http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2008/12/08/towns-ten-economy-forbeslife-cx_mw_1209dying.html - http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2008/12/08/towns-ten-economy-forbeslife-cx_mw_1209dying.html

 

 

Jonathan this is not rocket science.  4 of the 7 members of Council are Business people.  If you have an excessive amount of Section 8 in a City the size of Middletown, Middletown 1662 Vouchers Population 51k, Butler County about 800 Population 350k, and you want Section 8 housing where are you moving to.  Are you going to Butler County where you have 1 voucher for every 438 Residents or Middletown where you have 1 voucher for every 31 Residents.  This is not a hard decision to make or concept to understand and unfortunately City Council just doesn't get it or doesn't give a rats..............

 

From the Cities own website, this is not good folks:

 

"Subsidized Housing total units are 3,269. The tax credit housing vouchers pay the difference in the market rate to make the units affordable. The five year span of 2000 to 2004, there was a very rapid increase in Section 8 units, from 767 in 2000 to 1554 in 2004. Middletown has 15% of Butler County’s population; 23% of the County’s residents in poverty; 38% of the County’s subsidized housing units (that percentage does not include Section 8 housing units); 56% of the County’s Section 8 voucher holders; and 40% of the County’s Housing for the mentally ill. Section 8 conclusions indicate the number of units should be capped; increase quality standards; increase frequency of inspections; and use as a tool for neighborhood investment. Overall, about 35% of Middletown’s occupied rental housing is designated for low income."

 

Please see the link below for Forbes Magazine.  The article referenced is American’s Fastest Dying Towns, we are listed as #10.  The Journal is doing an article on this tomorrow.   

 

 

http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/12/08/towns-ten-economy-forbeslife-cx_mw_1209dying.html?partner=lingospot - http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/12/08/towns-ten-economy-forbeslife-cx_mw_1209dying.html?partner=lingospot

 

Here is my response: 

The article is totally off-base.  We have a Fortune 500 company in town that employs 2500 workers, a new hospital, development along our interstate frontage, a downtown that has redevelopment activity, new schools and an increase in school enrollment. 

 

Yes, we have seen challenges as a community over the years, but we are well-positioned on a major interstate corridor between Dayton and Cincinnati and have plans in place to address our challenges that we face as a community. 

 

Regarding the census indicating a drastic increase in poverty rate, yes, we know that we are losing our balance as a community, like many communities who are dependent upon the industrial economy.    We have a number of redevelopment efforts on-going, along with economic development programs in place.   Conversations in 2009 will focus on programs that maintain a socio-economic balance.  

 

Without placing a value judgment on whether or not we have a disproportionate number of low or moderate income families, the important point is that when a community loses it socio-economic balance, it becomes  more difficult to pay for services for all residents.  This is why we continue to have conversations and put plans in place to maintain our balance as a community. 

 

Middletown has a bright future and we are looking forward to the future.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks, Judy

 

 

Judith A. Gilleland

City Manager

City of Middletown

One Donham Plaza

Middletown, Ohio 45042

(513) 425-7836

Actually, I don't feel any more dead than I did yesterday.

Although it ticks me off that I can't buy the new Bela Fleck Christmas cd anywhere closer than Dayton Mall.

 

Had a good sandwich at 56 degrees tonight

The Meadows,Stefanos,Red Onion and Java Johnnies are still good.

Middies are 2-0 so far, but must travel to Colerain(and they owe us big time).

Our city isn't bankrupt yet like many others not on the list

 

Sadly there is truth to both sides of the issue

Gotta love our city manager

I have faith in her

Ms. Gilleland states, "Regarding the census indicating a drastic increase in poverty rate, yes, we know that we are losing our balance as a community, like many communities who are dependent upon the industrial economy." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then people steal the storms doors, kick in the back doors and strip all the copper out of the house to sell.
Now the houses have really lost vaule and can't be sold at public auction..
These houses will be sitting empty for years to come.
If you think it's looks bad now just wait a few years.

 

I like her very much, and feel comfortable discussing anything with her. She has open ears and an open mind. She is still learning the area and how things have worked throughout the town and in the city building. She is not a member of your "club" or immersed in old-school retro thinking.

 

It has taken close to 40 years to get to where we are currently, and it will take quite a while(and more than one person), to stop the ball rolling, and get it moving in a different direction.

 

I wish you would meet the lady, open positive dialogue(not talking about the 50s and 60s or blasting her with your view of the issues immediately), and volunteer your services where she fells you might be best placed. If you try this, you might change your thinking somewhat.

 

That's a bit too much of a dressing down regarding our city manager.

 

I don't believe you understand just how Judy operates. Never in front of cameras like Laura Williams. 

 

The city manager needs to build a consensus, you don't win people over to your ideas until the people know you understand their ideas first. You bet things are changing thanks to Ms. Gilleland. Just hang in their and give her a chance before you go assuming this and assuming that.

"As to volunteering my services where SHE feels I might be best placed? You've got to be kidding, right? Are you suggesting that I give my time to be used by an ungrateful group of egocentric people, helping them maintain what I have strongly criticized for many years? "

 

Uh--yes

 

Old ways-New ways

All that matters is that we do things the CORRECT way

Doesn't matter the names connected to doing so

 

Seems like we know different Judy Gs

Maybe she hasn't warmed to your positive,constructive futuristic personality side just yet.

 

Vet--my online friend, you obviously care tremendously about the community you have called "home" for so many years.

You obviously want to be a part of the eventual re-surgence,.

You are educated,talented and outspoken.

Might as well work your way into it all for the benefit of everyone

 

Do I complain and get negative?

Duh

Boss Man here calls me out frequently, and I will probably be the first here to be banished.

And believe me--you get Spider Lite here.

SPIDERJOHN only exists in cyberspace

He is really EVERYMAN who has tired of living by the book while being abused and taken for granted by his so-called "leaders"

He respects everyone and fears no one

 

Full of bs, aren't I?

(Bela Fleck - Christmas Medley)

 

as a fan and friend for 30 years, I have seen this guy do pretty much everything

I don't think he ever takes a day off

you should hear him do a Beatles medley or an Earl Scruggs medley

 

one night I watched Tony Trishka and Bela trade off doing Beatle tunes

jaw-dropping

 

caught him just this fall with the Sparrow Quartet

after the show, I told him that he was the Mahavishnu of the new milennium

if we are to make things better asap, there can only b 1 side

not yours-not "theirs"--OURS

 

quit carrying on like republocrats

 

I doubt Forbes recieved their info from the message boards, though it seems like strat wrote their piece