After I got my computer fixed (again) I started reading the various blogs around town yesterday and today. I know it's obvious but we have several intelligent and thoughtful people in our little town. These are some of the great ideas that I "lifted" from other blogs.
GONDER FOR NEW ALBANY AT-LARGE
John has a good idea for using our EDIT funds. He wants the city to purchase some of those abandoned buildings along Charlestown Rd. including the Colonial Manor shopping center and offering the properties to developers for REdevelopment. With the guidance of the Plan Commission they would be required to REdevelope in a way most beneficial to the entire community in order to make a profit. The EDIT funds would then be returned to the city. This seems like a win-win to me. The EDIT funds will be used by developers anyway, they might as well re-use the empty buildings rather than just build new ones.
NA CONFIDENTIAL
Lloyd Wimp has a collection of pictures of trash just sitting by the curb waiting for the city to pick up. Our street department employees said that if we bag up the yard waste they will take care of it, many of us are still waiting. He suggested that the city provide dumpsters for people to take their trash so it won't be left on the streets. The city has not even picked up the yard waste from their own tree trimming in certain areas. What are we paying for?
OUR HISTORY IN NEW ALBANY
Ted Fulmore has a great quote from Mark Twain describing a river town which could have been New Albany. He also has pictures of the old wharf complete with places to tie up the old steamwheeler. He also has a list of future "happenings" in the next few months, including walking tours of our historic district. Check them out.
JOHN'S MUSINGS ABOUT WHATEVER
Rev. Manzo has a wonderful article about personal responsibility, from individuals to our businesses. He said that corporate responsibility is equally vital as personal responsibility. He quotes Genesis with the verse about Cain after he killed Abel. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Rev. Manzo responds, yes. Everyone should remember that and as he said "It is often fashionable to blame the poor on being poor but most often this was not a personal choice". How true.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The author of this article asked Hoosiers to attend a revolt at the State House in Indianapolis. They are protesting the idea of removing the caps from property tax. It promises to be a historic event. I am sure it will be. I wish them well in their endeavor. Maybe if enough people yell loud enough they will be heard.
I can't add much to these ideas. They all seem to have a theme of activism and personal responsibility though, which is what we need. As someone said the other day we need to get off of our collective butts and do something.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
YES IT CAN HAPPEN HERE
I just read Roger Baylor's article in the Tribune, "It Shan't Happen Here", and was a little depressed at first. Then I thought, YES WE CAN!
He said that there is a lot of negativity in New Albany, I can't argue with that but I don't think the majority of people are negative. The loudest voices are always the ones heard so that is why he hears them say "It just can't be done here -- and you are a fool to even try."
He says that we New Albanians hate ourselves. I respectfully disagree. I'm not wanting to start a battle but I don't believe the majority of us are self loathing naysayers. Call me "Pollyanna" if you want but I believe the majority of us DO want to improve our city. Look at the number of neighborhood associations that have been started in the last four or five years. Look at the number of people who attended the meeting at the YMCA Tuesday. Although it was disappointing that only one council member showed up.
But besides that, let's prove Mr. Baylor wrong. Let's start an "I love New Albany Campaign" and work to improve our town, starting with keeping the garbage off of the streets and sidewalks.
Summer is coming, let's have a few festivals. Mr. Yoder said they have one almost every week in Newport. We can at least have one a month, even it is small. Let's clean up, fix up, paint our fences, plant a few flowers, whatever it takes. And show everyone that we are proud to be citizens of New Albany.
He said that there is a lot of negativity in New Albany, I can't argue with that but I don't think the majority of people are negative. The loudest voices are always the ones heard so that is why he hears them say "It just can't be done here -- and you are a fool to even try."
He says that we New Albanians hate ourselves. I respectfully disagree. I'm not wanting to start a battle but I don't believe the majority of us are self loathing naysayers. Call me "Pollyanna" if you want but I believe the majority of us DO want to improve our city. Look at the number of neighborhood associations that have been started in the last four or five years. Look at the number of people who attended the meeting at the YMCA Tuesday. Although it was disappointing that only one council member showed up.
But besides that, let's prove Mr. Baylor wrong. Let's start an "I love New Albany Campaign" and work to improve our town, starting with keeping the garbage off of the streets and sidewalks.
Summer is coming, let's have a few festivals. Mr. Yoder said they have one almost every week in Newport. We can at least have one a month, even it is small. Let's clean up, fix up, paint our fences, plant a few flowers, whatever it takes. And show everyone that we are proud to be citizens of New Albany.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
IF NEWPORT CAN DO IT, WHY CAN'T WE?
Ted Fulmore had a posting on his blog, "Our History in New Albany" Sunday with an interesting idea. He was hosting a forum at the YMCA, Tuesday 3/10 about Newport, KY and how they became a "rags to riches" town, in a matter of speaking.
Having never been to Newport, I was intrigued. Mr. Robert Yoder, the spokesman, gave an excellent talk about the history of Newport and how they found their niche in the community. Newport is now a model city. Their crime rate is low, and their city is clean. Interestingly enough they have FOUR Code Enforcement Officers for a city of 16,000 people.
They also had what he called a "Rehab A Rama" where the city bought old homes and sold them to developers for $1 with the condition that they would be converted from small apartments to single family dwellings and rehabilitated. Additionally they used state funding to create a plan called Hope VI. With Hope VI they were able to tear down their housing project and provide inexpensive homes for rent or purchase. These homes are now occupied by working class people, and they are very well kept.
Obviously, there is a lot of pride on the part of the residents. I asked Mr. Yoder how they manage to keep their city so clean and he replied that if you clean up your town it will stay that way. Really!?!
All in all it was a great presentation and an interesting evening. If we could just do something like that in good ole' N.A.
Having never been to Newport, I was intrigued. Mr. Robert Yoder, the spokesman, gave an excellent talk about the history of Newport and how they found their niche in the community. Newport is now a model city. Their crime rate is low, and their city is clean. Interestingly enough they have FOUR Code Enforcement Officers for a city of 16,000 people.
They also had what he called a "Rehab A Rama" where the city bought old homes and sold them to developers for $1 with the condition that they would be converted from small apartments to single family dwellings and rehabilitated. Additionally they used state funding to create a plan called Hope VI. With Hope VI they were able to tear down their housing project and provide inexpensive homes for rent or purchase. These homes are now occupied by working class people, and they are very well kept.
Obviously, there is a lot of pride on the part of the residents. I asked Mr. Yoder how they manage to keep their city so clean and he replied that if you clean up your town it will stay that way. Really!?!
All in all it was a great presentation and an interesting evening. If we could just do something like that in good ole' N.A.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A BIG DAY FOR THE DEMOCRATS
I was unable to attend the reorganization meeting yesterday at the Knights of Columbus, but with a vote of 45 to 24 my one vote would not have mattered anyway. Although I am disappointed that Marcey did not continue her role as party chair, I wish only the best for John.
I would also like to congratulate Stacy Deck, Tony Toran, and Sam Locke.
Another meeting which I was sorry to miss was the "Town Hall" session with Baron Hill. With health care being a major concern, Representative Hill and President Obama need to consider HR676, health care for all. I hope Mr. Hill will take our message back to Washington and persuade the president to quit listening to the insurance companies and start listening to the people. We just have to keep pushing.
I would appreciate feedback from anyone who attended either of these meetings mentioned above. I have not yet talked with anyone with first hand information.
thanks,
Shirley
I would also like to congratulate Stacy Deck, Tony Toran, and Sam Locke.
Another meeting which I was sorry to miss was the "Town Hall" session with Baron Hill. With health care being a major concern, Representative Hill and President Obama need to consider HR676, health care for all. I hope Mr. Hill will take our message back to Washington and persuade the president to quit listening to the insurance companies and start listening to the people. We just have to keep pushing.
I would appreciate feedback from anyone who attended either of these meetings mentioned above. I have not yet talked with anyone with first hand information.
thanks,
Shirley
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