SunCoke The Hot Middletown Topic of 2008

A hot topic in Middletown lately has been the new SunCoke plant. A few nights ago the Middletown City Commission, over the objections of many Monroe residents, approved a plan to rezone 157 acres of land directly behind the Garden Manor Extended Care Center. This rezoning opens the door for future constuction of the new SunCoke plant.

Proponents of this measure point out that if the new Coke plant is built it will bring 75 full time jobs and 1500 temporary construction jobs to the Middletown area. The Sun-Coke plant will also supply AK’s furnaces coke for over 20 years to come, which will give AK a much needed competitive edge and help ensure its continued operations in Middletown.

Those in opposition to the new plant are worried about the potential pollution the new plant will produce and its negative effect on property values.

The council meeting, which was open to public comment, lasted over four hours. Select video excerpts of this session can be found on our Middletown Community Website.

To post an opinion from a Monroe standpoint please join in the community discussion with a visit to The Voice or from a Middletown perspective visit the Middletown Usa Blog Forum

Middletown Hires New Football Coach

After consulting with the community about what kind of characteristics they want their head coach to have, the survey revealed that "The community clearly wants someone who is a leader not only to the players but in the community. They want a winning team, but they want a team of players who are making sound academic progress and are being prepared for their 'after high school' future."

Jason Krause has been offered the head coaching position for Middletown High School. Principal Dennis Newell states that, "His long-term commitment to youth and deep understanding of football will serve our program well. He has high expectations for all student athletes both academically and athletically."

Jason Krause will also be an intervention specialist at MHS and will work with students who need extra help in core classes. He will also be the coordinator for all sport's weight training programs.

Good luck to Head Coach Jason Krause and the MHS football team!

Mike Davis as Elvis and More

Rumford Productions presents "A Night in Vegas" with entertainer Mike Davis.

On Valentines Day 2008 at the Finkelman Auditorium, at Miami University of Middletown, entertainer Mike Davis performed as Elvis Presley among other famous entertainers. It was a great show, some of the best local entertainment that Middletown has to offer.

Don Rumford from Rumford Productions recently announced the release of the Mike Davis "A Night in Vegas" concert video! It runs an hour and a half and is full of comedy as Mike cracks jokes and does impressions for Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, George Burns, and so many more!

See the Mike Davis "A Night in Vegas" video.

Atrium Medical Center Receives Cancer Program Commendation

The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted three-year approval with commendation to the Cancer Program at Atrium Medical Center for the fifth time running, marking fifteen years of continuous operation under the highest standards of service available in the United States.

The Commission on Cancer from the American College of Surgeons is an organization comprised of cancer care professionals and specialists from across the country, committed to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients. To maintain the Commission's approval, Atrium Medical Center undergoes a rigorous on-site evaluation every three years conducted by representatives of the Commission.

"By earning this honor, Atrium Medical Center shows a continued commitment to high-quality cancer care. Once again, our cancer program has proven it is second to none. This approval by the Commission of Cancer demonstrates our consistent level of high performance." - Douglas W. McNeill, president and CEO of Atrium Medical Center

Read more about the Middletown, Ohio Atrium Medical Center Rehabilitation Center, or discuss Atrium Medical Center on the MiddletownUSA Blog Forum.

Keep Middletown Beautiful Committee Recognized

Middletown Mayor Lawrence Mulligan Jr. and Vice Mayor Jim Armbruster present a proclamation to Denise Hall and Jeff Michelle, representatives from the Keep Middletown Beautiful Committee. A plaque is presented to them in front if City Council as Keep Middletown Beautiful is Recognized.

Keep Middletown Beautiful is a strictly volunteer group that makes an effort to clean up waste and litter around Middletown. Additionally they accept individual volunteers to plant flowers and tend to them in the planters you will see around the Middletown City Building, in some medians and some of the public parks around town. The program was started in 1998, with the name intended to mirror the national program 'Keep America Beautiful'.

Additionally, the Keep Middletown Beautiful organization strives to educate Middletown-area residents on how they can contribute to the cause. Grant programs are administered to help with education and public awareness in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, and waste reduction.

Dillard's Closing Middletwon Store

After a long history with the Towne Mall Dillard representatives informed Middletown city officials of their intent to close the store. No additional information is available at this time.

Dillard’s was of course the old McAlpin’s whos history pre-dates the Towne Mall itself.

This decision comes as no surprise to the readers who have commented on the Dillard’s story on MiddletownUSA.com. With Towne Mall management problems that have persisted for years, which have ultimately resulted in a good number of stores leaving, many readers see this as the final blow for the Mall as it exists today.

Middfest to Honor James "Choppy" Saunders

Middfest International will be Honoring James “Choppy” Saunders on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Sanders, one of Middletown’s most respected citizens, will recognized on the occasion of his retirement from his position as President of the Middfest Board of Trustees.

The “Tribute to Saunders Dinner” will begin at 6:30 pm with a social hour on Saturday April 26, 2008 at The Manchester Inn, 1027 Manchester Avenue, Middletown Ohio 45042.

Those interested in attending should make reservations on or before April 21 by calling 513-425-7707 or sending an e-mail to middfest@siscom.net

To read more visit the full article on James “Choppy” Saunders by Christina Papakirk.