VIOLATION AND IGNORANCE OF THE LAW ARE NOT EXCUSES

THIS INFORMATION IS MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICE OF CODE REVISION INDIANA LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY

FIRST -- THE FOLLOWING IS PART OF THE LEGAL ADVERTISED IN THE TRIBUNE OCTOBER 28 AND NOVEMBER 4, 2007 REGARDING RAISES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR 2008 AND REFERENCING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD TO CONSIDER THE SALARY ORDINANCE FOR 2008, FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCORDING TO I.C. 36-4-7-2 (IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE I.C. CODE IN MIND).

I.C. 36-4-7-2
ELECTED CITY OFFICIALS; FIXING OF ANNUAL COMPENSATION
SEC. 2 (A) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "COMPENSATION" MEANS THE TOTAL OF ALL MONEY PAID TO AN ELECTED CITY OFFICER FOR PERFORMING DUTIES AS A CITY OFFICER, REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE OF FUNDS FROM WHICH THE MONEY IS PAID.

(B) THE CITY LEGISLATIVE BODY SHALL, BY ORDINANCE, FIX THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF ALL ELECTED CITY OFFICERS. THE ORDINANCE MUST BE PUBLISHED UNDER IC 5-3-1, WITH THE FIRST PUBLICATION AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS BEFORE FINAL PASSAGE BY THE LEGISLATIVE BODY.

(C) THE COMPENSATION OF AN ELECTED CITY OFFICIAL MAY NOT BE CHANGED IN THE YEAR FOR WHICH IT IS FIXED, NOR MAY IT BE REDUCED BELOW THE AMOUNT FIXED FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR. As added by Acts 1980, P.L. 212, SEC. 3. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L. 17, SEC. 21; P.L. 15-1993, SEC 3.

THE FOLLOWING ARE PARTIAL MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 3, 2007 REFLECTING THE DISCUSSION OF RAISES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL:

A-07-33

MR. COFFEY STATED THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE RAISES FOR THE COUNCIL IN HERE BECAUSE THEY REQUESTED THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT A RAISE.

MRS. GARRY SAID THAT SHE IS GOING TO SPEAK UP FOR SOME OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SUCH AS THE MAYOR AND THE CITY CLERK.

MR. COFFEY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY CLERK GET A RAISE.

MR. GAHAN STATED THAT THEY DO NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE MAYOR'S SALARY AS WELL...

THAT BEING STATED AND ALL FACTS BEING IN ORDER LISTED ABOVE, WE, AS TAXPAYERS, WILL SIMPLY TAKE THIS TO THE STATE LEVEL AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THUMB YOUR NOSES AT US AND ACT SO IRRESPONSIBLY? NOT WITH OUR MONIES. WHY CAN'T YOU SIMPLY DO IT THE RIGHT WAY? WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE RIGHT WAY IS THE HARDEST WAY, BUT GEE.

THANK YOU COUNCILMAN PRICE AND COUNCILMAN KOCHERT FOR VOTING AGAINST SAME AND FOLLOWING THE LAW OF THE STATE.

THE MAYOR RECEIVED A 17 PERCENT INCREASE AND THE CITY CLERK RECEIVED A 20 PERCENT INCREASE (CITING THE TRIBUNE).

THANK YOU COUNCILMAN KOCHERT AND COUNCILMAN SCHMIDT FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ME AND MINE DO APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICES, AND FRIENDSHIPS FORGED.

TO THE ANONYMOUS POSTER WHO ADVISED ME TO ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETING AND MAKE MY PROTESTS KNOWN THERE -- AGAIN, NOT NECESSARY. WE SIMPLY BUMP IT UP A LEVEL -- TO THE STATE; WE ALWAYS FIND SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO KEEP THEIR JOB AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY CITIZENS.

AS I ALSO ATTENDED THE SEWER BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK AND WAS HIGHLY FRUSTRATED BY EVENTS MENTIONED ON NEWALBANYEYESORES.BLOGSPOT.COM, I AGAIN APPROACHED THE BOARD ABOUT THE "HOUSE" (CONDOS) NOT ON SEWER AND WHETHER THE SEWER BOARD ATTORNEY EVER SENT A LETTER OUT. THERE WAS COMPLETE DENIAL IN THE ROOM; STATING EMC NEVER DETERMINED IF THAT HOUSE WAS ON OR NOT BECAUSE OF AN "UN COOPERATING" LANDLORD. THE EPA HAS SAID UNLESS IT IS DRAINING INTO A CREEK OR STREAM THEIR HANDS ARE TIED. IF THIS PROPERTY LIES IN A WATERSHED, I.E. FALL RUN CREEK, THE EPA WOULD BE INVOLVED.

THE SEWER BOARD TRIED TO SAY THEIR HANDS ARE TIED; BUT THERE IS A LAW ON THE BOOKS WHICH STATES (CITY LAW) THAT IF A SEWER MAIN COMES WITHIN SO MANY FEET OF YOUR PROPERTY -- YOU MUST CONNECT. OUR FAMILY HOPES EVERYONE MOVED HEAVEN AND EARTH TO HELP THIS FAMILY OUT.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL...AND AFTER THE HOLIDAYS; REMEMBER THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 27TH. PEACE.