There was an article in the "Tribune" yesterday concerning overdue parking tickets. It said that the city is owed over $221,000 in fines!
This is outrageous. These people saw the signs when they decided to park where they did. Why should anyone get by without paying their fines? I know the city is trying to encourage more people to live and work downtown but this is sending the wrong message.
Everyone complains about special treatment for some people. This is special treatment to the max.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
CORRECTION
The city council meeting is tonight, not April 23, as I had previously reported. The agenda is pretty crowded so it looks like a long night. Sorry about the mis-information.
Monday, April 13, 2009
APRIL 15, NOT JUST TAX FILING DAY
Mark you calendars. Senator Evan Bayh and Congressman Baron Hill will hold an "informational march" at Warder Park, Jeffersonville from 5:00 to 6:00.
Please try to attend this important event so you can speak to these guys and address any problems/issues you have. One of the most important being Health Care. From what I am hearing, President Obama wants a vote on health care by June 1. If this is going to happen, we had better get on the ball and tell the Congress and the President that single payer health care is the way to go. We will be there wearing our blue Medicare for All shirts.
See you there.
Please try to attend this important event so you can speak to these guys and address any problems/issues you have. One of the most important being Health Care. From what I am hearing, President Obama wants a vote on health care by June 1. If this is going to happen, we had better get on the ball and tell the Congress and the President that single payer health care is the way to go. We will be there wearing our blue Medicare for All shirts.
See you there.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
NO FIREWORKS THIS TIME
The City Council meeting of April 6th was mostly calm with the exception of Attorney Stan Robison's announcements.
Shane Gibson was asked about his contract and how he was paid. He said he is paid out of several funds, over 50% from the sewer utility and stormwater since he spends that percentage of his time on these issues. He added that he does not have a retirement plan, vacation days, or Social Security, and no PERF. He is paid with a 1099 and handles his own taxes. There was also discussion about re-establishing a city court. This cannot take place until 2012 because a judge would have to be elected for this court in 2011. All in all it was pretty quick and painless. The meeting adjourned around 8:30 or so.
- He has filed a suit against the Administration for hiring Ron Carroll without consulting with the council.
- As to the two tie votes on Gary McCartin's Wendy's project. A tie vote amounts to no action taken. It must be brought up within 90 days of the plan commission's approval (Feb. 20) or it passes automatically. This item will be on the agenda for the next meeting for a second and third vote.
- R-09-08 Resolution to Fund a Feasibility Study for the New Albany City Council with Riverboat Funds. Tabled by Mr. Price
- A-09-02 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the EDIT Fund. Tabled by Mr. Gahan
- A-09-03 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Veterinary Fund. This is just for the use of the already accumulated $40,000 to hire an adoption coordinator. Passed 9-0
- A-09-04 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Animal Control Runs Fund. This is to use the continuing grant of $5,000 from Pet Smart to purchase supplies for the animal shelter. Passed 9-0
- A-09-05 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Parking Fund. I am not sure of the amount for this but City Clerk Marcy Wisman collected $127,000 in unpaid parking tickets last year so this was more than covered. This year she has collected over $17,000 in the first three months and she and Attorney Shane Gibson plan to take some people to court.
- A-09-06 Additional Appropriation Ordinance for the Non-Reverting Riverfront Fund. This is just moving funds already collected. Passed 9-0
- Z-09-06 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of New Albany, Indiana, Providing for the Zoning of Sexually Oriented Businesses, Including Adult Cabarets, Specifying Districts Where Adult Cabaret Uses are Permitted, and Further Specifying Development Standards for Adult Cabarets (Title XV Chapter 156) Passed 9-0
Shane Gibson was asked about his contract and how he was paid. He said he is paid out of several funds, over 50% from the sewer utility and stormwater since he spends that percentage of his time on these issues. He added that he does not have a retirement plan, vacation days, or Social Security, and no PERF. He is paid with a 1099 and handles his own taxes. There was also discussion about re-establishing a city court. This cannot take place until 2012 because a judge would have to be elected for this court in 2011. All in all it was pretty quick and painless. The meeting adjourned around 8:30 or so.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
OTHER PEOPLES' IDEAS
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.
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.
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.
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