This post is dedicated to you, IAMHOOSIER. Susan will probably be weighing in with some more thoughts later, but I'll present the first step of the plan we have in mind.
1. We would correct the faulty data that has been supplied to the EPA, IDEM, the Engineers, and the public. Some of the faulty data we have been able to get corrected, but others they insist on falsifying the information, to this day.
Now, for the examples of what we are talking about (which still exists inside the Federal Court House for public viewing):
We want to do this in installments, because we think this is too much info for the lay person...wish I could say that. Anyways, here goes. A lot of the overflows are misrepresented in a monthly book EMC publishes for the City Council and for the Mayor. They are misrepresented by the name they refer to them as. For example, there is an overflow on Charlestown Road where the Social Security Office is located now. It is listed in the monthly books as being by Walgreens. EMC, until recently, have been going to the new Walgreens out Charlestown Road to investigate, not realizing they meant the "old" Walgreens where Social Security is now located. The book, as of December of this past year, still depicts Walgreens.
Another example of falsified data (all of this is located, (thanks to the EPA for doing this for any citizens interested) in the library downtown each month in the Reference Section) would be they are "locked out" of WATCO Storage. This is not a true statement. Not only have they been given two different combination numbers, there is an access road and they have followed customers in just to get to the locations. Susan and I were able to talk with the past Sheriff Leland Watkins, went and observed all we needed, took pictures...they still say they are locked out. They're not.
Another example of falsified data would be the Parks Department on Corydon Pike. The Parks Department got tired of their manhole blowing, so they put a huge mound of dirt on it to keep it from blowing but that simply puts it somewhere else "up" the line. Plus, they always report there are no overflows? They can't get in there after 5:00, maybe even 4:00. The gates are locked and this location is not observable from the road.
Another example is all of the overflows in the Daisy Lane area. You have an overflow at 300 E Daisy in someone's front yard, but it is listed in the monthly book as Daisy & Zurschmeide, not 300 E Daisy Lane. The residents there are not fighting all development -- just the sewage the developer and this City is dumping more on.
If you have the time, you may wish to get a phone book out and by marking the streets, you may be able to tell where we really needed to concentrate the monies, rather than concentrating them for the County for the Developers and the lawyer representing them, which happens to be our Sewer Board Attorney.
If you have that phone book out -- here goes:
Floyd Street
Budd Road
Brokers Lane
Parks Dept/ Corydon Pike
Four behind the Hampton Inn; along with two siphons which equals six
Cherry Valley - 3, and another in an alley (not identified), which totals 4
Anderson has four
Put four more down for Cherry Valley
State St @ Arnie's
Watco has 2 - where they say they're "locked out"
Country Club - put them down for two
Elmwood has 1
Scott Drive has 3
Brook St has
Korb has 2
Sanderson has 1
McLean Lift Station (may have been sealed causing other problems)
Zurschmeide has 1
Linda Drive has two
Diasy and Zurschmeide has two
Janie Lane has 1
Aub Easement has 1
Roanoke has 1
Roselawn has 1
Social Security has 1
Roselawn has 1
Charlestown Road in front of McDonalds has one
Bottom of hill at Old Ford has 1
Star Haven 1
Off of Miller has 1
Mt. Tabor and Mt. Tabor W have 2
Prosser Lift has 1
Prosser School has 3
Charlestown Road @ 265 has 1
and Meiers did have some -- but they're not in this month's book; even though they should be.
We'll post more later. Thanks for asking. We do hope you know what can of worms you are opening. Because all of the monies were spent bring the County in and the inner-City wasn't fixed -- get ready for the words "WE ARE GOING TO RAISE YOUR RATES". They had the money to lay the new line out in the fringe, but now don't have the money to fix the City, as promised per the EPA. More to come, though. First installment. How's your arm?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
15TH Street and New Updates
Having read different posts, and having Maury Goldberg ask me specifically what "I" would do about 15th St (like I or Susan have ever had any good advice), this would be the latest and greatest, according to the Sewer Board meeting last week:
The company is starting the geo-technical exploration by performing 12 borings into the ground. Several will be on Vincennes and 13th and around 15th; Spring & Beeler were also mentioned. As we had stated, 13th has the same problems as 15th, so we are glad to see they agree the stormwater pipe needs to be dealt with the same time the sewer line is moved.
There seems to be great concern that our groundwater is contaminated. EMC stated they had checked downstream 15th to Beeler to Clark, etc. The company doing the work asked them to go "upstream" instead.
The railroad is being notified by fax there is a problem in the area. There will need to be a new lift station for this area; they were going to make it a temporary lift, but for a few thousand more it can become permanent. They are looking at the permanent option.
Three quotes on an expedited basis is being done. Specs should be ready in two weeks. March 6th is the new sewer board meeting; they are having one before then, but it is some type of "workshop".
One-third of the cost projected is for the stormwater line running parallel to the sewer line. The cost for that portion was $40 - $50 thousand. Insofar as Mr. Zurschmeide served on the Stormwater Board with me, both of us sat up and took special notice of this info. The decision was made the Stormwater Board would have to be notified about this situation, and they will have to "prioritize" it.
It will be at least April before the bids can go out. IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) is requiring notification and must give approval before any of the works are done. IDEM does not care if it is an emergency situation (we've had so many of them, I don't doubt that fact).
At the new lift station, there will be a bypassing place and they want to bury the lines 50' down because of traffic.
All interesting news. Besides a derailment, we felt there was another issue more critical and finding out there could be groundwater contamination would be the more critical issue with the EPA.
More on March 6th...
The company is starting the geo-technical exploration by performing 12 borings into the ground. Several will be on Vincennes and 13th and around 15th; Spring & Beeler were also mentioned. As we had stated, 13th has the same problems as 15th, so we are glad to see they agree the stormwater pipe needs to be dealt with the same time the sewer line is moved.
There seems to be great concern that our groundwater is contaminated. EMC stated they had checked downstream 15th to Beeler to Clark, etc. The company doing the work asked them to go "upstream" instead.
The railroad is being notified by fax there is a problem in the area. There will need to be a new lift station for this area; they were going to make it a temporary lift, but for a few thousand more it can become permanent. They are looking at the permanent option.
Three quotes on an expedited basis is being done. Specs should be ready in two weeks. March 6th is the new sewer board meeting; they are having one before then, but it is some type of "workshop".
One-third of the cost projected is for the stormwater line running parallel to the sewer line. The cost for that portion was $40 - $50 thousand. Insofar as Mr. Zurschmeide served on the Stormwater Board with me, both of us sat up and took special notice of this info. The decision was made the Stormwater Board would have to be notified about this situation, and they will have to "prioritize" it.
It will be at least April before the bids can go out. IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) is requiring notification and must give approval before any of the works are done. IDEM does not care if it is an emergency situation (we've had so many of them, I don't doubt that fact).
At the new lift station, there will be a bypassing place and they want to bury the lines 50' down because of traffic.
All interesting news. Besides a derailment, we felt there was another issue more critical and finding out there could be groundwater contamination would be the more critical issue with the EPA.
More on March 6th...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUGHIE!
Happiest of birthdays, Hugh! Sixty years you and yours have been in business...what a party there will be tonight!
Forty years + with you running your establishment! Sure hope the fiddle player shows up to help all of us celebrate YOUR BIRTHDAY!
As Hughie says "his place is the original 4th Place Live"! The last honky tonk around... Play on, Hughie. We love ya.
Forty years + with you running your establishment! Sure hope the fiddle player shows up to help all of us celebrate YOUR BIRTHDAY!
As Hughie says "his place is the original 4th Place Live"! The last honky tonk around... Play on, Hughie. We love ya.
Friday, February 02, 2007
THIS MAN DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ME OR MINE, OR SEVERAL DOZENS OTHERS I KNOW!!!!!!!
As my friends e-mailed me this story, gotta admit, I was shocked.
To all politicians running for office, if you sign this document (or pledge as he calls it), I will definitely work as hard as I can against your re-election or election, whichever it may be.
#15 really cracks me up. Just be aware, this man does not speak for me or mine or most human beings in this town. It only shows how full of crap this Administration is for using a private business man (or is he) to print this garbage.
Please publish the results, Tribune. You ran the questions, now publish how any candidates actually were stupid enough to sign this. Thank you.
This is my opinion. Swing away....just when you think you have seen all types of tyranny, fear mongering, blah, and this comes along! My opinion only, but you may be a few bricks shy of a full load!
BY RANDY SMITH Local Guest Columnist
— The opening bell for the 2007 city elections sounded recently and over the next several weeks we’ll be treated to speculation from the chattering classes and dozens of ill-informed rumors from a class that chooses to remain anonymous. It is my hope that any man or woman who gets the party nod for city council will have earned it. By earning it, I mean that they will have campaigned on a platform of ideas. I believe that any candidate who does will benefit from a sharp increase in turnout that this city has seldom seen. While no candidate will embrace all of these proposals (in fact, they’d probably be crazy to do so) (AMEN), I offer them up as a menu for action, free of charge, to any candidate bold enough to articulate them further. Some are tougher than others. Some will be controversial. But I believe in them all.The editors have chosen to publish this as a series, and you can look forward to future installments. (God, help us all!) So, Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs. Candidate, grab a plank and start wielding it. (Noooooooo)
1. I promise to a) sponsor legislation immediately and secure passage within six months of taking office that will enable the creation of a municipal court and judgeship no later than 2012; b) propose an ordinance to fund one-fourth or more of the anticipated start up and first-year operating costs of the court in each of the next four budget years; and c) petition the legislature to allow or the governor to make appointment or direct the election of a municipal judge to take office sooner than 2012.2. (Sorry, Randy, we had a City Court and it couldn't pay for itself (went belly up)...you have some history to catch up on, real quick. I affirm that I have read at least one book in the last 12 months that addresses an issue of urban governance and that I learned something from it that I will apply to the duties of my office. What I learned is this (fill in this blank, Ms. Candidate)… Is this to promote the selling of books in your bookstore? Whoever heard of such a thing? 3. I will publish a mailing address, a phone number with voice-mail capabilities, and an e-mail address to be used by petitioners and residents wishing to contact me and that I will respond in a reasonable time to confirm receipt and to acknowledge the comment or request and that I will, to the best of my ability, answer all questions put to me in person, by phone, by letter, or by e-mail, and will follow up to determine whether the request has been satisfactorily resolved.4. I will support the appropriation of funds to create a fully functional Web site for the city to include down loadable documents, including applications and permits, and online payment processing for city fees, including fines stemming from city citations, and including servers to provide all city employees and elected officials with e-mail capabilities. Elected officials and department heads will be required to maintain and update a page or pages and provide a level of services online commensurate with other comparable cities. All city ordinances and resolutions and their supporting documents shall be made available online from the time they are submitted for consideration and shall be archived, available, and down loadable to all who may seek them. (They already are, for the most part! You have the rest of the money you would like to shell out of your pocket?) (Shouldn't that may be put in a future budget by the CITY CLERK, not YOU?) 5. I will sponsor an ordinance and appropriation to ensure that all meetings of official city government bodies be recorded by traditional written minutes, by audio record, and by video record, and that all will be made available online to all requests. Deposit copies of each will be stored with the city clerk, who will have the funds and capabilities to reproduce the records on request, and at the public library, for which the city shall provide the equipment and funding to make those records available for listening or viewing at the library. The library may, at its discretion, duplicate the records for historical storage and for public circulation to its subscribers. Such records shall be made available without charge to accredited media and any person or entity that will make the record publicly available for free. Offline requests of duplicates may be assessed a fee for duplication, subject to statutory limitations. (You are leaving out the law which states all tapes recording meetings must be held "off-site" in a "safe" retention center and must be maintained for at least FIVE years, before being able to be recycled. Even if meetings are taped, hard copies are still required.) 6. I will hold a minimum of two hours of scheduled open meetings each month at a publicly announced place and time to hear the comments and take the requests of constituents and petitioners of my office. (This one might tick me off if I was running. These people not only attend Council meetings, they sit on other Boards, and they do meet with their constituents. All answer the phone to me and mine -- why not you?) 7. I will introduce, within 30 days of taking office, an ordinance and appropriation authorizing a professional needs analysis for the conversion of downtown streets to two-way traffic. I will introduce, during my first year in office, the appropriate ordinances and appropriations to substantially restore traffic patterns on downtown streets to two-way traffic, with attention to the requirements of safety and commerce. One imperative will be improving the safety of residents, bicycle riders, and pedestrians in the residential zones of Elm and Market streets by diverting the majority of eastbound traffic to Spring Street, which is designed to accommodate through traffic. Appropriate traffic-control measures should be implemented, not excluding barriers and pedestrian-only zones, to effect this diversion of traffic. I believe that Pearl, Bank, and Third streets will experience a rebirth in commercial viability once the realignment of traffic patterns is achieved.8. I will propose that the offices of the city attorney, the economic development director, the redevelopment director, and the planning and zoning functions be doubled in staff and tripled in funding for the next budget year and will encourage such additional appropriations during my first year in office to achieve the same effect. In return, I will expect, respectively, a rigorous enforcement and prosecution program from the city attorney’s office; a vigorous assistance and promotion program from the office of the economic development director; an aggressive grant-seeking operation, including the possible retention of a Washington advocate, for federally funded programs, including mass transit, parks, sidewalks, etc.; and a year-long review of zoning policies to include monthly meetings for public input on an area-by-area basis; (BTW -- INDOT has all of the studies and originally wanted to make Spring Street two ways. You've got your own neighbor's opposition on this one, don't ya?) 9. By resolution, ordinance, appropriation, and all other permissible means, I will seek an expression of intent that the city shall prefer all new development requests to demonstrate that the renovation and occupancy of existing building stock within a designated district, such as the Urban Enterprise Zone or its like, has been examined and rejected by the applicant. Such preference shall be made clear by a two-tiered fee structure for permits and all other fees under the jurisdiction of the city, as permitted by statute. That is, development, particularly renovation and reuse of existing building stock, within established precincts, shall be subsidized and preferred with reduced fees and that development outside such designated districts shall be assessed an ongoing City Core Restoration fee until such time that the city may determine it is not longer needed as an incentive to preferred development. (With Mr. Cochran seeking new incentives against this very thing, you may have a slight problem.) 10. By resolution, ordinance, appropriation, and all other permissible means, I will seek an expression of intent that the city shall prefer that economic development and promotion of the city be managed by the office of the economic development director. Private economic development agents seeking the grant of municipal funds shall be required to demonstrate that the same funds, if expended by the office of the economic development director, would not achieve a greater benefit to the city and its residents. Nothing in this shall limit the ability of the executive and the economic development director to contract for services or to contribute to multi-jurisdictional efforts conducted by private economic development agents.11. I will, by vote and in debate, oppose permitting motorized vehicles, as defined by ordinance, to use the Greenway within the city limits of New Albany. In brief, I believe it should be the policy of the city to make the Greenway accessible, but limited to pedestrians and bicyclists, and that cars and trucks should not be permitted to use the Greenway except at designated access points, which presumably will be parking areas. The idea that the Greenway should be a riverfront highway, even at severely reduced speeds, is in conflict with my idea of what that resource should provide. Vehicular access up and down the river is adequate today and the Greenway should be preserved for economic, aesthetic, and environmental reasons. In addition, to the extent the city council can influence said decision, I will oppose the construction of a new bridge at the mouth of Silver Creek, preferring instead a Greenway route that skirts north of the Loop Island Wetlands and utilizes the existing infrastructure of the railway bridge. Given that, in New Albany, the Greenway will be a primarily pedestrian/bicycle path, there is no economic or environmental justification for an ecology-destroying new span.12. During my term in office I will encourage negotiation with the railroad companies to permit the K&I Bridge to be used as a pedestrian/bicycle span. I believe that connecting New Albany to the Louisville/Portland riverfront will create a recreational and economic incentive that is sensitive to the health and environmental needs of New Albanians, to regional residents, and to visitors. Coordinating such a program with the Greenway should be an imperative for this city.13. I would make it a priority of the city to immediately designate, pave, and stripe a network of bike paths in the city and to pass appropriate ordinances enforcing the primacy of bicyclists on such designated paths. Within four years, I would hope to have implemented more than 25 miles of such paths, all of which connect to the Greenway, and thereby, to adjoining cities. (Who in the hey do you think you are? This is our neighborhood, too. Do you even live downtown? BS.) 14. I believe it is imperative that we restore the enterprise functions of the city to a self-supporting basis. That means, first, that I will oppose the use of general fund tax money to subsidize the operations of the city’s sewer operations. The sewer operations were intended, and are indeed required, to be self-supporting from fees. If the city, through the city council, wishes to subsidize individuals because of need, or in the belief that their connection and service provide a community good, then the city should subsidize that individual or entity directly and openly. The continued subsidy that keeps sewer rates artificially low is a travesty of public responsibility. That is not to say that general fund tax monies can never be expended by transfer to the sewer utility, but such transfers should be justified under economic development or redevelopment criteria, not to keep rates artificially low. I believe that certain developments may be entitled to the waiver of, for example, sewer connection fees. The recent application of the Community Housing Development Organization is a case in point. I would propose that, instead of insisting that the sewer utility waive those fees, the city should pay those fees if it believes the CHODO project is a public good. (And, exactly what do you know about the past-dues Sewer bills; the free-flushers; the unfinished work and how downtown still isn't on, my oh my. Dig that hole deeper. ) 15. No matter what misgivings one might have had initially about the city contracting with a local company to provide its sanitation collection services, no person of good faith can now argue that it was a bad deal, either for the city or for those employees who chose to work for Southern Indiana Waste Systems. By all accounts, service levels are improved and morale among the employees is high. Dramatic rate increases have been avoided. I promise to watch very closely in the remaining years of this contract, but I must admit that it seems to have worked extremely well. I know that those in our city who are on fixed incomes appreciate the rate relief, and the general fund has been relieved of another of those hypocritical, if invisible subsidies. For the remaining term of the contract, we as a city will have more money available to fund our priorities. Really, then how come the State said we could not use public property for this garbage company and two of our trucks are sitting in Louisville right this moment, having been stripped? How do the think the Mayor is going to explain that one to the State Board of Accounts? And you really expect us to believe all this hooey? And it gets deeper...aargh 16. This next council will be the first to face an electorate fully aware of the fiscal demands of the Clean Water Act in regard to groundwater issues. For any council member to pretend that noncompliance is an option is for that council member to treat you as if you were an ignorant fool. The Storm water Board, though currently handcuffed (IS NOT), has a mandate that cannot be avoided. When you get that storm water bill, don’t come to me (something makes me think this person is really talking to their selves!). I will work with the board as much as possible to make sure they understand our priorities. I’d like nothing more than for the board to provide residents with ways to avoid the higher fees by adopting groundwater-friendly landscaping. Some very simple modifications to our yards (and driveways) can result in dramatic improvements. Through the fee system, the Storm water Board can encourage us to embrace such techniques.17. Although I possess the XY chromosome, I do have a wife, a sister, and a daughter. Accordingly, I would, if elected, call on my colleagues to institutionalize the designation of council member instead of the terms councilman and councilwoman. This and other newspapers, for various reasons, hang on to the gender-specific handle, but I’m growing tired of this. It is 2007, after all. (This is all you talking, not the voters, what a joke. We all try to be politically correct these days, do you actually think you are the first person to even think of this?) I’ll tell you what: when this newspaper begins to refer to Connie Sipes as Senatress, I’ll drop my objections. And on that point, though I might ask for your vote, I think it would be a great idea if the Common Council of the City of New Albany were comprised of a few more women. (Get your wife to run.) 18. I will never defend a program and then come back and blame the paid employees of this city for that program’s failure to work. Period. Be sure your candidate’s make that same pledge. (BS) 19. I will never fail to listen to an idea or opinion because of who is giving it to me…not because of their political party, nor because of personal unkindness. Likewise, if an ally, friend, colleague, or family member presents an idea, I will not support it solely for that reason. And in both cases, when it comes time to vote, I will announce the potential conflict and cast my vote. In that same vein, I ask you to hold me to account if I use the occasion of a vote to become a “drama queen” and issue forth with a Pontius Pilate-like praise for my own ambivalence and indecision.20. I will respect the appointees to the various boards, commissions, and study groups that help to manage this city. In most cases, these people work a thankless job, bringing a cross-section of community opinion into regulatory matters. I will thank them for their service and when they appear before the council, I will treat them with respect. (Really, like the time there were "PUBLIC BUDGET MEETINGS HELD" and you personally asked a Councilmember's wife, myself and the Courier-Journal to leave the room? Oh, so courteous was that episode. As Ben Hershberg said that night -- who are you, and my question is who in the hey do you think you are? A pugnacious Cheney, hee hee hee. My opinions of course, just like ALL OF YOURS HERE.) 21. At the first meeting of the council year, I will move to enshrine the public’s right to speak on any issue. Had I been on the current council, I would have moved to overturn the council president’s flat ruling that if an item is not on the agenda, members of the public may not address the issue. In the most recent case, the item was on the published agenda but subsequently removed. That’s a dangerous and undemocratic precedent that must be rejected by the next council.22. I will not thumb my nose at the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution like the current council has done. Twenty residents filed suit in Federal District Court seeking relief from the badly malapportioned city council districts. The districts, as they stand, clearly violate the Constitution, Indiana statutes, and city ordinances. The current council thumbed their noses at the facts and it will cost the city treasury. In fact, the elections of the six district council members will, in all likelihood, have to be held not only in 2007, but then again in 2008, since each will have been elected from unconstitutional districts. If elected, I will make a motion to settle the case immediately and correct this injustice, which values the votes of some residents over those of other districts.23. Council members have enough on their plates without taking on additional appointed duties. Where statute allows it, I would urge that no member of the council shall be appointed to boards and commissions, but rather, that “civilians” be appointed. Any council member is entitled to attend these meetings, but they should not be appointed members except where statute requires it.24. Whatever it takes, New Albany has to repair its roads and sidewalks. I will support the generous use of general fund monies to repair and repave our streets. An aggressive grant-writing department will be encouraged to seek every dime available to restore the safety and appearance of our streets.25. Whether the work is done by our streets department or by another entity, this city simply must clean up its streets. A study committee, working closely with state legislators, will be charged with finding a way to clear our streets and alleys of limbs, leaves, grass, litter, and other illegal dumping.26. I will insist that the council’s funds for training and cooperation with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns be distributed equitably among council members. It is unacceptable that a single council member be the only one who participates in these multi-jurisdictional workshops and conferences. If only as a resource for solutions that have worked, broad participation by the council in IACT activities is essential. No longer will the entire budget be eaten up by meals and travel for one council member and spouse. (This is a flat out lie. None of the Council are interested in going up to Indy for the Indiana Cities and Towns meetings. Only one couple go, and they use coupons they get from their son who is a Regional Manager for the Southern Asian operations for their hotel rooms. It is not their fault the budget nor Council allows for any more. You truly do not know what you are talking about. For sure. Me and mine appreciate all of the information brought back from Indy so we may see which bills are pending that affect ALL OF US. If only one Councilmember shows interest, why is he being penalized? Because YOU do not like him? It is so obvious!)
Randy Smith is a New Albany resident and owner of Destinations Booksellers
Peace, NA. After all that, I need a Tylenol. Does he really think he represents you and I, and the rest of New Albany? Only a fool would go along with ideas which have not been researched in their entirety, have no funding for, and has no knowledge of history and how things really are. All I see is a wanna be "power-monger". I'm allowed my opinions, just as you are allowed to disagree with them! Isn't America a wonderful place?
To all politicians running for office, if you sign this document (or pledge as he calls it), I will definitely work as hard as I can against your re-election or election, whichever it may be.
#15 really cracks me up. Just be aware, this man does not speak for me or mine or most human beings in this town. It only shows how full of crap this Administration is for using a private business man (or is he) to print this garbage.
Please publish the results, Tribune. You ran the questions, now publish how any candidates actually were stupid enough to sign this. Thank you.
This is my opinion. Swing away....just when you think you have seen all types of tyranny, fear mongering, blah, and this comes along! My opinion only, but you may be a few bricks shy of a full load!
Here are some of the questions -- please forgive the lengthiness, but until you read it you may think you are in another chapter of BAD history, and please excuse me while I disagree with some of his logic!
SMITH: Walk this plank, candidates -- NO
BY RANDY SMITH Local Guest Columnist
— The opening bell for the 2007 city elections sounded recently and over the next several weeks we’ll be treated to speculation from the chattering classes and dozens of ill-informed rumors from a class that chooses to remain anonymous. It is my hope that any man or woman who gets the party nod for city council will have earned it. By earning it, I mean that they will have campaigned on a platform of ideas. I believe that any candidate who does will benefit from a sharp increase in turnout that this city has seldom seen. While no candidate will embrace all of these proposals (in fact, they’d probably be crazy to do so) (AMEN), I offer them up as a menu for action, free of charge, to any candidate bold enough to articulate them further. Some are tougher than others. Some will be controversial. But I believe in them all.The editors have chosen to publish this as a series, and you can look forward to future installments. (God, help us all!) So, Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs. Candidate, grab a plank and start wielding it. (Noooooooo)
1. I promise to a) sponsor legislation immediately and secure passage within six months of taking office that will enable the creation of a municipal court and judgeship no later than 2012; b) propose an ordinance to fund one-fourth or more of the anticipated start up and first-year operating costs of the court in each of the next four budget years; and c) petition the legislature to allow or the governor to make appointment or direct the election of a municipal judge to take office sooner than 2012.2. (Sorry, Randy, we had a City Court and it couldn't pay for itself (went belly up)...you have some history to catch up on, real quick. I affirm that I have read at least one book in the last 12 months that addresses an issue of urban governance and that I learned something from it that I will apply to the duties of my office. What I learned is this (fill in this blank, Ms. Candidate)… Is this to promote the selling of books in your bookstore? Whoever heard of such a thing? 3. I will publish a mailing address, a phone number with voice-mail capabilities, and an e-mail address to be used by petitioners and residents wishing to contact me and that I will respond in a reasonable time to confirm receipt and to acknowledge the comment or request and that I will, to the best of my ability, answer all questions put to me in person, by phone, by letter, or by e-mail, and will follow up to determine whether the request has been satisfactorily resolved.4. I will support the appropriation of funds to create a fully functional Web site for the city to include down loadable documents, including applications and permits, and online payment processing for city fees, including fines stemming from city citations, and including servers to provide all city employees and elected officials with e-mail capabilities. Elected officials and department heads will be required to maintain and update a page or pages and provide a level of services online commensurate with other comparable cities. All city ordinances and resolutions and their supporting documents shall be made available online from the time they are submitted for consideration and shall be archived, available, and down loadable to all who may seek them. (They already are, for the most part! You have the rest of the money you would like to shell out of your pocket?) (Shouldn't that may be put in a future budget by the CITY CLERK, not YOU?) 5. I will sponsor an ordinance and appropriation to ensure that all meetings of official city government bodies be recorded by traditional written minutes, by audio record, and by video record, and that all will be made available online to all requests. Deposit copies of each will be stored with the city clerk, who will have the funds and capabilities to reproduce the records on request, and at the public library, for which the city shall provide the equipment and funding to make those records available for listening or viewing at the library. The library may, at its discretion, duplicate the records for historical storage and for public circulation to its subscribers. Such records shall be made available without charge to accredited media and any person or entity that will make the record publicly available for free. Offline requests of duplicates may be assessed a fee for duplication, subject to statutory limitations. (You are leaving out the law which states all tapes recording meetings must be held "off-site" in a "safe" retention center and must be maintained for at least FIVE years, before being able to be recycled. Even if meetings are taped, hard copies are still required.) 6. I will hold a minimum of two hours of scheduled open meetings each month at a publicly announced place and time to hear the comments and take the requests of constituents and petitioners of my office. (This one might tick me off if I was running. These people not only attend Council meetings, they sit on other Boards, and they do meet with their constituents. All answer the phone to me and mine -- why not you?) 7. I will introduce, within 30 days of taking office, an ordinance and appropriation authorizing a professional needs analysis for the conversion of downtown streets to two-way traffic. I will introduce, during my first year in office, the appropriate ordinances and appropriations to substantially restore traffic patterns on downtown streets to two-way traffic, with attention to the requirements of safety and commerce. One imperative will be improving the safety of residents, bicycle riders, and pedestrians in the residential zones of Elm and Market streets by diverting the majority of eastbound traffic to Spring Street, which is designed to accommodate through traffic. Appropriate traffic-control measures should be implemented, not excluding barriers and pedestrian-only zones, to effect this diversion of traffic. I believe that Pearl, Bank, and Third streets will experience a rebirth in commercial viability once the realignment of traffic patterns is achieved.8. I will propose that the offices of the city attorney, the economic development director, the redevelopment director, and the planning and zoning functions be doubled in staff and tripled in funding for the next budget year and will encourage such additional appropriations during my first year in office to achieve the same effect. In return, I will expect, respectively, a rigorous enforcement and prosecution program from the city attorney’s office; a vigorous assistance and promotion program from the office of the economic development director; an aggressive grant-seeking operation, including the possible retention of a Washington advocate, for federally funded programs, including mass transit, parks, sidewalks, etc.; and a year-long review of zoning policies to include monthly meetings for public input on an area-by-area basis; (BTW -- INDOT has all of the studies and originally wanted to make Spring Street two ways. You've got your own neighbor's opposition on this one, don't ya?) 9. By resolution, ordinance, appropriation, and all other permissible means, I will seek an expression of intent that the city shall prefer all new development requests to demonstrate that the renovation and occupancy of existing building stock within a designated district, such as the Urban Enterprise Zone or its like, has been examined and rejected by the applicant. Such preference shall be made clear by a two-tiered fee structure for permits and all other fees under the jurisdiction of the city, as permitted by statute. That is, development, particularly renovation and reuse of existing building stock, within established precincts, shall be subsidized and preferred with reduced fees and that development outside such designated districts shall be assessed an ongoing City Core Restoration fee until such time that the city may determine it is not longer needed as an incentive to preferred development. (With Mr. Cochran seeking new incentives against this very thing, you may have a slight problem.) 10. By resolution, ordinance, appropriation, and all other permissible means, I will seek an expression of intent that the city shall prefer that economic development and promotion of the city be managed by the office of the economic development director. Private economic development agents seeking the grant of municipal funds shall be required to demonstrate that the same funds, if expended by the office of the economic development director, would not achieve a greater benefit to the city and its residents. Nothing in this shall limit the ability of the executive and the economic development director to contract for services or to contribute to multi-jurisdictional efforts conducted by private economic development agents.11. I will, by vote and in debate, oppose permitting motorized vehicles, as defined by ordinance, to use the Greenway within the city limits of New Albany. In brief, I believe it should be the policy of the city to make the Greenway accessible, but limited to pedestrians and bicyclists, and that cars and trucks should not be permitted to use the Greenway except at designated access points, which presumably will be parking areas. The idea that the Greenway should be a riverfront highway, even at severely reduced speeds, is in conflict with my idea of what that resource should provide. Vehicular access up and down the river is adequate today and the Greenway should be preserved for economic, aesthetic, and environmental reasons. In addition, to the extent the city council can influence said decision, I will oppose the construction of a new bridge at the mouth of Silver Creek, preferring instead a Greenway route that skirts north of the Loop Island Wetlands and utilizes the existing infrastructure of the railway bridge. Given that, in New Albany, the Greenway will be a primarily pedestrian/bicycle path, there is no economic or environmental justification for an ecology-destroying new span.12. During my term in office I will encourage negotiation with the railroad companies to permit the K&I Bridge to be used as a pedestrian/bicycle span. I believe that connecting New Albany to the Louisville/Portland riverfront will create a recreational and economic incentive that is sensitive to the health and environmental needs of New Albanians, to regional residents, and to visitors. Coordinating such a program with the Greenway should be an imperative for this city.13. I would make it a priority of the city to immediately designate, pave, and stripe a network of bike paths in the city and to pass appropriate ordinances enforcing the primacy of bicyclists on such designated paths. Within four years, I would hope to have implemented more than 25 miles of such paths, all of which connect to the Greenway, and thereby, to adjoining cities. (Who in the hey do you think you are? This is our neighborhood, too. Do you even live downtown? BS.) 14. I believe it is imperative that we restore the enterprise functions of the city to a self-supporting basis. That means, first, that I will oppose the use of general fund tax money to subsidize the operations of the city’s sewer operations. The sewer operations were intended, and are indeed required, to be self-supporting from fees. If the city, through the city council, wishes to subsidize individuals because of need, or in the belief that their connection and service provide a community good, then the city should subsidize that individual or entity directly and openly. The continued subsidy that keeps sewer rates artificially low is a travesty of public responsibility. That is not to say that general fund tax monies can never be expended by transfer to the sewer utility, but such transfers should be justified under economic development or redevelopment criteria, not to keep rates artificially low. I believe that certain developments may be entitled to the waiver of, for example, sewer connection fees. The recent application of the Community Housing Development Organization is a case in point. I would propose that, instead of insisting that the sewer utility waive those fees, the city should pay those fees if it believes the CHODO project is a public good. (And, exactly what do you know about the past-dues Sewer bills; the free-flushers; the unfinished work and how downtown still isn't on, my oh my. Dig that hole deeper. ) 15. No matter what misgivings one might have had initially about the city contracting with a local company to provide its sanitation collection services, no person of good faith can now argue that it was a bad deal, either for the city or for those employees who chose to work for Southern Indiana Waste Systems. By all accounts, service levels are improved and morale among the employees is high. Dramatic rate increases have been avoided. I promise to watch very closely in the remaining years of this contract, but I must admit that it seems to have worked extremely well. I know that those in our city who are on fixed incomes appreciate the rate relief, and the general fund has been relieved of another of those hypocritical, if invisible subsidies. For the remaining term of the contract, we as a city will have more money available to fund our priorities. Really, then how come the State said we could not use public property for this garbage company and two of our trucks are sitting in Louisville right this moment, having been stripped? How do the think the Mayor is going to explain that one to the State Board of Accounts? And you really expect us to believe all this hooey? And it gets deeper...aargh 16. This next council will be the first to face an electorate fully aware of the fiscal demands of the Clean Water Act in regard to groundwater issues. For any council member to pretend that noncompliance is an option is for that council member to treat you as if you were an ignorant fool. The Storm water Board, though currently handcuffed (IS NOT), has a mandate that cannot be avoided. When you get that storm water bill, don’t come to me (something makes me think this person is really talking to their selves!). I will work with the board as much as possible to make sure they understand our priorities. I’d like nothing more than for the board to provide residents with ways to avoid the higher fees by adopting groundwater-friendly landscaping. Some very simple modifications to our yards (and driveways) can result in dramatic improvements. Through the fee system, the Storm water Board can encourage us to embrace such techniques.17. Although I possess the XY chromosome, I do have a wife, a sister, and a daughter. Accordingly, I would, if elected, call on my colleagues to institutionalize the designation of council member instead of the terms councilman and councilwoman. This and other newspapers, for various reasons, hang on to the gender-specific handle, but I’m growing tired of this. It is 2007, after all. (This is all you talking, not the voters, what a joke. We all try to be politically correct these days, do you actually think you are the first person to even think of this?) I’ll tell you what: when this newspaper begins to refer to Connie Sipes as Senatress, I’ll drop my objections. And on that point, though I might ask for your vote, I think it would be a great idea if the Common Council of the City of New Albany were comprised of a few more women. (Get your wife to run.) 18. I will never defend a program and then come back and blame the paid employees of this city for that program’s failure to work. Period. Be sure your candidate’s make that same pledge. (BS) 19. I will never fail to listen to an idea or opinion because of who is giving it to me…not because of their political party, nor because of personal unkindness. Likewise, if an ally, friend, colleague, or family member presents an idea, I will not support it solely for that reason. And in both cases, when it comes time to vote, I will announce the potential conflict and cast my vote. In that same vein, I ask you to hold me to account if I use the occasion of a vote to become a “drama queen” and issue forth with a Pontius Pilate-like praise for my own ambivalence and indecision.20. I will respect the appointees to the various boards, commissions, and study groups that help to manage this city. In most cases, these people work a thankless job, bringing a cross-section of community opinion into regulatory matters. I will thank them for their service and when they appear before the council, I will treat them with respect. (Really, like the time there were "PUBLIC BUDGET MEETINGS HELD" and you personally asked a Councilmember's wife, myself and the Courier-Journal to leave the room? Oh, so courteous was that episode. As Ben Hershberg said that night -- who are you, and my question is who in the hey do you think you are? A pugnacious Cheney, hee hee hee. My opinions of course, just like ALL OF YOURS HERE.) 21. At the first meeting of the council year, I will move to enshrine the public’s right to speak on any issue. Had I been on the current council, I would have moved to overturn the council president’s flat ruling that if an item is not on the agenda, members of the public may not address the issue. In the most recent case, the item was on the published agenda but subsequently removed. That’s a dangerous and undemocratic precedent that must be rejected by the next council.22. I will not thumb my nose at the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution like the current council has done. Twenty residents filed suit in Federal District Court seeking relief from the badly malapportioned city council districts. The districts, as they stand, clearly violate the Constitution, Indiana statutes, and city ordinances. The current council thumbed their noses at the facts and it will cost the city treasury. In fact, the elections of the six district council members will, in all likelihood, have to be held not only in 2007, but then again in 2008, since each will have been elected from unconstitutional districts. If elected, I will make a motion to settle the case immediately and correct this injustice, which values the votes of some residents over those of other districts.23. Council members have enough on their plates without taking on additional appointed duties. Where statute allows it, I would urge that no member of the council shall be appointed to boards and commissions, but rather, that “civilians” be appointed. Any council member is entitled to attend these meetings, but they should not be appointed members except where statute requires it.24. Whatever it takes, New Albany has to repair its roads and sidewalks. I will support the generous use of general fund monies to repair and repave our streets. An aggressive grant-writing department will be encouraged to seek every dime available to restore the safety and appearance of our streets.25. Whether the work is done by our streets department or by another entity, this city simply must clean up its streets. A study committee, working closely with state legislators, will be charged with finding a way to clear our streets and alleys of limbs, leaves, grass, litter, and other illegal dumping.26. I will insist that the council’s funds for training and cooperation with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns be distributed equitably among council members. It is unacceptable that a single council member be the only one who participates in these multi-jurisdictional workshops and conferences. If only as a resource for solutions that have worked, broad participation by the council in IACT activities is essential. No longer will the entire budget be eaten up by meals and travel for one council member and spouse. (This is a flat out lie. None of the Council are interested in going up to Indy for the Indiana Cities and Towns meetings. Only one couple go, and they use coupons they get from their son who is a Regional Manager for the Southern Asian operations for their hotel rooms. It is not their fault the budget nor Council allows for any more. You truly do not know what you are talking about. For sure. Me and mine appreciate all of the information brought back from Indy so we may see which bills are pending that affect ALL OF US. If only one Councilmember shows interest, why is he being penalized? Because YOU do not like him? It is so obvious!)
Randy Smith is a New Albany resident and owner of Destinations Booksellers
Peace, NA. After all that, I need a Tylenol. Does he really think he represents you and I, and the rest of New Albany? Only a fool would go along with ideas which have not been researched in their entirety, have no funding for, and has no knowledge of history and how things really are. All I see is a wanna be "power-monger". I'm allowed my opinions, just as you are allowed to disagree with them! Isn't America a wonderful place?
Thursday, February 01, 2007
GRANDBABIES
To those who've asked about the grand babies, we have actually received diagnosis 1 and 2; with # 1 being misdiagnosed.
Austin, the 12 year old misdiagnosed, is having surgery Wednesday on his ankle to remove the bone which broke off. The only thing the Doctor says he can do for his foot (which has been fractured for 2 1/2 years) is to put a tight tennis shoe on it and a brace.
Aiden, the 3 year old, was given one more chance not to get strep throat (4 times in one month), and, unfortunately the Doctor is saying he never really got over it. The Doctor does not want to perform a tonsillectomy on a 3 year old because of complications, but because he is a BIG little boy with BIG tonsils, he'll be operated on soon.
This is going to be one busy grandmother; one busy citizen advocate; one busy person working on "two" businesses in downtown trying to bring them back up to snuff... If I don't get to your comments soon enough, please allow me to apologize up front. Not that I don't care, time is short & sweet. Promise I'll check in every eve, at least.
Take care, New Albany. From what they have told me about my oldest grandson (the misdiagnosis), I have a new lease on life and can breathe. Thanks, again, to the friends and family who care. Take care.
Austin, the 12 year old misdiagnosed, is having surgery Wednesday on his ankle to remove the bone which broke off. The only thing the Doctor says he can do for his foot (which has been fractured for 2 1/2 years) is to put a tight tennis shoe on it and a brace.
Aiden, the 3 year old, was given one more chance not to get strep throat (4 times in one month), and, unfortunately the Doctor is saying he never really got over it. The Doctor does not want to perform a tonsillectomy on a 3 year old because of complications, but because he is a BIG little boy with BIG tonsils, he'll be operated on soon.
This is going to be one busy grandmother; one busy citizen advocate; one busy person working on "two" businesses in downtown trying to bring them back up to snuff... If I don't get to your comments soon enough, please allow me to apologize up front. Not that I don't care, time is short & sweet. Promise I'll check in every eve, at least.
Take care, New Albany. From what they have told me about my oldest grandson (the misdiagnosis), I have a new lease on life and can breathe. Thanks, again, to the friends and family who care. Take care.
The Race For Mayor of "little old" New Albany
The race for Mayor of our fair City has finally started heating up. We now have Garner and Scharlow filed on the Democratic ticket and now Randy Hubbard as the Republican candidate. Our family, and other Dem's in town, received a mailing from former Mayor Doug England announcing he is running on the Democratic ticket also and will announce at the Redman's Club.
All of this is not the reason why the Democrats are in a tizzy right this moment. It doesn't matter the agreement made between Garner, Scharlow and England didn't hold up (the one a polling company called and asked which one of the above would you vote for). A lot of D's I talked to (I didn't get a call) said "none of the above". A lot of D's I've talked to want England. A lot of D's (party officials) want Garner.
The real problem downtown, right this moment amongst the Democrats, is the person serving as Randy Hubbard's campaign manager. This is what downtown is all "abuzz" about today. His name is Larry Dennison (?) and he is a LIFELONG, WELL KNOWN, DEMOCRAT. This subject is of great debate in the City-County building! Democrats are questioning today how "they" are going to heal the party.
Here, I'm being bastardized that I dare even know this man; that I've been on other blogs talking about the man -- not as a politician, but as a human being... Didn't I tell you things were going to heat up at election time? Unfortunately, I don't kid about things like this, too interesting, important and the impact will be felt amongst all, no matter who pulls the rabbit out of the hat.
Now, I feel better (and thanks IAMHOOSIER, for your comments). Everyone can't agree on everything all the time; and you can not make everyone happy; so, hey, have a beer and make yourself happy and do what you can do for this fair City.
After running my flag up against England, Overton and Garner; after attending 12 years worth of meetings and my house being overrun with "legal" documents, there are a lot of people who want business done right. After all, it's not personal, it's just business......... My Business -- Your Business -- THEY work for US; but I certainly don't see it.
All of this is not the reason why the Democrats are in a tizzy right this moment. It doesn't matter the agreement made between Garner, Scharlow and England didn't hold up (the one a polling company called and asked which one of the above would you vote for). A lot of D's I talked to (I didn't get a call) said "none of the above". A lot of D's I've talked to want England. A lot of D's (party officials) want Garner.
The real problem downtown, right this moment amongst the Democrats, is the person serving as Randy Hubbard's campaign manager. This is what downtown is all "abuzz" about today. His name is Larry Dennison (?) and he is a LIFELONG, WELL KNOWN, DEMOCRAT. This subject is of great debate in the City-County building! Democrats are questioning today how "they" are going to heal the party.
Here, I'm being bastardized that I dare even know this man; that I've been on other blogs talking about the man -- not as a politician, but as a human being... Didn't I tell you things were going to heat up at election time? Unfortunately, I don't kid about things like this, too interesting, important and the impact will be felt amongst all, no matter who pulls the rabbit out of the hat.
Now, I feel better (and thanks IAMHOOSIER, for your comments). Everyone can't agree on everything all the time; and you can not make everyone happy; so, hey, have a beer and make yourself happy and do what you can do for this fair City.
After running my flag up against England, Overton and Garner; after attending 12 years worth of meetings and my house being overrun with "legal" documents, there are a lot of people who want business done right. After all, it's not personal, it's just business......... My Business -- Your Business -- THEY work for US; but I certainly don't see it.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Any Ideas Out There?
The following scenario has been going on in New Albany for quite a while now, and this is something Susan and I have been following since 1999. What do we do now? How can we help with this situation anymore?
WHAT'S THIS?????
Today, I traveled back to a spot down the street from my house, which we have been traveling to since 1999 when we found out the Mobile Home Shop on Main Street wasn't on sewers. We found this information through the smoking of the sewer studies performed in 1999. We went to the area and photographed and documented and submitted to the Sewer Board that the Mobile Home Shop and the Church with the Clock Tower are each on "septic" systems.
The City put flags into the yard of the house attached to the Mobile Home Shop, but, you got it, they never came back. While we were down there, if you walk down the alley between Tumblebus and the Mobile Home Shop, you will see the sewage from the building across the street running down that alley.
This would be the reason I warned "Lawman" on another blog about the sewer situation in that area; and how, when they tore the building down on the corner, it was running across the street, also. There are historical Underground Railroad Tunnels in that area, which to us, shouldn't interfere with the City getting these buildings on sewers.
The Mobile Home Shop has a kicker with it. Two years ago, the City and EMC came in and instead of say draining the stuff out of the septic in the basement, they jackhammered it up. The City now wants to charge her the full amount of the tap-in fee, and she has to pay for a lateral to run all the way back to the railroad track. We do not know if there is a "main" line back there, or if this is another section that is incomplete.
The Sewer Board's position is they can do no work on private property. They should not have gone in and jackhammered the concrete basement floor up, then, right? To us, there should at least be a tort claim for the damage and repair to the basement, and then we may want to discuss tap-in fees for somebody the City has know at least (and we feel before) weren't on the sewers, and were not included in the "Plan".
I would ask the City what about the glass company across the street? What about the Church? What about on down Main with the antique shop, the building where Schmitt furniture stores their inventory, the building on down (on the same side of the street) where Abe's Rental use to be? The same thing is going on in the alley there as is besides Tumblebus and the Mobile Home Shop, which makes us wonder if the City ever went back to the Ellsby Building and finished checking. They stopped when the FBI raided the "mortgage company" which use to be there.
So many questions, so many issues. We proved all of this before a State Hearing, and even Mayor Garner used my analysis and spoke against it. There was nothing he could do when he came in to office because the so-called "Plan" and contracts were all signed; bonds sold; blah, blah, blah...
1999...the books are located at the sewer plant and labeled the SSES (Sewer System Evaluation Study), and go by "mini-basin". The Engineers should have, and supposedly did look at, that SSES study to come up with a "Plan"; it was called the "modeling" portion. All of the expansion this City has done to accommodate the County and Developers, when most of the County residents don't even want sewers and part of our downtown isn't even on the sewers -- well, I best leave unsaid what I feel.
There are other areas of town, but I'll save those for another day. Thanks for any ideas you may have.
Friday, January 26, 2007
An Instant Link For Election Info:
It's been verified; Randy Hubbard filed on the Republican ticket for Mayor of New Albany. Quite a gathering was there for the announcement; and it should be on your local news station tonight. Peace, NA.
http://www.floydcounty.in.gov/clerk.asp
then link to
http://www.floydcounty.in.gov/clerk.asp/pdfs/Candidates2007.pdf
More later...
http://www.floydcounty.in.gov/clerk.asp
then link to
http://www.floydcounty.in.gov/clerk.asp/pdfs/Candidates2007.pdf
More later...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
SEWERS -- MILLIONS - MEETING - 3:30 PM Today
Surprise, surprise, surprise. The cave-in happened on E 15th St. The sewer board meeting today at 3:30 pm is where the Engineers will be picked, through RFP's, to "study" the problem. The pipe is made out of terra cotta, in case you are wondering the age of same.
After all the millions spent between Spring & Elm in this area; after (and we're verifying same) receiving credits two administrations ago for fixing this issue, we are at a loss for words.
Sewer Board is already talking about having to move the pipe and run the sewer a different direction. This company will have to perform several soil tests, etc., to find a suitable place for same (millions, not a million like some are being told). I asked specifically about the storm drain in the area and they told me it was running parallel to the collapsed sewer. Wouldn't you think they both would be giving and maybe both have to be moved?
Today, 3:30, 3rd Floor. Peace, New Albany.
After all the millions spent between Spring & Elm in this area; after (and we're verifying same) receiving credits two administrations ago for fixing this issue, we are at a loss for words.
Sewer Board is already talking about having to move the pipe and run the sewer a different direction. This company will have to perform several soil tests, etc., to find a suitable place for same (millions, not a million like some are being told). I asked specifically about the storm drain in the area and they told me it was running parallel to the collapsed sewer. Wouldn't you think they both would be giving and maybe both have to be moved?
Today, 3:30, 3rd Floor. Peace, New Albany.
TIDBITS, THIS & THAT
Least it slip my mind, Happy Birthday Mrs. Mauch! Hope you saw your birthday greetings in the Tribune from ALL YOUR FRIENDS in New Albany. May I be so blessed to live to the ripe old age of 92 and still have your faculties! Susan and I have often wished someone could take the time and sit down with you about the illustrious history of New Albany...back when we had bootleggers and the such. The stories you know, along with the people, could fill two books & be a bestseller!
Rumors abounded last week about a certain Republican throwing their hat into the ring for the position of Mayor of New Albany. The rumor came around again today, through a golden source. If it is true, Randy Hubbard will run for Mayor for the Republican party in the upcoming election.
Police and Firefighters Union are meeting furiously, working out their contracts with the Mayor, and the Council Committee. Not sure if any progress is being made, or not.
Being so tired of some Council members calling their "Budget Variance Report" the greenbar, simply because it is printed on greenbar paper...I have a suggestion for all of Council. If the Mayor, nor his Assistant, will meet with Department heads and figure out if they are over or under their budget, I surely do wish this Council would call EACH department head and have them appear before the Council once a month explaining where they are on their respective budgets. Council holds the purse strings; can we at least hear the Department heads explain why they need all the additional appropriations, and why certain items were not in the budgets submitted to Council? Accountability in its truest fashion. Government budgets are set; and having worked for the Federal government -- by gosh, if you didn't get it in the new budget -- you put it down for the next year...not hound dog the authorities so you can keep spending OUTSIDE of same. Matter of fact, there weren't additional appropriations to be had. Budget hearings usually lasted two to three days, with some all nighters, a lot of yelling, and of course not everyone got what they wanted. They survived, though. And, the BIG BOSS, always had that monthly meeting with his department heads making them explain the variances (if any) from their respective budgets.
Did you hear the next Presidential election will cost each candidate over one billion (ONE BILLION) dollars, of public money of course. Can you imagine what these candidates could do for the people for a BILLION dollars? How about universal healthcare? Bring our soldiers home from IRAQ asap, account for the monies missing in action meant to rebuild Iraq and the billions spent through Halliburton.
I'm dreaming tonight, of course...but last time I checked, a body can do such a thing.
Blogging is bringing back the written word. One good thing about all of the various mediums we have at our disposal now. Later...
Rumors abounded last week about a certain Republican throwing their hat into the ring for the position of Mayor of New Albany. The rumor came around again today, through a golden source. If it is true, Randy Hubbard will run for Mayor for the Republican party in the upcoming election.
Police and Firefighters Union are meeting furiously, working out their contracts with the Mayor, and the Council Committee. Not sure if any progress is being made, or not.
Being so tired of some Council members calling their "Budget Variance Report" the greenbar, simply because it is printed on greenbar paper...I have a suggestion for all of Council. If the Mayor, nor his Assistant, will meet with Department heads and figure out if they are over or under their budget, I surely do wish this Council would call EACH department head and have them appear before the Council once a month explaining where they are on their respective budgets. Council holds the purse strings; can we at least hear the Department heads explain why they need all the additional appropriations, and why certain items were not in the budgets submitted to Council? Accountability in its truest fashion. Government budgets are set; and having worked for the Federal government -- by gosh, if you didn't get it in the new budget -- you put it down for the next year...not hound dog the authorities so you can keep spending OUTSIDE of same. Matter of fact, there weren't additional appropriations to be had. Budget hearings usually lasted two to three days, with some all nighters, a lot of yelling, and of course not everyone got what they wanted. They survived, though. And, the BIG BOSS, always had that monthly meeting with his department heads making them explain the variances (if any) from their respective budgets.
Did you hear the next Presidential election will cost each candidate over one billion (ONE BILLION) dollars, of public money of course. Can you imagine what these candidates could do for the people for a BILLION dollars? How about universal healthcare? Bring our soldiers home from IRAQ asap, account for the monies missing in action meant to rebuild Iraq and the billions spent through Halliburton.
I'm dreaming tonight, of course...but last time I checked, a body can do such a thing.
Blogging is bringing back the written word. One good thing about all of the various mediums we have at our disposal now. Later...
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Other News
Did anyone else hear about the two barges which broke loose in Louisville? I heard one is stuck in the locks and they think it is empty; while another one sunk by the Sherman Minton with a load of fertilizer on it. Did it hit the bridge? We didn't hear a word of it on the news, but someone in Louisville called saying they heard it on the noon news.
Things are a'happening...guess we would have heard helicopters, or something, if they had hit the bridge. Wouldn't you think they could keep those things moored? Twice within one year? And, if this is true, what kind of fertilizer was it and is it dangerous to the water quality. We sure would like to know, wouldn't you?
Things are a'happening...guess we would have heard helicopters, or something, if they had hit the bridge. Wouldn't you think they could keep those things moored? Twice within one year? And, if this is true, what kind of fertilizer was it and is it dangerous to the water quality. We sure would like to know, wouldn't you?
Monday, January 15, 2007
Blog Land, Part 2
Yes, we all knew it was coming to this. Been leading up for awhile that SPEAKOUTLOUDNA.BLOGSPOT.COM was being used for "Freedom Of Speech's" playground.
After speaking with a great number of people, we feel all credibility is gone with "FOS", we have begged them to open their blog, but no...they posted again on SOLNA down under the NAPP article with a threat.
Well, deal with this one...this blog is now with a Moderator for awhile, also. I get to decide who will comment and if it's appropriate and pertains to the issue at hand. The options are simply running out, aren't they?
If I felt I knew, or even understood what your intentions are, I might wish you good luck. Since I don't, well, better left unsaid. Sure do wish you had left SOLNA along and let it become on of NA's rare places of "Freedom of Speech", with anonymous comments; but EastEnder understands that with OUR right of Freedom of Speech comes responsibility for OUR words and OUR actions.
We, all of us, don't care to hear about it anymore. Peace.
After speaking with a great number of people, we feel all credibility is gone with "FOS", we have begged them to open their blog, but no...they posted again on SOLNA down under the NAPP article with a threat.
Well, deal with this one...this blog is now with a Moderator for awhile, also. I get to decide who will comment and if it's appropriate and pertains to the issue at hand. The options are simply running out, aren't they?
If I felt I knew, or even understood what your intentions are, I might wish you good luck. Since I don't, well, better left unsaid. Sure do wish you had left SOLNA along and let it become on of NA's rare places of "Freedom of Speech", with anonymous comments; but EastEnder understands that with OUR right of Freedom of Speech comes responsibility for OUR words and OUR actions.
We, all of us, don't care to hear about it anymore. Peace.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
We Are Marshall
This movie is haunting me, in more ways than one. Marshall University, in Huntington, W VA, is 20 minutes from Ashland, KY, where I was born.
In 1970, I remember where I was, what I was doing and how traumatized our whole tri-state area was when this event occurred.
Every sportscaster on all 3 TV networks were killed. The entire football team were killed. One of the football players had graduated from my alma mater, Russell Independent HS and they had his funeral in our school, with Glee Club singing (of which I was a member of for four years).
This is something I lived through and was impacted and traumatized by as a sophomore in highschool. Can I relive it through a movie screen? Will it bring back memories and emotions I've tried to bury? Will flashbacks occur? If they do, they are not going to be pleasant.
The description in the paper describes it as PG, for emotion thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language. Sounds like I may need nerves made of steel, but I've made up my mind I must see it; it's history -- part of my history.
If anyone else has watched it, without the emotional involvement I'm going to have, I would like to hear your comments. Thanks.
In 1970, I remember where I was, what I was doing and how traumatized our whole tri-state area was when this event occurred.
Every sportscaster on all 3 TV networks were killed. The entire football team were killed. One of the football players had graduated from my alma mater, Russell Independent HS and they had his funeral in our school, with Glee Club singing (of which I was a member of for four years).
This is something I lived through and was impacted and traumatized by as a sophomore in highschool. Can I relive it through a movie screen? Will it bring back memories and emotions I've tried to bury? Will flashbacks occur? If they do, they are not going to be pleasant.
The description in the paper describes it as PG, for emotion thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language. Sounds like I may need nerves made of steel, but I've made up my mind I must see it; it's history -- part of my history.
If anyone else has watched it, without the emotional involvement I'm going to have, I would like to hear your comments. Thanks.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Blog Land in New Albany...
Every once in awhile, I have time to visit all the blogs I know about in New Albany, and elsewhere. Every now and then I learn something new about something, i.e., Heathblogger letting us know who now serves on the Floyd County Hospital Board of Directors.
Maybe one day soon I'll even have time to figure out how to link to all of them! My brother-in-law tried to help me figure that "thang" out on Christmas Day, but we didn't succeed. All in good time.
Diggin' in the Dirt always has useful information, along with beautiful photography. Something else I need to learn how to do...
Speak Out Loud NA is simply allowing "certain" people to play to their heart's content out there...exposing who they are and what they are up to. After noticing an anonymous comment last week about "is there a turf war on Main Street?", my curiosity was peaked, so to speak. After reviewing more comments posted anonymously on there, I would have to say it sure seems like there is, doesn't it?
Having received a booklet from Indiana Cities and Towns last year explaining blogging and how much they would "effect" public elections in the future, I realized they were right on the money.
Elections are always treated as "sacred" on my part, what with my very first vote being challenged when I was 18 years old. While serving as 3rd Precinct Committeeperson, I worked like a dog from about 4 am to 8 or 9 pm, taking care of business. We always had 1 particular person at the door at 5 til 6, making sure that poll was open at 6 am. I would insist he be the first to vote, rather than the workers that day, just because of his devotion in making sure things were "right". This position can make you a nervous wreck, there are so many documents as Inspector you have to swear your life away to with every piece of paper you put your name to.
There was one time an older gentleman came in and told me he simply wanted to vote for President and Vice-President and he told me he did not have to be registered. Luckily, I had thumbed through all of the different "types" of ballots in the briefcase they provide for you, and sure enough -- there was a ballot for voting just for President and VP, and sure enough, you didn't have to be registered to vote in order to do same. Truly a big lesson learned by me that day, and I am so thankful I didn't question his "authority" he aired while talking to me about the subject. Does that mean, I wonder, this person could go to every poll and vote doing that? Or, did he simply have to live in my precinct? I was left wondering about the issue, but "assume" (and we all know what that will get me) the voter simply has to live in the precinct where they're voting. What a wonderful right to have which I wasn't even aware we had.
But, after having successfully doing my volunteer civic work in running this precinct, I felt it was time to move on and let someone else handle the job. Missy Jacobs (the attorney Bill Allen's daughter) is an excellent worker and will do well as the 3rd Precinct Democrat Committeeperson.
The blogs will really start heating up once the filing date of (I think) January 23rd rolls around, but I promised you the link to all of the election information, and here it is: http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/pdfs/CAN42_2007.pdf . Thanks to the New Albanian for correcting same.
Take care, New Albany.
Maybe one day soon I'll even have time to figure out how to link to all of them! My brother-in-law tried to help me figure that "thang" out on Christmas Day, but we didn't succeed. All in good time.
Diggin' in the Dirt always has useful information, along with beautiful photography. Something else I need to learn how to do...
Speak Out Loud NA is simply allowing "certain" people to play to their heart's content out there...exposing who they are and what they are up to. After noticing an anonymous comment last week about "is there a turf war on Main Street?", my curiosity was peaked, so to speak. After reviewing more comments posted anonymously on there, I would have to say it sure seems like there is, doesn't it?
Having received a booklet from Indiana Cities and Towns last year explaining blogging and how much they would "effect" public elections in the future, I realized they were right on the money.
Elections are always treated as "sacred" on my part, what with my very first vote being challenged when I was 18 years old. While serving as 3rd Precinct Committeeperson, I worked like a dog from about 4 am to 8 or 9 pm, taking care of business. We always had 1 particular person at the door at 5 til 6, making sure that poll was open at 6 am. I would insist he be the first to vote, rather than the workers that day, just because of his devotion in making sure things were "right". This position can make you a nervous wreck, there are so many documents as Inspector you have to swear your life away to with every piece of paper you put your name to.
There was one time an older gentleman came in and told me he simply wanted to vote for President and Vice-President and he told me he did not have to be registered. Luckily, I had thumbed through all of the different "types" of ballots in the briefcase they provide for you, and sure enough -- there was a ballot for voting just for President and VP, and sure enough, you didn't have to be registered to vote in order to do same. Truly a big lesson learned by me that day, and I am so thankful I didn't question his "authority" he aired while talking to me about the subject. Does that mean, I wonder, this person could go to every poll and vote doing that? Or, did he simply have to live in my precinct? I was left wondering about the issue, but "assume" (and we all know what that will get me) the voter simply has to live in the precinct where they're voting. What a wonderful right to have which I wasn't even aware we had.
But, after having successfully doing my volunteer civic work in running this precinct, I felt it was time to move on and let someone else handle the job. Missy Jacobs (the attorney Bill Allen's daughter) is an excellent worker and will do well as the 3rd Precinct Democrat Committeeperson.
The blogs will really start heating up once the filing date of (I think) January 23rd rolls around, but I promised you the link to all of the election information, and here it is: http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/pdfs/CAN42_2007.pdf . Thanks to the New Albanian for correcting same.
Take care, New Albany.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Being Angry, as a Citizen
The news tonight truly angered me and mine, about what else of course but the "war". It's not enough the American public was lied to about the reasons for invading Iraq; it's not enough how badly things are going and unraveling, day by day; it's not enough how many of our troops have been killed and maimed; and for what? Why are we still discussing this topic and not getting the hey out of Dodge?
An up or down vote on whether Congress agrees with the President's new proposal; after he has ignored the Baker - Hamilton report; after he has ignored his own General on the ground; over EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS UNACCOUNTED for -- supposedly missing somewhere in the "new" Iraqi government; it's just more than this body can hardly handle. What's left to talk about? Get frigging busy. Jon Stewart did a count down tonight of how many days the new Congress has been in and what has been accomplished. Cancellation of a session because of a bowl game? Tape the durn thing.
The Doctor says I have low blood pressure and low cholesterol, and I'm thankful for that...but the Dr. may have wanted to have been around tonight because I found myself just carrying on talking to the TV like someone could really hear me, besides my company.
To hear the President say these people have no conscience was almost the breaking point. I would say to you Mr. President, I feel you have no conscience. You seemed extremely uncomfortable when you handed the family the award for their son who died for us. I almost felt you couldn't look them in the eyes.
Condi accused of not being truthful before the Congress by her own party, saying we are not in the middle of a Shiite and Sunni showdown at high noon. I'm glad someone told her that just wasn't true, and her own party, too.
I don't feel this is a party issue of any kind. I feel bad decisions were made and we are in another quagmire like Vietnam. I also feel we are probably our own worse enemy.
People protesting Guantanamo Bay all around the world truly startled me. Having lived in Ft. Lauderdale while working, it was always curious to me -- that little place on Cuba.
Wasn't it Hemingway who said the most beautiful island in the world is Cuba? One of my goals was to one day go there after Castro left power but now with his brother in there, I guess that won't happen for awhile.
Enough of my ranting and raving. After we called our Congressman and Senator telling them we didn't even want this war and didn't feel Iraq was a threat to our National Security, I guess we'll get on the phones with 'em again and speak up...evidently someone didn't get the hint when the American public voted.
What's up with that?
An up or down vote on whether Congress agrees with the President's new proposal; after he has ignored the Baker - Hamilton report; after he has ignored his own General on the ground; over EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS UNACCOUNTED for -- supposedly missing somewhere in the "new" Iraqi government; it's just more than this body can hardly handle. What's left to talk about? Get frigging busy. Jon Stewart did a count down tonight of how many days the new Congress has been in and what has been accomplished. Cancellation of a session because of a bowl game? Tape the durn thing.
The Doctor says I have low blood pressure and low cholesterol, and I'm thankful for that...but the Dr. may have wanted to have been around tonight because I found myself just carrying on talking to the TV like someone could really hear me, besides my company.
To hear the President say these people have no conscience was almost the breaking point. I would say to you Mr. President, I feel you have no conscience. You seemed extremely uncomfortable when you handed the family the award for their son who died for us. I almost felt you couldn't look them in the eyes.
Condi accused of not being truthful before the Congress by her own party, saying we are not in the middle of a Shiite and Sunni showdown at high noon. I'm glad someone told her that just wasn't true, and her own party, too.
I don't feel this is a party issue of any kind. I feel bad decisions were made and we are in another quagmire like Vietnam. I also feel we are probably our own worse enemy.
People protesting Guantanamo Bay all around the world truly startled me. Having lived in Ft. Lauderdale while working, it was always curious to me -- that little place on Cuba.
Wasn't it Hemingway who said the most beautiful island in the world is Cuba? One of my goals was to one day go there after Castro left power but now with his brother in there, I guess that won't happen for awhile.
Enough of my ranting and raving. After we called our Congressman and Senator telling them we didn't even want this war and didn't feel Iraq was a threat to our National Security, I guess we'll get on the phones with 'em again and speak up...evidently someone didn't get the hint when the American public voted.
What's up with that?
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
A BIG THANK YOU
A big thank you to all my family members, neighbors and friends have prayed and sent thoughts about my eldest grandson, Austin.
Today, after two years of misdiagnosis we have found it is nothing as serious as leukemia (as we were led to believe), but he has had a fractured ankle and a big chip off of his ankle going on 2 1/2 years now. The Dr. which did the misdiagnosis is the same Doctor which misdiagnosed my other grandchild, the one who had the "tethered spinal cord".
Unfortunately, this is the only pediatrician doctor in her insurance "referral" plan. She had to take Austin out of the "system" and go to an ankle specialist.
But, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your thoughts and prayers. Yvonne
Today, after two years of misdiagnosis we have found it is nothing as serious as leukemia (as we were led to believe), but he has had a fractured ankle and a big chip off of his ankle going on 2 1/2 years now. The Dr. which did the misdiagnosis is the same Doctor which misdiagnosed my other grandchild, the one who had the "tethered spinal cord".
Unfortunately, this is the only pediatrician doctor in her insurance "referral" plan. She had to take Austin out of the "system" and go to an ankle specialist.
But, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your thoughts and prayers. Yvonne
Monday, January 08, 2007
Would any of the taxpayers in New Albany like to see the City Council enact an "ethic" ordinance?
Do any taxpayers feel it is "dual" office holding (as described by the Indiana Attorney General) for a City employee to hold an elected office? Isn't there a tendency, seeing they vote on their own salaries and department issues?
Do any taxpayers feel an "elected" official or an "appointed" official should have to be property owners (the ones that pay the bills that kill) in order to serve constituents by being a friend to the taxpayer?
Mayor Garner's home is not in his name; nor Tim Dietrich; nor John Alton, who wants to run for office (btw, never met him -- may be a perfect gentleman). BUT, New Albany needs QUALIFIED, PAID THEIR DUES, KNOW WHAT TAXES AND MONTHLY VARIANCE REPORTS ARE, ETC. Don't you think?
These are issues we would like to see addressed; along side refunding the dilapidated building fund. A fund is NEVER ALLOWED to be in the RED, and we can find that ordinance where Council ordered each year it to be funded. Where is it?
As the late great Gerald R. Ford said -- "we can disagree, but don't have to be disagreeable". Thanks for your ideas.
Here's a joke for you...the very first time I ran for Mayor, voters told me I MUST WEAR A RED IU shirt, because they know I am a Kentucky fan (GO CATS). You have to have a sense of humor to recognize the very first thing the prospective voter asked of me was to LIE about my sports allegiance. Too funny.
Do any taxpayers feel it is "dual" office holding (as described by the Indiana Attorney General) for a City employee to hold an elected office? Isn't there a tendency, seeing they vote on their own salaries and department issues?
Do any taxpayers feel an "elected" official or an "appointed" official should have to be property owners (the ones that pay the bills that kill) in order to serve constituents by being a friend to the taxpayer?
Mayor Garner's home is not in his name; nor Tim Dietrich; nor John Alton, who wants to run for office (btw, never met him -- may be a perfect gentleman). BUT, New Albany needs QUALIFIED, PAID THEIR DUES, KNOW WHAT TAXES AND MONTHLY VARIANCE REPORTS ARE, ETC. Don't you think?
These are issues we would like to see addressed; along side refunding the dilapidated building fund. A fund is NEVER ALLOWED to be in the RED, and we can find that ordinance where Council ordered each year it to be funded. Where is it?
As the late great Gerald R. Ford said -- "we can disagree, but don't have to be disagreeable". Thanks for your ideas.
Here's a joke for you...the very first time I ran for Mayor, voters told me I MUST WEAR A RED IU shirt, because they know I am a Kentucky fan (GO CATS). You have to have a sense of humor to recognize the very first thing the prospective voter asked of me was to LIE about my sports allegiance. Too funny.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR
As we rest up from the holidays, traveling and the stress, to all a very Happy New Year.
Rest up for 2007; pshew, makes me tired simply thinking about the upcoming election year.
The only question I have is: Are there going to be real issues, or are the people now in office going to be the real issues? Let us ponder on that thought as we anxiously await the filing date of all hopeful politicos!
PEACE ! ! !
Rest up for 2007; pshew, makes me tired simply thinking about the upcoming election year.
The only question I have is: Are there going to be real issues, or are the people now in office going to be the real issues? Let us ponder on that thought as we anxiously await the filing date of all hopeful politicos!
PEACE ! ! !
Friday, December 15, 2006
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Opening the mail today I discovered a truly delightful Christmas card from a neighbor. Thank you kindly, neighbor. We are trying to get ours' out asap, but with a lot going on inside our family -- well, we'll have to see how far we get. No time for taxpayer meetings, politics, etc.
Meanwhile, please allow me to share these thoughts penned onto this card. It is entitled My Christmas List of Blessings written by Vicki J. Kuyper:
My Christmas List is more than just a way to keep track of the special people God has brought into my life to love.
It's like a treasured scrapbook filled with pleasant memories of all the times God's answered prayer through friends and family.
Every name's a touchstone that leads to a place and time,
where God has used another's heart to reach out and touch mine.
It may have happened years ago or even yesterday,
but every person on my list has changed my life some way.
Through simple conversation, a warm hug or a shared meal,
every person on my list has helped me grow or heal, or laugh or love or learn or smile...The blessings never end as God allows our paths to cross as family and friends.
So please know that this greeting is more than a Christmas wish. It's a "thank you" card to God for putting on my list each and every one whose name I've come to hold so dear...
Those who've shown me Christmas joy each day of the year.
From me and mine to you and yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Til after the holidays.......:)
Meanwhile, please allow me to share these thoughts penned onto this card. It is entitled My Christmas List of Blessings written by Vicki J. Kuyper:
"My Christmas List of Blessings"
My Christmas List is more than just a way to keep track of the special people God has brought into my life to love.
It's like a treasured scrapbook filled with pleasant memories of all the times God's answered prayer through friends and family.
Every name's a touchstone that leads to a place and time,
where God has used another's heart to reach out and touch mine.
It may have happened years ago or even yesterday,
but every person on my list has changed my life some way.
Through simple conversation, a warm hug or a shared meal,
every person on my list has helped me grow or heal, or laugh or love or learn or smile...The blessings never end as God allows our paths to cross as family and friends.
So please know that this greeting is more than a Christmas wish. It's a "thank you" card to God for putting on my list each and every one whose name I've come to hold so dear...
Those who've shown me Christmas joy each day of the year.
From me and mine to you and yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Til after the holidays.......:)
Saturday, December 02, 2006
E V A N B A Y H F O R P R E S I D E N T
It 'twas good reading the Courier-Journal article about "Bayh will take step toward running for president", by David Espe with the AP today December 2, 2006.
"Elected Indiana's (our) governor in 1988, he was the first Democrat in 20 years to hold that office and -- at 33 -- the younges state chief executive in the United States." Powerful statement and achievement.
Living in Indiana, it was with pride when you read about his political career and accomplishments. One of the sentences "Bayh was often referred to as a "Republicrat" who courted the middle." Hmmmmm. Sounds bi-partisan to me. "His approval rating was 79% in a state (our great state Indiana) that hasn't voted for a Democrat presidential nominee since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide." Powerful sentence; a true sign of what I feel is needed in this great country of ours right now. Working together --what an idea.
Bayh "drew national notice, too, as his tenure as governor neared an end. He was tapped to give the keynote address at the 1996 Democratic National Convention and was elected to the Senate two years later."
This article goes on to state some of the positions he has taken while Senator of the great state of Indiana. Among the ones listed are: Bayh voted against confirmation of Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito; opposed legislation to open a portion of an Artic wildlife refuge to oil drilling (near and dear to my families' heart); and supported and comprehensive immigration bill that included a path to citizenship for millions of men and women in the country illegally. Thank you, Senator. We appreciate those efforts.
The article goes on to talk about Bayh being the son of Birch Bayh, who won three terms in the Senate from Indiana before losing his seat in the Republican landslide of 1980.
"Elected Indiana's (our) governor in 1988, he was the first Democrat in 20 years to hold that office and -- at 33 -- the younges state chief executive in the United States." Powerful statement and achievement.
Living in Indiana, it was with pride when you read about his political career and accomplishments. One of the sentences "Bayh was often referred to as a "Republicrat" who courted the middle." Hmmmmm. Sounds bi-partisan to me. "His approval rating was 79% in a state (our great state Indiana) that hasn't voted for a Democrat presidential nominee since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide." Powerful sentence; a true sign of what I feel is needed in this great country of ours right now. Working together --what an idea.
Bayh "drew national notice, too, as his tenure as governor neared an end. He was tapped to give the keynote address at the 1996 Democratic National Convention and was elected to the Senate two years later."
This article goes on to state some of the positions he has taken while Senator of the great state of Indiana. Among the ones listed are: Bayh voted against confirmation of Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito; opposed legislation to open a portion of an Artic wildlife refuge to oil drilling (near and dear to my families' heart); and supported and comprehensive immigration bill that included a path to citizenship for millions of men and women in the country illegally. Thank you, Senator. We appreciate those efforts.
The article goes on to talk about Bayh being the son of Birch Bayh, who won three terms in the Senate from Indiana before losing his seat in the Republican landslide of 1980.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)