MIDDLETOWN — Middletown's North Verity Weed and Seed effort never took root despite nearly $30,000 in funding.

The effort's steering committee formed just three months ago with members expressing excitement about the opportunity to curb crime and improve social services in the city's northwest neighborhoods. But then conflict broke out with another Weed and Seed effort under way in the city's 2nd Ward. Crippled by resignations, the remaining members decided to permanently adjourn Thursday evening, May 8.

"It's sad, it's truly sad because some people were really interested in doing things for the city," said Jennifer Carter, committee member.

Had the group been awarded official status, a federal grant could have pumped $1 million into the area during the next five years. That money would have been split between police, to "weed" out crime, and community groups, to "seed" in rehabilitation, neighborhood restoration and after-school programs.

"I don't know where to go from here," said Carol Flowers, committee chairman. "The city has cut our legs out from under us."

Mindy Finnerty, president of Community Development Professionals, said her company was paid $28,500 of a $40,000 contract with the city to coordinate the North Verity group's efforts. Finnerty terminated the contract April 30 in a letter that accused the city of breeching its contract by usurping authority and dictating critical strategy elements.

City Manager Judy Gilleland said the directives actually came from U.S. Attorney Ken Parker, who told the feuding groups to merge or give up their competing claims to the high-crime area surrounding Crawford Street. The city will examine the work completed by Finnerty's company before deciding how to proceed, she said.

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