The First True Test of New Albany's City Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Florida "Experience"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back from fishing, unfortunately. Sweet, sweet reality. Today's posting will be short and sweet because of the backup of chores needing accomplished on this end of things.

We know AT&T and some others have come clean on what they turned over to the National Security Advisory Committee. We are still urging citizens to fill out the following form and mail it to your communications company, no matter whom they may be and ask the following:

Are You Helping The Government Invade My Privacy?

Revelations regarding the Bush administration's illegal and warrantless spying on Americans have shown that some major telecommunications companies are enabling this illegal spying by allowing the National Security Agency to directly tap into their information pipelines.

As your customer, I expect you to treat my personal communications as totally private - no different than a letter that I write in a sealed envelope. This is my right under the U.S. Constitution. I do not intend to forfeit it and I don't expect you to forfeit it for me.

The content of my communications should not be read by anyone without a warrant issued by a judge. No warrant, no information.

Please write me at the address below to let me know what you are doing to safeguard my privacy and assure me that you are not allowing the NSA to tap into your information pipeline or helping the government violate my privacy in any other way.

Please make your company's policy on this critical issues crystal clear with a prompt response.

NAME:______________________________________________

ADDRESS:___________________________________________

Personally, I think this may be worth a lot of people's times and energies. Thoughts for the day. Gotta catch up from all that fishing. Have a good one New Albany.

Our musings today go towards the Courier-Journal and Mr. Provano being able to reprint those important articles today so all ratepayers and taxpayers and property owners know what is going on downtown.

Getting away from the prior postings I have put down, eternally I guess, my reactions again this morning from reading about the sewers ONE MORE TIME makes me physically ill.

Will someone answer me, especially Mayor James Garner, why are we not laying the blame for this failed "PLAN" at someone else's feet, not ours. Why after you swore this "PLAN" would not work are you so vigorously defending it? Why do you not go after the Engineers and whomever else that led us down this path? Why?

You and I both know where we stand on these issues, Mr. Mayor. Neither one of us can distance ourselves from the issues of the sewers or the monies; because of their entertwinement.

We are looking at the financials now that were released to the public and to the Sewer Board. I'll have to get back to you on that one; gonna go "fishing" and figure it out.

Meanwhile New Albany, have a great Memorial Day Weekend. PLEASE remember Memorial Day morning and the celebrations held in honor of our Veterans on Market and the back side of the VFW on Main. It is truly inspiring to watch the ceremonies and the wreaths laid in honors of all Veterans, from all Wars, including fallen Nurses.

We have the honor of knowing a lady on our street whom lays the wreath for the Nurses. This is one event I will miss while I go "fishing" this weekend!

Twas just another day in the City of New Albany regarding politics. The Tribune read bad enough, but when the Courier articles are republished tomorrow (cos their presses went down last night), town will truly be chirping

Where was I on how I got into this thing call New Albany politics. Yeah, that's right -- my very first vote was challenged (and gotta admit, I didn't even know what that meant). From then on, I have taken the right to vote seriously.

After leaving Flatwoods for Lexington, KY and then Louisville with a couple of children by then, I have to admit I didn't have time for politics. When I moved to Jeffersontown and joined a bowling league in order to meet people in the area, I got involved with the ex late Mayor Potts Mayoral election campaign (his daughter was on my team). Mayor Potts won.

My next foray into politics came when John Y. Brown ran for the Governor of Kentucky. So strongly did I believe in this man's ability to govern, I volunteered front row and center for his first campaign. His re-election campaign -- right there, front row and center, but not feeling too good about things this time around. Kentuckians seemed to resent John Y for what I considered a foolish reason, and that would have been his trips to Vegas. All I could say was at least he was spending his own monies! But no, Wallace Wilkinson promised the lottery to solve all Kentucky's problems. Dismal night that election night.

The next political campaign came about through my computer consultanting contacts. Harvey Sloane was running for re-election as Mayor for Louisville and they needed someone to handle the PAC monies. Tapped for the job, and admiring Harvey Sloane as a politician and as a person, it was a different type of experience. You win some and you lose some -- life in general.

Thoughts for today.

Seems everyone in New Albany has a blog these days. Looking through all of them, they sure are pretty durn interesting.

A couple seem to deal with issues, the others (to me, of course) seem political in nature.

Never having planned on ever getting wrapped up in New Albany (or anyone else's, for that matter) politics, I have come a long way, baby.

Don't get me wrong. All of the cities I have lived in, alone? The only two ways, as a consultant, I knew in order to make friends would be to join a bowling league and join my local Democrat Party.

My parents were split - 1 Democrat, the other Republican. I came down on the side of Democrat because of my very first election. 1972, oh what a good year. Nixon was running -- he even came to little ole Ashland, KY and promised us all up there he would build us a new National Guard Armory. Looked like he had it locked up to me, which he did. It is what happened the first time I voted, and I gotta admit, I was leaning towards Nixon.

As I approached the polls, a neighbor of my grandmother's was head of the Republican party and I had stayed with my grandmother for a few months and had recently married and moved. It had not been even been 3 weeks since I had moved. Unfortunately, my path as an 18 year old was blocked at the polls and I was told by this person my vote would be challenged unless I went in and voted straight Republican.

Well, you know, I gotta say I found that to be kind of odd, and extremely intimidating. I asked on what grounds and she named because I had moved and it had been longer than the 30 days. I told her that just was not true, and she told me it didn't matter what I said, either or.

Well, I went in to that poll booth and got to thinking about some things. The one thing which crossed my mind was -- how is she going to know how I vote? And, if she does know, we have a serious problem here. 18, and already trying to figure it out. Needless to say, I pulled the other switch, straight Democrat and have not looked back since.

I'm still looking at all members in all parties, because I think you can find them if you look for them.

As you can tell, this will be a political blog; the difference being I am being straight up about it.

Take care New Albany, and we'll be talking more.