Someone Please Explain to Me & the Other Citizens

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   Why do these people think that doing a few Cosmetic changes to Middletown is going to be the Cure for the Forbes Article?  The Journal has reported on this group numerous times and not one time has the Journal asked them about, Poverty, Education, Income, Section 8, the true issues listed in the Forbes article as the problems of Middletown.  All we get is slap some lipstick on a Pig and call it done and Middletown will once again be a Great American City. 

Are these people being Naive or just avoiding the real issues?  Are they living in another world than the rest of the 50000 citizens of Middletown?  Are they attempting to mis-direct the citizenry from the real issues?  

Please spare us the usual Anne and Sam are wonderful people as that is not the issue or in question here.  Cleaning up the City is a worthy cause but come on.  If the Leadership can't step up to the plate and lead this City into a Winning direction, tackling the real problems Poverty, section 8, Education, Income then they should step aside and get someone that doesn't own a pair of Rose Colored glasses that are never taken off and can get the job done.

Oh and by the way how long have many of us here been calling for change which has fallen on the deaf ears of City Leaders, Business Leaders, Etc.?  

Civic booster calls for change
Pride in Action leader says Middletown has rallied after inclusion on an infamous list.

By Rick McCrabb
Staff Writer 
Saturday, April 04, 2009 
MIDDLETOWN — Nine years after George M. Verity founded Armco, he met with a group of Middletown business leaders — forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce — and told them the steel company wanted to expand.
In order to serve the additional steelworkers, Verity said the city needed a hospital, more parks, recreational opportunities, schools and a library.
Now it's time for more change in the city, said Sam Ashworth, co-founder of Middletown Pride In Action, a grassroots organization.
Change, he said, happens from "time to time in communities. That's where we are today."
Ashworth was the keynote speaker Friday, April 3, at the First Friday Community Engagement & Service Breakfast Forum at Miami University Middletown's downtown location.
He said Pride In Action was born after Forbes magazine named Middletown one of the 10 fastest-dying cities in America.
This black eye came 50 years after Middletown was named an All American City.
"It was a slap in the face," Ashworth said of making the infamous Forbes list. "It was time to rally the troops."
So Ashworth, along with longtime city advocate Ann Mort, and six committee members — all under the age of 40 — met and compiled a list of potential community projects.
As of right now, Ashworth said there are 186 projects that are completed, in progress or on the drawing board. He said community members, along with nonprofits and business owners, have responded to the call.
"We've got heart here in Middletown," Ashworth said. "This is a time of challenge. They have met the challenges from time to time. It's our turn."

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com

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Pacman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pacman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Someone Please Explain to Me & the Other Citizens Posted: Apr 04 2009 at 12:38pm
	Why do these people think that doing a few Cosmetic changes to Middletown is going to be the Cure for the Forbes Article? The Journal has reported on this group numerous times and not one time has the Journal asked them about, Poverty, Education, Income, Section 8, the true issues listed in the Forbes article as the problems of Middletown. All we get is slap some lipstick on a Pig and call it done and Middletown will once again be a Great American City. Are these people being Naive or just avoiding the real issues? Are they living in another world than the rest of the 50000 citizens of Middletown? Are they attempting to mis-direct the citizenry from the real issues? Please spare us the usual Anne and Sam are wonderful people as that is not the issue or in question here. Cleaning up the City is a worthy cause but come on. If the Leadership can't step up to the plate and lead this City into a Winning direction, tackling the real problems Poverty, section 8, Education, Income then they should step aside and get someone that doesn't own a pair of Rose Colored glasses that are never taken off and can get the job done. Oh and by the way how long have many of us here been calling for change which has fallen on the deaf ears of City Leaders, Business Leaders, Etc.? Civic booster calls for change Pride in Action leader says Middletown has rallied after inclusion on an infamous list. By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer Saturday, April 04, 2009 MIDDLETOWN — Nine years after George M. Verity founded Armco, he met with a group of Middletown business leaders — forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce — and told them the steel company wanted to expand. In order to serve the additional steelworkers, Verity said the city needed a hospital, more parks, recreational opportunities, schools and a library. Now it's time for more change in the city, said Sam Ashworth, co-founder of Middletown Pride In Action, a grassroots organization. Change, he said, happens from "time to time in communities. That's where we are today." Ashworth was the keynote speaker Friday, April 3, at the First Friday Community Engagement & Service Breakfast Forum at Miami University Middletown's downtown location. He said Pride In Action was born after Forbes magazine named Middletown one of the 10 fastest-dying cities in America. This black eye came 50 years after Middletown was named an All American City. "It was a slap in the face," Ashworth said of making the infamous Forbes list. "It was time to rally the troops." So Ashworth, along with longtime city advocate Ann Mort, and six committee members — all under the age of 40 — met and compiled a list of potential community projects. As of right now, Ashworth said there are 186 projects that are completed, in progress or on the drawing board. He said community members, along with nonprofits and business owners, have responded to the call. "We've got heart here in Middletown," Ashworth said. "This is a time of challenge. They have met the challenges from time to time. It's our turn." Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com
	When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson

VietVet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: May 15 2008 Status: Offline Points: 7008	Post Options Post Reply Quote VietVet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 05 2009 at 9:49am
	I agree Pacman- it doesn't matter how much paint they slap on the unsightly properties in town, it won't address the real problems that this city has. While I believe that the Mort/Ashworth group is a worthy endeavor, and is certainly appreciated, an effort to change the direction of the running of this city is infinitely more important. It offers another example that this city is mis-focused as to important priorities that will make it prosper. For Council, the City Manager and the city directors charged with running this town, to sit back and do nothing with their "business as usual" attitude and let the Journal keep wearing out this Pride In Action group surface fluff, as the only solution to our problems is sad, incompetent and foolish. The real change will not be in paint and litter pick up but will be in the removal of current Council members and to require the City Manager to remove certain department directors that are the major contributors to the problems this city faces and replace these people with competent- logical direction focused candidates. We must clean out the deadwood in Council and at the city building. The current leadership is not competent and is destroying the city. Their plan for the city is anti- growth/anti-business/anti-logical/anti-citizen. They all must go and soon.

Pacman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Prominent MUSA Citizen Joined: Jun 02 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2612	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pacman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 05 2009 at 10:06am

	When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson

Mike_Presta Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Council Joined: Apr 20 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3483	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike_Presta Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 05 2009 at 3:56pm
	Well, either you're closing your eyes To a situation you do not wish to acknowledge Or you are not aware of the caliber of disaster indicated By the presence of peeling paint in your community. Ooooooooooh we got trouble, Right here in Middie City! With a capital "T" That rhymes with "P" And that staaaaaands for …paint??? Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble…
	“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012