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Armbruster wants to see city projects through

Jim Armbruster pictured outside Armbruster Florist in Middletown Oct 1. Armbruster, who is currently the Vice Mayor, is seeking re-election as the 1st Ward representative of Middletown City Council.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Jim Armbruster pictured outside Armbruster Florist in Middletown Oct 1. Armbruster, who is currently the Vice Mayor, is seeking re-election as the 1st Ward representative of Middletown City Council.

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Councilman Armbruster believes good times ahead for city

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer 7:38 PM Sunday, October 4, 2009

Jim Armbruster’s first term on Middletown City Council has been both difficult and enjoyable for him.

Armbruster, 65, of 4824 Longford Drive, is seeking a second four-year term representing the 1st Ward. If re-elected, he said it will be his final term.

Armbruster said it takes “a good year to two years” for a council member to get up to speed about the workings, factions and functions of city government. He also said it takes time to become knowledgeable about the people who work at the Middletown City Building.

Armbruster said being a lifelong resident of Middletown and a longtime small businessman, he knows the community inside out and knows what it is to survive.

“They say that firefighters and policemen are heroes,” Armbruster said. “I would also add small businessmen because they have to fight and struggle every day.”

Throughout his term, Armbruster, who currently serves as vice mayor, has constantly raised awareness about the blight throughout the community.

He said property maintenance will continue to be a focus over the next four years as the city works to eliminate blight.

“We have to eliminate blight to bring people into the community,” he said.

While he says he has “no regrets,” Armbruster experienced some personal difficulties — particularly with the SunCoke issue — which he said took a toll on relationships in his family that are still being healed.

“We’ve started a lot of projects in the last four years and I want to see them through,” he said.

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

Candidate Profile

Name: Jim Armbruster.

Running for: 1st Ward, Middletown City Council; seeking a second term.

Address: 4824 Longford Drive.

Owner: Armbruster Florist. He and his wife Melinda purchased his father’s business in 1980.

Family: The Armbrusters are the parents of three grown children.

Education: 1962 graduate of Middletown High School.

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I will not vote for him or anyone else in office this election. Middletown is dying and will continue to until we get some new direction. We need to start cleaning house with getting the section 8 out of Middletown.

Rachel
10:07 AM, 10/6/2009

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It's similar to Rip Van Winkle waking up after a 20-year sleep,unaware of how things have changed.
This man clearly hasn't brought forward or accomplished anything during his 4-year term.He doesn't respond to his constituents and there is no good reason to return him for more of the same(since he is so happy with how things are going).
Vote him out,along with Mr.Marconi,and deny Mr.Picard a seat at the table with buddies Becker and Mulligan.
Nothing will change until we force it to happen

Jack Fate
9:16 AM, 10/6/2009

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If he thinks that the town has to be cleaned up before job and industry will move in? Early in the morning down on Yankee there are so much air pollution for AK that it is shocking! Just wait if SunCoke moves in to add additional pollution, and the conveyors will add such lovely scenery. I won't do any more business with any of the businesses which are owned by council members. They should think about trying to change our image, and attract new types of "clean" businesses.

don
9:32 PM, 10/5/2009

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it could be to much AK dust....

hello
3:20 PM, 10/5/2009

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im thinking jim has been sniffing more than just his flowers over the years...

bud
12:39 PM, 10/5/2009

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