Not all in subdivision want to break away from city

One official says he can recall only one similar effort, and it failed.

Mark Bowen holds a petition Wednesday, June 17, while standing in his Bridgewood Villa subdivision. The petition, signed by 60 of 80 property owners, was presented Tuesday, June 16, to Middletown City Council, calling for the neighborhood to be allowed to secede from the city and join Turtlecreek Twp.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Mark Bowen holds a petition Wednesday, June 17, while standing in his Bridgewood Villa subdivision. The petition, signed by 60 of 80 property owners, was presented Tuesday, June 16, to Middletown City Council, calling for the neighborhood to be allowed to secede from the city and join Turtlecreek Twp.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Staff graphic by Ted Pitts

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer Updated 7:06 AM Thursday, June 18, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Bridgewood Villa subdivision is a quiet neighborhood with plenty of kids at play or riding bicycles as residents sit outside their homes visiting with neighbors.

Just about everyone in the five-street subdivision of single-family homes knows each other by name and watches out for one another when they’re not home.

However, 60 of 80 property owners — many who say they don’t feel part of the city of Middletown — signed a petition submitted Tuesday, June 16, to Middletown City Council to have their subdivision detached from the city so they can join Turtlecreek Twp.

Many say they feel more of a part of the township as all of their children attend Lebanon City Schools, though they shop and spend their money in Middletown, where some say the income taxes are too high compared to where they work.

Jason Craycraft, an eight-year resident of Arbor Court, said he hasn’t signed the petition, but would prefer to be in Turtlecreek Twp. “because Middletown is a dying town and the job situation is horrible.”

But not all residents are eager to break away from the city.

Tracy Lovelace, a 12-year resident of Bridgewood Drive, signed the petition to detach but said she has concerns about how quick township firefighters and medics or the Warren County Sheriff’s deputies could respond to her home. “That’s in the back of my mind,” she said.

Although retirees would feel little impact with taxes, one retiree on Appleton Court said he signed the petition, adding, “I have to go with my neighbors.”

Jim Cottle of Calloway Court said he didn’t have a preference and believed that any decision wouldn’t impact him because he’s retired and on a fixed income.

“I appreciate being in Middletown,” Cottle said.

He added that he likes having the security of Middletown police, firefighters and medics who can respond quickly to his home. Cottle said he was uncertain how quickly a Warren County sheriff’s deputy or Turtlecreek Twp. firefighters and medics could get to his home.

“I haven’t talked to any of them (seeking the detachment) and I would have to think it over,” he said.

“If they can get something, that’s great. But I don’t think they can. It doesn’t bother me being in Middletown.”

Another neighbor down the street, Ralph Wheeler, said he hadn’t seen the petition and also added that it wouldn’t affect him because he, too, was retired.

Johnnie Adams of Arbor Court, said he and his wife, Angela, probably wouldn’t sign the petition and thinks it would cost more in the long run.

Adams, who has lived there since 1997, felt the response time by Turtlecreek Twp. would take longer compared to about two minutes for Middletown.

“I could already be at the hospital before Turtlecreek arrived,” he said.

He believes the residents seeking to detach from the city want to get rid of having Middletown’s name attached to their property.

Adams, who grew up in Middletown, said it makes him “sad” to hear Middletown is a dying city. While he agreed you could see that in some areas of the city, he also believes the city is heading in the right direction and are trying to get things done.

“In the long run, I don’t think they will win,” Adams said.

John Mahoney, deputy director of the Ohio Municipal League, said detaching from a city is a difficult process because it requires approval of the city council and an affirmative vote of the entire city.

Mahoney could only recall one attempt about a dozen years ago in Columbus that was overwhelmingly rejected by the voters.

City Law Director Les Landen said he could not recall any requests to detach land from Middletown in his 20 years with the city. Landen said as of Wednesday afternoon he had not started to research the issue.

But some residents think detaching will help improve property values and cut down on some of their taxes, even though they will be paying 50 percent more for city utilities or an average of $17 to $30 more a month for services such as water, sewer, trash and stormwater, according to the city’s finance department.

Michael Petty of Baybrook Court said he believes he’ll pay less in the end just by having the value of his property increase by not being associated with Middletown.

“We’ve never felt that we’re a part of the city and we feel we pay more than our share into the Middletown economy,” he said.

Mark Bowen said the neighborhood is a fantastic one to raise kids and the Lebanon City School District can’t be beat.

Another Baybrook Court resident, Andy Harrell, said he also believes detaching from Middletown would help property values for the quiet, friendly neighborhood where everyone knows each other and gets along.

“Warren County is better, just look at the numbers — it proves it,” he said. “This area doesn’t have anything to do with Middletown.

“Middletown has dropped the ball on a lot of things over the years. It’s not a money thing with me. It’s what will be better for the kids,” he said.

Aaron Wright of Bridgewood Drive said he’s for the detachment.

“I thought it was a great idea,” he said. “I really think the tax is a little high.”

Wright is looking to move because his family is outgrowing their house and needs more space. However, he and his wife are looking at property in Turtlecreek Twp.

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

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