Middletown Chamber of Commerce

I was not able to complete reading  the minutes of the last Beautification Committee.  I had to stop when I found my hands shaking in anger and  in total disbelief when I read that our friends and neighbors would be REPORTED to Metro if we don't cut down a damn tree.  ?????????????????????????

People, we are in the worst economic condition since the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed, and you people are DEMANDING that some senior citizen on a fixed income is cut a tree or he or she will be REPORTED to Metro. 

And, on top of that, you reniged on the inital plan written into the adoption of the Beautification Ordinance that would have provided 50% of the cost of removal and replacement of diseased trees.

If I read those minutes correctly (remember, I stopped reading.) and under the direst of economic circumstances you guys really have that little care and concern for others, I am inclined to say then don't count yourselves among my friends.  However, I'm not that petty.  Instead, I will pursue whatever means I find necessary to get this so-called Beautrification Ordinance in tune with the times.

What ever happened to community, to working together, to having government SERVE the people rather than make life worse?  And in the first place, where does this committee get the legal authority to legislate?  Is that authority written into the ordinance?

John you really need to read things more carefully that was a discussion not a decission.

The Beatuification Ordinance say "May provide up to 50% if money is available." if a tree needs to be removed.

Yeah Right ... I have noticed that discussions somehow become decisions and decisions somehow become altered despite what ordinances say. 

Even if that was a discussion to even suggest that a neighbor could be reported to Metro is absurd.  But then again, so is the entire Beautification Ordinance and the process by which it became LAW.

One more time, numerous Bellemeade residents came to the meetings and opposed the passage  - the Commission did not listen.  That is why I am unhappy and that is why I will remain unhappy.  And, as I stated, I will not let this issue rest as long as people who are supposed to be public servants make dictatorial statements in an official meeting.

If you remember I was one of those who spoke out against the ordinace as it was written. The commission DID listen and removed the fines and the force. The subustitue ordinance is totally voluntary on the part of the property owners.

By the way as a sixth class city in order to have a "Hassard" removed when a property owner does not cooperate we do have to report to the county who sends an investigator to inspect. Sixth class cities like Bellemeade do not have police powers.