I LOVE NEW ALBANY

The Floyd County Democrat Women's Club has a different venue for our meetings every month.

We had our September meeting last night at the new Jackson's Fish restaurant at West 4th & Main. Unfortunately the owner thought we would be meeting on the 15th instead of the 14th. When I arrived the place was packed. As it turned out we had to rearrange a few tables as soon as they were vacated and form a row of three tables to accommodate our crowd. As it would happen we had a large turnout for our meeting.

We still had a wonderful time and great food. I highly recommend this restaurant, it is very reasonable and everything is new and shiny.

Again, I just can't get over how things have improved in good ole' NA in the last couple of years. Everyone agreed last night that Jeffersonville has nothing on us.

A PERFECT DAY

If you missed the home tour this year please make sure you go next year. When I turned in my ticket at the Farmer's Market yesterday there were already three pages of signatures of attendees and it was only a little after noon!

The tour is self-directed so you can go at your own pace and in any order you choose. The homes and buildings were beautiful and the homeowners were very welcoming an gracious. A couple of the homes were for sale, I hope they had offers because if I had the money...

Well it was the perfect day to drive around and see some dreamy homes and wish that I had one of those beauties for myself.

Thank you everyone who opened their home, or business, or church to eager "looksees" like me.

BIG DAY TOMORROW

Don't forget, tomorrow is the New Albany Historic Home Tour. If you don't yet have your ticket, stop by the Farmer's Market and see David Barksdale, he will be happy to set you up. If you have purchased your ticket in advance, again go to the Farmer's Market for a map and further information.



There are 10 stops on the tour this year, and of course the tour is different than last year:

1. Reel House #4 - 1006 State St.


2. Jacob Bader Building, Apt 2 - 207 E. Main St.


3. Jacob Bader Building, Apt 3


4. Warren-Morrill House - 1309 E. Main St.


5. Second Presbyterian Church - 1307 E. Elm St.


6. Cardinal Ritter Birthplace - 1218 E. Oak St.


7. Charles E. Richards House - 844 Cedar Bough Place


8. The Glen Falls - 1946 Ekin Ave.


9. Kiel-Heazlitt House - 2007 East Elm St.


10. Louis I. Shrader House - 1825 E. Spring St.

The weather looks like it will be beautiful (thank you God). Hope to have a big crowd.

If you have any questions call Develop New Albany 941-0018 or go to www.DevelopNA.org.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 9/3/09 TABLE THIS, TABLE THAT

The September 3 city council meeting was pretty tame. The Moratorium Ordinance was tabled as was the Ordinance concerning raising the user/service fees for trash pick up. However, Mr. Messer's amendment passed. This lowered the proposed monthly increase from $5.00 to $2.00.

On a happier note, the cost of living recognition passed 8-1 on the first reading. This is the Ordinance giving the non-bargaining employees a one time wage adjustment to make up for the lack of a salary increase in 2 years.

Mr. Coffey formed a fact finding committee to look into the idea of a moratorium on building. It seems there was a question as to the legality of such an ordinance. The committee will be composed of three council members, John Gonder (chair), Bob Ceasar, Kevin Zurschmeide, two attorneys, Stan Robison and Shane Gibson, three developers and one of the engineers from the Storm Water Board. Mr. Gonder wanted one of the victims of the recent flooding added but Mr. Coffey said this was only fact finding and the public input was already on record. The results of the meetings will be presented at a public meeting, where the citizens can give their opinions.

At the end of the meeting a business owner spoke during the non-agenda public communications. Her first name if Vickie (sorry I did not hear her last name). She has a hair salon on 15th and Spring and the empty lot next to her has large sink holes which caused her basement wall to cave in. Very scary indeed. Thankfully Mr. Price and some of the other council members will contact the storm water board to see what can be done to help her. This is in spite of the fact that the problems are on private property. Thank you Mr. Price for helping this citizen. In my opinion that is what our city council is supposed to do.

Finally, Ordinance G-09-19 failed 6-3. This was the one which gave Georgetown 5 years to pay on their agreement.

On a personal note, I want to thank the council and everyone for conducting the meeting in a businesslike fashion, hardly a voice was raised.

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH BARON HILL

Hi everyone,

Due to a prior commitment I was unable to attend last night's town hall meeting at IUS. Would the attendees please weigh in with your comments?

It would be greatly appreciated, inquiring minds (like mine) want to know.

Thanks,

Shirley

SENATOR KENNEDY

I saw on the news this morning that Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. May he rest in peace with God's grace.

ANOTHER MARATHON CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The August 20th City Council meeting was all about rate increases. The Stormwater Board wanted to raise the monthly fee by $2.00 to cover maintenance work on the sewers. There was much discussion about this issue from the public and from the city officials.

• Jason Hublar of the Falling Run Group questioned where the money would be spent if the fees were raised. He said the $100,000 appropriated was spent in another neighborhood. A representative from the Stormwater board said the funds are used on a case by case basis.
• Vicki Denhart of Citizens for Accountability said the council members need to go out and talk to the citizens. She added that flooding is not a one time issue. Additionally she said that taxes paid are not meeting the tax payers' needs, and that the trash and garbage collection should be bid out. As for the budget, she said we cannot freeze the 2009 because we don't have a 2009 budget approved as of yet.
• Richard Berryman complimented the council but complained that the garbage truck had left a stream of filthy, smelly water in front of his home and was told to use bleach and water and clean up the mess himself.
• Brent Glotzbach wanted to lower the $5.00 request for an increase in garbage collection.

Councilman Gahan brought up the Linden Meadows problem. Asked if the council could do anything to help. Mr. Malysz said that he was aware of the problem. The Linden Meadows project was not turning out as planned. He added that the State had hired an engineer and an architect who will report back to the Administration. Mayor England suggested that the city leave the issue in the state's hands.

The mayor also added that the garbage problem needs to be resolved because the Street Dept. employees need to be working to paint the lines on the streets. This is a safety issue.

After voting, the Stormwater ordinance was amended to a $1.00 per month increase and was approved.

The garbage/trash increase was not approved.

Since the meeting lasted from 7:30 to after 10:00 this is obviously a very condensed version. Any attendees please expand the coverage if you wish.