The National Committee's Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet today Saturday May 31, 2008 in Washington, DC. The Rules and Bylaws Committee will consider the two challenges that have been filed pursuant to Rule 20.B of the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules and Regulation 3 of the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee concerning the seating of delegations from Florida and Michigan.
Pursuant to Section 3.4 (N) of the Committee's Regulations, each challenger will be entitled to present an Oral Argument before the RBC prior to Committee consideration for a period of 15 minutes each. A representative from each state party and from each presidential campaign will also have an opportunity to address the committee regarding each of the challenges. Oral arguments from the parties will be heard during the committee's session.
What: DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee Meeting
When: May 31, 2008 - 9:30 AM
Where: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
This meeting is open to the public, however due to space constraints, guest are being asked to bring your confirmation e-mail, along with a photo ID, in order to pick up their guest credential.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
"FREEDOM OF SPEECH GOES TO WASHINGTON"
Join Freedom Of Speech in Washington, DC
on Saturday, May 31st for the
"Count Every Vote Rally" to demand
that the DNC counts the ballots
of the 2.4 million voters in
Michigan and Florida.
More Democrats - and more women - have voted in this primary election than any other in recent history. Those votes are the voices of Americans from all across the country and from all walks of life.
But some of the votes are not being counted, and some of those voices are not being heard.
We believe: that the Democratic Party has a responsibility to stand up for it's core principles - every vote must be counted and every vote must count.
We believe: that it is voters - not candidates or the media - that decide the Democratic Party's nominee.
We believe: that the media and the DNC have underestimated the passion, strength, intensity, and determination of Hillary's supporters and the power of our voices.
"Hillary's voice is OUR voice, and she's speaking for all of us."
In Washington and the media they talk about who's up and who's down. In New Albany, we care about what's right and what's wrong.
We believe: the Democratic Party must count these votes.
Florida and Michigan voters didn't break a single rule, and these voters should not be punished for matters beyond their control.
The fact is, the people of Florida voted back in January. They did their part. They showed up in record numbers and they made informed choices. Yes, we know that Senator Obama chose to remove his name from the ballot in Michigan, and that was his right.
But his choice does not negate the votes of all those who turned out to cast their ballots, and we should not let our process rob them of their voices.
As the Florida Supreme court said back in 2000, it's not about the technicalities or about the contestants. It's about the will of the people. And when you can understand their intent, it should govern.
It's very clear what 1.7 million voters intended in Florida and 700,000 voters intent in Michigan was.
We know the road to a Democratic White House runs right through Florida and Michigan. And if Democrats care about winning those states in November, we need to count their votes now.
Chairman Dean should ensure that the party selects a nominee who truly represents the will of "all the voters" and to ensure that the Democrats take back the White House.
on Saturday, May 31st for the
"Count Every Vote Rally" to demand
that the DNC counts the ballots
of the 2.4 million voters in
Michigan and Florida.
More Democrats - and more women - have voted in this primary election than any other in recent history. Those votes are the voices of Americans from all across the country and from all walks of life.
But some of the votes are not being counted, and some of those voices are not being heard.
We believe: that the Democratic Party has a responsibility to stand up for it's core principles - every vote must be counted and every vote must count.
We believe: that it is voters - not candidates or the media - that decide the Democratic Party's nominee.
We believe: that the media and the DNC have underestimated the passion, strength, intensity, and determination of Hillary's supporters and the power of our voices.
"Hillary's voice is OUR voice, and she's speaking for all of us."
In Washington and the media they talk about who's up and who's down. In New Albany, we care about what's right and what's wrong.
We believe: the Democratic Party must count these votes.
Florida and Michigan voters didn't break a single rule, and these voters should not be punished for matters beyond their control.
The fact is, the people of Florida voted back in January. They did their part. They showed up in record numbers and they made informed choices. Yes, we know that Senator Obama chose to remove his name from the ballot in Michigan, and that was his right.
But his choice does not negate the votes of all those who turned out to cast their ballots, and we should not let our process rob them of their voices.
As the Florida Supreme court said back in 2000, it's not about the technicalities or about the contestants. It's about the will of the people. And when you can understand their intent, it should govern.
It's very clear what 1.7 million voters intended in Florida and 700,000 voters intent in Michigan was.
We know the road to a Democratic White House runs right through Florida and Michigan. And if Democrats care about winning those states in November, we need to count their votes now.
Chairman Dean should ensure that the party selects a nominee who truly represents the will of "all the voters" and to ensure that the Democrats take back the White House.
If the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, and Chairman Howard Dean send the message that they don't value all of Florida and Michigan votes, we know Senator McCain and the Republicans will be more than happy to have them and our votes in the upcoming general election in November!
"Count Every Vote"
Freedom Of Speech Staff
Monday, May 26, 2008
SECRETIVE, COVERT, SNEAKY?
When reading misleading comments on other blog like:
"The whole secrecy M.O. is disturbing on a lot of levels but, importantly, has kept the resources committee from hearing much of that reasoning for almost two years prior to making recommendations. Not only has the public trust been violated but the decision making process has been flipped backwards, weakening any real chance of fully informed decision."
"A friend is on the so-called committee -- which is a shield to insulate (Supt.) Brooks on the decision making process -- there are about 30 people involved and my friend admits that he is ignorant in such matters. He feels they should have experts in the field study the situation, not some home grown committee of people who have no expertise in this area and who are being used as a rubber stamp for what the administration wants to do"
"One thing I understand is that when it comes to revitalizing an inner city, a sustainable future comes from many sources, but children and their educations is first and foremost in the minds of families who choose to live there. From this perspective, it doesn't seem that there has been much communication between the school administration and the neighborhood leaders..."
"How is it possible to avoid the conclusion that this school board wants to kill Silver Street School? Once the premise is accepted, every action they take can be seen as subterfuge and deceit to make their desired outcome a reality."
Wily Foxy uses psychological chicanery to confuse dimwitted "CHICKEN LITTLE" - Step 1 in his plot to plunder the poultry yard.
This unusual little film eschews a happy ending for a not-so-subtle warning against evil manipulators and gullible citizenry. By the use of flattery, insignificant people can be made to look upon themselves as born leaders are pure Marxism.
As for Cocky Locky, Henny Penny, Goosey Poosey, Ducky Lucky and Turkey Lurkey - their human counterparts are only too easy to find everyday!
How about THE real facts:
Fact #1
It is not a secret!
Freedom of Speech has learned, first of all, redistricting was a school board goal given for 2005-2006 when Mr. Willman, Mrs. Selfridge, Mrs. Gardenour, Mr. Sakel, Mrs. Badger-Byrd and Mr. Cotner were on the Board.
It states: The New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation Board of School Trustees will study school attendance areas for the purpose of creating operational efficiencies that will enhance student learning.
Dr. John Reisert has stated: "No one can remember the last time when redistricting was addressed by the school system...maybe 30 years ago, but nothing was done."
This is something that needs to be addressed despite being an emotional issue!
Just as some local citizens thought it was time to address redistricting for voting, this issue is NO different.
Fact #2
There is no secrecy!
As is typical New Albany style, "some" people are trying to create a "false accusation" that the committee is some type of "secret society" to do the Superintendent's bidding.
From what we have heard, the committee operates on a consensus model. This is a committee consisting of teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and community members:
School Attendance Area Committee
Phyllis Amick, Consultant
Ralph Dooley, Co-Chairperson
Peggy Carpenter (Floyd Knobs parent) Co-Chairperson
Dennis Brooks, Superintendent
Teachers:
Jan McCauley, Slate Run School
Therese Stevens, Hazelwood School
Doug Taylor, Pine View School
Nancy Holt/Shelia Dotts, Silver Street School
Administrators:
Dwight Beal, Principal, Galena School
Elaine Murphy, Principal, Mt. Tabor School Terri Boutin, Assistant Principal, Children Academy
Danny Libs/Sally Jensen, Transportation Department
Bill Wiseheart, Director of Facilities
Jackie Apple, Principal, Hazelwood School
Araberil Stylander, Director of Assessment
School Board:
Becky Gardenour
LeeAnn Wiseheart
Parents:
Pat Lilly, Grantline School
Linda Snyder, Pine Valley School
Tiffany Veit, Silver Street School
Roxanna Whippie, Green Valley School
Ellen Reising, Scribner School
Community:
Ted Fulmore, S. Ellen-Jones Neighborhood Association
John Reisert, County Council
Suzann Slayton, Realtors Association
Mary Strobel
Michael Neely
Jeff Gahan, City Council
Support Staff:
Beth Johantgen, Instructional Aide, Silver Street
Beth Barnes, Social Service Liaison, Student Support Services
Debbie Glass, Bus Driver's Association
Linda Townsend/Barb Ellis, Secretary, Silver Street School
Victoria Haley, Instructional Aide, Hazelwood School
Freedom Of Speech would like to ask:
Why are the local blogs and citizens attacking the School Committee members?
Fact #3
After their study, only then will the Superintendent make a recommendation to the school board. Some of you want to call it research, studying, and, yes, receiving input from the community before final recommendations are made.
Fact #4
We have heard that city officials and others are upset that the school corporation has not talked with them about this committee.
We find that strange since Jeff Gahan (city council president) and Ted Fulmore (S.E. Jones Neighborhood Association) are on the committee. John Rosenbarger addressed the committee. We have not seen the city communicate in anyway with the school corporation in the past.
Are there any examples of the city communicating with the school corporation before they start tearing down houses close to schools? Was it even considered what effect this would have on our schools, for example, Green Valley Elementary? It certainly isn't a "walking" school anymore, thanks to the city!
What other acts has the city perpetrated on the school system that has hurt kids as well as hurt the school corporation financially?
New Albany has so many TIF areas that cause Tax collections to go to the TIF Fund and not "help schools" or the General Fund.
"The whole secrecy M.O. is disturbing on a lot of levels but, importantly, has kept the resources committee from hearing much of that reasoning for almost two years prior to making recommendations. Not only has the public trust been violated but the decision making process has been flipped backwards, weakening any real chance of fully informed decision."
"A friend is on the so-called committee -- which is a shield to insulate (Supt.) Brooks on the decision making process -- there are about 30 people involved and my friend admits that he is ignorant in such matters. He feels they should have experts in the field study the situation, not some home grown committee of people who have no expertise in this area and who are being used as a rubber stamp for what the administration wants to do"
"One thing I understand is that when it comes to revitalizing an inner city, a sustainable future comes from many sources, but children and their educations is first and foremost in the minds of families who choose to live there. From this perspective, it doesn't seem that there has been much communication between the school administration and the neighborhood leaders..."
"How is it possible to avoid the conclusion that this school board wants to kill Silver Street School? Once the premise is accepted, every action they take can be seen as subterfuge and deceit to make their desired outcome a reality."
"Not only has the public trust been violated but the decision making process has been flipped backwards, weaking any real chance of fully informed discussion."
Rather than trying to promote positive trends they seem to be reacting to negative ones."
Source: Local BlogsWily Foxy uses psychological chicanery to confuse dimwitted "CHICKEN LITTLE" - Step 1 in his plot to plunder the poultry yard.
This unusual little film eschews a happy ending for a not-so-subtle warning against evil manipulators and gullible citizenry. By the use of flattery, insignificant people can be made to look upon themselves as born leaders are pure Marxism.
As for Cocky Locky, Henny Penny, Goosey Poosey, Ducky Lucky and Turkey Lurkey - their human counterparts are only too easy to find everyday!
How about THE real facts:
Fact #1
It is not a secret!
Freedom of Speech has learned, first of all, redistricting was a school board goal given for 2005-2006 when Mr. Willman, Mrs. Selfridge, Mrs. Gardenour, Mr. Sakel, Mrs. Badger-Byrd and Mr. Cotner were on the Board.
It states: The New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation Board of School Trustees will study school attendance areas for the purpose of creating operational efficiencies that will enhance student learning.
Dr. John Reisert has stated: "No one can remember the last time when redistricting was addressed by the school system...maybe 30 years ago, but nothing was done."
This is something that needs to be addressed despite being an emotional issue!
Just as some local citizens thought it was time to address redistricting for voting, this issue is NO different.
Fact #2
There is no secrecy!
As is typical New Albany style, "some" people are trying to create a "false accusation" that the committee is some type of "secret society" to do the Superintendent's bidding.
From what we have heard, the committee operates on a consensus model. This is a committee consisting of teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and community members:
School Attendance Area Committee
Phyllis Amick, Consultant
Ralph Dooley, Co-Chairperson
Peggy Carpenter (Floyd Knobs parent) Co-Chairperson
Dennis Brooks, Superintendent
Teachers:
Jan McCauley, Slate Run School
Therese Stevens, Hazelwood School
Doug Taylor, Pine View School
Nancy Holt/Shelia Dotts, Silver Street School
Administrators:
Dwight Beal, Principal, Galena School
Elaine Murphy, Principal, Mt. Tabor School Terri Boutin, Assistant Principal, Children Academy
Danny Libs/Sally Jensen, Transportation Department
Bill Wiseheart, Director of Facilities
Jackie Apple, Principal, Hazelwood School
Araberil Stylander, Director of Assessment
School Board:
Becky Gardenour
LeeAnn Wiseheart
Parents:
Pat Lilly, Grantline School
Linda Snyder, Pine Valley School
Tiffany Veit, Silver Street School
Roxanna Whippie, Green Valley School
Ellen Reising, Scribner School
Community:
Ted Fulmore, S. Ellen-Jones Neighborhood Association
John Reisert, County Council
Suzann Slayton, Realtors Association
Mary Strobel
Michael Neely
Jeff Gahan, City Council
Support Staff:
Beth Johantgen, Instructional Aide, Silver Street
Beth Barnes, Social Service Liaison, Student Support Services
Debbie Glass, Bus Driver's Association
Linda Townsend/Barb Ellis, Secretary, Silver Street School
Victoria Haley, Instructional Aide, Hazelwood School
Freedom Of Speech would like to ask:
Why are the local blogs and citizens attacking the School Committee members?
The School Board must review and consider the main factors that affect the students:
A - Education
B - Welfare
C - Safety
The Superintendent did not have to do this at all. He could have made a recommendation to the Board with NO input.
Instead, he formed and requested the committee to ask questions of their speakers which have included Dr. Snyder and Mr. McWhorter about finances; Mrs. Perkins about curriculum; Mr. Wiseheart about the facilities; John Rosenbarger and Mr. Lopp about city and county growth.Fact #3
After their study, only then will the Superintendent make a recommendation to the school board. Some of you want to call it research, studying, and, yes, receiving input from the community before final recommendations are made.
Fact #4
We have heard that city officials and others are upset that the school corporation has not talked with them about this committee.
We find that strange since Jeff Gahan (city council president) and Ted Fulmore (S.E. Jones Neighborhood Association) are on the committee. John Rosenbarger addressed the committee. We have not seen the city communicate in anyway with the school corporation in the past.
Are there any examples of the city communicating with the school corporation before they start tearing down houses close to schools? Was it even considered what effect this would have on our schools, for example, Green Valley Elementary? It certainly isn't a "walking" school anymore, thanks to the city!
What other acts has the city perpetrated on the school system that has hurt kids as well as hurt the school corporation financially?
New Albany has so many TIF areas that cause Tax collections to go to the TIF Fund and not "help schools" or the General Fund.
Do your homework taxpayers and bloggers!
The right decisions for School closings:
* The School Board and the School Administration respect and admire the value of Historic buildings in our community. This is not the issue bloggers. It involves trying to use our schools as efficiently as possible, not having empty classrooms, saving money, and using that saved money for hiring teachers so that class room sizes will be smaller.
"Some" people think experts need to be brought in to study the issue. Who is the expert? Would it be someone who is an expert in the field of school finance or someone who is an expert in the field of "urban" development? They both would have a different take on redistricting.
The closing of any school is a difficult decision. Education, Welfare and safety of the students are important factors in making decisions concerning the buildings.
The School Budget to support and finance the education of the students is a main concern.
Unlike our city, our School Board stays within their budget!
Our final thought. If anyone says that $300,000 to $350,000 is not a lot of money, then that person has no financial savvy. We think the school corporation does a great job with taxpayer's money.
Obviously, they just wants to do an even better job unlike the "Chicken Little's" of New Albany!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
BLOCK GRANT DEBACLE
The City expects to receive $739,360 in Community Development Block Grant funds in FY2008 [$720,294] entitlement grant plus [$19,066 program income] An estimated $385,500 will be carried over from FY2007.
Why did you not use the 2007 Funds of $385,500 for our roads?
Projects and activities for the Program are as follows:
1. Repair Affair: $9,300
2. Minor-Housing Rehabilitation: $200,000
3. Code Enforcement: $45,000
4. First-Time Home Buyer Program: $20,000
5. Sidewalk & Public Engineering and Improvement Projects: $382,500
6. North Y Improvement Project Location Study: $50,000
7. Binford Park Pathways & Amenities: $175,000
8. 4-Community Youth Asset and Step Ahead Afternoon Program; $30,000
9. NA-FC Park Department Youth Enrichment Program: $35,000
10. Recidivism Program: $15,000
11. Property Disposition Initiative: $1,500
12. West End Park Location & Design: $17,500
13. General Administration, Oversight, and Planning: $144,060
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
Why don't the Redevelopment Commission Board members take a ride around the city and see all the "trashy messes" in the CDBG Area?
#3 Code Enforcement: $45,000
Why are we paying another Code Enforcement Officer? We are now paying a Code Enforcement Officers salary, a car and cell phone. Citizens call in to report trashy messes and nothing gets done. Tall grass seems to be the big attention for the current office.
We need to demand "action and accountability" from the current code enforcement officer before we hire another one and furnish a car and cell phone!
Redevelopment Commission: Take a ride around town and see the messes "open your eyes!"
#5 Sidewalks and Improvements: $382,500
Please note:
All of the projects are in the East End. Why aren't those dollars spread fairly all over town. The West End continues to be left out and neglected.
#10 Recidivision Program: $15,000
* This activity will fund a program for recently released inmates to help them adjust back into society.
Study - Study - Study:
Dollars are all spent on studies and then, nothing ever gets done!
One final question:
Mr. Rosenbarger why have you refused to set some of these funds aside for sewers and stormwater repairs in these CDBG areas?
Did we hear a hammer hitting the nail on the head?
Why did you not use the 2007 Funds of $385,500 for our roads?
Projects and activities for the Program are as follows:
1. Repair Affair: $9,300
2. Minor-Housing Rehabilitation: $200,000
3. Code Enforcement: $45,000
4. First-Time Home Buyer Program: $20,000
5. Sidewalk & Public Engineering and Improvement Projects: $382,500
6. North Y Improvement Project Location Study: $50,000
7. Binford Park Pathways & Amenities: $175,000
8. 4-Community Youth Asset and Step Ahead Afternoon Program; $30,000
9. NA-FC Park Department Youth Enrichment Program: $35,000
10. Recidivism Program: $15,000
11. Property Disposition Initiative: $1,500
12. West End Park Location & Design: $17,500
13. General Administration, Oversight, and Planning: $144,060
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
Why don't the Redevelopment Commission Board members take a ride around the city and see all the "trashy messes" in the CDBG Area?
#3 Code Enforcement: $45,000
Why are we paying another Code Enforcement Officer? We are now paying a Code Enforcement Officers salary, a car and cell phone. Citizens call in to report trashy messes and nothing gets done. Tall grass seems to be the big attention for the current office.
We need to demand "action and accountability" from the current code enforcement officer before we hire another one and furnish a car and cell phone!
Redevelopment Commission: Take a ride around town and see the messes "open your eyes!"
#5 Sidewalks and Improvements: $382,500
Please note:
All of the projects are in the East End. Why aren't those dollars spread fairly all over town. The West End continues to be left out and neglected.
#10 Recidivision Program: $15,000
* This activity will fund a program for recently released inmates to help them adjust back into society.
Study - Study - Study:
Dollars are all spent on studies and then, nothing ever gets done!
One final question:
Mr. Rosenbarger why have you refused to set some of these funds aside for sewers and stormwater repairs in these CDBG areas?
Did we hear a hammer hitting the nail on the head?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
STATEMENT FROM ROBERT KENNEDY JR.
"It is clear from the context that Hillary was invoking a familiar political circumstance in order to support her decision to stay in the race through June. I have heard her make this reference before, also citing her husband's 1992 race, both of which were hard fought through June. I understand how tightly charged the atmosphere is, but I think it is a mistake for people to take offense."
~ Robert Kennedy Jr.
~ Robert Kennedy Jr.
Friday, May 23, 2008
MCCAIN'S VP
Speaking of McCain, speculation is increasing over who the presumptive Republican nominee will pick as his running mate.
Names that keep popping up, though, include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, current Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.
Is McCain vetting Veeps?
The Memorial Day weekend guest list at Sen. John McCain's Arizona retreat runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jundel, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a McCain rival in the primary, were invited to a weekend gathering at the senator's place in Sedona.
Freedom Of Speech is putting our money on Vice-President hopeful - Florida Governor Charlie Crist!
Names that keep popping up, though, include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, current Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.
Is McCain vetting Veeps?
The Memorial Day weekend guest list at Sen. John McCain's Arizona retreat runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jundel, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a McCain rival in the primary, were invited to a weekend gathering at the senator's place in Sedona.
Freedom Of Speech is putting our money on Vice-President hopeful - Florida Governor Charlie Crist!
Think about it...
"Obama can't WIN Florida, but Hillary can!"
"Good move McCain." Florida just happens to be that "Swing State Obama does not want counted..."
Thursday, May 22, 2008
YOU'LL BE OH, SO HAPPY...
NA Shadow Council produced a great question and a direct comment to the Mayor.
Question and comment made:
Mr. Mayor:
If you wish to accomplish your stated goals and if you are sincere, you must abandon your imperial mayorality. You need to break a sweat, attend the council meetings, and advocate personally for your initatives. As a respected, but unelected functionary, Mr. Malysz can no longer wield your scepter. The council has spoken, as they are entitled to. Whether their actions are wise or frivolous, your disconnection from council cannot continue if you hope to be an effective mayor.
If this whole thing was not so sad it would ALMOST be funny!
Freedom Of Speech would like to enlighten you:
If you had done your homework NA Shadow Council, you would know "Mayor 54" has a standing reservation each Thursday evening playing "tennis in Louisville!"
Source: Douglas B. England
If you were not so concerned, for your own personal agenda, One-way to Two-way Downtown streets Price tag of $2,000,000 you would know these facts.
England is an elected official. He's in that office as a paid employee of the taxpayers of the city. Which he has already forgotten. That office, despite what he or he's lemmings may believe, is not an inalienable right.
Regardless of your feelings on this issue, this is an abuse of the process and a mockery of the altruistic persona that England attempts to convey.
Malysz use of the newspaper as a pulpit for their agenda is pathetic and any intelligent citizen of New Albany can see the hypocrisy if they followed Malysz's words and actions.
Council, by being manipulated for parochial interest by Mr. Malysz, has now been rendered ineffective.
This city needs elected officials who can leave their egos and empty pockets, and self-interests at home.
Deputy Mayor Malysz has no credibility because his selfserving interests for New Albany, per se, are well known by all!
This Mayor obviously has a serious problem with "priorities". This is not the first time he has shown his lack of judgement, just look at the first four months of this adminstration.
This will be his last term!
The England kool - aid runs rampant to those "who think" they have much to gain...
"You haven't seen anything yet!"
What do you think is coming down the pike?
Question and comment made:
Mr. Mayor:
If you wish to accomplish your stated goals and if you are sincere, you must abandon your imperial mayorality. You need to break a sweat, attend the council meetings, and advocate personally for your initatives. As a respected, but unelected functionary, Mr. Malysz can no longer wield your scepter. The council has spoken, as they are entitled to. Whether their actions are wise or frivolous, your disconnection from council cannot continue if you hope to be an effective mayor.
If this whole thing was not so sad it would ALMOST be funny!
Freedom Of Speech would like to enlighten you:
If you had done your homework NA Shadow Council, you would know "Mayor 54" has a standing reservation each Thursday evening playing "tennis in Louisville!"
Source: Douglas B. England
If you were not so concerned, for your own personal agenda, One-way to Two-way Downtown streets Price tag of $2,000,000 you would know these facts.
England is an elected official. He's in that office as a paid employee of the taxpayers of the city. Which he has already forgotten. That office, despite what he or he's lemmings may believe, is not an inalienable right.
Regardless of your feelings on this issue, this is an abuse of the process and a mockery of the altruistic persona that England attempts to convey.
Malysz use of the newspaper as a pulpit for their agenda is pathetic and any intelligent citizen of New Albany can see the hypocrisy if they followed Malysz's words and actions.
Council, by being manipulated for parochial interest by Mr. Malysz, has now been rendered ineffective.
This city needs elected officials who can leave their egos and empty pockets, and self-interests at home.
Deputy Mayor Malysz has no credibility because his selfserving interests for New Albany, per se, are well known by all!
This Mayor obviously has a serious problem with "priorities". This is not the first time he has shown his lack of judgement, just look at the first four months of this adminstration.
This will be his last term!
The England kool - aid runs rampant to those "who think" they have much to gain...
"You haven't seen anything yet!"
What do you think is coming down the pike?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
KENTUCKY BLOWOUT: HILLARY 65% - OBAMA 30% - OBAMA CAN'T RELATE!
Only one thing matters; winning the Presidency in November. Hillary Clinton has proven she is by far the strongest candidate an most likely to achieve that victory.
How can she convince the Democratic Party delegates?
Clinton ran away with the contest partly by capitalizing on the state's nearly all-white population.
Whites without college degrees were nine in 10 voters, according to early results from exit polls Tuesday, more than any other state that has voted. Among them, about three-fourths were supporting the New York senator, one of her best performances of the year.
Half said they believed the Illinois senator shared Wright's view a lot or somewhat. Eight in 10 of them backed Clinton.
Racial attitudes also came into play, and favorably for Clinton. About one in five whites said race influenced their choice of a candidate, one of the highest proportions who have said so in states that have voted thus far.
Of them, about nine in 10 were backing Clinton, roughly matching the high set by several other Southern states.
Overall, Hillary was running strong across virtually all types of voters. She even led among many groups that Obama typically wins, including men, whites under age 30, college graduates, independents and the very liberal.
She was also dominating, as usual, among whites and women.
We think Democrats do have questions about whether or not Obama is going to be able to reach out and successfully win over the kind of blue collar voters that Democrats need to win in November if he is the nominee.
Obama stated on CBS's "Face the Nation" that Clinton is " somebody who can appeal to working people, people who have real concerns about this economy.
That's a definite "red flag" for the Obama's campaign!
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
It is quite obvious that Sen. Obama has a problem connecting with blue collar white workers and older white Americans. In other words, a large percentage of the Democratic Party base.
Obama has not been able to gain a foothold in the base except for African Americans.
When you ask someone who is favoring Sen. Obama why [and we have], you only get the answer "change."
They want change but these people have no understanding of the issues and what he stands for.
Change to what, for what and where are questions that Obama supporters can't even seem to answer.
He doesn't have to answer hard hitting questions; he only has to smile and switch the subject to "change," just change. We wonder "where's the beef?"
To state that race or gender has not been a factor in these Primaries, and will play a key factor in the upcoming General Election in November is delusional!
It has been an issue for 15 month's now.
So for Obama or any other African American to say this election is not about race or gender is ridiculous!
Can you believe that for approximately 50 years we have passed laws supporting desegregation, affirmative action, equal opportunities, and racial tolerance, while the African American churches have been preaching racial paranoia and anti-American sermons?
Americans pride themselves on their church attendance and worship of God, but what kind of a God are they worshiping when their pastors preach inflammatory racist sermons against the whites within their society.
We really do not think Senator Obama gets it. For someone who claims they will be a uniter, he's having a very serious time connecting.
No matter how hard you try to forget Wright, Ayers, Renzko and "bitter", there's little else to his history!
Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days?
From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate.
That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.
In contrast, John McCain 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seems more impressive than ever.
It should be clear to everyone by now Hillary Clinton is fighting her heart out for the American people.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's chief campaign strategist showed us that Senator Barack Obama " can't win the general election."
Elections are based on numbers and Obama won't be able to produce the numbers in critical swing states.
How can she convince the Democratic Party delegates?
Clinton ran away with the contest partly by capitalizing on the state's nearly all-white population.
Whites without college degrees were nine in 10 voters, according to early results from exit polls Tuesday, more than any other state that has voted. Among them, about three-fourths were supporting the New York senator, one of her best performances of the year.
Half said they believed the Illinois senator shared Wright's view a lot or somewhat. Eight in 10 of them backed Clinton.
Racial attitudes also came into play, and favorably for Clinton. About one in five whites said race influenced their choice of a candidate, one of the highest proportions who have said so in states that have voted thus far.
Of them, about nine in 10 were backing Clinton, roughly matching the high set by several other Southern states.
Overall, Hillary was running strong across virtually all types of voters. She even led among many groups that Obama typically wins, including men, whites under age 30, college graduates, independents and the very liberal.
She was also dominating, as usual, among whites and women.
We think Democrats do have questions about whether or not Obama is going to be able to reach out and successfully win over the kind of blue collar voters that Democrats need to win in November if he is the nominee.
Obama stated on CBS's "Face the Nation" that Clinton is " somebody who can appeal to working people, people who have real concerns about this economy.
That's a definite "red flag" for the Obama's campaign!
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
It is quite obvious that Sen. Obama has a problem connecting with blue collar white workers and older white Americans. In other words, a large percentage of the Democratic Party base.
Obama has not been able to gain a foothold in the base except for African Americans.
When you ask someone who is favoring Sen. Obama why [and we have], you only get the answer "change."
They want change but these people have no understanding of the issues and what he stands for.
Change to what, for what and where are questions that Obama supporters can't even seem to answer.
He doesn't have to answer hard hitting questions; he only has to smile and switch the subject to "change," just change. We wonder "where's the beef?"
To state that race or gender has not been a factor in these Primaries, and will play a key factor in the upcoming General Election in November is delusional!
It has been an issue for 15 month's now.
So for Obama or any other African American to say this election is not about race or gender is ridiculous!
Can you believe that for approximately 50 years we have passed laws supporting desegregation, affirmative action, equal opportunities, and racial tolerance, while the African American churches have been preaching racial paranoia and anti-American sermons?
Americans pride themselves on their church attendance and worship of God, but what kind of a God are they worshiping when their pastors preach inflammatory racist sermons against the whites within their society.
We really do not think Senator Obama gets it. For someone who claims they will be a uniter, he's having a very serious time connecting.
No matter how hard you try to forget Wright, Ayers, Renzko and "bitter", there's little else to his history!
Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days?
From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate.
That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.
In contrast, John McCain 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seems more impressive than ever.
It should be clear to everyone by now Hillary Clinton is fighting her heart out for the American people.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's chief campaign strategist showed us that Senator Barack Obama " can't win the general election."
Do the math!
Swing State Electoral College vote allocation:
Obama - 43
Clinton - 99
The numbers never lie Democrats!
Elections are based on numbers and Obama won't be able to produce the numbers in critical swing states.
Many arguments have been advanced about how to settle the Democratic nomination. Barack Obama argues that winning the majority of pledged delegates should decide the race - but he is wrong. Clinton argues that perhaps the total popular vote should decide the issues - but that is wrong. Earnest people are calling for immediate reinstatement of the primary delegations from Florida and Michigan, saying that is the key - but they are wrong.
Hillary knows all that really matters is electability!
This nomination will be settled by a few super delegates, most of whom are allied with Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Sometime between now and the end of June, those three and their allies will make the decision that all of the primary elections and caucuses could not resolve.
They will base their conclusions on one factor and one only we are told; which of the two candidates is best equipped to beat John McCain. How should they reach that decision?
Not even the primary delegate totals are an accurate indicator of a candidate's strength in the general election. Caucuses are an inaccurate reflection of voter turnout for ballot election.
The states where Democrats will have to go to win the White House are those so called Swing States - PA, OH, FL, MI, MN, WI, CO, IA, NM, NV, and NH - have 142 Electors; Democrats must make a strong showing to seize the 87/55 advantage they will need.
Fortunately, the Democratic Party has already asked that question of the people mostly to know the answer - the Democratic voters of those self-same Swing States. There have already been elections or caucuses in PA, OH, MN, WI, CO, IA, NM, OR, NV, and NH. The primary elections held in Fl and MI were clearly in Clinton's favor, and the scheduling conflict with Rules & Bylaws over seating delegates has no bearing on evaluating the opinion of the voters; she won both contests handily.
Clearly, the voters of solidly Blue States agree with voters in the Swing States, overwhelmingly preferring Clinton as the Democratic nominee. While these states should stay in the Democratic column, it only makes sense to run the candidate who has shown the ability to win them - especially when they are the same candidate who so handily wins the Swing State group.
It cannot be that anyone rational would expect the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate whose support is based on primary results from states that are unlikely to deliver Electoral College votes in November!
Monday, May 19, 2008
IT'S KENTUCKY'S TURN!
Add a shot of whiskey and a pinch of tobacco and, politically, Kentucky is a lot like neighboring West Virginia -- Clinton country.
Both states are overwhelmingly white, largely rural and have a greater share of residents below the poverty line and without college degrees than the nation as whole.
And, as she did in West Virginia, Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected to rack up a sizable victory in Kentucky's May 20 Democratic primary against Barack Obama, who is hoping to counter with a win on more favorable turf in Oregon the same day.
Whites have favored Clinton over Obama by 55 percent to 40 percent, rural voters 51-43, and voters without college degrees 52-44.
A record 2.8 million Kentuckians are registered to vote in the primary election. Of those, 1.6 million are Democrats. And, despite the close presidential primary, the number of new registered voters hasn't skyrocketed. In the past six months, 16,000 people have registered, 13,000 of them as Democrats.
Records from the Kentucky Board of Elections show that 53 percent of the state's registered voters are women, a demographic that has played in Clinton's favor in other states. Kentucky doesn't track party registrants by race, but blacks make up only 7.4 percent of the state's population compared with 12.4 percent nationally -- a far smaller minority voting bloc than in other Southern states carried by Obama.
And Kentucky voters are slightly older than voters nationally, another advantage for Clinton.
Both Obama and Clinton have rallied environmentally-minded voters in other states with their promises to develop windmills, solar power and other renewable energy sources and order mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases from power plants to counter global warming.
Kentucky voters are interested largely in the same issues as their counterparts across the country - the economy, fuel prices, health care and Iraq.
Kentuckians struggle with joblessness, especially in the impoverished mountain communities in the eastern half of the state.
Clinton's support among churchgoers in other states bodes well for her in Kentucky. Clinton has done especially well among Catholic voters, which, could help her offset Obama's support among blacks in Louisville, one of the state's strongest Catholic communities.
One of the things that make Kentucky politics exciting, is it's unpredictability!
Both states are overwhelmingly white, largely rural and have a greater share of residents below the poverty line and without college degrees than the nation as whole.
And, as she did in West Virginia, Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected to rack up a sizable victory in Kentucky's May 20 Democratic primary against Barack Obama, who is hoping to counter with a win on more favorable turf in Oregon the same day.
Whites have favored Clinton over Obama by 55 percent to 40 percent, rural voters 51-43, and voters without college degrees 52-44.
A record 2.8 million Kentuckians are registered to vote in the primary election. Of those, 1.6 million are Democrats. And, despite the close presidential primary, the number of new registered voters hasn't skyrocketed. In the past six months, 16,000 people have registered, 13,000 of them as Democrats.
Records from the Kentucky Board of Elections show that 53 percent of the state's registered voters are women, a demographic that has played in Clinton's favor in other states. Kentucky doesn't track party registrants by race, but blacks make up only 7.4 percent of the state's population compared with 12.4 percent nationally -- a far smaller minority voting bloc than in other Southern states carried by Obama.
And Kentucky voters are slightly older than voters nationally, another advantage for Clinton.
Both Obama and Clinton have rallied environmentally-minded voters in other states with their promises to develop windmills, solar power and other renewable energy sources and order mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases from power plants to counter global warming.
Kentucky voters are interested largely in the same issues as their counterparts across the country - the economy, fuel prices, health care and Iraq.
Kentuckians struggle with joblessness, especially in the impoverished mountain communities in the eastern half of the state.
Clinton's support among churchgoers in other states bodes well for her in Kentucky. Clinton has done especially well among Catholic voters, which, could help her offset Obama's support among blacks in Louisville, one of the state's strongest Catholic communities.
One of the things that make Kentucky politics exciting, is it's unpredictability!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
MAIL CALL:
To Freedom Of Speech,
I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your enthusiastic and dedicated support during the entire primary campaign season. Your positive energy and endorsement of my candidacy had a strong impact on the outstanding outcome of my election.
I am proud to represent you as your Democratic candidate for Judge of Floyd Superior Court 3. We have much to look forward to as we continue our efforts to build our new court on Integrity, Fairness and Respect.
Let's keep working together.
I appreciate your continued support during the upcoming General Election on November 4th. Thank you!!
Maria Granger
Maria Granger For Judge
Floyd Superior Court 3
P.O.Box 1431
New Albany, Indiana 47151-1431
I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your enthusiastic and dedicated support during the entire primary campaign season. Your positive energy and endorsement of my candidacy had a strong impact on the outstanding outcome of my election.
I am proud to represent you as your Democratic candidate for Judge of Floyd Superior Court 3. We have much to look forward to as we continue our efforts to build our new court on Integrity, Fairness and Respect.
Let's keep working together.
I appreciate your continued support during the upcoming General Election on November 4th. Thank you!!
Maria Granger
Maria Granger For Judge
Floyd Superior Court 3
P.O.Box 1431
New Albany, Indiana 47151-1431
Friday, May 16, 2008
COMPLIMENTS TO COUNCILMAN COFFEY
Thank you, Councilman Coffey, for having the courage to try to help the taxpayers.
The other council members should do their homework instead of being just a rubber stamp and vote for anything that Deputy Mayor and the Mayor lay on the council table for your approval.
We do not always agree with you, but you used your experience and knowledge and did the right thing and tabled this request.
In the England - Malysz administration, they are pushing for more TIFs, fees, and charges to place on the backs of the taxpayers. We keep shouting, "Hold down the costs". They just don't hear us.
The council just sits there and follows instructions from the administration. The common practice seems to be, "If a request appears to lack the votes, they say, "The council needs a work session".
Do the NEW council members even know the difference between the titles, TIF or CDBG????
New council members should hit the books and study issues, or call the state agencies for information like we do.
It does make a difference when you do your homework!
The other council members should do their homework instead of being just a rubber stamp and vote for anything that Deputy Mayor and the Mayor lay on the council table for your approval.
We do not always agree with you, but you used your experience and knowledge and did the right thing and tabled this request.
In the England - Malysz administration, they are pushing for more TIFs, fees, and charges to place on the backs of the taxpayers. We keep shouting, "Hold down the costs". They just don't hear us.
The council just sits there and follows instructions from the administration. The common practice seems to be, "If a request appears to lack the votes, they say, "The council needs a work session".
Do the NEW council members even know the difference between the titles, TIF or CDBG????
New council members should hit the books and study issues, or call the state agencies for information like we do.
It does make a difference when you do your homework!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
MAYOR'S $51 MILLION PLAN UNVEILED
Mayor England has started compiling a $51 million municipal wish-list that includes $5 million Ohio River Greenway including State Street cut, a $6 million new parking deck and no means to fund it all.
"There is no large immediate cash available funding for these projects it would have to mainly come through grants, and through the issuance of debt."
The mayor said that while campaigning, people were so distraught with code enforcement and paving issues that the idea of having something beyond the "meat and potatoes" was never considered
NO, Mr. England, they were distraught because you were running for Mayor! We all remember those last 8 years you were in office.
Silver/ E. Main/ Rear Market Streets projects:
1. Ohio River Greenway and Greenway connections including Loop Island connection, E. 18th and E. 10th connections - Price Tag: $ 2,000,000.00
2. Old City Dump Redevelopment - Price Tag: $2,000,000.00
3. CSX abandoned, other unused rail lines, access road to Airguard, etc..../rails - Price Tag: $500,000
4. Loop Island/Mosier Leather Site Redevelopment - Price Tag $XXX,XXX
5. CSX-Pallet Site Redevelopment - Price Tag: $XXX,XXX
6. Signal, other improvements to Spring Street between Silver Street and City limit - Price Tag: $500,000
7. ?Business Assistance?
8. Main Street Improvements including median, lighting - Price Tag: $1,000,000
9. K&I Improvements/connections to Greenway and to E. Main Street - Price Tag: $1,000,000
10. RR Crossings Improvements including Quiet Zone - Price Tag: $750,000
11. Main Street-Vincennes Street Signal - Price Tag; $200,000
Park East New Projects:
1. Fire Equipment purchase - $800,000
2. Industrial Park North Road Improvement - Price Tag: $700,000
3. Industrial Park (South) Road Improvement - Price Tag: $600,000
4. S.R. 111 (McDonald Lane to Mt. Tabor Road) Improvements, including detour - Price Tag $300,000
Old Monon New Projects:
1. Grantline Improvements (Beechwood to McDonald) - Price Tag: $1,000,000
2. Monon Avenue Improvement - Price Tag: $750,000
3. RR Crossings Improvement - Price Tag: $600,000
State Street Projects:
1. Spring Street Hill - Price Tag: $1,000,000
2. Ohio River Greenway including State Street cut - Price Tag: $5,000,000
3. New parking deck - Price Tag: $6,000,000
4. One-way to Two-way Downtown grid and calming - Price Tag: $2,000,000
5. Baptist Tabernacle - renovation - Price Tag: $1,000,000
Charlestown Road New Projects:
1. Mt. Tabor (Grantline to Charlestown Road) Improvements -
2. Charlestown Road (E. 8th to Genung) Improvement: 2,000' @ $500 ft= $1,000.000 plus $200,000 design r-o-w = $1.2 million plus sidewalk /curb replacement for 5,000' @200 ft.= $1,000,000 (nothing for design) - $1,000,000 for N "Y"?
3. Charlestown Road connector near Soergel (Charlestown Road to Slate Run Road) - Price Tag: $ 300,000
4. Slate Run Road Improvement: curb/gutter/sides: 7,200' (Charlestown to Beharrell) X $500= $3,600,000 plus design / r-o-w: $750,000 = $4.4 million or $1,000,000 sides only?
5. Klerner Lane Improvement: curb/gutter/sides 9,000' (Chas to Grantline) @ $500=$4.5 million plus design/r-o-w = $5.4 million dollars
6. Charlestown Road-Highland Oaks Connection- Price Tag: $750,000
7. Charlestown Road sidewalks at I-265 - Price Tag: $500,000
* Talk about SOME fuzzy math ~ Good grief...
England believes it is time New Albany residents get more than just the basics, even if some feel the provision of essentials has been lacking.
This wish-list is proof of how "out of touch" Deputy Doug is!
Mr. Mayor:
Why would you consider spending $2 million to redevelop the old city dump?
Why would you consider spending $500,000 on CSX abandoned rail lines?
Why would you consider spending $1 million for a median and lighting on Main Street?
Why would you consider spending $750,000 to improve a Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone when a local citizen has achieved this project with the Railroad already?
Why are you playing with this wish- list to spend taxpayer's dollars?
Mr. Mayor why don't you realize what New Albany really needs?
Our current council is inept and does not look out for the best interests of the citizens of New Albany.
They just want to continue to tax us and be an ENABLER to a corrupt local government.
A capital improvement plan is a tool to assess the long-term capital project requirments of the city and to establish funding of high-priority projects. Development of the plan is intended to ensure that the adminstration and council are responsible to local residents when spending public money!
"There is no large immediate cash available funding for these projects it would have to mainly come through grants, and through the issuance of debt."
The mayor said that while campaigning, people were so distraught with code enforcement and paving issues that the idea of having something beyond the "meat and potatoes" was never considered
NO, Mr. England, they were distraught because you were running for Mayor! We all remember those last 8 years you were in office.
Silver/ E. Main/ Rear Market Streets projects:
1. Ohio River Greenway and Greenway connections including Loop Island connection, E. 18th and E. 10th connections - Price Tag: $ 2,000,000.00
2. Old City Dump Redevelopment - Price Tag: $2,000,000.00
3. CSX abandoned, other unused rail lines, access road to Airguard, etc..../rails - Price Tag: $500,000
4. Loop Island/Mosier Leather Site Redevelopment - Price Tag $XXX,XXX
5. CSX-Pallet Site Redevelopment - Price Tag: $XXX,XXX
6. Signal, other improvements to Spring Street between Silver Street and City limit - Price Tag: $500,000
7. ?Business Assistance?
8. Main Street Improvements including median, lighting - Price Tag: $1,000,000
9. K&I Improvements/connections to Greenway and to E. Main Street - Price Tag: $1,000,000
10. RR Crossings Improvements including Quiet Zone - Price Tag: $750,000
11. Main Street-Vincennes Street Signal - Price Tag; $200,000
Park East New Projects:
1. Fire Equipment purchase - $800,000
2. Industrial Park North Road Improvement - Price Tag: $700,000
3. Industrial Park (South) Road Improvement - Price Tag: $600,000
4. S.R. 111 (McDonald Lane to Mt. Tabor Road) Improvements, including detour - Price Tag $300,000
Old Monon New Projects:
1. Grantline Improvements (Beechwood to McDonald) - Price Tag: $1,000,000
2. Monon Avenue Improvement - Price Tag: $750,000
3. RR Crossings Improvement - Price Tag: $600,000
State Street Projects:
1. Spring Street Hill - Price Tag: $1,000,000
2. Ohio River Greenway including State Street cut - Price Tag: $5,000,000
3. New parking deck - Price Tag: $6,000,000
4. One-way to Two-way Downtown grid and calming - Price Tag: $2,000,000
5. Baptist Tabernacle - renovation - Price Tag: $1,000,000
Charlestown Road New Projects:
1. Mt. Tabor (Grantline to Charlestown Road) Improvements -
2. Charlestown Road (E. 8th to Genung) Improvement: 2,000' @ $500 ft= $1,000.000 plus $200,000 design r-o-w = $1.2 million plus sidewalk /curb replacement for 5,000' @200 ft.= $1,000,000 (nothing for design) - $1,000,000 for N "Y"?
3. Charlestown Road connector near Soergel (Charlestown Road to Slate Run Road) - Price Tag: $ 300,000
4. Slate Run Road Improvement: curb/gutter/sides: 7,200' (Charlestown to Beharrell) X $500= $3,600,000 plus design / r-o-w: $750,000 = $4.4 million or $1,000,000 sides only?
5. Klerner Lane Improvement: curb/gutter/sides 9,000' (Chas to Grantline) @ $500=$4.5 million plus design/r-o-w = $5.4 million dollars
6. Charlestown Road-Highland Oaks Connection- Price Tag: $750,000
7. Charlestown Road sidewalks at I-265 - Price Tag: $500,000
* Talk about SOME fuzzy math ~ Good grief...
England believes it is time New Albany residents get more than just the basics, even if some feel the provision of essentials has been lacking.
This wish-list is proof of how "out of touch" Deputy Doug is!
Mr. Mayor:
Why would you consider spending $2 million to redevelop the old city dump?
Why would you consider spending $500,000 on CSX abandoned rail lines?
Why would you consider spending $1 million for a median and lighting on Main Street?
Why would you consider spending $750,000 to improve a Railroad Crossing Quiet Zone when a local citizen has achieved this project with the Railroad already?
Why are you playing with this wish- list to spend taxpayer's dollars?
Mr. Mayor why don't you realize what New Albany really needs?
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
Of course the city will have no money left for anything with Deputy Doug running the ship. And yes, folks, it's sinking. Let's not kid ourselves here. This city has nothing left but will find money for raises, police cars, a new parking deck, One-way to two-way Downtown grid and calming for $2 million and the renovation of Baptist Tabernacle.
Whose pockets will be lined from this $51 million wish-list?Our current council is inept and does not look out for the best interests of the citizens of New Albany.
They just want to continue to tax us and be an ENABLER to a corrupt local government.
A capital improvement plan is a tool to assess the long-term capital project requirments of the city and to establish funding of high-priority projects. Development of the plan is intended to ensure that the adminstration and council are responsible to local residents when spending public money!
Unlike the operating budget, which is funded primarily by taxes, most of the money for the capital budget comes from debt, usually through the sale of bonds.
We think that given our financial situation here in the city that this list will be used to wipe out "our collective asses" right into another tax increase.
So, basically property owners, we're screwed!
We know the wish-list is pretty big -- any chance we can fit a new mayor and council on the list?
Oh, Wait...that is already on the agenda for 2011!
Monday, May 12, 2008
THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD CONFUSE EVEN THE EXPERTS!
Florida and Michigan deserve to be heard!
This debacle with Michigan and Florida is a lesson to be learned...on many levels.
When leadership of a political party has the power to strip eligible American citizens of their right to have their vote counted in an election--through absolutely no fault of the voters--then those leaders have WAAAAY to much power.
Through the pass few month's we have witnessed the irresponsible and reprehensible power playing by certain members of the elected Democratic and Republican leadership in their call for presidential candidates to drop out of the race. According to these "leaders" in their infinite wisdom, more than one candidate in a race is bad for their respective party.
Really???
When did becoming an elected official be about what's good for the party OVER what's good for the country?
When did striping eligible American citizens of their right to have their right to have their vote count become something good for our country?
Shame, shame on the elected officials pushing to have the votes of eligible American citizens disenfranchised, voided, and meaningless.
And...
Shame, shame on the elected officials remaining silent on this issue!
How is it that we require -- no demand -- a person have years of experience to preform sales, secretarial. research, journalism, accounting, managerial but when it comes to electing a president of the United States of America we don't care that they don't have experience, we just want them to either look like us, tell us what we want to hear, or make us feel good.
This double standard mentality of hiring practices in our country is a curious phenomenon to us.
Is it about control?
Is it that if we feel we, personally, can't control something, then we just want someone to tell us what we want to hear?
And...
In that way, we feel like we are in control?
Or...
Is it that we feel our country is so absolutely out of control that we just simply want the person who appears to have come from out of nowhere believing that a person surely must represent something different than what we have?
How is it that EVERY eligible citizen of the United States of America gets an equal vote for the contestants of "American Idol and Dancing With The Stars", but NOT for the President of the United States of America?
When did voting for who will become our next democratic candidate for president of the United States of America become the sole privilege of a select number of states and not all of the states?
When people are turning out in record numbers to vote why would political leaders and the news media be so determined to stop this process?
This is more about media arrogance and unleashed elitism!
With Clinton, though, the press seems to have almost completely disregard for the 14 million voters who have backed her candidacy, as well as the idea that she is their representative in this race.
Instead, the media treat her entire campaign as some sort of vanity exercise in which voters do not exist.
Hillary Clinton does have a chance to win. Yet she has been told by the press to go home and to get over herself.
"It's unprecedented!"
This debacle with Michigan and Florida is a lesson to be learned...on many levels.
When leadership of a political party has the power to strip eligible American citizens of their right to have their vote counted in an election--through absolutely no fault of the voters--then those leaders have WAAAAY to much power.
Through the pass few month's we have witnessed the irresponsible and reprehensible power playing by certain members of the elected Democratic and Republican leadership in their call for presidential candidates to drop out of the race. According to these "leaders" in their infinite wisdom, more than one candidate in a race is bad for their respective party.
Really???
When did becoming an elected official be about what's good for the party OVER what's good for the country?
When did striping eligible American citizens of their right to have their right to have their vote count become something good for our country?
Shame, shame on the elected officials pushing to have the votes of eligible American citizens disenfranchised, voided, and meaningless.
And...
Shame, shame on the elected officials remaining silent on this issue!
How is it that we require -- no demand -- a person have years of experience to preform sales, secretarial. research, journalism, accounting, managerial but when it comes to electing a president of the United States of America we don't care that they don't have experience, we just want them to either look like us, tell us what we want to hear, or make us feel good.
This double standard mentality of hiring practices in our country is a curious phenomenon to us.
Is it about control?
Is it that if we feel we, personally, can't control something, then we just want someone to tell us what we want to hear?
And...
In that way, we feel like we are in control?
Or...
Is it that we feel our country is so absolutely out of control that we just simply want the person who appears to have come from out of nowhere believing that a person surely must represent something different than what we have?
How is it that EVERY eligible citizen of the United States of America gets an equal vote for the contestants of "American Idol and Dancing With The Stars", but NOT for the President of the United States of America?
When did voting for who will become our next democratic candidate for president of the United States of America become the sole privilege of a select number of states and not all of the states?
When people are turning out in record numbers to vote why would political leaders and the news media be so determined to stop this process?
This is more about media arrogance and unleashed elitism!
With Clinton, though, the press seems to have almost completely disregard for the 14 million voters who have backed her candidacy, as well as the idea that she is their representative in this race.
Instead, the media treat her entire campaign as some sort of vanity exercise in which voters do not exist.
Hillary Clinton does have a chance to win. Yet she has been told by the press to go home and to get over herself.
"It's unprecedented!"
Thursday, May 08, 2008
NEWS FLASH...
May 8, 2008
Senator Barack Obama
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, Il. 60680
Dear Senator Obama,
This has been an historic and exciting campaign. Millions of new voters have been brought into the process and their enthusiasm for the Democratic Party and the principles for which you and I have fought and continue to fight is unprecedented.
One of the foremost principles of our party is that citizens be allowed to vote and that those votes be counted. That principle is not currently being applied to the nearly 2.5 million people who voted in primaries in Florida and Michigan. Whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee will be hamstrung in the general election if a fair and quick resolution is not reached that ensures that the voices of these voters are heard. Our commitment now to this goal could be the difference between winning and losing in November.
I have consistently said that the votes cast in Florida and Michigan in January should be counted. We cannot ignore the fact that the people in those states took the time to be a part of this process and to make their preferences known. When efforts were untaken [sic] by leaders in those states to hold revote to ensure that they had a voice in selecting our nominee, I supported those efforts. In Michigan, I supported a legislative effort to hold a revote that the Democratic National Committee said was in complete compliance with the party's rules. You did not support those efforts and your supporters in Michigan publically [sic] opposed them.
In Florida a number of revote options were proposed. I am not aware of any that you supported. In 2000, the Republicans won an election by successfully opposing a fair counting of votes in Florida.
As Democrats, we must reject any proposals that would do the same.
Your commitment to the voters of these states must be clearly stated and your support for a fair and quick resolution must be clearly demonstrated.
I am asking you to join me in working with representatives from Florida and Michigan and the Democratic National Committee to arrive at a solution that honors the votes of the millions of people who went to the polls in Florida and Michigan. It is not enough to simply seat the representatives at the convention in Denver.
The people of these great states, like the people who have voted and are to vote in other states, must have a voice in selecting our party's nominee.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Senator Barack Obama
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, Il. 60680
Dear Senator Obama,
This has been an historic and exciting campaign. Millions of new voters have been brought into the process and their enthusiasm for the Democratic Party and the principles for which you and I have fought and continue to fight is unprecedented.
One of the foremost principles of our party is that citizens be allowed to vote and that those votes be counted. That principle is not currently being applied to the nearly 2.5 million people who voted in primaries in Florida and Michigan. Whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee will be hamstrung in the general election if a fair and quick resolution is not reached that ensures that the voices of these voters are heard. Our commitment now to this goal could be the difference between winning and losing in November.
I have consistently said that the votes cast in Florida and Michigan in January should be counted. We cannot ignore the fact that the people in those states took the time to be a part of this process and to make their preferences known. When efforts were untaken [sic] by leaders in those states to hold revote to ensure that they had a voice in selecting our nominee, I supported those efforts. In Michigan, I supported a legislative effort to hold a revote that the Democratic National Committee said was in complete compliance with the party's rules. You did not support those efforts and your supporters in Michigan publically [sic] opposed them.
In Florida a number of revote options were proposed. I am not aware of any that you supported. In 2000, the Republicans won an election by successfully opposing a fair counting of votes in Florida.
As Democrats, we must reject any proposals that would do the same.
Your commitment to the voters of these states must be clearly stated and your support for a fair and quick resolution must be clearly demonstrated.
I am asking you to join me in working with representatives from Florida and Michigan and the Democratic National Committee to arrive at a solution that honors the votes of the millions of people who went to the polls in Florida and Michigan. It is not enough to simply seat the representatives at the convention in Denver.
The people of these great states, like the people who have voted and are to vote in other states, must have a voice in selecting our party's nominee.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
STIMULUS PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Economic stimulus payments will be issued according to the last two-digits of the main filer's Social Security number. For joint filers, the payment will go out based on the person listed first on the return. Payments will be made by either direct deposit or paper check, consistent with how people filed their 2007 tax return.
Direct Deposit
Last two SSN....Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 - May 2, 2008
21 through 75 - May 9, 2008
76 through 99 - May 16, 2008
Paper checks
Last two SSN.....Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 - May 16, 2008
10 through 18 - May 23, 2008
19 through 25 - May 30, 2008
26 through 38 - June 6, 2008
39 through 51 - June 13, 2008
52 through 63 - June 20, 2008
64 through 75 - June 27, 2008
76 through 87 - July 4, 2008
88 through 99 - July 11, 2008
People who file a return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment, but probably about two weeks later than the schedule shows. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year.
Direct Deposit
Last two SSN....Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 - May 2, 2008
21 through 75 - May 9, 2008
76 through 99 - May 16, 2008
Paper checks
Last two SSN.....Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 - May 16, 2008
10 through 18 - May 23, 2008
19 through 25 - May 30, 2008
26 through 38 - June 6, 2008
39 through 51 - June 13, 2008
52 through 63 - June 20, 2008
64 through 75 - June 27, 2008
76 through 87 - July 4, 2008
88 through 99 - July 11, 2008
People who file a return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment, but probably about two weeks later than the schedule shows. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
WHAT A NIGHT...
It was a historic day in Indiana one that may play a huge part in shaping the future of the state.
Hillary has wandered Indiana and shown that she is the most suited to make the difficult decisions ahead for this country and this State.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton squeaked out a critical razor-thin victory in Indiana's presidential primary Tuesday.
The final decision declaring Hillary the winner came about three hours after state wide returns were in, she finally claimed victory, telling 18,000 cheering supporters at the Murat Centre in Indianapolis.
"Thanks to you, it's full speed to the White House."
The brakes were slammed on, though, as the state, and the nation, waited for late returns from Lake County, which withheld it's results throughout the night.
Lake County had been considered Obama territory. It's next to his hometown of Chicago, and it's large black population was expected to overwhelmingly vote for him.
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker, called it "typical Lake County politics."
Jonathan Swain, Clinton's Communication Director of Indiana, stated this was an important win. "We said this would be down to the wire and guess what?
"It was."
Terry McAuliffe, Clinton's campaign chairman and a former Democratic National Committee chairman stated: 'Indiana was the state that Obama wanted to win!" "He said it was the tiebreaker, and he didn't win it, Hillary won the tiebreaker and on we go.
Obama earlier in the night had congratulated Clinton " on her victory" in Indiana-words that brought cheers from 18,000 supporters in the Murat Centre!
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
We're heading into the worst economic crisis in a half century or more. Many of the Americans who have been getting nowhere for decades are in even deeper trouble. Large numbers of people in Indiana and across the USA are losing their homes and losing their jobs, and the situation is likely to grow worse.
Consumers are at the end of their ropes, fuel and food costs are skyrocketing, they can't go deeper into debt, they can't pay their bills.
They aren't buying, which means every business from the auto industry to housing to even giant GE is hurting. Which, means they'll be laying off even more people, and as they do, we will experience an even more dangerous downward spiral.
Bitter? You ain't seen nothing yet!
The point to remember is that the media loves this primary battle. They want it to continue, so they can keep throwing Hillary under the bus.
Don't count Hillary out...Count Florida and Michigan, and see who voters elect as their President!
It is too much to expect, thoughtful objective coverage of this campaign!
------Congratulation to our winning Candidates:
Floyd County Results:
President of the United States
* Hillary Rodham Clinton - 12,259
Governor
* Jill Long Thompson - 565,034
9th Congressional District
* Baron Hill - 12,261
Judge of the Superior Court No. 1
* Susan L. Orth - 10,924
Judge of the Superior Court No. 3
* Maria Granger - 8,561
County Coroner
* Leslie E. Knable -8,277
Democrat County Council AT-LARGE
Randy Stumler - 8,574
Carol Shope - 6,056
Ted Heavrin - 5,540
Republican County Council AT-Large
Dana Fendley - 1,359
Larry Summers - 1,412
Harry Harbison - 1,374
New Albany County School Board AT-LARGE
* Patricia Badger-Byrd - 8,560
New Albany Floyd County School Board District 3
* Neal Allen Smith -8,678
New Albany Floyd County School Board District 4
* Rebecca Gardenour - 15,620
------
Floyd County facts & figures:
Total Ballots Cast - 22,481
Republicans - 3,169
Democrats - 19, 308
Nonpartisan - 4
What a memorable night!
Monday, May 05, 2008
IT'S OUR TURN TO VOTE!
Phones ringing. Knocks on doors. Volunteers pounding the pavement. Candidates crisscrossing New Albany and Indiana.
Blitz to tip the scales in their favor before the polls open at 6 tomorrow morning, Sens. Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were making final appeals to undecided voters today in their quest for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Downtown swarmed with people. Hundreds lined up to get into the event in a line that stretched several blocks.
Clinton, joined by Sen. Evan Bayh, was hitting both ends of Indiana yesterday with campaign stops at a Merrillville fire station in the north, before heading south to a New Albany fire station.
The Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns will be following each other closely across Indiana as votes are cast today in the most hotly contested presidential primary the state has ever seen.
Election officials say they are prepared for record voter turnout for an Indiana primary as early voting concluded today at levels triple those of the 2004 presidential primary.
Floyd County Clerk Linda Moeller tells Freedom Of Speech, "We've got, 40% of our poll workers are first-time workers. We've tried to put out a lot of our experienced people as inspectors, but of course we have some new inspectors and it's the first time, you know, that they're working. So everyone needs a little patience, to allow enough time if there is a line.
Wait, there's more: State, local races are key, too.
Our position: Don't overlook the lasting importance of lower races on Tuesdays ballot.
On the local level, school board races will be settled Tuesday. Those aren't primaries; the elected leaders who in the years to come will make educational and financial decisions affecting students, teachers and taxpayers will be chosen, and not in the fall.
We ask for your vote for the following School Board candidates:
* Trisha Badger-Byrd
* Neal Allen Smith
Superior Court 1 candidate:
Susan L. Orth
Superior Court 3 candidate:
* Maria Granger
County Council AT-LARGE Candidates
Blitz to tip the scales in their favor before the polls open at 6 tomorrow morning, Sens. Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were making final appeals to undecided voters today in their quest for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Downtown swarmed with people. Hundreds lined up to get into the event in a line that stretched several blocks.
Clinton, joined by Sen. Evan Bayh, was hitting both ends of Indiana yesterday with campaign stops at a Merrillville fire station in the north, before heading south to a New Albany fire station.
The Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns will be following each other closely across Indiana as votes are cast today in the most hotly contested presidential primary the state has ever seen.
Election officials say they are prepared for record voter turnout for an Indiana primary as early voting concluded today at levels triple those of the 2004 presidential primary.
Floyd County Clerk Linda Moeller tells Freedom Of Speech, "We've got, 40% of our poll workers are first-time workers. We've tried to put out a lot of our experienced people as inspectors, but of course we have some new inspectors and it's the first time, you know, that they're working. So everyone needs a little patience, to allow enough time if there is a line.
Wait, there's more: State, local races are key, too.
Our position: Don't overlook the lasting importance of lower races on Tuesdays ballot.
On the local level, school board races will be settled Tuesday. Those aren't primaries; the elected leaders who in the years to come will make educational and financial decisions affecting students, teachers and taxpayers will be chosen, and not in the fall.
We ask for your vote for the following School Board candidates:
* Trisha Badger-Byrd
* Neal Allen Smith
Superior Court 1 candidate:
Susan L. Orth
Superior Court 3 candidate:
* Maria Granger
County Council AT-LARGE Candidates
* Donnie Blevins
* Ted Heavrin* Carol Shope
In short, the importance of Tuesday's primary stretches well beyond the names at the top of the ballots. Voters' decisions in state and local races will have effects that linger here long after the presidential candidates, the national media and all the attending parties have moved on to Virginia.Tuesday is a big day for Freedom Of Speech and Indiana, in more ways than one.
Vote Hillary Rodham Clinton!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!
If you spend $700,000 of our River Boat Fund this early in the year, what will you have left when the 2008 Budget is cut by the state?
Mr. England what is your definition of a priority?
Why would you bring a resolution to our council for approval to spend $700,000 for police cars, Fire Department, Street Department equipment and other expenditures before you know the state of our City Budget?
$250,000 for 10 new Police cars
$300,000 for Fire Department
$150,000 for Street Department
This resolution needs to be reviewed by our Council. Why do you ask? Our River Boat Fund as of January 1, 2008 had $1,410,821.08. What expenditures have been made out of our River Boat Fund in 2008? What is the balance of our River Boat Fund today? If we use $700,000 what will we use if an emergency project is needed to be repaired.
Also, there is not a take home car policy as of today.
We had a conversation with Major Sharon Wright and she stated at this time NO OFFICER is contributing to the gas fund. Louisville has a take home car policy where Police Officers pay $60.00 a month plus gas.
Currently, New Albany police officers are allowed not only to do their grocery shopping, banking, pay bills but to also use our police cars to go to a second job at the expense of the taxpayers.
We don't know about you, "but no one pays" our gas for a second job!
Now, that gas is almost $4.00 a gallon, this is an issue that our council needs to look long and hard at before approving the use of River Boat Fund dollars for 10 new police cars. Also, maybe our police cars would last longer if they were not allowed outside of our city.
This week, Mr. Maylsz was interviewed in front of our Police Station by a local TV crew and they brought to his attention that one police officer driving from our police station to his home in Corydon cost taxpayers of New Albany $1,500 a year in gas. Mr. Maylsz stated he was not aware of that expense.
Well, Mr. Malysz you are being paid $85,000 a year to be aware of city operation!
How much longer can Malysz and England play dumb about these city expenses?
In fact:
Date: April 11, 2008
Gasoline paid January 1, 2008 through April 1, 2008
2008 Budget:
Police Department: $150,000 - used $61,805.00
Fire Department: $42,000 - used $20,862.12
Animal Shelter: $7,000 - used $2,722.85
Street Department: $46,000 - used $18,697.79
Parks Department: $15,000 - used $5,024.49
Code Enforcement Officer: - used $254.16 [paid out of city atty. budget]
Source: City Controller Report 4/11/08 ~Kay Garry
This report only covers 3 months. What happens when they use all the money allowed for the year 2008? Where are we going to get the additional funds needed for the rest of 2008?
This administration is blind siding "our inexperienced Council."
Politics is playing too big of a role with taxpayers dollars.
Our City Administration has refused to provide Council members a report of police cars, and addresses of officer for take home car. Any Council member who does not request a copy of this information should be removed from our city council if they vote for this $700,000 Resolution!
Indiana Law states:
A city official who recklessly issues bonds, certificate warrant for the payment of money in excess of an appropriation or who recklessly enters the city into an obligation beyond the amount of money appropriated for that official's department or under his or her authority commits a misdemeanor and becomes liable on his or her official bond to any person injured IC 36-4-8-13
-------
Mr. England, if you were a man of your word, you promised to put property taxes as your top priority.
If you continue to borrow and put us more in debt, this affects property taxes.
The reason HEA 1001 passed was to protect taxpayers from Administrations like yours!
What is a priority to citizens of New Albany?
Yes, we need our Fire Department, Police Department and vital services.
We also need to look at the big picture. Not one of your employees have stood up to our new "inexperienced" council and told them the whole truth.
* Tax abatements hurt our tax base
* TIFs affect our tax base and
* Bonds burden property taxpayers
What good is it to spend millions of dollars on streets and sidewalks when you have broken sewer pipes and stormwater drainage problems?
If you borrow $10,000,000 for 30 years to pave our streets the bond payment will be $1.8 million yearly. Take the yearly payment of $1.8 X 30 years = $54,000,000.
Is that a smart decision?
England's priority list needs to be:
* Lowering our Property Taxes
* Planning for Budget cuts
* Providing Vital Public Services with less
* 15th Street
* Beeler Street sewers - [McClain Lift Station]
* 9th Street alley - [there is raw sewage running down the alley]
* Broken sewer pipes
* Broken Stormwater drainage
Outstanding loans need to be paid first:
* Parking Garage TIF owes Edit Fund $3.2 million to repay loan
* $5.3 million General Fund owes Sewer Fund
If Mr. Maylsz wants to continue expanding TIF areas, let's just go on and TIF the entire city. If you are going to continue to hand Tax Abatements out, give all us homeowners a Tax Abatement.
March 18 and March 19, 2008 there was 14 over flows reported to IDEM and the EPA about our city.
What does that tell you Mr. England?
Do you still think sewers are not a problem or a priority? EPA thinks so...
How are we going to pay these fines?
We are $1.6 million in the red in our General Fund, and how do you plan to fix it.
By adding more debt?
Freedom Of Speech would like to ask the city council to take time and do your homework and look at all the facts before you commit our tax dollars. Our city's reserves have been "greatly depleted already." People don't like surprises when you have to come back and raise taxes to cover this and that.
Mr. England what is your definition of a priority?
Why would you bring a resolution to our council for approval to spend $700,000 for police cars, Fire Department, Street Department equipment and other expenditures before you know the state of our City Budget?
$250,000 for 10 new Police cars
$300,000 for Fire Department
$150,000 for Street Department
This resolution needs to be reviewed by our Council. Why do you ask? Our River Boat Fund as of January 1, 2008 had $1,410,821.08. What expenditures have been made out of our River Boat Fund in 2008? What is the balance of our River Boat Fund today? If we use $700,000 what will we use if an emergency project is needed to be repaired.
Also, there is not a take home car policy as of today.
We had a conversation with Major Sharon Wright and she stated at this time NO OFFICER is contributing to the gas fund. Louisville has a take home car policy where Police Officers pay $60.00 a month plus gas.
Currently, New Albany police officers are allowed not only to do their grocery shopping, banking, pay bills but to also use our police cars to go to a second job at the expense of the taxpayers.
We don't know about you, "but no one pays" our gas for a second job!
Now, that gas is almost $4.00 a gallon, this is an issue that our council needs to look long and hard at before approving the use of River Boat Fund dollars for 10 new police cars. Also, maybe our police cars would last longer if they were not allowed outside of our city.
This week, Mr. Maylsz was interviewed in front of our Police Station by a local TV crew and they brought to his attention that one police officer driving from our police station to his home in Corydon cost taxpayers of New Albany $1,500 a year in gas. Mr. Maylsz stated he was not aware of that expense.
Well, Mr. Malysz you are being paid $85,000 a year to be aware of city operation!
How much longer can Malysz and England play dumb about these city expenses?
In fact:
Date: April 11, 2008
Gasoline paid January 1, 2008 through April 1, 2008
2008 Budget:
Police Department: $150,000 - used $61,805.00
Fire Department: $42,000 - used $20,862.12
Animal Shelter: $7,000 - used $2,722.85
Street Department: $46,000 - used $18,697.79
Parks Department: $15,000 - used $5,024.49
Code Enforcement Officer: - used $254.16 [paid out of city atty. budget]
Source: City Controller Report 4/11/08 ~Kay Garry
This report only covers 3 months. What happens when they use all the money allowed for the year 2008? Where are we going to get the additional funds needed for the rest of 2008?
This administration is blind siding "our inexperienced Council."
Politics is playing too big of a role with taxpayers dollars.
Our City Administration has refused to provide Council members a report of police cars, and addresses of officer for take home car. Any Council member who does not request a copy of this information should be removed from our city council if they vote for this $700,000 Resolution!
Indiana Law states:
A city official who recklessly issues bonds, certificate warrant for the payment of money in excess of an appropriation or who recklessly enters the city into an obligation beyond the amount of money appropriated for that official's department or under his or her authority commits a misdemeanor and becomes liable on his or her official bond to any person injured IC 36-4-8-13
-------
Mr. England, if you were a man of your word, you promised to put property taxes as your top priority.
If you continue to borrow and put us more in debt, this affects property taxes.
The reason HEA 1001 passed was to protect taxpayers from Administrations like yours!
What is a priority to citizens of New Albany?
Yes, we need our Fire Department, Police Department and vital services.
We also need to look at the big picture. Not one of your employees have stood up to our new "inexperienced" council and told them the whole truth.
* Tax abatements hurt our tax base
* TIFs affect our tax base and
* Bonds burden property taxpayers
What good is it to spend millions of dollars on streets and sidewalks when you have broken sewer pipes and stormwater drainage problems?
If you borrow $10,000,000 for 30 years to pave our streets the bond payment will be $1.8 million yearly. Take the yearly payment of $1.8 X 30 years = $54,000,000.
Is that a smart decision?
England's priority list needs to be:
* Lowering our Property Taxes
* Planning for Budget cuts
* Providing Vital Public Services with less
* 15th Street
* Beeler Street sewers - [McClain Lift Station]
* 9th Street alley - [there is raw sewage running down the alley]
* Broken sewer pipes
* Broken Stormwater drainage
Outstanding loans need to be paid first:
* Parking Garage TIF owes Edit Fund $3.2 million to repay loan
* $5.3 million General Fund owes Sewer Fund
If Mr. Maylsz wants to continue expanding TIF areas, let's just go on and TIF the entire city. If you are going to continue to hand Tax Abatements out, give all us homeowners a Tax Abatement.
March 18 and March 19, 2008 there was 14 over flows reported to IDEM and the EPA about our city.
What does that tell you Mr. England?
Do you still think sewers are not a problem or a priority? EPA thinks so...
How are we going to pay these fines?
We are $1.6 million in the red in our General Fund, and how do you plan to fix it.
By adding more debt?
Freedom Of Speech would like to ask the city council to take time and do your homework and look at all the facts before you commit our tax dollars. Our city's reserves have been "greatly depleted already." People don't like surprises when you have to come back and raise taxes to cover this and that.
Ask yourself one final question:
Why do we need to keep paying for outside consultants to tell us what's wrong with our city? Just look around or drive down any street in New Albany!
Indiana Code 6-1.1-18-4 states: the proper officers of a political subdivision shall appropriate funds in such a manner that the expenditures for a year do not exceed it's budget for that year."
Saturday, May 03, 2008
WIN ~ PLACE ~ SHOW!
"A horse gallops with his lungs,
Persevers with his heart,
And wins with his character."
~Tesio
Happy Derby Day!
Freedom Of Speech Staff
Persevers with his heart,
And wins with his character."
~Tesio
Happy Derby Day!
Freedom Of Speech Staff
Thursday, May 01, 2008
"HILLARY'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AGENDA FOR YOUNG AMERICANS"
Hillary Clinton has a plan for all young Americans. She believes that every one of us is entitled to the promise of opportunity on which this country was built. Hillary knows the growing economic difficulties young Americans face and believes that only a real investment in education, health care, affordable housing and stable jobs will get us on the road to a brighter future.
A Future with Hillary Means:
* College you can Afford
* Affordable Health Care for All
* A Roof Over Your Head
* Real Jobs for Real Pay
* Energy Independence and
an End to Global Warming
Hillary Rodham Clinton
A Future with Hillary Means:
* College you can Afford
* Affordable Health Care for All
* A Roof Over Your Head
* Real Jobs for Real Pay
* Energy Independence and
an End to Global Warming
Hillary Rodham Clinton
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