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Laubach wants to reach out to the community

Laubach wants city moving in positive direction

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer Updated 1:20 PM Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Whether or not he’s elected to represent the 3rd Ward on Middletown City Council, Joshua Laubach has a goal of reaching out to his fellow citizens and continuing to develop positive relationships in the community.

Laubach, 27, of 2401 Flemming Road, said if he’s elected on Nov. 3, he hopes see Middletown having better policies resulting in better infrastructure and an influx of increased business by the end of his first four-year term.

Another goal that he’s set for himself if elected is to build a good working relationship with the city manager and administration.

“I want to deal with the issues, get the information and make the best decisions we can,” he said.

Among the important challenges and issues facing Middletown that Laubach identified were managing the Section 8 program, being more proactive in economic development and with businesses, as well as improving the city’s infrastructure and public safety.

“I have a major concern with the amount of Section 8 housing that Middletown has,” he said. “It hinders the city’s image. We’re bringing people into the city who won’t or don’t add to the city’s revenue stream. It’s also not reasonable for Middletown to hold the majority of Butler County’s Section 8 housing.

“I don’t think it’s a recipe for growth in the city,” Laubach said. “I don’t want to throw anyone out in the street.

“There’s a reason why the program doubled,” he added. “The city administration (has) done things to attract it here. We need to do other things to promote home ownership rather than long-term renting.”

He said the city needs to aggressively remove or reduce those using the program by dismissing tenants who commit criminal offenses or who are abusing the program.

“It’s a good program for the elderly,” he said. “My idea is to aggressively go after the lawbreakers.”

Laubach said economic development is also going to be key in the coming years.

“I think the only way the city is going to pull itself out of its revenue crisis is to attract business owners,” he said. “People that have ideas for legitimate businesses have had a difficult time working with the city.

“Folks don’t feel that Middletown is ‘open for business,’ only certain of businesses,” Laubach added. “I spoke with a downtown business owner who had problems with the city.

“We need to do everything we can, within the law, to set up businesses here and make this a business friendly environment,” he continued. “That’s not happening now based on the conversations I’ve had. The city has brought businesses to town, but Middletown is still noted as unfriendly to business... City government has to get out of the way so business can do business.”

He said he’d like to find a way to reduce the city’s tax rate to be the lowest in the area as well as find ways to provide tax incentives — on a permanent basis — to attract business to Middletown.

Laubach also expressed concerns about a proposal to expand the target zone for Community Development Block Grants from some portions of the city to make it city-wide.

“I’m concerned about how it affects the city’s image,” he said. “I have major reservations. I see the short-term logic, but I also see long-term damage to the city.”

On infrastructure, Laubach said roads need to be the No. 1 priority.

“I know we have budget constraints, but we need to set a fund for infrastructure repairs and the repair and upgrade of roads,” he said. “People notice the condition of our roads.

Laubach said the city’s basic services of infrastructure, roads, police and fire protection have to come first.

“The economy is a concern and out of our control but we have to live within our means,” he said.

He said public safety needs are also important, particularly with the increase in crime in the city.

“We need more officers on the street but we need to stay within our budget,” he said.

Laubach described himself as “honest” because of his life experiences.

“The best place to be is the right and positive side and being loyal and true to the people around you,” he said. “If you don’t have integrity, you don’t have anything.”

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