After attending Thursday's City Council Meeting and reading the articles in the Tribune it seems to this writer that there must have been two different meetings. Yes the Tribune reported the requests of the 911 operators for a 10% salary increase and Councilman Blevins' plea to help shore up the Street Department's finances and even the discussion and vote on the Trinity Plaza medical building. But what was missing from these reports?
Ms. Valla Ann Bolovschak reported on her recent tour of the sewage plant. First of all she pointed out how wrong it is that we are exporting our money to EMC in St. Louis, and that New Albany should be in the business of managing their own sewer plant. She talked with some of the employees and had some very interesting information on how this operation is ran. The only mention in the Tribune was a sentence or two about how EMC is paid $3,600,000 a year to "babysit" the plant. But she additionally brought to light many instances of wasteful spending, for an example a truck for which we paid over $100,000 TWICE to the continuous steak dinners, $4800 for 2 Golf Carts, $4900 for landscaping, A lift to paint the basement which was rented at $800.00 a day and was never used, bonus checks for employees, $16,000 Security System, Ghost employment and pizza parties.
Like Valla Ann stated it's what we "don't know" that should really concern the taxpayers. She even questioned the City having over 30 checking accounts and the Mayor's first personal vehicle being purchased by the Sewer Utility.
And the current vehicle which was bought out of the Fire Dept. Fund. None of this was mentioned in the newspaper.
In all fairness, Mayor Garner and Mrs. Garry did rebut Ms. Bolovschak's statements but this was not reported either. So does James and Kay actually think were going to buy their so called spin on things?
Due to this adminstration's lack in collecting pass due sewer bills we have lost over $1,000,000 dollars. How can anyone justify a sewer rate increase given this incredible waste and mismanagement of taxpayers money?
We sure hope Mayor Garner can find his $750.00 Dorengo Suv "floor mats" that's missing!
When newspapers report a story they should give a fair and balanced report of the story. They should not print just part and put their own personal spin on an article. This is what the editorial section is for. Even certain Council Members are portrayed in a different light in articles. This is totally infair and unbalanced. No wonder the Tribune is losing readership. People can read the various blogs and make up their own minds.
We are in no way trying to say that the blogs are impartial or non partisan. That is not their job. But people can read as many blogs as they want, gather the information and form their own opinions. And we think every taxpayer should know the ugly truth about this Adminstration.
We want a newspaper, not a "spin machine" for the Mayor.
