PLEASE STAND BY

I did attend the city council meeting last night. Since I arrived home late, I did not post the report but hopefully that will be taken care of later today.

thanks

THANK A VETERAN

As everyone knows, Monday is Memorial Day. Yes it is a good day for picnics and most of us get a holiday but we should remember what the day celebrates.

My father was a proud WWII veteran and he taught us about honor and love for our country. He always participated in the Memorial Day events with the VFW Hobart Post. He was very patriotic and taught us to be so also. He passed away over twenty years ago but he lives on in our memories.

So this Memorial Day please remember all of our service people those who are with us and those who have passed. And if you see a veteran or someone still in the service please remember to thank them.

DOWNTOWN HAPPENINGS

The weather should be good for this weekend and all of the activities.

• This Friday and Saturday there will be concerts at the Amphitheater.
• This Saturday, start your day with a trip to the Farmer's Market to load up on great food.
• Then go down to the Scribner House for a tour of the home and the beautiful new garden.
• After that Historian Dave Condra will be presenting a tour of Mansion Row.

It will be a great weekend to get out and enjoy the sunshine and get some exercise before loading up at all of the Memorial Day barbecues.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

REGARDING ST. MARY'S CHURCH

As a member of St. Mary's I must speak out. There has been a lot of outrage about the removal of the Bradford Pear trees along Eighth St. The "protesters" seem to be mainly non members.

First of all, the trees were not the right type to be planted in such a small area. They became too tall for the space and the falling leaves were lying on top of the church roof, causing damage. The trees on Spring St. were growing through the power lines. Additionally, the roots were encroaching on the water and sewer lines under the sidewalk and also damaging the sidewalk itself.

Yes, the steeple was taken down without the removal of any trees but it was cut into sections before removal and done under emergency circumstances. Duke energy would not allow the repaired steeple to be put into place from the Spring St. side because the crane would have to cross the power lines. The only solution would have been to shut down the entire grid during the process.

The only solution was to drive the crane over the sidewalk on Eighth St. and onto the side lawn. The trees were removed by St. Mary's and new more suitable trees will be planted in their place, also paid for by St. Mary's. The city was not charged a dime.

Irvin Stumler explained all of this at the city council meeting on May 20. He also attended every Mass over the weekend of May 22 and 23 and explained all of this to the church members. I talked to our church secretary after the 11:30 service and she said the calls made on the day of the tree removal were positive. Everyone understood the need for this and were glad that more suitable trees would be planted in replacement.

LET'S STILL DEBATE OR AT LEAST HAVE A DISCUSSION

Steve Price still wants to debate. He would like to have a discussion/debate in the meeting room on the third floor of the city county building before a council meeting.

He asked me to relay this message to everyone concerned.

Mr. Price and two others will be there in addition to a moderator. I am not personally involved but will be in attendance.

As before please contact Mr. Price or myself if you are interested in debating or if you have any questions.

thanks

Shirley

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 5/20/10

There was a lengthy but orderly meeting last night.

Carl Malysz started things off by representing the Mayor regarding the Greenway Project. There will be Federal matching funds if the city can provide approx. $1,225,000. It just so happens that there are funds left over from Phase 1 of the Scribner Project so it looks like we will have a walkway that extends past Loop Island and goes to Silver Creek.

Ed Wilkinson reported on the Sewer Board. He gave out reports to the council members showing the cash on hand in addition to the receipts and expenditures. He said the report was pretty straight forward since he is not a CPA. He added that the sewer liens are being paid but he does not have an exact amount now because the funds are being deposited in the bank. He promised more information later.

Although there were several Ordinances and Resolutions the rest of the meeting went smoothly for the most part. All members were present except for Mr. Caesar.

A-10-06 Additional Appropriation in an Amount of $350,000 From EDIT Fund to Build Handicapped Ramps in the City of New Albany. 2 readings
votes 7 yes, 1 no (Mr. Price)

G-10-13 Ordinance to allow the YMCA to refinance their bonds, the city is only the conduit and not financially involved. votes 8 yes, 0 no.

G-10-12 An Ordinance Establishing Certain Financial Controls and Reporting Requirements for the New Albany Municipal Sewer Utility. (Hire a CPA for the Sewer dept.)
7 yes, 1 no (Mr. Price)

R-10-11 Community Block Grant Program: show of hands 7 yes 1 no (Mr. Price)

R-10-12 Using redevelopment funds to help keep sewer rates down: show of hands 6 yes, 2 no
(Mr. Gahan and Mr. McLaughlin)

R-10-13 Use Riverboat funds transfer 2010 de-icing salt costs from the LRS Budget: show of hands 8 yes, 0 no.

R-10-14 Use Riverboat funds to purchase street sweeper. Will replace funds when tax revenue comes in : show of hands 8 yes, 1 no. (Mr. Price)

PUBLIC MEETING RE: RAMPS 5/20/10

The meeting took place before the regular council meeting and it concerned sidewalk ramps for handicapped people. Here are the hi-lights:

• Must be built by the same contractor and not with new money. The ramps were funded by part of the two million dollars appropriated in 2009. $643,932 was carried over and after paying the final bill for Gohmann paving there was $350,00 left over. ADA mandates that the ramps be up to code.
• CDBG funds cannot be used because CDBG is for low income properties only.
• The cost of each ramp is between $1,000 and $2,000. There will be 300 to 400 ramps built.
• There will be a list of all ramps, locations and cost furnished per Mr. Coffey's request.