The First True Test of New Albany's City Council

Time to be moving on to New Albany and their politics. Only fitting, don't you think, after last night's City Council meeting?

If you think you saw a BAD City Council meeting last night, we are here to tell you that you have not yet seen how it can (and I predict will) get UGLY. When Maury tells you on his blog he saw the "anger" on citizens and council member's faces -- he sure wasn't kidding was he?

Let us see, oh yes, I was moving into New Albany politics and how I got to the point I am at. Being new in town (even though one daughter lived with me and one in Okolona), I still joined my local Democrat party. Have to admit I haven't made it to the bowling league yet -- I got too caught up in the politics to have time for bowling.

Of all the cities, towns and states I have lived in and joined "my" local party, can't say I have ever had the feeling I had when I walked into the door of the Floyd County Democrat Party. I'm use to walking into the doors and being greeted enthusiastically and my voluntarism being of a premium service. Whatever I could do, the parties in the past would have me doing it. If it meant hanging door knockers on every door knob in a neighborhood to standing on a street corner for two days, to watching 8 TV's at one time to capture all of the political footage airing on local news channels, something.....

This feeling was different. I was looked at differently, if that makes any sense at all. At least, that's the way I felt. Who was this strange woman? What does she want? Are we sure we trust her? As my grandson would say, "something strange is going on here". These are only my feelings and not all had me feeling this way; but there was this certain little clique that kind of made you feel kind of "uneasy" about "things".

When Chuck Jones gave up the 3rd Precinct (whatever year that was), I was recommended to Mayor Warren Nash as a replacement. He graciously appointed me and I took great pride in being the 3rd Precinct Committee person; and can't tell you how much I learned. As an antidote, I'll share the following story with you, because I still marvel at how much I still have to learn.

This elderly gentleman came into the poll (this was when the Democrats were the Inspectors) and told me he wanted to vote just for the President and the Vice-President of the United States. He had been passed down from the Clerks and Judges to me, as the Inspector, to help him and try and understand what he wanted to do. When I asked to see his Voter Registration ID, he told me he didn't have to be REGISTERED to vote for the President and the Vice-President of the United States. Well, I got to thinking about all of different types of ballots they put in the Precinct committee Person (Inspector's) BIG black bag, and I realized I had seen some ballots that had only those Offices listed. After making a quick phone call to Linda Moeller, our Vice of the Floyd County Party at the time (and our workhorse), she informed me he was absolutely correct. Imagine that! Learn something new everyday!

Guess that's enough for tonight. I would like to add a thought about that meeting last night (and boy do I have a lot of 'em), but who or however it came about that Mr. Fifer admitted there was $5 million missing out of the sewers, I thank them. Everybody needed to know, especially the Council and of course the New Albany Potty Police! Peace.

The Florida "Experience"

Reading back through the earlier postings, I realize I almost left out the "banana republic". Their Democrat party greeted me with open arms. Clinton/Gore were running and Jeb Bush was trying to take the late Governor Chiles out. Have to admit, I have never been given the finger (if you know what I mean) as much as the two days I stood in Ft Lauderdale with the Clinton/Gore signs and Chiles' signs. At that time, it had not dawned on me I was in a Republican stronghold State.

The funniest thing may have been the debate between Jeb Bush and Governor Chiles. Chiles looked at him and said "the old he coon hunts in the dark". Jeb Bush was absolutely stunned and did not know what to say. It was kind of funny. Then, when Chiles won, he wore a coonskin hat to his swearing in. He was a good Governor, and Broward County did go Democrat that year. See what happened after I left?

Next posting, maybe then we can move into New Albanian politics. Take care New Albany. Remember, home is where you hang your heart.

After working with Mayor Harvey Sloane's PAC monies; I ended up getting laid off from CSX (formerly Cybernetics & Technology). Working at the Louisville Motor Speedway for 10 years as the Chief Nascar Scorer every Friday and Saturday night and working all week left little time for anything, other than my two daughters.

Then came the big job offer from Boston, MA. The job offer was worth all 3 jobs I was working in Louisville; something you simply had to do to continue with "my" career. Cortex was the name of the company and manufactured a 4th generation computer language (4GL). I probably lasted in Boston about six months as a Consultant; too much concrete for this country girl. The experiences I had were worth their weight in gold; seeing Cambridge and Harvard; driving all the way around Cape Cod and seeing the National Seashore.

Michigan came next with a contract working on their State Welfare system. This contract was six months in length, which gave no time for political or bowling contacts!

Atlanta, GA was next on the list. Marietta was a great place to live and Atlanta was an experience I relish. They have these ice storms though, and digging out of about 10 inches of ice just isn't my cup of tea.

Let's see, then my business/computer analytical skills to me to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Interim is a huge "temporary" firm, and absorbed Victor Temporaries, all the way down the line. We had Corporate offices, Licensees and Franchisees (several) in every state in the US. There were several people who worked our "help desk", but only 3 Analysts sitting downstairs taking care of all problems the 12 people on the help desk couldn't figure out. My specialities included all of the financials, taxes, recreating bugs, visiting offices all over these United States. 16 hours days, but something I had learned well and succeeded more than any expectations I would have had at the age of, let's see, about 18.

A lot of my friends are amazed, and I guess I am too, about how far you can go in this country and make something out of yourself and have your dreams and succeed, despite the hand you may have been dealt.

While working in Florida (which I still love and miss), my youngest daughter called me up and informed me I would be a grandmother on my 40th birthday. Happy Birthday to me. Mom resigned and moved back to the Louisville area to be with her daughter. After 20+ years in computers (hey, I was there when they invented the PC and the hard drive was on the OUTSIDE of the box), I think I had had my fill anyways. Working my way to the top, using the mainframes, knowing DEC and IBM was an accomplishment and I'm proud of my success in being a computer and business analyst.

Over the ten years prior, I had know Frank Lucchese as a friend. He started dating me when I came back to Louisville, and he plays a big role in how I ended up in New Albany. That would be another story, though.

Then came the great sewer fiasco on Main Street. From that point forward, I have truly become interested on what IS GOING ON IN THIS FAIR CITY.