3.7 million in lost property. Beyond emergency response, the division created alternative financial opportunities, repaired buildings and apparatus, and improved personnel efficiency through training, communication and data collection.

The Division of Police continued its mission to proudly serve our residents and businesses. In 2009, we had more than 56,000 calls for police service/officer-initiated calls, an increase from 2008 of nearly 6,000 calls.

The division maintained the requirements of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies despite facing tough economic times. Non-traditional methods to combat crime have been implemented.

Through a partnership with the Community Revitalization Department, the “Drug Market Initiative” was established to target street-corner drug sales. A Middletown Community Foundation grant helped the division provide specialized training for officers.

• Community revitalization, public works and utilities, health — The Community Revitalization Department received more than $3.1 million in grants in 2009. Through grants, our transit system received vehicle and engine replacements, fuel relief assistance, and continued support for the elderly and disabled mobility programs. Through a partnership with the Butler County Regional Transit Authority, the Hamilton-Middletown shuttle is available, and this spring a Middletown-Oxford employment/student shuttle and city evening employment shuttle will begin serving citizens.

City staff devoted a significant amount of time to improving our Section 8 program in 2009. To ensure that we are providing the best program for our citizens, we implemented new housing quality inspections as well as required criminal background checks for tenants and landlords. We began televising housing agency meetings, and our City Council members took a more active role in overseeing the program.

Citizens continue to benefit from our Community Development grants and programming. Many residents were assisted with exterior home repairs through the new Volunteer Improvement Program; and the first-time homebuyers’ class served more than 150 people seeking home ownership in Middletown.

Public works and utilities accomplished more than $2.2 million in capital improvements in 2009. North Breiel Boulevard resurfacing, Dixie Highway bridge replacement and the Great Miami River recreation trail projects were completed with assistance from federal, state and local funding. The city’s share in the projects was just under $500,000.

Perhaps most importantly, the $150 million Interstate 75 interchange and lane expansion work began in 2009. Funded mostly by the federal and state grants, this project will be complete later this fall.

In response to the 2009 H1N1 flu, the city health department provided five H1N1 mass flu immunizations that served more than 10,000 residents. Nearly $100,000 in Federal Health Emergency Response funds helped offset the increased cost of employees working during the clinics.

• Economic development and finance — Economic development staff collaborated with Middletown Promise, Butler Tech, and Greentree Health and Science Academy as a liaison for stronger workforce development initiatives. A committee of business people worked with staff to conduct monthly visits for business retention and expansion.

Completed in 2009, both the Towne Mall redevelopment strategy and the Downtown Redevelopment Plan pave the way for showcasing our city’s potential. The establishment of the land bank, where properties can be held by the city, pending development opportunities, provides another step forward.

The budget process was challenging in 2009 but, through a comprehensive process, we submitted a budget to council that reflected the city spending priority areas. With finance’s help, other departments secured $288,392 in federal reimbursements for Hurricane Ike wind damage. Negotiations with Duke Energy for reduced electrical rates for city facilities’ utility bills will result in savings close to $500,000 over the next two years.

Information systems contributed to an improved Web presence for our city by launching the new city Web site, and establishing electronic bill pay for utilities.

These are a few of many projects that your city staff accomplished in 2009. We continue to work hard for you as we maintain focus on our city’s newly established priority areas: public safety, streets, and finance.

We invite you to attend Mayor Larry Mulligan’s “State of the City” address on March 18 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers (to be re-broadcast on TV Middletown).

Middletown has a bright past and a brighter future!

Judy Gilleland is Middletown’s city manager.