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?
40 comments:
These figures are unbelievable. No other business could spend this much money that they don't have in the bank.
It appears that New Albany is sinking fast. How far UNDER WATER are we now ?
I don't think that anyone is going to send us a TEN MILLION DOLLAR ROPE to rescue the City of New Albany Administration.
England ought to resign!
We the undersigned citizens of the City of New Albany respectfully request that our City Council Members vote NO on giving Mayor England $3 million for Police, Fire and Communication Department.
City Council members will have an opportunity, as early as tonight, to champion the cause of each citizen in New Albany. The decision they make regarding the $3 million for police, fire and comminications offers them a chance to define themselves as part of the solution, as opposed to part of the problem.
The first two question council members must ask themselves is: Who do you work for, the citizens or the mayor and where is the accountability.
New Albany's daunting shortfall also could force painful cuts to the police, fire and in my opinion it is long over due.
This year, there has been more (England) squeaky wheels than the council can provide oil for.
Members should deny England's request.
Legal Beagle
This isn't so much a case of being penny-wise and pound foolish as it is a case of simply [England] making the council look stupid and foolish.
It's time to face the fundamental fact that the mayor and city council is an ineffective form of government.
It's time for a revolution in local government.
Six of nine council members are incompetant, blathering fools. England is the new Mr. Viagra. Counting the days until he's out of office.
Foolish? You insult all the fools in the world by comparing them to these pathetic excuses for elected officials.
Playing politics isn't anything new in New Albany.
Pathetic a**holes should be their title.
I vote no confidence in Doug England.
Ain't it funny how Doug wanted a larger board for the Housing Authority and no one was willing to say WHY?
Does anyone remember the last time he attempted and won the take over of the Housing Authority and HUD came in and dismantled it?
He never stops trying to screw things up. I wish he did recognize who he works for rather than trying to enrich hisself 100 fold.
WHY DOESN'T THE CURRENT HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BOB LANE, MAKE THE NEW ALBANY HOUSING RESIDENTS LICENSE THEIR CARS WITH INDIANA PLATES?
WE HAVE TO PAY INDIANA FEES AND TAXES AND THOSE TENANTS LIVE HERE IN NEW ALBANY AND DON'T PAY ANY TAXES OR FEES TO SUPPORT THE SERVICES THEY RECEIVE.
THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR LOCAL SERVICES AND DON'T HAVE TO PAY.
Hmm I didn't know that. Why wouldn't the police be made to enforce such a thing?
One thing about this blog is it is nice to read comments with out having to say I want to see secure items only. Pictures of people cause a breach in security. When those who do have those things start posting I hope you delete them. They are going to do nothing but start trouble anyways, have nothing to add to the conversation and try and use it to their advantage.
Thanks for the space.
England now wants 5 million for paving. Doesn't this guy ever stop lining his pockets?
I understand 11:07,for the past year I have watched attacks and smear campaigns on Citizen's for Accountability and Freedom Of Speech. it best described as a "full frontal attack!"
Even one scumbag threaten the president of our citiens group. Why? Because they will not keep information from you the public. They will not
allow Mayor England and certain members to misuse their hard earned money. And, they insist that (all) citizens be heard and I believe like them.
I like them are sick of all the cover up of back room deals, and misused of our tax dollars, selective enforcement, and I ask each and everyone of you to question anything you hear, see or read in the local Tribune.
I did not realize they had taken their bully tatics out on them all until I read the Voice of the People to such a serious degree.
Citizens for Accountability have made a formal complaint to the State Attorney General asking that he supports in getting the proper audits and that citizens stop being shut out of their local government.
Your local citizens group is so committed to seeing that this misuse of tax dollars be stopped. She even sent a copy of the complaint to the Indianapolis division of the FBI that addresses our problems in local government.
The time for change is now. Never be afraid to fight back against the progressives and local government.
We demand transparency, open government, up front information about expenditures, audits when appropriate, honesty, and a local elected body of people that support their constituents.
You each should be proud of your local citizens group.
They need your support in this and that you too, ask for this much needed (England) resignation.
A vote of "no confidence" in England is due.
We each need to play a part in taking our city back.
The City Council's job is not to enforce laws. The Council's job is to establish policy and allow employees to administer that policy. Unfortunately, Mr. Price is the only member following that mandate.
We warned all voters about what would happen before the 2007 elections that put the mayor and current council members in office - but sating "O told you so" is just not very satisfying.
What is happening in New Albany. It seems that the mayor and council are out of control.
Councilman Price is the only one on top of the real issues.
I think the whole town ought to show up for the public hearing on the '10 budget and give DLGF an ear full.
Does anyone know when the NA 2010 budget will be approved by DLGF ?
The City Administration keeps on spending like their Budget has no limits on dollars.
When and where is the public hearing?
I can't find my paper. I think it is Tuesday, around noon (of course). You could call the Controllers or the Clerk's office. I guess I should say I could lol.
WHY IS THE CITY ADMINISTRATION KEEPING THIS ANNOUNCED BUDGET HEARING SUCH A SECRET ?
THEY NEED TO BE MORE OPEN WITH THE USE OF OUR TAX MONEY.
Other local governments have been reducing budgets, salary freezes, furloughs and lay offs. Whrtr's England been? Doesn't he read the C/J?
Ooops, where's England been?
He's ro busy getting drunk at all his favorite hang outs.
We need elected officials that see the big picture rather than be swayed by England. I want to hear our council say: Mayor England make cuts or we wull shut down local governement - NOW.
How is it that the NAPD and NAFD is underfunded? Let's not forget that the police and fire departments in other cities such as Clarksville, Jeff, Scottsburg, Charlestown and Louisville are laying off.
Let's go to an all volunteered police and fire departments, no over time pay, no merit pay increases, unpaid time off and so on.
I'm sorry but in these tough economic times where home values are declining yet all fees are going up and up. Unemployment at 11.7 percent and MOST people who are lucky to still have jobs are taking pay cuts with no annual pay raises, it seems the mayor, department heads, deputy mayor, operations manager, city attorney, police and fire could have made more sacrifices.
We have and my family is sticking around just to vote England out of office.
I say, get a rope and a rail and run England's ass back to Kentucky, isn't that where he came from?
The tax rate mat have stayed low, but lots of fees increased while services decreased. Ot's pretty dsingenous to act like the city had held the line on digging into our pockets the last 18 years. There is no reason that the city tax rate, a LOIT Tax, or anymore fees. That's just political nonsense. Hold city budgets in check and stop wasting money. If you want to put England and others in jail, just do a forensic audit of the entire general fund, sewers and sanitation and watch them all be arrested. The sooner the better.
Governor Mitch Daniels made a very
good statement at a meeting in Indianapolis.
He said, " CITY GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RUN LIKE A BUSINESS "
How could any business stay in business if they run their business like our Mayor runs our city ?
Seeing Daniel's wife is from New Albany you would think we could get some help. I hear the budgets for County and City are dire, but that's just a rumor for now.
ANON 10:31
YOUR COMMENT, " that's just a rumor for now" is right on the button.
RUMORS ARE ALL THAT WE EVER GET ABOUT THE CITY BUDGET AND FINANCE
INFORMATION.
WHY ISN'T THERE SOME WAY THAT THE TAXPAYERS CAN GET A REPORT ON THE NUMBERS AND DOLLARS THAT OUR CITY
IS SPENDING ? WE NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH .
The time has come to vote England out.
Thank you for opening this blog. After this weekends events downtown and reading the local Freedom Of Speech blog, and this one, things are making more sense in what is really going on in New Albany.
It seems like to me Mayor England is more worried about the rat issue on Elm Street than he is on budgets and audits.
The real rat in New Albany is him.
My question to Quackbehind(mayors wife)how much are you getting paid as Chairperson, Riverfront Amphitheater and all the boards you sit on?
Does this not fail under IC Conflict of Interest law?
btw, I read RememberCharlemagne comments, he sure knows how to kiss up to the mayor's wife. Can't you just hear his questions at Wednesday's forum with the mayor?
Too funny.
Oooops, fall under Conflict of Interest?
These last three comments are great! How many boards does the Mayor's wife sit on? I'm sitting here thinking of all the jokes I could make out of my last sentence!
It would appear that the anonymous rats have not abandoned Elm Street, but have cleared out from Mrs Baird's blog because she would no longer enable their cowardice. Silly rats.
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