Housing Improvements/Demolition Meeting

Journal article- Saturday-"special" committee formed to discuss housing. Group discusses whether city employees should be eligible for CITY FUNDS for current housing program. Ms. Gilleland mentions that this could lead to the perception of favoritism for city employees. Yes, it could Ms. Gilleland. This is similar to sweepstakes programs where the employees are not eligible to participate. Who is on this committee? When was it formed? Are there any citizens, other than realtors on this committee? Why didn't the public know about this in advance? Who is guarding the chicken coop on the monies that will be disbursed IF this committee decides to offer this program to city employees and who is going to stop it if it develops into favored loans to the families of city employees? IE- how can we, the public, be guaranteed that there isn't any favoritism?Anytime city funds are used for any reason, the public has a right to know why,when, how, where and to whom the funds are given, ESPECIALLY if it involves city employees receiving citizens money. NO MORE SECRETS!You are going to have to start to let the public know what you are doing in advance- we always find out AFTER THE FACT on these little secretive committees. And yes,to criticism in advance, if you are a public servant, it is our business because you are subsidized with the public's money, just like the schools.If this city government hadn't developed a reputation of being so secretive and habitually lying to the public, maybe these questions never would have arisen.

City Manager Gilleland is good for this community. The housing improvement  and demolition meeting information is mentioned in many of the council meetings, and stories on this site.

Quote from Manager Gilleland: "The important part is that I do my job in facilitating the process by bringing forward to council the issues, options and a recommendation.  From there, the information received from public input and council discussion paves the way to a decision.   There will be some times when a decision is not unanimous; this reflects the complex issues of government."

Full statement: http://middletownusa.com/view_news.asp?a=3507

Vet and Spider are correct!

Here is an interesting concept for neighborhood redevelopment:

Mike_Presta wrote: swohio75 wrote: Here is an interesting concept for neighborhood redevelopment:  <FONT face="Times New Roman"> Drafted by the city and planning commission, the plan calls for improvements in parks and green spaces, housing, business assistance, neighborhood identity and design, infrastructure, and security.   No need for a program such as this in Middletown, Swohio75.  In Middletown PUBLIC funds (including taxes paid by the working poor) are used for these purposes, and to remodel the "historic" mansions on S. Main St.

Oh really. Didn't know that. Can you enlighten us with specific examples and dollar figures?