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City manager: Middletown focused on diversity

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By Danielle Wilson, Staff Writer 10:17 PM Thursday, June 18, 2009

Middletown City Manager Judy Gilleland met with local members of the NAACP during its annual general membership meeting to discuss the direction of the city.

One of the chief concerns is making sure city staff reflects the population it represents, Gilleland said at the Thursday, June 18, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People meeting held at the United Missionary Baptist Church at the corner of 18th and Minnesota streets.

“I recognize that Middletown has room to grow,” said Gilleland, pointing to the fact more than 11 percent of residents are ethnic minorities while the city employs just under that amount. However, she said a city manager’s first priority is to find the best fit for any given job.

Black residents make up about 10 percent of the city’s population, and about one percent is Hispanic, according to 2000 U.S. Census data. Of the city’s 500 employees, Gilleland said 39 are African-Americans. She did not specify the number of Hispanic or other ethnic employees.

Steve Hightower, owner of Hightowers Petroleum, proposed the city strive to take bids for goods and services first from small businesses in Middletown.

“What about the smaller companies that are struggling to make ends meet?” Hightower said.

Gilleland said those decisions are made based on economics.

“If a local business has the best price, we’ll go with them,” she said.

Residents constantly suggest ways to make Middletown a better city — including improving the school system, infrastructure, housing, the business climate and economic redevelopment, Gilleland said. All of those components will have to work together to bring Middletown to its full potential, she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2511 or dwilson@coxohio.com.

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