Housing Code Enforcement Smoke Screen
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Council
Forum Description: Discuss individual members and council as a legislative body.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1226
Printed Date: Nov 22 2024 at 8:35am
Topic: Housing Code Enforcement Smoke Screen
Posted By: Truth Teller
Subject: Housing Code Enforcement Smoke Screen
Date Posted: Apr 21 2009 at 6:14am
Forwarded Message:
Ed -
When I flew up here (at my own expense) for my interview for the Community Development Administrator position in early November 2006, Marty Kohler proudly spoke of the Section 8 program and how it had grown under his direction over the past few years and was infusing HUD funds into neighborhoods resulting in upgraded rental housing conditions.
My predecessor (Angela Tucker) would not allow HUD-funded housing code enforcement personnel to cite Section 8 properties with violations. She told staff that I later inherited that CONSOC was being paid to ensure that all properties met HUD's Housing Quality Standards.
Shortly after assuming my position I changed Ms. Tucker's policy at the urging of Annette Accurso and Cathy Walton, Housing Code Specialists. Whenever they encountered potential problems involving Section 8 properties, I would contact Sandra Joseph directly and request her action and a follow-up call. Please know that I spent many hours on the phone and sending e-mails to CONSOC in this regard as did my staff.
Beginning in early 2008 my involvement with Section 8 decreased markedly as the City Manager and Mr. Kohler pretty much handled everything. Once Ginger Smith arrived on the scene I had no involvement whatsoever. You know all of this from our conversations and my e-mails.
I thought that you'd want to know in view of Sara Mills quotes in your article posted online tonight.
Nelson Self
CD Administrator "RESIGNED?" |
Replies:
Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Apr 21 2009 at 8:01am
So basically you are saying the City wants to keep the lid on any inspection issues by doing them themselves thus controlling the outcome. Do I have that correct or is that an over simplification of the City's intent. ------------- When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson |
Posted By: Truth Teller
Date Posted: Apr 21 2009 at 9:04am
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Good Morning Pacman -
For at least two years prior to my arrival in early January 2007, my former staff (two HUD-funded Housing Code Specialists and one Housing Code Assistant) informed me that they were not to handle property compliance issues involving Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental units as this was the responsibility of CONSOC. I changed this policy within one month of my arrival and that policy remained until I was gradually removed from the picture by senior city staff beginning in February 2008.
I do know that one of the sticking points in the lengthy negotiations with CONSOC involves the desire of senior city staff to "tap into" significant annual HUD Section 8 administrative fees. They plan to hire a minimum of two full-time inspectors to do all required Housing Quality Standards inspections/re-inspections, a full-time person to "oversee" CONSOC operations, and GOD knows what else to help minimize future city budget deficits.
How hypocritical that those who sought the massive increase in Section 8 units until a few years ago now pontificate about reducing the number! That's a bit paradoxical wouldn't you say?
Your assumption is correct in that this new approach will only be as good as those in control want it to be. Based upon personal experience, I have serious questions as to the amount of factual program performance information that will be openly shared with the citizenry. Much of that also depends upon the willingness of the print media to function as a watchdog too!
"The truth will set the captives free!"
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Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 21 2009 at 4:52pm
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So, We are going to pay CONSOC (the HIGHEST bidder) MORE to do LESS???
SHEESH!!! ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Apr 21 2009 at 5:00pm
Maybe that is why they got the contract..........hush money? ------------- When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson |
Posted By: Truth Teller
Date Posted: Apr 21 2009 at 6:54pm
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Pacman & Mike -
Having lived here a little over two years, my heart goes out to good government advocates like you both. How sad it is that the future of Middletown is seriously in question because the "all-knowing bureaucrats" refuse to listen to the sound advice that you both and others offer freely!
Keep up the good fight. They may have won some battles but the war is not over!
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Posted By: Perplexed
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 12:13am
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According to what we hear from City Hall, it seems that the immediate future of Middletown is uncertain at best due to a pending budget deficit, ambitious plans to demolish numerous buildings and the campaign to ticket thousands of property owners with code violations. What are we to believe about these and other matters such as limiting billboards, etc.? What is the best strategy for us? |
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 4:34am
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The "best strategy":
All four Ward seats are up for grabs in November. Consider honest people with common sense in each Ward that might make good public servants and encourage them to consider running. ------------- “Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012 |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 7:13am
| Perplexed- Mike referred to the unseating of the four Ward incumbants. He's right. The only way that us mere citizens are going to change OUR city(not theirs) is to replace the people and those like them(including the gutting of city hall with forced resignations(law director, all department directors and the city manager) after we change Council) Worthy potential candidates to effect change would be Mr. Presta, The Spider, Pacman, Ms. Moon, Mr. Nagy, Mr. Barge, Mr. Soppanish, and people with like-minded, focused, logical, "for the people", out in the open, attack the problems-cut the crap, progressive vision. These are all extremely high quality people and would be an asset to the city in a leadership role. In other words, the exact opposite of what we have now. |
Posted By: Perplexed
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 8:17am
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Viet Vet -
Once again, you speak the plain and simple truth! Change is in the air!
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Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 8:45am
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What about Vet for another run at school board?
If we just get him to run, he can attract ALL of the voters from the message boards without competing against like-minded others.
We need an alternative to the SOS, and the possible returnees are extremely vulnerable imo.
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Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 10:57am
Word from City Hall is....Ms Gilleland isn't going to cut jobs....she's going to do the old shell game again and tranfer wages from the general fund to CDBG Section 8 (Piggie Bank  )funds so it will look better on the books....
Don't ya just love creative accounting
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Posted By: Perplexed
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 12:15pm
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With the phony Washington, D.C. stimulus dollars coming here by the truckload, I won't be one bit surprised to see your prediction become a reality Mrs. Moon. And, keep in mind that those freshly printed greenbucks can't be doled out forever by our tax and spend Congress plus the Obama administration.
It seems likely that there will be even more City deficits in the coming years. If so, massive layoffs at the City Hall or new municipal taxes are surely on the way. Of course, some high echelon managers who are steering our 'state of affairs' will have moved on to greener pastures by then. Then, someone new will inherit their mess.
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Posted By: Perplexed
Date Posted: Apr 24 2009 at 5:49pm
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A reliable source tells me that at least six more vacant and now deficient FHA Dollar Homes were acquired by the City in 2006. It's said that several are in the vicinity of the Crawford Street area. And, three years later contrary to City Planners statements, I'm told that it could be difficult to obtain permission from the FHA to demolish these homes.
This source tells me that the current inventory of houses are located at: 115 Crawford, 2011 Linden, 2100 Grand, 1508 Taylor, 2007 Pearl and 2107 Pearl. They noted that City rehab experts prepared bid specs for these homes last summer with most contractor proposals exceeding $80,000! What does this mean? Please tell? |