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!