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.