HAPPY NEW YEAR...TAXPAYERS!
The events of the last year in municipal affairs have caused taxpayers great concern. It is now time for us and those who care about the direction of our city to speak out. We have held back too long.
There have always been people in our local government; who were more concerned about the welfare of the citizens than their own political future.
For nearly 3 years it has worsened as the Mayor and certain City Council Members have allowed our citizens to twist in the wind of ethical lapses, policy blunders, and perhaps even questionable activities.
You will not read these facts in the newspapers.
But this is the REAL state of our city, and it's called CHAOS."
Let us begin:
* The Fire Department is in the "red"
* The Police Department is in the "red"
* The Street Department is in the "red"
* The Sanitation Department is in the "red"
* The (new) Stormwater Board is in the "red"
* The Fire Dept. Ambulance Service is in the "red"
What was that line from the movie O Brother Who Art Thou, "We got to get some of that reform!"...
We need to talk about reform, but most of all, we need to stop the secrecy of decision-making that has taken place.
Our city is in a "deeping" crisis...
Per the New Albany Tribune, Garner's "state of the city" address focused on a theme of tight economic times, though he noted that in its first year of private control the Sanitation Department was expected to finish with a $185,000 surplus, about a $600,000 swing from 2005.
You sir, are a liar!
Lets look at the real documented facts: The Sanitation Department is in the "red" because the fact that the aforemention debt to the Sewer Department is still outstanding from 2004.
The Sewer Department is in the "red" because you loaned the sanitation money and never paid it back. We suggest you go to the 2006 Sewer Board minutes and read Mayor Garner's statements.
Now ask yourself this taxpayers:
Why is the sewer plant and the sanitation company showing a profit since its privatization and not when the CITY owned and operated them?
Shouldn't money paid by the citizens stay in New Albany?
It would appear as if "outsiders" are better at managing the money generated by these utilities than our City administration is.
But as you know, we here at Freedom of Speech are known for our "diggin" up facts.
Why are these departments in the "red" after 3 years you ask?
The Street Department is in the "red" because of accumulated debt since 2004. And you Mr. Mayor have moved alot of the sanitation work to the Street Department.
And the new Stormwater Board is in the "red" because no approved budget for 2006, the mayor is using "our stormwater fees" to set up a City Billing Office.
How can the Stormwater Board contract to hire an attorney for $14,000 a year with NO approved budget? Check out the Sewer Board minutes the "stormwater board" has spent over $229,000.
We would like to ask our readers, is this why New Albany is in this financial mess?
Wait...there is more!
Another example, a request came before the Council to adjust a City employee's salary by increase of about 30%. This office reportedly filed property liens of over $300,000 for delinquent sewer bills. Which was a lie! Actually liens had not been filed until November 18, 2006 for about $39,000. Why should our tax dollars be used to reward someone for "not doing" her job?
And if you know anything about property liens it takes about 18 months before any lien can be attached to property taxes. But if the property is sold before the lien is in effect it is not collectable based on Indiana Law. All this information is documented in the Auditor's Office, Recorder's Office, and Treasures Office.
Our sewer rates are raised, and then raises are handed out. Does this make sense to you? Could this contributed to the mess our city is in?
We would like to ask our readers, is this what New Albany's all about?
* Selective Billing
* Selective Enforcement
* Developers being catered to
* Selective Projects
* Selective Board Appointments
* Selective Raises
Maybe we need to ask ourselves, how does this benfit the taxpayers?
Another example: Break In - Sewer Plant
Police report filed. About $12,000 spent on a security system. EPA Investigator visits. About a million gallons of raw sewage ends up in the Ohio River. But you forgot one thing. Did an employee at the sewer plant sign an affidavit stating "no break - in"? Could this be another way to avoid another EPA fine? We wonder who else signed affidavits.
Another example: Daisy Lane Project
The initial Phase 1 plan entailed starting at State Street to Green Valley Road. Could it be that by starting in the middle the Daisy Lane Developers would receive additional monetary gain? There is talk about the City purchasing property owned by Adam Dickey, employed by the City Plan Commission. Is this our tax dollars at work?
Another example: Mayor Garner recent actions and comments:
We would like to bring to the citizens' attention. As fact, Mayor Garner went before the Caesar's Foundation and requested a grant for $1,000,000 for Linden Meadows. The Caesar's Foundation asked the Mayor if this project was in litigation, he replied that it was NOT!
A private citizen produced the evidence that Linden Meadows was indeed in litigation and submitted this information to the Caesar's Foundation and the grant was denied.
We need to ask ourselves is Mayor Garner so out of touch with the City that he was unaware of this litigation?
Why not a grant from Caesar's to fix sewers, pot holes, and remove abandoned homes?
Another example: Mayor Garners comments
In a recent Tribune article, Mayor Garner said some of the "firefighters" are "popping off at the mouth". Could it be that the Firefighters know what is going on? It is to our understanding as taxpayers each fund is designed to support only the needs of that department, paying additional expenses, such as lease payments, are bound to have a negative effect. Like running in the red.
The City Council seems to be taking alot of blame for the "state" of our city.
We have a Council Member who is also employed by one of our city's largest real estate companies. Would this not cause a conflict of interest when one has to choose between what is good for the City and good for one's own employer and personal monetary gain?
We also have other Council Members who are employees of the city. With the Mayor being the "boss" does this not have an influence on the outcome of the voting.
The Mayor has all the "power" no one else does folks!
Many times people only know what they read in the newspapers. We citizens need to attend the Council meetings and see for ourselves.
Are you getting the real picture yet?
So, when we have abandoned houses infested with rats and other vermin; sewers in total disrepair and no money to fix any of these problems. When the Health Department had forced families out of their homes because they are unsafe for habitation due to raw sewage secretion in the basement.
Shame on you Mayor James Garner! Do you have rats up on Silver Hills?
The citizens of New Albany expect and must receive the highest standard of accountability from all those in the public service. City officers and employees must be independent, impartial and responsible in the performance of their duties.
Last, but certainly not least. Lets look at the $220 thousand dollar bond for a tennis court at IUS. Did you know that according to the New Albany Floyd County Parks and Recreation we currently have 15 tennis courts. Call me against progress, but doesn't 15 tennis courts seem like enough for a 47 thousand citizen population?
Do your homework...citizens. If you really want to see the real "State of our City 2006."
The bottom line is this. The Mayor is the one who controls what happens in the city within the law.
He bypassed the 2 % debt limit but at the end of the month the payments have to be made.
The Council can only make decisions based on the projects and information they are presented.
So who do we blame for the mess were in?
Happy New Year!
We only have 366 days to go!
Thomas Jefferson said,"Information
is the currency of Democracy"
And information doesn't come
cheap.
Truth excludes contradiction!
