Mayor England broke ground on the Spring St Hill project Friday. I know many people pushed for this street to be opened because it is one of the roads to access Silver Hills. I understand that they need quick access in case of a fire or someone needs an ambulance.
I just wish they had replaced the fire station on West Main which was torn down to accommodate the waste treatment plant expansion.
The Spring St. Hill road repair will cost $1,325,000. That's a lot of TIF money and block grants. How many people will this help? Yes, I know this was a campaign promise. But I can't help but wonder what could be done for the entire first district with ONE MILLION, THREE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS! I can't even imagine. Just think what could be done to help Pine View School, open a community center, create a park (with a playground), repair/restore/replace dilapidated houses, the list goes on. Call me a dreamer (or a fool).
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127 comments:
There is a difference between a want and a need. Believe me this is just another example of lack of leadership in New Albany.
Love your blog Shirley
DIDN'T HE ALSO PROMISE TAXPAYER HE WOULD KEEP TAXES DOWN? AT THIS RATE OF SPENDING MY PROPERTY TAXES WILL DOUBLE NEXT YEAR.
The mayor and his Deputy Mayor need to drive around the streets in the West End and see the unsafe houses that are a danger to the families in them.
It should be his TOP PRIORITY to help us clean up the West End.
The mayor and his Deputy Mayor need to drive around the streets in the West End and see the unsafe houses that are a danger to the families in them.
It should be his TOP PRIORITY to help us clean up the West End.
England's too busy figuring out his next move.
His 8 year history of mismanaging taxpayers money should make every New Albany taxpayer skeptical of any decision he makes. Let's not all be railroaded into accepting an enormously expensive plan that doesn't seem to address the real problems of New Albany.
And you all voted England back into office. Shame on you!
The next way through which taxpayers money is stolen, rather than being wasted is the hide and seek way. Think about it. Why do they krrp moving money from fund to fund?
Local government fools us citizens again.
The Comptroller must have the courage to use the office's "bully pulpit" to promote an honest dialogue about the serious challenges we face such as the need to consolidate local government. Us taxpayers are literally drowning in a sea of local government. The Comptroller's Office can and should be part of the solution.
Our local government is now a tax and spend mistake. They spend and we pay for all their mistakes.
President Gahan should take immediate action to stop over spending and wasteful spending by imposing a hiring freeze, halting purchasing and contracting activities and setting monthly spending limits for a department.
"The current England administration is spending more money than our budget allows his next move will be asking for a tax increase, sewer rate increase and garbage increase at the same time.
You watch and see.
New Albany residents simply cannot afford to pay for Englands mismanagement, noe should we have to. We need to hold officials accountable for the misuse of taxpayer dollars, something we residents deserve. Throw the crooks out.
Great blog Mrs. Shirley.
It is fair to say there have been some ups and downs in the past with England. I don't want to dwell on those. I intend to focus on the future of New Albany.
WHAT FUTURE?
GO CRAWL BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK.
WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE WEST END?
ENGLAND NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT TAXPAYERS MONEY AND RATEPAYERS MONEY IS BEING USED EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
WAKE UP NEW ALBANY, WERE BEING SCAMMED.
What is clear to me is that it is not acceptable, and I'm sure you'll all agree it is not politically substainable, to simply keep on putting rates up year after year. Or even every other year.
Anonymous 1:14
The simple fact is that one size doesn't fit all. The West End has been neglected since Reginia was in office. Let's see you live on about $12,000 or even Social Security. Our West End deserves better and England knows it.
Economic development in New Albany is absolutely crucial to New Albany's future growth potential.
All of these have some merit, but all have some difficulties as well. At this stage what I can say is that there is a danger of rushing in and designing all sorts of new structures at the expense of actually thinking about what outcomes we are after.
I know this city can do better. New Albany can achieve great things if we all pull together and throw these bums (crooks) out.
New Albany has been named and shamed as the worst performing council ever. The GANG of 4 is very much missed by me. Do you all agree?
There is a significant risk that our council will not be able to maintain an adequate level of improvement given the financial pressure it is currently facing, most notably, but not exclusively, meeting Englands funding commitments(political paybacks.)
Funny - nobody mentions the word "accountability" in all this. The worst performing council in the history of this town. Blame everybodt else. Can someone explain?
The people who made this mess is now back in control. He's doing it with taxpayers money, and he's doing it with our future.
Same players, same greed!
What's England's "TOP PRIORITY" other than lining his own pockets.
I didn't vote him back in office.
I read in the Trib that the money for the Spring St hill rebuild also included funds for sidewalks along W8 & W9th Sts as well as W Spring & W Market. I think that will help the West End a bit.
There are several sidewalks on Culbertson & Thomas that have large breaks in them with roots you have to step over. I know it may not seem like much, but there's alot more investment than in our neck of the woods where you can mow the street. I'd be grateful.
I know I went on about the West End but that is where I live.
I understand the "Concentrated Code Enforcement Officer" will be concentrating on the East End so maybe those sidewalks at Culbertson & Thomas Sts. on on the "to do" list.
This is absurd, if this were to fix a street that went into the "west end" you all would be singing Mayor's praises, but because it's dealing with somewhere else, it's favoritism?
Wouldn't a new park be classified as a want?
Do they not deserve this street to be fixed?
Also, where was it stated that the Concentrated Enforcement Officer will be in the East End? I think that's a rumor.
I never said other parts of the city don't deserve to be fixed. But you must admit, Anon 1:28 that the west end lacks a lot of necessities, a fire station for instance. That is certainly not a "want".
Also, this is the only part of the city that does not have a park.
As far as the concentrated code enforcement officer, I have heard that from many sources that this person will begin their duties in the east end specifically the SEJ neighborhood because the need is great.
I have nothing against the SEJ neighborhood. I have several friends who live in that area and I admire Ted Fulmore and his neighborhood association.
Isn't that Baylor's area also? This is what happens Shirley when you kiss alot of butt! My question to all your readers; Is where are they getting all the money for these projects when they don't even have a 2008 budget?
Any takers?
Why don't Baylor just stay in Germany. He fits rather well in with the misfits over there. And just maybe Obama needs to hire him as a foreign wannabe.
one particular person keeps asking what about the people in the west end....
what about everybody in this city? West enders elected the mighty coffey to ease their burdens!
Who wrote it you ask:
"Your comments, sir, makes me want to puke. You are still wet behind the ears...more than your labeled "Gang of Four" weren't there ... My party is fine sir; you, sir, are not."
Let us enlighten you: None other than the famous "Concerned taxpayer" boy are you guys dumb...
I much appreciate the former "Gang of Four" over the current "Crooked England's Gang of Five"
That's my opinion on this cool Thursday morning!
Heres what I can not seem to understand...Instead of coming together to let the city officials know what the community thinks en force, why are we all now all of sudden too busy blasting each other based on what blogs people follow/ author?
The more infighting WE do the less likely THEY will be to do the jobs WE elected them to...
How come Concerned Taxpayer has never posted on this blog? With everything going on in our town where is "Concerned Taxpayer" anyone know?
I always enjoyed his postings on Speak Out Loud New Albany.
Thanks Shirley for giving us citizens an outlet (place) to vent. Love yout blog.
I don't know what the people of New Albany were thinking when the re-elected this guy. He's so full of BS.
It's all about accountability. Arrogance and power is not a good thing.
Time for the "mayor" to face his actions and his consequences--can we impeach him?!?
He has brought nothing but disgrace to this city. He had the nerve to preach about what he has done for this city. Yea, Right! Everything he does in this city is cosmetic. No substance.
I wish his "honor" would ask my opinion.
It is time for this administration to clean up it's act.Look at the cost to the city taxpayers for his foolishness, arrogance and deceit.
Since this administration has so many crooks getting away with stealing city dollars, Whew-don't get me started!
Yes, the mayor is corrupt, immature and fiscally irresponsible. The City Council should file a civil lawsuit. I am expecting the FEDS to come next.
Legal Beagle
I think we need to march downtown and chant "Hell NO - You got to GO!" he deserves to be impeached with all of his shady dealings.
Where will the burden lie? Hopefully not on the backs of the already over-taxed property owners. As a taxpayer, I was "blown away" when he was elected to another term. My vote was going for that woman on Main Street.New Albany needs to wake up quick, fast and in a hurry.
We need positive leadership in an honest administration.
Your right. The Mayor's arrogance and apparant belief that he and his staff are above the law is a mistaken one. It is difficult in these economic times that the Mayor and those who support his corrupt behavior, i.e., raises, the purchase of new vehicles, to business retreats that ended up as a personal vacation, disappearing city services, increase city fees need to be brought to justice on all levels.
Let me stop as I could continue to vent forever.
Yes, your right 9:38. New Albany has a mayor who is arrogant, irresponsible, and unaccountable to anyone. He is the most selfish politician ever elected in to an office. There is NO hope for New Albany as long as he is the Mayor.
I could only hope that the Mayor will hear the voices of the people of the City of New Albany, and do the right thing - resign. It is time for the city to move forward, and not be held back by the petty machinations of a regime that does not truly understand leadership and responsibility.
He's a "Hand-In-Your-Pocket" and still is nothing more than a thug in a pin strip suit. He has jumped on a gravy train of empowerment and kick backs and sucked it all up.
He hides, lurks, slinks, slides, slims, evades, shirks and shrinks from the very people he is to serve. The Mayor lies, deceit, thefy, carousing, misappropriations and misuse of the resources of the city are nothing less than crimes. He has contributed nothing and consumes everything. He is a locust...a virus and needs to be eradicated.
The Mayor is a Bum and a Thief. The use of publicly financed cell phones, transportation, on clock time also paid by the public for private gratification is misuse, fraud, and criminal in its self.
What do the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and the IRS have in common? You have a phone, a car, a computer, travel, lodging and meals provided by your employer for the sole benefit of said smployer to perform a specific function. There are conditions that exist that if the stated employer provided materials are used for a personal nature, a tax mechanism has been instituted. It requires that indivisuals properly report these personal conversations, if the employer permits these diversions of assets. A percentage of the diversion is is applied and a fair tax is levied to offset usage that was personal in nature. This is paid by the individual, the institution, on-going-concern, or government unit, is to receive reimbursement for diverted personal use and taxes paid by the individual accordingly.
Now the rub--failure to report properly, failure to identify such usage, and a persistent means to hide such usage is illegal and is commonly labeled as "income tax evasion."
Remember a well liked gangster Al Capone...for all the evil things he did, he was never found guilty. He was however found guilty of income tax evasion.
In the words of the Ashley's from Recess, "oooh, scandalous".
There have been reports of his mishandling of funds for trips for personal excursions and nothing has been done. Three vacations in eight months. In my opinion, the the entire City Council, (excluding Councilman Price) Gayhan, Messer, Zurschmiede, Coffey, Gonder, Caesar, McLaughlin and Benedetti should resign or step down along with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
They are all crooks to allow this type of taxpayers business to be exercised here in this city is a DISGRACE.
THIS UNTOUCHABLE CLOWN SHOULD BE BOOTED OUT OF OFFICE INTO A JAIL CELL. WHAT SURPRISES ME MORE IS THE BEHAVIOR OF NEW ALBANY CITIZENS WHO CONTINUE TO STAND BY AND LET THIS STUFF CONTINUE YEAR AFTER YEAR.
You bitch and moan anonymously but are too afraid to stand up and be counted.
You don't come to Council meetings. Or committee meetings.
You want the Mayor to ASK you. Why don't you go TELL the Mayor?
You supposedly have information and/or "know how" and refuse to share, even when politely asked.
You don't respond to Christopher's plea for cooperation. Just continue to bitch and moan.
And you wonder how "they" get away with it.
I don't always agree with Shirley but she has my utmost admiration for her involvement and her courage to stand up and be counted.
Mark
Mark,
We do attend committee meetings, Council meetings, Board of Works, County Council meetings, Redevelopment meetings and we do have people sign petitions, we pay our property taxes and our sewer bills too.
We even run as a candidate too.
We help our neighbors and clean up our streets. We have not sold our soul to the devil (England unlike you all have)
Who in the hell do you think you are?
How many council meetings have you attended in the last 10 years?
How much money have you spent for printing and long distance phone calls MADE to the State Board of Accounts, EPA and DLGF?
We have as much right to "BITCH" as anyone does.
When parking tickets are being fixed, no accountability to taxpayers, mismanagement, wasteful spending of our money and your money, you seem to turn a blind eye to that--huh Mark.
This city is nothing but a bed of radical ass-holes whose only agenda is their own personal agenda.
Who cares who we are.
We have as much right to state how we feel as you do.
Haven't you ever heard of Freedom of Speech?
Everyone has an opinion and this is mine.
Thanks Mrs. Baird for allowing our voices to be heard.
Amen Brother anonymous
Could this be why this blog is called: 'The Voice of the People'
Great job Anonymous 2:23, talk about opening a can of "whoop ass" on him.
This Bud's for you!
I am really disappointed with Mayor England and yes I voted for him because I thought he had changed. Too bad and so sad that instead he is a a major disappointment.
England and Malysz is playing us all for fools. Throw the crooked drunk out.
Spring Street Hill - NO
Two way streets - NO
Paving our streets - NO
Police cars - NO
Raises - NO
Water park - NO
NO means NO -- Mr. England
Each council member needs to be accountable for himself (herself) and to the people for which they represent. My husbnd and I both work in the city and pay city taxes. I am so angry our MONEY is used for (England's)projects, a man who clearly does not give a *#!^* about New Albany.
"DOWN WITH THE SPRING STREET HILL! LET THE WEST END PREVIAL!"
England ran on a platform of open, accountable and transparent government. His other priority was fiscal responsibility. What happen?
"the City of New Albany needs a leader that is credible" to look to, I feel I can no longer trust England.
Integrity is not doing the right thing when people are watching, it's doing the right thing when they are not.
England has NO integrity.
The fact is the City of New Albany citizens are now holding good ol'Mayor Doug and City Council members accountable.It is astonishing considering the mistakes that have already cost city residents hundreds and thousands of dollars in wasted projects and blunders. If Mayor Doug ran a business like he runs New Albany, he would have already been fired and his business would have filed for bankruptcy.
When are local politicians going to stop nickel-and-diming their constituents and come up with a better and more creative ways to raise the necessary funds?
England, is a disatrous Mayor and "fiscally and operationally reckless."
Do you agree?
Use your noggin, Oh that's right...You're a progressive.
Absolutely, we all agree.
Your not a fool. Just wake up and see what's really going on in New Albany.
When will people ever come to realize that character counts when you're voting someone in office?
At a time when New Albany desperately needs to pull itself out of the deep hole for itself, here we go again. England continues to suck up our resources needed elsewhere.
Doug's creditability as a mayor is shot, his actions criminal. Enough with shaming and disgracing our city.
We need a PUMA woman to run our city. Someone with a good head on her shoulders.
What the hell is a PUMA?
Good grief, where have you been 12:00?
PUMA = Party Unity my ass.
It is time to rise up and free ourselves from the political machine chains and accompanying corruption and ineptitude that is strangling our city.
I am surprise that with all the highly educated people in the area, we cannot find and pick better leaders.
We have so many qualified business women and teachers in the area, and the best we have to lead us is England.
I could list several I know who are more than qualified.
I don't shift the blame on any one party, the Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame throughout our city.
It is time to retake back our local government and get back to the business at hand.
Bring jobs back to this city, fixing the infrastructure, and helping our kids get the best education they can.
I agree we need more women in office but they have to be real women, and not women pretending to be men like Regina.
What a sexist remark.
Oh, jeez, here we go again. This is your way of demeaning women, even saying we're not up to the job. We're not some emotional menopausal diva popping pills because we broke a nail.
A women could run this city and do a much better job.
Keep doing a good job Mr. Mayor. Under your warch, killings are up, revenues are down, and the suburbs are growing. And don't wirry there will be another company leaving, maybe you can try your hand at keeping that one.
The thing I can't stand about England is his smug sense of entitlement. Plus all of his lies.
Looks like Doug England has whipped his City Council into shape. Doug's the man for New Albany.
Now that Malysz is Deputy Mayor, Dou England's second in cimmand. Is Malysz boss keeping the Council in the loop?
Nope.
Malysz went behind the Council's back to negotiate annexation deal, and much needed funds.
They found out the same way the rest of us did--via the news media.
The City Council also ought to be scrutinizing the public commitment Malysz has been making on the city's behalf.
One day New Albany will elect a Republican as mayor and we won't have these issues.
I hope officials like Steve Price will continue to speak out rather then wring their hands and whine and then rubber stamp everything Doug wants.
Am I the only one who can't stand Douglas B. England?
No, you are not alone. His rediculous ideas to tax and spend drives my family crazy. How many other reasons do N.A. residents need to understand that Mayor England is unfit to serve? The Feds need to pay N.A. a visit.
Our dear mayor will always try to find a way to get around any law ever written as he has proven time & time again.
England is of the firm opinion that rules don'r apply to him.
His cronies, their heads plunged into the trough, are unlikely to tell him anything he won't be delighted to hear.
Where's a good leaker when you need one?
When one has an invasive and harmful weed in one's garden, it is customary to "pull it" and let it wither in the refuse pile - as to not infect or infest other areas of one's otherwise health garden.
England is a weed and must be removed.
How many other reasons do New Albany residents need to understand that Mayor England is unfit to serve?
If you and your cronies have nothing to hide, Mayor England, what is the purpose of holding certain meetings in secret? There is no real estate acquisition involved that might benfit from secrecy, or is there?
Anon 2:23,
As usual, you miss the point. Perhaps that is my fault this time. I know that you show up and I compliment you for that.
There are damn few people who come to meetings. In the last couple of years, you usually can count on 2-5 "progressives", Shirley Baird, and either Erik and/or Erika. Have not seen Erika for a while. Mr. Stewart used to come before his passing. That's it as for as regular, or even semi-regular, attendees.
As I write this, there are 79 comments. Only 4 can be attributed to any one person. That gives us the potential of 75 separate people. Even allowing approx 4 comments per person would leave us with 20 people. So either I am on target with my comments or you are writing ALL of the anonymous comments.
Who do I think I am? I'm someone who has cared enough to attempt to learn more about the issues, office holders and candidates in our fair city. Just like you. Maybe I have not been at it 10 years but for the past couple of years, I think that I have been rather persistent in my search. Again, just like you.
And yes, I have heard of freedom of speech. Have you heard of JOHN HANCOCK?
1:56, You are absolutely correct - the Feds need to spend TIME looking at England and other elected officials here in New Albany.
"If you and your cronies have nothing to hide, Mayor England, what is the purpose of holding certain meetings in secret? There is no real estate acquisition involved that might benfit from secrecy, or is there?
September 29, 2008 4:57 AM"
If this is the way you feel, honestly, why do you post anonymously?
christopher d. maybe I want to keep my job located in our City County Building.
Wouldn't you?
Don't get me wrong, I can't stand England or any of his overpaid cronies. But as long as they're just giving him advice and not actualy writing legislation or bribing him, why can't he have close door meetings?
If you want to scold Carl Malysz and discredit "The Word of England" for the dishonesty and corruption that it truly is, then why does the Council not have enough backbone to do so?
Great point 3:47.
Have you heard of Thomas Jefferson?
"The will of the people is the only legitmate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object."
and
"I hold it, that a little rebellion. now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."
I assume the TJ quotes were directed toward me.
Yes, and I completely agree with them. What would make you think that I don't?
Our Council ia being left in the dark about departmental misuses, rampant over - time spending, and vendor selection. Mayor England knows about these issues and doesn't care enough to correct the problems.
a. Is the Mayor not aware of the current overtime problem before Ike?
b. He is aware and chooses to misrepresent the facts.
In either scenario, there is compelling evidence that England does not have overtime under control at all and is resistant to departmental audits in the City to uncover and fix wasteful spending.
IAMHOOSIER
HE REFUSSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND HOLD HIMSELF AND HIS DEPARTMENT HEADS ACCOUNTABLE.
CITY PURCHASING PRACTICES VIOLATE STATE LAWS
CHIEF OF POLICE ALLOWED TO SPEND TAX PAYER DOLLARS ON INTERNET GAMES WITH PUBLIC PROPERTY
MAYOR ALLOWS $20 PARKING TICKETS TO BE FORGIVEN, COSTING THE TAXPAYER HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN POLICE SALARIES, GAS, SOFTWARE,AND CITY ATTORNEY'S TIME
THIS MIGHT SEEM SMALL,AND "PETTY", AND "RIDICULOUS", TO SOME READERS AND IF YOU START ADDING UP ALL THE "SMALL AND PETTY" PATTERNS OF LEADERSHIP PROBLEMS, YOU START SEEING A TREND OF MISMANAGEMENT, LACK OF OVERSIGHT, AND AN ELECTED LEADER OUT OF TOUCH AND OUT OF CONTROL OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENGLAND WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT AND MANAGE.
It appears, at least to this taxpayer, that Doug has a challenge managing his Department Heads and tax payers' money. If England was running a Corporation, you can be assured he'd be called on the carpet by the Board of Directors. CEO's are regularly fired for this same exacy performance issues in private and public corporations.
As it should be in City government, this Mayor's performance, as well as the Deputy Mayor and department heads need to be called before the tax payers and account for their actions.
But remember Doug is always the smartest man in the room. Just ask him, he will tell you.
Anon 11:57,
Exactly how often have read me defending the mayor or the council?
I do feel that people should take ownership of their words. How many signatures that read "anonymous" do you see on the Declaration of Independence? They were risking their lives(not just their jobs).
So, I don't agree with anonymous comments. Does that mean that "we" can't agree on anything? That "we" will always be on the opposite sides of every issue?
I want a better NA. I want a clean NA, both physically and ethically. Shirley is writing about some of the same things in her latest posting. Christopher wrote about cooperation up above in this comment section.
How do we bridge the gap? I can be contacted through email from my profile page. I'm at most city council meetings. Ask someone for Iamhoosier or Mark Cassidy. Somebody there will point me out. I'm not hiding and neither are my friends. Talk to me(us), you may find out that we aren't so different after all.
Mark
I think annonymity is a safer option. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions, however, there are a lot of people our there that cannot seem to accept that. And they spend the bulk of their time trying to force THEIR opinion down your throat (NAC) via nastiness and smear campaigns.
I also believe that there are certain situations where it is appropriate - say you are sort of a whistle blower.
Job, benefits, home, wife and a family to support.
Get my drift?
A blog just needs to provide interesting content (like Freedom Of Speech) to get me to keep returning.
So in answer to your question, I can see good reasons to blog anonymously or under an alias.
And I can certainly understand some of the comments here with regard to whistle blowers and offbeat topics - that people have very good reasons for blogging anonymously, just as Shirley might well agree.
I also can see the advantages of someone remaining anonymous. I think in the case of someone being candid on a subject, it's in their best interest to be anonymous.
Legal Beagle
Today, many residents feel as if the pendulum has swung from one extreme to another, and a growing number of them like myself are fed up with what they see in the England administration that promotes developement interests over those of us citizens. New Albany needs someone with a backbone who isn't afraid to kick a little a$$ and end this corruption.
Today, many residents feel as if the pendulum has swung from one extreme to another, and a growing number of them like myself are fed up with what they see in the England administration that promotes developement interests over those of us citizens. New Albany needs someone with a backbone who isn't afraid to kick a little a$$ and end this corruption.
I am pro real estate development, but what England has pulled over the last nine months is from the bottom of the barrell, and Malysz is right there along side that slim ball. We need a NEW mayor-one that is not all hot air and can offer some leadership for the people. Valla Ann Bolovschak should run for mayor-she had my vote before and will again. Valla Ann is the only one willing and can take on the status quo, and you must respect that-even if you disagree with her. The Mayor and his staff must think we are all just dumb and will take what they say as being valid.
I don't know if he is corrupt, but England is sure a liar. Some supported his mayoral candidacy because he said he had changed. But he quickly and cravenly became another appeaser, while currently smearing anyone who disagrees with him now. Now its his turn. His protestations are too little and too late to be credible. He had a chance to show leadership, strength and honor, be he failed. England slept with dogs, now he has fleas. As Churchill said "an appeaser throws his friends overboard hoping the sharks will eat him last." All of Doug England's news conferences, Smoking Ban, pretending to be environmentally green-friendly, and a Water Park, and let's all not forget "Storm Ike" is all a big show and cover-up to conceal his true goal - keep his face in the news and boost his image. Sorry, I didn't believe him anymore than I believed Bill Clinton when he said, "I did not have sex with that women."
Our Mayor can lie repeatedly and often. Our Council and Mayor can mismanagement city finances to the brink of bankruptcy. Tax and spend is what he is all about. And will the voices of the citizens be heard over the developers? NO!
I WOULD like to know why police officers are allowed to ride their patrol cars around as if they are their own privately owned vehicles.
I also am not buying the whole turn around plan on vehicles an the reduced maintance costs.
I want to see officers on foot, to Patrol neighborhoods that are experiencing the most crime. (This has the added cost benefit of fuel savings.)
It seems that there is poor management of resources and a whole lot of the "I want more" going on, I want to see my tax dollars being used efficiently and wisely. I am so tired of seeing six police officers sitting on the side of the street and roads waiting on a speeder rather than out in the community.
It would also be a good idea to teach the officers about citizens rights, specifically the Bill of Rights. There seems to be a god complex in the NAPD which allows that badge to supersede anything.
It is so frustrating to hear you, Mr. Mayor, always talking about needing more money.
You don't need more money, you need better management.
Our city government has been hi-jacked by the England people wih the mentality, that New Albany can be all things to all people. All it takes is more of our money to create this Utopian society.
The citizens (tax payers) are fed up, and we are not stupid. We will not accept ANY new taxes and fees. This local government has run amok and is out of control from the Mayor's office to the city council.
Meanwhile city leaders are running around like headless chickens while lives and property are loss and tax dollars wasted that need not be.
Oh Lord...Please help this City. We're in deep DO DO.
Safer? I guess. I still go back to, would we even be here if the people who signed the Declaration of Independence had played it safe? Again, they risked their lives, not just a paycheck.
Another point, everyone here can't be working in the city government. Unless it really is just one or two people doing all the anonymous posting.
I also find it amusing that one anonymous poster is calling for someone with backbone to step up. Does anyone else see the irony in that request?
My offer is still open. I'm done with this, for now.
Mark
Iamhoosier
Have you ever thought just maybe posters on this blog just might have family memebers also working for our city?
The problem with you is with anonymous postings. Not the real issues.
Hey, I'm back from Germany. They wouldn't let me stay -- not that I didn't try to gain asylum. When they asked me why, I showed them the Gang of Four's picture, but it wasn't enough.
"Thanks Mrs. Baird for allowing our voices to be heard."
What voices? Ever noticed how many of the anonymous comments are spaced six or seven minutes apart? Does anyone really believe that there are more than four or five venom spewers accounting for these comments?
And: Whatever happened to the savior Valla Ann, anyway?
Whatever you do posters, don't drink the Baylorite flavored Kool-Aid!
There are some people who post some serious posts here, and though I may not agree with them, I can respect their opinions. And then there are the trolls and cranks like you the new albanian, who just want to start fights. He huffs and puffs and insults the intelligence of every serious person who posts on this blog and even his own blog.
Don't feed the Troll!
I wouldn't drink Kool-Aid with YOUR mouth ... even if I knew who YOU were.
Beer, on the other hand ...
It just maarrvy to be back.
Although I don't agree with every comment that is posted here I do appreciate everyone's participation.
I don't think there are only a few posters though, if that were the case these people would spend their entire day sitting in front of their computers. People do have lives and some of us even have to work.
Shirley
Unless I am a city employee, it appears that paying the taxes in New Albany will be well beyond my means and the means of many others who would like to live in Floyd County, but will not be able to pay for themselves and for all the others too.
Local Public Employee greed is the main reason New Albany is suffering and will continue to suffer.
80-84% of our General Fund goes to City Police, and our NAFD.The middle class is continueing to be squeezed and will move out of New Albany.
The taxpayers will and are suffering because of the city officials.
If more people read here and on Freedom Of Speech they will learn how they are getting ripped off to pay for the outrageous salaries, pensions, and contract terms, your contract and some spare change will get you a cup of coffee and that is it.
The greed and corruption is unbelieveable in this city and I want to see the day of reckoning.
Power to the people!
We fed-up taxpayers in New Albany should band together and stand up to city leaders, and the City Council or whomever else we need to stand up to and fight to keep spending down and fight to keep property tax increases at bay so we do not have the constant fear of losing our homes. Let's make the city's leaders responsible for their financial shortcomings and keep their hands out of our pockets.
People are tired of the bullshit and this is the only place I know where we can vent without be harrassed or threatened like the many who have tried to do so on other blogs.
8:44 Your post is the leadership that is missing in this town.
New Albany might be the most stupidly governed City in all of the USA. Forget sbout all the doom and gloom brought on by the boneheads and crooks attempting to ruin this city.
Don't worry, be happy and remember, friends don't let friends vote Democrat
Our City of New Albany is number one, number one in decling population, number one highest utility rates, number one in programs for the unproductive, number one in taxes, number one magnet for crime and white collar criminals, number one in declining tax base, number one in per-capita government debt, number one in arbitrary politiczation of development, number one in onerous regulations, etc, etc, etc,
YOUR NOT A FOOL SHIRLEY. YOU LIKE US, ALL KNOW UNTIL EVERYONE GET'S THEIR HANDS OUT OF THE TAXPAYERS COOKIE JAR NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
GREAT BLOG!
You forgot something else anonymous, or until a few of our elected officials go to jail. Now that's a thought.
The city can never go broke because the city has a way to stay afloat. They can sell off utilities and raise your taxes. Dig in or move.
What about city employees who work on personal business on the taxpayers dime?
Why am I not surprised...I personally know of many things done and repaired for friends and themselves while on the taxpayers dime. I guess in some ways you could say that was also helping out the community.
I think some people consider it "hating Doug" because you don't suck up to his usual process that has been going on in this city for years. This is the one place where you can hear something from the right side. I've heard where certain people would love nothing more than to shut this blog down. They hate free speech. They hate their lies being posted and being pointed out. I know how these people operate. Some are afraid of the truth and things will never get better if you don't face it. Look at the City of New Albany and if you don't "get it", you never will.
Thanks Shirley
No one has contacted me about shutting this blog down. If they did I would tell them to mind their own business.
I don't hate Doug England or anybody else, I just don't always agree with his policies as I'm sure he disagrees with my articles at times. We all know that people have differences of opinion and always will. He is smart enough to know this too, and he is always cordial and kind to me and I am respectful to him.
I just express my opinion and give space to others do the same.
Our savior is doing great. Thanks for asking. No doubt she's sitting by her pool laughing out loud saying "I told you so" New Albany.
Has anyone noticed Englands game of smoke and mirrors. Our city is operating like a shell game. I wondered how he enjoyed the Boo's from Vin. Street half way dow Spring Street.
How about unsanitary conditions of City ally's Mr. Mayor? Last time I checked I did pay my property taxes. Isn't that where my tax dollars go and pay for? Service?
It has been said here and on other issues that we are tired of the waste we all see and pay for, we have seen the reaction of the Mayor and the Council debacles. Lets stand together and remind the Mayor,the council and the City Staff who is the ultimate employer here and to who real value for our hard earned money has to be explained to.
Boy do I miss the Gang of Four, how about you?
I for one am more than fed up with the Mayor, Council and Staff working out issues to what they think the best is and not having the people asked for their imput.
I believe that we have a friend in our corner and his name is Councilman Steve Price.
I'd like to give Mayor England the benfit of the doubt and assume he is just plain ignorant of what's going on during his watch as Mayor of New Albany. Surely, Doug wouldn't knowingly, deceive the taxpayer would he?
Ask yourselves this:
Should a good leader allow frivolous spending of other peoples money?
Apathy to this mayor allows continued mis-management.
Stockholders of any company don't put up woth mismanagement, why should the citizens?
Did Baylor finally obtain his three way liquor license?
Did you file your tax return this year?
It's in the works (the 3-way, not your tax return).
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