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=6423 Printed Date: Nov 21 2024 at 8:05pm
Topic: The City Manager's BlogPosted By: VietVet
Subject: The City Manager's Blog
Date Posted: Feb 19 2017 at 8:40pm
Don't normally do this but just went to the City Manager's Blog and the initial post described the inner workings regarding communication in preparation for upcoming council meetings. Mr. Adkins goes on to explain that he has a senior staff meeting to discuss city matters and also has a system where discussions between he and council members occur and council members are given the chance to ask questions concerning upcoming legislation prior to the actual meeting. This allows the council meetings to go more smoothly as the questioning portion has already been accomplished outside the meeting resulting in the council members aligning their votes in quick fashion that usually results in a rubber stamp 5-0 vote. This is why we never see any council member ask a question during the meetings. Any questions council has has already been answered outside the council chambers by the time the council meeting rolls around. It is almost as if the council meetings are programmed, preconceived and are for public appeasement purposes only.
All of this activity seems quite efficient but.........
Isn't this city business that is conducted outside the normal format of a council meeting and as such, isn't this a violation of the Sunshine Law where all city business discussion must occur in public view to allow the public to actually see the decision making as it happens? Are all city meetings, in most cities, held in a public venue, conducted this way?
Anyone have some clarity on this?
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Replies: Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 9:17am
Depends. I would not think an exchange between the City Manager and a Council member over email seeking clarification as a violation.
While efficient, I think it can be harmful to the general population's understanding of the issue at hand. Anita Scott Jones, while on council, would often as for clarification for sake of the public's understanding.
Posted By: MattR
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 9:36am
smells like Doug's duck
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 10:33am
Read Doug Adkins own words below, and determine for yourself if this not admission of a direct violation of our Sunshine Law and an affront to our democracy which depends on open honest government.
Middletown City Manager Douglas Adkins www.cityofmiddletown.org
City Council Deliberations February 17, 2017City Manager Middletown Leave a comment
I’m sometimes asked why Council seems to rubber stamp whatever I put in front of them. It may seem as though there is no consideration given when the actual vote is taken, but let me explain how we get to Tuesday night’s vote at each Council meeting. When I interviewed with City Council to take this position, I laid out for them a five year plan which I’ve talked about extensively in this blog. I proposed a style of government, and changes in policies and strategies to return us to sustainable revenues by 2020. The plan covered almost every aspect of City government. City Council liked the style of the plan and its concepts and I got the job. As I’ve moved through my first two years, everything I’ve put in front of City Council has been consistent with the five year plan I outlined when I took the job. So… as long as I’m putting things in front of them that are consistent with what I told them I was going to do and what they told me that wanted me to do, that immediately takes care of one level of scrutiny. What Council votes on looks like Doug’s duck, smells like Doug’s duck, so it’s probably Doug’s duck. Next, City Council each year passes an annual budget a couple hundred pages long that lists by fund and by line item what I am proposing to spend in the next year. That budget is passed each November for the next year. When I bring an item to City Council, we let them know if this is part of the budget and the projects in the budget that they have already passed. If it is, then again, there is reduced scrutiny needed because they have already approved the spending and the matter before them is the actual contract for the project and for spending that they have already approved in the annual budget. Third, we have bidding requirements set by state law and local ordinance. If the matter before council requires bidding, we include information showing that we followed the appropriate bidding process and why we selected the vendor chosen. If project was in the budget and the money is appropriated for that project, and we followed the bidding procedures, then less scrutiny is needed. The matter is consistent with the five year plan, in the budget, and properly bid. Finally, we have items or opportunities or problems that come up unexpectedly during the year. The burden is on city staff to provide City Council with enough information ahead of time to make educated decisions on unexpected events. Grants are notorious for having a small window to apply for and then spend the funds provided. For example, we recently were awarded a grant from BWC for two power cots to assist in lifting patients into ambulances. The funds were released quickly and the window to order the cots and spend the money was less than the 60 days normally required for two readings and 30 days to take effect. So that one was an Emergency. For each item to be taken before City Council requiring legislation, I have the relevant department head prepare a staff report that explains why the legislation is needed, where the funding will come from, which project this relates to, etc. Those staff reports are due about two weeks before the actual council meeting date. I review and approve the staff reports two Thursdays before the actual meeting. For the February 21 meeting, I approved the staff reports on February 9th. After approving the staff reports, I send City Council information letting them know the tentative subjects of the upcoming meeting and the general nature of what will be coming before them. If there is something unusual, I try to provide more thorough information earlier so that they can think about the issue and ask preliminary questions. When one council member asks a question, I answer the question and send the information to all Council members for review. On the Wednesday before the City Council meeting, or in this case, February 15th for the February 21 meeting, I have a senior staff meeting and we review the entire agenda and staff reports and finalize the next week’s meeting. At that point, the final agenda and the workbook for the meeting is sent to each Council member with all staff reports and documents needed to be ready to vote on Tuesday for the meeting. This is the agenda and workbook that are posted on the City web page for public review. City Council then has from about Thursday afternoon the prior week to the council meeting at 5:30pm on Tuesday night to review the detailed information provided and ask any final questions before the meeting. My policy has always been that City Council can ask anything about anything on the agenda up until Tuesday night. On Tuesday night, I want them to come to Council with all of their questions answered and with a full understanding of what I want them to vote on. The only question Tuesday night should generally be whether or not to pass the legislation presented. They should fully understand what we are proposing and why we believe it is in the best interest of the city to pass the requested legislation. If there is a serious problem with what I have proposed, generally it would have been raised by City Council two weeks ago when I first told them what was coming on the agenda. At that point, we can either answers questions and provide information sufficient to resolve their concerns, or we can pull the items from the agenda before we finalize the meeting because City Council is not ready to move forward with whatever the issue is in its current form. So theoretically, Tuesday is a pretty mundane experience. All questions previously and completely answered. All information previously provided. City Council makes a fully understood and educated decision on each piece of legislation. Don’t be upset that your council doesn’t ask a lot of questions on Tuesday night. You should be confident that a mundane Tuesday night means that your City Council has done their homework and had all of their questions answered, documentation provided, and that they are making informed decisions on each item presented. Most of the time, that’s exactly how it goes….
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 10:58am
What is a meeting, as defined in the Ohio Open Meetings Act?
In order for the Open Meetings Act to apply, the members of a public body must be meeting to discuss the public’s business. A meeting is a prearranged gathering of a majority of the members of a public body for the purpose of discussing public business. R.C. 121.22(B)(2). For example, if there are five members of a school board, and only two get together to discuss public business, this is not a meeting and the Open Meetings Act would not require it to be open to the public. However, if three members gather to discuss public business, this is a meeting and the Open Meetings Act would require it to be open to the public. Also, if there is a meeting as defined by the Open Meetings Act, the public body must give notice to the public.
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 11:03am
The Open Meetings Act governs prearranged discussions,871 but does not prohibit unplanned
encounters between members of public bodies, such as hallway discussions. One court has found
that an unsolicited and unexpected email sent from one board member to other board members is
clearly not a prearranged meeting; nor is a spontaneous one-on-one telephone conversation
between two members of a five-member board.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 11:41am
This is in violation of the Sunshine laws! Doug said that council’s vote is predetermined before the meeting, and if there are not enough votes it will be pulled from the agenda. That is a violation. When is council going to realize that rules and laws matter? Honesty and integrity should be of utmost importance of local governments. Hiding council discussion and decisions behind phone calls and emails which are not spontaneous, not unexpected, not unsolicited among and including all the council members, is cutting the public out of our city government. Maybe the secrecy and dishonesty is the reason Middletown is morally and fiscally bankrupt.
Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 12:41pm
I encourage MUSA participants to do an internet search of many other U.S. municipalities that hold pre-city council agenda meetings and/or workshops regarding same. You will find communities that even televise these pre-city council meetings that are open to the public. You will also find meeting minutes of said pre-city council meetings posted on their respective websites. Information is power and the citizenry deserves open, honest, accountable and competent governance. The truth shall set the captives free.
Posted By: MattR
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 2:37pm
roll-up yer window and hold yer nose
there's a dead duck in the middle of the road
Posted By: Mike_Presta
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 5:42pm
whistlersmom wrote:
... If there is something unusual, I try to provide more thorough information earlier so that they can think about the issue and ask preliminary questions. When one council member asks a question, I answer the question and send the information to all Council members for review. ...
This is essentially the same issue that was litigated in Cincinnati Post v. City of Cincinnati (I believe that is the citation), except this is the electronic version!!!
If anyone has the time or money to litigate this, I believe that they would also be successful, as this is essentially an "electronic city council meeting" that is NOT open to the public.
------------- “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: MattR
Date Posted: Feb 20 2017 at 5:48pm
1 more
is it Doug's duck or a cooked goose?
Posted By: middielover
Date Posted: Feb 21 2017 at 7:13am
Everything City Manager described is within the legal requirements of the sunshine law. Making up issues where none exists seems to be the primary purpose of this website and most of it's contributors. With so many real issues to discuss perhaps it is time for an alternative to middletownusa.
Posted By: What A City
Date Posted: Feb 21 2017 at 11:42am
middielover:
"With so many real issues to discuss perhaps it is time for an alternative to middletownusa"
Then why bother to participate middielover? By your post, isn't this a waste of your time to read this forum?
Please do find an alternative middielover. I encourage it. It is very simple. If you don't like what is said on this forum, knowing that the forum leans more toward favoring an independent/adversarial theme versus the old "support anything and everything the city does/says" mantra, I would suggest you start your own blog inclusive to only those who support the city leaders 100%. Go......Blog......Drink the Jim Jones Kool-Aid. You will be happy....we will be happy and your buddies in the city building will be happy that there is a forum solely devoted to their endeavors with only positive praise for anything they do. That will solve the occasional city shill/court jester, bought and paid for and incapable of any independent thinking what so ever, from cluttering up the pages on this forum.
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Feb 21 2017 at 12:11pm
I would encourage any and all parties who believe there is a violation of sunshine/open meeting act to file a formal grievance.
Below is taken from the link listed above.
I will give Doug and his team much credit for advance publishing of the Council workbook. Workbooks are available for public viewing most of the time a full week in advance of the Council meeting. This is much improvement over the previous Admin. At times, workbooks would not be available until a day before the meeting.
This advance publishing allows for resident consumption and the ability to reach out to their elected officials in advance to have their concerns or questions answered.
Much thanks to Vivian, who posts the Agenda on MUSA in advance of meeting.
Discussing Public Business
With narrow exemptions, the Open Meetings Act requires the members of a public body to discuss
and deliberate on official business only in open meetings.
881 “Discussion” is the exchange of words,
comments, or ideas by the members of a public body.882 “Deliberation” means the act of weighing
and examining reasons for and against a choice.883 One court has described “deliberation” as a
thorough discussion of all factors involved, a careful weighing of positive and negative factors, and a
cautious consideration of the ramifications of the proposal, while gradually arriving at a decision.884 Another court described the term as involving “a decisional analysis, i.e., an exchange of views on
the facts in an attempt to reach a decision.”885
In evaluating whether particular gatherings of public officials constituted “meetings,” several courts
of appeals have opined that the Open Meetings Act “is intended to apply to those situations where
there has been actual formal action taken; to wit, formal deliberations concerning the public
business.”886 Under this analysis, those courts have determined that gatherings strictly of an
investigative and information-seeking nature that do not involve actual discussion or deliberation of
public business are not “meetings” for purposes of the Open Meetings Act.887 More importantly, the
Ohio Supreme Court has not ruled on whether “investigative and informational” gatherings are or
are not “meetings.” Consequently, public bodies should seek guidance from their legal counsel
about how such gatherings are viewed by the court of appeals in their district, before convening this
kind of private gathering as other than a regular or special meeting.
Those courts that have distinguished between “discussions” or “deliberations” that must take place
in public, and other exchanges between a majority of its members at a prearranged gathering, have
opined that the following are not “meetings” subject to the Open Meetings Act:
• Question-and-answer sessions between board members, the public body’s legal
counsel, and others who were not public officials, was not a meeting because a majority
of the board members did not engage in discussion or deliberation of public business
with one another
Posted By: MattR
Date Posted: Feb 21 2017 at 1:05pm
"The liberties of a people never were, nor never will be , secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them...To cover with the veil of secrecy the common routine of business, is an abomination in the eyes of every intelligent man."
Patrick Henry
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 21 2017 at 5:30pm
Listed again below, in Doug’s own words, are instances where Doug and council, as a group, appear to be discussing and deliberating public business before council meetings. This is a violation of the Open Meetings Act according to the highlighted excerpt posted by swohio75 from, I believe, ORC 886...
Under this analysis, those courts have determined that gatherings strictly of an investigative and information-seeking nature that do not involve actual discussion or deliberation of public business are not “meetings” for purposes of the Open Meetings Act
To be absolutely clear, in other words, this states that discussion or deliberation of public business by public officials (council) IS considered a meeting. And therefore it appears that Doug and council are in violation. Middletown’s citizens have the right to see, hear and be involved in discussions and deliberations of all public city business. Our council meetings seem to be carefully planned, orchestrated, and finalized for the council rubber stamp. Quotes from Doug:
“When one council member asks a question, I answer the question and send the information to all Council members for review.”
“At that point, the final agenda and the workbook for the meeting is sent to each Council member with all staff reports and documents needed to be ready to vote on Tuesday for the meeting.”
“City Council then has from about Thursday afternoon the prior week to the council meeting at 5:30pm on Tuesday night to review the detailed information provided and ask any final questions before the meeting.”
“My policy has always been that City Council can ask anything about anything on the agenda up until Tuesday night. On Tuesday night, I want them to come to Council with all of their questions answered and with a full understanding of what I want them to vote on. The only question Tuesday night should generally be whether or not to pass the legislation presented. They should fully understand what we are proposing and why we believe it is in the best interest of the city to pass the requested legislation.”
“If there is a serious problem with what I have proposed, generally it would have been raised by City Council two weeks ago when I first told them what was coming on the agenda. At that point, we can either answers questions and provide information sufficient to resolve their concerns, or we can pull the items from the agenda before we finalize the meeting because City Council is not ready to move forward with whatever the issue is in its current form.”
“So theoretically, Tuesday is a pretty mundane experience. All questions previously and completely answered. All information previously provided. City Council makes a fully understood and educated decision on each piece of legislation.”
“Don’t be upset that your council doesn’t ask a lot of questions on Tuesday night. You should be confident that a mundane Tuesday night means that your City Council has done their homework and had all of their questions answered, documentation provided, and that they are making informed decisions on each item presented. Most of the time, that’s exactly how it goes….”
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 21 2017 at 6:41pm
Please note that Doug is extremely careful not to use the terms discussion or deliberation anywhere in the text, but uses only the term information. This careful wording seems to be an effort to avoid revealing that in fact discussion IS taking place via question and answer. All this out of view and earshot of the public. In Doug's own words:
"When one council member asks a question, I answer the question and send the information to all Council members for review"
"The only question Tuesday night should generally be whether or not to pass the legislation presented. They should fully understand what we are proposing and why we believe it is in the best interest of the city to pass the requested legislation.”
“So theoretically, Tuesday is a pretty mundane experience. All questions previously and completely answered. All information previously provided. City Council makes a fully understood and educated decision on each piece of legislation.”
No wonder there is no discussion at council meetings! It's already been discussed and council has its orders to vote as directed.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Feb 22 2017 at 6:16am
swohio75:
"Under this analysis, those courts have determined that gatherings strictly of an investigative and information-seeking nature that do not involve actual discussion or deliberation of public business are not “meetings” for purposes of the Open Meetings Act"
But these are NOT "gatherings" ohio75. The communication is a phone call, an E-mail, text or a communication method OTHER THAN a "gathering" or open meeting between the city manager and the council members done in the private format out of the public's eye. A "gathering" would constitute an assembly of members in one common location. If one reads Adkin's post on his blog, one could conclude that there is discussion concerning city business that is conducted outside the council chambers that ultimately leads to a formation of a decision that is then brought to council meetings and a vote by the council member is rendered. Therefore, one might conclude that the discussion outside the chamber is where the decision was made and as such, would be in violation of the Sunshine Law. The city manager and council member(s) is not only seeking information as your line suggests, they are making the decision right then and there out of public view. It is a secretive way of operating using the system Adkins describes in his post.
This answers the discussion......
"Those courts that have distinguished between “discussions” or “deliberations” that must take place in public"
This is not happening according to Adkin's post.
Bottom line.....it really shouldn't have gotten this far. If Adkins and the council were straight shooters, they would want to discuss city business in view of the public to eliminate this type of distrust. Adkins is always repeating that he has nothing to hide and is forthcoming in his information. If that is so, why do we have this situation. Right or wrong, this makes the city manager look like a back room, secretive dealer to the people when he/council discuss city business out of the public's view. The secrecy is re-enforced when we see council ask no questions at meeting time as it appears the decisions have already been made prior to the meeting. The people deserve better than that.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Feb 22 2017 at 8:27am
This is my final comment on this issue.
If you have a problem and believe the city is non compliant with the Sunshine Law, file a grievance.
Either sh*t or get of the pot as the old saying goes.
Posted By: MattR
Date Posted: Feb 22 2017 at 10:09am
Yes, a full business day has passed since this was posted. Old news. Sad!
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 22 2017 at 10:55pm
Now that Doug Adkins has established, in his own words, how he circumvents the Open Meetings Act, let’s review the ugly consequences of this.
And dear news media of all sorts (Journal-News, TV channels 9 & 12 in Cincinnati, etc.), here’s your opportunity to report other views of Middletown’s news than the trumped up rosy pictured fluff dictated to you by city officials.
Below is a brief and partial list of Council’s rubber stamp legislation which Doug Adkins had carefully prepared for Council’s immediate vote of approval, no discussion needed. Closer scrutiny of each item in other forums on this blog will reveal favoritism, mismanagement, and misuse of city funds ad infinitum. A complete list can not be contained in this post.
(1). The Journal News reported the “Middletown Fiscal Condition Alert” but allowed city officials to put their spin on it, to make it appear of no consequence. Evidence to the contrary, Moody’s downgrading of Middletown’s credit rating (twice in the last few years), was swept under the table by city officials.
(2). Here is a brief list of notorious, pet downtown properties which have been touted as prime for revitalization: Goetz Tower, Rose Furniture, Manchester Inn, Journal Building and Liberty Spirits. Some of these have been tossed between LLC’s of (sometimes) unknown ownership for nominal dollars; and some have been virtually given away and/or are vacant and deteriorating, perhaps beyond recovering. The former C G & E building and First National Bank building had high end tenants (lawyers, etc.) in upper floors, but were forced out in favor of less viable owners and/or tenants (Cincinnati State), or buildings were left empty. Cincinnati State was subsidized, but never lived up to their promises of 5000 (then 3000, now ?) students. Don’t forget the give away then buy back by the city, of the old senior citizens building which now sits empty while the city rents unnecessary office space in Goetz Tower (in effect subsidizing that LLC).
(3). Separation of sewers funds which have been, and continue to be, collected for years, also continue to be raided and misappropriated. Water, sewer and trash rates are on a scheduled series of raises for a slush fund to be siphoned away for who knows what. The level of arsenic in our city water may be above the allowable limit but our citizens remain unaware. This may have been discussed in advance of council meetings but never during the meetings.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 24 2017 at 5:28pm
Now let’s see...how many more feathers can we pluck from Doug Adkins’ self described ducks?
And dear media, if you have enough pluck to do some investigative reporting, this blog is a good resource! Let’s stop aiding and abetting the city’s misguidance.
Oh, and dear past and present council members, who do you think will ultimately be held responsible for the dire consequences Middletown has suffered? Not Judy Gilleland! Not Doug Adkins! You hired him(them). You are the governing body. And you can bet they will say that they were only carrying out your orders. I would not want to be under that cloud of pressure and responsibility!!!
Back to plucking feathers. Here’s a continuation of the list of Doug’s suggested legislation which council has rubber stamped for him.
(4). Many of our non-profit programs that were benefiting our city have disappeared as a result of funding being confiscated. Because non-profit funds must pass through a government agency, Adkins seems to think any or all of that money is subject to his and Councils discretion. At Adkins direction, city council further curtailed the funds which came from the cable company monopoly expressly for the public access channel, TV Middletown. The city was already retaining the majority of this fund but council and Adkins said “out of the goodness of our hearts we will pass on some of it” to TV Middletown. What happened to the remaining funds?? As a result, for lack of sufficient funds, TV Middletown could no longer function, was dismantled and the public lost an important access to city council meetings. Public oversight of council meetings became more difficult or impossible for the majority of citizens who can not attend in person. All the better for Adkins to keep the public in the dark! Is the cable company still sending funds for the defunct TV Middletown? Probably not. Did PAWS move to Monroe for similar reason? Did we lose the non-profit funds for historic Middletown Cemetery this way?
(5). Citizens passed a safety levy that assured the citizens of no lay-offs in safety personnel. So why are our streets now patrolled by State Highway Patrol? Was money siphoned from this fund or is the highest paid police department in the state unable to do the job of protecting the citizens? Are the special police/inspectors who may be looking for abandoned properties to raze, paid from the safety funds more important than law and order police? Being one of the highest crime areas in the state is another reason for the steady decline of Middletown. For years there have been complaints that the police department is not answering their phone when called to report non-emergency crimes/problems. (Are they screening their calls with caller ID?) This does not lower the reported crime rate, it just means they don’t take crime reports.
(6). It appears that Weatherwax Golf Course was illegally sold to an investor who turned around and sold it to Metro Parks at a profit. It took our legal department, perhaps months, to transfer the deed because there were restrictions not allowing the sale to a private owner. How did this suddenly become legal and who in the Butler Co. office expedited it? Where did the money from this “deal” go? The land (which included Sebald Park) was gifted to Middletown and the deed originally said that it would all remain in public hands and remain green space. Since Council failed to make a profit did they ever think to get a professional golf course management company to run Weatherwax? Selling Sebald Park, giving away Bicentennial Commons and destroying our swimming pools are also all mistakes from which Middletown can never recover. Now we pay ever higher taxes for lower performing schools and no amenities. Know any prospective business or resident who finds this attractive?
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 27 2017 at 9:06pm
Umm...there are so many ducks to pluck in Adkins row it’s difficult to chose. But there are a few that stand out more than others. So, here are more of Doug’s suggestions that council rubber stamped.
(7). This one began in the form of an egg, and while Adkins was heading up revitalization under Judy Gilleland. It’s name is Section 8. Adkins announced that if council would give him the power he would fix the problems we had with this program. After falling well below and failing to fill the required 95% of 1662 vouchers, the federal agency, HUD, notified city officials that they were in violation. The city was given two choices to avoid being prosecuted for non-compliance. (1). Come back into compliance OR (2). Transfer Section 8 to the counties (Butler and Warren). Adkins announced that they didn’t need to comply or follow the rules and that, anyway, HUD would not do anything about it for years. So, when the notification was ignored, HUD officials transferred the local Section 8 program to the two counties. Please NOTE that when the city lost the program we also lost the administrative fees and payroll for the inspectors (some newly hired by Adkins) and other personnel, being paid through and by the HUD program; all because Adkins refused to follow the rules. Is there any pending litigation for the non-compliance? Are all the, now unneeded, new inspectors still on city payroll? YES, and that’s expensive. HOW, and WHY would council hire Adkins as city manager after witnessing his debacle of Section 8? Recently, as city manager, Adkins tried to tell us, on this blog, that it was part of his “plan” under his “management” that Middletown had less than 1000 vouchers filled as some sort of brag. Where did he get his figures and why would he make such a statement when he no longer had anything to do with Section 8? When questioned, he had no answer!!!
(8). Adkins’ misuse of funds from the Moving Ohio Forward grants was behind the destruction of about 400 properties in Middletown. Originally under this program, ONLY residential property was eligible and must be considered blighted or in disrepair AND be abandoned or foreclosed. Some homes in good neighborhoods were razed ONLY because they were vacant or the owner walked away from it (abandoned it) when they could no longer afford to live there and pay the taxes. (Perhaps they lost their job …. no surprise in Middletown’s economic desert.) Some commercial properties were razed under false claims that they were residences. Please NOTE, after the initial tear down of notably blighted properties, in order to balloon the $ amount from the grant, Adkins unleashed his “nuisance” inspectors (the real nuisances in Middletown who work in the city building) to go on the hunt of ANY property that they could declare unoccupied (therefore consider abandoned) or could trump up “nuisance” violations of things like real or imagined peeling paint (that they could consider blight) to harass home owners. After three nuisance violations trumped up by the city, true or not, they might want to declare your property blighted and tear it down. Therefore ANY house can become a nuisance on the whim of an inspector. Maybe your house is next unless you’re one of their buddies! Under the grant, the city had to take possession of the properties to be razed, but the city DID NOT take possession. Without taking possession, the properties could not legally be transferred to the land bank. It’s unconstitutional for any entity to demolish someone else’s property. Doug said that we have not been reimbursed for demolitions. (Could Adkins be in trouble with Moving Ohio Forward?) So, Adkins had the cost of demolition (multiplied by two and a half) tacked onto each individual owner’s property taxes!!! How’s that for gouging citizens (who are already vulnerable) and for using the system to commit such dirty tricks??? Looks like Doug Adkins wants reimbursement several times from different sources. Also, under the Moving Ohio Forward grant Middletown was required to make matching funds. So when Adkins found himself short of funds again, he tried to raid other funds including the Community Development Block Grant money as matching funds, but was told that was illegal. So he laundered the CDBG money by moving CDBG money to a fund for a new fire engine (legally allowable) but then removed (laundered) the money from the “fire engine fund” to use as matching funds anyway. Multiple funds were raided in a similar manner. May not be illegal, but it should be.
The consequences of this Dougie Duck are permanent loss of tax revenue on now vacant lots with the added expense to the city for mowing and other upkeep on them, and our bombed out appearance which may be on a par with the blighted appearance.
(9). Having high taxes, no amenities, incompetent government and very poor performing schools has encouraged businesses and residents to move away. Under Adkins “management” we have fewer businesses and jobs. Now we have many vacant commercial and residential properties which could have been assets, bringing in property tax, income tax and sales tax from resident families that would be able to shop locally. Attracting jobs and having more people paying into the system will always be better than demolishing our city. Council, can’t you see that destroying our homes, businesses and amenities (swimming pools and parks) is NOT revitalization? Adkins is still pursuing government grants to raze more buildings. But this is just a smoke screen for his inability to attract businesses, create jobs and build our tax base which would then allow us to lower our taxes, not raise them as he continues to insist. Lower taxes will make us more attractive to businesses and residents!! When is council going to wake up and address the real problems that plague Middletown, which are all mainly the result of gross mismanagement?
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Feb 27 2017 at 9:15pm
"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Mar 05 2017 at 1:25pm
The workbook for next week's City Council meeting includes the city staff proposed budget for the 2017-18 CDBG
Annual Action Plan. Of the $670,261 provided to the city by HUD, $474,397 (70% plus) will be spent for
administrative purposes (Rehab Program Delivery, Code Enforcement and Administration).
Emergency Repair Assistance - $50,000
Rehab Program Delivery - $15,000
Fair Housing (H.O.M.E.) - $5,000
Legal Aid of Southwest Ohio, LLC - $15,000
Community Center - $41,000
Senior Center - $46,000
Code Enforcement - $330,345
Demolition - $38,864
Administration - $129,052 (Estimated)
TOTAL = $670,261
For some reason, the workbook does not mention the amount of HUD funds to be received for the 2017-18 HOME
Program, NSP program income, etc.
Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Mar 05 2017 at 7:08pm
Because of the a scarcity of current internet information on the H.O.M.E. Program as funded by HUD for the city, the following is cited for the city for PY 2015-16:
Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance: $219,000+
Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Administration: $24,000+
Program Administrator: NeighborWorks of Hamilton, OH
Maxiumum Assistance: $5,000 per Applicant (Five-Year Forgivable Loan)
It's presumed that the Hamilton program administrator utilizes these funds only for applicant down payment/closing cost assistance forgivable loans.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 06 2017 at 10:28am
Looks like Council is about to rubber stamp another Dougie duck! This needs citizen attention. As noted in the 3/7/17 workbook, there is a City Ordinance §729.01 which places responsibility on the property owner to maintain concrete curb, gutter, driveway apron and sidewalk. Council passed this because they completely drain (& put in the General slush fund) all the enterprise fund, Auto & Gas Tax, and the portion of our city income tax earmarked for streets. It's a shame we can't get this ordinance rescinded (or could we?) Property owners are being gouged again because the city is ignoring their fiduciary responsibility.
In the workbook there are 300 some properties listed for mandatory repairs, replacement. And an additional item, installing sidewalk wherever they didn't exist, ISN'T MENTIONED IN THE ORDINANCE, so the property owner should not be responsible for that!!! The property owners subjected to a previous use of this ordinance, were required to use only a contractor from a list provided by the city. The ordinance also states that owners have 30 days to complete and pay or the city will contract the work and the charges will be added to their real estate tax. This places an added burden on residents who are already having trouble making ends meet. If payment can't be be made this could snowball into loss of property for non-payment of taxes. Fodder for Adkins' "abandoned" tear downs??
I'll bet few of the property owners know about the impending gouge. It is hard to keep track of Council/Adkins doings when the is so little PUBLIC discussion at their meetings.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Mar 06 2017 at 11:51am
Never have understood this logic on property owner responsibility. Your property ends at your property side of the sidewalk. They are asking you to take care of property you do not own. You do not own the piece of grass between the curb and the sidewalk, nor do you own the sidewalk. That is city owned. I'll give them the cost of the drive-way apron even though it falls on city owned property as well. If you want to get technical about things, the property owner actually maintains the city owned property between the sidewalk and curb by mowing, edging and applying lawn chemicals (assuming most do that is). If we use the criteria of the city charge program, we property owners should be sending the city a bill for the maintenance of THEIR property just as they are now gouging the property owner with this nonsense.
One way street in their view.....property owner pays for replacement concrete work for the sidewalk slabs AND, now, but never before, they are asking for us to replace the curbs as well? Good luck with that city officials. The curb replacement should be included in the street fund......but wait, that fund was used for another purpose in the 80's and never replaced by the ones who asked the voters to approve a one time only usage outside the realm of the fund's intentions. This was in the Bill Becker administration while he was attempting to be a city manager.
Now, Adkins and company, knowing this is a poor community, as they are partly responsible for it being so, still want to tax the crap out of us at every given juncture. Do you not understand? Most don't have the money for this.
Council and Adkins, you know dam good and well most people don't have the money to cover this additional tax. What part of "we can't afford this" don't you understand?
This crap goes hand in hand with the failed "we'll pave your street if you get most on your block to buy into the cost" program. Were there ever any takers on this idea?
The leaders, including council, are grossly irresponsible and have not fulfilled their obligation to properly fund the street repairs, so, they ask the people to make up for their negligence.
Incredible.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 08 2017 at 8:26pm
Rubber stamping Adkins' decrees has become so habitual, it's like council is addicted ... like a heroin addict, they're hooked. It's just so easy to let him do their thinking.
YUP, the quack is up. The 300+ residents will be gouged. And I forgot to mention in a previous post ... will the city charge the customary two and one half times the bill for reimbursement, if the city does the contracting?. And council made it easy and quick with emergency legislation and no discussion or questions.
There was discussion about the O'Reilley business that wants to locate on the outer fringe of what city officials consider downtown. But it was mostly negative and was coming from established businesses (some of whom might be considered competitors with the new business). Both Adkins and Mayor Mulligan said they had conversations with citizens who voiced objections, none of whom were present at the meeting. Adkins pointed out a number of violations regarding his very stringent requirements for establishing a business in his downtown hood. Like ... not the correct facade, no pole sign and no parking in front (but nearby competitors have parking in front). New businesses propose a completed comprehensive plan, only to be told then that there's a list of finicky trumped up regulations that the city neglected to reveal beforehand. Of course each regulation will require a fee for a variance and, reworking of and re-submission of proposals and plans. Sounds expensive, in time and money, to be required to jump through so many preposterous hoops. Still wonder why we can't get businesses to locate downtown, or any place in town ???
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 09 2017 at 10:20am
Could someone actually be taking note of citizen concerns that our city government is not conducting business openly and honestly??? Adkins touched upon the sunshine law in council meeting 3/7/17, when he said that the Planning Commission’s meetings could be recorded, same as the Council’s meetings, at the very minimal cost of $500 to $1000 per year (if I heard correctly). I believe it was Mr. Moon who spoke up in favor of “being more transparent.” Kudos, Mr. Moon!!! I hope this independent thinking is contagious (and also that there is no punishment for the good deed). BUT, (and here’s the spin) Adkins’ further comments indicated that HE THOUGHT the continued recording of the Planning meetings should be on a trial basis and depend upon the number of viewings by the public. Just how the viewings could be counted was ACTUALLY questioned (no question about why they should be counted). The REAL question is: What does the number of viewings have to do with being more transparent??? Any meeting of any government body should be as available as possible for public consumption especially when it costs so little to do so. Wouldn’t Adkins just love to discontinue the recording of Council meetings using the premise that the number of viewings was insufficient?!!! Oh, that WAS nearly accomplished with the exit of TV Middletown (due to Adkins’ strategic mismanagement) !!! And, with less public oversight maybe that’s why Doug’s ducks were so easy to get rubber stamped.
To our dear down trodden citizens: Do not lose hope!!! Let’s continue to make inroads. Keep the pressure on!!! Not only CAN we make a difference, we MUST. Survival depends on your participation!!!
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 10 2017 at 11:04pm
Here’s another Dougie Duck!! Adkins has achieved a real coup with a triple THREAT to HIS OWN “attempt” to revitalize downtown. The triplet ducklings are: --- 1). Downtown Middletown Inc, 2). Ohio Main Street Program which is under The National Trust for Historic Preservation 3). The Middletown Historic Commission (this is a new one!? Dougie Duck’s???). Any of this bureaucratic trio can, and evidently will, raise objection to any new downtown business of Adkins’ choice. If this doesn’t work Adkins can activate, encourage, and direct another bureaucracy to do the job. He can choose from CVB, MMF, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning and Zoning Department, etc. Adkins also has complete sway over the City Council and City Administration so that he can pick and choose whatever business HE wants them to approve (OR NOT). For example, the O’Reilly store. Quoted from The Journal 3/8/17 “The Historic Commission …. denied the building materials for the proposed building because it was not natural stone ….” Where in their downtown is there a building of natural stone? Having trouble thinking of even one!! Are we going to require ALL downtown buildings to have natural stone fronts? What we are REALLY talking about here is complete and utterly suffocating CONTROL of every aspect of everything that happens or might happen in Middletown. CONTROL which is IMPEDING the very thing it is purported to be doing ….revitalizing our city.
In the Journal News 3/8/17 the article “Middletown Store Meets Resistance,” -- Mike Robinette, (a highly favored owner of downtown give-away properties) says that “he and other downtown stakeholders will strongly oppose the O’Reilly building and if needed will ENGAGE LEGAL COUNSEL to stop the proposed project” (another city legal expense for the taxpayers to finance). There’s a grateful GIVE-AWAY recipient. Takes a lot of gall to object to someone willing to invest THEIR OWN MONEY. The main reason for their objection was, the article said, “that the proposed design for the auto parts store did not jive with the downtown plan.” The Journal quoted Robinette – “We’re not opposed to an auto parts store, we’re opposed to how this was presented and opposed to a strip mall.” What is the objection about how it was presented??? Without a presentation how will they be heard or considered? How can a stand alone store be described as a strip mall? Other businesses in the same block have the same general design and parking arrangements as the proposed O’Reilly plan. Now visualize how odd it will appear to have the required parking in the rear unlike everything else on the block!!! Let’s remember that Robinette has been involved in, but dropped out of, downtown revitalization projects (for example Rose Furniture) some of which were never completed and are now beyond repair even though THE CITY SUBSIDIZED some of them. Do you think Robinette is entitled to oppose a new $2 million business project???
In summation, the city is nearly bankrupt, has no significant new businesses and an anemic tax base. Therefore, the city administration should be welcoming any legitimate business willing to spend THEIR OWN MONEY to invest in Middletown. Instead city administration has given away property to favored people who have NO MONEY OF THEIR OWN to invest, and then used TAX PAYERS MONEY to subsidize those give-away properties some of which have had little or no work completed. And some of those properties don’t seem to be under much or any scrutiny concerning their compliance with The Historical Commission rules, like natural stone facade. Do you think we could do with less (a lot less) of the previously mentioned useless and petty regulations, objections and suffocating CONTROL??? This looks like the TYRANNY that our fore fathers fought to be rid of and warned against letting it creep back into our government.
Thomas Jefferson said “Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Mar 11 2017 at 7:46am
amen mom
thank you!
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Mar 11 2017 at 9:38am
Let us take a little walk down memory lane.
After the roof was removed in the downtown area many business people stepped
forward to start the revalidation of the area…however…City Hall had such a
death grip of requirements on these properties that investors simply walked
away.
If the O’Reilly
store can’t get approval…what kind of business could ever get approval
to be built on the Duncan Oil property across the street because it is located at
the very gateway to THEIR DOWNTOWN.
Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Mar 11 2017 at 9:52am
Vivian Moon has reminded us so many times about a City Council meeting a few years back when Mr. A. said, "Give me the power and I will make things happen." Since then, Judy G. has retired and Middletonians are still waiting for those unnamed things to happen!
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Mar 11 2017 at 10:18am
ORDINANCE NO.
O2017-12
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR AND AUTHORIZING A
CONTRACT FOR THE TRANSFER OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1200–1204 FIRST AVENUE TO MJK MANAGEMENT,
LLC FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
At the last council meeting an ordinance for the transfer of city owned
property located at 1200-12004
First Ave in the amount of $11.39 to MJK
Management.
Will this property restoration be held to the same standards by the Middletown
Historic Commission?
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 11 2017 at 5:10pm
The Journal-News article on 3/8/17 about O’Reilly Auto Parts store downtown said: “Downtown Middletown Inc. attended the Historic Commission meeting to speak specifically on behalf of the new Downtown Master Plan, she said. The new downtown plan has is currently under review and has not yet been approved by City Council.” The Journal article also said “One aspect of the plan is bringing buildings close to the street with no parking lots in front, complementing and extending the existing urban development pattern, and minimizing the negative impact of parking.” Am I reading this wrong? Is Downtown Middletown Inc. trying to enforce the new Downtown Master Plan that “has not yet been approved by City Council.”??? Is the new plan MAKE IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG for SELECTIVE enforcement? How can council take this seriously? Will Dan Picard be the only council member to notice that something was wrong? Unless you’re a buddy or a crony of someone in the city building, you will find it very difficult to establish a business or bring jobs into Middletown. Therefore, under Adkins and the existing council, our downtown will continue to be plagued with empty storefronts and our bombed-out look. This sort of misguided thinking has gone on for too many years. Council, are you going to allow some hired or appointed bureaucrats to promote the downward spiral of our city, OR … are you going to wake up and actually do something constructive, OR ... will you get out of the way of others who want to be constructive???? Downtown moochers won’t like being compared to investors with real money. The scary thought of someone actually using their own money seems to terrify would be revitalizers of THEIR downtown. That just might be an impossibly high standard to meet here in Middletown. Also, the Journal article said that Mallory Greenham, executive director of Downtown Middletown Inc. was one downtown business leader who spoke against the new business development. The Journal quoted her : “The prospect site for O’Reilly’s is at the main entrance to the downtown Middletown historic business district, . . . . “What is built on that lot will serve as an unofficial gateway to downtown Middletown and will also set the tone for future infill development.” Ms. Greenham, do you really think that the current condition of your newly described “gateway to downtown” of overgrown empty lots, empty buildings or empty storefronts is better than a successful business? WHEN did the bureaucracy arbitrarily decide that the area of the 1800 BLOCK OF CENTRAL AVENUE is the main entrance or unofficial gateway to downtown and is suddenly under scrutiny by the Middletown Historic Commission?? ANSWER: When they wanted to CONTROL, manipulate, extort fees from and harass a legitimate prospective business.!!!! Just who are the Historic Commission and when did that come into being???? And where are their natural stone facades???
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Mar 12 2017 at 11:26am
Here is the history you need to help you understand DMI
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Mar 13 2017 at 10:55am
Vivian Moon wrote:
ORDINANCE NO.
O2017-12
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR AND AUTHORIZING A
CONTRACT FOR THE TRANSFER OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1200–1204 FIRST AVENUE TO MJK MANAGEMENT,
LLC FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
At the last council meeting an ordinance for the transfer of city owned
property located at 1200-12004
First Ave in the amount of $11.39 to MJK
Management.
Will this property restoration be held to the same standards by the Middletown
Historic Commission?
The building does fall under the UCC zoning designation, and I believe then that it does fall under the downtown design guidelines.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 18 2017 at 6:28pm
Concerning the new Slice Pizza restaurant downtown on the City Manager’s Blog:
It’s good to see any new enterprise someplace in Middletown, even if it is the usual favored downtown…. BUT, confusion abounds concerning the matter of signage downtown. Please clear up this matter once and for all. This photo of the sign shows that it’s an obvious VIOLATION of the once required “monument signage only” rule which has been used to harass less favored businesses, new or long established!! It is NOT a monument sign. At one time the city had also made the argument that this type of sign hanging over the sidewalk was unsafe. There is NO excuse nor trumped up explanation which can be made to cover up your selective use of frivolous legislation. And is your legion of Historical watchdogs too busy now with O’Reilly’s sign to notice this one??? Oh!!! Does Council still have the sign ordinance conveniently on the shelf in order to avoid confronting this problem again? Does this qualify under any newer ordinance concerning UCC, USC zoning??? If all or none of this applies, why aren’t there more signs of this sort being allowed?? Please untangle your maze of yes, no or definitely maybe. Council, you must decide to either allow everyone to use this type of signage or have this one removed!!!
I’m NOT OPPOSED to Slice Pizza’s sign!...BUT I’d like to see everyone treated fairly and equally.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 22 2017 at 7:58pm
Part ONE of TWO Water and Sewer Rates
Here is an important topic (a Dougie Duck) which begs repeated attention, because this issue could finish us off. Adkins would like very much for this issue to be put out of sight … out of mind. It’s fast becoming lost among the quagmire of problems which Adkins and Council keep tossing around; in effect hiding their own contributions to our problems. Their solution to any problem always involves extorting more money from the citizens to make up for their mismanagement and misappropriation.
Notice how Adkins chooses and poses a “fair question” for himself so that he can present his solution to “an unavoidable +/- $400M problem.” Note that in the “background” he gives us…. we are ACCUSED of having lower water and sewer rates than 2/3 to ¾ of other area communities. BUT he doesn’t mention the DISAPPEARANCE of the millions of dollars in funds collected over the last 40+ years which would have paid for all of the water and sewer issues. Over time our city officials discovered, then gutted, the GOLD MINE that once was the rich water and sewer funds. Just as Adkins admits, those funds are ENTERPRISE funds (funds for their SPECIFIED use only) and were ILLEGALLY siphoned off by transfer checks to the “general slush fund” for ANY UNSPECIFIED use that city officials might choose. If the sewer separation had been accomplished years ago when the funds were collected (thereby avoiding the increased cost of doing so today) we wouldn’t have this problem now!! Here’s some bu$$sh!t’ in your own words … “the General Fund does not contribute to utilities, and therefore income tax receipts from new jobs would not be used to support utilities. EVEN IF THEY DID, however, the math doesn’t work….” You are actually presenting an illegal funding maneuver as a solution, just to blow smoke and confuse the issue. It must be pointed out again that the General Fund was the illegal recipient of the water and sewer funds and they should be returned.
AND obviously, recouping those funds presents a big problem. To paraphrase Adkins, “We just have to figure out the … smartest ... most effective way” to get our past and present city officials to repay the citizens of Middletown “without disproportionally affecting either our residents or our business community.”
Remember his phrase and determine for yourself what is, in his words “no longer sustainable.” Now read DOUG’S OWN WORDS from The City Managers Blog on CityofMiddletown.org:
Water and Sewer Rates January 23, 2017City Manager Middletown 1 Comment I was asked the following question last week: “What will it take job wise, corporate tax wise, additional residents income/payroll wise, to stop the notion of increasing water, sewer, garbage and other residential tax that you can think of? … We only have so much discretionary income to give and we are saving very little if any for emergencies.” That’s a fair question, and I’ll try to answer it. First, some background on why I need the money. Every year, the City of Oakwood compiles water rates for over 60 southwest Ohio cities. Middletown has historically been in the lower fourth to lower third of area water and sewer rates. What this means is that 2/3 to 3/4 of southwest Ohio communities have historically had higher water and sewer rates, year after year, than the citizens of Middletown. We have reached a point where that is no longer sustainable. Due to the age of our city, we will have large expenditures over the next two decades to keep our water and sewer system viable. M in the tables below refer to Millions of Dollars. The early estimates look like this: Combined Sewers Long Term Control Plan Downtown Storage Facility $38M Barnitz Park Area Storage Facility $54M Lakeside Storm Water Redirection Green Infrastructure $14M Hydraulic Canal Repairs (Germantown Rd. to river) $10M Total LTCP $116M Water/Sewer System and Plant Upgrades Water Distribution System $100M Water Treatment Plant $25M Sewer Collection System $142M Wastewater Treatment Plant $67M Total Water/Sewer Upgrades $252M Miller Road/Sawyers Mill Sewer Infrastructure $2M Street Paving Assoc. w/ LTCP, Water, Sewer Line Upgrades $25M GRAND TOTAL $395M We will bid all of these projects over time and the actual amount could be higher or lower than the early estimates. Below is the map (not shown here) showing our water distribution system by age. The sewer map is almost identical showing large portions of the city with water and sewer distribution systems that are over 75 years old. So we have an unavoidable +/- $400 million problem over the next 20 years. That gets us back to the original question. Why raise rates? Why don’t we add jobs and families to cover this cost? The answer is twofold. First, because water and sewer are enterprise funds, income tax would not be used for utility service, and second because the math doesn’t work. Enterprise funds are self sufficient funds designed to pay utility expenses with fees collected from users of the service. The City ordinances establish the funds and set fees. The General Fund does not contribute to utilities, and therefore income tax receipts from new jobs would not be used to support utilities. Even if they did, however, the math doesn’t work…. $400 million divided by 20 years = $20 million per year for each of the next 20 years. At a 1.75% income tax rate, it takes $57,142,857 in new payroll to generate $1 million in new income tax revenues. $57,142,857 divided by $45,000 per job = 1,270 new jobs to generate $1 million in new income tax revenues. We need $20 million per year for 20 years. So that equates to 1,270 new jobs x 20 = 25,400 new jobs at $45,000 per job to create $20 million in new income tax revenues. To pay for the water and sewer repairs, then, we would need to immediately add 25,400 new jobs at $45,000 per job, and then sustain them for each of the next 20 years consecutively. While we have capacity for growth, we don’t have enough land available to add 25,400 jobs and certainly couldn’t do it in the space of a year or two. I’ll ask the follow up question myself: Why don’t we just stick it to the business community with higher rates and go easy on our residents? We’ve been fighting the image for a while that we can be business unfriendly. I’m doing what I can to change that image over time. Jacking up corporate water and sewer rates will not make it attractive to bring new business here, nor will it help our existing businesses grow and add jobs and taxes to the community. We do have additional water capacity that is not being used right now. When NTE comes online, they will become our largest water customer and they will pay their share of this bill. As we add other businesses and future water users, they will also help spread out the cost to more customers. There’s a balance between the residents and the business community and the rates we charge. This is a difficult issue that will require thoughtful answers. The bill is coming due. We just have to figure out how to pay it most effectively as a city. Staff will be looking at how we bill water and sewer during 2017 to see if there is a smarter way to charge for necessary repairs without disproportionally affecting either our residents or our business community. There’s no easy answer here.
That’s right Mr Adkins, there’s no easy answer but all of YOUR ANSWERS TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT … FOR YOU. You and Council have backed yourselves into this self described impossible, untenable position!!! Your garbled description of the past and present purpose and use of funds, enterprise and/or others makes no sense … and neither does any of your proposed solution. You are blowing smoke to cover your A$$. “The bill is coming due.” You just have to figure out how to get the average resident to shoulder the maximum $ burden juuust before breaking his back. Will the funds from the continually pumped up water bills really be used for the sewer separation or take their historic route to the “general slush fund?” How can you and Council EVER be trusted?
The question which should be posed to Doug is: Why not use the sewer separation fund that has been COLLECTED FOR 40+ YEARS? … And use the storm water sewer charge that was added to our water bills about 10 to 12 years ago, by falsely stating that it was a federally mandated charge … which IT WAS NOT! The enterprise funds that can only legally be used for sewer separation have disappeared … been misappropriated. Also, we VOTED to use half of the INCOME TAX to subsidize water, sewer and trash to keep rates low and to make Middletown more attractive to businesses and citizens. Can’t use that, it’s ALL GONE … MISAPPROPRIATED!! And that’s CRIMINAL! In Adkins own words: “We have reached a point where that is no longer sustainable.”
Also, money was taken from the enterprise funds (a million dollars at a time) and transferred to Capital Improvement Fund (a non-restricted fund), to cover up misuse of water and sewer money to pave streets, buy real estate (on Hook Drive), etc. The water and sewer funds have proven to be a GOLD MINE for funding everything except water and sewer. It’s NOT that we’re paying too little for water, sewer and trash; it’s that these are the only rates that council can raise without a vote by the citizens. That’s actually a hidden, illegal tax! COUNCIL … just because this ROBBERY has been perpetrated in the past, does NOT make it right or legal to continue.
Regarding the combined sewers: What is the purpose of the storage facilities? Have the storage facilities and other band-aid measures been approved by the EPA? Are you going to spend millions of dollars on storage facilities and still have combined sewers? Will the combined sewers still have to be separated? Why not JUST DO THE REQUIRED SEPARATION OF SEWERS and finally be done with it? There is NO NEED for his EXPENSIVE, $116M Long Term Control Plan band-aid which is ¼ to 1/3 of his Grand Total Cost of $395M which would be down to $279M. The money should already be in city coffers. OOP’s, forgot we were robbed! Now we need a REAL AUDIT to see where the money has gone. A budget balance sheet will no longer do.
Now that city administration has been forced into fiscal transparency, anyone can view what’s called the “check book” in the Financial Transparency Portal, OpenGov, on CityofMiddletown.org. The actual checks can be viewed if you click in the right spot. In the records of 2015 you will find numerous checks paid from one fund to another with no real explanatory notes (looks like a laundering maneuver). One pair of checks in particular had the payer and payee reversed for the exact same large amount on the exact same date. Are they calling this shell game accounting?? It’s a very scrambled mess and difficult to decipher (purposely??). Present and previous councils and administrations can and should be held PERSONALLY responsible for any missing money. Remember the expression “ignorance is no excuse.”
If Adkins wants to change our “business unfriendly image” to promote financial growth; why does he let his historical bureaucracy prevent the building of new legitimate businesses on the fringe of the downtown area? Middletown is reduced to a beggar level but the historical snobs walk around THEIR downtown with noses in the air. That’s a friendly image?? That will promote financial growth? Not too long ago we voted for a safety levy which was to prevent layoffs of police and fire ... and then immediately there were layoffs which resulted in less protection with fewer officers (with top heavy pay grade sergeants & lieutenants). We pay higher taxes for our schools but are academically rated among the lowest. What is really (in Adkins own words) “no longer sustainable” … is the misappropriation, mismanagement nonsense and continual down right CORRUPTION in the city building.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 23 2017 at 7:30pm
Part Two Water and Sewer Rates
This excerpt from the workbook for the 3-21-17 council meeting, if carefully read, will reveal another instance of the gross illegal misuse and manipulation of city funds:
“ORDINANCE NO. O2017-13 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH KELCHNER, INC. FOR THE YANKEE ROAD (PHASE 3) PROJECT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. PID No. 95124 WHEREAS, the City sought bids for the Yankee Road (Phase 3) project for the total roadway reconstruction and widening, realignment, water main replacement, storm sewer improvements, and traffic signal replacement on Yankee Rd. between Lafayette Ave. and Oxford State Rd.; and WHEREAS, eight contractors submitted bids for the project and Kelchner, Inc. submitted the lowest and best bid; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Middletown, Butler/Warren Counties, Ohio that: Section 1 The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Kelchner, Inc. for the Yankee Road (Phase 3) (PID 95124) project. Services shall consist of the total roadway reconstruction and widening, realignment, water main replacement, storm sewer improvements, and traffic signal replacement on Yankee Rd. between Lafayette Ave. and Oxford State Road. The contract shall be consistent with the contractor’s low bid therefor, and in a form acceptable to the Law Director and City Manager. Section 2 For said purposes the Director of Finance is authorized and directed to expend a sum not to exceed $5,970,934.91 from the following funds: Capital Improvement Fund (Fund # 220) in the amount of $3,770,934.91 Water Capital Reserve Fund (Fund # 494) in the amount of $1,500,000.00 Storm Water Capital Reserve Fund (Fund # 415) in the amount of $700,000.00.”
Here’s the revealing breakdown:
1.) Capital Improvement Fund (Fund # 220) in the amount of $3,770,934.91 This is the fund that ILLEGALLY RECEIVES its money FROM the water, sewer and storm water sewer enterprise funds. So essentially this $3M amount IS water and sewer enterprise funds. Let’s be absolutely clear what that means and how it happens … As soon as the water and sewer customers pay enough (more and more each month) to bring their water and sewer fund levels up … the city drains this RESTRICTED fund AGAIN and funnels this money (our water and sewer funds) into the NON-RESTRICTED Capital Improvement Fund. This fund got rich off of our Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds!!!! That $3,770,934.91 is only a drop in the bucket of money stolen from Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds.
Water Capital Reserve Fund (Fund # 494) in the amount of $1,500,000.00
Storm Water Capital Reserve Fund (Fund # 415) in the amount of $700,000.00.
Notice that ALL of the money for the project comes from water and sewer funds. No street funds, no infrastructure funds nor Auto and Gas Funds are used. This is a prime example of the misuse of Enterprise funds
Now we see why the sewer separation fund and the Enterprise funds have no money left in them. Now we know why the water and sewer rates are raised every year. We are at Adkins and Council’s mercy because raising those rates doesn’t require a vote by tax payers … and because it’s a fee which they have the authority to set and apply. That’s how and why they try to say they’re doing this legally … but wait … all that money they continue to collect is continually siphoned off and is used illegally!!! Remember when Adkins said that he had to raise water and sewer rates to use (illegally) for street repair? This has to be among the lowest of the lowest dirty tricks that a city government could perpetrate!!!
How high will council raise rates when EPA forces them to actually separate the combined sewers??? Would a $200-$250 or more minimum water bill per month surprise you? It should be shocking!!! That, along with high taxes, oppressively corrupt government, drug related high crime and terrible schools will really help attract businesses and people to Middletown where city government is more concerned about trying (but failing) to be the “historically pretty and proper” high society community.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Mar 23 2017 at 10:26pm
Regarding dubious uses of Enterprise Funds.................
In July 2008, the Public Works Director was transferred to be the Director of the new Community Revitalization Department. Their salary/fringe benefits ($110,000 plus annually) continued to be paid from Enterprise Funds. Also, their Administrative Assistant in Public Works was transferred to the new Community Revitalization Department. I do not know if they also were paid from Enterprise Funds.
This questionable practice continued until at least January 20, 2009 when I "RESIGNED" my position with the city. My annual salary/fringe benefits was $40,000+ less. By comparison, the new Director had no prior experience administering HUD grants, developing and implementing funded programs, etc.
Thank you Whistler's Mom for your recent posts. Far too much got swept under the rug over the years. Any decent audit would have noted the above as an "Outstanding Finding" and contrary to Enterprise Funds policies.
Posted By: MattR
Date Posted: Mar 24 2017 at 9:19pm
Did CH2 receive a no competition contract for $208k at the 1/17/17 council meeting?
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 27 2017 at 10:21am
Adkins has presented this topic on his City Manager’s Blog … quote:
Congratulations, Middletown Small Business Development Center! MARCH 24, 20173 COMMENTS We here at the City of Middletown are thrilled to share that our Small Business Development Center (part of the Butler County SBDC) has been nationally chosen as the 2017 Small Business Development Center of the Year with Director David Riggs at the helm in the Middletown office. This means that not only did your local Small Business Development Center earn the title of the best of 27 centers in Ohio, they were selected as the best SBDC of 1,000 centers across the country. Our SBDC was also the first center in Ohio to ever win the national award. That’s a pretty big deal! The Small Business Development Center serves as a valuable asset to the public: it is open to meeting with anyone who has a viable business idea for Middletown. The SBDC will sit down with you, listen to your business idea, and assist you in stepping in the right direction in making your business idea a reality. The Middletown Small Business Development Center is located in the City of Middletown Municipal Building on the second floor. It is open during regular business hours; however, our SBDC is a partnership with Hamilton – if you do not make an appointment, there is a chance David will be in Hamilton when you visit our building. Way to go, SBDC!
And here are the comments that follow it:
3 thoughts on “Congratulations, Middletown Small Business DevelopmentCenter!”
1. Nancy Pence March 24, 2017 at 11:16 pm Well done! Like REPLY
2. Whistlersmom March 25, 2017 at 3:27 pm According to today’s Journal-News, The BUTLER COUNTY Small Business Development Center is the recipient of this award in which Middletown is a very minor player. David Riggs, the COUNTY’S SBCD Director, has his main office in Hamilton. The chances are he will rarely be present “at the helm in the Middletown office.” The paper also cited this breakdown by the numbers FROM 2015 (the year of the State Auditor’s “warning of a fiscal cliff” for Middletown): “1,109 counseling hours, helping small businesses generate more than $2.8 million in new sales, creating 115 jobs and retaining 187 jobs, according to the state. The center also served 98 individual long-term clients and connected companies to $3,036,099 in capital.”
Tell us what percentage of these numbers belonged to Middletown in 2015 and show us proof! No talking in circles! Like REPLY
City Manager Middletown March 27, 2017 at 12:22 pm I wasn’t trying to hide the ball. I amended the post to reflect that the Middletown office is part of the Butler County SBDC. Thanks for the comment.
End Quote.
Please note that Adkins did not answer the question “what percentage of the numbers belonged to Middletown?”!!!! Why?? Maybe because Middletown’s numbers were so tiny that he would be embarrassed to say! He continues to ignore any uncomplimentary remarks wherever he finds them. Heads up bloggers! Careful reading of The City Managers Blog on CityofMiddletown.org may contain some revelations hidden in Doug’s own words. We just need to blow the smoke away!!!
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: What A City
Date Posted: Mar 27 2017 at 10:55am
So, this "Middletown Small Business Development Center" and Director Riggs are new on the scene? How long has this entity been around? I don't recall this operation being announced as a viable part of the city operations or is this a new name for an old operation?
I thought DMI was calling the shots, at least in the downtown area, as to small business development for this city. I've not heard the SBDC mentioned in the same breath as the DMI. We have all read where the new business application for the proposed O'Reilly's car parts store on Central has gained the attention of the "Historical" group putting their two cents into the proposal. We know that DMI is controlling who comes and who goes in the downtown area, right?
So how does this "MSBDC" interact with the DMI and the Historical people to get anything done as it pertains to small businesses? Is this a duplication of effort here? Do they work against each other at times?
And why isn't this new entity involved in the city plan along with DMI, or are they?
Adkins blog makes it appear as if Middletown is the controlling factor in this Development Center when, in fact, it encompasses the Butler County region and Middletown is one of many players in this, correct?
So, according to Adkins, if the Middletown SBDC will "sit down with you, listen to your business ideas, and assist you in the right direction"...... why does it seem as if the DMI, historical people, city council, the downtown arts community and the city manager are in control of the entire game plan for the city as to development? Why isn't the SBDC not in control of this?
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 27 2017 at 1:01pm
In Adkins’ new post, titled Community Reinvestment Area Agreements Downtown on his City Manager blog he says:
“There have been a few questions raised about why the city is so generous with Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) property tax breaks downtown. . . . Our CRA agreements downtown waive property taxes for a specific time period for investment in the building. The waiver only applies to the increase in value of the building, not the “as is” value of the building before the investment. As an example, let’s say a downtown building is worth $100,000. The owner invests $50,000 into the building in façade improvements, new heating and air conditioning, roof, etc. For the purposes of the example, we’ll say the owner gets the whole value of his or her investment and the building is now worth $150,000 ($100,000 before investment plus $50,000 in improvements.) The CRA agreement waives the property taxes on the additional value of the building only. What this means is that the property owner will continue to pay property taxes on the original value ($100,000) but the city will waive additional property taxes due on the increased value ($50,000) for the time period of the CRA agreement."
What if we take a look at the numerous properties DOWNTOWN in the last few years that were given away or sold for maybe $11. Tax waivers on those mean that they will pay property taxes on the original value . . . THAT’S $0.00 to $11.00. And on the majority of those, there have been little or no improvements but rather further deterioration. Tax waivers ARE a good tool, EXCEPT when they are ABUSED and MISUSED. Who would pay, as in Adkins’ example, $100,000 (the taxable amount) for a property next door to one that was given away and on which no taxes would be paid?
The rest of Adkins’ desperate attempt to make this look good is a lot of smoke that we will continue to blow away.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: What A City
Date Posted: Mar 27 2017 at 2:29pm
I have a question for Mr. Adkins concerning giving a new business a 5-10-12.....year tax abatement.
What happens if the city and the business negotiate this tax abatement in good faith and the business decides to pack up and leave after, say, eight years, before the tax abatement time period is over? They enjoyed eight years without paying a portion of their total tax commitment, left the city on their terms or as their business declined, and left the city holding the bag and shortchanged as a result.
When the city is in tax abatement negotiations with a business, is there a penalty that the business will pay if they leave early in the deal?
Mr. Adkins refers to the CRA in the downtown area but doesn't mention the other parts of town. Does this apply to all parts of town or just the downtown and, if so, why?
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 29 2017 at 2:03pm
According to the Journal-News, Monday, March 27,2017 there is a change in funding regarding:
Yankee Road (Phase 3) project for the total roadway reconstruction and widening, realignment, water main replacement, storm sewer improvements, and traffic signal replacement on Yankee Rd. between Lafayette Ave. and Oxford State Rd.
which was discussed here and posted March 23, 2017, Part two of water and sewer rates by whistlersmom.
Quote from the newspaper, 3/27/17:
“City officials said the project will be funded by $3.77 million in OKI and Ohio Public Works Commission grants; $1.5 million from the city’s water capital reserve fund; and $700,000 from the city’s storm sewer capital fund. The local funds were included in the city’s 2017 Capital Improvement Budget.”
Soooo . . . there is still NO funding coming from street funds, infrastructure funds nor Auto and Gas Funds. This is STILL a prime example of the misuse of Enterprise Funds. Remember the city drained the RESTRICTED water and sewer enterprise funds and funneled this money into the NON-RESTRICTED Capital Improvement Fund (and the 2017 Capital Improvement Budget). This fund is STILL getting rich off of our Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds!!!! ESSENTIALLY, THE CITY IS NOW LIVING OFF OF OUR OVER BLOWN WATER AND SEWER BILLS!! This also means that in the near future we will likely be forced by EPA to separate the combined sewers. Our city officials have failed, for the last 40 years, to use the RESTRICTED Storm Water and Sewer ENTERPRISE Fund to separate the combined sewers. Our current city officials are just as culpable as those from earlier years for this failure.
Regarding the $700,000 from the city’s storm sewer capital fund . . . wasn’t that fund strictly for separating the combined sewers and for NOTHING OTHER THAN THAT!!!? I don’t think there are any combined sewers on Yankee Road.
Do you wonder when the OKI and Ohio Public Works Commission grants APPEARED?
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Mar 31 2017 at 12:27pm
The City Managers Blog on CityofMiddletown.org deserves to be carefully read . . . its very revealing! Take note in the following quote of Doug’s reply to whistlersmom’s very critical initial post on his Water and Sewer Rates topic on his blog; he doesn’t edit the responses to his blog post. And I was very critical of his entire “explanation” for raising water and sewer rates.
“I don’t edit the responses to my blog post. You’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m sure that there is nothing I’m going to say here that will impact how you feel about things. Our finances are online for everyone to see. Our books are audited every year for compliance with Ohio and Federal law. Last year we were audited by the State of Ohio and awarded their Audit with Distinction award for having no questionable costs.”
I stated in reply that the cursory award (which nearly every community receives) for the audit he spoke of more resembles a balance sheet. After I pointed out numerous flaws in his “reasoning” he attempted to hide behind a lot of rhetoric ending with the following quote:
“Here’s one last thought. I’m an attorney and your City Manager. What possible reason would I have to jeopardize my job and my law license by committing illegal or unethical acts for the city? My law license is my bread and butter. I’m not putting it at risk for this city… period.”
I took special note of the cryptic “Here’s one last thought . .” And sure enough he did exactly what he said he doesn’t do!! My next post on his Water and Sewer Rates topic, immediately after the above was edited out!!! That post was nearly verbatim to my post here on MUSA concerning the illegal funding of the Yankee Rd (Phase 3) project with Water and Sewer funds. And note that he will not be putting HIMSELF at risk for the city of Middletown . . . but I think City Council MEMBERS, past and present, should take note and beware . . . they may be held responsible for our city’s demise while Adkins may escape to greener pastures before the ax falls.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: May 03 2017 at 9:27pm
Quoted from Middletown.org, The City Managers Blog
First Quarter City Reports 2017
April 27, 2017City Manager Middletown
Building continues to be strong in the city. The Building Inspection Division processed 325 permits during the first quarter representing $47,278,732 in new construction in the city.
COMMENT: Did each permit have an average value of $145,473.02? Or was one permit for $47 million and the rest averaged $860.28?
Please tell us where the multimillion dollar new constructions are located that are in the first quarter of 2017.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: May 17 2017 at 9:41pm
Mr Adkins has revisited an item (on his City Manager’s Blog/CityofMiddletown.org) concerning the BUTLER COUNTY Small Business Development Center (SBCD). The original post is dated March 24, 2017. An excerpt in new post, dated May 8, 2017, titled Economic Development Week says virtually the same thing as the old one:
“On a local scale, Middletown has seen over 20 new small businesses open in the heart of Downtown Middletown, bringing locally-made products and services right to your backyard. Not only are your local small businesses great, they’re backed by the best Small Business Development Center in the country: Middletown’s Small Business Development Center was recently named the Best SBDC of 2017, making it the first Ohio SBDC to win the national award.”
The original post had 2 comments following it...but the second comment made by whistlersmom has been edited out… because it was critical and uncomplimentary. I copied the entire post and the comments which include a reply by Adkins and posted it here just a few posts previous to this. Check it out!
Both of Adkins’ posts leave the reader with the FALSE impression that the award and all accolades belong mainly to Middletown. Nothing could be further from the truth. Again the award was NOT given to the MIDDLETOWN SBDC, but to BUTLER COUNTY SBDC in Hamilton where Director David Riggs has his office. There is a very slim chance that Riggs will be in the “Middletown office.” Middletown IS a part of Butler County SBCD, but Hamilton is where the MAJORITY of small businesses are starting up and beginning to thrive, NOT Middletown. Adkins made no answer when asked on his first post to enumerate the successful small business start-ups still in operation in Middletown and what percentage they were of the total in Butler County. Guess why!!!!
It’s shameful that Mr. Adkins is allowed to “thrive” on half truths and innuendo. The unvarnished truth needs to be told but it’s hard to find the truth among so many years of REPEATED propaganda. Adkins is living vicariously thru others who are doing the real work. Middletown is reaping the chaff and none of the wheat.
And as Mr. Adkins has suggested, I do think about Middletown’s economic predicament on a daily basis with great sadness.
As to the rest of Adkins “points” he tried to make on the Economic Development post on his blog:
1.) The small businesses downtown have provided lower paying entry level jobs, very little gain in income tax for the city.
2.) AK Steel Research and Innovation Center moved from the “downtown” area to the Eastend and received an extended tax abatement on the property. Because it is Warren County and in Franklin City School District, Middletown might have to pay to Franklin Schools the amount they would have received in property taxes from AK.
3.) NTE Energy Power Plant brings more pollution to Middletown. We had no power plants here previous to them, so we are ADDING new pollution. We are just lucky they didn’t decide to build a coal fired power plant. We already have SunCoke, a high polluter. And AK Steel, too. It’s a shame we can’t get nice clean jobs like AK Headquarters.
4.) Has anyone seen activity at Goetz Tower’s apartment construction?
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Jun 18 2017 at 9:07pm
More from the City
Manager’s Blog that needs our attention! The invitation to leave a
comment has to be on MUSA because critical comments will edited out
and will not be tolerated on Adkins’ blog.
https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/05/31/jobs-jobs-jobs/" rel="nofollow - Jobs,
Jobs Jobs….
https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/05/31/jobs-jobs-jobs/" rel="nofollow - May
31, 2017 https://citymanagermiddletown.com/author/middletowncm/" rel="nofollow - City
Manager Middletown https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/05/31/jobs-jobs-jobs/#respond" rel="nofollow - Leave
a comment
I’ve heard many times that if I would just bring more
manufacturing jobs back to Middletown, this blue collar town would
rebound just fine. We are always on the lookout for new
opportunities but the problem right this minute isn’t adding jobs,
it’s getting existing jobs filled.
The Journal ran a nice article detailing the problem local
manufacturers are facing filling existing open positions.
http://www.journal-news.com/business/manufacturers-desperate-for-workers-the-future/kEtCPkIEKOBdJIVG0FQzLI/" rel="nofollow - Manufacturers
desperate for workers of the future
The Dayton Region Manufacturers Association, which represents
14 local counties, reports that local manufacturers are trying to
fill between 3,400 – 4,000 manufacturing jobs each year in the
area. Our Middletown manufacturers are all hiring at this
time. In addition, the last time I talked to Atrium Medical
Center, they had an additional 300 open, unfilled positions at the
hospital.
Bringing additional jobs here means we all (government, business
and the community) are going to have to be very creative in how
we bring new people to Middletown to work. It’s a Middletown,
a southwest Ohio and a Statewide shortage of incoming new talent.
The City is looking at adding new bus routes from
neighboring communities to start opening up additional transportation
options to bring workers to the City. Our existing housing
policies and housing stock will also play a part in our success or
our failure. People generally want to live close to where they
work, and it is critical that we have attractive housing
available in all price ranges to make this an attractive community to
live, work and play in.
Schools, jobs, and the city are all intertwined. None can be
fully successful without all three functioning well.
Points from Adkins’
blog:
“The problem
right this minute isn’t adding jobs, it’s getting existing jobs
filled.”
Specifically,
where in Middletown, are these existing manufacturing jobs? Do they
pay a living wage? Are they full time or part time? Do they require
special schooling or training?
“The Dayton Region Manufacturers Association, which represents 14
local counties, reports that local manufacturers are trying to fill
between 3,400 – 4,000 manufacturing jobs each year in the area.”
The
areas in Butler County that have job openings are not in Middletown,
but are in Hamilton where they are being recognized for a superior
job of revitalization and the influx of 800 jobs. The other 13 counties
are where the local manufacturers have the rest of the jobs that need to be filled.
Adkins needs to help Middletown by attracting
manufacturers that will provide real jobs so that the taxes are
spread over more citizens. More good jobs would provide income for
working class people to buy or rent properties rather than the
section 8 folks, the drug dealers and the criminals. (Didn’t I see
where Middletown had surpassed the murder rate for all of last year?
But that little problem is also overlooked.) Adkins will again use
“the Adkins Method” of ignoring the real problems of Middletown.
Instead he will just continue to raise water and sewer bills to use
as a slush fund to cover the rising cost of living in Middletown!
And residents will individually foot the bill for installing curb,
gutter and sidewalk where repaving is taking place. Adkins recently
said that if the citizens wanted more street repairs they would have
to pay higher taxes.
“Bringing
additional jobs here means we all (government, business and the
community) are going to have to be very creative in how we bring new
people to Middletown to work. The City is looking at adding new bus
routes from neighboring communities to start opening up additional
transportation options to bring workers to the City.”
Why would we have
to bring in new people to work here? Oh yeah, all those that wanted
jobs had to leave Middletown to find work. That left the section 8
folks, the drug dealers and the criminals. Reread the above article
from Adkins’ blog. That kind of thinking for the last many years is
the reason
Middletown
struggles while those around us recover or even thrive.
“Our existing housing policies and
housing stock will also play a part in our success or our failure.
People generally want to live close to where they work, and it is
critical that we have attractive housing available in all price
ranges to make this an attractive community to live, work and play
in.”
If our housing policies play a part in our success then we are
doomed to failure! Adkins advocates continuing to tear down smaller
homes which are in the price range of blue collar families that the
sought after manufacturing jobs would support. People want to live
close to work but without jobs Middletown can not attract working
class or middle class citizens. The idea of building higher quality
homes in a (government created) lower class slum is a pie in the sky
con job that will never happen. Until council and the city manager
faces the real problems of Middletown, the down hill spiral
continues.
“Schools, jobs, and the city are all
intertwined. None can be fully successful without all three
functioning well.”
This is a true statement. Since our schools constantly under
perform, there are no good jobs in Middletown and the city government
doesn’t have a clue as to how to turn Middletown around.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 19 2017 at 6:18am
Adkins:
"Schools, jobs, and the city are all intertwined. None can be fully successful without all three functioning well"
And you see, that's where the problem exists. The schools are abysmal and have been for decades. We build new schools for them and they keep providing low performance. We get nothing for our tax dollar from the schools.
The jobs here are mostly service oriented low paying fast food, grocery, dollar store, clerk positions paying a wage where two or possibly three of these jobs would provide a livable wage nowadays, or, industrial park/small company wages paying in the range of $10 to $17 bucks an hour which would put the wage earner at the very bottom of the "livable wage" category. Need more AK Steel Research Center or Atrium Medical Center type jobs paying those types of wages to provide a decent standard of living. Also need to attract those types of people to the city as residents. Not enough affluence for them here at this time.
The city? I think we all can come to a conclusion about the city and it's success to date.
None of these three segments of our city impress any of us. I believe that Mr. Adkins and company are trying to repair the damage but may not be successful enough to bring it back to where it should be. It is a monumental task.
Don't have an indication that the schools are doing anything different while they build their Taj Mahal's. I see no indication that they want to try totally new approaches to change the malaise they have created. Doesn't seem to be that much interest from the superintendent on down to try to improve. The same old story on the test results indicate they are satisfied with bottom rung performance. Perhaps the new superintendent will inspire change that Ison didn't seem to care about. Glad he's gone.
Jobs? Yes, there is a lack of high tech skills as to workforce selection now. Just wonder where all the machinists and other skilled trade people are for employers to select from. Isn't Butler Tech turning out graduates for employers to choose from or do the graduates leave school and sit on the couch, too lazy to go apply for work? What happened to the school/learn on the job apprentice programs employers had at one time? What part is Cincy State or MUM playing in all of this?
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Jun 21 2017 at 10:23pm
We convened, I believe, our 10th Heroin Summit yesterday at Atrium Medical Center yesterday morning. One of the startling statistics was that Middletown is on pace to spend about $100,000 on Narcan this year. This has spawned a number of conversations across social media about the City’s expenses and priorities.
The Journal article covering the summit is below:
http://www.journal-news.com/news/middletown-pace-double-drug-overdoses-from-last-year/D3jg6DEcXnm42oTwc1HHgL/" rel="nofollow - Middletown on pace to double overdoses from last year
I’m simplifying Ohio laws considerably, and there are exceptions to what is below, but the City has very few options in not supplying Narcan. Under Ohio law, when we are called to render aid, we generally have to treat whatever condition we encounter. There is no three strikes and you’re out law on the books in Ohio. In addition, we have a good Samaritan law in Ohio which encourages people to call in overdoses and prohibits police from arresting people onsite for heroin related activity associated with the overdose. What this means is that if police and EMS are called to an overdose, the paramedics must render aid (this time, and the second time, and the third time), and if there is heroin related paraphernalia laying around from the overdose, the police must often ignore it and not arrest anyone for the activity.
I’m not going to try to get into the moral implications of whether those laws are good or bad, they simply are the law in Ohio at this time. What this means is that Middletown will spend about $1.5 million a year responding to and reacting to opioid addiction problems in the city. That’s money that could be spent on other priorities.
People always get a little squeamish when I talk about this subject. I firmly believe anytime the city is using $1.5 million of your tax dollars for non-productive uses, it’s critical that we continue to talk about it and do whatever is possible at the local level to solve the problem.
We can’t arrest our way out of this. I can’t keep it out of the city. Below is a story on NBC news last night showing Montgomery County as the leader in addiction in the country:
http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/inside-america-s-most-opioid-addicted-county-970744899513" rel="nofollow - Inside America’s Most Opioid Addicted County
WCPO ran an article this morning stating that Hamilton County is on track to have the most drug overdose deaths in the United States.
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/hamilton-county-heroin-overdoses-county-on-pace-to-have-more-overdose-deaths-this-year-than-2016" rel="nofollow - Hamilton County on pace to have more overdose deaths than 2016
And Middletown smack dab in between them. It’s a Middletown problem. It’s a southwest Ohio problem. It’s an Ohio problem. It’s a national epidemic.
So what do we do as a city? We have implemented the best practices being used throughout the country. We have five K-9 drug dogs that are pulling drugs off the street daily. Our patrol and narcotics divisions have more drug arrests than ever before. Our Heroin Response Team has placed 140+ people into treatment from Middletown. Middletown Municipal Court has a Vivitrol program to reduce dependency. We are making progress despite the increasing numbers.
Here’s my challenge to you as a city. There are a lot of things in this epidemic that are beyond our control. What we do control is the culture of this city and its tolerance to drugs, drug dealers and this lifestyle. Most of our shootings this year have been drug related. More often than not, people won’t come forward to be witnesses. There are a few bars in town that cater to these dealers. Boca is one and we’re shutting it down. If you want to avoid violence in Middletown, don’t go to these bars after midnight. Nothing good happens there. I’ll say this publicly; if you are a bar operator in this town and you cater to this crowd, we will find you and we will shut you down as well. Period. No more chances. No more questions and second and third chances.
While I can’t keep this scourge out of Middletown, we all know that there are a number of local, home grown Middletown drug dealers who are poisoning our residents for money and we tolerate it. We catch many of them over time, but finding witnesses to testify is almost always a problem.
When I’ve talked to some of our residents about our local drug dealers, and we know who they are, I hear things like “That’s just Tommy. I went to school with him. He isn’t that bad” or “I know its wrong, but Tommy gets groceries for the old lady down the street and helps neighborhood people when they need cash, so we all just kind of tolerate it.”
We are going to have to find a better way to deal with poverty in this city than having drug dealers buy groceries and hand out cash.
There is no world where someone who sells opioid drugs is ok. They are the scourge of this city and it’s up to us to let them know we don’t want that here and won’t tolerate their poisoning of our population. If you care about this city and you know these people, it’s up to you to let them know they need to take their business outside of Middletown. Our city won’t get better if you watch them poison our residents and you take no action. It won’t get better if you see drug deals and shootings and you won’t cooperate with MPD. We’re all in this together. Let’s fight the good fight.
And yes, this topic gets me aggravated. And frustrated. And pissed off. I wish everyone in the city was as angry as I am about this. I’m tired of drug dealers and I’m tired of watching residents die. We have so many positive things happening in this city and this is one of the few things holding us back from full recovery.
OK…. rant over.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Jun 21 2017 at 10:37pm
In
response to the Heroin Summit on the City Manager’s Blog,
cityofmiddletown.org:
Please
believe that we are mad as hell that so many of our residents have
been preyed upon by addicts who rob and ransack our homes or
businesses and many times have caused bodily harm and mental anguish.
We are mad as hell!!! Many people have moved away, some were
displaced by people in the over abundant section 8 housing.
But
putting that aside, can we think outside the box regarding
Middletown’s
heroin epidemic for just a moment?
Considerable
focus is on the administration of life saving Narcan and its
high
cost to the city, a projected $100,000 this year. Is there really
anything
in the state law which strictly prevents confiscation of
drug paraphernalia
(or any drugs)? Leaving those behind for the
addict to use for their next
overdose is very counter productive.
That is the same as “enabling” which
is a term used in
psychology. We are not helping the addicts to kick their
habit …
we are enabling and even enhancing their continued drug abuse
because
they have little fear of the consequences of overdosing. Enabling
is not a kindness. And the situation is worsening.
What
and where is the treatment program that “our Heroin Response Team
has placed 140+ people into”? Might we compare the cost of
stepping up
the arrests for possession if dealing is suspected and
placing more addicts
in city sponsored rehab; against the cost of
repeated emergency use of
Narcan? What is the Municipal Court’s
Vivitrol program, how does it work
and how can we make it more
effective. We need to render aid and provide
incentive for addicts
to get clean without promoting repeat overdosing.
Granted, some of
the Ohio laws may be making this more difficult. So we
must make
better use of the tools at hand.
Isn’t
there already a little used, newly built halfway house/rehab unit at
the
corner of Central and Marshall? And perhaps an arrangement
could be
made with Atrium Medical Center to house addicts in rehab.
Of course
either would have to be well policed. But having problem
addicts in one
location would be cost saving and, in time, reduce the
number of addicts,
the number of police/EMT responses required and
the cost to the city.
There
might even be some way for the courts to require addicts who
habitually overdose to repay the city for Narcan dosing. Could we
initiate a
work program where the city has the offenders cleaning up
the city streets
and properties… litter pickup, pulling weeds,
sweeping (with a broom)? Get
them clean, give them some productive
activity (a job) and have them pay
back at least some of the costs.
Yes, this will require increased manpower
from our police department
but if we do not act now things may continue to
worsen and therefore
require more manpower anyway.
Truthfully
there are no easy answers, but getting much tougher on the
dealers is
first and foremost. Stopping the supply side would go a long way
toward solving our problems and we do need our citizens to come
forward
with information. Fear instilled by dealers can be a hefty
deterrent for
informants especially if there is a close relationship.
Hasn’t
our Chief of Police instigated a program to go to our schools on
occasion to educate our youth about drug abuse? Could this be done
more
frequently to advantage? A one-time encounter is too quickly
forgotten by
young people. And could the help of our youths be
enlisted to expose
abuse and drug dealers if they are instructed on
what to look for and how to
get help. They could be very effective in
saving lives of friends and even
family. Perhaps we need a special
task force just for them with simple easy
access 24/7. Every school
entrance could be prominently posted (if it isn’t
already) with
information on how to access this help.
Yes,
we need to “fight the good fight” but we also need to change and
improve the way we go about it. Since we are central to the problem
we are
forced into being central to the solution. City Council, why
not put your
heads together and make this a priority instead of
downtown revitalization!!!!
In the end, solving the heroin problem
will improve the city overall and make
us a healthy community again.
Can’t we get the legal department to
compose one of your famous
ordinances to use against the heroin
epidemic? Why not issue very
stiff penalties for dealing ANY drug found to
contain the deadly
fentanyl, carfentanil and synthetic opiods? Actually
these are so
deadly, dealing them is like committing murder.
Wouldn’t
a thorough report from the Heroin Response Team and our Police
Department for EVERY city council meeting keep us abreast of current
problems and progress? Wouldn’t it be a feather in Council’s cap
to lead
the way in southwest Ohio and the nation against this
scourge? Mr Adkins
would surely appreciate your help and direction.
After all that’s why you
were elected … to lead the city. Just
talking about it isn’t enough, we
desperately need more action.
The remaining good people in Middletown
are waiting for you to lead
the way … we are ready and willing to help. A
colossal problem
requires extreme measures. We understand that our
police department
is working hard. City Council could help by being more
actively
involved,
This
is a challenge to you to take this problem beyond any forum or
council
meeting, and take it to the community. The intention to
confront this
problem needs to be widely advertised through the media
in order to inform
our citizens about it, enlist everyone’s help
and instruct them on how to
proceed. Mr Adkins and Council can not
solve this by themselves.
Downtown revitalization has been very well
covered by the media and
funded by council… isn’t media coverage
and funding of our resolve to end
our heroin epidemic of much more
eminent importance? The drug dealers
will find it much more
difficult to operate in the face of a united front.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 22 2017 at 6:20am
whistlersmom:
"Isn’t there already a little used, newly built halfway house/rehab unit at the
corner of Central and Marshall?"
So that is what that building is huh? Across from the Cincinnati Eye Institute, right? Thought it looked more like a business than a private residence. I wondered why they would demolish the old house there and build a new building in it's place. Funny, if this is a rehab place, there is no sign in front of it saying so. Wonder why? Could it be that the people in that area would have strongly objected to it being there? If this is a drug rehab place, that's a lousy underhanded thing for the city to do to those people.......and they didn't even have a chance to object during what should have been a public meeting before building it.
No story in the Journal about this as I remember. Secretive and under the radar situation if, indeed, this is a druggie rehab center and not helping with the old city government/citizen trust factor at all.
How about it Mr. Adkins. Is this a rehab center and if so, why wasn't it announced to the public? We have a right to know what kind of crap is in our neighborhoods. Bad situation here Mr. Adkins as to the trust factor between you city building people and the citizens.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: Douglas Adkins
Date Posted: Jun 22 2017 at 9:16am
From our City Planner:
The group home was approved as a Conditional Use by the Planning Commission in December 2015. It is operated by ResCare Ohio, Inc. and is for the assisted living of seven or less residents that have developmental disabilities who require supervision for 24 hours a day. The only conditions that were placed by Planning Commission was to 1) require screening from surrounding residences and 2) reconfigure the driveway.
Thanks!
Ashley Combs | City Planner City of Middletown — Community Revitalization 1 Donham Plaza Middletown, Ohio 45042-1932 (513) 425-7922 Office (513) 425-7921 Fax
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 22 2017 at 10:20am
Ok, Mr. Adkins has answered two of the concerns. One, that the building is for the developmentally disabled and not a drug rehab facility and two, that this information was not placed in the Journal for all to view but rather on the city website under the agenda choice in the planning meeting notes from a meeting held previously. Where is the information verifying that the surrounding neighbors approved of this facility as noted in statement 1 in Ashley Combs memo? How do we know that the neighbors approved of this being located there?
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: Douglas Adkins
Date Posted: Jun 22 2017 at 4:20pm
Right or wrong, please remember that Planning Commission approves or denies the conditional use request, not individual citizens.
Any property within 200 ft. of the group home property would have been notified by mail. In addition, a legal add would have also been placed in the papers.
The minutes of the Planning Commission meeting are below. Forgive my lack of ability to insert a working link:
It looks as though four residents spoke against the project. The minutes reflect the discussion. We've had no public safety issues with the property since it has opened. They've been good neighbors other than occasionally taking longer than I'd like to mow their grass.
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 22 2017 at 7:40pm
Mr. Adkins:
"It looks as though four residents spoke against the project. The minutes reflect the discussion."
And you see Mr. Adkins, that is where a problem exists. The city committees ask for citizen input (in this case what will be located in an existing neighborhood that is established and has certain expectations).It wasn't there when the people bought their homes. The four people who lived around there attended, offered their resistance to the project and it was ignored and the building was placed there anyway. So much for showing up, standing your ground to protect the continuity of your neighborhood and walking out the door as if you were never there. Same thing happens when you have a rental home in an established neighborhood and the rental sticks out like a sore thumb. Wasn't there when the people on the block bought their homes. How do the majority homeowners, who take care of their place handle that?
This scenario is not only in Middletown but occurs in all towns where city officials ask for public opinion, the public attends, offers their opinions about THEIR neighborhood and the people who don't live there decide to trample all over the people as they deny their wishes. I believe there was a story in Liberty Township (might be Warren County, forget) where residents objected to a gas station and truck stop combo was planned. Many people attended, voiced their objections to the additional traffic and truck stop noise, potential prostitution on the truck parking area and the general downgrading of their property and were not listened too either. A repeat event if you read the papers long enough to come to the conclusion that the elected city council and city appointed commissions could care less what the people want as they sit behind those little desks and conduct not the will of the people but what THEY want to happen. It is frustrating to see over and over again.
Just wondering how the Planning Committee people would handle this situation if the home was built in their established neighborhood. Additionally, I will ask you, right or wrong, how would you handle it if a home such as this was built in your neighborhood by the high school? You know your neighbors. Would they be happy with this decision if they were the recipients of this against their wishes? Honest answer requested without double talk evasion please.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Jun 22 2017 at 10:33pm
Viet,
You are really opposed to a developmental disability group home from building in a neighborhood? I mean - yeah its in a neighborhood, but on the corner where there's a huge school across the street?
Wow - look I can support a lot of your thoughts and Ideas my friend - but this one seems a bit insensitive.
I was a member of the big church on the corner across the street for many years (that is now the Academy) - and if no one had a problem with that church - that group home isn't a problem.
Furthermore - 4 citizens logging complaints about it - none of them were anything other than people just standing in the way, especially after the folks said they'd work with the neighbors to do whatever they could to make it work.
If you read the minutes - the commission then discussed - there were some back and forths between the commission and the developers. Come on now - nothing here seems out of place or in any way untoward.
Plus - I'm happy for this - these facilities are needed, the people are very quiet, rarely make noise, these people are able to live somewhat independently - and as the parent of a 15 yr. old autistic child - I'm glad this place exists and I hope we are able to facilitate more of these in our community.
Bob
------------- "Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 23 2017 at 6:37am
Bob: "You are really opposed to a developmental disability group home from building in a neighborhood?"
My post never said I was opposed to the dd building. There have been instances where long term residents have been opposed to certain building proposals placed in their neighborhoods that are perceived to be a negative addition. I was speaking on behalf of the four opposing residents of the neighborhood. You tend to misconstrue all that I post Bob. Please read the posts as they are written.
Bob: "Wow - look I can support a lot of your thoughts and Ideas my friend - but this one seems a bit insensitive"
Not meant to be insensitive. Sometimes the truth is cruel because it tends to desensitize things. The truth eliminates the "feelings factor" and arrives at a conclusion using facts. Sometimes the truth is hurtful but it still is reality. Might be insensitive to you and others but the truth nevertheless. Some people look at the addition of a dd home as a negative. It has been documented in newspapers many times. The old "not in my backyard" story. Right or wrong, at times, it is the perception of the dd that fosters the insensitivity you speak about. Not everything operates on the dam kinder/gentler/"feely good" concept.
Bob: "I was a member of the big church on the corner across the street for many years (that is now the Academy) - and if no one had a problem with that church - that group home isn't a problem"
Probably a difference in acceptance between a church and a dd home to some. I can see a church as being considered more desirable to existing residents of a neighborhood. Would be for me as well. Again....perception as to the "damage" it may do to property values, etc. Perhaps the concept of forcefitting a home like this into an already established neighborhood is not the right thing to do to some, especially when the objections to the home are ignored and the existing homeowners rights and desires are trampled on.
Bob: "Furthermore - 4 citizens logging complaints about it - none of them were anything other than people just standing in the way, especially after the folks said they'd work with the neighbors to do whatever they could to make it work."
What? So "standing in the way" to defend your rights as a homeowner and protecting your most valuable asset is bad? Seriously? These people had a right to resist this home if they thought their most valuable asset was threatened. Surely you can understand that logic can't you? And, it doesn't do any good to suggest that "they will work with the people and do whatever they could to make it work" if the people told them they didn't want it there in the first place. It does no good to force this on the people and then try to soften the blow by telling them that after we force this down your throats, we'll try to make sure you don't choke to death. And that's suppose to make everything alright? Horsecrap Bob.
Bob: "If you read the minutes - the commission then discussed - there were some back and forths between the commission and the developers. Come on now - nothing here seems out of place or in any way untoward"
Back and forth between the commission and developers? Left a key component out here Bob. Where was the "back and forth" between the commission, developers AND THE RESIDENTS WHO WERE OPPOSED?
Bob: "Plus - I'm happy for this - these facilities are needed, the people are very quiet, rarely make noise, these people are able to live somewhat independently - and as the parent of a 15 yr. old autistic child - I'm glad this place exists and I hope we are able to facilitate more of these in our community"
Ahh, and now I know why you have such an affinity for this situation and such a passion for defending the dd side of things.
Bottom line here Bob. The existing dessenting residents had no real leverage nor were they actually listened to nor their objections considered in the matter. It was a public invitation to speak out......but actually, only a passification move by the Planning Commission so they could record it on their meeting agenda notes. People in power NEVER LISTEN nor do they take the side of the objectors in situations like this. It was decided before the first of the four people spoke. Just check the history on how these little councils, commissions and people in power have voted. Always for their agenda and to hell with the objectors and when that occurs, the decision is not made with an objective thought process weighing both sides of the matter.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: Douglas Adkins
Date Posted: Jun 23 2017 at 8:04am
No double talk. This is simply the system that is in place to handle these types of issues. We elect people to represent us. They appoint a Planning Commission. People are notified and have a right to be heard. The Planning Commission makes the final choice. If the public doesn't like the choice, they can file an appeal in Common Pleas Court.
I'm not saying it is a perfect system. It is full of flaws from bias and human failings.
There was a saying I heard once, and I don't know where it originated, but the statement was "democracy is the worst form of government... except for all the others." The idea was that this system is hopelessly flawed, but you get to say what you want on this forum without the government putting you in jail, etc., like you might in North Korea or other parts of the world.
We may disagree on many things, but I hope you will always believe this: I could go run a city with new infrastructure, less crime, more money and less problems. I'm here because I want to be here and because I believe I can leave the city in better shape than I got it.
We'll just have to muddle through the rest of it together.
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jun 23 2017 at 8:35am
"If the public doesn't like the choice, they can file an appeal in Common Pleas Court."
Realistically, most of the public do not have the time nor money to pursue this endeavor therefore letting it slide. In some circumstances, and in more well to do neighborhoods, class action suits are introduced as in the filling station/truck stop situation I mentioned. Basically the system is not set up convenience/financial wise for the average citizen to pursue these things.
"I'm not saying it is a perfect system. It is full of flaws from bias and human failings"
Ahh but there are issues within a democracy that should and could be changed with some effort. Some who are part of the government (be it city/state/federal) don't want some things changed because the current situation benefits there needs and their side of the fence.
"We may disagree on many things, but I hope you will always believe this: I could go run a city with new infrastructure, less crime, more money and less problems. I'm here because I want to be here and because I believe I can leave the city in better shape than I got it."
NOW, THAT statement has some meaning Mr. Adkins and I appreciate your efforts and your desire to tackle an almost impossible situation based on the damage that has been done to this city.
"We'll just have to muddle through the rest of it together"
And I will do that until I get an indication that this city government has stopped listening and started to ignore the people. This has happened with past administrations. So far, I appreciate your participation here and your attempt to interact with this forum. It is refreshing when compared to the Gilleland years. Just wish council would decide to participate here as well. They don't seem interested.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Jul 09 2017 at 3:09pm
From the workbook
for council meeting Wed. July 5, 2017:
Res. No. R2017-10
Auth. Transfers
Resolution No.
R2017-10, a resolution authorizing the transfer of monies from
various funds to the Income Tax Fund and declaring an emergency was
read.
Mr. S. Bohannon moved to approve Resolution No.
R2017-10, a resolution
authorizing the transfer of monies from various funds
to the Income Tax Fund
and declaring an emergency. Ms. D. Bronston seconded.
Motion carried. Ayes:
S. Bohannon, T. Moon, D Picard, L. Mulligan, D.
Bronston.
Res. No R2017-11
Auth. Transfer
Resolution No.
R2017-11, a resolution authorizing the transfer of monies from the
Income Tax Fund to the General Fund and declaring an emergency was
read.
Mr. D. Picard moved to approve Resolution No.
R2017-11, a resolution
authorizing the transfer of monies from the Income
Tax Fund to the General
Fund and declaring an emergency. Mr. T. Moon
seconded. Motion carried.
Ayes: T. Moon, D Picard, L. Mulligan, D. Bronston,
S. Bohannon.
Res. No. R2017-12
Auth. Transfer
Resolution No.
R2017-12, a resolution authorizing the transfer of monies fromthe
General Fund to various funds and declaring an emergency was read.
Ms. D. Bronston moved to approve Resolution No.
R2017-12, a resolution
authorizing the transfer of monies from the
General Fund to various funds and
declaring an emergency. Mr. S. Bohannon seconded.
Motion carried. Ayes: D
Picard, L. Mulligan, D. Bronston, S. Bohannon, T.
Moon.
Do the three
resolutions that were approved as emergencies, appear to be a game of
“hide the money?” Why do we even have separate funds if money can
flow so freely from one fund to another at Mr Adkins’ whim? The
answer is it’s illegal.
Notice that money
went from various funds (are these funds taken from Enterprise funds
or dedicated funds that can not legally be transferred?) to the
Income Tax Fund (Resolution R2017-10). Then from the Income Tax Fund
to the General Fund (Resolution R2017-11) and then from the General
Fund back to various funds (could these possibly be any Enterprise
funds or dedicated funds now made to appear under a general fund
category?) (Resolution R2017-12). Sounds like a vicious circle to
me. What was the purpose of having our money jump through hoops and
land in nearly the same spot where it started? Laundry??
Once again the
bobble heads were programmed to vote on emergencies with no
discussion (and obviously with no thought). Is this council’s and
Adkins’ answer to the fiscal transparency that Middletown wants and
needs from their government today? This may be just the tip of the
iceberg. Though it may be difficult to extract information from the
Middletown financial transparency portal, but with perseverance it
may yield some explosive information about how and where our money is
used or misused and why the city’s credit rating outlook (according
to Moody’s) is negative.
Moody's
Affirms Middletown, Outlook Negative
Global
Credit Research - 02 Dec 2016
New
York, December 02, 2016 -- Summary Rating Rationale
The
negative outlook reflects the risk that the city's available
operating reserves and liquidity, weakened by recent advances to
other funds, are not reimbursed as expected. Additionally, the
negative outlook incorporates the prolonged declining trends in
tax base values and local labor force participation.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Jul 09 2017 at 6:08pm
The secretive, behind the scenes money transfers have been going on for decades down at the city building. It was done during the Becker Administration, the Gilleland Admin. and continues with the Adkins Admin. It has been questioned many times by various people in the city with no real explanation that has been validated nor believed to date. It is a continuation of the old shell/peanut carnival game played many times over. If you notice, with each instance you have cited as to money transfer, it never states WHY nor for what purpose the money is needed for transfer. Must be important and needed quickly though as they are all "declared an emergency"......
As you state, so much for transparency concerning finances emanating from the city building. It would appear that, once again, the people are kept out of the loop in relation to their city government. Why can't they explain the need at approval time in the council meetings, what the money is for and for public input as to the use of their money? Mr. Adkins has told us that the city finances are open to the public on the city website. While that may be true, does the city information provided spell out each transaction and exactly what the money transfers are for? Why the need to make multiple transfers to finally get the money to the intended source? The city financial program remains a mystery to me in understanding all that is transpiring regarding the money flow. It is voodoo finances as it is currently presented to the public IMO.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Aug 03 2017 at 11:53pm
Apparently
our city manager is way out of touch with reality and remains totally
oblivious of the facts and figures concerning the fiscal condition of
our sad, debt ridden city; OR he is trying to hide his own heavily
dedicated involvement in our continued downfall. This becomes
obvious if you compare the article, “Middletown bond rating
downgraded” in the Friday, July 28, 2017 Journal News, to Mr
Adkins’ numerous rosy pictures of Middletown that he paints in his
City Manager’s Blog on the city’s website.
The
Journal article is by staff writer, Ed Richter, a long time ally of
city hall. In my opinion, most, if not all, of his reporting on
Middletown is biased and slanted for the purpose of covering up the
ugly truth with rosy rhetoric dictated to him by Adkins/City Hall.
The article has no direct quote from Moodys’ report of the bond
rating downgrade. Instead, the Journal News article reinterprets
Mr Adkins rosy interpretation of the report. You see, we
are already twice removed from the unvarnished truth of
the report. I believe that a copy of the actual report is not
available on the city website, so we must rely on the evidence at
hand to determine the reason for the bond rating downgrade:
You
will find, in the minutes of the July 25th council
meeting, that three ordinances were approved to
refinance a total of more than $13 million in bonds.
That will help triggerMoodysto lower the city’s credit rating
again. As a result,the
city will pay a higher interest rate for subsequent bond
sales and/or refinancing. This is not the first
time those bonds have been refinanced, in fact, this is at least the
third time and probably several more. Meanwhile, very little has
been paid on the principal. That means that over time we pay a
higher interest rate on close to the original amount of the bond, and
we will pay higher interest on new bonds. Moodys has lowered our
rating several times over the last couple years. And it will likely
happen again! Moodys has also pointed out
a poor outlook for replenishing city funds,
due to the lack of jobs and income tax revenue, as
reason to downgrade Middletown’s rating.
We will
not gain ground nor avoid slipping deeper in debt if we can’t even
begin to pay it off! The city’s source of monies for
payment of bonds is the General (slush) Fund which is
often illegally replenished with fund
transfers from Enterprise Funds. There’s that old shell game
again! VietVet has aptly described this as ‘voodoo finances’
in his last post on this topic. Enterprise Funds, Auto and Gas Tax
Funds and Storm Water Sewer Capital Reserve are being clandestinely
transferred, misused or drained away. (The evidence is there, but
well hidden, on the city’s website in the ‘Financial
Transparency’ checkbook.) City administration regularly
claims that we don’t have enough funds in the Storm Water Sewer
Fund(a protected enterprise fund) for
the EPA mandated, separation
of sanitary sewers and storm water sewers
downtown. The city set up that EPA mandated
enterprise fund beginning about the 1970’s, by adding to our
water bills, a charge designated for the purpose of separating
the sewers. That fund, the Storm Water Sewer Fund, should
have a balance of many millions of $$ but instead has nearly been
bankrupted by illegally transferring it’s funds to the
non-designated, unprotectedStorm Water Sewer
Capital Reserve Fund. There the protected funds lose their
identity and are used illegally to pay for NEW
sewer installationsPLUS any expense
which might be remotely related to each installation, like
landscaping, road paving, etc. For example, Storm Water Sewer
Funds were used in partial payment of a purchase of land on Hook
Drive purportedly for development. Using these funds to purchase
property is a blatant misuse. In order to continue the misuse of
Storm Water Sewer Funds, Mr Adkins had Council approve continually
increasing charges on our water bills to replenish the Storm Water
Sewer (enterprise)Fund. Up goes the water bills.
You can bet that those designated enterprise funds
will be illegally drained away again, having never been used for
their EPA mandated, original purpose of separating the sewers
downtown.
Also,
speaking of the misuse of funds, there are all sorts of illegal
transfers among dissimilar city funds. For example, City Council
always approves Mr Adkins’ repeated requests for transfers TO
THE INCOME TAX FUND from
various unnamed funds.
The Income Tax Fund is
there to
be drawn upon for city expenses and
not to
be a receptacle of unrelated funds of unknown source. Why
would any funds ever be transferred TO
the income tax fund??? To
hide the fact that the Income Tax Fund is bankrupt???
The
state auditor’s office is closely watching the repeated drop in
Moody’s’ ratings. And city hall knows it.
Now,
compare the facts with Mr Atkins’ many posts on the city website
that claim everything is wonderful. He falsely claims (see the
previous paragraph) that income tax revenue is up and our coffers are
filling, but he doesn’t tell you that it’s a temporary boost in
funds due to income tax derived from construction jobs which have or
will soon come to an end. There is now little or no new construction
activity. Construction on Nicolas Place “luxury” apartments may
have slowed or halted. They recently lowered the rent and made
special offers/rebates to attract renters to occupy the completed
buildings, which may result in considerable loss for that investor.
A lot of incentive
is needed to capture people who are willing to live in Middletown’s
jobless, bombed out housing void that Mr Atkins continues to
embellish upon and from which it is impossible to recover by
subsidizing a handful of individually owned, downtown storefronts
that provide one or two jobs each… Over the last 20 years the
city has lost about all of its major industry and withthem the jobs and the income tax revenue that
entails. Those that left to
relocate are:
AK Steel Corporate Office
(with
300 high level jobs), Black-Clawson, Square D, etc.
More
high income tax revenue was
lost when Mr Adkins/City
Council displaced
the lawyers
who’s
offices were located in upper
floors of the former CG&E
building and First National Bank building. Many
of those lawyers are now located in West Chester and
Austin Landing.
Our
former CG&E building is
now “occupied”
by the
nearly defunct Middletown
location of Cincinnati
State, which is also
in possession
of (a
gift from the city) the
First National Bank building (PARID:
Q6511008000063) that
now stands empty and unused.
Shall this
building go the way of
abandoned projects to the point of neglected ruin and be torn down?
A $1M
grant went to HEP to
remodel
the former CG&E
building into
classrooms for Cincinnati State,
but they
abandoned the
project.
There went a million
$$$.
The Senior Citizens
Building (PARID:
Q6511011000034)
which had been given
to HEP-CSTCC
OHIO LLC was sold
back to the city
for $30,000+
because it
was a HUD subsidized
property which could
only be transferred
to a non-profit enterprise.
Yes, the city lost $30,000 on this deal and is now stuck with
another empty building which has not been re-purposed and
must be maintained by the city or
let it go to ruin and tear it down. The
city could use it as office space instead of paying rent for offices
in Goetz Tower. And, if the
city needed office space, why is one floor of the city building
occupied by the Board of Education?
Other
companies just shut down their Middletown location, such
as Champion Paper and
West Carrollton Parchment (in the former St Regis building).
Home
owned businesses like
Dillman’s, our premier
local grocery chain, shut
down due to loss
of customer base … a
result of city hall’s
thoughtless and irresponsible governing with extreme fiscal
stupidity.
SPENDING
MORE MONEYon
everything except the essentials, apparently
doesn’t matter because Doug
Adkins
says,
on
his blog, that we
now
have
so much revenue pouring in. That
supposed revenue must be coming
from our continually increasing water and
sewer
bills and/or
fromEnterprise
Fund
transfers
to the General
(slush)Fund.
Mr
Adkins’ claims, in his City
Manager blog (City
Revenues Year to Date June 30, 2017),
that the
main source of a
half a million dollar increase in revenue is
due
to an increase in INCOME
TAX REVENUE..That
kind of income tax revenuecould
not possibly exist or
be sustained by
our
current lack
of a
significantjob
market in Middletown.Remember
that the Income Tax Fund was being pumped
up by transfers from unnamed funds! At
this rate we
may be bankrupt before
the end of Mr Adkins” 5 year plan. Maybe
we are already.
And
just to reveal who Adkins
really is… think about this. Adkins’
continues to insist on giving Middletown and himself credit for the
work of others in the Middletown-Hamilton
Small Business Development Center, when
he and Middletown had absolutely nothing to do with the awards they
received for their
outstanding work. (See
his July 24, 2017 post titled ‘Congratulations”.
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: whistlersmom
Date Posted: Oct 31 2017 at 12:08pm
WCPO
is looking for ratings during sweep week and they are upset that
Chief Muterspaw and I wouldn’t participate in their gotcha
journalism on area police departments.
The
lead in for their story shows a great picture of me sitting at
Council where Craig Cheatham shoves a microphone in my face and
appears to be surprised that I’m not going to talk to him by
ambush. I think the closed caption says “We’re not going to
do this tonight.”
Let
me expand. We’re not going to do this anytime we get
microphones shoved in our faces to go on a witch hunt for Middletown
employees. I don’t do interviews by ambush, and I don’t
participate when media are looking specifically for ways to make
Middletown look bad. This isn’t reporting news.
It’s creating news
from incidents that happened 1-3 years ago.
I
answer to City Council and the residents of this community. Not
to WCPO.
I
hope when the story runs, the story will have
extensive coverage of all of MPD’s activities including:
Last
weekend’s Candy with a Cop, where Middletown Police Department and
community partners distributed Halloween candy to young children too
sick or disabled to go trick or treating this week.
MPD
participation in Halloween without Heroin, where Police and the
community joined together to meet, eat and share stories and
solutions to the drug problem in Middletown.
Our
quarterly Coffee with a Cop, where MPD, dispatch and jail employees
meet with the community quarterly to update the residents on MPD
activities and to answer community questions.
Chief
Muterspaw’s outreach to area churches on Sunday mornings to
discuss opiate addiction.
Chief’s
ongoing quarterly meetings with local pastors to discuss how the
religious community can partner with law enforcement to improve the
community.
The
great work being done by the MPD Citizens Advisory Board.
The
extensive participation of the community in National Night Out each
August.
Our
series of community dialogues over the past two years with the
African American community to discuss race relations in the city and
particularly ways to collectively improve communication between MPD
and the community.
The
recruitment and expansion of our Neighborhood Watch program in
Middletown.
The
great work MPD has done as part of the Heroin Response Team, getting
over 250 opiate addicted individuals into treatment over the past 18
months.
The
great work MPD has done in reducing the opiates coming into the city
with a 40% increase in felony drug arrests in 2017.
I
could go on and on, but you get the idea….
Wouldn’t
it be cool if we also reported on all the things MPD does right every
day?
My
guess is that you won’t see any of the above on WCPO as part of
this story. That won’t win sweeps week.
Do
we make mistakes? Of course. Chief Muterspaw has been the
first to point out that as we handle so many things during the course
of the year, human officers in stressful situations, will
occasionally fail in their duties.
So
let’s play the hand WCPO wants to play.
Let’s
start with the definition of discipline.
On
Dictionary.com, the first definition of discipline
is: trainingto act in accordance with rules;
That’s
the goal. Behave appropriately. My guess is that the WCPO
story will have little to do with training or conforming
behavior to the rules. I could be wrong. You watch
and see.
WCPO
looked at several years of discipline records to get their story.
I’ll just look at 2015 forward.
From
January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2017, MPD responded to 108,409
calls for service. Those calls for service resulted in
17,060 arrests. During that time, the City received 38 citizen
complaints against MPD. 8 of those complaints were found to be
legitimate complaints with improper conduct by MPD in some fashion.
We
definitely make mistakes. But according to our citizens, we
don’t make too many of them. Using the 8 sustained
complaints, we make an average of approximately 13,551 calls between
sustained complaints. I’m not sure human beings
in daily stressful situations can do much better. When it
does happen, we use discipline where appropriate, to correct the
behavior and to prevent recurrence of the improper conduct.
Where appropriate, we also remove officers from duty.
My
understanding is that WCPO wants to focus on two complaints they
believe were not handled appropriately. That takes us to 2
incidents, more than a year old, in 108,409 calls for service in
which WCPO believes we acted inappropriately. Said differently,
using WCPO standards, even when we made mistakes that required
discipline, we correctly handled 108,407 out of 108,409 calls for
service.
See
if the story tonight looks like that. 99.998% correctly
handled, even when an officer was disciplined as part of a sustained
complaint.
That
doesn’t win sweeps week, I suppose. Is it any wonder that
people are not lining up to be police officers anymore?
https://citymanagermiddletown.com/2017/10/30/wcpo-and-sweeps-week/#comment-1096" rel="nofollow - October
30, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Make
sure you tell them “I dont know” You should be used to be
telling the people of Middletown that by now.
The
microphone, so descriptively, “got shoved in your face” Mr
Adkins, because you reneged on an agreement with WCPO to be
interviewed along with Chief Mutterspaw. Having second thoughts on
how to avoid telling the truth?
It
was too easy to shut down TV Middletown and stop recordings of the
Planning Commission and other meetings, which were the residents only
sources of unbiased information on the city’s business.
Fortunately for Middletown citizens, you are not capable of gagging
or eliminating regional news media. How can the news media’s
presence at a public meeting of city council be considered an
“ambush”? You, Mr Adkins, are “not going to do this anytime”
to discuss anything with the media or the citizens when you know you
don’t have answers for the questions they are going to ask. When
is the last time you answered to a resident in a council meeting or
open forum? Council doesn’t ask you any questions because you
tell them what to think, what to say or not to say, how
to vote and who knows what else.
It
is the purpose of the news media to report the truth; they did not
“create” the incidents which you so desperately want to avoid
discussing. Remember when Nixon resigned? Many were of
the opinion that the cover up was worse than the crime!
------------- "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing" Edmond Burke
Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Oct 31 2017 at 8:26pm
Adkins: "Craig Cheatham shoves a microphone in my face and appears to be surprised that I’m not going to talk to him by ambush"
Now you know how some of us feel when we try to talk to you or any member of this city government. Ambush is the optimum word here. Doesn't give you a warm fuzzy feeling as to the repercussions of the conversation does it.
Adkins: "I don’t do interviews by ambush, and I don’t participate when media are looking specifically for ways to make Middletown look bad."
The media doesn't have to make Middletown look bad. The city leaders, including you as city manager, have had your moments when you have provided the ammunition for looking bad. So, by your comment, you only wish to talk about the good things in Middletown and are willing to be in denial about the bad things, right? You've heard this a million times. Admission of problems is the first step in solving those problems. It would appear that the city government is in as much denial as the school district on the subject of admitting they have problems.
Adkins: "This isn’t reporting news. It’s creating news from incidents that happened 1-3 years ago"
There are situations that were created 1-3 years ago (or longer) that still have not been addressed much less solved Mr. Adkins. Many are in the downtown area and many deal with real estate transactions and lending money to developers who are "friends of the city". And lets not forget the old $350,000 fine that was levied on the city for the removal of the dam over a decade ago when Lake Middletown was the disaster of the moment. And hey, how about that big loan for the Rose building fiasco? Duncan Oil property buyouts of the Office Outfitter land, gas station and the Ted's Pool Hall property ring a bell? And what did we get for that... more empty lots. I know, I know, you weren't the city manager in the Lake Middletown days but it still is another notch on the old gun handle to mark the many city screw-ups that have occurred over the years and continue to this day. The Duncan Oil fiasco happened on your and Gilleland's watch I believe. Did you think we forgot? And how about that cabinet shop property deal downtown? We have a list of "incidents" that have happened where you provided fuel to the media fire. It IS news if it happened. You can't pick and choose what you want the media to report. Good news, as you would like to see reported is great, but must be counterbalanced with the bad news. That is called objective journalism and does not occur in the city mouthpiece called the Journal. Perhaps you are not familiar with the concept if the Journal is all you read.
Adkins: "I answer to City Council and the residents of this community."
Then start including ALL of us, not a select few, when you feel obligated to answer to someone. Exclusion is a terrible thing to see in your government operation. It also breeds apathy in your community. Many, who have attempted to talk to the city, have been ignored so long they no longer care Mr. Adkins.
Mr. Adkins elaborates on the performance of the police department and the accomplishments of the Chief, all worthy of praise.
It is a shame the city leaders don't perform as well as the police/fire departments as to accomplishments and actual positive results. The operation of this city falls far behind the operation of the police/fire departments as to actual measurable results and that falls directly on you Mr. Adkins. We need more "Muterspaw", results oriented type managers on council, in the city building and in our city government in general. We do not have that now.
------------- I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
whistlersmom wrote:
