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!

---

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

THE MONDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING....

Cyber Monday, the Monday following Thanksgiving, is one of the busiest shopping days of the year for online retailers.

Retailers notice a spike in sales on this day as many consumers chose not to shop during Black Friday or did not find what they were looking for, headed to the web on Monday from work or home to find bargains.

Many retailers use Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday shopping season by offering special promotions.

We highly recommend to all of our readers to join Ebates.com you will get up to 6% or more cash back on certain purchases. We've been a member for over 3 years and you can join free.

Here's a list of businesses you might want to check out:

* Ace Hardware Coupons
& Cash Back - 4.0%
* Barnes and Noble Coupons
& Cash Back - 8.0 %
* Bath and Body Works Coupons
& Cash Back - 9.0%
* Dick's Sporting Goods Coupons
& Cash Back -3.0%
* ESPN Shop Coupons
& Cash Back - 10.0%
* Famous Footwear Coupons
& Cash Back - 9.0%
* Foot Locker Coupons
& Cash Back - 3.0%
* FTD Coupons
& Cash Back - 20.0%
* Home Depot Coupons
& Cash Back - 5.0%
* Kmart.com Coupons
& Cash Back - 5.0%
* Kohl's Coupons
& Cash Back - 4.0%
* Lands End Coupons
& Cash Back - 6.0%
* Old Navy Coupons
& Cash Back - 7.0%
* Payless Shoe Source Coupons
& Cash Back - 3.0%
* PetSmart Coupons
& Cash Back - 4.0%
* Restaurant.com Coupons
& Cash Back - 15.0%
* Sears Cash Back - 6.0%
* Lowe's Cash Back - 5.0%
* Walmart Cash Back 5.0%
* JC Penny's Cash Back 3.0%

Happy Cyber Shopping!

Freedom Of Speech Staff

MAIL CALL....

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, the rest for me
'Cause I'm Obama.'

Should one percent appear to small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm Obama.'

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet
'Cause I'm Obama.'

Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm Obama.'

If you got a corporate jet, your to rich for me
If you got a pet, I'll tax your cat
If you wipe your feet, I'll tax your mat
If your over weight, I'll tax you fat
'Cause I'm Obama.'

And you're working for no one, but me
'Cause I'm President Barack Obama.'

IT'S BAILOUT TIME FOR ENGLAND & NEW ALBANY FIRST....

What the council is voting for tonight is (1) a $2.3 million bailout for soon to be x-mayor of New Albany. Unless you live under a rock like Councilman Bob Caesar "who will claim he balanced" the budget (cough) it's just another one of his lies.

Our local government is only thinking about the raises they gave, mismanagement and for our own police, fire department and to save face.

You nine council members voted once to make England accountable to us taxpayers. Now that the election is over it is a complete different story.
It's not fair or right for us taxpayers to pay for England's incompetence, and his malfeasance.

Wonder why were broke?

Read below and get your answers:

Balance Estimate for EDIT/Rainy Day/Riverboat Year End 2011-After Appropriation for Rolling Deficit:

EDIT/ Rainy Day/Riverboat
(end 2011)............................$5,472,169

Appropriation - General
Fund...................................($2,300,00)
Appropriation - Parks.........($100,000)

Appropriation - MVH..........($500,000)
________________________________
Balance EDIT/Rainy Day/
Riverboat...........................$2,572,169

---

EDIT 2011:

Ending Balance Oct. 2011..$3,708,792

Est. Income Nov. 2011.......$185,504

Est. Income Dec. 2011.......$185,204

Expense-Remaining of
Budget.............................($1,167,057)
_____________________________

Estimated Balance Ending
2011-No Additional..........$2,912,743

---

River Boat 2011:

Ending Balance Oct. 2011..$1,300,307

Est. Income Nov. &
Dec. 2011..........................$200,000
Estimated Balance Ending 2011
-No Additional.................$847,487
---

Rainy Day 2011:

Balance Oct. 2011...........$1,760,303

Est. Income Rest of 2011..$-0-

Expenses-Remaining of
Budget...........................($48,364)
Total Expected Year End-No
Additional Expenses/
Appropriations..............$1,711,939

---

Total Funds Amounts Available for Rolling Deficits:

Riverboat Fund ... $847,487
Rainy Day............ $1,711.99
EDIT....................$2,912,743
Total....................$5,472,169

(2) $40,000 x 2 for New Albany First:

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Why should EDIT dollars be USED for a salary and is this NOT discrimination if they give it to one group and not give it to other groups or non-profits?

Do you really think the citizens of New Albany "will buy local" when they find out it was their EDIT Funds that set this group up?

They can't raise the funds for New Albany First, so they expect YOU to foot their bill!

WAL-MART VS NEW ALBANY FIRST....

Should taxpayers support every non-profit group?

What does $40,000 pay for:

Salary for part-time employee (20-25 hours/wk) - $25,000

Rent/Phone/ Internet - $2,000

Conference/trainings - $2,000

Marketing/advertising - $5,000

Office/printing supplies - $1,000

Programs of Work - $5,000

Operations and Management/Staffing:

We have attained 32 affiliates in our first six months. Our projection is to double that by the end of our first year and have 100 members by the end of 2012. We intend to hire a part-time director by January 1st 2012.

Question: And, who might that be?

Financial Plan:

New Albany First IBA's initial fee structure is as follows:
Individual/Family Membership - $25/$40 per year
Friends of New Albany First (for non-profits and other interested parties, including business located outside of New Albany/Floyd County)- $50/year
Regular Business Memberships - $120/year
Supporting Business Memberships - $300/year
Sustaining Business Memberships $500/ year

Question: Have you considered having fundraisers and collecting donations?

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Our city is sitting on a $2.3 million deficit of miss management and malfeasance. Why should this group or any other group be entitled to our EDIT Funds? Should every Tom, Dick, and Harry that has a non-profit or have applied for non-profit status get funding?

If you do for one then do we have to give to all?

As they say: "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink!"

CHRISTMAS TREE TAX....

The new Christmas tree program we've all heard about will impose on U.S. domestic producers and importers an initial fee of 15 cents per tree.

Meaning: it will start at 15 cents, and go up from there.

Implementation 'Delayed.'

Now here rather is a revenue-raising idea that we all can get behind: a tax on stupid. Start with Congress, and by the time you get through the three branches of federal government, the deficit will be wiped out, guaranteed!

Yep, too good to pass up.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES...

City Of New Albany Mayor:

Jeff Gahan - 4,506

Council At Large:

Shirley Baird - 3,297

John Gonder - 3,556

Kevin W. Zurchmiede - 3,319

City Of New Albany Clerk:

Vicki Glotzbach

District 1:

Dan Coffey - 498

District 2:

Bob Caesar - 734

District 3:

Greg Phipps - 550

District 4:

Pat McLaughlin - 653

District 5:

Diane McCartin-Benedetti - 786

District 6:

Scott Blair - 640

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

"Mission Accomplished!"

COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION 2011...

It is such a cliche that many of us roll our eyes when we hear the phrase "every vote counts."

But in New Albany we saw the old saying come true in the primary.

City resident Diane McCartin - Benedetti won her bid to run in the general election for council by a mere 25 votes.

By the same token, Dan Coffey won his chance because of the decisions of just a dozen voters.

But the point remains that it is a squeaker and for all the voters who decided they didn't want to venture out to their local polling place because of the rain or because they were turned off by negative campaigning or, worse of all, because it just doesn't matter if they vote, clearly they need to think again.

This is the most important election the City of New Albany has had in several years.

As we have said before, it is unfortunate so many voters sit local elections out because those who are elected determine so much that affects our daily lives - whether it is our taxes, increase fees, who will haul away our trash, fix our sewers, whether city departments will be cut or major lay offs will happen due to lack of funds.

We recommend you vote for the candidate and not the party. Our opinion is that both party chairman's should be removed!

Matthews and Wilcox both are doing a disservice to their party.

Don't vote "against a candidate" because of the color of their skin or gender.

Be an inform voter.

If you can't find the answer to a particular question call the candidate for your area. You have so much information available on line, council minutes which shows their voting record, and their comments in our local newspaper.

For those who have grown tired of the rhetoric, deal cutting and think their vote doesn't count or have simply come to "hate New Albany politics" - don't give in now!

The general election is just two days away. Do your civic duty go to the polls and VOTE Tuesday November 8th!

SOLYNDRA DOCUMENTS...

Obama got subpoenaed to hand over all of Solyndra documents.

Is this a prelude to impeachment?

White House calls Solyndra subpoena "Unreasonable burden in the president's ability to meet his Constitutional duties."

This is a big joke, right?

Constitutional duties? The Jackass-In-Chief doesn't even know what that means and he certainly never read the document.

So what exactly does he need to hide, Hmmm?

Inquiring American minds DEMAND to know!

Constitutional duties = Multiple R&R's.

e.g - golfing retreats, mansion vacations, vacations under color of "diplomacy", and numerous re-election fundraisers!

The Obama Presidency is so fragile that he can't "Meet his Constitutional Duties" if he has to tell Congress what he is doing. That's like not being able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Well, thinking about it, we have to admit that does describe Obama pretty accurately.

TOWN HALL SERIES...

State Budget - House Enrolled Act 1001

* No tax increases
* Structurally balanced in both years of the biennium
* Maintains a prudent level of reserves to protect taxpayers
* Increases tuition support funding by 0.5% in CY12 and 1% in CY13
* Increases funding to K-12 education by $150 million

Where our tax dollars go:

General Fund Appropriations - As Passed Budget
FY 2012/FY 2013 Biennium (in millions)

* 47% Education K-12
* 13% Medicaid
* 12% Higher Education
* 9% Health & Human Services
* 7% General Government
* 5% Corrections
* Teacher's Pensions
* 2% Capital

Living Within Our Means - Indiana's Fiscal Restraints:

* Received 5.0% less revenue (1.34 B)
* Spent 5.5% less than anticipated ($1.52B)
* Ended with a reserve of $1.18B (9.1 of FY2011 expenditures)

Freedom Of Speech would like to thank State Rep. Ed Clere of House District 72 for taking the time to answer our questions and to meet with the citizens of New Albany.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY........

Dorothy Howell Rodham, mother of Hillary Clinton past away early this morning at George Washington University Hospital.

Our Prayers Go out to Hillary, Chelsea, Bill and the entire Rodham Family. Mrs. Rodham lived a long and abundant life and in its celebration, Hillary will continue to learn her lessons and hold her mother close.

Thank you Mrs. Rodham (Dorothy) for sharing Hillary with the world and all of her 18,000,000 supporters.

MAIL CALL...

On my honor
I will do my best
to take what you
give me and steal
the rest.

Sincerely,
Douglas B. England

Happy Halloween!

POLITICS 101...

Voting is a responsibility that ever citizen should take seriously. That's why it's important for citizens to vote in local elections.

Everyone wants their voice to be heard and their opinion to count.

After reading a letter to the Editor:

"Reader says he's backing Messer." You Mr. Smith have done a disservice to Mr. Messer. You should have had the guts to also list that you were on Jack's team, but you didn't.

Have you forgotten we are a small town of over 37,000 people?

When you throw mud at others, not only do you lose a lot of ground, you also get your hands dirty.

Hot heads and a bitter heart never resolves anything!

What you wrote in your letter hurts Jack more than it will ever hurt Jeff Gahan. Do you know how fast it will get around our "little town" that you are a member of the Messer election team?

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion Mr. Smith, but you are NOT entitled to your lies, mudsling and accusations!

You claim to know so much about running a campaign and all. Well Randy, we have a news flash for the "We Back Jack Team."

You have set Candidate Messer up to be fined $50.00 for each of his passed "Elect Jack Messer" green flyer's.

Freedom Of Speech has collected 75 of them and at this point we have no idea how many more are out there.

Here's our point, since it seems like Messer's campaign is being ran by a bunch of yahoo's. (cough) You did not put the disclaimer on his printed material. You know the one that says: Paid for by the committee to elect Jack Messer

To prove to you Mr. Smith that we know what we are talking about. We will gladly share with our readers Jack's back page:

Dear Friends,

For way too many years, a small, self-appointed group has manipulated our elections in order to limit our choices when it comes to city offices. This is especially true when it comes to the office of mayor.

Blah, blah, blah.....

Sincerely,
Jack Messer

For more about me and my campaign, see my Website at webackjack.us or follow me on Twitter and Facebook - Messer for Mayor

"No disclaimer."

You, Mr. Messer, are in deep doo - doo! The State of Indiana's voters division attorneys frowns on candidates who don't play by all the rules.

We sure hope you got some "extra green backs" to pay for these fines!

What happen to your:

Honesty - Integrity - Pride?