Sunday, April 11, 2010

That's Middletown

Sunday Reflection

These days, when I walk around town on weekends I meet people who say, "Did you hear about....?"

I am gratified, and appalled at the things I hear about.  I've gotten some stories out of these tips, and at other times I've tracked rumors to their logical demise.

Everybody talks about this stuff.  When people tell me, they expect me to write about it.  Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't.

Inevitably, when the story is about minor (or sometimes major) corruption, perceived inequities, official insults or police misconduct, the teller of the story usually shrugs and says, "That's Middletown."


That's Middletown?

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times.  It's as if the expectation of most people I talk to is that corruption, lying, cheating, backbiting and dishing insults is expected.  That's Middletown, eh?

It's a jaded response, that's unfortunately too frequently true, and leads to the a type of cynicism that can't be allowed to fester.

So, what to do?

The next time you tell someone a story about someone in Middletown whose done something good, end it by saying, "That's Middletown."

The next time you talk about a mentoring program, or a soup kitchen, or a benefit for families, or a garden show, or an amazing performance, or a heroic public servant finish your account by saying, "That's Middletown."

And the next time someone tells you about some punk politician who has shaken someone down for a donation, or a city official who has lost his temper and brought down disgrace on the rest of us, or a connected developer who has gotten his way because he's got someone on a string, say, "That shouldn't happen in Middletown."

What am I going to do?

I'm going to establish a weekly "column" called, "That's Middletown," which will explore a story of somebody, or some organization, or some event that established the good in town.  If you've got any suggestions, write in.

15 comments:

Jen said...

I love it. I don't currently live in Middletown, but did for over 20 years, and am looking to move back soon. If you think Middletown residents say bad things about it, you should see what non-residents think of it. It's disgusting. People always miss the good things, and focus on the bad. It's nice to see someone try to change that.

iMN said...

excellent!

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Ed!

Anonymous said...

There is no denying the Power of Positive Thinking!

Steve LaRosa said...

Middletown has always carried this type of saying because we are slighty fractured. The shape of the City itself tends to shelter residents from one another. The Westfield section of town is a good 20 to 30 minute ride from the southern end of town (Maromas). This tends to "NIMBY" the City itself. When you speak of Pratt and Whitney, most Westfield residents have no idea where that is. When Aetna is raised, most southern end residents think it's in Hartford. What need is there for Westfield resident to come south? Some non-Middletown Westfield residents think they live in Cromwell! Heck we have Connecticut Valley Hospital, we must be bad! A place my grandmother worked in for many many years, and I as a young child frequented often. Never once fearing for my safety.

Until the City high schools were combined, you could go your entire Woodrow Wilson High School career and not even know that someone from Middletown High School even lived in the City! Never mind the fact there were 5 high schools in the City at that time. I went to Vinal Tech and had no idea who three quarters of Middletown High students were! Now we have 4, what are the chances some of these kids do not know that? Then there are the cultural differences. Italian, Irish, Polish, African American, Cambodian, you name it Middletown had it.

In the Italian community alone, those of us in the north end of Middletown had no idea the southern end existed! These are all things that no longer exist because there is only one Junior High and High school. The media has always given Middletown a bad reputation. even some of our past Chief's of Police have branded Middletown as "Mafia" controlled. As an American of Italian descent I took offense to those statements.

The Media focuses on the bad things that happen in Middletown, and honestly we begin to believe them. But let me ask this question of most Middletown residents. We claim that our politicians, police officers, fire fighters, city workers, everyday citizens are corrupt, but please name one who has been convicted of it? Sure have people made mistakes? Yes, but never to the point of the type of corruption that supposedly exists!

So the next time someone uses the phrase "Thats Middletown" make sure you tell them, your correct it is Middletown. The place with a beautiful new high school, services which make other communities jealous, fine dining, good entertainment and a wonderful place to raise a family, I did, and I'd do it all again!

Anne-Marie Cannata said...

Nice job, nice thinking, Ed. It only takes one to get it going and I'm glad you're leading the way. It may take longer than we'd prefer, (or not) but I believe it is possible and absolutely necessary if we truly desire peace - and change. Positive thinking, positive behavior ... positive results.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

With all respect to Steve, your experiences feeling that Middletown is fractured is unique to you. I live in Westfield and feel very connected to South Farms and Maromas; I graduated MHS when we had a cross-town rivalry with WWHS and knew plenty of people in that high school class. Heck our graduating high school class has even considered combining our class reunions some 25 years later because we all knew each other! Of course Westfield people know about Pratt...everyone had someone in their family who used to work for Pratt. Sorry but I just don't see the isolation or fracture that you see in this community...at all. I have known a much greater sense of community and familiararity being a native Middletonian than you have and I think it is just the differences between people, not a result of the town's personality.

I just do not think your sense of Middletown being a fractured community is the typical experience.

Web Dunce said...

Great idea, Ed. I moved to Middletown 5 years ago and absolutely love it here. I spent the previous 35 years in New Britain. Believe me, living in a town with a beautiful, walkable Main Street, a movie theater, a safe grocery store and a reasonable property tax structure is a blessing. The cultural events and restaurants are also a huge plus. Maybe folks who've lived here all their lives don't realize what a gem it truly is.
As far as I'm concerned, Middletown is the coolest city in Connecticut by far.

Mr. Fixit said...

It would help if the Middletown Press did not print bad news, usually crime related, for their headline every day. It's very tiresome. The Middletown Press appears to believe they are the NY Post! I realize that bad news sells - but we don't need to see it in the headlines daily.

And, what of the pretentious Sunday issue of the Middletown Press - which almost always prints NO Middletown news. Its value to residents of Middletown and environs is zip, zero, nada, none. What a waste of resources!

Madam Nirvana (Molly Salafia) said...

BRAVO! Ed, you have no idea how much "that's Middletown" negativity we have all experienced. I remember being denied jobs as a teenager simply because I went to Middletown High and it was perceived as "thuggish" by some. Then I had a passion for community service, and although I knew many others who also were, I often was met with "wow I never knew MHS kids were so nice." Well, of course they are!
While I don't think its right for the Eye to try and brush off negative things the community could learn from, I applaud the effort to report positive aspects of Middletown as much as possible!

Sarah-Jane said...

Thanks for a great reflection, Ed! I get to see a good portion of Middletown on foot every day - much of it in the north end - and am so thankful to be a member of a community that is always doing something - ArtFarm's benefit last Thursday, the CHP presentation of prize-winning plays on Saturday, the garden on Erin Street... this place is great. I pity anyone who does not enjoy or appreciate Middletown.

Anonymous said...

Great positive idea....and from what i see of Middletown it sure is POSSITIVE!!!
FYI The people up at St Francis sold over 1200 grinders as a fundraiser for Amazing Grace our AMAZING food pantry...THATS MIDDLETOWN!!!
Peter

Steven LaRosa said...

To anonymous of April 12th, I suggest you read my post again. Middletown is a fantastic place to live, work, and raise a family. I offered my opinion, signed by the way :-) Have a sparkling day!

Topher said...

Good and bad things happen in every town. it's a matter of personal principle whether you choose to identify your town to the positive or negative ones.

Too many good, tax-paying citizens think they have no effect on their city. I encourage them to partake in the free events at the Russell Library, enjoy a Main Street stroll or volunteer a places like The Buttonwood Tree.

If you don't like aspects of the place where you live, you, the Middletown citizen DO have the power to positively change it.

ARLJ said...

"THATS MIDDLETOWN" Where to begin?, the city that is centrally located with endless opportunity to grow.

"But what is this stigmatism we so often experience that Ed speaks of?" well I'm sure it would come as no surprise to any life long resident that many good idea's and opportunities have been brought to the forefront and slowly beaten back by political rederick. One great example would be the development of the waterfront, another would be the building of a City golf course. The buzz is all about political grandstanding, nothing more nothing less.

In my experience to date I cannot say enough good about being a resident,homeowner,business owner and family man in the City of Middletown.

We as residents have much to be grateful for with all the City has to offer, complaints are valid and solutions are worth investing in.

This means that if you choose to sit around and P&M about the City and its short comings then you are not vested in the growth of the communit.Simply put,
"take the energy you expend complaining and put it torward solutions by means of becoming active in your passions".

I believe positive reporting brings positive change, it is about positive energy. Share your opinions but follow up with valid solutions and make change, apathy is contagious and negative.

" When your EYES open in the morning you have been blessed this is sustained when your mind follows" ARLJ

Anthony R. Lancia, Jr. 1962
Family Circa 1900