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Candidates’ give final thoughts on issues

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer 12:34 AM Friday, October 30, 2009

The eight candidates running for Middletown’s four ward seats debated for the final time before Election Day during a forum at the Middletown Community Center on Thursday, Oct. 29.

About two dozen residents attended the forum, hosted by the Middletown NAACP and Second Ward Community Council. Councilman Tony Marconi attended the forum, but had to be excused because of an illness.

The forum’s moderators asked the candidates a range of questions, some of which came directly from the audience.

When asked if he would ever consider closing the Community Center to help balance the city’s budget, 1st Ward Councilman Jim Armbruster said, “I will never close the community center in my lifetime or my children’s lifetime.”

“That’s a promise I’ll make forever,” he said.

Fourth Ward candidate Paul Nagy echoed Armbruster’s sentiment, saying, “absolutely not.” Nagy said the center on Lafayette Avenue is a valuable resource that he wishes was available in his ward.

“There is no where to meet in our ward,” Nagy said.

When asked about his stance on the city’s ward election system, 4th Ward candidate Daniel Picard re-emphasized his belief that wards need to go.

Picard said city leaders need to work together to bring in jobs and revenue, not fight amongst one another over a limited amount of funds. Picard said if Middletown can position itself well post-recession there will be enough money to spread around the entire city.

Second Ward candidates John Soppanish and A.J. Smith both talked about the need for affordable housing and eliminating blighted properties in their ward.

When asked about proposals to redevelop downtown, a few candidates scoffed at the notion.

“We’ve thrown enough money in that trash can,” Nagy said referring to previous attempts and refurbishing downtown.

Picard said he supports those working to improve downtown, but questioned where the dollars would come from to make it happen.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or erichter@coxohio.com.

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