- Why are you running for Mayor? "I am running for Mayor of New Albany because I care and love this community and I want to get the city back on the right track for the future. Our city must move forward, no backward to achieve goals like fixing our sewers, revitalizing our downtown area and cleaning up our streets and neighborhoods. I am a common person with a common cause who has visions and goals for New Albany and is not in the race for just a paycheck."
- What special qualifications do you bring to the position? "I bring 27+ years of Supervisory experience with the maintenance department of the Indiana Department of Highways. I have experience with the maintenance of our sewers and drainage on our roads. I am also a small business owner with management and budgeting skills."
- How will you balance the budget? Or at least reduce the deficit? "Our city has a "control/spending problem" that needs to be solved to balance our budget. We need to eliminate non-essential positions within the city, reduce spending and find ways through grants and other sources to bring in more revenue to our city."
- What will you do to improve code enforcement? "There should be a Code enforcement Office with a qualified code enforcement officer will deal with all code violations within our city. This person must be able to work hand in hand with the public and be experienced and knowledgeable of Indiana Law, city codes and ordinances. This person will also be assessable to neighborhood associations for their problems and concerns. Public outreach programs will also be established to help educate the public on codes and ordinances. The Code Enforcement office will work as a team with other departments to fix and solve the problems that are presented."
- How do you feel about our sewer situation? What can be done to improve them? "As Mayor, I will look to revamp the current sewer situation. The 2009 flooding proved that our infrastructure needs to be looked at and examined closely. Preventive maintenance of all pipes, which has not been done by previous administrations, needs to be implemented. I feel that the Sewer Department which is currently outsourced to EMC, needs to be brought back inhouse and work closely with our Stormwater department as a team effort to handle issues such as preventive maintenance for all pipes in our city. I also feel that we need to look at a possible expansion of the Sewer plant by placing another plant on the wast end of our city to accommodate the flow."
- Do you think the victims of the Aug. 09 flood are being adequately helped? What would you do? "I feel the flood victims have not been adequately helped. The management of maintenance of the pipe and ditches in our community were neglected throughout of the years. This needs to be done as a preventive measure daily, allocate money to fix the problems, and not just put a band-aid on the situation pacify the ones who were affected."
- Do you think we have too many T.I.F.'s? "Yes, that statistics show that New Albany has more TIF's than any other city in Indiana."
- What are your thoughts on revitalizing downtown? Do you think we need the 12 million dollar parking garage? "We need to revitalize our downtown before it becomes a ghost town. As Mayor, I plan to use the floodwall to attract restaurants and businesses, like our sister city Jeffersonville has done. Once this is established, people will utilize our downtown area, revenue will increase, businesses will flourish and downtown will once be what it was, a town that is alive. This city does not need another 12 million dollar parking garage at this time. We need to look at parking in the downtown area and work on other solutions instead of using our tax money."
- How do you feel about changing Spring St., Elm St., and Market St. to 2 way? "Changing Spring St., Elm Street, and Market Street to two-ways would be a great idea for the flow of traffic into New Albany. The downside of this would be that these streets have been one way for so many years and changing these could cause more accidents. I feel that the city needs to look to see if it would be feasible to create this change."
- What is your position on the Police and Fire Depts? Do you think 85% is too large a portion of the budget to be allotted to these departments? "85% of the city's budget is too large of an appropriation for public safety. Our Fire and Police Departments are crucial to our city and public safety, but as Mayor, I will look t the contracts, meet with the unions and see if an agreement can be made between the city and union on a feasible appropriation without hindering these very important city services. I will also look at each department so see if cost efficient measures can be implemented to reduce their budget. It is very important that the Mayor and the Unions work together as a team for the city of New Albany."
Saturday, April 10, 2010
WHO IS PAUL ETHERIDGE?
That question was asked on this blog a few weeks ago. So I sent Mr. Etheridge an email with several questions regarding his bid for Mayor of New Albany. He replied with answers to all of my questions so I have posted them here.
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Apologies to Mr. Etheridge. I thought his fundraiser pancake breakfast at Applebees was scheduled for April ll. But is was scheduled for today. So I was not able to make an announcement on the blog.
bringing sewer back inhouse would be the worst mistake ever, thats why we almost got nailed by the EPA in the 90's. political mgmt of sewers instead of professional mgmt, you are a joke Etheridge and would be as bad as England, just not nearly as smart as he is.
And what party are you running under paul, Republicrat, you have claimed both parties so which is it, stick to what you know which is nothing
I second those comments. Etheridge would put the final nail in New Albany coffin.
May our poor little city RIP.
Thank you Shirley for providing the answer and questions of Mr. Etheridge. He made some very good points. It is too early for me to make an opinion. I do hope the misspellings in his responses were typing errors while posting the blog and not actual spelling mistakes of his. Not generally a big issue for me but when one is representing the citizens of this City presentation is vital. .
You need to read the monthly books required by the EPA located in the library. There is no way this City can prepare these reports. We do not have the manpower, the technology, the know how, etc. This is why we have EMC.
We need someone to run for Mayor not part of the regular crowd and maybe our nightmares will end.
No England, no Messer, no Scharlow, no Etheridge; and I forget who the others are who keep on running and have no credibility as to where their loyalties lay.
We want someone not beholding, not wanting taxpayers money for subsidization, etc.
A fresh new New Albany, gee wouldn't that be nice.
Sorry Paul. I like you but you can't fight the goings ons here.
This is my opinion and it may suck but hey.
Good article Shirley. We also would like to know if someone is going to run against the City Clerk besides Egge. No offense Brenda, but you are retiring and need to sit back and enjoy.
Thank you Shirley.
Thank you Daniel for finding out about the money from Georgetown. 1 and 1 still do not equal 2 and we may not understand how this could hurt New Albany by having the money owed to us, but hey.
England has a lot to hide and doesn't want a forenic audit and what it would uncover. We need to know how they're spending our money and we need to have a scouring of the handouts to their buddies. It's way past time. Anyone who wants to justify demanding more money needs to tell us what they're doing with what they've already got.
We need a top yo bottom review of every expenditure and every department and the reason precipitated in all areas of the England administration.
England's credibility is shot, along with Carl, Fifer and Skomp.
If Georgetown does not have to pay, why should we pay?
I sure hope you are not supporting Mr. Etheridge, Shirley. It would be disasterous for your campaign.
I think the council should pull a $100,000 out of EDIT Tax and pay for a forensic audit on sewers and sanitation. Let the police and fire pay for the general fund, since the mayor has already cut a contract with the fire department. Btw, NAFD union votes on Thesday for new contract.
wont matter who shirley supports she is going to lose anyway
England's credibility is shot, along with Carl, Fifer and Skomp.
Yeah I but they all say "Well" a lot!
LOL
# Do you think we have too many T.I.F.'s? "Yes, that statistics show that New Albany has more TIF's than any other city in Indiana."
The actual number of TIF districts does not matter. What matters is the portion of our total assessment that's subject to TIF.
Whether we have two TIF districts with two buildings each, or one TIF district with four buildings doesn't matter one bit.
I think those shows that this candidate just doesn't get it.
You got that right 9:46. They even TIF Loop Island. Why? Can anyone explain this to me or VOP readers?
Hey Bledsoe, come over here and lets discuss what you wrote on NAC. It's worthy of a big discussion on VOP. You ask great questions and believe me you will not get the FACTS or a fair and balance discussion there.
You made excellent points but don't expect the journalist to back up what he says and why he said it.
They classify you as a nutcase and attack your posting (if they even dare)to respond.
7:51 AM
Could the TIF districting of the Loops Island wetlands have to do with the forthcoming redevelopment of the Mosier Tanning facilities into senior condo's, with infrastructure improvements to the paths around the wetlands, and also being tied into the greenway?
The Loop Island TIF hasn't cost anyone a penny because there's been no development there.
TIF's only generate TIF funds when there is an increase in assessments. Loop Island's just sat there for decades with no increase in assessed value.
Obviously developer weren't falling over themselves to develop the place. If they were then one would have bought it a decade ago.
If someone wants to fix up that eyesore and create some jobs there, I say let that neighborhood keep the increased revenue on the newly assessed improvements. That neighborhood needs new sidewalks, street paving and street lights as badly as any other neighborhood. They've been getting the shaft since they're next to the collapsing tannery and River Terrace. If they can get someone in there who's going to use their own money to things up, we shouldn't send them a big THANK YOU in the form of a bigger tax bill. We should let their TIF funds to pave a road or two.
Much of what Paul says makes sense, but unfortunately, he's fallen prey to the biggest straw man since Alger Hiss: The $12 million parking garage.
Well ... you know what? I'm publicly for it, even if there's no plan on the table. Why only be against the imaginary> I'm for the imaginary.
Well ...
everyone knows the city cannot afford $12 million from general funds to build a garage.
the city just got $6 million grant to help with SEJ neighborhood. there are other grants out there.
this point is that the people who keep screaming no parking garage don't know where the money is coming from. maybe there's a $12 million dollar grant that the mayor applied for?
if the mayor can pull $12 million from grants then i say build it now! put people to work building it asap!
Where did Ernest go?
Went to talk to Vern.
Who's a coward now?
It befuddles me that Mr. NAC can attack so many people but don't have the balls to say it to their face unless your attacking a women and was given instructions by our mayor.
Calling a women a "lying bitch" has cost him more than he will or can grasp.
One day Mr. NAC, you are going to say the wrong thing about the wrong person and you are going to regret it.
The clock is ticking!
My money is on the little people, Mr. NAC.
Oops, left this off.
Let's see you say what you wrote about my Councelman Price at Thursday's meeting. I'm bring my camera just to see how you ain't got the guts to say what you write about my friends.
3:33,marxists are master manipulators of lies, mis-information, subterfuge and England's propaganda.
If Roger actually discuss ideas on the merits with sober reflection, he'd lose.
(p,s,, thx for the kool-aid, lets do it again, our treat)
Actually, Marxists historically have been among the prime proponents of Prohibition, in the sense that like religion, alcohol dulls the worker and renders he or she unable to organize and be activist.
That's one reason why I'm not a Marxist.
Now, what was all that blather about CM Price? He seems very angry these days.
Anonymous said...
Who's a coward now?
I'd say the Anonymous poster is a coward.
Were you referring to something else?
Latest FOS slop:
Sunday, April 11, 2010
CUT OUR LOSSES & TEAR DOWN LINDEN MEADOWS....
Will Prof. Erika please let me on how this will be accomplished. Would Prof. Erik like Mayor England to hop on a bulldozer and just plow them down?
The fake professor is forgetting something. THE CITY DOES NOT OWN LINDEN MEADOWS. What the hell does the Professor want? As usual I don't see a plan. The fake professor just wants something to happen and expects that other people who do it for free.
Fact. The city could buy Linden Meadows and then bulldoze them. PNC wants $500,000. The Professor must think that's a wise investment of taxpayer dollars.
Fact. The city could use eminent domain to get Linden Meadows. That would take at least a year and cost tens of thousands of dollars in court.
Fact. Under either scenario, that just gets the houses in the city's hands, it doesn't knock down the houses.
Fact. Past demo's by the city have costs around $10,000 PER HOUSE. That leaves the foundations, street, sewer pipes, etc. there. That's over $150,000 to knock down the houses on top of attorneys fees. Is that a wise taxpayer investment? HELL NO!
Sure the city could condemn the houses and then hire a demo team to knock them down, and sure the city could put a lien on the property for the demo costs, but the city's never getting repaid the SIX FIGURES it would take to demo, remove foundation, fill foundations, remove the road, and pay landfill fees. Total demo costs to get back down to just dirt is close to $300,000. WHERE'S IT GOING TO COME FROM PROFESSOR? YOU PAYING FOR IT?
It would be cheaper to let a developer take it. That way the city doesn't have to get involved in anything else that has to do with it.
Why would people call Mr. Gahan and leave threatening messages? Is the Administration that desperate to get what they want?
Evidently he hit a nail on the head to warrant such actions.
show us evidence.
"threatening message"
more lies?
show us evidence.
Christopher D said...
porches? we dont need no stinking porches, them things cost us rate payers money!
Christopher D. showing his true colors again.
"Christopher D said...
porches? we dont need no stinking porches, them things cost us rate payers money!
Christopher D. showing his true colors again."
Yes I said that, good to see you read NAC. However it was on a parody post and you are trying to quote me out of context.
A bit of advice, it is better to keep your silence and thought of as a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. You do no service to you or your "movement" with hypocrisy, and contradictory standards.
Chris, is she understood parody, should wouldn't have posted the singing Hitler post. She still hasn't taken it down.
Again, free houses, free land and it's a project that we do not needs to be putting not one nickel of our hard earned money into.
They owe us for free hook ups folks!
btw way smart ass, the only person in Linden Meadows was just forclosed on.
So the mayor thinks we need a grant writer? So why are we paying Shane Gibsom $150,000 and Carl who collects his city pension and his $93,000+ salary. (What a greedy SOB) Are we paying Shane Gibson to campaign on our tax dollars? Has Zurschmiede converted to being a democrat? It sure seems to me the mayor must have something "big on Messer and Kevin" (isn't that why the lady has obtained an attorney over what they both pulled?)or why would they be supporting ever thing England wants. A full time attorney? You have got to be kidding. Mr. England our budget has not been approve and I do understand the law, this can not be done legally. But then what the h*ll, England does most things illegal anyway, so why should this be any different.
Who ever voted for this moron please list your reasons here.
I did not delete the comments this time but if this language continues I will be deleting.
btw way smart ass, the only person in Linden Meadows was just forclosed on.
All neighborhoods have foreclosures right now. Woods of Lafayette has several going on too.
But then what the h*ll, England does most things illegal anyway, so why should this be any different.
Proof.
Proof.
Proof.
Show us some. Anything. Just a little hint of it.
Promises of FBI tapes and "welling" do NOT count.
VERIFIABLE proof. Do you know what "verifiable" means?
Apparently not.
Trib says Jeff just got slapped with a half million dollar fine for breaking its EMC contract.
Price and Coffey should pay attention. Breaking contracts can cost you lots of money.
Correction: breaking contracts can cost the city and taxpayers lots of money.
10:07 You've got to be kidding? Where do we start?
1. malfeasance - $3 million (violation of Indiana State Law)
2. Council did not approve Carl M. or approve his salary. (violated of Indiana State Law)
3. Council passed an ordinance in 2007 Mrs. Garry was to seperate sewers and sanitation (violated of Indiana and local laws)
4. Political favors which is a (violation of Indiana State laws)
5. New Albany Ordinance on tap in fees. (violations of Indiana State Law)
6.Intimidation, Blackmailing of three council members for votes, Messer, Benedetti and Zurschmiede (that's what they're claiming folks so don't shoot the messenger)
Need I go any further?
Gee wiz...stop drinking the kool-aid people.
Breaking Contracts, grassroots housing initiatives getting the rug yanked from beneath it, the implications of such actions are inconsequential to certain factions. The positive benefits, both short term and long term to the hiring of a full time attorney and a professional grant writer remains assailable and repellent to that same group as well.
It is not about doing what right for this city, and the generations to come, it is about antagonistic hooliganism against any measure or tool that may lead to his city growing. It is about maintaining the belief that the citizenry is helpless victims of a corrupt administration. It is about trying to maintain pseudo-power through fear tactics. It is about a corrosive, destructive campaign of prevarication against anyone who dares to counter the antiquated ideologies of the CFA crowd. Make no mistake about it, they are no more interested in helping to evolve this community than they are to show the evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the administration. They have found a dirty little crack in the foundation that they can weave their webs of deceit, misinformation and irresponsible rumor mongering. Take notes, and notice how they never respond to legitimate questions, with the exception of cursing, insults and avoiding the subject by pointing out that the person who asked the question 5 or 10 years ago did something wrong. This is more damning to the community than the actions or inactions of any government official, which can be voted out of office, but you can not take away the freedom of speech of a bunch of people who do not realize or care about the damage they are doing. They have proven this by their refusal to have an open diaglog with people they claim to be fighting for.
Please go further, show us evidence, share recordings of people saying they were blackmailed. Unsubstantiated postings by an anonymous poster does not constitute proof.
1. malfeasance - $3 million (violation of Indiana State Law)
Which law. Cite the section. Do you know what you're talking about?
2. Council did not approve Carl M. or approve his salary. (violated of Indiana State Law)
Ditto
3. Council passed an ordinance in 2007 Mrs. Garry was to seperate sewers and sanitation (violated of Indiana and local laws)
Ditto
4. Political favors which is a (violation of Indiana State laws)
5. New Albany Ordinance on tap in fees. (violations of Indiana State Law)
Which favors and which code sections.
6.Intimidation, Blackmailing of three council members for votes, Messer, Benedetti and Zurschmiede (that's what they're claiming folks so don't shoot the messenger)
Need I go any further?
How did he intimidate them?
Gee wiz...stop drinking the kool-aid people.
He there's evidence England did all these bad things, then show us, show us, show us. If he really violated the law then you shouldn't have a problem showing which laws he violated.
(Something tells me I'm not going to get a reply citing code sections but instead get a rant about being up the mayor's butt.)
Gosh, are you folks really this dumb?
Folks we little people do our homework and you don't. See you are not as smart as you think. Big fancy $10 words don't produce the facts in THE case against the mayor.
We'll let the Indiana Attorney General decide.
You want me to quote IC Codes for you?
BS, do like I did, research it. You don't have to be a journalist or a rocket scientist to find all this out. As someone once told me; you have to let them break the law and then you got them.
Thanks MSJ for the best advice you ever gave me.
Don't you have some beer bottles to stack or a few kegs to fill? Maybe even a few tables to clean?
Do you really think we are going to let you take the credit for our hard work and research?
You're dumb and dumber than I thought.
Prove me wrong?
I guess the little people don't believe in innocent until proven guilty. Professor Erika wants to be judge, jury and executioner.
Did your "homework" include counting how many times he said "Well"?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I knew Anonymous couldn't tell us HOW the mayor intimidated the council member or WHAT statutes were violated. Too funny that she thinks people believe her BS.
"Do you really think we are going to let you take the credit for our hard work and research?
You're dumb and dumber than I thought."
By this statement are you admitting that it is more about getting credit than it is about doing what’s right for the community? As far as seeing what the attorney general says, we've heard that and many other empty promises for too long. You have nothing but hot air, empty threats, and a chip on your shoulders.
"See you are not as smart as you think. Big fancy $10 words don't produce the facts in THE case against the mayor."
I do not need a dictionary to know a 2 bit con artist when I read their empty threats. You are outnumbered. The voting public has spoken, and you lost, and you will loose again, and you will just get more bitter and become a bigger annoyance to this city.
If there's proof, it will speech for itself.
Why does anonymous insist on speaking for the proof instead of letting it speak for itself?
Maybe she's going a ventriloquist act?
This City has no budget in place for this year so please tell us how the Admin can think about hiring anyone?
Is England doing the same thing as last year? Spend spend spend and when the crap hits the fan over how much we are in the hole, well, I didn't know?
BS.
A good grant writer can bring in their annual salary + benefits on the first grant they write.
A good attorney can save their annual salary + benefits from avoiding one lawsuit or winning one.
professor erik's idea of evidence wouldn't convince a judge or a jury.
cough up the evidence, erika! show us the goods.
we're not saying you don't have proof. we're just saying if you have it, why are you hiding it?
Homeless people don't have attorneys.
Successful people have lots of attorneys.
Should the city be more like a homeless man or a successful man?
That's it in a nutshell...a good attorney. Where?
Christopher D. "A good attorney can save their annual salary + benefits from avoiding one lawsuit or winning one."
appears everyone else has a good attorney and its time for the city to get one so that it can start actually avoiding and winning lawsuits! so far lawsuits have not been avoided or won and have cost the city substantially more than high annual salary being paid.
yesterday, judge ordered jeffersonville to pay EMC $580,000 for breaking contract.
better lawyering could have saved them a little $$$$ here.
better lawyering might have been getting up and calling out council members who were taking the city in the wrong direction.
stan did this a little and he was criticized for speaking bluntly.
the city has to take the good advice it's given too.
We'll let the Indiana Attorney General decide.
Will I have to wait as long as I've been waiting for the FBI to prosecute?
I don't want to be reading the newspaper in the year 2024 and see that England was finally arrested at the nursing home.
Do you talk to the Indiana Attorney General every day or just every other day? How often do you go out for beers? I'm sure you're real close. (YAWN)
4:37 PM,
Agreed. But s this ties into avoiding and winning lawsuits, how many trip and falls have we lost or settled because of cracked and broken sidewalks. How many expensive car repairs have we had to shell out for because of massive potholes. But as usual sidewalk and street repair is a touchy subject around here. But I subscribe to an ounce of prevention...
Let the evidence speak for itself!
Prove that the silence isn't the sound of a lack of evidence.
Long live the $12 million parking garage ... but only if there's about $40 million of building on top of it. I'd go for one of those condos, if I thought we could sell this house.
Maybe your mommy will buy it for you?
Maybe yours will quit her night job at the No Tell Motel.
He he he
Important information from the CDC
Information about Gonorrhea Lectim
The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em."
The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it in 2008...but now most people, after having been infected for the past 1-2 years, are starting to realize how destructive this sickness is.
It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just coming on the market called Votemout. You take the first dose in 2010 and the second dose in 2012 and simply don't engage in such behavior again; otherwise, it could become permanent and eventually wipe out all life as we know it.
I don't hear any evidence speaking for itself...
(pin drop)
Still waiting for the evidence.
Tick...Tock....
I guess there is no evidence to be shown.
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