City Council Discusses Section 8 Housing

The Section 8 Housing Vouchers in Middletown have gone from a $2.47 million program with 767 vouchers to a $9.64 million program with 1,663 vouchers in only eight years. Middletown has far more vouchers than the rest of Butler County which has less than 1,000. This has Ward Councilman David Schiavone asking questions.

According to the City Manager, Judy Gilleland, the growth in the program was done "without a conscious conversation with city council." She says the increase in the number of vouchers shows that "the city has not been actively managing the program and council has not been meeting to develop policies for public housing."

The question seems to be whether the city should administer the program or whether the city should establish a separate commission for the program. Gilleland is not sure why the former City Manager, Ron Olson, and staff determined the city needed additional vouchers in the first place. She said that if council chooses to continue administering the program that the city staff "will spend time ensuring the program is supported correctly."

Got something you want to add? Join the MUSA Forum to discuss Middletown Section 8 Housing

MidFirst Ohio Challenge Summertime Festival

MidFirst Ohio Challenge is a competition hot air balloon festival and a full summertime festival. Along with the 37 competition balloons, there will be events including: Night time balloon glows, Musical concerts by a variety of top regional groups, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, carnival games and rides, arts and crafts and much more.

The festival runs July 18, 4-10p; July 19, noon-10p; and July 20, noon-8p. Location is in Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue in downtown Middletown.

On Sunday July 20th, the popular Classic Car Show will be returning. The Car Show will include 1950s style music on the outdoor stage by The Rubbles, The Linden Davis Group and The Parrots of the Caribbean. Also on Sunday, there will be a rubber duck race on Smith Pond. Balloon rides for the public will also be offered for the first time this year.

Check out the MidFirst Ohio Challenge on Middletownusa.com for more information.

Restoring the Middletown Cemetery

Middletown Cemetery was originally located near the Great Miami River, but after years of flooding the cemetery was endangered and a new cemetery was built on higher ground. Over the years, 7 new acres have been added to the cemetery and the cemetery has become the responsibility of the City of Middletown after the it ran into financial difficulties.

Now a new problem has emerged. The stone vault is endangered of being lost if it is not repaired before this winter. The cost to repair the vault is $70,000 which will pay for repairing the buildings stonework, a new roof, new steel doors, building’s interior and patio. When the project is done the Stone Vault will be made into an informational and educational center for the cemetery. Visit our Middletown community website for more details on how you can help the Middletown Community Cemetery.