FUNDRAISING FOR WHAT? AND, FOR WHO'S BENEFIT?

Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes the mailman with an envelope addressed to me, using the wrong last names (don't worry about that part); but still -- it had no return address, addressed peculiarly, and I gotta say -- containing very interesting information.

Taxpayers I have spoken with in the County and the City (whom both contribute to these agencies' particular budgets) are outraged and will probably file an injunction to prevent what we consider to be "illegal" activity, on behalf of a few.

In case you didn't receive the invitation, here goes -- A Taste For Art a& History

A FUNDRAISING EVENT INTENDED FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION (May I dare ask what the fundraising monies will go towards?)

WORLD CLASS WINES
MARVELOUS MICROBREWS
SCINTILLATION SILENT AUCTION
FABULOUS FOOD
JAMMIN' JAZZ

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2007, 6:30 PM (Sorry, the www.carnegiecenter.org web site on schedule of events states it starts at 6:00, not 6:30)

CARNEGIE CENTER FOR ART & HISTORY
IN THE HISTORIC CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING
201 EAST SPRING STREET, NEW ALBANY

AFTERTASTE
THE EVENING CONTINUES AT THE SPEAKEASY JAZZ CLUB
225 STATE STREET, NEW ALBANY

$60.00 PER PERSON ($55.00 MEMBERS) (May I ask MEMBERS of what?)

RSVP BY SEPT. 1, 2007 - (812) 944-7336 (This is the Library's number, not the Museum. Again I ask, a fundraiser for whom or what? These are publically owned and financed buildings and go against both of their mission statements, thus my interest!)

AFTER CONFERRING WITH VARIOUS TAXPAYERS FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY ABOUT WINE AND BEER AT THE MUSEUM FOR A FUNDRAISER -- WE POSE THE FOLLOWING OPINIONS:

TAXPAYERS OBJECT TO A BEER AND WINE PARTY IN A TAX SUPPORTED PUBLIC OWNED BUILDING.

WE ARE APPALLED AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE INVITATION PUT OUT BY THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM ON SPRING STREET IS OWNED AND SUPPORTED WITH OUR TAX MONEY.

IS IT EVEN LEGAL (GOT THAT?) TO HOLD THIS BEER-WINE DRINKING PARTY IN A TAX SUPPORTED BUILDING?

WHY DID THE LIBRARY BOARD EVEN APPROVE THIS BEER-WINE PARTY?

IS THERE A MUSEUM BOARD? WHO APPROVES THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY BUDGETS? WHO REPRESENTS THE TAXPAYERS ON THOSE BOARDS?

HOW MUCH OF OUR TAX MONEY IS GIVEN TO THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM FOR THEIR 2007 BUDGETS?

THE ANNOUNCEMENT SAYS THEY WILL START THEIR BEER AND WINE PARTY AT THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM AND THEN CARRY THE PARTY ON OVER TO THE NEW SPEAKEASY ON STATE STREET.

WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST HAVE ALL OF THEIR LIQUOR DRINKING PARTY AT THE SPEAKEASY BOAR AND LEAVE OUR TAX SUPPORTED MUSEUM ALONE?

THE IMAGE OF THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM IS SUPPOSED TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR FLOYD COUNTY TEENS AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

WHAT KIND OF IMAGE IS THIS DRINKING PARTY IN A TAX SUPPORTED BUILDING SHOWING TO OUR TEENS AND YOUNG CHILDREN?

OUR TAX MONEY IN THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY BUDGETS ARE SUPPOSED TO TEACH THE VALUE OF OUR HISTORY AND EXAMPLE OF GOOD BEHAVIOR, AS WELL AS GOOD EDUCATION.

HOW MANY AREA TEENS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ACCIDENT BY DRUNKEN DRIVERS?

DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY HAS BOASTED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF NEW BARS FOR DRINKERS THEY HAVE BROUGHT IN.

WHY DON'T THEY USE THOSE BARS FOR THEIR ALCOHOL DRINKING AND LEAVE OUR TAX SUPPORTED PUBLIC BUILDINGS ALONE?

INFORMATION:

The Carnegie Center for Art & History is a contemporary art gallery and history museum offering a full schedule of changing exhibits.

The Center offers residents of Southern Indiana and visitors to the area an opportunity to enjoy art works in a variety of media, to take part in lectures and workshops based on those exhibits, and to learn more about the colorful history of Floyd County, Indiana.

Housed in the meticulously-preserved, historic Carnegie Library building, the Center's open, well-lit galleries and spacious comfortable meeting room are as easily accessible as they are attractive.

A division of the New Albany-Floyd County Library, the Carnegie Center is a FAMILY-ORIENTED INSTITUTION as well, offering its popular "Family Fun Workshops" on the second Saturday of every month as well as classes for children and students and other special events.

Their "MISSION STATEMENT" is as follows:

"The mission of the Carnegie Center for Art & History is to serve as a cultural resource for the education and the enjoyment of the citizens of Floyd County, Indiana, and the surrounding metropolitan area. To that end, we will collect, preserve and interpret the history and heritage of Floyd County, promote an appreciation of and participation in the visual arts, and preserve the historic Carnegie Library Building in which the museum is housed."

My opinion, and several others, disagree with a taxpayer funded building used to promote "certain people's business" (DRINKING), who also serves on a Board. An Attorney has already advised me this is illegal. What did "your all's say"?

Again, I ask, a FUNDRAISER FOR WHOM AND WHAT?

COUNCIL OVERRIDES MAYOR'S VETO

In my opinion, this is a good day for ratepayers of New Albany.

No, the argument about the monies for the Attorneys do not hold water in a decision about whether to bid out contracts. The Sewer Board needs to do what the "legislative body" (City Council) and the State Board of Accounts told them to do -- BID OUT THE CONTRACTS.

The Sewer Board can still do that thing. EMC has six more months remaining on their contract, as is and some wondered what the rush was.

Some stated they were worried Mayor England would win the election and "we would be right back where we were". What the hey does that do with state law and Charlie Pride warning the Council (have you ever checked out all of the degrees this man has)?

With all the expertise EMC mentioned they have, they should definitely have the inside track on any type of bid -- so what's the real problem?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Peace, NA.

UNBELIEVABLE

Unbelievable what I received today as an e-mail from what I assumed was a Baron Hill update, as I get them quite frequently.

This "bogus" e-mail with all the porn in it showing some local people has been forwarded onto Baron's office and I PERSONALLY will make sure the FBI and other law enforcement are notified. Unfortunately, your URL is included in your e-mail...so I am not sure what you tried to do beyond "shock" me, but this - hell, I don't even have words to describe it.

Hope you sleep well tonight -- guarantee you won't be tomorrow.

Felony, slander, invasion of privacy against citizens in town; there really aren't enough laws I can actually list "you" have broken.

Hope it was worth it. As a Democrat, and as a friend to the local people I know who was included in the pornographic attachment, it can not and will not be tolerated.

Knowing Baron even preaches at his church, I can't even imagine his reaction tomorrow when he sees what I forwarded to him.

Calling BIG LAW ENFORCEMENT. We have a serious problem. Unreal. Gosh, I surely hope your sick joke comes back onto you.

God help us all New Albany, based on this e-mail where local citizens have been added to a pornographic movie sent to who knows all. It literally makes me sick -- and if that was your goal, you accomplished same.

Have fun with your sick self.

Roma Evelyn Hunt

As I mentioned earlier, I had to attend another funeral Wednesday, my third in one month. Mentioned below is the obituary to my Aunt Roma, a wonderful, wonderful Aunt. Everyone should have an Aunt Roma.

Roma was born August 8, 1924, in Ashland, Ky., a daughter of the late Harlan and Theodocia Grahm Kersey (my grandparents). My father is her baby brother, and as a big reality check to me, her only surviving brother.

Roma was retired from G.C. Murphy in Ashland (oh, the days of the five and dime stores where you got the most excellent of food).

Roma was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Lee Hunt, a daughter, Linda Kay Hunt, four brothers, (and this is where it gets tough for me, memories -- ya know) Herbert Kersey (a painter who died within two weeks of my grandfather from painting on scaffolding at Armco Steel), Harlan Kersey (Ashland City police officer), Glen Kersey (retired, disabled officer of the U.S. Army), and Ezra Kersey (he was also a painter) and four sisters, Ruth Hayes (she always worked at Star Department Store), Orpha Kazee (they moved down to Florida when I was ittie bittie so Orpha's husband Herschel could work at the space center), Betty Mikovich (she was the baby girl of the family -- known for her number of marriages) and Lillian Dixon (she worked with Roma at Murphy's five and dime where they both were cooks).

She is survived by a brother, Bobby Gene Kersey (my Daddy), a daughter Janet, a son, Michael; four grandchildren and Sue Lyons, who was like a daughter and several nieces (me) and nephews.

The Kersey Reunion is coming up, too quickly if you ask me. We always sing Happy Birthday to her and now we have had two members of the family pass away since last year.

With my father in charge of the reunion, he is looking to his children and all of my cousins (toooooo many to mention or name), but I surely trust, with the strength and faith of this family, we will continue to gather together and eat all the garden's bounty over and over again. Our reunion is timed just for that reason -- the gardens are in!!!!!

By the way, Aunt Roma wrote me a letter giving me my grandmother's chicken and dumpling recipe. Mama passed at the age of 95 in 1982, so it is hard telling how old this recipe is. Roma ALWAYS made the chicken and dumplings. Guess I'll give it a whirl this year -- wish me luck, it makes enough to feed an Army -- but I guess Mama did have quite a few mouths to feed!

Love ya Roma...Rest in Peace. Gosh, you will be sorely missed.