ARE WE READY FOR 2012?

As we approach 2012 we here at Freedom of Speech have been pondering about what the new year will bring. Here are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves.

Have we the citizens of New Albany had enough yet?

Will we finally have accountability from the new Mayor?

Will there be an end to the mismanagement?

Will there finally be an audit?

Will there be an end to the conflict of interest?

Does it exist? You bet it does.

Will there be an end to the same people sitting on multi-boards and collecting a salary from each?

Will we have qualified people making the right decisions with our money?

Will we be able to drive down our streets without having to worry about potholes?

Will our sewers finally be repaired?

Will our new City Council President be able to stand up to the Mayor?

These are just a few of the questions and issues for 2012.

As we close 2011 we need to become focused on the future of New Albany. Next year will be very interesting. We need to come together and stand up and be counted, things won't change if all we do is sit and talk about it.

All of us here at Freedom of Speech want to wish each of you a Happy and safe New Year.

ACCOUNTABILITY, CREDIBILITY AND INTEGRITY IN NEW ALBANY GOVERNMENT... WHERE IS IT?

Political credibility is probably the single most important variable defining the success or failure of any given local government.

Our local government's credibility is a tangible and measurable asset.

Local governments are credible if they are able to deliver services such as keeping the city clean and public utilities working efficiently.

Local government is increasingly responsible for raising own source revenues. As such, if a local government is to be financially viable it must confront its constituency with the cost of providing services.

In the current measure the constituents "do not trust" our local government.

Discretionary power does not refer to the right to make decisions but rather deriving personal gain from choices made.

Accountability is the underlying element with which corruption can be addressed. As long as there is personal gain overshadowing the accountability there will always be an opportunity for corruption in local government.

The formula for failure of local government:

Corruption = Power + Discretion - Accountability

The challenge is where common sense political leaders and administrators are motivated to serve the public without private gain.

And their own personal agendas.

Furthermore, it is necessary to fully capture the manner in which our local government interacts with its constituents.

What we need to do is:

* Making public information public

* Increasing public participation and

* Establishing administrative structures that promotes transparency and reduce discretionary power as well as the "propensity" to be corrupt

* Allowing bad local government to fail

* Accountability, credibility and integrity should always be in local government

Our elected mayor and local council members should have a stake in our community. At its most basic level our local government is required to simply collect revenue and apply local ordinances.

Citizens deserve accountability.

Our current Administration has failed to establish a working relationship with its citizens.

Mayor England had the choice to:

* Increase the publics confidence level in our local governmental operations

* Increase department head accountability for financial reporting and all information disclosed to the public

* Develop a stronger, more independent audit system

* Stringent purchasing policies, tighten spending, and timely reporting is necessary to adhere to budgetary constraints under which local government operates

* Looking out for the best interest of all the citizens of New Albany

And Mayor England has failed miserably!

Accountability is the essence of our democratic form of local government.

It is the liability assumed by all those who exercise authority to account for the manner in which they have filled responsibilities entrusted to them.

They must be accountable to the people.

Freedom Of Speech would like to know who will bring Accountability, Credibility and Integrity back to the City of New Albany?

So we say to you, Douglas B. England, your the worse Mayor the City of New Albany has ever had. Leave the keys with security on the first floor and don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

Good riddance!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM KATIE

From : Katie Dept. Manager
To: All 3rd Floor Staff
Subject: Ethics Classes
Date: Dec. 29, 2011

Dear Staff:

As you've probably heard, we've had a teensy glitch in the document leaks department; A certain new Mayor, who shall remain nameless, has been naughty lately, and the blogs are all over him for lying.

Now we'd usually just ignore this sort of thing, but our new Mayor has even been sworn in yet! So we clearly have to send out a "we care about ethics" message, to get the taxpayers off our new mayor's back.

Here's what we're gonna do.

I'll be holding ethics classes the first two weeks in January, and you all have to come. Booooring!!! - yes, I know. But I promise my class will be really short.

As an extra inducement, I'll devote 95% of each session to a talk which I like to call "keeping the council members and taxpayers in the dark."

The following topics will be discussed:

* No more paid 3 hour lunches.

* All offices facing Hauss Square be on the look out for taxpayers and/or Council Members heading to the 3rd floor.

* Comp Time

* Take home cars at the malls

* Cell phone calls to out of state family members after the holidays

* Grocery shopping during working hours

Excuses to use before releasing any documents:

(a) Everyone has to fill out a form
(b) We're to busy
(c) Copy machine is broke
(d) The person that handles this is in a meeting

Do you get my drift...staff?

And needless to say, there won't be a test. Of course there will be a gazillion page questionnaire.

Just kidding! ROFLMAO

After all, a little birdie tells me many of you may be hiring criminal lawyers real soon...and those guys are PRICEY!!! So the time to sock some cash away is NOW - Big Time!

Just kidding! HA...HA...HA!

Please check the attached schedule to see which slot you've got, and stop throwing our new mayor under the bus.

He needs some New Year cheer, before the voters eat him up come Jan. 1, 2012!

Remember it's the taxpayers money we're spending!

Happy New Years
Katie Dept. Manager
New Albany
Document Department

PS...Do not leak this memo!

Source: Anonymous

YOUR INVITED....

In keeping with tradition, we would like to invite you to attend a brief Swearing In Ceremony:

When: Thursday, December 29th

Where: County Commissioner's Meeting Room on the second floor of the City County Building

Time: 4 pm

Keith Henderson, Floyd County Prosecutor will officiate the ceremony.

We'll have refreshments and you can cheer on the the new candidates for 2012.

Dave Matthews

TEN THINGS TO SAY...

Ten Things To Say About A Christmas Gift You Don't Like...

10. Hey! There's a gift!

9. Well, well, well...

8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would've fit.

7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.

6. Gosh, I hope this never catches fire. It is fire season though.

5. If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!

4. Did you forget I am a Democrat mother?

3. I love it -- but I fear the jealous it will inspire.

2. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.

And the Number One Thing to say about a Christmas gift you don't like

1. "I really don't deserve this."

Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS HUMOR...E-MAILS

3 Wise Women

Do you know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men?

They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.

Seasons Greetings,
Darlene

*************************

Overheard On The Wise Men's Journey To Bethlehem

Man, I'm starting to get a rush from this frankincense!

You guys ever eat camel meat? I hear it tastes like goat.

You know, I used to go to school with a girl name Beth Lehem.

Hey, do either of you know why "MYRRH" is spelled with a
"Y" instead of a "U"?

Okay, whose camel just spit?

All this staring at the star while riding a camel is making me woozy.

Happy Holidays,
Gerald

*******************

A Little Christmas Poem

The wife is shopping for Christmas gifts,
With purchases little and large;
She doesn't believe in Santa Claus...
But she believes in Master Charge!

Merry Christmas,
Jimmy Price Family

HERE WE GO AGAIN....

It's awful funny that the mayor "again tries" to slip something under the radar. Thank God, for employees who believe in exposing the soon to be X- mayor for his sneaky under handed ways!

Let us show you what Mr. Soon to be X- mayor is pulling over on you taxpayers:

Whereas, the City of New Albany has experienced budgetary freezes in the last four (4) years, including salaries.

Whereas, the Common Council and the Mayor acknowledge that the cost of living has increase over the past four (4) years.

Whereas, Bargaining Employees by contract (police and fire) have a 1% yearly longevity increase in their pay and the non-bargaining employees have no such yearly longevity increase.

Whereas, the Common Council and the Mayor deem it important to the functions of the City and the morale of employees, to NOW, THEREFORE, PAY A COST OF LIVING RECOGNITION PAYMENT AS FOLLOWS:

Employees with years of service:
1-8 years......$750.00
8+ years.......$1,000.00

For the purposes of determining those entitled to the payment and the calculating of years, September 30, 2011, shall be used to determine the employee's payment.

First of all this is bogus, another lie out of Dougy's mouth. In 2009 they received the same amount due to bad morale in the city including the third floor employees.

In 2010 all these employees also got raises!

Freedom Of Speech would like to say: 2012 will be the Year of the Great Reckoning -- the year when the bills come due. After England is out of office.

Remember, folks it is NOT ILLEGAL for city officials, politicians, and even council members to lie (in) most cases. So don't worry - nothing shady is going on, just England and Council woman Benedetti doing business as usual!

Isn't that why we voted that "SOB" England out of office and we ask Mayor Elect Gahan to remove his crooked cronies too?

This is an insult to all the senior citizens on fixed income, who have NOT received a cost of living raise in three years. We ask our readers to remember who votes to give these free loaders a "Christmas Bonus' or should we say "Severance Pay" for all the damage they have done to our city and all the kickbacks they are leaving office with.

Who has put Benedetti up to this? And, why?

As they say if the shoe fits wear it, and to Dougy, be sure to not let the door hit you in the ass on the way out on December 31, 2011.

You're all so done in this town, you can stick a fork in all of ya!

WORLD AIDS DAY...

This year's theme of "Getting to Zero" by 2015 encourage us, as people of faith to reflect and work to promote human dignity and respect and protect the human rights of people living with or affected by HIV or those who are vulnerable to infection.

This theme encourages us to deepen understanding, develop partnerships and challenge discriminatory laws, policies and practices that stand in the way of access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Get Involved!

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This day is dedicated to our special "little friend Joshua." See, Joshua contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion when he was only 3 months old. This special little boy died at the age of 9.

In his memory Freedom Of Speech staff members today, December 1, 2011, donate $1,000 to help fight AIDS.

We miss and love you Joshua. You will always hold a special place in each one of our hearts. There is not a day that passes that we don't miss your precious smile and determination.

Freedom Of Speech Staff