LET'S HELP THE WEST END TOO

I was very disappointed with the Redevelopment Commission when I read this article in Wednesday's Tribune City Will Study Increasing East End Home Ownership.


I don't understand why this study is directed to the East End only. What is wrong with the rest of the city? Is it because this area of town has strong neighborhood associations? Is it because of the citizens who reside in that area? Is it the demographics of that particular area? Was this a payback for political favors?


I want to thank Dan Coffey for speaking up for the West End residents and insisting that we need a study as well. Even though Mr. Joshua (the president of the commission) said the study could be used throughout the city. If that is the case why not have a study throughout the city? If the commission wants to spend nearly $20,000 on one area of town why can't they add a few more dollars and do the job right?


Mr. Coffey is correct in his statement that he is tired of the city advertising for businesses. Yes, we need more business but not just in the East End. The West End could use a little help too people.



I also want to thank Diane Benedetti for voting against this measure. She is right that we need better code enforcement. And she is right about the renters in the city. New Albany has a disaportionate number of renters compared to homeowners. Many of the landlords are absentees and have no civic pride in their properties. And many of the renters have lower incomes and are forced to live in these homes because they cannot afford better housing.


I disagree with Carl Malysz that code enforcement does not affect the housing market. If a property is neglected and run-down it affects the value of the entire neighborhood. That is why there is such a concern about people abandoning their homes. Empty homes are a target for vandals and drug dealers.



I want to ask Mr. Coffey and Mrs. Benedetti to keep up the fight and not give up. I will do anything I can to support you.

HCHP: WE NEED YOUR HELP

I am a member of a grassroots organization known as Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan or HCHP. We support the passage of a bill currently in Congress known as HR676.



Today we were fortunate to meet with Congressman Baron Hill. We asked Baron to agree to support this bill but he had to remain non-committal. He had a very good reason for this position because he is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is one of the oldest committees in Congress and one of the issues to be addressed is healthcare. Because he is a member of this committee he must remain open minded to all of the proposals. I personally believe he is leaning in our direction but he did not say so specifically.



He added that healthcare is not currently at the top of anyone's list because everyone is waiting until after the election to see who will be our President and which party will be in the majority.



We asked what we could do to promote healthcare for all and he said to continue what we are doing and keep writing letters to his office. So I am asking everyone reading this to contact his office and let him know that his constiuency supports a plan where no one will be uninsured.

EVAN BAYH & DERBY PIE

Senator Bayh took time out of his schedule to stop by the Speakeasy this afternoon to thank the Floyd County volunteers who worked for the Hillary Clinton campaign.



He gave a short talk and answered several questions from the volunteers.



On a personal note I was honored to be in attendance and was impressed with how personable and "down to earth" he is. I had seen him previously at rallies but never had the opportunity to chat with him one on one. He will make a wonderful V.P. (fingers crossed).



Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera. This is the first "photo op" I have missed in this election.

DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS

Mike Huckabee has said that he is "open" to the idea of being John McCain's running mate.

Will John Edwards join with Barak Obama too?

What about Hillary's big win in West Virginia? Is she still a player in this race?

What does Al Gore plan to do?

This is an exciting time in politics, especially for us Democrats!

MAY 6 2008 PRIMARY

Congratulations to all of the Floyd County winners of the May 6 Primaries. And to the runners up, I think everyone did well, many of the races were very close, and everyone ran a fine race. Most of the Republication races were unapposed with the exception of the County Council At Large.





REPUBLICANS:



County Council At Large

Larry M. Summers
Dana Fendley
Harry T. Harbison



Superior Court Judge No. 1
(no candidate)


Superior Court Judge No. 2
Chris Lane (unapposed)


Superior Court Judge No. 3
Richard R. Fox (unapposed)


County Recorder
Lois Naville Endris (unapposed)


County Treasurer
Linda L. Berger (unapposed)


County Coroner
John Patrick Click (unapposed)


County Surveyor
William B. Gibson (unapposed)


County Commissioner Dist. 2
Davd Matthews (unapposed)


County Commissioner Dist. 3
Steve Bush (unapposed)



Democrats:


County Council At Large

Randy Stumler
Carol Shope
Ted Heavrin


Superior Court Judge No. 1
Susan L. Orth


Superior Judge No. 2
Glenn G. Hancock (unapposed)


Superior Judge No. 3
Maria Granger


County Recorder
Darlene S. McCoy (unapposed)


County Treasurer
Bette A. Buechler (unapposed)


County Coroner
Leslie E. Knable


County Commissioner Dist. 2
Chuck Frieberger (unapposed)


County Commissioner Dist. 3
Dennis O. Roudenbush (unapposed)



Nonpartison:


School Board At Large
Patricia Badger-Byrd


School Board Member Dist. 3
Neal Allen Smith


School Board Member Dist. 4
Rebecca Gardenour (unapposed)



I want to personally thank everyone who ran for office. It is a difficult path to follow and extremely stressful. But we are lucky in Floyd County to have to many people willing to step up and do this important public service for our community. In my opinion you are all winners.

Shirley

HOLD THAT DESSERT CART, WE HAVEN'T HAD DINNER YET

The Tribune ran an article yesterday, May 1, 2008, about Mayor England's idea for a water park on the riverfront. I think this is a fine idea, especially along the river. It could be a beautiful spot to swim or just float on a raft and watch the boats go down the river. Maybe we could even buy that giant Ferris Wheel from California, that would be a great view.



This is all well and good for the future but we cannot ignore the present. I love "feel good" projects as much as anyone else but we have to face reality. And the reality is that we still have streets with potholes big enough to swallow a Mack truck and parts of our city without sewers.



The mayor said people could not see past the "meat and potatoes" of paving and code enforcement. Sorry but meat and potatoes are the basic meal, dessert comes after dinner.



A lot of us would like more parks, museums, ice cream parlors, etc. but we have to have streets to drive on to get there first. The city officials seem to have a "let them eat cake" attitude. We need bread now, Mr. Mayor, and we'll have cake later. I want to urge the City Council to consider the basics first, then the extras.

KEEP AMERICAN DOLLARS IN AMERICA

I found this on a column called WEEKS OF FUN by Dr. Ann Weeks.

Gmajo shares-How to use your IRS rebate check.

As you may have heard, the Bush Administration said each of us would get a rebate check to stimulate the economy.

• If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
• If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
• If we purchase a computer it will go to India.
• If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.
• If we purchase a good car it will go to Japan.
• If we purchase useless stuff it will go to Taiwan.

None of it will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it a yard sales, since those are the only businesses still in the US.

SAD BUT TRUE.