“I’m running because I can bring hope,” he said. “We need to put policies in place to benefit the city.”
Hart is one of six candidates running for two open seats on Middletown City Council on Nov. 5
“My background is creating jobs and I have built multi-million-dollar companies,” he said. “Small businesses know what they are looking for. Bringing businesses will generate tax revenues for the city.”
The Wilbraham Road resident said he wants to expand the tax base with new companies and employees rather than taxing the citizens more.
MORE: Read more on the candidates on the Journal-News Voter Guide
However, Hart said the city’s Economic Development department has been “almost non-existent” and that Middletown has missed out on a number of opportunities that have gone to Liberty Twp., Monroe, West Chester, Springboro and Mason. He also believes the current council and administration has failed the city. Hart said if the city can tackle the economic development piece, it would help raise additional revenues for improved infrastructure and public safety services.
Hart said the city is not business-friendly and some project proposals were rejected because they were not in the city’s plan. He would also like to amend the city charter to have more checks and balances and ensure more accountability of the city manager.
“Council needs to step out,” he said. “It needs a complete change.”
Hart said he has built businesses employing 200 employees and has the skills in negotiations and problem solving.
Hart, who co-owns Start Skydiving and Start Aviation, has operated at Middletown Regional Airport for 11 years. In the past few years, Hart and the city administration have been at odds over issues including the city not complying with the lease, the future direction of the airport and a decision for the city to resume serving as the airport’s fixed-base operator. The city and Hart’s organization have been in discussions about moving the skydiving operation to the west side of the airport.
While he would like to see more high-paying, high-tech jobs come to Middletown due to its location in the aerospace corridor and proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Hart said the city needs to develop those types of jobs which people would drive here from Cincinnati or Dayton.
“We have to look at what we’re attracting. We’re not industrial-based anymore and we shouldn’t focus on businesses for 20 to 25 employees, he said.
He’d also like to continue develop the Interstate 75/Ohio 122 interchange as well as developing “a red carpet” between I-75 and downtown by developing new businesses along the route.
“The more we improve downtown, the more the other businesses will be seen by incoming visitors,” he said.
Hart has also expressed opposition to Tax Incentive Financing and has suggested seeking state funding for the construction of new firehouses as well as state legislation to address other jurisdictions and organizations from dropping off homeless people in Middletown.
While Hart was “all OK with the recent disciplinary issue concerning the city manager,” he feels the city manager “openly lied to council and should be fired.”
Brian Hester, Butler County Democratic Party executive committee chairman, recently said Hart should leave the race for having a federal felony conviction from 2010. Hester said Hart should drop out of the race to prevent voter confusion and possible costly litigation. He also said state law prohibits a person convicted of a state or federal felony from holding any office of public trust.
Hart has completed his 18-month prison term and his probation and has paid his restitution. He also said his attorney has advised him that he could hold a council seat because he was not convicted by the state of a crime. Ohio law allows convicted felons to register to vote and run for elective office. However, state law prohibits them taking office.
Middletown City Council members receive $5,000 per year in compensation during their four-year term of office.
John P. Hart II
Age: 59
Employment: Chairman of Selection.com; founder/co-owner of Start Skydiving and Start Aviation
Family: Married, three sons and one grandson
Residency: Moved to Middletown in January; Has owned local business (Start Skydiving) for the past 11 years
Other: Retired U.S. Army first sergeant with 20 years service; volunteers with the Victory Project in Dayton to help youth learn business skills
Education: Business administration, University of Cincinnati
Website: http://www.facebook.com/JohnHartForCouncil/
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