Subject: 1570
Posted: Jul 15 2009 at 8:07am
Mike I agree anyone running for office is basically going to give these types of answers, that is why I qualified them with, "now whether that occurs is another matter". He can talk the talk, now can he walk the walk. It won't be easy if he gets elected and is the Lone Ranger on Council.
This is a tough one, because the cuts we have made to city departments have our staff working on a shoe-string. I'll tell you what the answer is NOT. Staff reductions are not an option for me. That would be the classic knee-jerk reaction, but my belief is that you hold on to your good city workers in times of trouble. They've been fantastic. I think if we all work together, we will find a solution.
I think we as a city need to be honest about who we are and where we are, economically. We are a working-class city with a lot of citizens that need assistance. I think that the section 8 program should remain in place, and that we should not reduce the number of vouchers issued. I think stereotypes about citizens receiving section 8 assistance are unfounded. This is a program that assists residents in becoming more self-sufficient. We need to stop worrying about our "image" and get to the business of helping those in need.
My dream is for downtown to be highly developed. I would like to add that Downtown and the East End are not (or should not) be competing entities, but rather they ideally should be complementary. Downtown could be artsy and eclectic, with specialty shops, and have homes for artists and students. I'd like to see stores that reflect the character of Middletown.