Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The army returns

For the second time in less than three weeks, the Army Corps of Engineers will be visiting Middletown to discuss the training facility on Boardman Lane, according to several sources in City Hall.  Top military officials will be in town to explain the mechanism by which the Corps of Engineers chose to build the Army Base on Boardman Lane.  Common Council Members and the Mayor have been invited to attend.  Invitations have also been extended by the city to many of the state and federal elected officials who represent Middletown.  
Tuesday, August 19th, 6:30
Council Chamber
Middletown City Hall
Diane McCartin, the project manager for this Training Facility, will be making her fourth trip to Middletown this summer.  Ms. McCartin hails from Indiana, just across the border from the Corps of Engineers Louisville headquarters.  Her husband is a pharmacist at the world famous Butt Drugs in Corydon, Indiana (check out their hot T-shirts available on-line).   Ms. McCartin has earned the respect of Middletown residents who have attended her public hearings. In those venues and others, she delivers what information she can in a forthright and open manner.  Her last visit was on July 31st, when she infuriated local officials by barring them from a press conference held regarding the Army's plans for the Boardman Lane site.  

Middletown this time will also welcome Colonel Keith Landry, the recently appointed Commander of the Louisville District of the Army Corps of Engineers.  Since graduating from West Point, he has earned an MBA, an MS, and a PhD, the latter from Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute.  He has served at many levels in the Army, from Platoon Leader to Professor.   Col. Landry is a highly decorated combat veteran, with three combat tours in Iraq. His most recent publications are, Effecting a major road repair in Baghdad, and Fording the Imjin River--Korea. Among his many decorations are a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal, and the Order of the deFleury Medal. Col. Landry assumed command of the Louisville District on July 9th of this year.  This is his first trip to Middletown.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks you for the updated. Do we know if this meeting is open to the public?

Anonymous said...

Why else would a beribboned Army officer be coming to town? Trotted out from the Corps to be seen by townsfolk! What more can he add? Will we be required to salute or will bowing low be sufficient?

Stephen H. Devoto said...

The meeting is definitely open to the public. However, there will be no opportunity for the public to ask questions or comments. Only the invited officials will be allowed to speak. Check back for more details later.