Thursday, December 31, 2009

IN A NEW GALLUP POLL...

16 percent picked Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as the most admired woman in America. Sarah Palin was second with 15%. Daytime talk show host Oprah Winfrey came in third with 8 percent, edging out first lady Michelle Obama.

Over the last seventeen years Mrs. Clinton has been voted fourteen times "the most admired woman in America."

Love her or hate her...it is what it is!

We maintain that both Clinton and Palin are amongst the best things to happen to the 2009 Democratic Party since Watergate.

Now, THAT is "hope" and "change" we can believe in.

Run...Hillary...Run!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

THE WORST OF 2009...

10. PNC Bank files for payment of Linden Meadows

9. Daisy Lane work over Budget

8. New Albany councilwomen says "I'm innocent"

7. New Albany Sewer Board lowers penalty, ask Georgetown for $25,000

6. Gibson: New Albany didn't have funds to prevent Aug. 10 flood

5. State Audit raises questions about New Albany's bookkeeping

4. New Albany City Council keeps it's healthcare

3. Council says no to flooding, police funding request

2. EPA looking into complaints in New Albany again

1. Two years of Reign: Mayor England reflects..."

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

You call this leadership, Mr. Mayor?

England is committed to seeking re-election in 2011.

Surely, that was a joke or a misprint?

Not only he shouldn't be our mayor again, he needs to be responsible for all this damage he did to this city and it's people.

"You Mr. England, are the "worst mayor ever" in the history of New Albany!"

Sunday, December 27, 2009

CLIMATE-GATE...

Just because:

*Your mortgage is far more than your house is worth.

* Your roof is badly in need of replacement.

* Your property tax escrow payment is for as much as your mortgage.

* You lost your job.

* Your mortgage will soon be foreclosed.

"That's no reason not to put $50,000 in solar panels on your roof now!"

If the weather experts with the training, the degrees, the titles, and all the expensive equipment, cannot get the weather right for tomorrow, why should we believe that Al Gore can predict the weather 10, 20, or 50 years from now?

Good point huh!?!

Sure computer models can make predictions based upon historical data. But what good are predictions when that data is flawed or misinterpreted.

"Mother Nature" has always been able to "check" the extremes. These "checks" can be positive or negative in their effects on life on earth, yet the earth survives.

Should we be good stewards of our environment, absolutely!

However, not at the expense of disrupting entire cultures for the sake of what may not be "An Inconvenient Truth".

Ask yourself these questions:

* Is it scientists that came up with the idea of "Crap and Tax?

* Is it scientists who are going to mandate smaller and smaller cars?

* Is it scientists who are going to give away more and more of our wealth to third-world nations?

* Is it scientists who will tax us, restrict us, ban this and that - outlaw this and that?

Has there been any scientific data that suggest smaller cars will oppress Global Warming?

Is there some scientific data that suggests giving away more and more of our wealth will oppress Global Warming?

Do we have scientific data that will PROVE that any and all of these actions will stop Global Warming?

It's not "scientists" we distrust folks, it's the charlatans and politicians!

See, it doesn't take "rocket scientists" to figure these things out.

It's called: "common sense!"

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

MAIL CALL, FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

Twas the night before Christmas in the White House
Not a creature was stirring, not even the louse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that more money soon would be there.

Obama was nestled all snug in his bed
While visions of unemployment danced in his head
Michelle on her "kerchief, and Barack in Mao cap"
Had just settled down for their long winter nap.

When on the front lawn there arose such a clatter
Barack crawled from his bed to see what's the matter.
Away to the window he made a quick dash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
When, what to his watery eyes should appear:

But an old clunker sleigh and eight sickly reindeer.

Santa said not a word, but continued his works
Stacking up earmarks and lobbyist's perks
Santa looked straight at Obama and finally spoke

"Thanks to you Mr. President, now I'm flat broke
It took my life savings to pay my tax bill
and what I have left is just next to nil."

I can't even afford to light up Rudolph's red nose!

With a flip of one finger up the chimney Santa rose.

Then Santa exclaimed as he flew through the rain:
"Oh, how I wish our President's name was McCain!"

Your friends in Washington D.C.

p.s. "Mail your packages early so that Obama's post office can lose them in time for Christmas."

Monday, December 21, 2009

60 - 40 HEALTHCARE VOTE...

You might be ready, but if you think that pack of whores who comprise the bulk of Congressional Democrats has any intention of standing up to the insurance and drug lobbies later when they didn't have the balls to do it now, then you're dreaming!

If this horrible legislation passes we will be stuck with it for many, many years, people will continue to die and be sick because the insurance companies are free to concoct new ways to deny coverage, and there is not one shred of restraint imposed on wither the insurance or drug companies to keep prices down.

In short, the legislation, particularly in the Senate, is going to screw the common people, no improvements will be made to relieve any of the rotten special interest provisions benefiting insurance and drug companies at the expense of the people, and when the people realize what a bad deal this is for them they are going to punish the Democrats far worse at the polls than if nothing has passed at all.

The entire line of argument that "we" must pass something now and we can improve it later is just nothing but pure bullshit!

How bad is the bill?

The Senate health care bill is an ungodly mess of errors, loopholes, and massive giveaways. When the American people find out what's actually in this bill, they will revolt!

Here's why:

* Forces you to pay up to 8% of your income to private insurance corporations -- whether you want to or not. If you refuse to buy the insurance, you'll have to pay penalties of up to 2% of your annual income to the IRS after being forced to pay thousands in premiums for junk insurance, you can still be on the hook for up to $11,900 a year in out-of-pocket medical expenses.

* Massive restriction on a woman's right to choose, designed to trigger a challenge to Roe V. Wade in the Supreme Court.

* Paid for by taxes on the middle class insurance plan you have tight now through your employer, causing them to cut back benefits and increase co-pays.

* Many of the taxes to pay for this bill start now, but most Americans won't see any benefits -- like an end to discrimination against those with preexisting conditions -- until 2014 when the program begins.

* Allows insurance companies to charge people who are older 300%more than others.

* Grants monopolies to drug companies that will keep generic versions of expensive bio tech drugs from ever coming to market.

*No re-importation of prescription drugs, which would save consumers $100 billion over 10 years.

* The cost of medical care will continue to rise, and insurance premiums for a family of 4 will rise an average of $1,000 a year -- meaning in 10 years, your family's insurance premium will be $10,000 more annually than it is right now.

Wait until you read this crap, "We this and We...THAT."

And one wonders who "we" is.

It certainly does not include people like you and us.

"We" is the corrupt, corporate /DLC Democrats of Washington who are thinking only of themselves and to "hell" with the interests of the common American.

We desperately need health care reform. But we can't pass the Senate's bill.

Merry Christmas everyone, especially if you are an insurance or pharmaceutical stockholders!

So how's that "hope and change" working for you?

Saturday, December 19, 2009

CHRISTMAS HUMOR....WE CAN ALL RELATE TO THIS ONE!

Oh Little Bank Americard
(sung to the tune "Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem")

Oh, little Bank Americard
You bring me Christmas Cheer...

Without your clout, I have no doubt
No gifts I'd give this year.

Your credit line allows me to run up bills quite large
And when I'm through exhausting you, I'll use my Master Charge.

(Same tune, sung in late February)

Oh, little Bank Americard, you bring me discontent
I calculate your interest rate is over Thirty percent.

Each month, your cry for payments, my letter-box bombards;
I'm one more sap, caught in your trap.


Next year...I'LL JUST SEND CARDS!

Happy Holidays,
Sandy & Gary Wynn

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

CAN REPUBLICAN'S STOP HEALTHCARE REFORM?

The Founding Fathers created a Republic, but 60 Senators are poised to take it away.

With the pending disaster of the passage in the Senate of a bill nationalizing one sixth of the U.S. economy and our entire healthcare system at a cost of over $2.5 trillion, we are faced with a crucial question: are the Republican senators using every means at their disposal to stop the looming, tyrannical abuse of power?

Unfortunately, the answer appears to be "NO!"

This healthcare bill is the most intrusive, most damaging, most costly, more dangerous bill to the economic and personal freedom and liberty of individual Americans that congress has ever considerate.

If there is any bill that deserves being stopped by shutting down the Senate, it is this one!

The Senate, unlike the House of Representatives, has parliamentary rules and procedures that give the minority the ability to stall legislation. In fact, unlike the House, the minority has the ability to virtually paralyze the Senate.

There are a whole series of parliamentary maneuvers that could be used by Republican senators to stop this healthcare bill.

How could this be done?

Freedom Of Speech contacted former Senator Birch Bayh a well known Constitutional Scholar and a Constitutional attorney, and here is some key points in his response:

* To start with, they should STOP constantly agreeing to "unanimous consent" requests from the Democrats.

* If the Republicans want the news media to cover what they are doing to educate the American people even further about the atrociousness of this bill, they have to create drama on the floor of the Senate. And the only way to do that is through an all-out fight with NO holds barred.

'They need to look like Braveheart, fighting to the end to save freedom. Because, in fact, it is our very freedom and liberty that is at stake!"

The most powerful words in the Senate are "I object." Senate Republicans should have been shouting those two words on the Senate floor early and often from the moment this bill was considered, instead of the complete silence we have heard - other than to constantly agree to conduct business through unanimous consent. Here are just a few ways these words can [and should] be used in a very effective way:

* The rules of the Senate require that a quorum be present to transact business. A quorum is 51 Senators.

* If a Republican Senator suggested the absence of a quorum, Democrats could not transact business on the bill. It is common courtesy to allow the quorum call to be dispensed with, without requiring 51 members to show up on the Senate floor [we've been told to get 51 Senators to appear without a roll call vote is very time consuming].

* When the Democrats ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be dispensed with, the Republicans shout immediately shout "I object!"

* If at any moment at least 50 Democrats are not on the floor, a Republican Senator could again suggest the absence of a quorum and start the process over again, causing huge delays in the legislative process being able to move forward.

* No amendment can automatically or without substantial delay receive a roll call vote without every member of the Senate agreeing. Again, the Senate generally operate on collegial courtesy, but a $2.5 trillion courtesy is too much!

* Once an amendment is pending, it only takes one Senator to step in front of this freight train. If a Senator objects to ending debate on the amendment or having the amendment set aside, the majority must file cloture on the amendment. First cloture has to ripen and it cannot ripen until the next day's session of the Senate, so that kills a day of the majority's time. Assuming 60 Senator's voting in favor of ending debate, the Senate is then required to spend 30 hours of its session time before voting on final passage for the amendment.

Bayh states, Senators have an obligation to protect the Constitution and the budget and points of order can be raised on both. He points out that numerous bill provisions, particularly the individual mandate, are unconstitutional. Under the Senate's rules, constitutional points of order are debatable. The Republicans should be constantly bringing up constitutional points of order, one after another, or even questionable provision.

The healthcare bill violates 425 (a)(2) of the Budget Act, which prohibits consideration of any legislation that contains an unfunded intergovernmental mandate in excess of $69 million per year.

We asked former Senator Birch Bayh, what the Republicans should do, and this is his reply:

The Republicans should be offering one amendment after another on all of their favorite issues such as guns, abortion, elimination if the death tax and ending the TARP program. Nothing connotes trench warfare like non-germane amendments on hot-button social issues.

When I look back at all the great filibusters of past decades, they almost always involved non-germane, explosive amendments on contentious social and other issues. Republicans should be offering hundreds of such amendments on every topic and using the rules to force votes on every single one. And the Republicans should be forcing the reading of the bill and every single amendment, not consenting to waiving that requirement.


Source: former Indiana Senator Birch Bayh

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Some might argue that Republicans should not look like "obstructionist."
But they are wrong - the vast majority of Americans don't like this bill and don't want it to pass. The Tea Party movement was the upheaval of millions of ordinary Americans who are scared and angry about the out-of-control growth of the federal government, federal spending, and the national debt.

We want to see the Republicans obstructing passage of this bill and if we think the Republicans are not fighting with every tool they have at their disposal, then any advantage that the Republicans think they will get in next years elections from such a bill being passed will evaporate.

If they don't start acting forcefully quickly and immediately, not only will they allow the country's future to be unalterably damaged, they will be hastening the end to their own careers in the elections coming down the road faster than they can imagine.

Finally, we often hear that Senators express frustration when we dare to tell them how to fight, and that their frequent refrain is "you just don't understand how the Senate works." Actually some of us understand better than they do how it should work [whether they agree with every particular parliamentary tactic described], and the current frustration they feel with us will be nothing like what they may feel if they don't stop this bill at all costs and act to preserve our Republic!

Kill the Bill, McCain...or we will vote you republicans out also!!!!!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

PACK YOUR WALKING SHOES & YOUR SIGNS WE'RE "MARCH ON WASHINGTON" - DECEMBER 15TH

The debate over healthcare has come to it's most critical point.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants to federalize one-sixth of the American economy with his $2.5 trillion health care reform bill, a bill that would usher in the largest single expansion of government that our country has ever seen!

We have organized, called, emailed, written, faxed and protested. Still, some senators have NOT listened.

So, we are going back to WASHINGTON and let them know, we will NOT pay hundreds of billions in escalating cost, or NEW taxes, and WE will NOT accept government-forced health insurance backed by penalties of fines and jail time.

And, if they pass healthcare, we will VOTE them OUT in 2010!

Had enough?

Join us in Washington on:

Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Location: Upper Senate Park on Constitution Ave. (between New Jersey & Delaware NE)

Rally Start time: 1:30 pm

Dispersal to Senate offices: 3:00 pm

Confirmed Speakers: Senator Coburn MD, Senator DeMint, Rick Scott, Tim Phillips, Laura Ingraham, Senator Mike Pence and many others.

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Obama and the Democrats is leading us all to ruin. Record bank failures, record deficits, records unemployment, record business closings, record losses in Afghanistan, record government spending, White House busted for making up Congressional Districts to bolster their record failure of a stimulus bill.

Then next, our government wants to force Crap & Tax down our throats, just like Healthcare!

Meanwhile, the rest of us are broke, unemployed, worried, or on the battlefield!

We are the only thing that can stop Harry Reid and his massive expansion of government. Don't let the holidays come and go without telling the Senate and the world that we will not put up with them ignoring the voice of "We, the people!"

It's all or nothing, it's time to show up for the showdown!

Can't make it to Washington on December 15th?

Visit Senator Evan Bayh's local office at: 1201 East Tenth Ave. or Phone: (812) 218-2317, Fax: (812) 218-2370

Tell Senator Bayh: "You want healthcare reform that puts patients first!"

Monday, December 07, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS, MADAME SECRETARY...

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will attend the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Dinner on Monday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

The USGLC will honor Secretary Clinton for her lifelong commitment to public service and her efforts to elevate America's smart power tools of development and diplomacy.

NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell will serve as Master of Ceremonies and the dinner will be co-chaired by James Bell, Corporate President and CFO of the Boeing Company, and Richard Steams, the President of World Vision.

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Hillary Clinton has always had public service goals that capture her focus. She never let's rumor, criticism, praise, or celebrity deter her from her goal of making the U.S. and the world a better and safer place for families and children.

Civil rights, women's rights, children's rights, peace and prosperity - those are her priorities.

She has not and will not waiver as long as there is work to do!

Also...

Just in time for Clinton's 100th day, as Secretary of State. Time Magazine just named Hillary one of the 100 most influential people in the world, placing her in the "leaders and revolutionaries" category!

Hillary Clinton is a "Class Act" just the kind of women we need as President...

"Run Hillary Run!"

Sunday, December 06, 2009

OBAMA'S JOB SUMMIT...

Have a job summit - invite the unions and leave out the businessmen.

We assume ACORN and SEIU was invited?

They have some fairly creative ideas on creating jobs.

This administration is just being true to form.

When Obama took office in January, the unemployment rate was 7.0 percent. He quickly called for action and in March he signed into law a $787 billion "stimulus" package that would allegedly create 3.3 million new jobs and "save" million more.

Let us see if we have this right:


* The US has the second highest corporate tax rate in the world - 39+%

* Threat of additional taxes through new health care system; cap and trade; war tax and etc.

* The current administration seems delighted in making villains of those successful in business, and then squanders tax money of those who fail.

What kind of "model for success" is this?

Before prescribing solutions, let's define the problem:

* Millions have lost their jobs in the recession

* Private enterprise [especially small business] employees the vast majority of people in the U.S.

* Private enterprise is very skittish about making hiring decisions in this environment

The goal, therefore, is to increase permanent private sector jobs.

If the President is truly concerned about jobs, both he and the Congress should abandon their reckless policies and spending.

We need to get back to what the founding fathers had in mind. There is now to much government. To many rules and regulations to abide by. The country needs to be returned back to it's rightful owners. "the U.S. Citizens". The elected officials need to work for the good of the people and not for what is good for Washington and the special interest groups which are now running this nation.

And we need to stop the Obama care and the crap and tax and all of the Socialist agenda.

Let's get back to "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!"

Thursday, December 03, 2009

H.R. 4154

The House is about to try to make the death tax permanent.

Under current law, the death tax will disappear at the end of the month and those who pass away in 2010 will pay zero taxes on savings they want to leave to their children.

But H.R. 4154 would swoop in at the last minute and levy a huge 45 percent tax, permanently.

The death tax is fundamentally a moral issue.

We do not believe that death should be a taxable event.

The Founders of our country believed this so strongly that they included a clause in the Constitution that forbids seizing an estate at death as a punishment for treason.

Tell U.S. Representative Baron Hill to let it expire as scheduled, and don't punish those of us who play by the rules!

Contact number on Washington: (202) 225-5315
Jeffersonville: (812) 288-3999
Fax: (812) 288-3873

Monday, November 30, 2009

FINALLY, IT'S OFFICIAL!

Were sorry for the mass email but we wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We also wanted to share that we are engaged! We didn't get married this past summer despite the stories to the contrary, but we are looking toward next summer and hope you all will be there to celebrate with us.

Happy Holiday,
Chelsea & Marc

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Congratulations and warmest wishes to Chelsea and Marc, and we wish them both a very happy life together.

Mrs. Chelsea Victoria Clinton - Mezvinsky has a great ring to IT!

Don't you think!?!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

FIELD OF DREAMS...

This Memo was obtained from the Floyd County Council:

Field of Dreams

Over the past several month's, representatives of my staff and, more recently, members of the New Albany Common Council have met with members of the Board of Directors of the New Albany Township Little League (NATLL) to discuss options for creating you baseball/softball complex for the children and families of New Albany and Floyd County. After several months of meetings and research that Board has identified a parcel of land as a potential site for the "Field of Dreams" project.

At this time I am asking Floyd County government to consider a financial partnership with the City of New Albany to initiate the "Field of Dreams" project. Specifically, the NATLL Board is asking local government to secure the subject property, after which time it would implement private fundraising to complete the project. The public "ask" by the NATLL Board is for the requisite funds to purchase the subject property ($3.8 million) and the construction of a roadway and utility extensions (2 million est.) to serve the site. I am proposing that the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) be utilized for this purpose.

The total price of property acquisition and infrastructure development stands to approximately $5.8 million.

Debt service for EDIT bonds in the amount of $6 million for this purpose over a twenty-year period at 5% interest per annum would cost about $475,000 per year.

Mayor Douglas B. England

------

Floyd County Council recently voted "NO" on England's Field of Dreams, and (we agree) their reasoning was this: "that they can not afford this project, it does not meet the current NEEDS of the citizens of Floyd County!"

What's really amazing to us about this "Field of Dreams" is that Jeffersonville has already approved a Sports Complex.

It appears what ever Jeffersonville plans or wants, than the City of New Albany has to have.

If the England Administration is so strong in pushing for this sports complex, then why aren't they helping to "demolish the unsafe houses" in Linden Meadows?

The Linden Meadows land could be returned to the Howard McLean Ball Field that it once was.

Recently quoted in the C/J, that Jeffersonville Mayor Galligan is looking at a plan for a 1.3 mile canal through downtown that would be up to 40 feet wide in some places. The canal would provide a scenic setting for restaurants and shops.

Based on estimates, the canal could cost $50 million.

Source: C/J dated Nov. 19th, Feds reject Jeff tax credits for convention center project.

Will Mayor England jump on this, to beat Jeff with this canal project?

So...Develop New Albany and Downtown business owners, get your shovels ready!

We can see it now, water flowing through Pearl Street, Bank Street, Market and lower Main Street, while the rest of our city goes to hell!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

OUR OPINION ON NATIONAL MEDIA...

The best part about today being the 18th of November, 2009 is that we're one day closer to November 2, 2010.

Every day the American people grow more angry about the inane actions of this administration.

The dumb asses on the LEFT actually believe that bringing KSM & friends to trial in NYC is a good thing [Hillary, you might want to rethink your position on this one], and that the people are in support of it when every poll taken otherwise.

The fact that this administration took this action to dissuade the public from the embarrassment of the Ft. Hood Massacre by an Islamic Terrorist means the joke is on them.

These clowns are in free-fall and are grasping at straws to try and regain popularity.

CNN runs an average of 5 Palin stories everyday just to keep the focus on her rather than cover any relevant news.

The rest of the MSM isn't any better but still they can't keep a lid on the gross stupidity and naive decisions-making Obama calls policy.

Don't forget the new ACORN videos that came out from Giles and O'Keeffe showcasing the City of Los Angeles at it's finest.

We especially like the recording of Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General [and Gubernatorial candidate] saying "not to worry" about ACORN getting prosecuted...the corruption of the Left knows NO bounds like Obama's narcissism!

We will sum it up with this old gen: never mind what a man says, look at what he does and why!

WHAT WAS OBAMA THINKING?

One thing he for SURE doesn't understand is Japanese pride.

It's a very complicated thing and is deeply rooted in the Shinto culture.

But Obama probably picked up a copy of "Japanese Culture For Dummies 101" at the airport.

* Obama's deeper bow is a sign of lower status.

* Even more shocking is how Obama is looking at the ground while the Emperor is looking at him. This is a sign of subservience.

* The third mistake is Obama touching the Emperor.

He's not just sophomoric in his "statesman" attempts, he's downright rude and boorish.

We have no real great tolerance for many of the customs that other countries have but when one travels abroad, one must make the effort and take time to read up and get smart on such things.

"Thank God, Obama didn't do his famous fist-bump!"

On another note, we bet in private the Japanese people probably laughed their asses off!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

DAVE MATTHEWS GIVES A SHOUT OUT TO BAYLOR:

Bravo!!!!!!

"Mr. Editor, please do us the favor of relegating this contributor back to the realms of his blog where his opinions belong. Instead, please give us considered, intelligent opinions which do less to purposely offend, to disrespect those who continue to sacrificially give of themselves and to represent nothing more than angry views of just how bad our community and America has become."

Dave Matthews, New Albany

Congratulations Mr. Matthews, and welcome to Baylor's slam list. At least Freedom Of Speech is NOW among the BEST of New Albany's who's who, and shakers and movers!

Welcome Aboard...

Sunday, November 15, 2009

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1:

Senate Joint Resolution 1 must pass the Indiana House next year so "We The People" can vote statewide on November 2, 2010, to decide whether the property tax caps are included in the constitution.

SJR 1 would include the following property tax caps in the Indiana Constitution where they cannot be changed by the General Assembly or challenged in the courts:

1% of the assessed value on homestead property, 2% on other residential property and agricultural property, and 3% on other real and personal property.

Some skeptics wonder if Speaker Bauer will try to kill SJR 1 through the back door by proposing changes - if as little as one letter in one word of SJR 1 is changed, the constitutional property tax caps are effectively dead because the constitutional amendment process would have to start all over again.

Freedom Of Speech believes that Speaker Bauer will allow SJR 1 to come to the House floor "unchanged."

SJR 1 has considerable popular support, and arbitrarily keeping Hoosiers from voting on the constitutional property tax caps will harm the reelection prospects.

Contact Indiana House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer at the following numbers:
1-800-382-9842
317-232-9600
574-234-4318
574-234-0877

H6@in.gov to let him know that you support his Taxpayer Friendly decision to allow a House vote on the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Friday, November 13, 2009

THE WORSE AUDIT WE'VE EVER SEEN ~ PART 2

* Disbursement in Excess of Appropriations:

For the year ending December 31, 2008, disbursements exceeding budgeted appropriations in the following funds by the amounts below:

General Fund.................$1,294,292

Motor Vehicle
Highway.........................$300,745

Stormwater Fund...........$1,575,556

Communication
Non Reverting................$65,000

Street Maintenance
and Parking Meter..........$2,882

Fire Contract Runs.........$78,092
_________________________

Total..............................$3,316,567

These disbursements were funded by UNAPPROPRIATED available cash balances "without Council's approval!"

Violation of IC 6-1.1-18-4

* Temporary Transfer of Funds:

In June 2, 2008, the Common Council passed resolution 08-32 declaring an emergency existed and authorized the temporary transfer of funds from the TIF Allocation Fund to the General Fund in an amount not to exceed $2,500,000. On October 6, 2008, the Common Council passed resolution 08-41 amending the previous resolution and approved the temporary transfer of an additional $1,000,000 from the TIF Allocation Fund to the General Fund. The resolution required the temporary transfer of funds to be "PAID BACK" at the time the City received its 2008 spring and fall tax settlement.

The amount of temporary transfer outstanding at December 31, 2008, was $1,500,000. On June 17, 2009, the City had received all monies due from the 2008 spring and fall taxes settlement and therefore should have "BEEN REPAID" the balance of the outstanding transfers.

* As of September 29, 2009, temporary transferred of $1,500,00 "have not been repaid," which is a violation of IC 36-1-8-4 concerning temporary transfers.

What we need to be asking is this: where is that $1.5 million, what was it used for and why wasn't it paid back!

So far our city is in additional debt of:

1. Over spending without
Council's approval.................$3,316,567

2. TIF owed............................$1,500,000

3. Overdrawn Cash Balances.$5,890,535
_______________________________
Total.....................................$10,707,102

note: Overdrawn Cash Balances of $5,890,535.

"Cash and investment arose primarily from disbursements exceeding receipts due to the underestimate of current requirements; these deficits of: $5,890,535 are to be REPAID from FUTURE receipts."

According to Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7. The cash balance of any fund may not be reduced below zero. Routinely overdrawn funds could be an indicator of "serious financial problems" which should be investigated by the governmental (Council) unit.


Source: State Board of Accounts 2008 Audit

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

First, NO one in this city should be ABOVE the LAW.

Second, we understand since this audit has been released the Controller has been shifting and appropriating funds to cover certain accounts.

Third, a new computer system is NOT the answer to our problems.

Our final thoughts:

Just think how much more money the General Fund would have IF they paid off the TIF's and put it back in the General Fund as intended, instead of spending and expanding TIF areas.

What the England adminstration is doing: is playing a political shell game with our Tax and TIF dollars from one account to another!

Saturday, November 07, 2009

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED...

2010 Dems. Your days are numbered. Go ahead and be a Pelosi's puppet and you might as well get that hot dog cart now becuz you will be part of the 10.2% unemployed.

Do you honestly think that Pelosi and Reid care anything about your careers. If you stand strong against the outright demise of our country, we will support you all the way!

If you ram this down our throats, we will do whatever it takes and endless effort to make sure you never step foot in the halls of Congress again!

Democrats have a choice: Vote for Pelosi or Vote for the people who placed them in office. The choice is there's - "We will have our CHOICE in November 2010!"

A SAD DAY IN TEXAS...

Freedom Of Speech staff and members, mourn the loss of lives at Fort Hood in the tragic shootings. Our prayer go out to the loved ones of those killed and those who've been injured.

Don't forget that you can save a life anywhere, anytime by donating blood!

Friday, November 06, 2009

NO ON H.R. 3962....

This Saturday. That's when Speaker Pelosi will try and ran her 1,990 page government healthcare bill through the House of Representatives.

If we want to defeat this, we have to make our voices heard!

Will you help out?

And if you get a busy signal at the Washington, D.C. number, try his district office.

Representative Baron Hill
Phone: 202-225-5315

District Offices:
Bloomington: 812-336-3000
Jeffersonville: 812-288-3999

Tell him to vote "NO" on H.R. 3962

Thursday, November 05, 2009

NO BRAGGING RIGHTS ~YET...

It's unfortunate that in Virginia & New Jersey the Republican victory isn't really a Republican revitalization, but the total failure of Obama and the Democrats on every issue on the national scene.

9.8% Unemployment, corruption on every level, and enough debt and printed money to sink a fleet of aircraft carriers aren't real good news for any President and party that is in total control of the Government.

Let's hope the Republicans revitalize on a national level between now and 2010, but they do have Obama and the Democrats going for them regardless.

They seem determined, in their "elite arrogance" stemming from the corruption of total power taking the economy over the cliff, and a Jimmy Carter foreign policy of apology and appeasement will lead to disaster sooner or later.

The reason the Republicans will win elections in the future is quite simple. Barack promised them a bunch of stuff and they swallowed it; never thinking about the consequences or the plausibility of said promises.

Btw, how's that CHANGE workin out for you?

The ever escalating battle between the GOP hierarchy and the conservative movement energized by Obama's abundant spending spree can chalk up battle one to the "Tea Parties/ Town Hall attendees and the March On Washington, aka, new conservative movement."

The mainstream media missed the whole message given by tea party's, and town hall attendees all across the country this year. And the message was, " the hell with both parties." It was NOT a Republican movement as they would like you to believe.

It was a reduce spending, NO to Obamacare, Crap & Tax, and give US back our freedom movement!

It's becoming increasingly clear, that voters all across the country are disenchanted with the two major parties positioning themselves in what they think are strategic rather than principled ideas.

Hopefully, Tuesday's elections will send a "loud message" to GOP that conservatives aren't going to support liberal Republicans just because they aren't democrats!

We'd be joyous that Obama and the Democrats are so determined to sink themselves, but unfortunately the rest of the country will be sucking in water with them!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

MONEY AND POWER:

It's always been about the money, and acquisition of power.

Cap and Trade has been the glittering dream since ENRON hatched, Al Gore picked it up, and Eco-lobby ran with it.

Our oil and coal industries has been demonized, natural resources, restricted, regulated, and held hostage to protect mustangs, frogs, birds, and bait fish.

The Endangered Species Act is a cynical tool to further a completely different agenda.

Of course, we should be building nuclear power plants, but the government regulations, environmental impact studies, make it impossible for any "wicked" energy company to move a step in that direction.

Look, the crises we face are ALL manufactured by government, at the bequest of special interests, economy through Community Reinvestment Act, Fannie and Freddie, healthcare restricting, interstate commerce, insurance purchasing, absence of tort reform, regulation and legislated mandated coverages.

Energy through restriction of exploration, extraction, and bringing to market domestic resources to market through EPA regulation, Endangered Species Act, with Cap and Trade with the cherry on top!

Obama, and the left, is all about government control of the private sector, silencing of dissent, and severely limiting individual freedoms and choice!

Obama is finally recognized for the anti-American, anti-capitalist, oppressive big government.

Little wonder his "popularity" has plummeted.

His agenda MUST be stopped!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

THE WORSE AUDIT WE'VE EVER SEEN...PART 1

"...Next on Fox--"Did Mayor Douglas B. England really commit malfeasance!" Hannity and Glenn Beck will return in 90 seconds.

*click*

"...It's time for the latest immunity challenge here on "Survivors--Audit." The remaining twenty seven members of the three tribes-- the "England" administration, the nine City "Council members" and the "Controller's Office and her staff" --have been selected for this immunity challenge.

Contestants, here is your task:

Before you is 14 bank account reconciliation. You are to review the reconciliations and supporting data, providing an opinion on the adequacy of the reconciliations. If discrepancies are found, these are to be itemized and described on the supporting schedule. Each supporting schedule must have an accompanying subschedule that helps isolate the breakdown in controls that may be allowed the discrepancy to occur.

All workpapers must be appropriately cross-referenced. The first tribe to give the correct opinion, including all discrepancies, cannot be voted off tonight.

Go!

There is a long pause in the tape here. Only the sounds of pencils, paper and computer keys. "It is now five hours into the immunity challenge. Apparently all the three tribes are thrown by the fact that there is...

*click*

"...The categories are: Audits Throughout Indiana, Famous Audits, Potential Audits, Control Yourself, Checks and Balances, and Rhymes With "Got It."

"Carl, you get to select first."

"Thanks, Alex. I'll go with Rhymes with "Got It" for $200."

*click*

"...Welcome back to "American Audit." First, lets here from Paula."

"You made a wonderful effort. I can tell you are sincere about your desire to be a controller and, even if you don't win today, I think you will have a future in the public sector.

"Now let's hear from Simon"

"I am doing the City of New Albany a favor by telling you this. You are not a controller. You will never be a controller. You couldn't balance fourteen bank accounts or your way out of a paper trail, and your work papers look like something my dog slept on.

Do us all a favor and retire!"

*click*

(Music on the background) "Bad boys, bad boys. What you gonna do when they audit you. Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do when they come for you..."

Nothing like some Saturday morning humor!?!

News travels quickly in a small town, but unfortunately that news often gets warped as it moves from person to person and blog to blog.

The purpose of this posting is to give "clear facts" to rumors and half-truths that will appear in Sundays Tribune. We can see the headlines now:

"State Board of Accounts says main problem with city record keeping due to an outdated system. Problem is, it could be expensive to replace."

Gosh, did we really read that BS on twitter?


How about the real facts now that we know how England is having our Tribune spin it his way!

The implication that our mayor (cough) and his so called Professional Staff (cough) of the City are not "open and honest with us citizens on the decisions and choices they make and we face is an affront to everyone with whom they serve."

The State Board of accounts has released the City of New Albany's 2008 Financial audit.

The State Audit Reviews the financial activity to determine if New Albany is handling our Public Funds according to State and Federal Law.

Nope, England sure loves breaking the law: IC 36-1-10.5-5

Purchase Of Real Property:

On March 13, 2008, the City purchased, at Sheriff's Auction, the land and structure located at 318 E. 4th Street at a cost of $98,000. The city FAILED to follow the REQUIRED PROCEDURES for PURCHASING the property. Prior to entering into a purchase agreement, the City should have first PASSED a resolution indicating their interest in purchasing the land. Additionally, two appraisals should have been obtained prior to making AN OFFER or entering into the PURCHASE AGREEMENT in order to determine the fair market value and determine an ALLOWABLE purchasing price.

The bad news keeps getting worse!

Overdrawn Cash Balances:

The cash balances of the following funds were overdrawn in 2008.

General Fund....................$4,108,598

Motor Vehicle Highway.....$114,951

Park and Recreation.........$208,008

TIF Park East Industrial...$861,623

Redevelopment BAN

Charlestown Road............$1,230

Fire Pension.....................$596,125

____________________________________

Total overdrawn..............$5,890,535

The cash balance of any fund MAY NOT be reduced below zero.

*Routinely overdrawn funds could be an indicator "of serious financial problems "which should be INVESTIGATED by the government unit.

Breakfast at the Brickyard:

During 2008, the City paid expenses in the amount of $5,834 from the General Fund for flowers, membership and sponsorship fees, scholarships, meals, awards, lodging for "Breakfast at the Brickyard," and Christmas cards.

The City considered these expenses to be promotional and economic development purposes. These expenses were paid from the following General Fund departments and appropriations:

Mayor - Economic development - $2,727.00
Mayor - Miscellaneous supplies - $59.00
Mayor - Travel......................... - $335.00
City Clerk - Misc. Office
Supplies ................................. - $102.00
City Council - Misc. supplies.....- $150.00
Board of Works - .................... - $2,461.00
________________________________
Total ....................................... $5,834.00

During 2008 the City did not have an ordinance that allows for these type of purchases and not all of the expenses noted were paid from the budgeted "Economic Development Expenses" appropriation.

Source: State Board of Accounts

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

First, let's see how Mayor England has our local Tribune spin his outrageous spending.

Who will be the first democrat member of the Council to have the integrity to call for his resignation and to call for a special prosecutor will receive the max contributions from many people who feel betrayed by England and company.

Who didn't question the spending. There is more questions that need to be answered, and everyone needs to be held accountable!

In addition to England's spending being "an embarrassment" it's also a crime.

It's called malfeasance!

There is NO way to sugar coat these findings.

The State Board of Accounts 2008 audit documents a lack of oversight during the England administration's watch and widespread waste of public funds!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

IT WILL BE A COLD DAY "IN HELL" BEFORE...

Did you receive this invitation?

Please join Shane L. Gibson at a reception to announce his candidacy for State Representative.

Where:

Culbertson West
904 E. Main Street
New Albany, Indiana

Date:

Thurs., Oct. 29, 2009

Time:

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Shane Gibson
-----

Freedom Of Speech has a lot of questions:

What happen to Mayor England's "big run" for State Representative?

He bragged everywhere that his survey results were GREAT in support of him as a candidate for State Representative.

Does Gibson intend to keep on drawing his $150,000 salary from our city while he is out campaigning?

We can't figure out statements made in the New Albany Tribune:

Quote: April 7, 2009

"He continued that his $150,000 annual salary did not bring an additional amount from the general fund and the remainder came from various departments he represents, including the Stormwater and Sewer Utilities.

Garry said by hiring Gibson full-time, the city was able to cut out three of the four previous attorneys representing the stormwater and sewer departments."

Quote: Oct. 2, 2009.

"Lee Buchanan, the Sewer Board's attorney, said funds are running low..."

How many attorneys is the sewer board paying?

Is THIS the reason for a sewer rate increase?

What qualifies him to run for State Representative?

Our final thoughts:

We as Democrats "can not" and "will not" support Shane L. Gibson for State Representative. We will all cross party lines and support a qualified candidate Ed Clere, like many other local democrats.

It is our opinion:

"Hell will freeze over, before Shane L. Gibson, gets any of our VOTES!"


Freedom Of Speech Staff proudly Supports Ed Clere for State Representative in 2010.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

CITY ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE...

Linden Meadows project is a good example that our City Administration has NO accountability!

State Inspectors found:

* Destruction all around
* Moldy floor boards
* Basements filled with water
* Basement leaks
*They never put in any insulation in a house that was sold
* Substandard work on roofs, siding and grading
* There are NO records of City Permit fees
* The Permit Fees were NOT collected by the Building Commission
* NO inspections performed on the houses

What do you all have to say for yourself Mr. Rosenbarger, Mayor England and illegal Deputy Mayor Malysz?

It was also reported in C/J, that the permit fees were waived by the city.

These uncollected fees have an impact on our city budget. Our City Council is now struggling to find enough money to run our city!

So - NOW what?

The Mayor plans to reorganized the Building Commission Department.

Did the Mayor and illegal Deputy Mayor Malysz even think of the danger of small children living in those dangerous houses with mold and asbestos?

Source: Courier Journal 10-22-09

The City is paying:

* Building Commissioner
* 2 Inspectors
* Administrative Assistant
* 2 or 3 Code Enforcement Officers

How can the City justify paying these salaries as Linden Meadows ends up in such a mess?

How dare you all "blame a lawsuit brought by neighbors" who opposed the project for this failure!

Where did all that HUD and Redevelopment money go?

"Betcha we know where it all went!"

Is the CHDO Board GUILTY of looking the other way?

We agree with you Mrs. Gardenour, "we would love to see the land returned to the Fawcett family and to be used for a ball park!"

Thursday, October 22, 2009

OBAMA WON'T BEAT FOX NEWS...

Helen Thomas warns the White House "Don't kill the messenger," Mr. Obama is moving to control the media and Freedom Of Speech.

MoveOn. org has a petition to blacklist FOX News.

MSNBC had confetti and hats!

Instead of answering questions Mr. Obama is attacking the questions.

Have you heard the news?

They inherited the worst economy since the Great Depression, or the economy turned out to be worse than they thought.

Which is it? It can't be both -- unless your brain is completely addled by the Obama charisma.

Another indicator was a "Saturday Night Live" skit lampooning Obama for the major accomplishments of his administration -- "jack and squat."

If the honeymoon is ending with the American voters, it isn't for obsequious elements of the mainstream media.

The large scheme is to imply Obama critics are racists.

That's the backdrop to the story of Rush Limbaugh getting booted from a group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams.

He was smeared on CNN and MSNBC with false accusations of making two racist comments. He is an abrasive critic of Obama, so he must be racist or so goes the left-wing story line.

You all simply do not get it!

The opposition to this administration is not Republican verses Democrat. It is not even liberal verses conservative. It is all about Freedom! It is all about Tyranny! It is all about the individual not the collective.

If you think only 20% think like we do, you are sadly mistaken!

A big part of his "hope and change" message was: We're going to talk to everyone."

Fox News has been getting the Limbaugh treatment - on steroids.

We find FOX News to be elevating, Fair and Balanced. We think Obama is just used to the "Barack" treatment, i.e., everything he says is great and everything he does is great coming from other "news" organizations.

On FOX News, commentators were even more critical of Obama's plan to criticize Fox News. "Folks, if you weren't scared before, you should be now," commentator Glen Beck remarked in his show. "Oh sure, the liberal media wants you to believe that ALL presidents run for re-election. What Obama really has in mind is nothing less than a Stalinist, Marxist, Leninist, Nazist, and Czarist plot to install himself as President for Life."

We need to stand up for our Freedom's folks!

This is simply the most unseemly, classless, clueless, arrogant, untruthful and ineffective administration of the last 100 years. Obama is destroying his own party to the majority of reasonable Americans and we are loving it!

As they say: the Democrats put you in, and the Democrats take you out!

The Great Uniter, the fresh new post partisan, post racial bill of goods the country bought this past November is nothing more than an angry, resentful, immature, inexperience, and a political hack.

See, what all that "voter fraud" put in the White House!?!

Our country elected a very inexperienced man who had never really accomplished or lead anything significant in his entire life. Obama simply does not have the experience, leadership or accomplishment skills to be an effective president.

As more time passes, this will become evident to more and more Americans.

And the rest of the party is strolling down the path with him.


He owns Congress and he STILL can't get anything done. Then he blames everyone insight, sets out to destroy them, and in the process we get a sneak peek behind the Obama (savior) curtain.

The White House trying to dictate who's a news organization. Democrats out to gut a business group. Obama media allies damning Americans as racist, unpatriotic, and treasonous.

The Obama administration is stating publicly that peope who watch FOX News "are not smart enough to know they are NOT watching real news" us people who watch FOX News should be outraged at the insult.

Mr. Obama you were selected, not elected! What about those 13 of 14 caucus full of voter fraud?

Is this the America Obama promised when he campaigned to end cynical and divisive politics of the past?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

OBAMA DECLARES WAR ON FOX NEWS

When candidate Barack Obama said during the presidential debates that he would sit down with any world leader without precondition, it was a rookie blunder.

But at the risk of seeming merely mortal and being someone with the gift of "never being wrong" he made the abjectly idiotic stance part of his platform.

Yet now it turns out there is one "enemy" Obama won't sit down with, and that's the FOX News Channel.

A few weekends ago, White House communications director Anita Dunn declared war on Fox News!

And who is Mrs. Dunn's boss?

You got it, none other than Barrack Hussein himself!

One mistake, mis-judgement, partial truth and hollow promise after another.

Yet, none of this is the Obama administrations fault, someone or something else is always to blame.

Especially, all of us racists who watch Fox News and who Marched on Washington!

So FOX is a wing of the Republican party?

What are NBC, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC wings of? The Green Party?

This criticism shows the profound weakness of Obama's administration style, so very similar to a dictator.

Obama should be ashamed of getting all the ass-kissing reporting that he's getting from NBC, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC. Never do they utter a discouraging word about Obama or the current administration.

They routinely even hide information such as Van Jones being a communist AND that he made this crazy video claiming that only WHITES shoot up schools, a sure sign of derangement if there ever was one.

What about ACORN?

Many of us have learned long ago to abandon MSNBC and seek alternatives for any semblance if unadulterated truth in the news of the day. Fox News has proven to be a valued and trustworthy source, and we find it insulting and unacceptable that the current president refuses to deal with Fox News.

If "NO" balls Peace Prize Winner Obama had his way, our only news source would be the state-run media.

Just like our local newspaper who refuses to print and tell the truth about Douglas B. England!

[That's a whole different posting down the road.]

All the more reason to stick with Fox News, Sean, Greta, Laura Ingram, Bill O'Reilly and our buddy Glen Beck!

What's Obama scared of?

How many times has Hillary and Senator Bayh been interviewed on FOX?

Campaigning is easier than governing, and in the Obama Administration's case, far easier than explaining why the governing you've done for the past 10 months has been such a miserable failure!

[Who does that sound like? Sometimes we truly believe Douglas B. England took pages right out of Obama's playbook. Again, that's in a future post here on Freedom Of Speech.]

See, it's easier to stay in campaign mode and attack FOX News than admit that what you've done so far hasn't exactly gone according to plan.
And from a 2010 standpoint, the White House and Democrats in general need something to fire up their voters, who aren't likely to be rushing to the polls based on the positive things Obama's done, Nobel or no Nobel!

Have you heard about the NEW government scam of Obama's?

Cash for Kids!

Cash for clunkers was such a rousing success [cough] the governments wants to try something that has already been tried in the UK -- cash for kids.

Yes, the government wants to open up savings accounts and dump $500 into it for every baby born.

Free money!

What could possibly be wrong with this idea?

We think Glen Beck can handle that issue.

This administration can not take tough questions. Time and time again the Obama administration has acted contrary to the best interests of the USA, both domestically and abroad. Look at the people who advise Obama - and look at the decisions he's made.


Fox is the favorite of the majority of Americans.

If Obama really wants to get his message out to the public, he needs to go on Fox News first. If he continues attacking them, he only looks as if he is doing one more thing to manipulate the media.

The problem with ABC, NBC, CBC, MSNBC,CNN and the rest of the news makers have become lap dogs to Obama instead of "Watch Dogs!"

They forget their responsibility to the public by bidding for Obama's acceptance.


While many focus on the fact that he is the first African-American President, it is more obvious he is the front man and promoter for the shared idelogy of a bunch of leftist "White folks!" Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod, Larry Sommers, Harry Reid and Fancy Nancy Pelosi provide both influence and their own personal agendas, while Obama is the affable spokes-person for these thugs, traitors and crooks!

No wonder the Taliban, North Korea, Iran, Hamas and Hugo Chavez have been so enboldened as of late. These candy-asses in the White House can't even handle being scrutinized by one simple news outlet!


This Fox News war is just the beginning of this White House trying to control what the meaning of "free speech" is...

Our final thoughts:

Special thanks to Fox News for being the ONLY network to present the facts about ACORN, Apollo, the SEIU, the Soviet style Czar Van Jones (et. al.), and other corrupt organizations of the far left.

Hey Beck and Hannity, if you guys think Chicago is corrupt, you need to pay the City of New Albany a visit!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

CAUCUS VS VIOLATION OF OPEN DOOR LAW:

After last Thursday's council meeting, we decided to give our readers the real story about the SO called Caucus Meeting, October 10, 2009, at Democrat Headquarters.

We are going to first give you what Indiana Law says:

Caucus and Violation of the Open Door Law:

Facts

Indiana Code:

IC 5-14-1.5-2

Sec. 2 (h)

(h) "Caucus" means a gathering of members of a political party or coalition which is held for the purposes of planning political strategy holding discussions designed to prepare the members for

IC 5-14-1.5-2

Sec. 2

(b) Governing Body

(c) Meetings

(d) Official action

On Saturday at 10:00am at the Democrat Headquarters there was a meeting held and the following council members attended:

Jeff Gahan
Pat McLaughlin
John Gonder
Bob Caesar
Steve Price
Diane Benedetti
Jack Messer

Non council members in attendance were: Controller Kay Garry and City Attorney Shane Gibson.

Council President Dan Coffey refused to attend and Council Attorney Stan Robinson was on vacation.

As reported in the Oct. 16, 2009 Tribune, Councilman Kevin Zurschmiede was the lone member unable to attend the caucus, as he is the only Republican on the council.

The first thing you have to determine is: was this a Caucus or a violation of "Open Door Law."

We heard what Mrs. Benedetti stated at Thursday's council meeting, but as they say: there are always two sides to an issue or in this case maybe 5 or 6 sides.

Freedom Of Speech is putting the pieces of this puzzle together!

Coffey's statement:

Council President Coffey on Friday told us by (email) that Kay Garry, Bob Caesar and Diane Benedetti made a trip to Indianapolis to meet with DLGF. Mr. Coffey stated he was contacted by Council Attorney Robinson before Stan left on vacation that Controller Garry, wanted to have a meeting to discuss with the other council members what she found out at DLGF. Mr. Coffey stated that he and City Attorney Robinson agreed to have this meeting on Wednesday Oct. 14, 2009, the day before the regular Thursday council meeting.

Benedetti's statement No. 1:

"Benedetti maintained she contacted Stan Robinson, the Council attorney, before the meeting with DLGF to ask of she could set up a caucus. She said she was given the go ahead by Robinson."

Benedetti's statement No. 2:

"Councilwoman Diane McCartin-Benedetti had attended a meeting last week with DLGF, Councilman Bob Caesar and City Controller Kay Garry concerning the appeal, and said she called a Democrat caucus meeting Saturday to inform the council of the appeal before "it hit the papers Sunday."

Benedetti statement No. 3:

'In a phone interview after the meeting, Benedetti said she went ahead with the meeting because of the sensitive time frame of the appeal issue. She conceded she had really wanted to hold the caucus for other issues when she informed Robinson on her intentions and said the appeal was too pressing to ignore. "I didn't want it to hit the council in the face," she said of the news of the appeal."

Benedetti's statement No. 4

"Benedetti maintained she called Robinson several times this week to inform him of what transpired at the caucus, but he did not return those calls.

Council Attorney Stan Robinson's statement:

"Robinson told Benedetti that she'd done enough to damage this council already."

Freedom Of Speech maintains there are several pieces of this puzzle that are NOT making sense!

Our understanding is that under Indiana State Law the only person who can call a caucus is the Floyd County Democrat Chairman.

* Since WE taxpayers are paying City Attorney Shane Gibson $150,000 salary, why did he NOT do his job and go to Indianapolis with Controller Garry to meet with DLGF?

* Why did City Attorney Shane Gibson at Democrat Headquarters tell those Council members when they questioned him about this meeting violating the "Open Door Law" he said it was a CAUCUS not a meeting?

It is our opinion and it is obvious that 1. he doesn't know the Open Door Law and 2. they must have thought because it was Harvest Homecoming this would NOT get OUT and 3. each of you who reads this has to remember City Attorney Gibson and Controller Kay Garry works
for Mayor England.

It appears that based on Indiana State Law, City Attorney Gibson, Councilwoman Benedetti, Councilman Caesar and Controller Garry, YOU FOUR violated IC 5-14-1.5-2 Public Meetings (Open Door Law):

Our opinion is based on IC 5-14-1.5-2:

IC 5-14-1.5-2 (b) "Governing body" means two (2) or more individual who are:

IC 5-14-1.5-2 (c) "Meeting" means a gathering of a majority of the governing body of a public agency for the purpose of taking official action.

IC 5-14-1.5-2 (d) "Official action" means to:

(1) receive information;

(2) deliberate;

(3) making recommendation;

After reviewing Indiana Code of Laws, we, the citizens of New Albany believe that you four have violated the Law. We also feel you have violated our rights as citizens to attend these meetings since all of you WORK for US and WE pay YOUR salaries!

Freedom Of Speech would like to say to Council Vice President Benedetti:

First regardless of your differences with Council President Coffey, you had NO right to not follow the chain of command and procedure. You took it upon yourself to bypass Coffey and knew City Attorney Robinson was out of town on vacation.

For what ever reason and (we think we know) if it is the fact that Coffey, Gahan, Ceasar and you attended the "exit conference" and you know what is coming out in the 2008 audit, your lack of experience, and lack of knowledge, YOU are NOT fit to sit on this Council.

You NOT only need to apologize to the attending council members but to the citizens of New Albany!

When you made the statement at your so called CAUCUS meeting: You said, I want a "consensus" before we leave, put the final nail in your coffin!

Prove us WRONG - Mrs. Benedetti and City Attorney Gibson!!!!!!

"Stop playing politics!"