WHY SHOULD WE RECYCLE?

The mission of Trash Force, Inc., is and has always been since it was founded in 1989, to assist, encourage, and educate the community to develop and implement environmentally sound policies of waste stream reduction, resource reuse, and recycling.

Trash Force, Inc, is a nonprofit agency that is separate from, but works very closely with, the Floyd County Solid Waste Management District. A number of questions were aimed at recycling sites, both mobile and permanent. Seminars and education were thought to be part of the District's responsibility by some, and that is true.

Solid waste consist of garbage (much of which can be composted), trash which of neccessity goes to the landfill, and recyclables. Our landfill space is rapidly filling up, so it is our mission to educate and inform people how important it is to recycle, to reuse, reduce and rethink environmental practices.

Although recycling was not seen as saving the family money it was seen as a way to make the community healthier and more attractive.

Recycling makes sense because it:
1.Regenerates the environment
2. Conserves our resources-Precious raw materials are use to make many of our everyday articles. By recycling we prevent mining and help to preserve the Earth's natural resources for future generations.
3. Reduces pollution and litter
4. Cuts energy costs- Reprocessing waste uses less energy, eg aluminium 95% less, paper 50% less and glass 50% less
5. Reduces disposal costs- Most rubbish is buried in landfill sites. This is expensive and new sites are difficult to find.

These Top Ten Things We Can Do To Make Floyd County A Cleaner, Healthier Place To Live!
1. Buy Food With Less Packaging.
2. Recycle Paper, Glass,Plastic & Cans.
3. Compost Leaves & Grass.
4. Go Easy On Paper Products.
5. Use Reusable Food Containers.
6. Do Not Litter
7. Plant A Tree!
8. Help Pick Up Your Roadside Litter.
9. Recycle Hazardous Household Items.
10. Remind Friends & Family To Recycle!


Freedom Of Speech feels we all need to do our part in "Recycling" to help make New Albany a cleaner, and healthier place to live.

STOP VIOLATING OUR RIGHTS!

ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS

IC-5-14-3
Sec. 1. A fundamental philosophy of the American Constitutional form of representative government is that government is the servant of the people and not their master. Accordingly, it is the public policy of the state that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees.
Providing persons with the information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officials and employees, whose duty it is to provide the information.This chapter shall be liberally construed to implement this policy and place the burden of proof for the nondisclosure of a public record on the public agency that would deny access to the record and not on the people seeking to inspect and copy the record.

Freedom Of Speech would like to know what other information is being covered up?

LINDEN MEADOWS WILL APPEAL DECISION

The people who had their park taken away are going to appeal.

If Randy Smith would like to "really know" why these people are against having their park taken from them, as he has stated on his VH blog, he needs to read the following information:

1. Becky Gardenour gave a speech at the City Council meeting explaining their stance.
2. The speech was broadcast on WNAS about 8 times.
3. Becky also gave a speech at the Planning Commission giving their reasons.
4. They also had a three hour hearing with the Planning Commission giving their reasons.
5. They also had a 1-2 hour hearing with the BZA giving their stance.
6. They also had two letters to the editor giving their stance.
7. There have been numerous newspaper articles which have reflected the nature of their position.
8. The hearing was open to the public and many people attended to find out what their stance was.
9. Also Randy could have questioned Becky Gardenour about what their stance is when she was in his book store recently.

Curious minds want to know, Randy:

1. Why don't you just ask Becky what her stance is?
2. Where is the book Becky ask you to order over two weeks ago?
3. How much money has Valla Ann spent at your store?
4. And Randy how much money have you spent at the Admiral Bicknell Inn Bed and Breakfast lately?
5. Valla Ann Bolovschak and Becky Gardenour have done nothing but be courteous to you, so why are you so rude to both of them?

"Never mind. We already know the answers to all these questions."

BARGE HITS K&I RAILROAD BRIDGE

OH NO!--"NOT THE K&I BRIDGE"

The barge was one of three that broke loose on the Ohio River Thursday afternoon. Two of the barges were contained but the third got tangled up near the McAlpine locks and then went over the spillway before eventually hitting the K&I railroad bridge. The US Coast Guard will continue to monitor the bridge overnight.

Valla Ann Bolovscak was appointed to the Greenway Commission by Indiana Gov. Daniels. Thru Valla Ann's long days and hard work she has united both Louisville and Indiana Officials in connecting the Indiana Greenway Project to the Louisville Waterfront and River walk.

Freedom Of Speech believes as long as the K&I Bridge has no structural damage,. that Valla Ann will continue to focus on and will work for all the citizens of New Albany to make the bike-and-pedway happen. If anyone can make this project a success it will be Valla Ann Bolovscak. Her hardwork, determination and common sense approach will make alot of great things start to happen in New Albany for all of us.

DO TAX ABATEMENTS HELP OR HURT NEW ALBANY?

TAX ABATEMENT:
The deduction is 100% in the first year and declines by a specified percentage every year thereafter. Tax Abatement is available for a one to ten year period for real property, new manufacturing equipment and new research and development equipment.

2005-2006 Floyd County Abatements for Personal Property and Real Estate

4-L Company of Carmel ...............................$210,000
Anderson Rentals, LLC .................................$33,350
Jesse Ballew ....................................................$71,210
Jesse Ballew ....................................................$4,850
Booth Acquisition, LLC ..................................$77,590
Carl F. Booth & Co. .........................................$134,260
Cardinal Printing Inc. ....................................$120,590
Carisle Family, LLC .......................................$287,500
Carisle Family, LLC .......................................$130,520
Forms America ..............................................$45,130
Clark Foods Inc. ............................................$63,150
Clark Foods Inc. ............................................$171,580
Clark Foods Inc. ............................................$398,400
Community First Holding, Inc. ...................$15,620
Michele Cundiff .............................................$42,700
Develco Properties, LLC...............................$1,984,450
Discount Labels, Inc. ....................................$125,070
Discount Labels, Inc. ....................................$135,980
Earth Space, LLC ..........................................$390,000
Earth Space, LLC ..........................................$188,340
Billie & Gloria Faith Living Trust ...............$24,840
L&D Mail Masters ........................................$747,420
L&D Mail Masters ........................................$180,150
Flint Ink NA Corp. .......................................$140,870
Foam Fabricators, LTD ..............................$13,620
Foam Fabricators, LTD ..............................$7,700
Richard & Kelly Fust ...................................$1,749,200
John & Alice Garrett ...................................$58,690
General Mills Inc. ........................................$325,640
General Mills Inc. ........................................$5,272,050
GTC Properties, LLC ..................................$315,280
Glen Hancock ...............................................$44,880
Hitachi Cable Inc. ........................................$205,150
Hunciliman Enterprises .............................$205,430
Hunciliman Enterprises .............................$304,950
Ideal Woods Product ..................................$288,860
Jones Popcorn Inc. .....................................$74,210
Kempco Inc. ................................................$12,150
Kessans & Kessans Properties Ind. .........$89,600
Koetter Development Inc. ........................$33,730
Koetter 4 Properties, LLC ........................$348,000
Robert E. Lee Investors, LLC ..................$88,640
Mary & Louis Lukemeier .........................$390,320
Lukemeier Enterprizes ............................$322,940
Mark & Cynthia McCormick ...................$44,200
McDonald Marble & Stone ......................$508,420
McDonald Marble & Stone ......................$140,380
Metal Sales Mfg.Corp. .............................$88,730
Meyer Ventures, LLC .............................$2,260
Morency Real Estate, LLC .....................$111,200
Elizbeth Northern ....................................$700.00
Parr, LLC ..................................................$191,900
Padgett, Inc ..............................................$111,480
Padgett, Inc ..............................................$29,300
Padgett, Inc ..............................................$146,960
Padgett, Inc ..............................................$18,320
Padgett, Inc ..............................................$23,990
Beverly Padgett .......................................$65,630
Payne Sparkman Inc. .............................$149,620
PC Properties, LLC .................................$719,410
Product Specialities, Inc .........................$518,730
Product Specialities, Inc .........................$101,730
Gary & Kimberly Ragsdale ....................$23,610
Richardson Hawkins Durkins, LLC........$53,200
Riteway Industries, Inc ..........................$1,366,440
Larry & Brenda Scharlow .......................$303,040
Samtec, Inc ...............................................$2,6679,160
Samtec, Inc ...............................................$507,770
J.R. & Mary Ellen Shine...........................$249,590
Shireman-Uhl Properties, LLC...............$121,800
S & H Properties, LLC .............................$222,400
S & H Properties, LLC .............................$237,700
Brenda Sprigler ........................................$52,210
St. Edwards Court LP ..............................$2,242,720
Wanda Stubbins ........................................$42,200
Sunnyview, LLC .......................................$566,670
Sunnyview, LLC .......................................$2,160
Stephen Tilton ..........................................$635,120
Candice Toman .........................................$27,150
Stephen & Shelia Wallace ........................$366,840
Daniel & Vicki Williamson .......................$19,390
Woods Bay Lodging, LLC ........................$964,270
Wood & Horrel Limited Liability ............$24,690
Georgetown Truss ....................................$101,900
Georgetown Truss ....................................$62,800
Joseph & Teresa Zeller ............................$28,610

Real Estate Abatement Total .................$20,018,800
Personal Property Abatement Total .....$9,729,940
Total Abatement.......................................$29,748,740

We at Freedom Of Speech wonder why it necessary for New Albany to grant so many tax abatements. Is this helping or hurting our city? Do other cities in the area have the same number of tax abatements?

Are the businesses allowed to renew after their 1-10 years have expired?

Please note: Our local New Albany Wal-Mart is not listed. Evidently, Wal-Mart did not request a Tax-Abatement and they are paying taxes.

Tribune Legal: 12/20/2005-

NEW ALBANY GOVERNMENT 101

BUDGETS:
Budgets are supported by Taxes and misc. fees.

ASSESSED VALUATION:
The total Assessed Value of Property and Buildings
in a specific area. (City or County)

LEVY:
The total tax dollars given to an agency
to support their annual budget.
(Cities, Counties, Schools, Libraries)

MAXIMUM LEVY:
Since 1973 Indiana Law prescribes that the annual Tax
Levy to support the budget can increase only _% over
the Levy of the previous year.

TAX RATE:
The amount paid by the taxpayer, based on the approved
Levy and the Assessed Valuation.
Therefore, if the Assessed Valuation goes up, the rate can
be lower.

CALCULATION OF THE TAX RATE:
Divide the amount to be raised (line 14) Tax Levy
by the Assessed Valuation.
The answer will be the Tax Rate on each 100 Dollars of
Taxable Property.

The Tax Rate X Assessed Valuation = Tax Levy (OR)
Tax Levy divided by the Assessed Valuation= Tax Rate

HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? PART 2

Building Commissioner
City of New Albany
Exit Conference:

The contents of this report were discussed on June 29 2005 , with Paul Roberts, Building Commissoner, James E. Garner Sr.., Mayor and Kathlyn M. Garry, Controller.

The contents of this report were discussed on August 9 2005, with former Adminstrative Assistant and George W. Gesenhues Jr. Attorney.

The official concurred with our audit findings.

Former Adminstrative Assistant:
Collections Not Remitted, pages 4 and 5
Paid by : Administrative Assistant- August 7, 2005
Quietus No. 50001080- $2,482.40

Audit Costs- Missing Funds, page 5
Paid by: Administrative Assistant- August 10, 2005
Cashiers Check No. 0259808- $2,118.37


Questions we would like answered:

1. Why was no Council President there during EXIT CONFERENCE?
2. Where was Shane Gibson City Attorney?
3. Who has the authority to cut a deal with the Administrative Assistant?
4. Were any laws broken in how this situation was handled?
5. And who was present at both meetings?
6. Was Prosecutor Keith Henderson notified ?


Freedom Of Speech will be forwarding this complete report to each City Council member for review.

MAYOR GARNER, DID YOU KEEP YOUR CAMPAIGN PROMISES?

"JAMES GARNER'S PLEDGE TO NEW ALBANY"

"As Your Mayor; I Will"

"Complete the long overdue renovations of the city sewers and use my business background to quickly and efficiently put our sewer problems behind us. I will also work to find ways of streamline our wastewater finances in order to ease the financial burden the current administration has placed on the residents of New Albany."

After two years the sewers are still in the same condition. And there will be an added charge to the residents for wastewater and storm water drainage.

"Work to bring good jobs to the New Albany community by improving the city's relationship with local companies to stimulate business growth, providing opportunity for our children to stay and raise their families in New Albany."

We are still waiting for the new businesses to provide good jobs and many young people are leaving New Albany in search of good opportunities.

"Work to address the concerns of city employees, including firefighters and police officers, to eliminate low morale and develop a plan to put more police officers on the street."

There has not been a significant increase in police officers or firefighters. Morale is still down and the west end of New Albany does not have adequate fire protection.

"Reverse our current mayor's practice of hiring "out of town" city employees and hire more community residents for key positions in city government, because I believe our residents best understand the city's problems and opportunities"

Even our Police Chief is from out of town.

"Use my Master's Degree in Business Administration and experience as a small business owner to bring solid fiscal management to the city's administration, and end our current mayor's deficit spending"

Your own business has problems. The city is in even more debt than during the previous administration. Also we are still waiting for an audit.

"Fix our garbage and recycling program. These are vital city services for which I will hold myself personally accountable."

The sanitation and recycling programs have been privatized. Is this how your "fixed" these services? Do you hold yourself personally accountable?

The campaign flyer above was "Paid for and Authorized by the Committe To Elect James Garner Mayor Shane L. Gibson, Treasurer 1506 Sunset Drive New Albany, Indiana 417150 www.garnerformayor.com"


We here at Freedom of Speech want the Mayor to start keeping his campaign promises. He is the leader of our city and needs to quit asking us to not blame him for the city's problems, and answer questions directly instead of saying "he doesn't know" the answers.

We want a real Mayor in 2007 with a real vision!

HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?

Freedom of Speech was able to obtain this information from the State Board of Accounts through the Freedom of Information Act.

During the period of January 1, 2003 and August 8, 2003 there was a discrepancy in the amount of fees collected for the Building Commissioners Office.

The employee, an Administrative Assistant, was responsible for the collection and reporting of fees collected. In some instances receipts were not issued or recorded.

Receipts shall be issued and recorded at the time of the transaction: for example, when cash or a check is received, a receipt is to be immediately prepared and given to the person making payment. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

Receipts and fees collected by the Building Commissioner were remitted to the Controller less frequently than once a week.

All collections made by any department or person connected with a city or town shall be turned in to the Clerk-Treasurer (or Controller) at least weekly. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 6)

Fees collected by the Building Commissioner from the period January 1, 2003, to August 8, 2003 in the amount of $2,482.40 were not remitted to the Controller and could not be accounted for.

All applications, permits, and licenses issued by the Building Commissioner are computer generated. A receipt is written for the fee collected and the information is then entered into the computer at the time the permit, application, or license is processed. The computer provided a "detail fee report" for the collection period. Collections are summarized on a report of collections with the detail fee report attached and the collections are then remitted to the Controller's office. The former Administrative Assistant was responsible for preparing the report of collections and remitting the collections to the Controller's office during the period January 1, 2003 to August 8, 2003.

During the period there were several instances in which collections were included on the detail report but were manually crossed out and marked VOID without any explanation. The corresponding receipts, however, were not marked VOID. Upon further review, it was determined that the corresponding permits had been processed and additional evidence showed that the permits were valid.

Detail fee reports were not attached to any of the report of collections prepared during June 2,2003, to August 8, 2003. Instead, a manually prepared report detailing the collections was attached to each of the report of collections. Several of these manually prepared reports included a caption at the top "computer problems". During the review of these reports it was determined that only collections made by check were being included. All receipts written for fees collected in cash were omitted from these reports and from the amounts remitted to the Controller. Cash collections during this time period totaled $1,684.80.

The Administrative Assistant resigned effective August 21, 2003. The August 8, 2003 report of collections was the final report prepared by her. Computerized detail fee reports were attached to all report of collections prepared and remitted to the Controller immediately following her resignation.

Funds misappropriated, diverted or unaccounted for through malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office of any officer or employee may be the personal obligation of the responsible office or employee. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

Additional audit fees were incurred in the investigation of missing funds. The State of Indiana is requesting reimbursement of audit fees incurred in the amount of $2,118.37.

Audit costs incurred because of theft or shortage may be the personal obligation of the responsible official or employee. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

The former Administrative Assistant has been requested to reimburse the State of Indiana $2,118.37.

The former Admistrative Assistant reimbursed the City of New Albany General fund $2,482.40 on August 7, 2005, and reimbursed the State of Indiana $2,118.37 on August 10, 2005. For a total of $4,600.77.

The contents of this report were discussed with the Mayor, Controller and Building Commissioner on June 29, 2005 and with the former Administrative Assistant with his/her attorney August 9, 2005.

We here at Freedom of Speech wonder why it took nearly two years before this matter was brought before the Mayor and Controller. We also wonder why this individual was given two years to reimburse the City of New Albany and the State of Indiana. There were no charges filed.

This could be just the tip of the iceberg. Rumors abound about corruption in our City. How many similar cases are there yet to be uncovered?

We will continue our investigation on 2003-2004 reports and keep you posted.

DEMOCRATS KICK OFF 2006 PRIMARY TODAY

Will the Democrats come out swinging after today?

Today the Democratic Candidates will meet at 3;30 in the clerks office at the City County Building to file a Declaration of Candidacy for the 2006 Primaries.

They will all be decked out in their Red, White, and Blue for the Democratic group photograph.

The question is: Are the Democrats united? Or divided?

Will they distance themselves from Mayor James Garner? That my friends, is the million dollar question....... (What would you do if you were a Democrat?)

Will the incumbents be able to retain their positions? Who will be the winners? Who will be the losers? And will we have "new blood" in the Democratic Party?

THIS FOLLOWING OFFICES WILL BE LISTED ON THE BALLOT IN MAY:

District Congressman (9th District)
State Senator (District 46)
State Representative (District 72)
State representative (District 70)
Floyd County Auditor
Floyd County Clerk
Floyd County Assessor
Floyd County Prosecutor
Floyd County Sheriff
Floyd County Commissioner (1st District)
Floyd County Council (1st District)
Floyd County Council ( 2nd District)
Floyd County Council (3rd District)
Floyd County Council (4th District)
New Albany Township Trustee
New Albany Township Assessor
New Albany Township Advisory Board
Georgetown Township Trustee
Georgetown Township Advisory Board
Franklin Township Trustee
Franklin Township Advisory Board
Greenville Township Trustee
Greenville Township Advisory Board

These are the races that we highly recommend watching:

1st District Floyd County Commissioner with a possible announcement of Randy Stumler vs. Mark Seabrook.

Does the Mayor play a part in Randy Stumler's bid for Commissioner? If Mark Seabrook were to win, this would leave a vacancy on the City Council. If the right Republican wins Seabrook's seat on the Council, it could cause Big Trouble in Little New Albany for Garner..........

New Albany Township Trustee race between Jeannie Freiberger and Tom Cannon.

Considering all of the problems Tom Cannon is having with the investigation, repayment of monies, lack of complete documentation, and contract problems, besides the $20,000 due in Dec. 2005 which was paid late on Jan. 10 2006 to the Township Fire Dept, is it time for Cannon to move on to greener pastures?

Will Stan Faith throw his hat back in the ring and run against Keith Henderson for Prosecutor?

We will update you before election day as the days and weeks go by.

Freedom of Speech will endorse certain candidates at a later date.

Even though we citizens of the City of New Albany are not directly effected by the Floyd County elections, we think these races are worth watching closely.

In closing, we at Freedom of Speech ask you to put aside your political affiliation for a moment. It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. EVERYONE should get out and VOTE!!!!!

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

According to T. H. Huxley, a well-known agnostic/atheist, his belief is:
1) I don't believe in God
2) I don't believe in a human soul
3) I don't believe in reincarnation
4) I don't believe that man is anything other than an animal with a high degree of
self awareness
5) I don't believe there is a meaning to life
6) I don't believe that religion and superstition should go unchallenged.

Christianity accepts the challenge:
1) There is a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
2) The human soul never dies
3) There is a literal heaven and hell
4) God created man (and animals in the Garden of Eden) and Adam named and ruled
over the animal kingdom
5) All of life has meaning
6) God welcomes challenges - check out how Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled and
recorded in the New Testament by numerous writers, at different times and all
are in harmony

FREEDOM OF SPEECH participants believe the shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. He sends people and circumstances into our lives for a reason. If we have faith, even the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Belief in The Supreme Being has proven over the centuries "Christians are too blessed to be stressed." His love for His creation never ends!

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2006 CITY BUDGET

1. Has the NA City Budget been approved by the State Tax Board called DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance)?

2. What date did the City receive approval of the 2006 budget?

3. Do the City Council Members have a copy of this approved budget for 2006?

4. If it was approved, were there necessary cuts to be made?
If there were cuts, who made the decision on the cuts?

5. Are there sufficient funds in each department to support the 2006 budget?

6. Is there a current copy of the City Staff payroll showing the amounts being paid the Staff and showing the Departments of those Staff Members?

7. Did the General Fund of the City of New Albany have sufficient money or were outstanding loans carried over in the General Fund from 2005 to 2006?

We here at Freedom of Speech think the Administration needs to be more forthcoming with information. The City Council needs to have the information before it is published in the local newspapers.

Have a great weekend New Albany Citizens

Council Meeting 1/9/06

Out of order? Last night was the first City Council Meeting of the new year. As everyone know Council President Jeff Gahan was elected to a second term and Council Member Donnie Blevins was elected as Vice President.

The meeting got off to a rocky start when David Huckleberry got up to speak. President Gahan seemed to be upset with Mr. Huckleberry from the very beginning. This was unusual for the normally calm Mr. Gahan. He asked Mr. Huckleberry if he had been in contact with Mayor Garner, his Councilman, or any of the At Large Council Members.

This was a little confusing. Normally Mr. Gahan just lets the speakers say what they came to say after advising them to be polite and try to stay within a five minute time limit.

Mr. Huckleberry seemed confused also. He had never been asked in advance what his topic was, nor to our knowledge has any one else been asked about their topic for
discussion.

Freedom of Speech did not understand Mr. Gahan's demeanor last night. Maybe he was still upset with Mr. Huckleberry over the last meeting when the Mayor's actions were criticized. Mr. Garner had asked Mr. Huckleberry's mother to talk with her son about his complaints at the Council Meetings.

We here at Freedom of Speech were under the impression that the comments from the public portion of the Council Meetings were a forum where citizens could speak their minds. This does not mean that anyone should use foul language or make threats, of course. But the citizens have always been allowed to start speaking without interruption
once they were recognized at the podium.

We also believe that meetings should be conducted in an orderly manner. If any Council Member, especially the President, has a personal issue with any citizen this should be discussed privately. The banter at last night's meeting was unprofessional in our opinion.

We can only hope that Mr. Gahan and Mr. Huckleberry resolve their personal problems.

When a citizen is out of order, they are reprimanded by the Council President. Who reprimands the Council President when his actions

A VOICE OF REASON

I
me, an individual, a committee of one .

Pledge
dedicate all of my worldly goods to give
without self pity.

Allegiance
my love and my devotion.

To the Flag
our standard, old glory, a symbol of
freedom. wherever she waves, there's
respect because your loyalty has given
her a dignity that shouts "Freedom is
everybody's job!"

United
that means that we have all come
together.

States
individual communities that have united
our great states. Communities with pride
and dignity and purpose; all divided with
imaginary boundaries, yet united to a
common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the Republic
a state in which sovereign power is invested
in representatives chosen by the people to
govern, and government is the people and it's
from the people to the leaders, not from the
leaders to the people.

For which it Stands, One Nation
one nation, meaning "so blessed by God."

Indivisible
incapable of being divided.

With Liberty
which is freedom--the right of power to live
one's own life without threat's, fears or some
sort of retaliation.

And Justice
the principle or quality of dealing fairly
with others.

For All
which means, for all of us, not just
some of us.



New Albany is as much our City
as it is yours!

Freedom Of Speech

ELECTION 2006-KEY PRIMARY DATES

Jan. 18--First date to file a declaration of candidacy for party primaries or nonpartisan school board races.

Feb. 17--Noon deadline to file a declaration of candidacy.

April 3--Voter registration ends. First day to vote by absentee ballot.

April 28-- First day a traveling board can vote confined voters.

May 1-- Noon deadline for all absentee voting.

May 2-- Primary elections from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hell let's just skip 2006 and go for the real politics of New Albany for 2007!

Commercial & Industrial Garbage Pick-Up

Still more unanswered questions:

1. We did not see The Process and the cost for Commericial Garbage pick up in the New Contract with Southern Indiana Waste Systems. And we would like to know why?

2. Who will pick up The Commercial Garbage in New Albany?

The Commercial rates listed in New Albany 50.08 (5) are:

$16.50 per month-Five 20 Gallon Cans or less per week

$24.00 per month- six 20 Gallon Cans or a one cubic yard dumpster per week

$14.50 per month, additional for each extra cubic yard per week

We at Freedom Of Speech wonder how come the Mayor has not mention or addressed or even included the Commercial & Industrial Garbage Pick-Up for New Albany with his latest contract for services?

New Sanitation Contract For New Albany

In a Courier Journal article on Jan. 4, 2006, Robert Lee of Southern Indiana Waste Systems declined to name his partners and investors. Freedom Of Speech would like to know what is the big secret about the identity of the partners & investors? Why did Robert Lee, President of SIWS decline to answer?

In the past The City picked up recycling weekly. So if the new company is only picking up recycling twice a month, will my monthly fee be reduced by one-half? Also will the new company pay for the employees' cell phone bills?

We at Freedom of Speech think the citizens of New Albany have a right to know the names of the partners and investors. This is especially true since we are paying for these services. And if we are getting half of the service, should we not pay half of the monthly fee?

Mr. Mayor, we need further clarification of this contract.

COUNCIL MEMBER BEVERLY CRUMP REPLIES:

I can not agree with you more.... The criminal is always the one that has legal provided for them, protection against THEIR rights and goodness we would not want to violate their freedom to carry a hand gun and take what is not theirs in the first place. The average citizens in the United States can work their whole life and end up with nothing due to trying to protect what is theirs. As the wife of a retired police officer believe me WE always felt the citizens pain. An officer is guilty until proven innocent. We had to pay for our attorneys if we need one because WE have a job and WE try to get ahead in this world without it being at the expense of others. Something is truly wrong with our system...We are more concerned about protecting the guilty than the innocent. Then if the judicial systems finds them guilty the supreme court can over rule and change the way things go.

Prime example--John Ingle who went into Tommy Lancaster's and cold bloodedly killed his wife with many witnesses including one attorney there for lunch and saw the whole thing yet he gets out of the death penality imposed by Floyd County yet over turned by the state. Then of course there is the trial for the X-state trooper (David Camn) who killed his wife and kids now we are paying again to make sure we got it right because someone in the family has money and the STATE over ruled us again...GO Figure!..

The only reason I can even think that Mc Donalds's would even attempted such a move was if there is a company policy in place, which each employee is given when they are hired, that states no handguns etc. allowed on the property. If that is their policy and the employee knew this then he should have never had the handgun on the property in the first place. There are many policies just like that in place with the 24 hours establishments. My daughter used to work for one and she carried a gun to work (with a permit) because she was at Thornton's from 11:00 PM until 7AM and many times by herself during those hours on Charlestown Road. She had it in her purse under the counter and one employee found out she had it and she was terminated because of it. That is the only reason I would think that McDonald's could even justify such a firing.
Thanks for your concern,
Beverly Crump


Thank you for your rapid response. I would just like to say that because something is "company policy" that doesn't make it right. Just as all laws are not always right or justifiable. 150 years ago slavery was the law in this country. Did that make it right? You decide.

Railroading an innocent man because of "company policy" does not justify the conclusion. You and others at the New Albany City Council should have the guts to stand up to McDonalds and at least voice your thoughts on this matter. When no one speaks up to hold these corporations accountable, that makes it seem like you agree with them. You and the others should be the light of reason and point out to McDonalds and the corporate office that blaming people for saving a life is not a reasonable "company policy."

Sincerely,
Robert Zoeller


I am not agreeing with the decision that was made. I am only trying in my mind to try and understand why firing was done. I said I could not agree with you more. I believe that two or three city council members who eat there EVERY morning and set there and solve the world problems should rethink their support of such a place. I HOPE YOU HEAR FROM THOSE WHO ARE THERE EVERY MORNING.
Beverly Crump


Freedom of Speech commends Council Member Crump on her sincere efforts in support of the McDonald's employee who was in our opinion unjustly terminated. But we do not feel her last comment was entirely appropriate.

We would like to thank Mr. Zoeller for allowing us to bring this matter to the citizens of New Albany. Feel free to contact us in the future. And we highly recommend that you speak to the City Council on Monday, January 9, and ask for their support on this issue. Or you can contact the following Council Members directly:

Donnie Blevins 944-4856
Jack Messer 949-9638
Mark Seabrook 944-9644
Dan Coffey 949-1262
Bill Schmidt 945-7386
Steve Price 941-9032
Larry Kochert 945-7652
Beverly Crump 948-2603
Jeff Gahan 949-9314

FIRED NEW ALBANY EMPLOYEE

I have sent my little letter of concern to the follow people:

The members of the New Albany City Council
Freedom Of Speech
The Joe Elliot Show on WHAS-84

THE FOLLOWING WAS ALSO SENT OUT TO WAVE3 TELEVISION WHO REPORTED ON THIS STORY AS WELL AS THE COURIER-JOURNAL AND THE McDONALDS CORPORATE OFFICE IN ILLINOIS. I THINK IT WOULD BE PROPER TO STAND UP FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME.

The story regarding the attempted robbery of a McDonalds Resturant in New Albany, Indiana points out the misplaced actions of corporate America in todays society. You have an employee who witnesses an armed robbery taking place and a fellow employee being held at gun point and takes action to prevent not only the robbery but the potential murder of an innocent person. Does the McDonalds corporation thank this employee who placed his own life in danger or at least acknowledge his good judgement in trying to prevent this crime? No. They suspend him and today we discover he has been fired over the incident. If he had committed a crime the local police would have arrested him on the spot. They didn't. He was within the law taking the action he did. Would McDonalds have been better served to have let the armed robber shoot and kill one of their own employees while the other sat by and watched? Decide for yourself.

I'll be the first to say that I am against standing in the middle of a parking lot in a downtown area with people present and suddenly drawing a weapon and start shooting. But, in this instance, you would have to put yourself in that guy's situation. If you were standing there, minding your own business, and saw a robber armed with a handgun walk up to one of your fellow employees, put a pistol to the back of their head, and demand money at the drive thru window, what would be your instant reaction if you happened to be armed? It would be a difficult decision you would have to make and hope later that it was the correct decision. That is just what he did. And now he is paying the price by being black listed and fired from his lowly paid job at the fast food giant. He also had a legal permit to carry a handgun. He was within his rights as both an American and a citizen of New Albany, Indiana to protect himself and his fellow co-workers from being shot and killed.

Sincerely,

Robert Zoeller




Thank You Mr. Zoeller for bring this to Freedom of Speech.

Citizens of New Albany is this called Justice?

What would you have done?

And the truly shocking part about all of this is the response Mr. Zoeller received from one of our own (current) New Albany City Council Members. Which Freedom of Speech will "release" a certain Council Members response tomorrow for all to read.