Mayors New Rules For Council
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=3392
Printed Date: Nov 23 2024 at 2:11pm
Topic: Mayors New Rules For Council
Posted By: randy
Subject: Mayors New Rules For Council
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 7:11pm
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Did you here this new rule and limits that have now been placed on council. I guess trying to keep some members quite has taken a new turn.
------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Replies:
Posted By: firewater
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 7:19pm
Randy whats the new rules
Is it like in grade school?
*No talking when someone else is talking.
*Keep your hands to yourself.
*No bad words.
*Stay in line.
I don't think the good ol' boys can handle all of that
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Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 7:26pm
| Brings back memories of my days in 1st and 2nd grade when you have to be called on or raise your hand before you speak. From one extreme to another. This group of individuals is not capable of interacting as adults and having a give and take conversation and question session for legislation, this is sad. |
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 7:34pm
| This is ridicules now we need motions if a Council person has additional comments or questions after the 2nd go round of speaking. What a Circus. Council is voting on important legislation at times and to prevent any council member from getting a question answered is utterly ridicules. I would say nothing has changed this week over the last meeting and recall is the only way to solve the stalemate and animosity on council and while we are at it put the Commission/Board members being allowed from outside the city as a referendum to the voters. |
Posted By: jag123
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 8:02pm
If I understood the mayor correctly, each legislative item can have up to 70 minutes of discussion. Tonight, that could have been 630 minutes which is; ten and a holf hours? Holy Bedtime, Batman!!!
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Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 8:21pm
| Jag, this is Mickey Mouse time in Middletown. |
Posted By: firewater
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 8:39pm
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This is a joke, not just the new rules for council but the whole way things are being voted upon, the 4-3 splits are clearly the good ol boys getting their way. I agree it is time for a recall.
In my opinion it wold have to be Picard that is recalled. Here is my thinking; we cant recall Allen because we was apponited by council not the voters, dont wanna recall Laubach, Smith or Scott - Jones because I believe they are trying to act with the best interest of the city as a whole. No point in wasting time with the Mayor or Becker (Although I would love it to be Becker), so that leaves Picard. Nothing personal against him just logical is all.
What we need is someone from that the 4th ward to step up and say that they would take his place. Any takers?? I will help knock on doors and talk to people about this recall....who will stand with me? It is time to put up or (in the words of Picard) Shut up.
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Posted By: randy
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 8:52pm
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Ok, just home from the meeting and boy oh boy are things sure getting hot in those meetings. The fact the council (Scott-Jones) asked Landen the city is appealing the court case brought against Lenny Robinson and he said the City Manger made me was classic. ------------- Call me for a www.CameraSecurityNow.com" rel="nofollow - www.CameraSecurityNow.com quote 513-422-1907 x357 |
Posted By: TANGO
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 9:08pm
| So I guess if the new members need a little more information it is up to the council to vote on it. This is the dumbest thing I have heard. FREEDOM OF SPEECH l mulligan its in the constituion. Iam sure that Dan p. Bill b. Tom a. ,all agree it showed when they voted not to let laubach talk |
Posted By: acclaro
Date Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 9:23pm
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Middletown is such a disgrace. I haven't watched TVMiddletown in years, but just got sick listening to the "talkig points" of Becker, Allen, Pickard, and Mulliagn on the rationale for regionalism for the need to go outside Middletown for experts. Frankly, I could care less if someone lives outside Middletown is appointed to a Commission, the question which begs to be answered is what in the hell is the concept of "regionalism" and coopertaion? Aren't you people just sick and tired of these pompous "nothings" dumbing everyone down in the city with these "handler talking points" on "regionalism" and cooperation?
Middletown sues Monroe and Franklin, and yet these four pontificationg "giants" in the community speak of "regionalisim? What an absolute joke.How insulting and a dumby down. Just be honest about it....council wants the quid pro quo or tit for tat associated with putting someone whom can make a buck serving on a Committee in some fashion. Look at the synbol for Middletown now, its "regionalism" at its best, a steam engine smoke stack off the Ohio River with the big M symbol. Maybe Bill Becker confused "regionalisim" with double dipping, where he wanted to make certain public employees would get alomg well for their next retirement job in Warren County.
What an absolute mockery and insult to decry individuals outside Middletown whom are experts need to be brought in because of "regionalism." I think this is the absolute stupiest comment I have heard in years from council, and there have been some real idiots making commentary. Yes, we must add outsiders to Commissions because it plays in our global strategy of "regionalism," This city makes me nauseous, and the dummy down by "pillars of the community" said sarcatsically, is such an insult to intellectual thought and comprehension.
Who is driving this train wreck? I finally turned TVMiddletown off when Les Landen almost crushed Ms. Gilleland when he walked behind her, and she was pushed into the desk with her eyes popping out. This situation has reached behind comical, hysterical, to one of blatant "take-over." How a reasonable mind and an attorney could not chuckel at the thought "regionalism" was a basis for voting for outsiders to sit on a tit for tat board and with a straight face....that takes real talent! Middletown, down for the final count, but "regionalization" is going to save the city! No wonder the four houses on my street that omce sold in 4 months tops, have been sitting for over a year. Well, the new buzz word Middletown and outsiders, is "regionalization", that's code for "we have no idea what in the hell we are doing", but throwing something against the wall hoping it may stick and having mutual quid pro quo's is better than nothing.
Middletown...the bright just got very dim after what I saw in my 30 minutes of viewing before getting ill and turning off the misery. What a Peyton Place this town has become.
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Posted By: Rhodes
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 7:10am
| I think there should be a new rule that Larry Mulligan isn't allowed to sit there and make weird faces anymore when others are talking. He should go home and watch the meetings on tv to see how stupid he looks. |
Posted By: MerrellWood
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 11:04am
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First council restricts the ability for the public to ask questions and expect answers. Then council moves from city council chambers upstairs with no comments on camera etc. Now the mayor makes procedural rules that limits council members their speech. Does anyone have a copy of the mayors new rules.? Betsy Parr is not in her office today. |
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 1:00pm
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You are right Merrell this was a bad move by the Mayor last night, restricting free speech of the elected Representives of the Citizens of this City, is way out of line. |
Posted By: Neil Barille
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 1:51pm
| What are you people whining about....first you criticize the mayor for not taking charge of the meetings and not doing anything about the outbursts, now you criticize him for setting up an orderly process for comments as it restricts "free speech". First off, all you constitutional scholars on this board should know it's not a "free speech" issue. Second, why is it too much to ask council members to gather their thoughts and questions and then speak in turn? Frankly I'm tired of certain council members blurting out whatever silly thought or question comes to mind at any in moment. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 2:13pm
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Neil - how about something between doing absolutely nothing during the outburst as Mayor Mulligan did (not even a gavel nor a lecture), to coming up with a repressive list of restrictions that inhibit any open discussions with the focus on time for each rather than content from each. One extreme to the other IMO. Too restrictive- too confining - too time consuming. A better format for a candidate forum rather than a council discussion on city issues for the purpose of reaching a timely decision.
Would you be open to a less restrictive plan than the mayor has implemented? |
Posted By: MerrellWood
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 2:43pm
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As to the 4 to 3 thing .....
http://www.middletownjournal.com/"> Sunday December 20, 2009
“Middletown voters say out with the old”
Last Sunday while I was picking up a few essentials at a local market, I happened upon one of our city’s more prominent citizens. After the usual introductory pleasantries our conversation turned to the outcome of the recent City Council election. Our chat had little to do with the success of the more mature candidates from the 1st and 4th Wards. It was more about the youthful candidates elected from the 2nd and 3rd Wards.
Who were these kids whose combined ages are younger than three of their new peers on Council? What life experience could they possibly bring to their newly elected civic responsibilities? Have they ever lain awake at night worrying about putting food on the table, the health of their children or paying the mortgage?
To begin with, why did the voters choose youth over maturity? Was it about that old adage “the lesser of two evils” or was it more about a desire to bring real change to our community? Not the kind proposed by traditional candidates in past election cycles, but a generational change that could bring a new perspective to the many challenges unique to our local public sector.
Many of us would like to believe that our political representatives can be relied upon to listen, learn, and help promote change that would better serve the interests of the public. However, all too often when change involves politics, there is little support for anything that may alter the status quo. Those who enjoy power have always demanded influence and the invisible line which separate them from us is rarely crossed by those who are not of the same generation or political persuasion. Youth is seldom trusted with the rewards of political power.
How can those elected to serve our community maintain such a firm grip on any opportunity for new blood or solutions to our city’s challenges when the old guard has demonstrated so little skill in solving them? When does middle age, personal wealth, and business connections become the criteria for admission to the local political scene? Why can’t our city also be served by younger open-minded and unassuming citizens who have more interest in serving the public than playing politics?
Any new generation has always had to get around the entrenched power brokers. However, be it in business or politics, there will always be the need for new solutions to remedy old problems even if we can’t find a way to build a better mouse trap.
According to Fortune Magazine; in the last ten years alone, over 25% of our nation’s successful private sector start-ups were launched by entrepreneurs under 30 years old. Everything from computer software to communications technology has been a product of new thinking and innovation from the younger generation to reinvent the way things work.
If you’re wondering what kind of local young leaders are willing to step up and change the world by working for causes larger than themselves, they can be identified as those who volunteer to work for months on a national presidential campaign or enlist in the military and risk their life for democracy in Iraq.
There have been few times in our nation’s recent history when a group of young people were asked to confront the insanity of war while at the same time work to maintain the fabric of civic trust without which democracy could not survive. If our youth are willing to serve their country or promote social equality on a national or global stage, they certainly are qualified to help govern their local community.
The practice of democracy should not just be about average people selecting average leaders. It should be about average people understanding that real change requires true leadership. Not the kind that enforces the status quo but the kind that is more inclusive to the people they represent. It is this type of shared generational leadership which has helped to define the success of the communities around Middletown and is critical to the future of our city.
The new kids on the block may have little success in turning Middletown’s ship of state with the current leadership at the helm, but their immediate impact can be to bring voice to those citizens and issues that normally would not be heard. One would like to think the old guard should not be the only ones who know how to use the levers of government to get things done.
The time has come to welcome this new generation of public servants to our City Council and offer them the support they need to better represent the community they were elected to serve.
In the end, the outcome of our recent city council election may not have set in motion a new era in local politics, but it might possibly mark the beginning of the end for the current one.
Merrell Wood
Merrell Wood is the chairman of the Middletown park board, the founder of Middletown Habitat for Humanity, TV Middletown & the “Sink or Swim” pool campaign. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 3:30pm
| Nice inspirational letter Mr. Wood. Unfortunately, the ones that could read it and learn, (aka as the old guard powerbrokers) that are designing this agenda for this city and are represented on council by Becker, Allen, Mulligan and Picard and in the city building by Gilleland, Robinette and Kohler and company, will never heed the message. They believe none of it as it would ruin their game plan. They will never yield to nor cooperate with the newer members that have infiltrated their domain. JMO |
Posted By: Voice of Reason
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 9:35pm
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VietVet, do you really think AJ, Laubach, and Scott Jones are the best choices for council? I agree with Neil, you criticize the mayor for not taking control of the meeting, and then when he establishes rules for taking control of the meeting, you criticize the mayor for...taking control of the meeting. Do you see your own contradictions here?
Also, you previously agreed that AJ made a stupid comment with regard to the firefighter training, like other stupid comments that have been made in the past, seemingly putting AJ in the same camp as other incompetent council members, but you don't want to recall him as well--why is this? ------------- "Ask not what your country can do for you..." JFK |
Posted By: Pacman
Date Posted: Oct 20 2010 at 9:50pm
| VOR you want to recall AJ go ahead. He isn't winning any favor with anyone I have talked to with his comments, positions and antics. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 7:30am
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AJ, Laubach and Scott-Jones seem to be more in tune with my ideas about the direction of this town than the others, yes. I see this town going nowhere with the Becker/Mulligan/Picard/Allen camp. I beleive the current condition of the city says alot toward proving that to be so.
Going from the ungaveled outburst to the heavy-handed control mechanism issued by the mayor is extreme. The mayor should have done something when this occured but failed to act. Then, a few days later, he lays this "straight-jacket restrictive crap on council that inhibits free flow of meetings. Not contradictory, IMO- just extreme in his actions. Look. AJ and Josh are very young and are new to council. Like alot of young people they run the risk of being easily influenced by older people, especially in a city government setting like this that seems to be a den of lions at times. There are indications of vindictivness on council, primarily exhibited by the "group of 4" targeting the "group of 3". Some is out in the open, some kept hidden. I have patience with some shortcomings of people trying to learn. I have no tolerance at all with people who have been around and are running their game with the newer ones. They should know better. Don't remember agreeing that AJ made a stupid comment about firefighter training. Might have. Just don't remember. Bottom line- AJ/Josh are still trying to find their places as they encounter many things for the first time while trying to function within the confines of city government. In addition to that challenge, they are also trying to battle the resistance being offered by Becker, Picard, Allen and Mulligan, who obviously seem reluctant to agree with anything offered unless it agrees with their agenda. It is a "my way or the highway" type of attitude demonstrated by that camp IMO. |
Posted By: Molly
Date Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 7:42am
| This is just my opinion, but I don't think recalls do much good. Who is to say that the person picked to replace the recalled member will be any better in the long run? As far as 3 members acting for the "betterment" of the city, those are some opinions as well. Others may see that the 4 are the ones with the foresight to lead the city in the right direction. I see some good in all council members and yes, some more than others. Just remember the old saying; "Be careful of what you wish for, you may get it". Again, JMO |
Posted By: wasteful
Date Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 8:58am
| Molly how many Recall's have you been involved in? Ever lived in a city where a recall took place and seen the outcome? |
Posted By: Molly
Date Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 11:00am
| Wasteful: Actually, yes. I lived in a small town in Central Ohio, about 40 miles from Columbus. This was in the mid 90s and the result of the recall was, to a greater degree than Middletown, a split city. Molly |
Posted By: Voice of Reason
Date Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 9:45pm
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VietVet, from what I have observed, Scott Jones seems to operate with a constant chip on her shoulder, and so does AJ. So I would claim that While Laubach has some libertarian leanings that I can sympathize with, he seems extreme in his views. I for one am not willing to give AJ and Laubach a pass for their youth. Elected position is not appropriate for anyone who is tender of mind/will, and needs time to settle in.
If you're willing to put your name out there and run for office then you ought to be ready for the challenges-- otherwise just stay home and vote for someone else. There is too much at stake for this city to give a pass to the inexperienced types like AJ and Josh. ------------- "Ask not what your country can do for you..." JFK |
Posted By: tomahawk35
Date Posted: Oct 21 2010 at 11:40pm
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Voice of Reason wrote:Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 7:04am
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I would also like to note Mr.Picard's total lack of experience,decorum,respect and incoherent attempts of public speaking and cohesion.
Mr.Allen has been far too silent on the issues, and despite his claims of being open to the public, has failed every opportunity to respond to his constituents.
While Council was quick to point out the 26 talking heads supporting the PAC as reason for that conformation, they failed to equally weigh the 3 well-respected locally involved citizens who joined with Council minority to offer non-voting alternatives to non-residents being appointed to local boards/commissions. The fact seemed to be lost that NO citizens spoke in favor of this legislation. So--it seems that all it would take to be classified as an out-of-town "expert" would be 4 votes from Council.
So--I assume Council/admin needed to rectify the situation of non-locals already serving in these positions in total violation of the existing ordinances.
Anyone else notice the filthy/poorly maintained temporary sign in front of the main hangar at the city airport complex?
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 7:10am
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VOR- Perfect example of two people looking at the same situation and coming to two very different conclusions.
Your opinion, after observing Ms. Scott-Jones, is a chip on the shoulder. My opinion is that she is constantly asking needed questions, constantly analyzing situations, trying to problem solve and receiving only token answers many times that has become a building frustration for her (as well as many of us citizens). I sense the lady is getting tired of the double-talk, the city policy of talking around a subject that could incriminate them as to their activities. I feel the city hides many things from the citizens or blantantly does what they wish with no regard to what the people want for their city and I believe she senses this also. JMO You see AJ and Laubach as too young, inexperienced and perhaps too "tender of mind/will. I presume you are not willing to allow them to "settle in" as there is "too much at stake for this city to give a pass to the inexperienced types". I believe they will be more agressive as they gain confidence and gain a mastery of the way the system works. They are new, young people in their first year in a group of seasoned veterans and older people who have developed a sense of confidence over the years. I say give 'em time. At least the first term to adjust. The statement you used about too inexperienced and youthful is a common one used to describe the new kids on the block that want to upset the apple carts of the old guard incumbants who are in their comfort zones and usually stop serving the people over time because they have the next election "locked up". Look, if you are happy with "old guard" people like Mulligan and Becker and with the newer members (who have made the choice-or have been told to join Mulligan and Becker to keep the majority vote on council) like Allen and Picard, then by all means, support them. I, on the other hand, think the old "inexperienced" argument is a load of crap. Hell, Becker, Mulligan and the other "experienced" people started out where Smith and Laubach are now didn't they? Everyone, including the mighty Johnny Boehner, started out from day one not knowing his a-- from first base, didn't he? New blood is necessary to replace old, stale, never changing/never improving comfortable incumbants. That's why nothing ever gets any better around here. The controlling majority on council will only vote in the manner that the controlling faction tells them to vote. That controlling faction is the old dried up, never changing, stubborn, non open minded individuals that detest progress and want to inhibit any real growth or oppotunities for the town and its people. That's why Middletown is light years behind the times compared to the surrounding communities. No, IMO, it is time to purge the old guard, both on council and with the behind the scenes power group in town who are the real controllers of this town and replace with new, progressive thinking blood, free to offer any and all ideas, without backstabbing resistance, to help us prosper. The deadwood leadership in this town must be purged and that starts with the behind the scenes, faction-backed council members that occupy the current majority. They must go, and then the hierarchy in the city building must go. |
Posted By: angelababy
Date Posted: Oct 31 2010 at 11:17pm
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I would say nothing has changed this week over the last meeting and
recall is the only way to solve the stalemate and animosity on council
and while we are at it put the Commission/Board members being allowed
from outside the city as a referendum to the voters.
------------- Welcome to my paintings website - http://www.wholesaleartmall.com - Wholesale Art Mall . |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Nov 01 2010 at 7:16am
| how about excluding all current and former board/commission members who have missed more than 25% of meetings? Hard to get a quorum any more--even on the Master Plan Steering Committee. |
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Nov 01 2010 at 7:29am
| Sounds like we need a "standby list" to call for fill-ins so that the business can continue, with or without original members. Might have to wait for them to show, but at least business decisions could be accomplished and the meeting wouldn't be a total waste of time. |