NEW ALBANY STREET PAVING SUMMARY:

Rating/Budget
Functional Classification:

Rating 1:

Major Arterial - $0.00
Minor Arterial - $0.00
Collector Streets - $93,255
Local Streets - $173,870
Alleys - $127,134
Local Industrial
Streets - $0.00
Totals - $394,259

Rating 2:

Major Arterial - $0.00
Minor Arterial - $0.00
Collector Streets - $0.00
Local Streets - $0.00
Alleys - $89,324
Local Industrial
Streets - $0.00
Totals - $89,324

Rating 3:

Major Arterial - $248,995
Minor Arterial - $34,755
Collector Streets - $0.00
Local Streets - $215,803
Alleys - $112,496
Local Industrial
Streets - $0.00
Totals - $612,049

Rating 4:

Major Arterial - $142,619
Minor Arterial - $108,524
Collector Streets - $31,886
Local Streets - $913,032
Alleys - $177,828
Local Industrial
Streets - $58,212
Totals - $1,432,101

Rating 5:

Major Arterial - $320,838
Minor Arterial - $85,017
Collector Streets - $134,260
Local Streets - $937,610
Alleys - $125,149
Local Industrial
Streets - $47,802
Totals - $1,650,676

Rating 6:

Major Arterial - $320,309
Minor Arterial - $142,585
Collector Streets - $134,136
Local Streets - $1,203,935
Alleys - $106,255
Local Industrial
Streets - $49,157
Totals - $1,956,377
______________
Grand Total - $6,134,757

Source - Jacobi, Toombs & Lanz

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Based on a comparison to the condition of other city streets, Spring Street "IS NOT" a high priority in need of repair!

Does the City of New Albany plan to spend the $2 million in paving to hand out as political favors?

Or...will they pave the "WORST STREETS" first?

Is your street one of the rough streets listed?

A MESSAGE TO THE MAYOR:

Mr. Mayor, please tell your Board of Works, that we want concrete poured to repair our sidewalks and curbs in front of our property!

We have been paying city taxes for years, unlike new businesses on Bank Street and State Street...

Are these concrete jobs "A political favor?"

Are you following the path of your buddy, former East Chicago Mayor Robert Pastrick?

CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT

Code Enforcement is the commitment to provide safe, healthy and attractive living conditions for all of the residents of New Albany by ensuring the community's maintained and integrity through the enforcement of City Codes.

January 1st through December 31st 2008 Report:

Completed - Compliance by Owner or Occupants - 181

Unfounded - No violations found - 12

Ongoing - Working on or work in progress - 5

Under Investigation - Mostly abandoned/forclosed properties - 8

Referred to other Departments:

Grass and Weeds - 33

City Attorney - 3

Building Commissioner - 8

Zoning Department - 3

Street Department - 4

Traffic Division - 4

Animal Control - 1

Total Complaints Received - 262
Referred to other Departments - 56

Source: [FOIA] - Freedom Of Information Act - City of New Albany

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

These figures DO NOT justify a $12,500 monthly salary for a full time City Attorney, or a second recently hired Code Enforcement Officer!

Taxpayers are paying salaries and Departments already to clean up the city mess.

And our city remains "ONE Big Mess!"

YOU OWE IT...RIGHT, MR. MALYSZ?

Recently there was an article in the paper with the suggestion of building a new parking garage near Scribner Place with an estimated cost of $8 million dollars.

A statement was made that a new parking garage could be paid for with the PROFITS from the State Street Parking Garage.

What profit?

We think it is necessary that the council be informed about the financing and bonds for the State Street Parking Garage.

The Garage Bonds were to be paid off with TIF collections from the Downtown TIF Area.

If downtown TIF collections were not sufficient for those bond payments, then, bond payments were to be paid from EDIT Funds. In the agreement, the EDIT Funds used were to be paid back to EDIT Fund by Downtown TIF money.

At this time the State Street Parking Garage still owes the EDIT Fund $3,613,698.46 for Bond payments made out of EDIT because Downtown TIF did not produce sufficient money to make the Garage Bond payments.

Redevelopment Director Malysz stated that by the time the garage is paid off, we will pay about $3,696,350 of EDIT into the parking garage.

Director Carl Malysz stated that once the bonds are paid off, then TIF funds can be collected to refund the city the EDIT contributed.

Councilman Zurschmiede suggested recently that, we funnel the PROFITS from the State Street Garage towards construction of a New Parking Garage.

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Why didn't Deputy Mayor Malysz or John Rosenbarger be honest with Councilman Zurschmiede and tell him the truth, that the city has to pay "operating expense on the State Street Garage?"

It's called robbing Peter to pay Paul!

DO YOU NEED A JOB?

Job Application

_________Please print your real name, you will have an opportunity to make up names later.

Do you have access to a car or other vehicle?

__ Yes

__ No

__ Don't know/don't remember

If No, do you know how to hot-wire an ignition?

__ Yes

__ No

If Yes, how many homeless vagrants or illegal alien's can you transport?

__ 0-1 Coupe

__ 2-4 Sedan

__ 5-7 Minivan

__ 9-11 Conversion van

__ 12-99 School bus

__ 100-199 Semi with empty trailer

Do you know any dead people?

__ No

__ YES


If you had to make up names for some reason, which do you prefer to use?

__ Dead people

__ Disney characters

__ Members of the Dallas Cowboys/NFL team

__ Superheroes like "Batman" or "Underdog"

__ Names of cheap beers, malt liquors and wines

Please check any relevant experience?

__ Intimidating bank employees

__ Slashing tires

__ Arson

__ Breaking and Entering

__ Armed Robbery

__ Pickpocketing

__ Mail fraud

__ Real estate flipping. mortgage fraud

__ Rating sub prime debt tranches "AAA"

How would you prefer to be paid?

__ Cash

__ Check

__ Cigs

__ Cheap beers

__ Crack cocaine

__ Cans of mackerel


When can you start work?

__ Now

__ Tomorrow after 3pm

Oops, we forgot!

Don't bother applying for these positions in Nevada and other states. Nevada authorities filed criminal charges against the political advocacy group ACORN and two employees.

ACORN, Voter Fraud?

Gee, who woulda thunk it?

In the words of the Obama's former pastor Jeremiah un-Wright. "The chickens have come home to roost."

We want to hear him spread "God Da-n America now", while Obama and the dems are in leadership.

Just as "Where there's smoke, there's fire" so too "Where there's registration fraud, there's voter fraud!"

Let's not forget it was ACORN picketing banks that would not give sub-prime loans to low income households because of the risk involved.

And when the banks finally gave in to pressure from ACORN and the Democrats it created this housing bubble that just burst so conveniently before November's elections!

We wonder if Obama even understands the RICO ACT?

NATIONAL NURSING WEEK...

Nurses in the United States - 2.4 million

92% Percentage of registered nurses who are women

623,000 Projected growth in the number of registered nurses between 2002 and 2012. It is expected that registered nurses will experience the largest job growth of any occupation during this time period.

Indiana has 49,590 registered nurses per 100,000 resident population.

Nurses have a passion for caring for our fellow man both mentally and physically.

There are NO bonuses when your patient gets better; it is what they do.

It is an honor to recognize their efforts and remind them how valued they are and what a difference they make every, single day!

"Nurses are Exceptional and Nursing Excellence has no boundaries - anyone who has needed care, expert advise, review of the latest research, or worked side-by-side with a nurse can understand the multitudes of expertise, knowledge and compassion this profession embraces.

Just ask any nurse you know to tell you a story and you will immediately appreciate the unparalleled strength to care, lead, educate and save lives!"

Of course, giving thanks, recognition and acknowledgement is only part of the reason we celebrate National Nurses Week.

Another equally important reason is to remind the public of nursing contributions to the health and well-being of the nation.

So, as you celebrate National Nurses Week this week, we hope you will also take a few moments to reflect on some of their challenges, the stress they are so often under, and what nursing faces today.

As our favorite nurse would say: Nurses helping people, "One Life at a time!"

GAS UP AIR FORCE ONE, IT'S TIME TO VISIT: EGYPT, GERMANY AND FRANCE

President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will go to Egypt on June 4 to deliver a long-planned major speech aimed at Muslims worldwide. His speech is to be delivered in Cairo.

After Egypt, Obama and Clinton will travel to Germany to visit the site of the Buchenwald concentration camp, and then on to France, for the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Well, will he apologize again for all us greedy, hateful, rude Americans?

Will he appease the Muslin world?

Let's see, who was it that bombed our embassies, Marine barracks, the Cole, World Trade tower the first time, and then again on 9/11/01?

I guess O-bow-ma has found more things to apologize for.

Yes, let's call it the "Muslim World Apology Tour, Reloaded."

Perhaps, tho it's politically incorrect, he could remind Muslims that the USA has done, and is doing, more for them than they have done for each other.

Obama should be awarded the most faithless U.S. President in history.

UPDATE: YOUR INVITED

Join us for the 2009 Indiana Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner with President Bill Clinton!

Please join the Indiana Democrat Party and President Bill Clinton with Special guest:

Senator Evan Bayh

Congressman Peter Visclosky

Congressman Joe Donnelly

Congressman Andre Carson

Congressman Brad Ellsworth

Congressman Baron Hill

House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer

Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson

When: Saturday, June 20th

Where: Marriott Downtown Indianapolis

350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis

Dinner:

Marriott Ballroom
6:30 pm
$125 per person
$1250 per table

General Reception:

Marriott Ballroom
5:00pm

For more information and to make your reservation, please call 1-800-223-3387

Freedom Of Speech staff members, would like to personally thank President Clinton for sending us our "Special Invitation to attend."

See you there!

IMMUNITY OF CONTROLLER

First mistake made by Mayor England:

IC 36-3-5-2.6

Immunity of controller and deputy controllers; exception for gross negligence
Sec. 2.6 The:
(1) controller is not liable, in an individual capacity, for any act or omission occurring in connection with the performance of the controller's duty as a fiscal officer of.
(a) the consolidated city; and
(b) the county; and

(2)deputy controller is not liable, in an individual capacity, for any act or omission occurring in connection with the performance of the deputy controller's duty;
unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence or an intentional disregard of the controller's or the deputy controller's duty.

Freedom Of Speech would like for our readers to notice the law states: "act or omission constitutes gross negligence." We've already had 1 year of gross negligence can we afford 3 more?

LITTLE PEOPLE ~ WIN AGAIN...

Mayor England has crumbled and kicked two - way Streets on Spring Street, Market Street, Pearl and Bank Street to the curb.

England cowed down to the pressure of New Albany's very own "little people!"

Thanks to all of our reader's out there in blog land, who took the time to email and contact their council members.

Now our tax dollars can be spent to pave and improve our streets for safety and prevent damage to our cars!

Thanks to Councilman Price, Zurschmiede, and other's, who support the "Pay As You Go Plan."

We the People - works!

footnote: Repeal property taxes and the politicians (crooks) will NOT have collateral to bond out their high minded schemes.

SECRETARY OF STATE, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: SPEAKS OUT

The United States is proud to join the international community in celebrating World Press Freedom Day and the contributions that journalist make to advancing human dignity, liberty, and prosperity.

We live in a world where the free flow of information and ideas is a powerful force for progress. Independent print, broadcast, online media outlets, and Internet blogs are more than sources of news and opinion.

They also expose abuses of power, fighting corruption, challenge assumptions, and provide constructive outlets for new ideas and dissent.

Wherever media freedom is in jeopardy, all other human rights are also under threat. A free media is essential to democracy and it fosters transparency and accountability, both of which are prerequisites for democracy.

Those who seek to abuse power and spread corruption view media freedom and internet blogs as a threat.

Instead of supporting an open press, they attempt to control or silence independent voices.

In other countries the methods they use against news organizations, internet and journalists range from restrictive laws and regulations to censorship, violence, imprisonment and even murder in foreign countries.

Such tactics are not new, and cannot go unanswered.

We are especially concerned about the citizens from our own country currently under detention abroad: individuals such as Roxana Saberi in Iran, and Euna Lee and Laura Ling in North Korea.

I want to affirm the United States strong commitment to all forms of media freedom and freedom of speech worldwide.

We will champion this cause through our diplomatic efforts and through our exchange and assistance programs. We will work in partnership with non-governmental organizations and directly with members of the media.

And we will stand with those courageous men and women who face persecution for exercising and defending the right of media freedom and freedom of speech.

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC

SWINE FLU

Gee, we thought we had swine flu when they passed the porkulas packages!

Maybe Obama was trying to spread the pork around in Mexico as well...

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said in February: "All those little porky things that the House put in, the money for the National Mall or the sexually transmitted diseases or the flu pandemic, they're all out."

Obama's new solution:

Just take two aspirin, lie down, and throw a few billion at it. What we now need is a "swine czar."

Obama's inexperience and stupidity in his visible response is a major screw up.

Our solution:

"Close the friggin border Mr. Obama, before you kill us all!"

Get ready for national health care.

Let's get Obama to tell us now how many deaths are required or acceptable before a treatment or vaccine is developed?