Oh Oh....Controversy on S. Main

Today's Journal....

Lighting an issue with Post 218
The American Legion says it can’t afford to put up new street lights

MIDDLETOWN — A proposed street light project on South Main Street has at least one business questioning its price tag.

In June, the South Main Street Neighborhood Association had petitioned to have the 45 gas light replica street lights installed between First and Ninth avenues, the designated association area.

American Legion Post 218 officials say they do not want to pay the $1,428 assessment proposed to have the lights installed.

American Legion Post Commander Randy Howard said he feels it’s a violation of the Constitution by being “forced to put up lights.”

“We’re barely operating today, and now they’re forcing this down our throats,” he said

OH BOY! THE LEGION BETTER START "PLAYING BALL" WITH THE HIGH ROLLERS ON S. MAIN OR ELSE THEY WILL INCUR THE WRATH OF HIZZONER, MAYOR LAWRENCE MULLIGAN THE THIRD, THE KOHLERMEISTER AND OTHERS. DWINDLING NUMBERS OF VETS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THIS IS NO EXCUSE, AMERICAN LEGION.

Meyers also said the lights would increase the value of properties along South Main Street, but Howard disagreed

Howard said the American Legion cannot afford the proposed assessment, which is levied against every parcel where a fixture would be installed.

THESE SOUTH MAIN STREETERS WANT THIS TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY. WILL THEY PAY FOR IT ALL, OR WILL THE CITY CHIP IN HERE AND HELP WITH TAXPAYER MONEY? IF THE LATTER, THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

The city has two properties in the area on South Main Street that it would be required to pay for

NOW, YOU DON'T USE TAXPAYER MONEY TO ENHANCE A SPECIFIC AREA OF TOWN AND THIS WOULD BE A SITUATION WHERE THIS WAS OCCURING. USING ALL THE PEOPLE'S MONEY TO BENEFIT A FEW (THE THEME OF THIS COUNCIL AND CITY HALL) IS BLATANT DICRIMINATION AGAINST THE REST OF THE CITIZENS.

Nicolls said what’s driving to get the street light project done now is the city’s annual street repaving project, which this summer will repave South Main Street and repair the sidewalks. Erecting street lights would be too cost prohibitive if it was done without also repaving the street

IMAGINE THAT. THE CITY IS GOING TO PAVE S. MAIN ALONG WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THESE FANCY LIGHTS. COINCIDENCE? OR, ATTENTION TO ONE SPECIFIC AREA OF TOWN WHILE IGNORING ALL THE OTHERS?

YA REALLY GET CATERED TO IF YOU ARE FRIENDS OF CITY HALL, DON'T YOU. NO SHAME....NO CLASS......NO SCRUPLES. THESE PEOPLE MUST GO.....NOW.

The only way to stop this is to have a legal challenge to the residents as a whole, having to augment expense for a few which benefit. in my view, it is outrageous. As the Main Street gang is getting HUD funds, the whole basis for the clammer over Cincinnati State, have the fed bailout pay for their lighting, not Middletown residents.

Additionally, there must be a legal separation between commercial and business interests and the voting dictates. For example, it was residential property owners that wanted this, not the commercial entity, or in the case of the American Legion, a non profit. Why should a non profit entity with members, a non residential facility, have to adopt to residential property owners desires?

In sum, the addition of these lights will do nothing to add value to their homes, nor create a unique historic brand. But, by no means, should citizens throughout Middletown be made to pay for a small group of residents whims.