new albany today

City Clerk's Race

2011-05-02T14:38:00.035-04:00

     I am thankful for the support and encouragements I received on the campaign trail. I thank you for your vote. The lack of coverage of the race or any debates speaks to how little importance is attached to the race.   Only the Tribune Evening News thought the race was important to cover. Personally, I am happy to be the first man to run for the office since New Albany became a first class city in 1948.

     The issue concerning the City Clerk's race is should gender define an elected office? Women only?My position is no public elected office should be defined by gender. A person should be able to run for any office regardless of gender.

    The City Council meeting s should be broadcast and available on line by speech recognition software. This will give the citizens the opportunity to know what goes on at the meetings.

     The City Clerk's website should be updated and made user friendly. Plus more meeting minutes and other documents need to be posted on line to give the public an idea of how our government is functioning.

      Please vote tomorrow. Vote for Maury Goldberg for City Clerk.

Maury

Endorsement

2011-05-02T14:34:00.007-04:00

Please vote in tomorrows Primary Election.

I endorse the following candidate for office in the Democrat Primary:

Mayor Jeff Gahan
City Clerk Maury Goldberg
City Council at Large Patty Walker

Debates

2011-04-24T01:43:00.000-04:00

I would like to see a debate amomg City Clerk candidates and not just Mayors or City Council candidates. Why not?

Hello

2011-04-24T01:40:00.000-04:00

I am running for City Clerk in this years New Albany city 2011 election.

City Council Meeting, March 18, 2010

2010-03-18T23:56:00.002-04:00

I was not in attendance this evening. I promised my wife that I would go to see Patrick Henry Hughes speak at the Jeffersonville Township Library this evening. The man and his family are amazing.

However, when I learned what transpired at the meeting tonight shook my head and uttered the phrase: "What A Joke"!

Good Night Y'all.

Maury

School Board

2010-03-10T13:31:00.003-05:00

I came away with the understanding the School Board had two options and one recommendations to decide. One, Layoff teachers, school staff, administrators etc. The second option was a proposal for a referendum to vote on increasing school taxes. The recommendations various proposals to save monies did not require school board approval. I came away with the impression this was a take it or leave it deal.

Maury

Policy

2009-12-09T10:28:00.002-05:00

Any "Spam Postings" will be removed. Also any "AD Postings" will be removed. Thank You for following the rules.

Jefferson Jackson Dinner

2009-11-13T00:40:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful time I had at lasts night Jefferson Jackson Dinner at the Grand. I was impress by the speech Howard Dean gave. Especially the part where he said to stand for something. My response is we stand for Health Care Reform. Democrats Rock!

One more thing, Happy Friday the 13th.
Maury

Watch this Space

2009-04-19T04:13:00.003-04:00

I will resume posting shortly

Maury

2008-09-29T00:10:00.001-04:00

Happy New Year! The Jewish New Year starts on sundown Monday evening , September 29, 2008. I wish everybody a healthy new year!

Maury

This Just IN

2008-08-05T23:33:00.002-04:00

Marcy Wisman was elected Chairman of the Floyd County Democrat Party,she was unopposed.

Ted Heavrin won a third ballot victory over rivals to take Randy Stumbler's place on the Floyd County Council.
The Chariman of Floyd County Democrat Party gets to choose who replaces Randy Stumbler's place on the upcoming elections this November.

My guess is the Sue Ellen Wilkerson will be appointed. Only the Shadow knows for sure.

Maury

Nigeria

2008-07-22T23:51:00.002-04:00

The New York Times in its Sunday edition on July 6, 2008 reported that Nigeria is producing 1 million less barrels of oil. Nigeria produces 10% of all oil the United States consumes. If the the 1 million lost barrels of oil were in use,this will go along way to resolving the current oil crisis the United States is having.

Does any presidential candidate have an African Policy?

Maury

Afiganistan

2008-07-22T00:45:00.002-04:00

Since both presidential candidates believe in fighting in Afghanistan, I wonder if we are going to be fighting 4 years from now in that country. Also, I wonder what US policy in Central Asia will be. Well ,we shall see.

Maury

Republican Prosperity,reminds me of this song

2008-07-22T00:41:00.001-04:00

Song Lyrics: "The Future's So Bright,
I Gotta Wear Shades"
Recorded by: "Timbuk 3"
Written by: (Pat McDonald)
Album: "Greetings From Timbuk 3" - 1989

I study nuclear science
I love my classes
I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses
Things are going great, and they're only getting better
I'm doing all right, getting good grades
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades,
I gotta wear shades

I've got a job waiting for my graduation
Fifty thou a year -- buys a lot of beer
Things are going great, and they're only getting better
I'm doing all right, getting good grades
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades

Well I'm heavenly blessed and worldly wise
I'm a peeping-tom techie with x-ray eyes
Things are going great, and they're only getting better
I'm doing all right, getting good grades
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades

(instrumental break)

I study nuclear science
I love my classes
I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses
Things are going great, and they're only getting better
I'm doing all right, getting good grades
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades

City Council

2008-06-04T23:40:00.002-04:00

To quote the late Lloyd Dobbins sign off line on NBC during the 1970's:
"So it goes,Good Night."

VOTE!

2008-05-05T22:45:00.002-04:00

Please vote tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6, 2008!

Oh yes, will the person who stole my Obama sign kindly return it.

Maury

Not Fit For Human Consumption

2008-04-17T23:08:00.002-04:00

At tonight's City Council meeting, Councilman At Large John Gonder dropped a bombshell. The water at the public fountain, on the third floor of the City County Building, is not fit for human consumption. I am glad that Councilman Gonder took the time to uncover this shameful situation. Mr. Gonder went on to express his dismay that the public could not get a drink of water while attending a city council meting.

City Clerk Wisman revealed that the New Albany Floyd County Building Authority knew of this shameful episode for at least two years. She said that the investigation reveled that too much minerals were leaching into the water from the pipes.

At the next City Council meeting Councilman Gonder will introduce a resolution calling on the New Albany Floyd County Building Authority to correct this public disgrace.

New Albany Today salutes Councilman Gonder for bringing this pressing matter to our attention. SALUTE .... We can sleep well tonight New Albany!

Oh My!

Maury

From Mars

2008-03-03T22:10:00.002-05:00

This image has captured at least four Martian avalanches, or debris falls, in action. It was taken on February 19, 2008, by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

I thought that this picture is very interesting from msnbc.com

Maury

To Kelvin Sampson

2008-02-14T12:50:00.002-05:00

Hit the road Jack!

Maury

Cover Up

2008-02-05T01:29:00.000-05:00

I learned from NAC Blog that the City Council's suit against the Sewer Board and Stormwater Board was reinstated by a 7-2 vote. There was no rationale offered for the changing of minds.

We,the public, have a right to know why you ,our elected representatives, voted to reinstate the lawsuit. What information you were told that caused such action on your part? Your failure to disclose any reasoning is unsettling and trust me does not work anymore. To me this is a cover up. I urge you to come by telling us "Why" and end this cover up.

Maury

WHY?

2008-02-04T13:16:00.000-05:00

I have other obligations this evening preventing me from attending this evening's City Council meeting. I am disturbed by news accounts in last Sunday's February 3,2008, New Albany Tribune. City Councilman Robert Ceasar D -2ND District is sponsoring a resolution that would reinstate the City Council's Suit against the Sewer Board and the Storm Water Board. The Main point of the article is the fact that "New Information" came to light. The article does not shed any light on what is causing minds to be changed. I hope that such information is revealed at the City Council meeting this evening.

Maury

Change

2008-01-29T01:05:00.000-05:00

Today Senator Ted Kennedy-D-Mass. endorse Senator Barack Obama-D Ill. for the Democratic nomination for president. The torch is passed to a new generation to go forth and challenge America. The Clinton's were called "old politics" and devisive. Well, is this the end for Hillary Clinton? Stay tune for the primary results from Florida this evening and what effect this endorsement will have on Super Tuesday on February 5, 2008.

Maury

State Of The Union Speech

2008-01-29T00:55:00.000-05:00

Last night President Bush gave his last State Of The Union Speech. To me it was sad to look upon a man who wasted the potential to do some good as a "compassionate conservative." I saw a stubborn man who is becoming side show and increasingly irrelevant as his term draws to an end wondering if he can get anything done.

He could have done some good but will be remembered as a "War President." He could have done some good.....

Sad

Maury

Update on Primary Election Filings

2008-01-29T00:43:00.000-05:00

In the County Council At Large race former City Councilman Donnie Blevins-D filed today. On the Republican side incumbent County Councilperson Dana Fendley-R filed as did new- comer Larry M. Summers-R .

In the County Coroner race Republican newcomer John Patrick Click filed.

In the New Albany Floyd County School Board At Large incumbent Patricia Badger-Byrd filed as did Neal Allen Smith for New Albany Floyd County School Board District 3.

Maury

And There Off

2008-01-27T17:25:00.000-05:00

In case you have not notice that filing for National, State and Local Races began at Noon,Wednesday, January 23, 2008. But, on local scene the newspapers have overlooked this as usual. So here is the line up for the primary on May 4, 2008. Wait, filing ends at Noon, Friday, February22, 2008. And remember you still have time to register to vote!

National and State Offices have no one filing as of Friday, January 25, 2008 and candidates have announced but have not filed yet. the only candidate to file on the State level is Incumbent State Representative William C. Cochran-D for the State Representative 72ND District. He is running for his 16TH term.
Locally here are the filings:

Judge of the Superior Court Number 1
Susan L. Orth-D- Incumbent

Judge of the Superior Court Number 2 (formerly called Floyd County Court)
Glenn B. Hancock-D-Incumbent

Judge of the Superior Court Number 3 ( newly created)
Maria Granger-D
Stanley Robinson-D

County Recorder
Darlene McCoy-D -Currently County Treasure

County Treasurer
Bette A. Buechler-D- Currently Chief Deputy County Treasurer

County Coroner
Greg Balmer-D- Incumbent

County Surveyor
No one filed

County Commissioner District 2
Charles "Chuck" Freiberger-D-Incumbent-Running for third term

County Commissioner District 3
Dennis Roudenbush-D- Currently Georgetown Township Trustee
Steve Bush-R-Incumbent- Only Republican to file so far

County Council At Large

Randall "Randy" Stumler-D-Incumbent-Currently Floyd County Democrat Party Chairman
Carol Shope-D-Incumbent
Ted Heavrin-D Served 5 terms as County Council 1ST District representative. Currently Chief of Police of Floyd County
Joe Schindler-D

No one has filed for New Albany Floyd County School Board At Large or for District 3

New Albany Floyd County School Board District 4
Rebecca Gardenour-Incumbent

Delegates for the Democrat and Republican Party State Convention are also being voted on. If you want to support a particular Presidential you have to sign up to be a State Convention so you can be chosen at the State Convention of the political party of your preference.

Watch this Blog for up to date listing of filings.

Maury

Did Anyone Notice?

2008-01-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

When I got home from work late Thursday night I was too tired to read the New Albany Tribune and thought I would catch up this morning over breakfast. Boy was I surprised! The City Council passed the Sewer Board Ordinance on 2ND and 3RD reading on Wednesday,January 24Th, 2008. I check the Courier Journal and various blogs , nothing was mention about a special meeting being called. Even the City Clerk of New Albany web site did not post anything about a special meeting of the city council being called. Only City Councilman At Large John Gonder posted on his blog about the special meeting of the city council. According to his blog posting the meeting lasted "5 Minutes."

I do not like the way this measure passed. The whole affair was outside of the public eye. I understand the reasons for quick passage is what the Mayor wanted , not waiting until the first meeting in February to conduct sewer business , but you could have informed the public that such a meeting was being called and have them present. How many were present in the audience to witness such a meeting? Anyone from the press? When the City Council starts meeting like this, you begin to lose the "public confidence and trust."

Be a man and a women meet in the open and conduct the city's business and not behind closed doors!

Maury

New Blog

2008-01-21T11:32:00.000-05:00

I have another blog site. My other interest besides politics,reading, is beer . The new blog will be informative and educational. Please click on title and you wil see the new blog.

Maury

Progress At Last!

2008-01-18T00:56:00.000-05:00

Last years City Council spent 4 years fighting the Mayor Garner. Last night the new City Council joined with newly elected Mayor Doug England to moved New Albany forward. The City Council voted to do the following:

1) Changed the way to handle the Redistricting Suit.
2) Voted to dropped the pending lawsuits against the Sewer Board and Stormwater Board.
3) Passed a new version of a Sewer Board( third version in the last 9 years).
4) Put in place Mayor England's choice of people he wants to help him run the city.
5) Voted to create the position of Code Enforcement officer. Thank You Mayor England for keeping your campaign promise on this issue!

The winds of change are blowing thru city hall and the citizens of New Albany are the clear winners.

I will digress for a moment and address the continuing resistance to Doug England.

I understand your position of not trusting Mayor England, his people and prospects for the future. Enough is Enough! After 4 years fighting progress. lets give him a chance for success.
I for one do not want to spent the next 4 years fighting and saying lets wait till 2011. But lets work together and not continue to fight one and another. The mayor and the citizens of New Albany of deserves a chance for success.

Oh,what a night for the Citizens of New Albany!

Maury

New City Council Meets Tonight

2008-01-07T23:15:00.000-05:00

This evening was the first City Council under new Mayor Douglas England.

The first order of business was the electin of a new President of the City Council. The two candidates were Jeff Gahan and Jack Messer. The vote was 6-3 for Gahan. Messer got only the support of bob ceasar and kevin zurschmeide besides his own vote. The election of vice president of the City Council came down to a contest between Messer and Coffey. Coffey won on a 5-4 vote with coffey ,price gahan mccartin and mclaughlin voting for coffey.

Ms McCartin needs to abstain from voting,either way on any issue concerning anything that pertains to her brother and not vote period. This is just the right thing to do.

Maury

Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T13:08:00.000-05:00

I wish everyone a safe and healthy new year. I would have posted earlier but the write Hindi button was stuck and by accident I corrected the problem. Anyway, Happy New year!

Maury

Hmmmm.... Forbidden

2007-11-09T00:50:00.000-05:00

Help
Forbidden
This link is not authorized by Yahoo!
If you would like to continue to this link's intended destination at your own risk, click here.
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service

Well readers, if you use Yahoo to browse the Internet the above is what is shown, on my computer, before one's clicks on here to enter the site you are visiting. The above is what I am warn about before I am able to read NA Confidential. If you click on here above, you will see the Drudge report.

Maury

Coming!

2007-11-09T00:38:00.000-05:00

I got a copy of the election results from the County Clerk's office. I will post an analysis in a few days.

The Tribune analysis of the election leaves one shaking his head wondering why the story is call an analysis, more on that also.

Here is a thought: can anybody be a good loser?

Maury

We Won !!!!!!!

2007-11-06T22:34:00.000-05:00

An overwhelming victory for the Democrat Party and the Floyd County Democrat Central Committee. Congratulation Chairman Stumler!

The results are from WHAS.Com

New Albany Council District 2 (Indiana) Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Bob Caesar
1,459
67%
Harry Harbison
723
33%
Precincts reporting: 7 of 7 (100%)

New Albany Council District 3 (Indiana)
Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Steve Price
472
56%
Brenda Scharlow
342
40%
Thomas Keister
34
4%
Precincts reporting: 5 of 5 (100%)

New Albany Council District 4 (Indiana)
Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Pat McLaughlin
662
58%
David Aebersold
488
42%
Precincts reporting: 5 of 5 (100%)

New Albany Council District 5 (Indiana)
Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Diane Benedetti
666
52%
Dick Bliss
619
48%
Precincts reporting: 5 of 5 (100%)

Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Jeff Gahan
797
53%
Sam Anderson
707
47%
Precincts reporting: 6 of 6 (100%)

New Albany Council At Large (Indiana)
Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Jack Messer
4,106
19%
John Gonder
4,105
19%
Kevin Zurschmiede
3,772
18%
James Hollis
3,632
17%
Richard Berryman
2,895
14%
Steve Burks
2,812
13%
Precincts reporting: 34 of 34 (100%)

Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Marcey Wisman
4,414
58%
Ronny Hornung
3,200
42%
Precincts reporting: 34 of 34 (100%)

New Albany Mayor (Indiana)
Winner
Candidate
Incumbent
Votes
Vote %
Doug England
4,017
52%
Randy Hubbard
3,741
48%
Precincts reporting: 34 of 34 (100%)

Congratulations to our next Mayor : Doug England!

Maury

November 6, 2007

2007-11-05T12:39:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow would have been my father's 97Th birthday. Happy Birthday POP!

However, tomorrow is election day. SO PLEASE VOTE!

The election will hinge on "turnout."

New Albany Today endorses former Mayor England for Mayor. I feel he is the best candidate for the job.

My predictions for tomorrow.

Mayor-Doug England

City Clerk- Marcy Wisman* (*denotes incumbent)

City Council

1st District- Dan Coffey*
2ND District- toss up too close to call
3rd District- toss up too close to call
4Th District- Pat McLaughlin
5Th District- Diane McCartin
6Th District- Jeff Gahan*

City Council At Large
elect three

John Gonder
the other two spots are too close to call

The new city council will either be 5-4 or 6-3 or 7-2 Democrat.

In the end, "turnout" is the key to this election.

VOTE!

Maury

New Posts

2007-09-24T13:34:00.000-04:00

I will resume posting. I took the time off to do somethings I have been wanting to do for a long time. I am going to brew beer when I feel I am ready . I am going to bake a " Chocolate Ale Cake." I have been reading on how to make wine. I want to continue the family tradition of wine making along with making Sour Pickles. I will say this the world of beer makes for interesting reading.

Maury

Happy New Year!

2007-09-24T13:24:00.000-04:00

I wish everyone a sweet and healthy new year for 5768 CE.

Maury

Breaking News!

2007-08-18T16:35:00.000-04:00

Three members of the New Albany's Stormwater Board resign. I have posted the story in full from the New Albany Tribune's reporter Eric Scott Campbell.

Print this story E-mail this story Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Published August 17, 2007 12:26 pm - Amid legal challenges to a contract they signed, all three members of the city’s Stormwater Board quit at the end of the monthly meeting Friday morning.All three New Albany Storm Water Board members quitBy ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Eric.Campbell@newsandtribune.com
Amid legal challenges to a contract they signed, all three members of the city’s Stormwater Board quit at the end of the monthly meeting Friday morning.
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Chairman Tim Deatrick and Al Goodman had voted at the previous meeting July 20 to sign a three-year operating deal with Environmental Management Corp. that would effectively “privatize” the city’s stormwater drainage utility, taking its employees off the city payroll. Sam Asberry voted against the motion.
In response to the contract, the local union for drainage employees obtained a restraining order, citing insufficient notice for an action that would amount to a layoff.
The City Council overrode Mayor James Garner’s veto to launch its own legal challenge, predicated on the Stormwater Board’s failure to seek competitive bids for the contract. That lawsuit, approved by the council but still not filed in Circuit Court by attorney Jerry Ulrich, also targets the Sewer Board for a similar action: approving a no-bid operational contract with EMC.
The council formed the Stormwater Board last year to oversee the city’s pursuit of compliance with tighter federal drainage standards. The chairman’s position is appointed by the mayor, while the other two positions, one of which must be a professional engineer, are council-appointed.
Garner said Friday he intends to serve as chairman himself, at least temporarily. He believed he would not call a meeting until a quorum exists, which would require the council to refill at least one of its two designated spots.
Garner wasn’t surprised by the resignations; he’d heard that the members were considering them.
“They were doing the best job in the interest of the people, but the council squashed” their function as an independent board, Garner said. The board members “felt like they were slapped in the face,” the mayor added.
City Council President Larry Kochert said he didn’t know when those unpaid jobs would be filled, though “I’m going to suggest that one of the overzealous councilmen take over that seat.”
Kochert said he referred to Dan Coffey and Jeff Gahan, two staunch supporters of the council’s lawsuit against the utilities. Neither man could be reached for comment Friday.
The board granted its attorney, Mike Summers, to defend the lawsuits on a billable basis even after his contract expires at the end of the calendar year. At the end of the meeting, Deatrick briefly announced the resignations and distributed copies of letters to that effect.
Asberry’s was one sentence. Goodman’s expressed clear frustration with the board’s critics, particularly the City Council. Though Deatrick has been willing to trade barbs in the past, his letter was more diplomatic, and he spoke to reporters after the meeting, which was attended by half a dozen people.
“It reached a point where all three of us decided we no longer wished to serve based on the direction things are going,” Deatrick said. “The Stormwater Board and City Council have vastly different philosophies of how we should operate.”
Deatrick said he wouldn’t have handled the EMC contract any differently if he could do it all over, because he and the city had experience with the company.

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local News section
Galligan, Snelling differ on

Sad.

Maury

Mayor Garner's Veto Overridden

2007-08-10T11:24:00.000-04:00

Mayor Garner's Veto of Resolution-07-30 was overridden by the City Council, at a special meeting this morning at 10:30AM, by a vote of 6-2. City Councilman at Large Jack Messer was absent from this morning's special city council meeting. However, earlier today, in Floyd County Circuit Court this morning, Judge Terry Cody extended his Preliminary Injunction sought by the Unions for 30 days against the Stormwater Board contract with EMC. Lets go back to the beginning of the special meeting.

When public comments were called for by City Council President Larry Kochert, Pat Harrison was the first speaker. She protested the fact that that attorney's fees will be incurred and called for the city to be run like a business. Praised CM Kevin Zurschmeide efforts to save taxpayers money. Ms.Harrison had passed out a leaflet protesting , as a rental property owner, the fact that sewer delinquent fees attachments are not being followed and property owners may get sewer refund as a result.

Jerry Taylor ,EMC person in charge of Drainage Projects made three points.
1) Attorney fee cost rate payers.
2) Attorney's fee frdom the Stormwater Board will see projects delayed.
3) Overriding the Mayor's veto will make people think twice before accepting appointments to the Sewer board and the Stormwater board.

Sewerboard Attorney Greg Fifer went over City Council Attorney Jerry Ulrich arguments made at Monday,August 6, 2007 city council meeting. Basically stating that you have no legal argument.

Mayor Garner passed out a document showing that to fight in court over this issue will cost the ratepayers around $517,000.

Cm Bill Schmidt weigh in with his opinion that the suit is justifiable.

CM Kevin Zurschmeide stated before the vote that you know where I stand. He goes on to say: Any Councilman who votes to override the Mayor's veto, I am taking names and will let the public know of how you voted.

Mr.Zurschmeide remarks were uncalled for. Here you are being rude and are bullying your fellow councilmen. Is this a way to make friends and influence people?

The vote was 6-2 with CM Jack Messer being absent.

Voting yes to override the Mayor's veto :
Dan Coffey
Bill Schmidt
Steve Price
Bev Crump
Jeff Gahan
Donnie Blevins - Asked City Council Attorney Mr. Ulrich if his vote is a conflict of interest and Mr. Ulrich responded no.

Voting no to sustain the Mayor's Veto
Kevin Zurschmeide
Larry Kochert

The mayor's veto is overridden.

See you in Court.

Maury

Holy Cow Batman, The City Council Meets Today!

2007-08-10T01:49:00.000-04:00

Today,08/10/2007, at 10:30Am in the Assembly Room, New Albany's City Council meets in a special meeting to attempt an override of Mayor Garner's veto of Resolution-07-30 in which the City Council hires a lawyer to sue over the No Bid issue with EMC.

This should be fun Jethro. Go see if Miss Jane and Mr. Drysdale can come with Granny and Uncle Jeb. I will go see if Barny and Andy are available to provide security. Oh My, will Mighty Mouse save the Day?

Tune in boys and girls to see the exciting episode of "As New Albany Retches."

Ta Ta That's All Folks.

Maury

Update on the O8-06-2007 City Council meeting

2007-08-08T09:44:00.000-04:00

I decided to present the update on Resolution 07-30 in another post.

The whole affair of the No Bid Issue was reflected in the amount of preparation that each side devoted towards making their case. First what did EMC do?

1) Their point man was Jerry Taylor who made the point that EMC can document what actions taken towards fixing any drainage contrast with City of New Albany's current operations which are lacking in documentation.

2) EMC demonstrated that they can call and turn out residents in support of EMC's position. Resident's were from Wooded Valley subdivision and of Long Meadow Drive came out to support EMC.

Just a side note on the Long Meadow Drive situation, no action was taken by EMC, as Mr. Jerry Taylor stated, for lack of funds. I felt this statement was self serving on Mr. Taylor's part. No one responded to Mr. Taylor assertion as to why no action was taken on the City's part. Mr. Taylor ,speaking for EMC, struck this blog reporter, as covering your(ass) actions with a memo for the files.

3) EMC made sure that the Sewer Board, Mayor, City Council supporters were on the same page and tried to persuade wavering council members towards their side.

EMC clearly knew a fight was coming and expected to go to court. What is interesting,in the view of this blog reporter, was that the vote was expected to be 6-3. A 6-3 vote would have given enough vote to override any veto by the Mayor.

I was surprise by City Councilman At Large Kevin Zurschmeide proposal to separate any legal action against EMC into two parts rather than a single action which resolution R-07-30 called for. The implication was that the Mayor was willing to sign the resolution if the Stormwater boards actions were contested first. The surprise was City Councilman Bill Schmidt decision to abstain. So, Mr. Schmidt failure to vote gave the mayor reason to veto resolution R-07-30. Between now and the next city council meeting you can bet your dollar that both sides will be courting Mr. Schmidt vote.

City Councilman At Large Kevin Zurschmeide explanation of his position is as follows.

1) Mr. Zurschmeide felt that switching companies now would be too expensive and time consuming on the part of a new company to learn what to do, this will anger EPA.

2) An evaluation of EMC, by a company hired by the Sewer Board, concluded that EMC was doing a good job. (was this done by the company which had a former EMC employee on its payroll? )

3) The fact that a half a million dollars was saved in contract negotiations with EMC.

One argument I have not mention so far and advanced by Mr. Zurschmeide and Mayor Garner is lawyer's fees. To take the whole issue of No Bid issue to court will generate fees for lawyers and is a waste of Taxpayers Money. HMMM... Lets see, to sue to end Desegregation will entail paying lawyers or why bother to appeal death penalty cases for lawyer fee are the end result or why bother to end the poll tax lawyers will get rich . This argument does not hold water. The proponents of this argument are advocating the position of trust me I have made the right decision for you by saving money. Also, position does not begin to discuss the merits of the issue of No Bid Contract and the argument is another way of saying I am right and you are wrong ,thus avoids the issue at hand.

The question I have for Mr. Schmidt , you abstain on R-07-30, and Mr. Messer, you abstain on Lafayette Square z-7-14, is Why? Please explain your vote.

Maury

See you In Court!

2007-08-07T01:31:00.000-04:00

NOTE: last night as I was writing this post this the internet service failed. So I post this before heading off for work. I will pick up this evening where I left off for a complete report.

Well folks, after 0ne hour and 37 minutes of public comments and 33 minutes of comments and reports from city officials the debate began on the lawsuit resolution R-07-30 in earnest at 9: 36 PM. One comment about speaking times of 11 speakers, on items on the agenda, only 4 speakers were under 3 minutes the rest range from 7 minutes to 20 minutes for Jerry Taylor an EMC employee.

Lets try something different and report what went on by highlighting the memorable exchanges( I will report in depth later on when I am not so tired).

1.) Larry Kochert to Donnie Blevins:" If you would come to the sewer board meetings you would know what is going on. You come to the council meeting for a half hour once a month."

2.) Kevin Zurschmiede, states in a very loud manner: "I saved the city $ 500,000 in negotiations with EMC." Also he went on to state repeatedly that we are spending too much monies on attorney's fees. In fact the figure was millions of dollars were spent on such fees.

3.) Jerry Taylor, an EMC employee in charge of stormwater issues, was the most disingenuous speaker of the evening. First, he called the Street Department Union President, Mickey Freiberger, lazy for not doing his job and the main reason why the stormwater board awarded EMC the contract. But went on to say that he was a nice guy. Mr. Taylor stated that the Street Department workers were very nice people but not qualified to work on drainage projects. He concludes that if it was not for EMC, nothing would get done.

The vote was 5-3-1. The resolution passed .The vote as follows:

YES- Coffey, Price, Crump, Gahan, Blevins

NO- Meser, Zurschmeide,Kocher

ABSTAIN-Schmidt

Items of note:

1.) The Fire Department Union's President Dick Duggins reported last night that the union agrees to a Merit System instead of what is in place now.

2). City Council Attorney Jerry Ulrich stated that city council members will get to review the redistricting proposal that was discussed in Federal Court recently.

A quick look at what was passed and failed (full report later).

A-07-21 ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FROM THE RAIN DAY FUND,PASSED 9-0
Z-07-13 PUDD PASSED 9-0-BRETT SCHROEDER AT 2018 CORYDON PIKE& BUSH PLACE
Z-07-14 FAILED 0-8-1 LAFAYETTE SQUARE GARY MCCARTIN -ABSTAIN- MESSER WHY?
Z-07-15 PASSED 9-0- PERMIT STORAGE UNITS AT 935-937 STATE STREET
A-07-22 AMENDING SALARY'S FOR THE YEAR OF 2007 TO HIRE A MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT -PASSED 9-0.
G-07-11 SEPARATING ACCOUNTS IN THE SEWER UTILITY FUND PASSED 9-0
G-07-12 TABLED- REPEAL STORMWATER BOARDZ-07-10 FAILED 3-6 WOULD HAVE EXPANDED THE FRINGE AREA AND SET ZONING DISTRICTS

I will post in more detail later on today.

Maury

City Council meeting of July 28, 2007

2007-07-31T23:36:00.000-04:00

The meeting was late in getting started for no one had the keys to the assembly room. City Council President Larry Kochert was absent so City Council Vice Chairman Dan Coffey presided in Mr. Kochert's absence. There was only one item on the agenda namely the repeal of the New Albany Stormwater Board ordinance. No other issue was covered or discussed during the meeting. Council members Bill Schmidt, Larry Kochert and Jack Messer were absent that morning. I was surprise at how many people turned out for a Saturday morning meeting of the city council. I latter found out that most were from the Wooded Vally Subdivision off State Street in New Albany. Some of the residents admitted, latter in the meeting, that they were called by EMC and ask to attend the special city council meeting voicing support for EMC.

Cm Bev Crump was asked to introduce the ordinance to repeal G-06-20, Cm Steve Price seconded the introduction of the ordinance. Cm Crump stated right away she could not vote for the ordinance because she did not understand it and asked Cm Coffey to explain it.

Mr. Coffey stated that there were problems with the Stormwater Board from the information he received from Mr. Sam Asberry complaining about the way the Budget was adopted without mentioning the contract with EMC and the way the budget was presented to the city council. Also Mr. Coffey went on to state that the budget presented to the City Council had no mention of a $507,000 contract with EMC which was adopted a week after being presented to the city council by the stormwater board. curious was the fact that no council member disagreed with Mr. Coffey's view that there were problems with the stormwater board. Even Mr.Zurschmiede claim that the council members were ignorant of the issue before them did not disagree with Mr. Coffey's view of the problems before the council.

Cm Zurschmiede fired back saying that the City Council did not do its homework and become familiar with the issues before it. he went on to accuse Mr. Coffey, the council liaison with the stormwater board, of not attending or any other council for that matter, of attending a meeting of the stormwater board.

This reporter could not verify Mr. Zurschmiede's claim. The City of New Albany website for the stormwater board has only the February 16 ,2007 ,minutes only and no city council is mentioned as being in attendance. The site is maintained by the New Albany City Clerk Marcy Wisman. So one does not know if any of the 9 city council members attended any meetings of the stormwater board since its inception.

Cm Bev Crump ask of City Council Attorney if he favored repeal or to amend ordinance G0-6-20, his reply was to amend the ordinance.

The vote on repeal was 5-1 with Cm Zurschmiede voting no.

Mr. Coffey appointed 2 committees:

1) Committee to investigate bidding practices.
Chairman, Jeff Gahan
Dan Coffey
Bill Schmidt

2) Commitee to look into the Stormwater board
Chairman, Steve Price
Donnie Blevins
Bev Crump
Kevin Zurschmiede

The meeting adjourn at 11:30AM.

One got the impression that Mr. Zurschmiede was campaigning for reelection at Saturday's City Council meeting. The remarks where a preview of the Republicans forth coming talking points against the Democrat members of the City Current members and candidates. Merger to save money is a big Republican issue being advance in the upcoming fall election and next year's election. So, Stay tuned.

I could not post this last night due to technical problems with broadband service.

Maury

Breaking News on New Albany Today!

2007-07-28T12:47:00.001-04:00

The New Albany City Council votes to repeal the Stormwater Board.

Street Department Union filed for an Injunction to prevent the contract between the Stormwater Board and EMC from taking effect on August 1, 2007.

Complete Details at tonight's posting.

Maury

Very Interesting

2007-07-28T08:37:00.000-04:00

This morning I went to the City Clerk's website to download the agenda and materials for this morning City Council meeting and guess what? Nothing. The items from last city council meeting are still posted. Any guess as to what happened?

Maury

Tomorrow at 10 AM

2007-07-27T11:37:00.000-04:00

At 10 AM EDST,Saturday July 28,2007, in the assembly room on the third floor of the City County Building the New Albany City Council will meet. According to today's Courier Journal article written by Dick Kaukas, the items on the agenda include and I present the following agenda taken from the courier journal article:

1) Repeal of the Stormwater Board.
2) The 2007 city budget and the possibility of making cuts to comply with state requirements.
3) No- bid contract policies and procedures. Both the stormwater board and sewer board have
rewarded no-bid contracts to EMC.

Please attend this special meeting . Hey after all it's your money!

Maury

Question

2007-07-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

In Mary Higgins Clark's book "Remember Me" written in 1994 is a question I like to share with you. I will present the entire paragraphs below:

When he had proposed, Menley suspected that it had something to do with his approaching thirty-third birthday. She didn't care. When they were married something her grandmother had told her years before echoed in her ears: "In marriage, one often is more in love than the other. It's better if the woman is the one who doesn't love deeply."

Why is it better? Menley wondered, and asked herself again as she looked at him sleeping so peacefully. What's wrong wrong with being the one who loves the most?

So dear reader what do you think about the question?

Maury

Lavender Blue

2007-06-30T03:56:00.000-04:00

Lavender-Blue (Dilly Dilly)Sammy TurnerCharted at # 3 in 1959Previously charted in 1949 by Sammy Kaye (#4), Dinah Shore (#9),Burl Ives (#16), and Jack Smith (#17)Words and Music by Larry Morey and Eliot DanielSung in the film "So Dear To My Heart" by Dinah Shore

Lavender blue, dilly-dilly
Lavender green
If I were king, dilly-dilly, I'd need a queen

Whoa-oh, who told me so?,dilly-dilly
Who told me so?
I told myself, dilly-dilly
I told me so

If your dilly-dilly heart
Feels a dilly-dilly way
If you'll answer yes
In a pretty little church
On a dilly-dilly day
You'll be wed in a dilly-dilly dress of

Lavender blue, dilly-dilly
Lavender green
Then I'll be king, dilly-dilly
You'll be my queen

Then I'll be king dilly-dilly
You'll be my queen

(Lavender blue, dilly-dilly)

This is one of my favorite Rock songs from 1959 by Sammy Turner. The song lyrics are from
www.lyricsdownload.com

Maury

Lavender Dreams

2007-06-29T15:40:00.000-04:00

Source: http://www.sing365.comLavender ------Marillion(Derek Dick, Steve Rothery, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, Ian Mosley)

I was walking in the park

Dreaming of a spark

When I heard the sprinklers whisper

Shimmer in the haze of summer lawns.

Then I heard the children singing

They were running through the rainbows.

They were singing a song for you

Well it seemed to be a song for you

The one I wanted to write for you

Lavenders blue, dilly dilly, lavenders green

When I am King, dilly dillyYou will be Queen

A penny for your thoughts my dear

A penny for your thoughts my dear

I.O.U. for your love

I.O.U. for your love

Lavenders green, dilly dilly, lavenders blue

When you love me, dilly dilly, I will love you

A penny for your thoughts my dear

A penny for your thoughts my dear

I.O.U. for your love

I.O.U. for your love

Lavender dreams dilly, dilly lavender true

When you miss me dilly dilly, I did miss you

A penny for your thoughts my dear

A penny for your thoughts my dear

I.O.U for your love

I.O.U. for your love

For your love

One of my favorite songs when I heard the song back in 1959

A Ouote

2007-06-21T02:29:00.000-04:00

This quote is from Marianne Williamson book, "A Return to Love."

Inspiration
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fearis that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness,that most frightens us.We ask ourselves, who am Ito be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.There is nothing enlightened about shrinkingso that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifestthe glory of God that is within us.It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.And as we let our own light shine,we unconsciously give other peoplepermission to do the same.As we are liberated from our own fear,our presence automatically liberates others.
Written by Marianne Williamson and is an excerpt from her book, "A Return to Love"
Poster available at art.com

Maury

What Is So Rare As A Day In June?

2007-06-21T02:24:00.000-04:00

From the Antelope books web site.

WHAT IS SO RARE AS A DAY IN JUNE?
From "The Vision of Sir Launfal"
This poem was taken from the 1919 edition of The Young Folks TreasuryPicture and electronic enhancement by Antelope Publishing
This site is brought to you by Antelople Publishing ~Offering Browser Readable Books for the Family on CD-ROM Since 1995For more old time and modern poetry enhanced with e-media visithttp://www.antelope-ebooks.com/poetry.html
What is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days;Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, And over it softly her warm ear lays;Whether we look, or whether we listen,We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;Every clod feels a stir of might, An instinct within it that reaches and towers,And, groping blindly above it for light, Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers;The flush of life may well be seen Thrilling back over hills and valleys;The cowslip startles in meadows green, The buttercup catches the sun in its chalice,And there's never a leaf nor a blade too mean To be some happy creature's palace;The little bird sits at his door in the sun, Atilt like a blossom among the leaves,And lets his illumined being o'errun With the deluge of summer it receives;His mate feels the eggs beneath her wings,And the heart in her dumb breast flutters and sings;He sings to the wide world, and she to her nest,-In the nice ear of Nature which song is the best?
Now is the high-tide of the year, And whatever of life hath ebbed awayComes flooding back with a ripply cheer, Into every bare inlet and creek and bay;Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,We are happy now because God wills it;No matter how barren the past may have been,'Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green;We sit in the warm shade and feel right wellHow the sap creeps up and the blossoms swell;We may shut our eyes but we cannot help knowingThat skies are clear and grass is growing;The breeze comes whispering in our ear,That dandelions are blossoming near,That maize has sprouted, that streams are flowing,That the river is bluer than the sky,That the robin is plastering his house hard by;And if the breeze kept the good news back,For our couriers we should not lack; We could guess it all by yon heifer's lowing,And hark! How clear bold chanticleer,Warmed with the new wine of the year, Tells all in his lusty crowing!
Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how;Everything is happy now, Everything is upward striving;'Tis as easy now for the heart to be trueAs for grass to be green or skies to be blue,- 'Tis for the natural way of living:Who knows whither the clouds have fled? In the unscarred heaven they leave not wake,And the eyes forget the tears they have shed, The heart forgets its sorrow and ache;The soul partakes the season's youth, And the sulphurous rifts of passion and woe Lie deep 'neath a silence pure and smooth, Like burnt-out craters healed with snow.
by James Russell Lowell

Maury

Introspective Moment of Lucidity-Updated

2007-05-31T23:06:00.000-04:00

With 31 days left to file to fill vacancies by July 2, 2007, created by a lack of candidates in the First and Third City Council Districts, from the May 8, 2007, Primary Election, one wonders who the Republican Party will put up. In the Third City Council District, Ms. Brenda Scharlow is to be the candidate. While in the First City Council District, the search continues for a candidate.

Whether there be Independent Candidates, like current City Council President Mr. Larry Kochert ( rumor has it that he will file to be an Independent Candidate in the Fourth City Council District), filing for City Council and other offices? Eventually , we will all find out who the candidates will be.

Will there be Independent candidates or not question reminds me of the expression ,"Be careful of what you wish for."

Maury

6/2/2007 Update

I thank Roger Baylor for commenting on my post. Mr. Baylor states that a petition is being gathered to put a Independent Candidate on this coming General Election Ballot ( to be voted on November 6, 2007) for Third District City Councilman. Once the identity of the candidate is known, New Albany Today will let you know. So, are there any other Independent Candidates gathering signatures to be on the ballot this fall?

Maury

Third Party Candidate(s)? Updated

2007-05-18T22:44:00.000-04:00

Lets talk about the Third District City Council race to illustrate a point I want to make. The Democrat Party's nominee for the Third District City Council District is Mr. Steve Price. As of this date of May 18, 2007, the Floyd County Republican Party has not chosen a candidate, but will do so at a later date. An Independent Party Candidate files for the Third District City Council seat. On November 6, 2007, the Third District voters have 3 candidates to vote for.

When one looks at the Third District Democrat Primary in 2003 Mr. Price won his race in a three man field as he did in 2007. The General Election was a Democrat sweep plus Mr. Price was a political unknown at the time does not factor in to the political equation. Of the 3 election contest with Mr. Price, two have been with two opponents and one with one opponent. Mr. Price has been able to hold his own.

Enter a Third Party Candidate and Mr. Price faces the same challenges he has encountered in 2003 and 2007 Primary Election contests. Names I have heard for such a candidacy are too litigious. Further, why would the Republican Party choose a Democrat or anyone not affiliated with the Republican Party? Local political history has shown the Republican office holders are more cohesive in supporting Republican Mayor's than the Democrats towards their own Mayor's.

Mr. Price would hope for a Third Party candidate, which helps him with the job of retaining the Third District City Council seat for the Democrats. This bring up the question of what is the goal of a Third Party candidate? To defeat a political party nominee? Is it a personal hatred for a political party's candidate? To further your own political agenda? Such questions have to be confronted in laying the basis for such a candidacy. The point being made is "Do all City Council races need a Third Party Candidate."

Let ask the question about the possibility of one or several Independent Candidates could win.
The voters could be confronted with the possibility of a 4-4 split City Council with a Independent party candidate holding the balance of power. What about possibility of a majority of Independents on the City Council? How would such a majority of Independents work with whoever is elected Mayor this coming November, 2007? How would policy be decided? Will we have political grid lock as we have now?

One has a right to run and offer themselves as a Third Party candidate. The aforementioned list question need to be answered before the voting public is to vote for you. So if a Third Party candidate runs in the Third City Council District or any other City Council District or as an At large City Council Candidate one has to explain their candidacy. For hatred of a Political Party's nominee is not justification for running.

Maury

Beam Me Up Scotty

2007-05-18T22:18:00.000-04:00

I found this story to be unusal to say the least. Hey, this only cost $495 dollars and beats sitting on the mantle at your children's home.

Rocket with remains of James Doohan, others discovered in good condition after three-week search.
By Reuters -->
Published: May 18, 2007, 3:16 PM PDT
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They beamed him up--and on Friday, after a three-week search, they found the rocket that had carried ashes of Star Trek actor James Doohan briefly into space.
The remains of Doohan, whose Star Trek character Scotty inspired the television catch phrase "Beam me up, Scotty," were blasted off to the edge of space from New Mexico on April 29, two years after his death at the age of 85.
The payload also included ashes of astronaut Gordon Cooper, who first went into space in 1963, and another 200 people.
But the UP Aerospace Spaceloft XL rocket carrying the capsules with the ashes back to Earth got lost in rugged terrain and the search for it was hampered by bad weather.
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Quantifying Microsoft's biggest purchase ever SimExchange aims to predict video game market Photos: Paging Dr. Robot, your patient is waiting Extra: Ten greatest tech names Video: Dell's cool tech
"Now we can all say 'mission accomplished,'" Rick Homans, executive director of New Mexico's Spaceport Authority, said on Friday.
Organizers said the rocket and the individual capsules containing the ashes were in good condition and would be mounted on plaques and returned to the families.
Canadian-born Doohan played the Starship Enterprise's chief engineer Montgomery Scott in the original 1966-1969 Star Trek television series.
Houston-based Space Services charges $495 to send a portion of a person's ashes into suborbital space and return it to Earth.
Story Copyright © 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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Maury

Go Grannie Go

2007-05-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

Here is another option to do when you retire.
Will you love me and still feed me when I am 64? sang the Beatles. Heck with all that love. Lets get the game on grannie.

Will grannies become gamers?
Companies such as Microsoft and Electronic Arts are exploring ways to interest seniors in video games.
By Reuters -->
Published: May 17, 2007, 7:27 AM PDT
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The kids will be itching to visit grandmother as often as possible if the video game industry has its way.
Software maker Microsoft and game maker Electronic Arts held a gaming day at a pensioners' settlement in Finland last week, taking another step toward gauging interest in gaming among seniors.
Pensioner Kaija Ekstam, who is 72 years old, grappled with a console to keep the car in the video racing game on course and mused that taking up the pastime would provide an exciting new platform for her relationship with her grandchildren.
"I have just started playing. This is great. My grandkids play these games so it will be nice to join them," Ekstam told Reuters. "I do not want to hear comments about female drivers."
The gaming day, at the Kalliola pensioners' settlement house, demonstrated that interest in the activity could grow among pensioners, provided they are introduced to it with enough information.
Project head Pekka Roni said that resistance among the elderly to games and information technology like the Internet was most often due to a lack of information about how to use them.
"The aim was to create an atmosphere for people to try it out with experts' help," Roni said. "We first expected people to stay home, but about 70 people have paid a visit here already during the first hour."
Now on News.com
Quantifying Microsoft's biggest purchase ever SimExchange aims to predict video game market Photos: Paging Dr. Robot, your patient is waiting Extra: Ten greatest tech names Video: Dell's cool tech
Finland, home to mobile-phone maker Nokia, has the most rapidly aging population in Western Europe, which, experts say, presents the Nordic nation with enormous challenges.
Gerhard Florin, head of publishing for Electronic Arts, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference that the barriers that have dissuaded the older generation from tackling e-mail and online gaming are coming down.
"The barrier to entry into interactive entertainment is becoming lower and lower," Florin said. "You need to find entry points of mass market."
Roni said that seniors need only initial orientation to the world of electronic entertainment. First timer Ekstam agrees, noting that with just a little help anyone can be roaring down the virtual track.
"If you roughly know how a computer mouse works, there should be no problem," she said.
Story Copyright © 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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Maury

Sewer Budget Proposal at May 12, 2007 New Albany City Council Meeting

2007-05-18T10:43:00.000-04:00

I have argued for a budget for the Sewer Utility. Without fail, Mayor's from Robert Real to James Garner have spoken against the idea, all saying the same thing , claiming that we do not need one and this is not the City Council's responsibility. What happen? Mr. Gahans', 6th District City Councilman, proposal was not introduced. Not one City Councilman, both Democrat and Republican, was willing to second the resolution. Well, so much for being the fiscal watchdog. Just willing to gripe about rising sewer rates. Pretty much like talking about the weather, knowing you cannot do anything about it.

Maury

Thoughts from the recent City Primary Election of 2007

2007-05-18T09:41:00.000-04:00

I was sadden by the continued decline of the Third City Council District,as presently configured, housing stock. The large number of housing vacancies cries out for a solution. Residents tell of need for action by citing a litany of complaints about the increasing scope of the problem continuing unabated, inspite of the best efforts of Neighborhood Associations, in recent years with so little action on any City Official's part. The failure to fix or pave City Streets along with the decline of Sidewalks also came up while I was talking with various people.

The constant bickering and arguments along with the inability of the City Council to work with the Garner Administration was mentioned . Comments ranged from " it's a disgrace" to "they (City Council) are an embarrassment". But mostly I heard "it's time for a change".

What I felt that was missing was the lack of hope for the future. Not once did anyone talk about how great New Albany is going to be. The attitude of "lets make the best of this moment"was most prevalent. We cannot endure another Four Years of the same type of leadership as presently exhibited.

Maury

Primary Election Analysis

2007-05-14T12:21:00.000-04:00

Only a 20% voter turnout in Tuesday May 8,2007, Primary Election reveals what may happen on November 6, 2007. Let examine the results in a few races. Please note that the vote totals do not include the Provisional Ballots that were cast.

1st D -Castile-England-Garner- Scharlow
--------18 --228-------146-------92
2nd D--11---381-------381------267
3rd D--15---168-------178------142
4th D---9---160-------184------181
5th D---8---191-------163------159
6th D---9---182-------216------188

In the 1st City Council District the key precinct were 1,17,and 23. England won his home precinct,1st, 41-9. He took the 17 precinct 55-30 and won the 23 precinct 73-51. These 3 precincts gave England 79 votes of his 82 vote margin in the 1st City Council District. Dan Coffey's influence is clearly felt with his support going to England.

In the 2nd City Council District England and Garner tied at 381 each. England's key precinct was 19B which gave him a 32 vote over Garner ,70-38. Scharlow begins to have an effect on the mayor's vote totals at this point by finishing ahead of Garner for 2nd place in precinct 19B-42-38 and precinct 29 36-32.

In the 3rd City Council District Scharlow carries his home precinct,3rd, 54-47 over England and manages to win the 8th precinct 19-18 over England. The Mayor wins the 3rd City Council District by winning the 5th precinct 52-32 over England and 7th precinct 28-11 over England which help him win the 3rd by 10 votes.

In the 4th City Council District, Mayor Garner wins by 3 over Scharlow despite efforts of Larry Kochert on behalf of Larry Scharlow. In Larry Kochert's home precinct,13th, Scharlow won 58 vote to 23 for Garner and 22 for England.

In the 5th City Council District, Dan Coffey's influence was felt on behalf of England by winning the 9th and 14th precincts. Engalnd won the 9th precinct with 33 votes and 23 votes each for Garner and Scharlow. In the 14th precinct England won 67 votes to 48votes for Scharlow and 38 votes for Garner.

In the 6th City Council District, each Mayoral Candidate carried 2 precinct apiece and each candidate has his own pocket of strength.

In the City Clerk's race on the Democrat side, 805 voters did not cast a ballot resulting in 78.8% of Democrats voting in that race. The Republican race is noteworthy for the very low key manner by which the 3 candidates conducted themselves. There was much campaigning going on within the Republican Party outside of the watchful eye of the media and public.

The only surprise in the Coffey-Timberlake race in the 1st District City Council race was the 23rd precinct results. Mr. Coffey won only by 1 vote; I expected the margin to be wider.

The 2nd District City Council race was very interesting. One surprise was the overwhelming rejection in the 18th precinct(Silver Hills) of Bill Schmidt,162 votes or 73.5% for Bob Caesar to 43 votes or 26.5% for Bill Schmidt. He also lost the 16th precinct 95-54. But led 366 to 323 in the rest of the 2nd City Council District.

The question in the 3rd City Council District is can Steve Price unite the Democrats?

A big question in the 4th City Council District race is Mr. Larry Kochert. What will he do?

For the 5th District the only Woman City Council candidate is running against 5 term former incumbent Dick Bliss.

In the 6th City Council District, should be an interesting race come this fall. Incumbent Jeff Gahan pitted against a Larry Kochert backed candidate Dick Stewart. Will the Republians back their candidate?

The Republican City Council At Large race is notable for Richard Berryman finishing second and Valla Ann Bolovschak 6th place finish;I was surprised and thought she would have done better. On the Democrat side, the third place finish of James Hollis is notable.

On question comes to mind is how many Independent Candidates will we have this fall? Will Dan Coffey and Steve Price be reelected? Who will get most of the Independent Voters in the Mayor's race this fall? For now only the Shadow knows for sure.

Maury

Thank You !

2007-05-08T23:14:00.000-04:00

I thank each and everyone who voted for me in today's Primary Election. I appreciate your friendship and support. I remain faithfully yours.

Maury Goldberg

Endorsement

2007-05-07T09:26:00.000-04:00

New Albany Today will make an endorsement; the Third District City Councilman's race in the Democrat Primary. New Albany Today endorses, Maury Goldberg for Third District City Councilman.

Why vote for Maury?
1) Maury has demonstrated the ability to work with people to get things done.
2) Maury will be the councilman for all people of the Third District.
3) Maury Will be accessible to you.
4) Maury has the knowledge to get things done to help with local government.
5) Maury is concern and cares about you.
6) Maury will work will work , with the Mayor, to move New Albany forward.
7) Maury has demonstrated leadership and the ability to work to get things done.
8) Maury has integrity.
9) Maury understands the issues facing the Third District and New Albany.
10) Maury in not afraid to lead.

New Albany Today feels that Maury Goldberg is the best candidate for the job. On May 8, 2007, please vote for Maury Goldberg for Third District City Councilman.

Maury

Hmmmm

2007-05-03T12:49:00.001-04:00

13 days and counting.

On April 20Th,2007 post I wrote titled: "$2,300,000 to get renominated." I asked if you could explain your vote, to date you have not responded. I knew you would not, but at the debate you said you watch the "nickles and dimes" in a budget. So how do you explain your vote? Oh yes, how can you take credit anything positive about the Sanitation issue? I love to hear an explanation. I hope you get permission to explain your vote.

Maury

Candidate Questions 17-25

2007-05-02T01:01:00.000-04:00

17) New Albany faces many constraints in its efforts to create sustainable jobs:
1) Lack of available land for economic expansion.
2) Lack of a skilled workforce and intellectual capital.
3) Lack of smart growth initiatives.
4) Lack of a cooperative spirit from the current city council.
Question:
What is your specific plan to create the environment that is conducive to creating both sustainable economic development and a better quality of life for New Albany? What will be your first 90 days legislative initiative in these areas?

Economic Plan
1) I would use EDIT(Economic Development Income Tax) for what the tax was intended to be used for.
2) I would fund the Economic Development Office with more money to help lure businesses to New Albany.
3) I would work with Greater Louisville,Inc and One Southern Indiana to help promote economic development in New Albany.
4) I would use Tax Abatement for net job growth.

18) Do you agree or disagree with nationally syndicated columnist Thomas Friedman that in the future,green will be the next red,white and blue? What are the practical consequences of this for cities like New Albany?

The article makes the point about a lack of an"Energy Policy" and the lack of discussions in Presidential Elections. Out of the 18 candidates running for President in both parties, I have heard little talk of an Energy Policy. On the local level, we can do several things like asking any new governmental building be energy efficient, look into providing energy efficient cars for city employees,and look to provide a county wide energy policy to be work on.

19) How can we achieve"progress by design" through implementing the principles of Smart Growth and New Urbanism in our core neighborhoods?

1) By encouraging compact mix use development within existing urban areas. this would be an alternative to urban sprawl.
2) New Urbanism is a reaction to the sprawl principal of development to make a human scale walkable community.

20)Do you agree that unregistered and unregulated proliferation of rental properties in the 3rd District,many absentee-owned, is a grave threat to a properly functioning core neighborhood?

Yes

21) Do you support traffic calming measure and the retrofitting of city streets back to their intended two way usage?

Yes

22) Do you agree or disagree with this statement: "progress is the ultimate manifestation of fiscal responsibility, because making the economic pie larger benefits everyone?"

Agree

23) How important is decorum and professionalism with regards to our city council, and by extension, has the last council's antics and non-professional demeanor sent the wrong message to the world at large?

Very important, we need to get along and to work together. This signals a united community.

24) As councilman, will you fund the city's ordinance enforcement program to succeed, rather than starving to fail?

Yes, monies are needed if we are to have a chance of success.

25) Given that there is a good chance that the winner of this race will win the primary with less than a majority, as councilman, are you prepared to listen to all of your constituents, and not just the ones who voted for you?

I will be councilman of all the people.

Maury

An Invitation to a Fundraiser for Maury Goldberg

2007-05-01T23:50:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, May2,2007 at 6:30PM to 9PM at Richo's a "Beer and Cheese" fundraiser will be held for Maury Goldberg for Third District City Councilman. The cost is $10 dollars per person payable at the door. Please email me at councilman3d@webtv.net or call 812-949-8914 to let me know you are coming. The event is to sample various beer and cheeses that are paired with a particular beer. This is an educational fundraiser to educate one to the various styles of beer and cheese.

Update

Thank you ! The evening went very well and everybody had a nice time.

Maury

Candidate Questions

2007-05-01T23:41:00.000-04:00

Her are the question from tonight's debate at S.Ellen Jones. Questions 1-16 are posted today and the rest of the questions,17-25 will be posted in the morning. These answers are what I have written before the debate started. The answers are not a verbatim record of what was spoken this evening.

Candidate Questions

1) What is the advantage of a city court? What does it take to get one started?

With a City Court the City of New Albany can start to enforce violations of city ordinances, building codes, condemnation suites and enforce payment of unpaid sewer account and liens for unpaid services... To collect on traffic fines rather than have the County Clerk handle the payment of fines.

An Ordinance will be introduced at a City Council meeting seeking the establishment of a City Court. The mayor signs the ordinance after passage by the City Council setting up the. The City Council will fund the initial start up cost of approximately $250,000. The governor of Indiana will appoint a Judge who will be up for election in 2011.

2) What are your views on abstaining on votes that are potentially controversial?

A Councilman should abstain on a (controversial) vote only if he/she has a conflict of interest. Other wise a vote is expected to be cast regardless if the issue is Candidate Questions
Candidate Questions
controversial or not. Candidate Questions

3) It often appears that the citizens who attend council meetings are better prepared and researched on topics that are on the agenda than those on the council. What will you do to change that in the future?

I would ask, the City Clerk, that the agenda and ordinance be given to the council with two day of time, instead of the current one day, to research and find information. I would welcome input from citizens with information related to a topic before the City Council. The sharing of information is essential for all concern.

4) What are your plans to open communication among citizens and police working to convey the public's dissatisfaction with the police coverage and perceived “non caring” attitude?

I would set up a series of Neighborhood Association meeting with the Police and residents meeting to discuss the problems in the area The Police will hear first hand, resident’s complaints about how they perceive police actions on their problems. I would ask that police and residents form a committee to address the concerns of the area.

5) There has been significant interest and need in a rental inspection program and an ordinance enforcement program with a back bone to support. What are your plans to regulate the rental industry and support enforcement?

I would start by examining the Building Commissioners office. I would require that the Building Commissioner pass certification test and be qualified to run the office. I would have an H/ACV Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, and Building Inspector on the staff of the Building Commissioners office. I would set up the Building Commissioners with adequate funds to carry out its duties. I would introduce in the City Council an Ordinance to carry out rental inspection on an annual basis with fees to sustain the rental inspection program.

6) How do you feel about a City /County merger?

I am for it and its about time some agencies are combined. We should look into merging City and County Governments in the second smallest county in the State of Indiana.

7) What do you feel makes you feel makes you qualified to represent this district?

I have held the Third District City Councilman’s office in the past. I have been the Councilman of all the people. I have the ability to work with the Mayor and fellow Councilmen. I work to solve problems not compound them. I listen to the residents and voters of the Third District. As a graduate of Leadership of Southern Indiana I will be a servant leader for the Third District.

8) An important facet of representing the “people” is talking regularly with the people. In the past open and regular meetings with the 3rd District citizens did not happened do you see this as something important? Do you have plans to offer these meetings?

Yes, regular meeting are very important in keeping residents informed about what is going on in the city. I plan to have regular monthly meetings with the various neighborhood associations at their regular meetings. I would ask that they host meetings with city officials from time to time. I would develop a website for Third District residents to post messages to me for help or assistance. I would post the bills that are before the City council on the website. I would always be available to meet with you one on one.

9) If you were on the sewer board, how would you go about obtaining non paid bills?

First, I would try an amnesty period to collect unpaid sewer bills with out penalty. Secondly I would instruct the board of Public works and safety to order that the service be cut off for unpaid bills. The Board of Public works and safety has the power now to undertake such action. I would file liens against the property. I would have the City Council form a committee to monitor the administration efforts.

10) How important is city infrastructure, for example good streets, in promoting growth and revitalization of the city. How can we ensure such infrastructure will
Not fall into disrepair in the future?

Very Important! The City has to spend funds on a regular basis for maintenance. Too often maintenance is the first place that funds are cut. I would start by using the funds that the state gives us for street repairs are use for that purpose and not used to pay engineering fees for example. Street paving has to happen on a regular basis based on need and thought the city, not just in certain areas for votes.

11) What are your top priorities when elected?

1) To setup an rental inspection program
2) To get a fiscal policy analyst to help the City Council determine if a program is working.
3) To set up maintenance program for our infrastructure.
4) To promote economic development and study to see if tax abatement is working
5) To have a strong and responsive police department
6) To hire firemen base on merit and not politics.

12) What are some of your greatest accomplishments as a community leader?

1) Passed an ordinance requiring the fingerprinting for anyone selling gold and silver at a Pawn Shop.
2) The ability to understand budgets as a City Councilman
3) Being a member of the Lions Club of New Albany that buys eyeglasses for deserving individuals.
4) Serving as Lions of Indiana Trustee in the Eye Bank and as Speech and Hearing Trustee.
5) Helping to restore the Division Street School.

13) In what ways do you see the City of New Albany progressing in a positive way, and how to you plan on supporting these efforts? Conversely, in what ways do you see New Albany possibly heading in the wrong direction, and how will you correct these actions.

There is a rebirth of interest in Downtown New Albany and the building of Scribner Place and efforts to grow New Albany. I intend to help and see that these efforts in rebuilding downtown and tying the greenway with Downtown New Albany go forward. We have to become an all American city again.

We need to work together as a community for there is too much negativity and not enough of the “can do spirit” that the founders of New Albany had.

14) How can you as a councilman and community leader, help promote and facilitate a sense of community?

I would promote the All American City Program as an incentive to help people work together. And to show others that our elected officials can work together. I would have everyone working together to solve problems facing us, finally, to promote a positive atmosphere.

15) Have you studied any revitalization efforts of other communities, and if so how can we benefit from their efforts?

Yes, Jeffersonville, Madison, Lafayette, and Bloomington, Indiana are cities in Indiana I have studied.
1) To promote Historical Preservation
2) To have agreement on goals for Downtown New Albany
3) To have the infrastructure and traffic flow that makes on e want to come to New Albany.

16) How will you maintain open, constructive communication with fellow council members and the Mayor’s office?

I would like to have workshops the before a City Council meeting t discuss the upcoming bills.. For instance, if the City council meets on a Monday then lets meet to discuss things on a Thursday. Thursday City Council meeting the workshop would be held on Tuesday. I would meet with the Mayor on a regular basis to keep the lines of communications open. I would make an effort to talk to and understand my fellow council members.

Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Hornoring Robert Kennedy

2007-04-26T23:20:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, April 27,2007, at The Grand starting at 5:30PM with social hour, is the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. I hope to see you there. The cost is $40 dollars per person with the proceeds going to the Floyd County Democrat Central Committee. I look forward to meeting you. If you cannot make it, please write me c/o this blog with your questions.

Remember the Third District City Council Debate at SE Jones on Tuesday, May 1 ,2007.

Maury

BUDTV, Is Coca Cola TV far behind?

2007-04-22T11:14:00.000-04:00

Also from Yahoo News.

Anheuser-Busch will push Bud.TV
By CHRISTOPHER LEONARD, AP Business Writer Fri Apr 20, 5:17 PM ET

ST. LOUIS - Cyberspace can be a rough neighborhood, even for the king of beers.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. has seen a decline in the number of visitors to its Bud.TV Web site, which aims to draw 20-something consumers with edgy content.
The site was launched in February but started to fizzle soon after that. The number of visitors fell from 253,000 in its first month to 152,000 in March and is expected to be flat in April, said Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch's vice president of global media and sports marketing.
The brewer has scaled back its goals for the site, now hoping to draw about 500,000 visitors each month by 2008 instead of the 3 million it originally expected.
Ponturo said Anheuser-Busch knew Bud.TV would require some tweaking.
"We're sort of learning on the job, but in a glass house as we do it," he said.
Bud.TV is more elaborate than any other Web site the company has launched. It's meant to be a cross between a cable television channel with original shows and Google Inc.'s popular video-sharing site YouTube.
Two factors seem to be hurting Bud.TV, said Eric Shepard, executive editor of the industry publication Beer Marketer's Insights.
The first is a requirement for viewers to enter personal information to verify they are of drinking age.
The second is the difficulty in creating shows with appeal on the Internet. Many of the hit videos that appear on YouTube are zany, spontaneous clips captured by amateurs. It's tough for hired writers to do the same thing.
"It seems like they have put themselves in a kind of difficult position in terms of creative" content, Shepard said.
Ponturo said the age-verification requirement has crimped traffic more than expected.
A one-time registration page requires viewers to enter their name, ZIP code and birth date. Anheuser-Busch added the requirement after critics said Bud.TV might be a way to market alcohol to teenagers.
"People are not conditioned to give personal information for entertainment sites," Ponturo said.
There's no talk of losing the age-verification feature, Ponturo said. The brewer does plan to spiff up the registration page to better fit the "attitude" of Bud.TV, he said.
"The registration page probably looked too much like a bank loan statement," he said.
Anheuser-Busch also is adding features to the site and will begin a marketing campaign to draw more viewers. The overhauled site will have more videos accessible on the home page and allow viewers to e-mail the videos to their friends, Ponturo said.
While Bud.TV's initial results have been disappointing, the true measure of Bud.TV's success won't be known for some time, Shepard said.
"It seems to me that people ought to just sit back and take a breath," before judging Bud.TV's long-term prospects, he said.
___
On the Net:
Beer Marketer's Insights: http://www.beerinsights.com
Bud.TV: http://www.bud.tv

Enjoy!

Maury

As a Public Service

2007-04-22T10:52:00.001-04:00

This Article is from Yahoo News.

From PCWORLD.Com

Great. Now I need to Troubleshoot My DVD Player

Tom Spring,PCWorld

Have you updated your set-top DVD player lately? If you want better and more-reliable DVD video playback, you might want to.

Complaints are mounting as frustrated customers encounter DVD playback problems--in part because of a copy-protection system that Sony is putting on commercial DVD releases. While Sony has tried to allay customer concerns by promising to replace up to 25 million DVDs, PC World has found that DVD playback problems don't stop with Sony.
DVD player manufacturers are increasingly recommending to customers that they update their DVD player's firmware so as to end or prevent problems like players grinding to a halt in mid-movie, video pausing periodically, and mysterious hardware shutdowns.
DVD manufacturers such as Philips and Toshiba say firmware updates address DVD player bugs, add advanced DVD features, and improve a player's ability to handle the latest copy-protection features on DVDs. Updates are available for older-model DVD players, but firmware for HD DVD and Blu-ray DVD players are more common, says Mark Knox, independent consultant and advisor to the Toshiba HD DVD division.
Newer, more-technically sophisticated DVD players have more bugs to be worked out than legacy DVD players, Knox says. Other DVD manufacturers say that new copy-protection schemes being introduced by movie studios are causing headaches for both new and old DVD players.
Service Pack Update for Your DVD
One example appears to be GoVideo's stand-alone VR3840 DVD player, recorder, and VHS player. Complaints about the VR3840 pepper online discussion boards and blogs, with users saying that the DVD player freezes or shuts off in the menu section when a user attempts to play recent DVD releases.
GoVideo now provides a firmware update fix for customers to install, saying in a statement on its Web site: "GoVideo is offering an upgrade to the VR3840/VR5940 that allows certain Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, or Revolution Studios Movies to play without delay."
According to DVD player manufacturers contacted for this story, these three studios all have introduced copy protection that goes beyond the industry's default Content Scrambling System (CSS) antipiracy protection.
Firmware Updates
Different makers handle this situation in different ways. For instance, audio and video component maker Harman Kardon says its DVD players play standard DVDs and were never intended to handle the extra copy protection put on DVDs by Sony and other movie studios. "When movie studios start adding their own brand of copy protection, we can't promise seamless playback," said a company representative. Upon request, the company will mail an owner of one of its DVD players the needed updates on a DVD disc for free.
A look at top-selling DVD players from Panasonic, Philips, and Samsung shows that each of these manufacturers offers firmware updates for its top-selling models.
Sony says it issues firmware updates for its players that help DVD players to fix player bugs, add features, and support its own stronger copy protection called ARccOS. Sony also provides an explanation in PDF format.
How to Check and Update a Player's Software
Most, if not all, HD DVD and Blu-ray DVD players have built-in ethernet connectors, which greatly eases updating the player's firmware on the fly. If customers want, they can request (at no charge) a firmware disc that will be sent to them to perform an update.
To date, stand-alone DVD players--along with other consumer electronics gear--have largely been impossible to upgrade because the software used to control the player (called firmware) was embedded into the device. But as DVD players have evolved and grown more sophisticated, firmware is now stored on flash memory in the device. This functionality allows owners to upgrade the players, fix problems, and accommodate new technology without having to visit a service center.
Tools to Update Your DVD Player
Many DVD player manufacturers such as Philips and Sony give users the ability to download the firmware onto their PCs and give instruction on how to burn the firmware onto a DVD and update their player themselves.
One snag you might encounter if your DVD manufacturer does offer a firmware download: These firmware updates are all offered as an ISO image file. ISO image files are exact disc images stored as one file that allow for easy CD or DVD duplication. You cannot use
Windows XP' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> Windows XP alone to burn an ISO image. You must also have a third-party CD-burning software package.
Some popular programs for burning an ISO image are Roxio Easy Media Creator, Nero 7 Ultra Edition, MagicISO, and NTI CD Maker 2000 Professional.
A free ISO creation option is ISO Recorder. There are also software programs like Padus DiscJuggler and Alcohol Software available in trial versions that work well enough to burn a limited number of ISO images.
After you've created a DVD with the ISO image, simply put the DVD in your player. Manufacturer instructions differ, but, generally speaking, you'll be presented with menu choices directing you to trigger the firmware update.
After the DVD player is updated, power it down, then power it back up--and you're done. The entire process--from downloading to updating your player--will vary based on how long it takes to download the ISO. But the entire process, according to DVD manufacturers, shouldn't take more than an hour.
Now that you know how to troubleshoot your DVD player, you can move on to updating your new Sony stereo receiver, LCD TV, clock radio, and turntable. All of the gear listed here--and more--is built to accept firmware updates down the road, according to Sony's support site. Remember the days when all we had to do is spend a couple hours a week troubleshooting Microsoft Windows?
Where to Go for Firmware Update Info
DVD player manufacturers contacted for this story suggest that consumers check to see if a firmware update exists for their model of DVD player. Here are starting points for information from some of the major manufacturers. Harman Kardon Panasonic Philips Samsung Sony Toshiba firmware information Toshiba firmware update list

I found this Article helpful. I have being having trouble playing some movies on my DVD player. At first,I thought that my DVD player was outdated. But, now I understand that copyright protection by the movie studios was the problem. I hope this helps to explain why some your movie did not play.

Maury

Todd Solomon Resigns From Sewer Board

2007-04-20T01:23:00.000-04:00

At last night's City Council meeting, Sewer Board Member Todd Solomon resigns. The main reason is that he was spending over 45 hours on sewer board business and not spending as much time with his young children. Mr. Solomon went on to list faults he finds in the Sewer Operations. He passed out to City Councilmen his thoughts on the sewer operations (I will try and post his recommendations on this blog if I get a copy). His main point is that the City of New Albany needs a Utility Manager to oversee the operation its Sewers.

Listed below are some of his criticism of the sewer operations:

No final version of contracts are kept on file at the Sewer Department.
No files or records available.
Sewer Board Attorney does some of the work a Utility manager would do.
" We are flying by the seat of our pants." concerning our sewer operations.
we need a website to to help us communicate with our customers.
No one monitors compliance with the consent decree.
IDEM reviews our planning but New Albany does not review like Jeffersonville, who review their planning before submitting plans to IDEM.

City Councilman Jeff Gahan asked " After 3 years,.why are we just now finding this out." To which City Council President Larry Kochert replied: " You where not paying attention." I am sorry Mr. Kochert but Mr. Gahan is correct in pointing out the lack of senior leadership on the council in helping other City Councilmen understand the depth and scope of our sewer problems.

I thank Mr. Solomon for his views on our Sewer Operations. He made many of the points I have been pointing out for years. The City Council fought over the rate increase but ended up costing us thousand of dollars by failing to understand or examine the Sewer Operation. Way to go guys!

Maury

$2,300,000 To Get Renominiated?

2007-04-20T00:33:00.000-04:00

The amount of new spending approved at last night's City Council meeting is $2,300,000. The breakdown is as follows:

Paving ,Milling and Stripping of Streets-$950,000 Where is the paving list you and some council members insisted on?
New Truck and Salt Bin for Street Department-$100,000
New Fire Truck-$450,000 -Did you understand what you where voting for?
Estimated Street Department deficit for 2007-$800,000- Is this a solution for deficit spending in the Street Department?

Mr. Price, You have made a point of saying no to any spending until a budget is approved this year for New Albany. So what happened? How do you propose to handle cuts in the Budget if mandated by the Department of Local Government and Finance?

Maury

S.Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association May 1st Candidates Meeting

2007-04-16T08:21:00.000-04:00

I have posted the following announcement from the S.Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association website:

Candidate Q and A - May 1st
S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association to Host 3rd District City Council Candidates in Question and Answer Session When: Tuesday, May 1st – 6:00pm to 7:30pm Where: S. Ellen Jones Elementary School, 600 East 11th Street, New Albany, Indiana (Meeting to take place in the cafeteria)
Format/Agenda: * Each Candidate will have 10 minutes to introduce himself to attendees (30 minutes) * Questions and Answers (60 minutes) * Resident Questions are to be submitted prior to the meeting* Email Questions to SEllenJoneNA@msn.com or call 812-941-0466 and leave a voice mail * A Moderator will read questions aloud and each candidate will have 3 minutes to respond *Candidate rebuttals of 1 minute will be allowed * If submitted questions are exhausted then the Moderator will facilitate questions from the audience
Because time is limited, there is no guarantee that all submitted questions will be asked.

Copyright © 2007 S Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association

Please attend if at all possible. If you are unable to come and have a question, please post on new albany today and I will answer your question(s).

Maury

Election Campaign Currently

2007-04-16T07:48:00.000-04:00

I find this current primary election interesting. I trace the current "quietness" to a change in Courier Journal Reporters. One understands the newspaper handling of personnel due do a retirement of one of their reporters which resulted in a shift of Mr. Herszberg to Clark County.
Consequently, reporting by the Courier Journal has been very quite. This year no questions are been sent to candidates or being posted on their website by the newspaper,as happened last year at this time. This has the effect of protecting the incumbents and limiting their exposure to negative press.

One thing is clear, the voters want change! Come May 8th there will be a new Third District City Councilman.

Maury

Meet the Candidates-Update

2007-04-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

A good turnout of about 105 people( including children). All Mayor candidates were present with their supporters. Several office holders, candidates were out of town on business and due to previous commitments. I enjoy such events and meeting the people who go to learn about the candidates.

Maury

Meet the Candidates

2007-04-09T09:32:00.000-04:00

Tonight at the K of C at 6PM the Floyd County Democrat Womens Club is holding a meet the Candidates Program. I hope you can make it.

Maury

I Found This Interesting

2007-04-04T02:50:00.000-04:00

Nolan K. Bushnell. Does this name mean anything to you? Let me ask further. Did you own a Atari 2600? Eat at Chuck E. Cheese? Well Nolan Bushnell is the person who is the founder of Atari,Inc., and is the founder of the Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Chain. I say this is one successful Electrical Engineer folks.

Maury

Sign of the Times

2007-04-04T02:32:00.000-04:00

I opened the New Albany Tribune's questionnaire for candidates in the upcoming primary on May 8, 2007. The letter contained the usual questions one would expect but one question pique my interest. The question is as follows:

Have you been convicted of any, outside a non traffic court, offense. If so please explain.

The question I have is: Is the Tribune going to run background checks on each candidate to ascertain the answers given are correct? As ABC Nightline's new anchor says about a particular new report, this is a sign of the times.

Maury

Happy Passover

2007-04-02T01:16:00.000-04:00

I will not be at tonight's City Council meeting for tonight Passover starts. I wish everyone a Happy Passover.

Maury

Tax Abatement-Updated

2007-03-28T11:09:00.000-04:00

Lets see how Tax Abatements works.

In reality, tax abatement is an economic development tool designed to encourage new capital investment.

Two common questions about Tax Abatement.

1) Does tax abatement shift the burden from business do residential taxpayers?

No, New capital investments adds assessed value to a community. As total assessed value increases, the tax rate decreases for all taxpayers.

2) When tax abatement is awarded are 100% of the property tax forgiven?

No. Over the life of the abatement, the company ends up paying more than 50% of the total tax bill.

Lets take an example of Abatement vs. No Development

C.S.I -A Refrigerated Distribution Center, Shelbyville(Indiana),$48 million capital investment

10 year -----------No Development ----------------------Tax Paid With Abatement
tax abatement
%

1/100------------------- $1,104--------------------------- $-- 1,104
2/95 ----------------------1,104----------------------------- -21,859
3/80----------------------1,104 -------------------------------87,436
4/65---------------------- 1,104 --------------------------------153,012
5/50 ----------------------1,104 --------------------------------218,589
6/40 ----------------------1,104 --------------------------------262,307
7/30 ----------------------1,104--------------------------------- 306,025
8/20 ----------------------1,104--------------------------------- 349,480
9/10---------------------- 1,104 ---------------------------------393,481
10/0 ----------------------1,104---------------------------------437,138

Totals--------------------$11,307-------------------------------$2,230,693

The above was from the Vermilion County Economic Development website

First, I wonder what is the level of employment in New Albany. The Level of Employment measured is on a County level, not by a City such as New Albany. This is what the Department of Labor standard of measurement is and One Southern Indiana also confirmed that they too only keep records on a county level.

The following figures are from the Department of Labor. The first figures are of the number of persons who live in Floyd County and Work (implied work force). The second figures is the number of persons who live and work in Floyd County. The third figures is the number of persons who work in Floyd County ( implied work force). The years presented are 2000 to 2005 are the latest figures available.

2000
47,060/26,981/35,120

2001
48,702/27,749/36,386

2002
47,058/26,483/35,291

2003
46,032/26,080/34,978

2004
47,486/27,093/35,948

2005
47,821/27,161/36,234

The next set of figures I examined are the Unemployment Rate figures for Floyd County from the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor statistics.The years covered are from 1996 to 2005. Also included are figures on Income by The Per Capital Personal Income

1996
Floyd County---3.5/$23,817*

1997
Floyd County---2.8/$24,827*

1998
Floyd County---2.2/$26,981*

1999
Floyd County---2.2/$28,038*

2000
Floyd County---3.3/$30,175*

2001
Floyd County---4.0/$30,000*

2002
Floyd County---4.9/$30,774*

2003
Floyd County---4.7/$32,160*

2004
Floyd County---5.0/$34,142*

2005
Floyd County---5.2/$34,142 *Income by PCPI -Per Capital Personal Income

I checked the Net Assessed Valuations for the City of New Albany from the County Auditor's office.

2003/2004-$1,228,385,524.00
2004/2005-$1,269,667,815.00
2005/2006-$1,266,373,830.00

The figures are based on the current method of assessing property taxes. Our tax base grew in the 04/05 year by 3% but declined in 05/06 by nearly 1%. Note that o3/04 was the first year of the current property tax assessing method.

I got the following figures from the Redevelopment Office.

year-----------------------------2004
New Personal Property--------------- 3
New Real Estate ---------------------10
Compliance Personal Property--------50
Compliance Real Estate----------------74
Total Abatements-------------------- 137
Number of Companies-----------------72

Year---------------------------------2005
New Personal Property---------------6
New Real Estate----------------------6
Compliance Personal Property--------36
Compliance Real Estate---------------71
Total Abatements--------------------119
Number of Companies----------------63 Companies /4 Residential Homeowners

Year--------------------------------2006
New Personal Property -------------5
New Real Estate--------------------4
Compliance Personal Property-------32
Compliance Real Estate-------------65
Total Abatements------------------106
Number of Companies-------------55

The decline in the number of Tax Abatements from 2004 to 2005 is 13.2%, from 2005 to 2006 the decline is 11% and the decline from 2004 to 2006 is 22.7% over a three year period. Lets look at the above years in another way, by Personal Property and Real Estate Tax Abatements.

2004 payable in 2005
Personal Property---$10,831,360.00
Real Estate----------$19,190,141.00

2005 payable in 2006
Personal Property---$9,478,804.00
Real Estate---------$22,277,555.00

2006 payable in 2007
Personal Property---$10,596,280.00
Real Estate----------$20,501,170.00

Lets see how many jobs were created by some of the tax abatement forms presented to the City Council at its last meeting. There were 5 up for review and all were 10 year tax abatements.

Developer Jesse Ballew had two Tax abatements up for review, R00-30A is for the current Welfare Office building at 1421 East Elm Street and Roo-30B is for the Parking Lot used by the employees at 1422 East Oak Street. The jobs are what the number of employees the Division of Family and Social Services Administration and Child Protective Services has for Mr. Ballew just refurbish the building plus providing a parking lot only. How many jobs were created is hard to tell for this was a project that moved the two governmental agencies to there current location, this was a property improvement mainly.

The next two were by Roger Harbison for S&H Properties,LLC , R R99-15 and R-00-48. R-99-15 construction start date was 6/99 and completion date of the project was March of 2000, when the tax abatement starts. The two tax abatements were for the construction of a 14,400 office/warehouse & paving . The estimated number Employees to be hired were 20. Current employment ,at the time, was 10 employees and 5 employees were retained and 5 additional employees hired. On R-00-48 form submitted to the City Council is incomplete. No start and Completion date was listed, so we do not know when tax abatement starts. The number of new employees to be hired is left blank, making it difficult to gage the amount of new employees hired out of the 20 new people to be hired (the current and additional number was 15) .

The best form presented to the City Council was R-99-9, Lukemeier Enterprise d/b/a Limmco Inc. The project is a new 20,000 sq.ft. building with 24,000 future expansion capability plus equipment. The project was started on 3/01/1999 and finished on 9/30,1999. There were 40 employees when the projected started, 40 were retained and 2 outs of the projected 8 additional employees were hired for a total of 42 employees. So only two new people net were hired.

So what to make of Tax Abatement. How as a community do we wish to grow our tax base? Is Tax Abatement necessary? In the beginning Tax Abatement was used as a method of helping to attract business to the City owned Industrial Park North and Industrial Park South, Grantline Road Industrial Park and a privately owned Koetter Industrial Park East. Nearly 3,000 jobs were created by this financing method. Our tax base grew as a result of the expansion of industrial parks plus reaching out to companies like Clark Foods.

The figures sited show that job totals of people working in Floyd County has been has been steady from 2000 to 2006. Unemployment rates were low in 1996 at 3.5% compared to 5.2% in 2005. The Bright spot is that the Per Capital Personal Income has risen from $23,817 in 1996 to $34,142. Finally the number of Tax Abatements has declined from 137 in 2004 to 109 in 2006.
All the figures point to the fact that we as a community need to be competitive to attract business and to grow our tax base. What would happen if we said no to Limmco and they moved to Sellersburg to grow? Our tax base would shrink and the burden would fall to property tax payers to make up the loss of taxes. Remember the Net Assessed Valuation, the figure used to compute our property taxes, grew 3% in 2004 but declined nearly 1% in 2005 from latest figures available.

Who ever is the next Mayor, I bet you that the process of granting Tax Abatement will continue. The Current City Council only as a group favored granting 6 year tax abatement rather than granting 1o year tax abatement, but continued granting tax abatement nonetheless.
In conclusion, we as a community should continue the policy of Tax Abatement's for as long as we derive our governmental operating revenues from property taxes and look at how tax abatement be granted in the future. In the future, if the Indiana State Legislature changes the methods Local Governmental units operate financially,Tax Abatement might be done away with like the Inventory Tax, replacing with some method of local Income Tax.

What we need in local government is not anymore people with MBA's or CPA's but people to do financial Analysis on Tax Abatement and other issues to see if they work.

Maury

Signs

2007-03-26T20:52:00.000-04:00

People have stopped me and asked for a yard sign. My Phone number is 812-949-8914 to call for a yard sign or e-mail me at: councilman3d@webtv.net. I will get one to you. I thank you for your support.

Maury

City Council Meetings, An Exercise in Futility

2007-03-24T00:33:00.000-04:00

After last night's City Council meeting,March 22, 2007, a person has to wonder if these people are crazy? I have seen Student Council meetings in High School run in a more professional manner than what I witnessed Thursday evening. I can sum up the meeting in one word, Chaos. I thought I would never see the day that the New Albany City Council would make Karl Rove look like an amateur in politics or that Roberts Rules of Order would be replaced by Machiavelli 's book, "The Prince," as the bible on how to conduct a City Council meeting.

City Councilperson Ms. Crump was right when she said: "all we do is fight among ourselves." Is there anybody on the current City Council capable of getting along with anyone????

I wonder if any business will get done without being tabled or withdrawn? What is wrong with talking over business at "regular workshops" for the City Council? To paraphrase the words of Rodney King: "Can we just get along?"

Try not to play politics in trying to get reelected at a City Council meeting, you are not fooling anyone.

Maury

Rental Inspection

2007-03-13T01:13:00.000-04:00

Let me start out by saying that I am in favor of Rental Inspections of Apartment Houses. Neighborhoods and Residents are being victimize by Absentee Landlords. Let's put a stop to this condition that exists today.

There must be two items in place for any inspection program to be successful. Political will to see the implementation of the program and the appropriation of money to hire the necessary personnel to carryout the program. Also the City Council has to pass legislation and the Mayor has to sign off to set up the enforcement machinery.

Some areas that need to be addressed in any legislation on Rental Inspection

1) A fee schedule need to be set up.
2) How often are apartments to be inspected?
3) How enforcement of ordinance is to be handled?

Once the inspection program is ready to start, the following should be in place to ensure success; an Attorney to bring the cases to court and the reestablishment of A City Court for the City of New Albany. There should be no question of the City of New Albany's seriousness in carrying out enforcement of Ordinances.

All these steps, taken together, will Clean Up New Albany.

Maury

new post-Update

2007-03-12T12:39:00.000-04:00

Tonight, available for viewing 03/13/2006, I will start out by posting on Rental Inspection topic first for Tax abatement is taking a little bit longer and will appear latter.

Maury

Neighborhood Drug Problem

2007-03-07T10:18:00.001-05:00

I was asked a question about a problem of Drugs in the neighborhood by Ms. G Coyle in response to my posting of my 12 point platform as a candidate for 3rd district City Councilman.

Starting a neighborhood Block Watch is a first step to tackling drug problem. The gathering of information for police to use is vital for the arrest of drug dealers. Please take a moment to go to the National Crime Prevention Council at their website http://www.ncpc.org/ to learn about how to combat crime in your neighborhood. This is often the answer the police will give on as a first step in taking back your neighborhood. Another website to visit for more information is http://www.solutionsforamerica.org/ . The website has a listing of resources available as well as a discussion on combating crime. The National Sheriff Association endorses the following http://www.leadonamerica.org/ and has useful information on can use. On the local level, Community Action of Southern Indiana on its website has a program about combating drugs. Visit http://www.casijeff.org/ and click on Grassroots Prevention Program on the left side of the website for more information.

Sending a message this is not a short term effort and neighbors are determine change the area for the better speaks loudly. Efforts have to be undertaken with the police to discuss how their response will be to Drugs, Prostitution, and Burglaries. City government should provide monies for drug buys to help in the apprehension and prosecution of Drug Dealers. Apartment Landlords should be invited to a meeting with residents to discuss the problem with the rental unit they own. Neighborhood Associations have to be involve in this effort. One should not undertake this alone.

A meeting should be arrange with Mr. John Miller of CHDO to talk about a Neighborhood CHDO. This is an idea he has mention as a way of neighborhoods tackling housing issues in their area.

By working together we can overcome problems in our neighborhoods. These are ideas that give one hope in fighting drugs. On a side note, this coming Saturday,03/10/2007, from 9am to 2pm the Police Academy is meeting Saturdays for 8 weeks to explain the working of the police department. Please call Police Officer Cpl. Todd Bailey,of the New Albany Police Department, at 981-3200 if you are interested.

Maury

Republicans Wait While Democrats Crash

2007-03-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

Last night's City Council meeting was one for the books in political jockeying for re-election. The Mayor and City Councilman at large Jack Messer having a loud and very sharp exchange of views on the issue of Fire Chief Ron Toran leadership of New Albany's Fire Department. City Councilmen, mindful of re -election, taking positions scripted by others. Still nothing gets done.

So while the Democrats fight during the City Council meeting; the Republicans dream of Victory on November 6, 2007.

Maury

My Platform for Third District City Councilman

2007-02-17T16:17:00.000-05:00

I am going to list points from my Platform for Third District City Councilman.

1) To provide strong Police and Fire Protection for the Citizens of New Albany.
2) To establish an Emergency Medical Service Department.
3) To provide a Balance Budget for the City of New Albany.
4) To hold monthly meetings with various Neighborhood Associations on a rotating basis.
5) To have a website for citizens to post complaints ,post messages and get in touch with me .
I will make my web address and phone number available to the public. I will be available to
meet with you. All you have to do is call me to set up a meeting.
6) I will seek monies for Historical Preservation efforts.
7) I feel that Streets and Sidewalks need to be fixed on a regular basis.
8) I will support a stronger Economic Development Office and efforts to recruit business to
our city.
9) I will support efforts to study to see if some of our streets can become Two Way Streets.
10) I will work to see that the Greenway Project is developed.
11) I will work with Neighborhood Associations to see their projects are implemented and to
adress the problems they face.
12) I will work to see that the Unsafe Building Nonreverting Fund is not empty.

This is what I stand for in seeking to be your Third City Councilman.

Maury Goldberg

What did City Controller Ms. Kay Garry Say?

2007-02-17T02:28:00.000-05:00

What did she say? I wondered what she said since I did not hear her say anything about with- holding monies for Police cars during the hearing held prior to the start of the City Council meeting. CM Coffey quoted Ms. Garry as saying that monies for police cars are to be withheld until the 2007 budget is approved from talking to her prior to the start of Thursday's City Council meeting.

This Blog Reporter asked Ms. Garry if what CM Coffey quoted her was correct. She responded that her response to CM Coffey's question was:"I prefer that both resolutions( the spending of $106,00 on unsafe building demolition and 265,000 for Police Cars) not be presented until the 2007 Budget is approved."

This Blog Reporter asked if she recommended a 10% cut in the Police and Fire Departments or a 10% cut in the Budget. Ms. Garry said that the 10% figure came from when Messers Kochert, Price and Zurschmiede met with her to discuss budget cuts for the Police and Fire Departments. She said that she made no recommendations because the Department of Local Government and Finance has not returned an approved budget yet.

This Blog reporter asked Ms. Garry( and County Auditor Teresa Plaiss the same question) about the remarks that Ms. Yvonne Kersey made, at Thursday's City Council meeting, that if the TIF areas were eliminated that the current budget crisis will abate. Ms Gary (and Ms Plaiss) said no. What will happen is that the monies will go back into the County's gross assessed evaluation which will raise the maxium levy and every thing will be refigured. This will result in a little more money into the City 's Coffers but nowhere approaching the figures the TIF areas generate every year.

I hope this helps the reader to understand what was being talked about at Thursday's City Council Meeting. More later.

Maury

City Council meeting of 02/15/2007-part 1

2007-02-16T13:05:00.000-05:00

Well I am learning how to use Windows Vista. i have not quite got the hang but more later. Lets get to the City Council.

The following City Councilmen were absent.
CM at large -Donnie Blevins-D and CM at large- Kevin Zurshmiede-R

The Following ordinances were tabled:

G-07 -03 - on ordinance to amend the construction runoff quality management ordinance(g-06-03) to provide for the collection of plan review and permit fees.

G-07-04 -an ordinance to establish a fund for the deposit of fees paid to the City of New Albany, Indiana for construction plan site review and inspection.

Both ordinances came from the Storm Water Board.

The Agenda

R-07-06Transfer of Funds passed 7-0 this resolution provided for $106,000 from Gambling funds to the unsafe building Non reverting fund. the monies ore to payback a $56,000 deficit and fund $50,000 in new demolition of unsafe houses. Passed 7-0

A-07-03 Additional Appropriations- $187,000 in grants for the Fire Department. All grants have to be put into the budget as require by the Department of Local Government and Finance rules. The only discussion was why some of the equipment was not bought in New Albany. Passed 1st reading 7-0.

R-o7-08 Resolution to purchase need equipment for the Police Department. Police Chief Harle wanted $260,000 for 10 Patrol Cars. The bill sponsor Mr. Price asked that the bill be put into a Committee. CC President Kochert assigned the following to the Committee, consisting of Mr. Price as Chairman with Mr. Kochert and Mr. Zurschmiede, the Mayor , Police Chief and Police Union Representative.

G-07-01 an ordinance of intent to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds for Product Specialities. Passed 7-0 on 2&3 readings.

Z-07-01 Summit Square zoning change passed 5-2 on 2&3 readings.

Z-07-04 CDSN Properties zoning change. Passed 7-0 on 2&3 readings. The problem with this was that Mr. Kochert wanted to table the Ordinance due to the absence of the bills sponsor. Past practices of the Council was to assign the bill to another councilman. Mr. Messer undertook this introduction and the bill passed.

I will continue posting further in part 2 later on today.

Maury

Maintance/Upgrade

2007-02-16T02:43:00.000-05:00

I will post today on the City Council meeting of yesterday, latter on today. My computer is getting a new OS and I am learning how to use Windows Vista.

Maury

Third District City Council Seat

2007-02-11T19:24:00.000-05:00

I Maury Goldberg, am a candidate for the Third District City Council seat in New Albany, Indiana. I am not running against anyone . I am running for the position of Third District City Councilman. Now, as in the past, I have put forth information on who I am and what issues I am running on. I will post in the coming days on the various issues concerning the Third District.

I believe in a better New Albany. I believe in the "can do spirit" of getting problems solved and not having a negative approach of "we cannot do this." Together, with your help, we will make New Albany a better place to live and work. Not only for ourselves, but for our children and the generations to come.

Maury Goldberg

Doug England

2007-02-06T18:14:00.000-05:00

Today, 02/06/2007 at 4:30PM, at the Redmen Club, former Mayor Doug England announces that he is running for Mayor of New Albany. Speaking before a standing room only crowd, Mr. England went on to introduce his campaign team headed by John Wilcox. Mr. England mentioned Economic Development and getting the streets and sidewalks in order to improve New Albany as some of the issues he would tackle.

Mr. England said that as Mayor, he would not have the type of problem that the current Mayor is having with the City Council for he would listen to what the councilmen have to say. Mr. England says he is running for Mayor of New Albany and not against Mayor Garner. In the end, Mr. England said regardless of the outcome in the primary, he is working for the whole Democrat Ticket.

Maury

New Albany Poice Chief to City Council-Do Something

2007-02-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

At last night's City Council meeting, New Albany's Police Chief Merle Harle asked, near the end of the meeting, for action on his request for new police cars. Let us back up a moment. The original request was made in July of 2006 and CM Coffey, in his reply to the Police Chief Harle's request, promised prompt action next month (August of 2006).

On February 5, 2007, Seven months latter, asks again for action on his request for police cars. This time CM Price said that overtime policy and the take home cars issue need to be looked at first. Chief Harle,clearly exasperated,replied "do something." If you have a problem with take home cars write an ordinance, Chief Harle continues, but do something. Sad.

Maury

Too Long For Nothing

2007-02-06T02:40:00.001-05:00

Another City Council meeting came and went with the usual round of no decisions. Lets get to the Agenda.

1) R-07-05 L&D Mail Masters request for Tax Abatement for 10 years approved, grudgingly 9-0 on a show of hands. The council only approves 5 year tax abatement but gave approval for 10 years because the request was for a new building.

2)R-06-06 Transfers of Funds of $106,000 for unsafe building demolition. Tabled because of Lien issues, something that could have been worked out earlier and not at the meeting.

3)G-06-21 Fire Department Hiring. Defeated on first reading- 4 yes( coffey, price, crump, gahan) 3 (bleivns,Zurschmiede,kochert) no and 2(schmidt,messer) abstaining. The vote came after alot of yelling and feet dragging .

4) G-07-02 Industrial Revenue Bonds for Product Speciality . Passed 9-0 on first reading

5) G-07-02 No Smoking Ordinance -Tabled. How unusual.

6) Z-07-01 Summit Springs Development Passed 8-1(schmidt) on first reading.

7) Z-07-04 Zoning change ( I do not know what this project is and no explanation of the project was offered.) 9-0

8) A-07-02 Approval of 2006 for CWA workers passed 9-0 on 2&3 reading. Now ordinance number A-07-04

The 3 big issues on Fire Department Hiring , No Smoking, and Unsafe Building Fund , were defeated and the last two were tabled. The Summit Springs project does not make sense by the 8-1 vote when another similar big project on Grant line road was defeated 9-0. Election Year Politics?

City Councilman At Large Kevin Zurschmiede had the best quote for the evening. He said: " You have to address the issues once in a while." I agree, so let get started.

Maury

For your Information Part Four

2007-01-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

I conclude this series about people I wondered about.

Maury

Rudy Giuliani
AKA Rudolph William Louis Giuliani
Born: 28-May-1944Birthplace: New York City
Gender: MaleReligion: Roman CatholicRace or Ethnicity: WhiteSexual orientation: StraightOccupation: PoliticianParty Affiliation: Republican
Nationality: United StatesExecutive summary: Ex-Mayor of New York City
Rudy Giuliani's father was an plumber and bartender who had been arrested for petty crimes before marriage straightened him out. His mother was a bookkeeper who had a keen interest in the news, reading up to half a dozen newspapers daily. As a boy, young Giuliani considered becoming a priest, but instead studied law. He first gained national prominence as a U.S. Attorney, prosecuting the insider trading trials of Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken and other high-profile cases. In one of his most infamous assignments, Giuliani argued in an immigration case -- preposterously but successfully -- that repression in Haiti "simply does not exist", and that there had been "no political repression" in Haiti under President Jean-Claude Duvalier.
As U.S. Attorney, he oversaw more than 4,000 convictions, enabling him to run for mayor as the candidate who'd be "tough on crime". He defeated David Dinkins in the elections of 1993, and as mayor immediately pursued aggressive policies against the kind of street crime New York had become famous for. Giuliani backed the police ferociously, and in what had been a crime-infested metropolis, it became reasonably safe to ride the subway or stroll city parks. Fewer tourists returned to their home towns with tales of being mugged, and more left with pleasant memories.
Of course, police crackdowns have certain distasteful side effects, and blacks and other minorities often spoke of feeling harassed, "presumed guilty". Many complained that Giuliani's gung-ho support for the police department led to an atmosphere where troubled cops knew they could get away with almost anything. Under Giuliani's administration, some of the city's widely-reported cases of police brutality included the death of Amadou Diallo, a black, unarmed man walking near his apartment who was shot 19 times by four plainclothes cops, and the Duvalier-esque beating and plunger-rape of Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant. When a 16-year-old black teenager was shot and wounded by police as he was walking home from the city's "midnight basketball" games (a program designed to keep kids out of trouble), Giuliani's public response was that the boy "should have been home at that hour".
Street artists and political protesters also complained of police harassment. Almost 70,000 people filed lawsuits against New York Police during Giuliani's two terms as mayor, claiming they were strip-searched for minor offences like jaywalking and fare-dodging. Giuliani's zero-tolerance for scum saw the traditional porn shops and lap dancers of Times Square redeveloped away, and replaced by family-friendly stores and theaters, including the MTV studios and an enormous Disney store and cinema. While championing a voucher system as an alternative to public education, Giuliani described New York's schools as "dysfunctional", "just plain terrible", and said "the whole system should be blown up".
When the World Trade Center was hit by hijacked jets on September 11, Giuliani rushed to Ground Zero. He was there before the first tower collapsed. In the aftermath of disaster, Giuliani's take-charge and take-no-crap demeanor was exactly what most New Yorkers wanted, and across the nation, many millions saw Giuliani's stalwart response as genuine leadership. He was named Time's Person of the Year for 2001, dubbed "America's Mayor" by the media, and given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.
In October 2001, as anthrax-by-mail subjected New York to further drama, Giuliani publicly urged all New Yorkers to get flu shots. Flu symptoms are similar to early anthrax symptoms, so Giuliani's reasoning was that minimizing the flu would lead to less confusion and less public panic. But he neglected to run the idea past health experts, who pointed out that there's nowhere near enough flu vaccine for everyone in New York.
Giuliani's first marriage was to his second cousin, Regina Peruggi. They were married for 14 years, before Giuliani had their marriage annulled by the Catholic church. His second marriage was to Donna Hanover, a reporter and sometimes soap-opera actress. Havover was the city's First Lady while Giuliani was mayor, but she stayed farther and farther out of the public spotlight as Giuliani was widely whispered to be swiving his press secretary, Cristyne Lategano. After Lategano left City Hall, Giuliani took up with a divorced nurse, Judith Nathan. Never one for subtlety, Giuliani and Nathan marched side-by-side in the St. Patrick's Day parade, where the city's mayor traditionally walks with his wife.
Term limits prevented Giuliani from seeking a third term as mayor in 2001. He was expected to run for the Senate against Hillary Clinton, but he backed out of the race to undergo prostate surgery. And also, perhaps not coincidentally, because his marital infidelities were all over the newspapers around that time. Shortly after Giuliani left office, he filed for divorce, accusing Hanover of "cruel and inhuman treatment." In her response, Hanover blamed the ex-mayor's "open and notorious adultery." When their divorce was finalized, she got a million dollars a year in alimony. In May of 2003, Giuliani returned to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York's mayor, for a lavish ceremony to marry his former paramour, Judith Nathan. The city's new mayor, Michael Bloomberg, officiated.
Father: Harold Giuliani, (plumber, bartender, d. 1981)Mother: Helen D'Avanzo (bookkeeper; b. 1909, m. 1936, d. 8-Sep-2002)Wife: Regina Peruggi (Director of The Central Park Conservancy; m. 26-Oct-1968, div. 1982)Wife: Donna Ann Kofnovec Hanover (reporter/actress, b. 13-Feb-1950, m. 15-Apr-1984, div. 10-Jul-2002 one son, one daughter)Son: Andrew Giuliani (b. 1985)Daughter: Caroline Giuliani (b. 1989)Mistress: Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas (Giuliani's press secretary 1993-99, b. 1965)Wife: Judith Stish Nathan (nurse, pharmaceutical executive, b. 1955, m. 24-May-2003)
University: Manhattan College Law School: New York University (1968, magna cum laude)
Mayor of New York City Law Clerk for Lloyd MacMahon, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York Officer of the British Empire Risk Factors: Prostate Cancer
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR Anger Management (5-Mar-2003) Himself Last Party 2000 (2-Nov-2001) Himself New York: A Documentary Film (14-Nov-1999) Himself The Out-of-Towners (02-Apr-1999) Eddie (31-May-1996)

For your Information Part three

2007-01-26T16:28:00.000-05:00

THis is a third in a series on people I wanted to know about.

Maury

This is a beta version of NNDB
Search: All NamesLiving peopleDead peopleBand NamesBook TitlesMovie TitlesFull Text for
John McCain
AKA John Sidney McCain III
Born: 29-Aug-1936Birthplace: Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, Panama
Gender: MaleReligion: Anglican/EpiscopalianRace or Ethnicity: WhiteSexual orientation: StraightOccupation: Politician, MilitaryParty Affiliation: Republican
Nationality: United StatesExecutive summary: US Senator from Arizona
Military service: US Navy (1958-81, Captain)
John McCain III attended a private boarding school, where he was nicknamed ''McNasty'' for his willingness to fight. Later, at the US Naval Academy, he gained a reputation as a ladies' man, complained that he was picked on by his commanding officer, and graduated 894th out of 899 in his class.
His father was a four-star admiral in the US Navy, and so was his grandfather -- the only father-son Admirals in American history. The first Admiral McCain was commander of all U.S. carriers in the Pacific during World War II, stood at attention on the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered, and died of a heart attack four days later. The second Admiral McCain was CINCPAC (Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command) of all U.S. forces in Vietnam. A McCain ancestor served on George Washington's staff during the Revolutionary War, and after the family had relocated to Mississippi several McCains fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. His mother, a wealthy oil heiress, has been described as "the Auntie Mame of Navy wives". The family still chuckles about the day she went on an errand to buy a new dress, and came home with a new Mercedes instead.
After flight training, young McCain flew A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft in the Vietnam war. On his 23rd mission, an October 1967 attack on a Hanoi power plant, his plane was shot down, and McCain, with three broken bones, was imprisoned in the famous "Hanoi Hilton". Under duress, he was interviewed by French reporters, and told them he was treated well. In an interview broadcast as propaganda in Hanoi, McCain said he had bombed civilian targets. He was offered early release because of his father's high rank, and McCain says he considered it but declined. After that, he was tortured for four days, until he signed a confession: "I am a black criminal and I have performed the deeds of an air pirate. I almost died and the Vietnamese people saved my life, thanks to the doctors." Of his more than five years in prisoner-of-war camps, about two of those years were spent in solitary confinement.
After the war McCain needed extensive surgery to repair the clumsy, cruel medical treatment he had received from his captors, and he underwent years of physical therapy to be able to walk normally. He remains unable to lift his arms over his head. Political opponents have spread rumors that his imprisonment left McCain emotionally damaged as well, but that is apparently a lie. His military medical records show that military doctors were impressed by his quick psychological recovery.
Nobody sane questions that McCain went through hell in Vietnam, or belittles his torture and abuse. For his military service, McCain won the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. But other American prisoners of war who cooperated with their Vietnamese captors to a lesser degree than McCain faced prosecution for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and were given less than honorable discharges.
Before his tour of duty in Vietnam, McCain had married a model from Philadelphia, Carol Shepp. While he was imprisoned, she was in an auto wreck, thrown through her car's windshield and left seriously injured. After his return to America, McCain had an extramarital affair with Cindy Lou Hensley, whose father owned Hensley & Co., a Phoenix-based liquor company that is the nation's second largest Anheuser-Busch distributor. McCain and Shepp were divorced in 1980, and he married his millionaire mistress the following month. In 1981 McCain left the Navy, signing his discharge papers the same day he buried his father at Arlington National cemetery, and the newlywed McCains settled in her home state of Arizona, where he went to work for his father-in-law at Hensley & Co. Months later, when Congressman John J. Rhodes announced his retirement, McCain quit the brewery business and ran for Congress. After two terms in the House, he ran for Senate in 1986.
He is often described as a "political maverick" willing to take positions at odds with his party leadership. Calling it "the biggest rip-off since the Teapot Dome Scandal", he was the only Republican Senator to vote against the Telecommunications Act of 1995, and he was the only Republican Senator to oppose the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, which ended many farm subsidies. Unlike many Republicans, he expresses concerns over global warming and other environmental issues, and he voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment.
He was cozy with savings & loan swindler Charles Keating, taking more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from Keating. What Keating got in return from McCain was never specifically nailed down, but McCain was admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for showing "poor judgment". With the fervor of an alcoholic who calls for prohibition, McCain used his own ethical problems to recreate his image by calling for campaign finance reform, co-sponsoring the popular if somewhat toothless McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act of 2002.
McCain ran for President in 2000, losing the Republican nomination to George W. Bush, and he is expected to run again in 2008. In his first Presidential run, McCain was sharply critical of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, but he has grown much more cordial with such leaders of the religious right, and even delivered the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University in 2006.
He has been a solid supporter of most of the Bush-Cheney agenda, from the PATRIOT Act to the war in Iraq to his opposition of gay marriage and legal abortion . He briefly questioned whether the nation could afford Bush-Cheney tax cuts for the wealthy, but has since said that in retrospect he thinks it stimulated the economy. He opposed the Bush administration's relaxation of rules against torture, even pushing through legislation reiterating that America would not torture prisoners, but McCain did not complain when Bush added a signing statement noting that the new law would not apply to his administration or his orders.
Like most Presidential candidates, McCain wrote a book when he first ran for the office. Unlike most politicians' books, Faith of My Fathers was made into a TV-movie. It starred Scott Glenn as McCain.
Father: John Sidney McCain, Jr. (Admiral in US Navy, b. 17-Jan-1911, d. 24-Mar-1981)Mother: Roberta Wright McCain (oil heiress)Sister: Sandy McCain MorganBrother: Joe McCain (stage actor, b. circa 1942)Wife: Carol Shepp (model, dated 1963-65, m. Jul-1965, div. 2-Apr-1980)Son: Doug McCain (stepson, commercial airline pilot, b. 4-Oct-1959)Son: Andy McCain (stepson, vice president at Hensley & Co., b. 12-May-1962)Daughter: Sidney McCain (works in music industry, b. 2-Sep-1966)Wife: Cindy Lou Hensley (liquor heiress, b. circa 1954, m. May-1980, two daughters, two sons)Daughter: Meghan McCain (journalist, b. 23-Oct-1984)Son: John Sidney "Jack" McCain IV (serving in US Navy, b. 2-May-1986)Son: James "Jimmy" McCain (serving in US Marines, b. 21-May-1988)Daughter: Bridget McCain (adopted in Bangladesh, b. 21-Jul-1991)
High School: Episcopal High School, Alexandria, VA (1954) University: BS, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (1958) University: National War College, Washington, DC (1974) Administrator: Board of Trustees, Gallaudet University (1995-2006)
U.S. Senator, Arizona 1987- U.S. Congressman, Arizona 1983-87 Keating Five received $112,000 in campaign contributions and 3 free trips to the Bahamas Alfalfa Club 1996, President (2004-05) Council on Foreign Relations Close Up Foundation Board of Advisors International Republican Institute Board of Directors Jamestown Foundation Advisory Board Navy League Nixon Center Board of Directors Pacific Council on International Policy The Reform Institute Founder Republican Main Street Partnership Special Operations Warrior Foundation Board of Advisors Spirit of America Board of Advisors Veterans of Foreign Wars Alfalfa Party candidate for U.S. President Bronze Star Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit Purple Heart Silver Star Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service Tortured Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi, Vietnam Dubya Ranch Hand Aug-2004
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR Why We Fight (2005) Himself Return with Honor (3-Oct-1998) Himself
Official Website:http://mccain.senate.gov/
Is the subject of books:John McCain: An American Odyssey, 1999, BY: Robert Timberg, DETAILS: Simon & Schuster Citizen McCain, 2002, BY: Elizabeth Drew, DETAILS: Simon & Schuster Man of the People: The Life of John McCain, 2002, BY: Paul Alexander, DETAILS: John Wiley & Sons

For your Information Part Two

2007-01-26T16:22:00.000-05:00

I wondered about Hillary Clinton's bakground. This is dthe results from the same source asthe previous post.

Maury

Hillary Clinton
AKA Hillary Diane Rodham
Born: 26-Oct-1947Birthplace: Chicago, IL [1]
Gender: FemaleReligion: MethodistRace or Ethnicity: WhiteSexual orientation: StraightOccupation: First Lady, PoliticianParty Affiliation: Democratic
Nationality: United StatesExecutive summary: US Senator from New York
Hillary Rodham was a Brownie, a Girl Scout, a good student, and class President in her high school. As a young woman she was a Republican, volunteering on Barry Goldwater's 1964 campaign for President. She had a change of heart after hearing a speech from Martin Luther King, and by 1972 she was working on George McGovern's Presidential campaign.
After getting her law degree, she worked briefly for the Children’s Defense Fund, then came to Washington DC, where she worked on the legal staff advising the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, looking into impeaching Richard M. Nixon. She married a man with Presidential ambitions, Bill Clinton, and when he was elected Governor of Arkansas she became the state's First Lady, but continued working as a lawyer.
When he was elected President in 1992, she became the first US First Lady who had a post-graduate degree and a professional career of her own. She was the first Presidential wife with an office in the West Wing of the White House, alongside the offices of the President's senior staff, and she was, by all accounts, much more involved in the intricacies of governing that previous First Ladies. For being a relatively modern, unshackled woman instead of a stay-at-home mom, she became a ferociously hated woman in right wing circles.
First came the shocking revelation that, when working as a lawyer, she had used her maiden name, Rodham. A series of allegations began with rumors aired on Rush Limbaugh's radio program, linking Clinton to the firing of employees of the White House travel office, then uncovering $100,000 in profits made in her brief late-1970s ownership of a commodities trading account, and smaller gains from a questionable real estate investment. In increasing bizarre claims, Clinton was whispered to be a lesbian and/or connected to the Russian mob, and to have an "open marriage" with frequent liaisons. According to elaborate but utterly unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, she was a drug runner, and Vince Foster's suicide was actually a murder, with Clinton herself perhaps pulling the trigger. Millions of dollars were spent investigating the more plausible of these accusations, but wrongdoing on Clinton's part was never proven.
Clinton has said that her proudest accomplishment as First Lady was her involvement in pushing the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which altered and streamlined the federal regulations regarding foster care and adoption of handicapped children. Her most public failure came after being appointed to head the task force that, in 1993, proposed a complicated mish-mash of mandated employer-paid health care and regulated HMOs as a health care plan, which was soundly rejected by Congress.
In 2000, she became the first First Lady to be elected to public office, when she won Daniel Patrick Moynihan's seat in the Senate, representing New York. In 2006 she won a second Senate term with about 2/3 of the vote, but she is still the name most likely to rouse the rabble on right-wing radio talk shows. The American Conservative Union has published a book, Hillary Rodham Clinton: What Every American Should Know, and indeed, a small bookstore could be stocked with books warning of her "radical agenda" and alleged connections to communists, criminals, and conspiracies.
In reality, there is nothing in Clinton's political positions that could even be described as particularly liberal. Along with Bob Graham, Joseph Lieberman, and Ben and Bill Nelson, she is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council, the group that urges Democrats to take the least progressive, mildest, comfortable-as-corduroy political positions. She has proposed legislation to illegalize flag-burning, and co-authored a bill to protect America's youth from the alleged dangers of violent video games. She supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has opposed any timetable for ending the occupation, and has suggested that torture is sometimes appropriate. Since the early years of her husband's administration, she has been widely expected to eventually run for President herself.
[1] Edgewater Hospital.
Father: Hugh Ellsworth Rodham (owned a fabric store, d. 7-Apr-1993)Mother: Dorothy Emma Howell Rodham (homemaker, b. 1919, m. 1942)Brother: Hugh E. Rodham, Jr. (attorney, b. 1950)Brother: Anthony Rodham (insurance salesman, b. 1954)Husband: Bill Clinton (dated 1971-75, m. 11-Oct-1975, one daughter)Daughter: Chelsea Clinton (b. 27-Feb-1980)
High School: Maine Township High School East, Park Ridge, IL (1965) University: BA Political Science, Wellesley College (1969) Law School: JD, Yale Law School (1973) Scholar: Yale Child Study Center (1973-74) Teacher: University of Arkansas Law School, Fayetteville
U.S. Senator, New York 2001- Member of the Board of Wal-Mart (former) Arkansas Bar Association 1973 Kennedy Center Honorary Chair Vital Voices Global Partnership Honorary Chair, Board of Directors Young Republicans Wellesley College chapter president Youth for Goldwater Park Ridge, IL Watergate Scandal Whitewater Scandal Yale Law Review Board of Editors Time 100 Politics of Conversation (as "The Clintons") Grammy 1997, spoken word for It Takes A Village audiobook National Women's Hall of Fame 8-Oct-2005 Defamation according to lawsuit filed by Gennifer Flowers (1999), case dismissed New Democrat Movement Senate New Democrat Coalition Welsh Ancestry
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR The War Room (14-Sep-1993) Herself
Official Website:http://clinton.senate.gov/
Rotten Library Page:Hillary Clinton
Appears on the cover of:Time, 16-Jun-2003, DETAILS: Book Excerpt -- Hillary In Her Own Words -- The former First Lady talks candidly about Bill, her public life, and her private pain
Author of books:It Takes a Village, And Other Lessons Children Teach Us (1996, non-fiction)Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets (1998, children's book)An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History (2000, non-fiction)Living History (2003, autobiography)

For your Information

2007-01-26T16:05:00.001-05:00

I found this on the Internet after a Google search about United States Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama,Jr.. I was curious about who he was and his background.

Maury

This is a beta version of NNDB
Search: All NamesLiving peopleDead peopleBand NamesBook TitlesMovie TitlesFull Text for
Barack Obama
AKA Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.
Born: 4-Aug-1961Birthplace: Honolulu, HI [1]
Gender: MaleReligion: Protestant [2]Race or Ethnicity: MultiracialSexual orientation: StraightOccupation: PoliticianParty Affiliation: Democratic
Nationality: United StatesExecutive summary: US Senator from Illinois
Barack Obama is a multiracial American politician, though he bristles at that label. He served as Democratic state senator in Illinois, and then as US Senator from that state. Only two other blacks have served in the US Senate since Reconstruction.
His father was an economics student from Nairobi, his mother a white American anthropology student when they married. They divorced when Obama was young, and his father returned to Kenya. Obama was raised by his mother until about age 10, when his maternal grandmother in Honolulu took him in. He attended a prestigious private school, and eventually graduated with honors from Harvard Law School, where he was the first African-American to edit Harvard Law Review.
Obama practiced civil-rights law, representing victims of housing and employment discrimination and working on voting-rights legislation. He worked as a community organizer in a slummish Chicago neighborhood. He is liberal, and has spoken against NAFTA and racial profiling, and for universal health care.
In his 1995 memoir, Dreams from My Father, Obama admits using marijuana and cocaine as a teenager.
His campaign for Senate received an enormous boost when his opponent, Republican Jack Ryan, withdrew amid embarrassing allegations in his divorce from Star Trek actress Jeri Ryan, that during their marriage he had tried to lure her to attend sex clubs in France. Obama received another boost when he was invited to address the 2004 Democratic Party convention in prime time on CSPAN.
[1] Kapiolani Medical Center.
[2] Member of the United Church of Christ since the 1980s. Obama's father, while born into a Muslim family, had become atheist by the time he met Obama's mother, the secular Ann Dunham. Despite propaganda being distributed to the contrary, Barack Obama, the Senator, was never a practicing Muslim, and never attended extremist or Wahabbist madrassas.
Father: Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. (b. Kenya, d. 1982)Mother: Stanley Ann Dunham (b. 1942, d. 1995)Father: Lolo Soetoro (stepfather)Wife: Michelle Robinson Obama (m. 1992, two daughters)Daughter: Maila Ann Obama (b. 2000)Daughter: Natasha Obama (b. 2003)
High School: Punahou School, Honolulu, HI (1979) University: Occidental College University: Columbia University (1983) Law School: Harvard Law School (1991)
U.S. Senator, Illinois (2005-) Illinois State Senate 13th (1997-2004) Sidley Austin summer associate Grammy 2006 for Dreams From My Father (spoken word) Harvard Law Review President Baskin-Robbins Teen years Dubya Nickname Rock, 'Bama Kenyan Ancestry Paternal Risk Factors: Marijuana, Cocaine, Smoking
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR Tanner on Tanner (5-Oct-2004) Himself
Official Website:http://obama.senate.gov/
Author of books:Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (1995, memoir)
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Stormwater Meeting.

2007-01-26T15:30:00.000-05:00

Last night at S. Ellen Jones School, a meeting of New Albany's Stormwater Board with the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association and the East Spring Street Neigborhood Association was held. The purpose was to explain the workings of the Stormwater Board. The workings of the board were explained along with the duties, among the topics covered. An audience of 20 people was in attendance. All I can say is that this was a very informative meeting.

Maury

City Council Meeting = Bad Manners

2007-01-19T11:13:00.000-05:00

What can one say after last night's City Council meeting? I thought January 4, 2007, meeting was a showcase of not letting citizens of New Albany speak,last night was one for the record books for Bad Manners. Councilmen Schmidt and Gahan have done a good job running the city council meetings this past 3 years and let citizens of New Albany speak to topics not on the agenda. So why start limiting what the public wants to speak about?

The issue that upset this Blog Reporter was not the exchange between Councilman Mr. Coffey and Building Commission President Steve LaDuke, this is pretty much standard discourse of what occurs at city council meetings ,but the spectacle the audience witness, involving New Albany's Fire Chief Ron Toran. Disrespect? Racism? Insensitivity towards Minorities? Sad.

The audience, compose in large part of African Americans, was unaware of behind the scene maneuvers and thought that G-06-21 concerning firemen hiring standards was was on the agenda. They turned out in large numbers to speak on the subject. City Council President read a statement informing the audience that unless the item is on the agenda , no comments about pending or tabled ordinances will be allowed. Here is where the **** hits the fan.

Fire Union President Mr. Duggins spoke to the Council about a City Council Committee meeting, presumably, on Friday January 12,2007. Mr. Duggins stated that all parties were in agreement. The Pastor of Jones A.M.E. Church was called next to speak, began to address the Council and was cut off by City Council President Mr. Kochert, who inform him and the audience that the ordinance was not on the agenda . The Pastor responded by saying the previous speaker was allowed to speak on the ordinance . Mr. Kochert responded quickly by saying no comments will be allowed on items not on the agenda,"I thought this was understood" Mr. Kochert said. If no remarks about non agenda items the rule of the day, Why permit Mr. Duggins to speak on the matter and not the Pastor of Jones A.M. E.?

Latter on ,in the City Officials portion of the City Council meeting, Fire Chief Mr. Toran rose to ask when the Fire Hiring Ordinance will be considered? No one could say when the item will be bought up.. HELL BROKE LOOSE! Chief Toran ask Councilman Donnie Blevins why the item was removed from the agenda. Mr. Blevins said that there were problems with the ordinance and at the behest of Mr. Kochert, the item was removed from the agenda. Chief Toran inquired as to why he and the Mayor were not informed of the meeting? Mr. Blevins said he did not have time to notify him, and the mayor.

The discussion then focus on why the test is unfavorable to minorities and women. The specifics of why the test is hard for minorities and women was not look into, only the remarks by the testing company who administers the exam was discussed. The test , we were informed , was at an 8Th grade level prompted this response from Councilwoman Bev Crump,"this is an insult to African Americans if you suggest that they cannot pass such a test."

Fire Chief Toran went on to mention the problems faced by his department; cost of overtime, problems with the ambulance, and lack of interest by council members to come to his office and discuss matters with him led to a sharp exchange with members of the City Council on the state of the Fire Department. (Dirty laundry laid out for all the public to see,but this a topic for a future blog post.). Mayor Garner closed the discussion by saying," Do you believe the Fire Chief or the fireman you spoke to?

At this point, the introduction of ordinances and resolution portion of the agenda began. The African Americans walked out of the room disgusted at the proceeding and politics as usual. A riff in our community has begun.

Maury

City Council Minutes and Agenda

2007-01-18T13:08:00.000-05:00

A very big thank you to City Clerk Marcy Wismen for updating and improving her website. On the Agenda, at the bottom, is a line marked "Agenda Items." Hit the button and the City Council packet for this evening comes into view and can be printed out. A very big improvement! Thank You!

Maury

Bobby Petrino

2007-01-07T23:50:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the Loyalty!

Maury

City Council Meeting ,1/4/2007

2007-01-04T23:59:00.000-05:00

A very interesting meeting. Election of a new council president headlined the opening of the session. As expected, Larry Kochert and Jack Messer were nominated. The winner on 2nd ballot, because Mr. Donnie Blevins did not want to have to choose between two friends, Larry Kochert. Mr. Dan Coffey was elected Vice President of the City Council.

The Agenda was disposed of in quick fashion.

Resolution-07-01 A Resolution to fund the Community Montessori School died for a lack of a second.

Resolution 07-02 A Resolution to provide annual funding to One Southern Indiana for economic development. The measure was tabled on a 9-0 vote and a three member committee was appointed to look into the resolution. Mr. Zurschmide, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Gahan are on the Committee.

A-07-01 Additional Appropriation passed first reading 9-0

Zoning 07-01 Summit Springs Development Postpone until the City Council's February 5, 2007 meeting.

Zoning 07-02 Pinehurst Subdivison passed first reading 9-0.

Zoning 07-03 Purdue Research Foundation passed first reading 9-0

G-06-21 The New Albany Fire Department Selection Act was up for 2&3 reading was not acted on and carried over for future City Council meetings.

The public is not being served by coming to the City Council meetings and not hear,know ,understand, the measure being voted on are not read aloud at the meetings. The measures should be posted on the City of New Albany's website for all the public to read.

Maury

Happy New Year!

2006-12-31T15:11:00.000-05:00

I wish each and everyone a safe and healthly New Year!

Maury