How do I address you, Mr. Mayor? The Honorable James E. Garner, Mayor Garner, gotta say...at this point in time, I cursed your name when I found out Mr. Solomon resigned, effective July 1. May I ask (since you declared me your "sewer point person") how could you do what you did? Why did you do what you did? Maybe the donations to your campaign turned in on Friday will shed some light; at least that is the way I'm leaning. Yes, we know about the development out Charlestown Road where the nearest subdivision aren't even on sewers; and yes, we are aware of how many millions it will cost us, the ratepayers for this development. I, Sir, am personally tired of you thinking ALL OF US ARE STUPID OR IDIOTS...I just can't figure out which label you've stuck on us, the ratepayers for the sewers for the City of New Albany!
It sounded good, Mr. Solomon, what you told the City Council...if anyone recognizes what you were saying...it would be Susan Johnson and I. We have always maintained YOU were worth your weight in gold to the citizens of this "fair" City.
From us to you, we have no clue as to why the Mayor moved the Robert E. Lift station project from a to z...putting it 3 to 5 years out for fixing that issue. We have no clue as to how this Mayor could deny your Motion, which was duly seconded...how he could have refused to even allow the vote...we don't know.
We do know of your frustration; your integrity and intentions to get the right thing done. Susan Johnson and I have always maintained you are worth your weight in gold to us, the ratepayers.
As we have been aware of how your frustration was growing, we are sincerely thankful you went on the record at the Sewer Board meeting as to your feelings -- how can the Mayor change the "Appendix D" of the Consent Decree (which Council had already done a first reading on), without the Sewer Board or the Mayor's Engineers' approvals? We do not know. We only know, as citizens, your Sewer Board meeting became illegal at the point in time when Garner did not recognize the Motion and the Second. We are glad you challenged Greg Fifer...what a conflict of interest he is!
As people who have been involved with our "sewers", we can only thank you at this point in time for the service, your service, to our community...no words can express our appreciation. We know you did your utmost best in trying to resolve the situation. We know you have been thwarted at every turn, and we were aware how anxious you were becoming; and we expected the reaction you had after that horrible meeting. How can the Mayor arbitrarily change the Sewer demand list without his Engineers' approval; and with Council already having first reading; and EPA having it in front of them...we don't understand either and are there and with you in your frustration.
Please allow Susan and I to thank you, and other citizens that are up on this subject, for your service to the rate payers of New Albany. Do you think we don't know you were TRYING? Only the Good Lord knows how much some of us appreciate your service...and only the best to you and yours. Maybe now, and only now, you can appreciate your life and your children...because we know how our "sewer" situation literally sucks the life out of you.
How could that sewer board have lasted from 3:30 until past 7 pm? Only because you called the Mayor out and you called Fifer out. Thank you for that. Now there is an official record, as I know the City Clerk is keeping meticulous records of the Sewer Board meetings (if you want to hear the tape, go see Marcey Wisman). The confrontation went down at approximately 6:30 -- fast forward the tape.
We are at a loss for words. Take with you and know we may not have been there...but we are aware of all words spoken, without censorship.
Thank you, Todd. Maybe Council will sit up and take notice and listen to Kevin Zurschmeide about what really happened Tuesday, long before you tendered your resignation in front of the Council. Thank you for that, also. It needed to be done and put on record, and you (my kind sir), was just the person to deliver the message to Council (though I heard you were too kind).
God bless you and yours, and please, allow me (and Susan), to thank you once again for your service to us. We can not put into words how much you are and were appreciated.
Thank you, thank you, thank you...reminds me of Gomer Pyle...
Gotta go, have a rendezvous with my US Congressman in the morn for brunch...God speed, my friend.
Yvonne Kersey, alias NAPP (and proud of it)...
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
CALLING ALL DEMOCRATS
MEET THE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES AT A SPAGHETTI SUPPER TONIGHT AT 6:00 PM, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, 809 E MAIN STREET.
$4.00, CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE.
OFFICE HOLDERS AND CANDIDATES WILL BRING DOOR PRIZES.
ALL CANDIDATES ARE INVITED TO A 3 MINUTE SELF INTRODUCTION AND ARE INVITED TO HELP SERVE IN THE FOOD LINE.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 9th Last day to register to vote for 2007 Municipal Election; First day to vote in the Clerk's Office.
April 27 Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner at the Grand
May 8th ELECTION DAY!!!!
$4.00, CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE.
OFFICE HOLDERS AND CANDIDATES WILL BRING DOOR PRIZES.
ALL CANDIDATES ARE INVITED TO A 3 MINUTE SELF INTRODUCTION AND ARE INVITED TO HELP SERVE IN THE FOOD LINE.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 9th Last day to register to vote for 2007 Municipal Election; First day to vote in the Clerk's Office.
April 27 Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner at the Grand
May 8th ELECTION DAY!!!!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
WATCH CHANNEL 3 (WAVE) NEWS FOR THE HAPPENINGS AT THE BOARD OF WORKS MEETING TODAY, APRIL 3, 2007
********************************************************
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT....
In this article, I am going to refer to Mr. Tony Toran as "Commander" as that is what he screamed at the citizens at the last Council meeting.
Well, "Commander Buzzed Lightyear", you are not allowed to create Ordinances; I would have thought King James made that clear last night when he yelled at Zurschmiede that Council was the Legislative body and HE was the Executive body.
WAVE 3 and the newspapers, etc., have already picked up on what happened at the Board of Works meetings -- and it isn't looking good for "Commander Buzzed Lightyear", nor King James.
Here is the law for all -- and if you two haven't violated it -- I will eat my hat. Though, to the Firefighters -- I'm sorry -- but he cooked your goose this morning.
Here goes Mayor, seeing you voted for the current ordinance, and if it is as you maintain that what you voted on wasn't worded correctly -- you should have had the ordinance changed before YOU VOTED FOR IT.
CITY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE POWERS
Part of IC 36-4-4-3 states in part "The common council exercises the city legislative authority (IC 36-4-4-4), makes the laws that govern the city and appropriates the city's monies.
As the city's legislative body, however, the council exercises many of the powers given cities through the passage of ordinances and appropriation of monies (IC 36-4-6-18).
FOR THE MAYOR:
The mayor's powers and duties include:
Enforcing the ordinances of the city and the statutes of the state;
Providing a statement of finances and general condition of the city to the common council at least once a year.
Providing any information regarding city affairs that the common council requests;
Recommending, in writing, to the common council actions that he or she considers proper. (IC-3-1-8-26) AND (IC 36-4-5-2).
On May 1, 2003, Garner voted YES for this Ordinance; Coffey abstained; Schmidt voted YES; and Kochert voted YES.
On May 15, 2003, Garner voted NO for this Ordinance, Coffey abstained; Schmidt voted YES; and Kochert voted YES.
On June 2, 2003, the vote was 8 to 0, with Coffey Abstaining. If, as you are now telling the press that what you voted on was not correctly worded, maybe you should have asked the verbiage to be changed (but that's really not the truthers, is it)?
Commander Buzzed Lightyear -- you do not own this City's right-of-ways, the citizens do. You are not allowed to create Ordinances, only Council can.
You have broken the law; but you have broken it before. The only problem you have now is there is no one to cover it up and only you know if you will have another alias now so citizens will not know your past history (though you got to know we all do).
This is my opinion, and my opinion only, but I sincerely hope that the Council dissolves the Board of Works -- and guess what? They can do that thing. You, Commander Buzzed Lightyear, only have a few weeks to go and I feel you will never work in this town again.
The disrespect shown to Council and to the Citizens by the Mayor and his Administration can no longer be tolerated -- at least not by me. Something tells me there is more than one person feeling this way.
5:00 - WAVE TV and the CJ and the Tribune will have it all tomorrow.
Peace, NA.
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT....
In this article, I am going to refer to Mr. Tony Toran as "Commander" as that is what he screamed at the citizens at the last Council meeting.
Well, "Commander Buzzed Lightyear", you are not allowed to create Ordinances; I would have thought King James made that clear last night when he yelled at Zurschmiede that Council was the Legislative body and HE was the Executive body.
WAVE 3 and the newspapers, etc., have already picked up on what happened at the Board of Works meetings -- and it isn't looking good for "Commander Buzzed Lightyear", nor King James.
Here is the law for all -- and if you two haven't violated it -- I will eat my hat. Though, to the Firefighters -- I'm sorry -- but he cooked your goose this morning.
Here goes Mayor, seeing you voted for the current ordinance, and if it is as you maintain that what you voted on wasn't worded correctly -- you should have had the ordinance changed before YOU VOTED FOR IT.
CITY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE POWERS
Part of IC 36-4-4-3 states in part "The common council exercises the city legislative authority (IC 36-4-4-4), makes the laws that govern the city and appropriates the city's monies.
As the city's legislative body, however, the council exercises many of the powers given cities through the passage of ordinances and appropriation of monies (IC 36-4-6-18).
FOR THE MAYOR:
The mayor's powers and duties include:
Enforcing the ordinances of the city and the statutes of the state;
Providing a statement of finances and general condition of the city to the common council at least once a year.
Providing any information regarding city affairs that the common council requests;
Recommending, in writing, to the common council actions that he or she considers proper. (IC-3-1-8-26) AND (IC 36-4-5-2).
On May 1, 2003, Garner voted YES for this Ordinance; Coffey abstained; Schmidt voted YES; and Kochert voted YES.
On May 15, 2003, Garner voted NO for this Ordinance, Coffey abstained; Schmidt voted YES; and Kochert voted YES.
On June 2, 2003, the vote was 8 to 0, with Coffey Abstaining. If, as you are now telling the press that what you voted on was not correctly worded, maybe you should have asked the verbiage to be changed (but that's really not the truthers, is it)?
Commander Buzzed Lightyear -- you do not own this City's right-of-ways, the citizens do. You are not allowed to create Ordinances, only Council can.
You have broken the law; but you have broken it before. The only problem you have now is there is no one to cover it up and only you know if you will have another alias now so citizens will not know your past history (though you got to know we all do).
This is my opinion, and my opinion only, but I sincerely hope that the Council dissolves the Board of Works -- and guess what? They can do that thing. You, Commander Buzzed Lightyear, only have a few weeks to go and I feel you will never work in this town again.
The disrespect shown to Council and to the Citizens by the Mayor and his Administration can no longer be tolerated -- at least not by me. Something tells me there is more than one person feeling this way.
5:00 - WAVE TV and the CJ and the Tribune will have it all tomorrow.
Peace, NA.
Monday, April 02, 2007
City Council Meeting, April 2, 2007
All Council members were present except for Blevins.
Minutes were changed in two different places and then approved.
Communications from the Public only centered around a few. Without further ado, here goes:
A gentleman from LaFayette Drive with drainage problems supported and spoke in favor of R-07-16 (Resolution to make the Drainage Non-Reverting Fund Balance Available to the Storm Water Board For Use on Drainage Problem With the City).
A gentleman from the Lyon Lane area spoke for his property and three other residents, all suffering drainage problems. He supported R-07-16.
A gentleman from the Grace Lutheran area spoke in favor of R-7-16, because of their drainage problems.
All were referred to the Storm Water Meeting, which have different dates this month, due to rescheduling. Personally, I didn't write down when they were rescheduled to.
As I was the next citizen to address Council, here goes:
a. I spoke to R-07-11 (Resolution to Use $500,000 from the EDIT fund for The Repair, Paving, Mill and Striping of Streets in New Albany). Options were presented to the Council about new laws concerning TIF areas, and Redevelopment, and the Sewer Plan. Interesting stuff, huh?
TIFS monies can be used in a non-TIF area for "infrastructure" purposes, i.e., sewers and paving of roads. The rules have loosened up a bit and there is extra monies in these funds for what they NEED to do.
The Redevelopment Budget was submitted to Councilman Gahan to show there were "Contractural Services" monies available, also, to achieve all our goals.
Council Members were also informed that the original Sewer Plan stated in it, Sewer Board approved it and the City Council demanded it that all roads be restored back to their original condition (not patched) and the monies were allocated.
b. I spoke in opposition of G-07-05 (An Ordinance to Repeal Chapter 32, Section 32.80 Through Section 32.88, New Albany Fire Department Candidate Selection Process Act).
Mrs. Timberlake spoke after I about drainage issues in the West End. As all of you are aware, she and Mr. Coffey are campaigning against each other. She was also referred to the Storm Water Board.
No Communications from City Officials
No Communication from the Mayor
No Appointments
There were no CF-1 FORMS (tax abatements) scheduled.
The results and comments of the agenda items are listed below:
R-07-11 Resolution to Use $500,000 From the EDIT Fund for The Repair, Paving, Milling and Striping of Streets in New Albany. I actually have a record of who voted which way (I sort of give up through the meetings; get too absorbed in the behind the scenes maneuvering) - - no particiular order -- Coffey - Yes; Schmidt - No; Crump - Yes; Messer - No; Kochert - No; Gahan - Yes. Final tally 4-4 Resolution failed.
R-07-15 Resolution to fund the purchase of five (5) New City Police Cars out of the Riverboat fund. Votes were (in no particular order) Coffey - Yes; Price - No; Crump - Yes; Messer - Yes; Zurschmiede - Yes; Kochert - Yes.
R-07-16 Resolution to make the Drainage Non-Reverting Fund Balance Available to the Storm Water Board for Use on Drainage Problems With The City.
This issue got a little "testy" would be the feeling you walked away with. Mr. Dietrick and Mr. Coffey got into a "heated" discussion; the Resolution passed; and Mr. Dietrick hollered as he walked out the door Mr. Coffey should worry for his job. He said that just loud enough for the audience to hear, but not Council. Enough said about that one.
R-07-17 Resolution to have the Sewer Utility Budget $450,000.00 For the Repair, Paving, Milling and Striping of Streets.
This issue got raucous, in a way, also. It was found out, and totally blew the Council and Susan and I out of the water that yeah, it was in the Sewer Plan the Sewer Board approved; it was in the Plan the Council voted on and insisted same be contained within; but Mayor Garner said the monies to repair the roads were "stripped out of the bids". Not one to be at a loss for words, but even the Council fell (figuratively) out of their chairs. How could that be? No one knew the answer to that one.
Mr. Gahan and some others finally understood the Sewer Department was owed 5.1 million dollars from the General Fund for propping up the City. Once all of this information came to the light of day, this Resolution did not pass. This is how I think (dangerous) the voting went down: Coffey - Abstained; Schmidt - No; Price - No; Crump - Abstained; Gahan - Yes; Zurschmiede and Messer voted No, I think...could be wrong; it has happened before.
A-07-10 Additional Appropriation for the Unsafe Building Fund (I think somewhere around $84,000) was passed Unanimously.
A-07-09 An Ordinance to Approve the 2007 Rates for the Communications (CWA) Employees (our 911 operators who haven't had a raise in years and years) passed Unanimously. Yeeeaaaa..
G-07-05 An Ordinance to Repeal Chapter 32, Section 32.80 Through Section 32.88, New Albany fire Department Candidate Selection Process Act was ordered into Committee with Messer, the Fire Chief, Union Rep and someone else...sorry folks -- it's been a long evening.
Nice to meet you, "Coop". Thanks for introducing yourself to me.
I make no assumptions or have no misunderstandings that I may have made a mistake or two on the article written above. (Not that it matters that much anyway, hey?)
Minutes were changed in two different places and then approved.
Communications from the Public only centered around a few. Without further ado, here goes:
A gentleman from LaFayette Drive with drainage problems supported and spoke in favor of R-07-16 (Resolution to make the Drainage Non-Reverting Fund Balance Available to the Storm Water Board For Use on Drainage Problem With the City).
A gentleman from the Lyon Lane area spoke for his property and three other residents, all suffering drainage problems. He supported R-07-16.
A gentleman from the Grace Lutheran area spoke in favor of R-7-16, because of their drainage problems.
All were referred to the Storm Water Meeting, which have different dates this month, due to rescheduling. Personally, I didn't write down when they were rescheduled to.
As I was the next citizen to address Council, here goes:
a. I spoke to R-07-11 (Resolution to Use $500,000 from the EDIT fund for The Repair, Paving, Mill and Striping of Streets in New Albany). Options were presented to the Council about new laws concerning TIF areas, and Redevelopment, and the Sewer Plan. Interesting stuff, huh?
TIFS monies can be used in a non-TIF area for "infrastructure" purposes, i.e., sewers and paving of roads. The rules have loosened up a bit and there is extra monies in these funds for what they NEED to do.
The Redevelopment Budget was submitted to Councilman Gahan to show there were "Contractural Services" monies available, also, to achieve all our goals.
Council Members were also informed that the original Sewer Plan stated in it, Sewer Board approved it and the City Council demanded it that all roads be restored back to their original condition (not patched) and the monies were allocated.
b. I spoke in opposition of G-07-05 (An Ordinance to Repeal Chapter 32, Section 32.80 Through Section 32.88, New Albany Fire Department Candidate Selection Process Act).
Mrs. Timberlake spoke after I about drainage issues in the West End. As all of you are aware, she and Mr. Coffey are campaigning against each other. She was also referred to the Storm Water Board.
No Communications from City Officials
No Communication from the Mayor
No Appointments
There were no CF-1 FORMS (tax abatements) scheduled.
The results and comments of the agenda items are listed below:
R-07-11 Resolution to Use $500,000 From the EDIT Fund for The Repair, Paving, Milling and Striping of Streets in New Albany. I actually have a record of who voted which way (I sort of give up through the meetings; get too absorbed in the behind the scenes maneuvering) - - no particiular order -- Coffey - Yes; Schmidt - No; Crump - Yes; Messer - No; Kochert - No; Gahan - Yes. Final tally 4-4 Resolution failed.
R-07-15 Resolution to fund the purchase of five (5) New City Police Cars out of the Riverboat fund. Votes were (in no particular order) Coffey - Yes; Price - No; Crump - Yes; Messer - Yes; Zurschmiede - Yes; Kochert - Yes.
R-07-16 Resolution to make the Drainage Non-Reverting Fund Balance Available to the Storm Water Board for Use on Drainage Problems With The City.
This issue got a little "testy" would be the feeling you walked away with. Mr. Dietrick and Mr. Coffey got into a "heated" discussion; the Resolution passed; and Mr. Dietrick hollered as he walked out the door Mr. Coffey should worry for his job. He said that just loud enough for the audience to hear, but not Council. Enough said about that one.
R-07-17 Resolution to have the Sewer Utility Budget $450,000.00 For the Repair, Paving, Milling and Striping of Streets.
This issue got raucous, in a way, also. It was found out, and totally blew the Council and Susan and I out of the water that yeah, it was in the Sewer Plan the Sewer Board approved; it was in the Plan the Council voted on and insisted same be contained within; but Mayor Garner said the monies to repair the roads were "stripped out of the bids". Not one to be at a loss for words, but even the Council fell (figuratively) out of their chairs. How could that be? No one knew the answer to that one.
Mr. Gahan and some others finally understood the Sewer Department was owed 5.1 million dollars from the General Fund for propping up the City. Once all of this information came to the light of day, this Resolution did not pass. This is how I think (dangerous) the voting went down: Coffey - Abstained; Schmidt - No; Price - No; Crump - Abstained; Gahan - Yes; Zurschmiede and Messer voted No, I think...could be wrong; it has happened before.
A-07-10 Additional Appropriation for the Unsafe Building Fund (I think somewhere around $84,000) was passed Unanimously.
A-07-09 An Ordinance to Approve the 2007 Rates for the Communications (CWA) Employees (our 911 operators who haven't had a raise in years and years) passed Unanimously. Yeeeaaaa..
G-07-05 An Ordinance to Repeal Chapter 32, Section 32.80 Through Section 32.88, New Albany fire Department Candidate Selection Process Act was ordered into Committee with Messer, the Fire Chief, Union Rep and someone else...sorry folks -- it's been a long evening.
Nice to meet you, "Coop". Thanks for introducing yourself to me.
I make no assumptions or have no misunderstandings that I may have made a mistake or two on the article written above. (Not that it matters that much anyway, hey?)
Sunday, April 01, 2007
General Obligation Bonds (GO) and Lease Rental Bonds
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF CONVERSATIONS WE WERE DISCUSSING ON NEW ALBANIAN'S BLOG SITE. OUR CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN BURIED UNDER OTHER POSTINGS, SO I SUGGESTED WE MOVE IT HERE. Thanks.
We did not enter into a General Obligation Bond for Scribner. We entered into a new territory I'm unfamiliar with called a "Lease Arrangement Agreement, or Lease Arrangement Bond (per se). The City is the Co-Signer on this Bond.
This "Lease" does not go into effect until this "place" is totally built (one of those little nuances in the contract).
There is a way, because of the financing methodology used in this scenario, fifty (50) taxpayers were to sign a petition proving the growth it would bring to the area.
It is on record about Buddy Downs (aka Ice, Miller & Donadio in Indy).
At least we know it's not a GO (General Obligation Bond).
Peace, NA
We did not enter into a General Obligation Bond for Scribner. We entered into a new territory I'm unfamiliar with called a "Lease Arrangement Agreement, or Lease Arrangement Bond (per se). The City is the Co-Signer on this Bond.
This "Lease" does not go into effect until this "place" is totally built (one of those little nuances in the contract).
There is a way, because of the financing methodology used in this scenario, fifty (50) taxpayers were to sign a petition proving the growth it would bring to the area.
It is on record about Buddy Downs (aka Ice, Miller & Donadio in Indy).
At least we know it's not a GO (General Obligation Bond).
Peace, NA
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