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?