M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !!!!!!****** AND TO ALL, A GOOD NITE '10

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL.

HEY, I DON'T CARE WHAT RELIGION YOU ARE OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE. MERRY CHRISTMAS. TO ALL OF MY JEWISH FRIENDS ACROSS THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS, I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD HANUKKAH.

DECEMBER 25, 2010 COINCIDES WITH WHAT ALL OF OUR CALENDARS SAY, THE DATE SINCE CHRIST. PLEASE FORGIVE ME LOCAL ATHEISTS, SERIOUSLY. THOUGH, I HAVE TO ADMIT, EVERY TIME YOU WOULD ASK ME TO PROVE TO YOU THERE IS A GOD EVERY TIME I WOULD ASK YOU TO PROVE TO ME THERE WASN'T. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT DEBATE WOULD LAST? CAN YOU IMAGINE? (GIGGLE, GIGGLE, I'm being facetious, I should say). HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS! GOD BLESS US ALL.

NEXT, MORE CLOSER TO HOME DID YOU READ WHERE THE NEW ALBANY CITY'S BUDGET WILL CONTINUE TO HEMMORAGE BECAUSE THAT LITTLE OLD PAST DUE LOAN UNDER OVERTON'S ADMINISTRATION (HOW LONG) JUST WON'T GO AWAY. I HAVE TO ADMIT, I AM LAUGHING OUT LOUD. YOU MAY JUST NEED TO KNOW THE HISTORY AS TO WHY I AM LAUGHING, OUT LOUD.

DID YOU NOTICE THE LOCAL TWITTER BUZZ CONCERNING PRICE? IF THERE ARE THREE (3) PEOPLE RUNNING, INCLUDING PRICE, HE WOULD WIN. DO YOU THINK THIS FACT MAY TELL YOU SOMETHING? MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, THE NOT SO RICH; NOT IN BUSINESS; BARELY MAKING IT BY INDIVIDUALS APPROVE OF PRICE VOTING NO ON THE FINANCIAL ISSUES. SURE, YOU MAY HAVE A BUR UP YOUR HINDSIDE BECAUSE OF OTHER VOTES AND BECAUSE PRICE IS A REALLY EASY TARGET FOR THE PEN, BUT, DOESN'T REALITY USUALLY BITE? DOES THIS FACT TELL SOME HOW A CERTAIN GROUP OF VOTERS THINK? THE VOTER THINKING THIS WAY ARE PAYING THE BILLS THAT KILL, i.e., AS IN MELLANCAMP'S SONG.

THE BRIDGE TOLL OR TOLLS OR NOT IS AN ISSUE (NOT NEEDED NOW) THAT BITES YOU IN THE REAR END. AS A LABOR SUPPORTER I CRINGED WHEN THE UNION(S) NEEDING THE JOBS SEEM TO BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE THAN THE EXTRA (AT LEAST) $60.00 PER MONTH WE ARE STARTING TO BUDGET FOR.

I HATE THE NEW BICYCLE LANES ON CHARLESTOWN ROAD. THE LANE GOES OUT CHARLESTOWN LANE SO FAR AND THEN ENDS. THE LANE COMES IN CHARLESTOWN ROAD AND THEN ENDS. THE LANES DO NOT JOIN UP NOR ARE THEY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD. ONE BICYCLE LANE ENDS IN A TURN LANE ONTO SILVER. WHO THE HEY AND WHAT THE HEY? AS OF TODAY I HAVE YET TO SEE ANYONE, ON ANY STREET, IN A BICYCLE LANE. HAVE YOU? YOU DO KNOW THEY PLAN TO PUT THEM ON SLATE RUN ROAD, DON'T YOU? FORGET TRAFFIC MAY TRAVEL TOO FAST (VIOLATION OF SPEED LIMIT) BICYCLE LANES MAY (MAY) SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN. IS IT WRONG FOR ME TO THINK WHAT THE HEY?

DID YOU SEE ROAD UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND CITY DURING OUR BAD WEATHER THE OTHER NIGHT VIA FACEBOOK? VERY INTERESTING. GO AWAY OLD MAN WEATHER. WE ARE DONE WITH YOU. EVERYONE SAID THIS WOULD BE A WARM WINTER AS OF LAST YEAR; BUT THEN SOME PEOPLE SAID I MUST NOT HAVE READ THE FARMER'S ALMANAC FOR THIS YEAR. HAD TO ADMIT NO, I HAVE NOT. DAGGONE IT.

VICIOUS LITTLE CIRCLE CONCERNING THE MONEY OWED TO FOX AND COTNER (& THE OTHER WHO'S NAME I FORGET) ABOUT THE SEWER MONEY GEORGETOWN OWED DON'T YOU THINK?

THEY SUED IN THE NAME OF THE SEWER BOARD IN ORDER TO PROVE GEORGETOWN OWED US X AMOUNT OF $$$$$ (DOLLARS) AND WON. SOMEONE (WHO?) DECLARED GEORGETOWN WOULD JUST GET OFF OF NEW ALBANY'S SEWERS (EVEN THOUGH THEY ONLY SEND LIQUIDS) AND BUILD THEIR OWN PLANT (WHICH WILL HANDLE ONLY LIQUIDS FOR THE GEORGETOWN AREA) AND IT WOULD BE IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST NEW ALBANY NOT COLLECT THE OLDDDLLLDDD PAST DUE MONEY (SCREW NEW ALBANY SEWER PAYERS). YES, WE OWE THE MONEY. YES, WE SHOULD MAKE THE SEWER BOARD PAY IT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT NEW YEAR. 2011 WILL PROBABLY CONTAIN EVEN MORE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENINGS OR EVENTS, BUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.


PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS TO ALL.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE INTERNET?

THE ARTICLE YOU POSTED PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THE WIKI LEAKS (ONGOING SAGA). DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE INTERNET IN GENERAL IS DOMINATING THE NEWS AND HAVE OUR FAMILY TALKING ABOUT INTERNET POWER, INTERNET ETIQUETTE, THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION, AND THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE.

IT'S TRUE THE INTERNET HAS OPENED DOORS NO ONE EVER IMAGINED AND HAS CREATED MILLIONS OF JOBS. IT'S ALSO TRUE THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE INFORMATION POSTED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET (WHETHER IT'S CORRECT OR NOT) HAS BECOME AN ISSUE IN AND OF ITSELF, ALONG WITH ETIQUETTE AND TEACHING OUR YOUNG ONES INTERNET ETIQUETTE.

WE AGREED SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TEACH INTERNET ETIQUETTE BUT SHOULD COME DIRECTLY FROM THE PARENTS (AFTER ALL, THAT'S WHERE CHILDREN LEARN HOW TO ACT AND SPEAK). IF THE ADULTS ARE POSTING AND TALKING TRASH THEIR CHILDREN SURELY WILL. BUT, WHAT IF THE ADULTS DOING SOME OF THE POSTING, ETC., DON'T HAVE CHILDREN AND AREN'T WORRIED ABOUT THE ISSUE?

THE NOW INTERNATIONAL DEBATE AND PROTESTING AND COMPUTER HACKING RELATED TO WIKI LEAKS IS, TO US, ALMOST OVERWHELMING. WE WERE TALKING WITH NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS IN A SMALL SETTING AND A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER WAS THE ONLY PERSON TAKING ISSUE WITH WHAT WIKI LEAKS PUBLISHED AND WHETHER THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO DO SO. THE MAJORITY, WHO UNDERSTOOD WHAT WE WERE SPEAKING ABOUT, FELT THIS SITE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO PRINT THE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

WE WERE RAISED BEING TOLD KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IGNORANCE. AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WERE NO COMPUTERS AND THE WORLD HAS CERTAINLY LEAPED FORWARD THROUGH THE INFORMATION AGE.

ISN'T AUSTRALIA A "LIBERAL" COUNTRY? THEIR PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON THE WIKI LEAK'S SAGA IS "IT IS OUR COUNTRY'S FAULT". PERSONALLY, ALL I KNOW IS I FEEL STRANGE IN EVEN SPEAKING AND WRITING ABOUT THE SUBJECT. THEN AGAIN, WHAT DO I KNOW?

WHEW! TOO MUCH TURKEY

A GOOD THANKSGIVING WAS HAD BY ALL OF ME AND MINE THOUGH WE MAY HAVE TO ADMIT WE ATE TOO MUCH!

AND, THE THINGS WE DISCUSSED AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, WHEW! MAYBE WE SHOULD COIN IT "THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY" (credit Clint on that one).

WHERE DO WE START? SATURDAY WAS A GOOD DAY IN DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY. A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOPPING AT STORES THEY'VE NEVER BEEN TO, A LOT OF GOOD FOOD EATEN AND A LOT OF FRIENDS OUT AND ABOUT. SOMETIMES WE WORRY ABOUT ALCOHOL SPONSORED FUNCTIONS BY THE CITY (BASED ON LAWSUITS AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR CHRISTMAS PARTIES), BUT HEY. WE GUESS THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM. WAIT A MINUTE - THEIR PROBLEM IS OUR PROBLEM - BUT HEY, WE CAN'T STOP THE FREE WINE AND BEER. WE SAW A VERY BAD WRECK ON SPRING RIGHT BEFORE STATE STREET AROUND 1:30 AM BUT WE CAN'T CONTRIBUTE THIS INCIDENT TO THE FESTIVITIES DOWNTOWN.

WE ARE GLAD TO SEE THEM USING THE BIG GREEN MACHINE THE CITY WORKS ON THE PARKING GARAGE WITH TO HANG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS THIS WEEKEND RATHER THAN OUR FIRE TRUCKS AND FIRE MEN. WHO EVER THOUGHT OF THAT IDEA WE GIVE A THUMBS UP TO.

GOOD ARTICLE ON THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE NUMEROUS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BELONG TO AND THE LEADER, VICKI. HANG IN THERE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE SEWER LINES IN THE SEJ NEIGHBORHOOD BEING "Y'D" (TIED TOGETHER) WHICH ARE AS ILLEGAL AS HEY. WE FELT THE DEVELOPER PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE PADDED HIS ESTIMATE ON THE CONTRACT TO COVER UNFORESEEN COSTS (THAT'S BUSINESS). BUT, WE DO NOT FEEL THE CITIZENS SHOULD PAY TO CORRECT THESE LINES. THE CITY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THEM AND WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THEM LONG BEFORE MR. PAUL GOT IN THERE. THIS ISSUE IS EXACTLY WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STAYS ON NEW ALBANY'S BUTTOCKS AND WE CAN'T GET THEM OFF. WHY DIDN'T THEY GIVE MR. PAUL THE SEWER MAPS?

WE TALKED ABOUT THE WIKILEAKS WEB SIGHT. WE CHECKED THE SIGHT OUT BEFORE THEY WERE BLOCKED YESTERDAY AND READ THE NEW YORK TIMES ACCOUNTS. FASCINATING HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS OUT PACED WORLD GOVERNMENT BUT THEN TECHNOLOGY HAS OUT PACED PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING, DON'T YOU THINK?

SPEAKING OF TECHNOLOGY, TODAY IS SUPPOSE TO BE CYBER MONDAY. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE SUPPOSEDLY GOING ON THE INTERNET TO BUY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. DOES THAT MEAN CORPORATE EMPLOYEES, PRIVATE BUSINESS EMPLOYEES AND GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES ARE USING "THEIR" COMPUTERS? IT BEGS THE QUESTION!

WE WILL LET YOU CARRY ON WITH THE DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT YOUR FAMILY MAY HAVE TALKED ABOUT OVER THE TURKEY AND HAM.

T H A N K S G I V I N G

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY!

WHO IS AND WHAT DOES PAUL ETHERIDGE STAND FOR???

We know Paul slightly. We have been making inquiries as to WHAT are your ideas, plans and visions for New Albany.

We know he is for a better government in New Albany. We also know he favors a City Court so the monies for tickets issued by the Police do not go to Indy. We also know taxpayers does not trust England to do this thing because we felt Shane Gibson would be in the midst of same. But, if the monies saved by doing the City Court will shave the Police and Fire from taking 85% plus from the General Fund (and only under him not England), we have to listen.

Unions, both fire and police, have got to concede something. As my father said (a life long union member and us being die hard union people), unions got too greedy and did their selves in. Time for the police and fire to make concessions. Times are too hard for the average joe blow, but I don't know they recognize the ramifications if they don't.

Yes, Etheridge is right in getting rid of our Deputy Mayor (we feel). Unnecessary position to say the least.

But, what else will be Paul's platform? We look forward to hearing more and knowing his words are true and will be acted upon.

Stay tuned.

IF IT WASN'T SO SICK, WE WOULD ALL BE LAUGHING

HOW MUCH DID WE ALL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS?


WHERE WOULD YOU START? THE ELECTIONS? THE TOLLS PROPOSED FOR BRIDGES ALREADY PAID FOR AND EXTREMELY DETRIMENTAL TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW ALBANY BUT ALSO FOR FLEDGLING BUSINESSES IN NEW ALBANY TRYING TO CAPTURE KENTUCKY DOLLARS?

MAYBE YOU TALKED ABOUT MESSER AND HIS "PENANCE". MAYBE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NEW QUIET ZONE ON MAIN STREET. HISTORICAL IN ITS CREATION. THERE ARE HARDLY ANY RESIDENCES IN THE UNITED STATES WHO CAN CLAIM "THEY WERE THERE BEFORE THE RAILROAD". SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT, BUT OH, THE FALLOUT.

WAS IT DOUG ENGLAND WHO CREATED THE QUIET ZONE OR WAS IT VALLA ANN BOLEVSCHEKS'S (IF I SPELLED IT WRONG, I APOLOGIZE) EFFORTS , AND BEFORE IT WAS OVER, JIMMY G STICKERS..?!.

AS WE READ THE NEWS, WATCHED THE ELECTIONS, CATCHING UP ON NEWSPAPERS AFTER THE MARCH FOR SANITY/AND OR FEAR, WE BECAME THANKFUL WE DID THE MARCH FOR SANITY. ALL RACES, ALL COLORS, BOTH DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, TEA PARTIES, ETC...WERE THERE. WE SAW THE BEST "PROTEST SIGNS" WE HAVE EVER SEEN. ATTENDING THE RALLY MADE YOU FEEL GOOODDDD ABOUT YOURSELF AND MAYBE YOUR INTELLIGENCE LEVEL.

OKAY, THE LATEST ISSUES WE HAVE HAD BANDIED ABOUT WOULD BE MAYOR ENGLAND BEING AT ANN STRECKFUS' (& STEVEN BROWN'S) HOUSE TUESDAY MORNING. THE ISSUE OF HER BLOG SUDDENLY MOVING TO FACEBOOK IMMEDIATELY AFTER "THEIR" MEETING HAS US WONDERING "HUH, WHAT WAS THAT "ONE" ALL ABOUT (LOL)?!?

THEN, THE SAME EXACT DAY, OUR DEPUTY MAYOR CARL MALYSZ APPEARED AT VALLA ANN BOLVASCHEK'S DOOR STEP TWICE (NOT ONCE). WISELY, SHE DID NOT ANSWER THE DOOR (AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED). THERE ARE TWO THINGS ENGLAND CAN NOT STAND (CAN'T THINK OF ONE OF THE TWO RIGHT NOW), BUT A BIGGIE IS NO, AND WE MEAN NO, BAD PRESS. BOOOO. WHY DID MALYSZ GO TO VAB'S HOUSE? WE HAVE TO TRY AND FIGURE THAT ONE OUT BEFORE WE CAN PROCEED FURTHER WITH THIS CONVERSATION.

INTERESTING, TOO, THE CITY OF NEW ALBANY'S BLOG SITE THINKING ABOUT TAKING ANONYMOUS COMMENTS. WE UNDERSTAND THE STRAIN TOLLS WOULD HAVE ON ANY NEW ALBANY BUSINESS BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE TRIED TO TELL YOU SO. YOU KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMIES ARE.....IT'S YOUR FRIENDS YOU NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR.

WELL, WE ARE GOING TO SIGN OFF AND LET THE CITY RESIDENTS TAKE IT FROM HERE ON ANY OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED TOPICS. PLEASE TRY AND KEEP IT "CLEAN". THANKS.

ALL KINDS OF ISSUES

There are so many things our family talked about this week.


Did you read about Messer and the "money" he is going

to be missing out on?


Did you see the focus group on Fox from Ohio where

their favorite ad was a family sitting around the

kitchen table?


Is the rumor true the local Democrat Central

Committee are all going to resign

immediately after this election, because

of different issues?


How come Coffey didn't stick to his guns about the

salaries at the Council meeting?


We are glad the Quiet Zone is going in on Main Street.

This will help our family get some sleep and

encourage the bed and breakfasts. Is the get

together Nov. 4? Thank you Valla Ann.

MARCH FOR SANITY

HEY! WE ARE OFF. NOT TO THE RACES, BUT TO THE MARCH FOR SANITY IN WASHINGTON, DC. HATS OFF TO JON STEWART FOR BEING THE MOOOSST INFLUENTIAL PERSON. SEE YOU THERE?!?!!!

ELECTIONS 2010

LET US TALK ABOUT IT, LOL....


WHO ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE FOR???? WE KNOW WHO WE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR.

DON'T YOU WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE COMMERCIALS????

WE DO...

DON'T YOU WISH HAD THE MONEY THEY DO????

I SAY ABOLISH PARTIES. IS THAT EXTREME? WELL, YEAH, BUT IT'S THE TRUTH. EXTREME.... TO THE ABSOLUTE... ABOLISH THE PARTIES. THEN, WHERE WILL THEY FIND THE FOLLOWINGS TO DO ALLLLLLLL OF THE ADVERTISING WE HAVE ALLLL BEEN So tired of...

ABOLISH THE PARTIES...WHAT A RADICAL IDEA...LOL

WE CAN'T IMAGINE EVEN ...

WE KNOW WHO WE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR... DO YOU???

GO CLERE, GO E.., GO BARON, ...SEABROOK.........

ETC.

WHAT THE HEY??????

We sure have had a lot to talk about this week. I would
call it unexplainable bull crap.

We heard, too, Chief Crabtree was going to be thrown
under the bus. I guess he'll have a friend in Messer now.
By the way, what's going on with Messer and when does
the public find out what is his punishment is going to
be?

My family is Democrat, though we do try to vote for the
person with the right ideas, ideals, etc., and not straight
party. So, we have a big problem with the happenings
within the Party and the Harvest Homecoming Parade.

The election this fall is for County and State representa-
tives, not the CITY. Why in the hey did Shane Gibson
give Randy Smith permission to ride on the float with a
"candidate" shirt on? Why did the City try to upstage
local Democrats running for office this fall; because of
Shane? Go Ed.

Why in the hey did we use Sodrel's flatbed for the float
representing the party? Hell, we could have gotten you
a flatbed, free. Did you get it free because the gentleman
driving it was wearing a Todd Young shirt? Yes, I under-
stand he had to cover it with a vest but it was still
visible. We noticed it and a lot of others noticed it. Just
who do you "all" think you are fooling? Go Baron.

Why did Mrs. Benedetti and Randy Smith get into it?
We would love to have been privvy to that argument.

We were glad to see the partial list of past due free flushers
published. We hope some of you who have bashed a lot
of people over why we don't need our sewer rates hiked
because of certain people not paying their bills year
after year after year. The list is almost a reading of
who's who in New Albany.

The Windsor Restaurant Doesn't the same person
still own the building? Why isn't it under the owner's
name?

Jacque Hunter One of the first landlords out of the
starting gate when rental inspection was introduced
under Overton. Hell, he even helped start the legal
fund to fight the legislation and now certain slum lords
want to know what happened to their money.

Manzanita Tribe This would be the Redman's Club.
Our question is this. Is this the old Redman's Club
which is now Culbertson West and they simply
didn't change the paper work or is this the new
Redman's Club down next to the new Irish restaurant?

A couple of people would maintain the new Redman's
Club probably isn't even on a sewer.

John Mattingly Is he still working for our City behind
the scenes or is he truly out of the picture? We do
know he is one of England's BEST BUDDIES.

We were anxiously awaiting on the Mexican restaurant
opening downtown but now must boycott it until
the owner makes things right with the people he
screwed out of getting paid. One of the companies
he wrote a bad check to was Triple AAA Plumbing.
Another person he did not pay the money owed was
the artist who painted the murals in the restaurant
after the artist did it THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS
CHEAPER than what the Art's Council bid. And,
when you tell someone to go to another restaurant
who has existed for 40 years and let their low life
friends pay for this restaurants' work, well, let's just
say you have a problem.

We also understand codes and permits were ignored
with the electric and unlicensed Mexicans did the
work. The more people talk the more you find out.

And here we were so excited to go and experience
the new restaurant, as we have the others. Damn, do
they serve fresh guacamole?

We hope everyone has a good time at Harvest. We
plan to.

BTW, England is out of town again. Tell us it's not
another vacation.

Remember, these are the issues we talked about at
our kitchen table ALL WEEK.

THE CONVERSATIONS TODAY...WHEW!

There sure is plenty to talk about with a lot

of moaning and groaning but a lot of

laughter, too!


Jon Stewart has us absolutely fascinated

about the trip to Washington, DC on

October 30Th for the march to "Return

Sanity" to the American people. After

checking various news outlets online

this morning, we find he already has

more people lined up to attend than Glenn

Beck did (I'm not a fan of Beck's;

no offense to anyone).


Watching Larry King last night we were

again laughing our selves silly over Bill

Maher's statements and opinions.

A website called Politico something

or the other was already calling

Maher's statement about wood gas

lines untrue but yet Maher quoted the

AP and they just can't prove it's true

or not so they're calling it a myth.


As a couple, we didn't like the bailout

by Washington, DC and would have

rather seen the money spent to put

people to work fixing our infrastructure

(sort of like the WPA program from

back in the '40's).


We haven't seen the bailout create any

jobs. We can understand some of the

reasoning behind the bailouts but also

strongly disagree with the actions

taken to save the Banks and Wall

Street and others.


Back to the news in New Albany, our

reality still sucks.


I wish the Tribune had done their home-

work and had spoken to the County

leaders about the annexation the

paper supports in order to inform the

public of the hidden costs associated

with this project, i.e., $2 million we

have to give to the County which we

don't have. We'd like to know

if Ruckman's sewer contract is or is not

affected by this little move and whether

we are taking over his "private sewer

lines". We are talking about even bigger

monies being lost if that is true.


We wish England could/would wait to

announce his Re-Election until after

the County elections (we don't know what

the hurry is). As badly as we don't want

to see England in office again we shudder

to think of the regular line of "Pubs" who

every four years throw their names in the

hat. We want someone NEW and NOT

BEHOLDING TO ANYONE

and SOMEONE WHO HASN'T

USED OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS

(i.e., tax abatements) to get this position.


Though sometimes, you just have to

wonder who in the hey would want

the job besides the power hungry

or status grabbing (constantly the

same) name seekers.


We hear the "boys" are upset with England

because he is helping Bobo with getting

financing and not them. Cry us a river.

We hate to remind anyone of this BUT

the truth is our sewer system can't

handle this project, (hell, we can't even

update the industrial park for more biz

because of the sewer capacity limits) ,

and you can bet your sweet bippy we

will be the ones paying for this

monument that Bobo didn't come

back to Redevelopment in June to

talk about. But, as Carl M. says,

he's been meeting with Bobo and

for some strange reason we are

betting that's probably true. Rare

to have discussions with Carl in public.

Truth probably is they are literally

driving him crazy over it.


The Fire Department has filed a grievance

over the new insurance proposed. England

made a contract with the group promising

the same if not better insurance.

Culpecker's (oh, sorry, we mean

Culpepper's) plan doesn't fit with

the union's contract guidelines.

We hate that England always wants

to lay off the firefighters but not

the police and then we wonder why?

We hear Benedetti received a telephone

call "it's not ten firefighters you would have

to lay off, it's twelve". What a shame.


There is only one way the Board of Works

can deal with this issue and that would be

if the Council doesn't take action. Now,

if the Council votes NO, isn't that an action?



Hey, enough of this. We are going to check our

calendar and see if October 30Th is a good day to go

to Washington.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS STUFFFFF...

My husband and I were chatting

today about our good friend, who

has never been sick a day in his

life, was diagnosed with stage 4

lung cancer in both lungs.

That will certainly make you stop

and think about some THINGS.


Interesting debate on the City's blog

(NA Confidential).


Interesting speech by Obama in

Ohio about taxes for certain levels

of income in this great country of

ours. We agree with Obama's

statement our country can't

afford the tax breaks right now

but read it's doubtful the Admin

can get that passed through a

jumpy Congress a twitter with THE

election fever dance (as I like to call

it). The compromise sounded as if

the deal will be keep the tax rules in

place for the next two years and

then let them all expire.


(Doggone it seems I have heard

that somewhere before. That's

right, the EDIT tax enacted to

pay for the Jail. Promises made,

promises broken. )


We heard rumblings of a firefighter

England is putting up/financing to

go against Lana Aebersole, (who

we really like) in order for England

to get the LOIT Tax passed at

the County Council. Hah!

Transparency there, folks.

Give it up Mayor. The County Council

has vowed not to Pass LOIT.

Right now, that is.


Lastly, we were wondering if the new

Havana Blues Restaurant located at

Bank and Market sell a Cuban Pork

sandwich.

Someone told us the restaurant was

not selling Cuban fare, only food from

Spain origins and Mexican.


Waiting to hear what you allllll are

thinking about.


Later New Albany.

LABOR DAY (Courtesy of the US DOL)

THE FIRST LABOR DAY

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

There is an argument about who established the first Labor Day, but the argument seems to be moot.

Etc., Etc.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom and leadership - the American worker.

Have a great day. Hat's off to all of Labor.

PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS, IT'S THE POLITICIANS WHO DON'T HAVE A CLUE!

Messer serves his one day suspension for running a tag illegally for Zurschmeide at his Asian Spa and Jack still doesn't think he did anything wrong. Jack, how many other people would you have done the same for? NONE.

Shane Gibson (dummy he is) is going to try and do an end run around the Council and see if they can't enact those pay raises. Is he stupid or what? Council controls the purse strings Shane, not the Board of Works.

The third reading for Southern Indiana One got tabled again but we feel England is getting his ducks in a row (the Council) before he makes his final move. The news is out about Zurschmeide and Messer so he can't use that issue against them now. Of course, there may be more about those two he can use against them we as the public don't know. Sure, call it paranoia on our part but we've seen stranger things in this town just so England can get what he wants.

We want to know where England is going to find the TWO MILLION to pay the County for the Fire Department in the annexation area. The County will get their money Doug, trust me. The County doesn't do business quite the way the City does. The County has already told their department heads to make the cuts in their budgets or they will, including laying off people. What a novel concept.

The article on the Bridge Authority meeting is depressing. If it is going to hurt businesses on this side of the river and it's going to hurt citizens on this side of the river, what the hell is going on? How come no one is listening or cares? Ed Clere is usually against anything England stands for and maybe we need to drive that one home. But hey, what do we know!

Another day, another nickel. And so forth...

WHAT IS THE HOTTEST TOPIC IN NEW ALBANY, RIGHT NOW?

Reading all the comments on the last posting, I have to agree TOLLS on the new proposed bridges may just be the issue.

Hell no, we don't support tolls. Not conducive for economic stimulus or development in any type of way, shape or form.

Forget Zurschmeide and how his son can't get out of bed. (What a joke!) Forget England and the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce, whose board is stacked with England's appointees.

Forget Dalby, a very good friend of England.

None of us feel these tolls are a good thing and definitely a problem for Southern Indiana residents.

Let us take my daughter, for example. She may work on this side of the bridge but she is constantly going to Louisville, taking her kids either to grandparents or to see their daddy, or to see family there. Eating in Louisville and attending social activities in Louisville are also a big enjoyment for a lot of people.

Let's put the pressure on Ed Clere -- he HAS GOT to change his opinion about NO TOLLS. He seems to be a pretty reasonable guy, and I support him whole heartily over Gibson, BUT.

The Southern Indiana Chamber is stacked with England's appointees, including his wife; Dalby is one of England's **** buddies, etc. Their thoughts and opinions matter nothing to us. Since when did any of their thoughts agree with mine?

This may be one issue a majority are in agreement on. NO TOLLS.

Not good for economic development; not good for citizens. The only thing I can figure out who it may be good for are construction firms who may have a BIG stake in same and are also big political contributors.

Yeah, it may be good to put people to work; and let some construction firms earn the BIG money. But, it isn't good for any type of residents on either side of the river. And I mean none -- unless they are beholding to SOMEONE who stands to benefit from same.

Let's get after Ed Clere (whom I support 100%) and see if we can't get that opinion changed. He pretty much doesn't agree with England about ANYTHING so maybe it won't be too hard.

Shane Gibson opinion is flying against England. (Shane, don't you know that is dangerous?)

I feel we need to fight this tooth and nail and support the 8664 project which seems to be ridiculed by people who have been bought and sold, like Dalby. Who in the hey is he any way? Let the People vote, but hey, that will never happen in a coon's age, right?

Best thing we can do (I feel) is send the message to the people who have the vote. I like Gillenwater putting out who is on the Commission; who votes on same; and the conditions they are sitting under and need to answer to. I can't imagine ANYONE, except those who have something to gain, would be in support of this proposed boondoggle.

Your thoughts? Thanks.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

WHEN WILL SOMEONE GIVE THE CITY A LESSON ON BUDGETS? THE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT UNDER FUNDED. THEY OVER SPENT THE MONIES GIVEN TO THEM BY THE COUNCIL.

WHEN WILL SOMEONE GIVE THE COUNCIL A LESSON ON BUDGETS? THE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT UNDER FUNDED. THEY OVER SPENT THE BUDGETS SET BY COUNCIL FOR THIS PAST YEAR.

WHEN WILL SOMEONE GIVE THE CONTROLLER AND THE MAYOR A LESSON ON BUDGETS?

IF EVERY MONTH EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD CAME TO THE COUNCIL AND THE CONTROLLER GAVE THE COUNCIL A MONTHLY BUDGET VARIANCE REPORT (AS REQUIRED BY INDIANA LAW) THIS CRAP WOULD STOP REAL FAST.

CAN'T YOU JUST IMAGINE EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHY THAT PARTICULAR MONTH THEY OVER SPENT? THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE AND THEN THERE WOULD BE NO SURPRISES. OR, AS GOMER PYLE WOULD SAY "SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE."

COUNCIL SHOULD MAKE EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD APPEAR AT ONE MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING, WITH THEIR COPY OF THEIR BUDGET VARIANCE REPORT FOR THE MONTH, AND IF A NEGATIVE NUMBER SHOWS UP EITHER FIRE THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OR APPOINT ONE WHO CAN HANDLE THE BUDGET SET BY COUNCIL.

IS THIS ASKING TOO MUCH? WHY DID THE CONTROLLER STOP HANDING OUT THE MONTHLY VARIANCE REPORTS? THE REPORTS USE TO BE CALLED "GREENBAR REPORT" BECAUSE THEY WERE PRINTED ON THE BIG GREEN LINED COMPUTER PAPER. WHY NO TRANSPARENCY? WHY NO HOLDING THE FEET TO THE FIRE?

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CITIZENS' MONTHLY OR YEARLY BUDGETS WENT TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET EVERY YEAR LIKE THIS CITY'S!

CITY HALL, YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE CITIZENS/TAXPAYERS. GET A GRIP, STOP YOUR BITCHING AND DO YOUR FRIGGING JOBS WE PAY YOU TO DO.

STOP THREATENING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE TAKEN THE DEEP CUTS BUT YOU SEEM TO BE REALLY SCARED OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE WONDER WHY BECAUSE IT IS JUST SO DOGGONE OBVIOUS.

IT'S GETTING REALLY, AND I MEAN REALLY, OLD. SAME STORIES EVERY YEAR. UGLY, TOO. AND, IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE IMAGE OF THIS ADMINISTRATION. THIS SHOWS A TOTAL LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY, MISMANAGEMENT AND IGNORANCE.

THE FIRST DISTRICT - COFFEY YOU ARE FINISHED (TRUST ME)

The First District race is going to be a dog and pony show. Coffey is, well, I can't say what I'd like to call him and the blog administrator let me submit this article. Words aren't enough to describe his down right nastiness. I even worry about his wife, who I like, and pray she isn't an abused woman. But I am getting away from blasting Coffey.

He's afraid of his own shadow really every time he thinks he has it figured out who might run against him in the next election. He's been bought and sold so many times you have to wonder how he keeps track what he owes and to who. Never mind, I forgot about the show kept going for people not in the know about the good old boy group.

He's afraid Timberlake is going to run against him. He's afraid Shirley is going to run against him. He's afraid Denhart is going to run against him. I just pray SOMEONE DECENT runs against him. I feel he's a dirty dog and am tired of his bullying people. He is going to do anything he can to get this funding for the police and fire and I mean anything. His stand against the Preservation Commission (and I have a problem with their over zealous ways too) is a joke. What area of his is in a historical preservation area? Anything for attention that would be Danny Boy.

Watch out Dan. We do have someone ready to go against you and it's not Michelle England (though I wouldn't say she won't try).

ONCE AGAIN, HOW MANY TIF AREAS ARE THERE???

My husband and I were driving down State Street the other day and he pointed out where we were putting in a new strip mall, next to the Kroger's. I told him "big deal". I was willing to bet this area was a TIF area and the General Fund wouldn't benefit and it would simply cost us (taxpayers) more money to provide the sanitation, the sewers, the police, and the firefighters.

The more I thought about it the more I wondered if it is true we have 13 to 15 TIF areas and if so WHY ARE ALL AREAS OF TOWN SO DILAPIDATED? The pot holes alone are enough to drive you crazy!

Another thing we read in the paper is England stating HE IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. Since when? Why does Carl hold this position and why is he making a bunch of money doing this job?

This makes me want an accounting of all the departments' officials and responsibilities and accomplishments of anything would be greatly appreciated. Yeah, right huh?

The accounting of monies spent from the TIF areas fixing the infrastructure throughout this town is needed. No town should be in as bad as shape this one is in with all of the TIF areas and none of this money going to the General Fund; only to be used to maintain these TIF areas.

How about it Carl and Kay? Care to explain and document these issues to the Council? I'm willing to bet "hell no". The whole damn city is "Tiffed" so why the frigging mess? Can we start turning in the car damages we are suffering from the lack of basic infrastructure just on the streets? I don't know why not.

Ridiculous.

SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES PERCOLATING IN NEW ALBANY

We decided to talk about several issues that have come up in the past couple of weeks.

Rental Registration...What the hey is rental registration? The County Auditor can tell you which houses are rental properties (said so in the paper once people complete their homestead exemption papers). Township Assessor has a computer where you type in the address and up comes the owners of any and all properties you may be interested in. So why the bull crap? It's not like it's called rental inspection, huh? Isn't that what everyone was clamoring for? It's just another layer of government for England, more people to hire and more money from taxpayers. But, maybe those progressive type peoples don't understand the difference, who knows? That's right. We're stupid.

Benedetti claiming the past due sewer bills can't be seen by the public nor the Council. Who is she kidding? Councilman Schmidt and Darlene McCoy (use to be Treasurer) kept a running tab along with the names and addresses in a shoe box and every month Bill took that shoe box in to the Treasurer and he and her marked off the ones paid. Benedetti said it would be too embarrassing. For who I wonder! These records are public and even we can put our hands on them. I, for one, think they ought to publish them in the paper; but as Wilkinson said you might be surprised at the names on there. Is he kidding, too? When someone does get their hands on them I bet you a dollar they get published on one blog or another.

I hear someone is getting ready to publish all the big tax dodgers on property taxes. Now, that should read as a who who. I hope they go for it. We all know how bad Doug needs the revenue.

All of the people who have been slamming Price and I'll be durned if the Council is actually agreeing with him now. Are the SOB's who have been slamming him for the worry he's had about the finances going to SLAM the whole Council now?

Remember how some people got upset (me included) for them using the Fire Department to hang the Christmas lights downtown on PRIVATE BUSINESSES? They really thought we had something against the Fire Department. No, we knew the Fire Department DIDN'T HAVE THE GAS MONEY NOR THE PAYROLL FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS to be able to do this. Guess we were right. Those big ladder trucks they have to keep the engine going to get that ladder up that high (and you see how much gasoline they are over on). Don't you think DNA should have paid for this service? Can we bill DNA now?

Now that the Windsor has shut, Connor's Fish shop shut, other places that couldn't succeed, what do you think is up with that? Someone said New Albanians just aren't willing to support down town businesses. Yeah, right. Word on the street is Studios is next. They stopped making payroll and if you want to work there you have to work for tips only. Think they are next? I do.

The chickens are coming home to roost and they sure are going to crap on a lot of people. Some deserve it, some don't.

Another word on the street is John Mattingly is going to pay for a poll, or survey, to see if Doug can get re-elected. If he can't, guess who they are going to throw up for Mayor? Carl. Can you imagine? He's a worse nightmare than England and that's saying a mouthful.

Anything you all would like to add? Feel free.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Yeah, it hurts attending the Council meeting. I'm not sure if it's the frustration of watching agendas being pre-approved and hashed out before the meetings or the lack of knowledge or caring about our finances.

I still hope to see you tonight at 7:30. I don't know anyone who can change the Council or England's mind(s) about bidding out the sanitation contract. No one will address the simple question about the cost of diesel fuel and how the garbage rates are going to go up nor how Rumpke says they would do it cheaper.

There will probably be a protest, too, about Messer. Cousins is one to talk, though. He sure has baggage with his gun(s) and the projects. But, I forget how tight he and Coffey are. Let's not forget how he was rewarded for bad behaviour by getting the Precinct seat and his two daughters working in the city-county building. Memories are short here in New Albany, alas.

NEW ALBANY NEEDS THE JOBS AND MONEY

At breakfast yesterday, we were talking about all of the no bid contracts let out by New Albany and we decided to ask WHY?

Other blogs are talking about keeping buying at the local level, i.e., school books, beer, restaurants, etc. Buying local is a good thing and all but why not keep the jobs local too so people have the money to buy.

The issue of no bid contracts for changing the traffic lights came first and then the paving. Mention was made a company from the Michigan Indiana border (Michiana) got the traffic lights contract (and might we add some of them we actually get out of the car and push the walk button to trigger the light so we can go). The paving contracts got the most flak because of the lack of quality in the asphalt and the delay on getting projects finished, especially in the Daisy Lane/Mt. Tabor Road areas.

A business owner was speaking about the need, especially in this day and age, of no bid contracts and what was or could be in it for our local government. Don't they realize people are hungry to work and how the economy is in the tank? Why the shoddy work and low grade asphalt being laid? The conversation steered to the sidewalk curbs being redone down Market street and evidently we have an outside business on a no bid contract performing this job, too.

We were talking about the high dollar amounts for these contracts and questioning why? We all felt the money and outside people were ridiculous. There are plenty of local businesses ready and able to step in and get the work at probably half the cost. Mention was made of a tailor in Louisville making the Mayor's suit and how one guy knew you simply had to go over and put money down on the account in order to get a bid. (I don't know if that's true but why would someone bring that up at breakfast if it wasn't?)

We were also talking about the no bid sanitation contract and how England has already renewed the contract without bids even though it didn't expire until 2013. And then, they wanted to know why.

So, we are asking New Albany's illegal Assistant Deputy Mayor and Mayor to stop the no bid contracts and bring the jobs back locally. Too many people need the work and as one business owner said, "The boys are hungry".

Let's put the horse before the cart about buying locally and stop the no bid contracts/work first so we can bring/keep the money in our community so we can shop locally. Stopping this mess would help our economy and local business tremendously. Don't you think so?

ETHICS - - IN NEW ALBANY? YEAH, RIGHT.

We have lobbied over several years time to try and get the City Council of New Albany to pass ETHICS laws. We watched other cities, including Indianapolis, pass this legislation. This issue is harder to talk about than Code Enforcement. I wonder why!

Wouldn't you like to see no Nepotism? Wouldn't you like to see disclosures of who is in business with who and why only certain ones, over and over, are given certain jobs in this fair City?

Can you imagine England not being able to put his wife on all those boards and other people with great ideas not beholding to him put forth new ideas for our City? Yeah, right.

Can you imagine being able to talk about developments, etc., without having to figure out which ones England is in business (bed) with?

Can you imagine finding out why our illegal Deputy Mayor makes more than the Mayor? Somehow you know that can't be true because England would never allow such a thing to occur and has to be making the money up somehow. Why won't the Council come forward and tell Citizens why they never approved this position and yet let it happen year after year? Why does a City this size even need a Deputy Mayor?

The proposed riverfront development comes to mind. Two people mentioned in the paper proposing development on the River are in business with England on the Box Tree Inn. Does the Box Tree Inn ever do any business except on Derby?

Are the chickens coming home to roost in the Building Commissioner's office with another business partner of England's being hired? Another travesty.

We agree with the Tribune about City employees not serving on the City Council. It is a big conflict of interest and to us, flat out wrong. We also agree the Police should not be into Politics.

Oh, well. We can dream about new ideas and new people and no one beholding to the Mayor, can't we?

We would call the answers to the above questions true Accountability, a thing not heard of in this fair City. What do you think?

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY (AND KITCHEN TABLE CRUMBS)...

INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

Happy 4th everyone! Here's to hoping everyone gets lots of hotdogs, beer and fireworks. You may need to throw a baseball game in too as baseball seems like a great thing to do for the 4th.

We've had some crumbs laying around on our kitchen table. I thought we'd touch briefly on those crumbs...

First off, the Tribune reported Messer ran a plate number for an abandoned car at his wife's business. Nope, not his wife's business. Zurschmeide's Asian Spa was the location; Messer's wife works for Zurschmeide and Zurschmeide asked her to call Jack and have the plate ran. The person called the Chief of Police and reported this. This is probably why some feel England has Messer and Zurschmeide right where he wants them.

Another crumb laying around is the annexation issue. How can property on Charlestown Road go into the 1st District (Coffey's)? Is this annexation coming in through Eagle Lane? If so, boy, a major sewer contract with Ruckman is/will be affected. Is this why Fifer said we would take a hit on the sewers if the annexation went through?

Well, have a great 4th of July and be safe y'all! God Bless.

NEW ALBANY TAX ABATEMENTS

NEW ALBANY TAX ABATEMENTS - HOW MANY ARE THERE?

We were reading the Courier Journal June 16th, 2010 about Indiana House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer and how he is seeking information from the state's top economic development agency to determine if it is lax in taking back tax breaks from companies that fail to create promised jobs.

New Albany's tax breaks (tax abatements) are off the charts. (And we wonder why our revenue is short!) When we investigated tax abatements for this City we found a whole lot of issues.

One, simply getting the report from the then Auditor was a tough job. When we asked for the report of tax abatements for the City we received four pages.

Knowing there were a lot more, we had to dig deeper. It took a person outside of government to tell us to ask for tax abatements broken by township. We then received over 20 computer print out sheets. The amount was staggering. Especially compared to one in the whole of Floyd County, SHOTS.

We see business and individuals come in to Council meetings and it seems as long as they appear, their abatements are extended. No questions asked, no paper work checked, no checks and balances.

There are people living in the County getting tax abatements. There are people who have sold their businesses and still get tax abatements (property sold on contract which doesn't tickle records). We know of non-profits (who don't file taxes) getting tax abatements. New Directions at first had one and the City actually called them trying to get them to come back and renew theirs. They declined.

At least the State is looking at business payroll to determine if the payroll is adequate to kick the tax incentives. Nothing like this exists.

You have to ask yourself what is the racket and how does the racket work? There has to be something in it for the individual handing them out yet citizens don't know his angle.

If England annexes Charlestown Road's businesses are we simply going to turn around and give them all tax abatements? How much you want to bet we will? Then, there goes our revenue to pay for the annexation.

Vicious circle.

This was a topic at the Mayor's meet and greet and we were discussing same today. How do you feel about this give away? To us it would be okay if citizens simply knew Council and/or the Deputy Mayor followed up or checked on any of these businesses. Until they do, we'll probably be discussing this issue until the cows come home.

What do you think?

(I have to apologize for this article running together. I appreciate the opportunity to blog on here but I can't get the paragraphs to space apart.)

Time To Meet The Mayor of New Albany!!!!!!!

MAYOR ENGLAND'S MEET AND GREET WEDNESDAY A JOKE?

First off let me say how much my family appreciates this blog and the opportunity for all of us to submit articles for publication here about issues at our kitchen table.

I thought the last article was great! How often do you get the opportunity to submit your thoughts about real issues going on in our home town? Be able to speak the truth and not worry about the rats in our community bothering us! Thank you, thank you.

We had to hurry up and submit this and so I hope you all will bear with me telling our thoughts about the meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 pm, June 16th.

First off isn't that the day we have a public hearing or such with the Department of Local Government and Finance about our BUDGET for this year just now being approved? I can't wait and see what the Mayor has to say about the budget results, hah! I also wonder if anyone from the public will have the guts to ask him about last year's over spending of the budget and the fallout that has to be associated with the results for this year! Like I said will anyone from the public have the guts?

When England said before his election he was going to do things better this time we had no idea what he meant and gave him the benefit of the doubt(s). But, now I wonder if he didn't mean he was simply going to finish us off with the debt(s) he keeps running up.

Every time you think the Mayor can't possibly come up with any more hare brained ideas, he rains them down. His creativity in three way liquor licenses and now three way catering licenses, where do you learn these games? And only a few get in on the deal (a literal who's who with the Mayor's crowd). Something isn't right.

And, you got everyone knowing the Mayor's house is up for sale and then you see DNA with his wife heading it holding an open house for $30.00 a whack at the Mayor's house. We find this astonishing because it smacks so blatantly of free public services to provide a buyer for the Mayor's house, even if he doesn't pocket the $30.00 a whack. His wife is as head of DNA. Aaahhhaaahh, can you hear me screaming from here?

But, back to the subject of the meeting Wednesday night. I wonder how many hard questions the public will ask of the Mayor; then again I shudder to think of the budget being returned and then wonder if someone from the public will ask about that. I sit in wonder and wonder.

That's what we were talking about tonight at our kitchen table.

PAYING OUR BILLS

We were sitting at the kitchen table paying the bills the other day and my husband started his usual "I don't know how we are going to make it" spiel. Honey, I said, don't worry about it. Take England's advice and cut that cable off. I was trying to be funny but he didn't find it too funny. "To hell with him" says my husband.

When I told him I wish we could do like this darn City does, spend spend spend, he just started more griping. He knows I have been going on and on about the year end report for 2009 showing the shortfalls across the board for the City and usually he just shrugs. This time though, I got his attention. He said "let me see that damn report". I watched his eyes get bigger and bigger until he really started cussing. "What the hell is this crap" he asks. "How can this be" he asks. I tell him I don't know honey and I sure don't understand it, either.

He asked me what those dots were down the side of the report. I told him that's the shortages and overspending done by England this past year. He got as rattled as I have been. After much discussion he says "put this crap out there on your blog". Okay, honey. Here are the numbers along with his comments (sometimes I don't think he realizes how funny he can be).

The General Fund was over spent by $5,343,770.75. (My husband asked me if that was really 5 million dollars in the red. Yes honey.)

The Parks Department was over spent by $330,314.81. (My husband said you mean they can't even run the Parks Department and they want to build a water park? Yes honey.)

The TIF Park East Industrial Bond over spent by $1,130,019.12. (My husband asked aren't they trying to improve all of that to bring more business in? Yes honey. Husband says how if they are in the hole? I don't know honey.)

The credit Bond Interest is in the hole $2,911.50. (My husband asks how in the hey can interest be in the hole. I don't know honey.)

The Sanitation Fund was over spent by $5,721,213.19. (My husband asks how can that be? Isn't the garbage outsourced? Yes honey.)

When I told him the garbage contract wasn't up until 2012 but England is going to renew it this year, he asked why. I don't know honey.

When I told him England told the City Council he was going to have to lay off people and shut the ambulance station down and yet the new contract had already been signed he asked why England lied to the Council. I don't know honey.

My husband now really wants some answers. I told him I do too but I can't get any answers. My husband agreed with me finally. He wants to spend spend spend without any repercussions. I told him I don't think our finances can handle that kind of strain. We don't have 14 checking accounts and all those different funds to hide under. He is not a happy camper, but neither am I. How about you?

Memorial Day, New Albany

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

A SALUTE TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS, LIVING OR PASSED AWAY!

GOD BLESS.

I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL TRY AND TURN OUT TO SEE THE VETERANS MONDAY MORNING AT THE VFW ON MAIN STREET ALONG WITH THE SALUTES AND HONORS. INSPIRING.

The column in the newspaper written by Matt Nash bashing Steve Price still has me fuming. Steve Price is not my council representative but what the hey? England has the majority of Council reps voting for his agenda so what does it matter if Price doesn't agree with England about the taxpayer's money?

I found this article to be unconscionable, rude, uninformed, detrimental, and uncalled for. Does Nash live in Price's district? Didn't Nash lose his own election? We all know about him being mentally unstable and the dirt with his personal life. Do you think he would appreciate someone writing about that?

I called on Steve Price after reading this article; mainly wanting to know his reaction. Price is educated and a real person (as I call him), and I admire him sticking to his principles no matter what. This City is in the red to the tune of $12 million dollars. Nash makes no reference to this issue. I maintain this is the real issue and the Administration is simply trying to muddy the waters so we won't talk about it. Well, I say Steve Price and all of us need to be talking about it. Not how much more of our money can the City spend but how we can make up our budget shortfalls and require the City to be more accountable for their actions. Matter of fact, I can not understand why there has not been an emergency meeting of the Council to address the shortfalls. Maybe Mr. Price's district can talk him into forcing the Council into a meeting for this purpose. I would like to see the looks on the other Council people's faces when they finally admit the shortages on the books.

I urge Mr. Price to stand firm and to stand tall. What do you think about this hogwash?