Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Scrum dimensions, policy planks and the requisite safety goggles.

Belated thanks to all those who attended last evening's second meet 'n' greet, especially the five candidates, who are to be commended for taking the the time to share their views and listen to ours.

If you’re just tuning in, it’s a city election year in New Albany, and the anticipated scrum is widening as the filing period for May’s primary counts down toward its deadline.

One need possess only the most superficial appreciation for the rules of political gamesmanship to understand that during such times, there is a disorienting, swarming effect as aspirants rush to forge alliances, recruit backing, scratch backs and secure their most vital of currencies, the promise of your vote.

This process would be alternately infuriating and exhilarating even if the political life of the city were rigidly confined by the traditional two-party system, but this year’s computational dimensions have been augmented by at least one phenomenon that did not exist locally in 2003.

And you’re reading one of them.

Recalling CM Larry Kochert’s comment in 2005 that community-based activism usually fades away with time – an observation more in keeping with his own congenital immobility and absence of principle than providing evidence of a sagacious eye surveying the landscape – it remains that the ultimate strength and viability of New Albany’s emerging progressive movement have yet to be proven.

Traditional political practitioners in our community, some even more slippery than the 4th’s resident toadstool dweller, almost certainly regard the notion of an evolving progressive bloc existing outside the hidebound hegemony of Democrats and Republicans to be laughably effete, and a non-starter not to be taken seriously by veterans of the smoke-filled back rooms that politicos like Kochert have tended to prefer in spite of occasional personal regulatory convictions that the air, if not their own jaundiced motives, be magically rendered pollutant-free.

To judge by the events of recent days, at least some denizens of the realm of politics-as-usual aren’t so sure, and one of them declared for mayor yesterday.

Former mayor Doug England unexpectedly phoned last week to confirm his Balboa-esque candidacy and to seek an audience with the senior editor for the purpose of answering questions and discussing the pressing issues of the day. I accepted his previous honor’s invitation and will be meeting with him today, and while this knowledge will alarm some readers, it should not.

On numerous occasions, NAC has issued a principled call for candidates to produce issue-oriented platforms and to be prepared to discuss them. Furthermore, we have reminded local politicians that at least some members of the electorate intend to gauge the abilities of office seekers by their policy content and not church membership, high school graduation date or relationship by marriage to a second cousin’s ex-husband.

Last night, Democratic mayoral candidate Larry Scharlow responded to our challenge by attending the meet ‘n’ greet and chatting with those in attendance. It was a beginning, and he made a good – though of course not final – impression.

Quite simply, we cannot insist on access from some while denying it to others, Doug England included, even if there are those among us who regard his previous city hall tenure as a time that unfortunately came to represent the discredited ward-heeling norms of previous generations of political patronage and underachievement. Yet, like any other candidate, England deserves a chance to offer his policy platform. Let’s see exactly what platform he’s offering, and whether it will remain consistent as it is presented in coming weeks to other targeted audiences of varying demographic stripe ... and, in the end, permit our consciences to be our guide come election day.

The same logic goes for every other candidate, doesn't it? But be aware that if I'm finally offered those long overdue millions in brewery construction money ... I'm holding out for that nice Hour of Power building across from Scribner Place, including the corner car lot for drive-through keg pick-up, as well as a golf cart to get me back and forth.

As a closing note to Mark: Your point is well taken, and “Dutch Treat” it will be.

20 comments:

G Coyle said...

I thought the second meet n' greet was a big success. Thank you Roger and Israel.

I enjoyed talking with Larry Scharlow and look forward to hearing more of his ideas for NA.

Looking forward to hearing what England has to say.

Christopher D said...

I wish I could have made it last night, unfortunately a bad cold bug has taken up residency in my humble abode. Its better to stay away from people, rather than spread the cold.

A Democrat in Floyd County said...

The former Mayor England wants to come by here, too, and discuss some issues with me and mine.

He says he needs my help because "I am the working man's hero". I don't see that...but as someone said -- of course Yvonne, he'd rather have you behind him than fighting him. We've already been in major debates together. I didn't take him out; a hired gun for the Republicans took him out.

It will be interesting. Don't forget that six pack, Doug!

New blood for New Albany said...

From what I've heard he's been calling on alot of local buisness owners downtown for their support, and I don't think he's taking to kindly to anyone saying they're supporting another candidate.

New blood for New Albany said...

For anyone who missed last nights meet and greet, Larry Scharlow's website has some information about him and his platform.
www.scharlowformayor.com

John Alton said...

Sorry I missed last night's meet "n" greet. The Father of a close friend of mine of 26 years died over the weekend and I needed to be there for her. So, I spent a large portion of Tuesday at Kraft's Funeral home on Charlestown Rd.

Yvonne... Thank you, I got your message on my answering machine..last night when I got home due to the above reason. I don't have an e-mail address or a phone number for you which is why I didn't get back to you. I appreciated the call, just got it too late.

New blood...Thanks for Mr. Sharlow's web address. I'm interested in what he has in mind, and what he thinks about a downtown art's and entertainment district being created.

New blood for New Albany said...

Hi John, I know Larry has been working closely with John Dowell and Mike Kopp on an arts and entertainment district, as I don't speak for Larry I can say he's very involved with revitalizing the downtown and mansion row areas. As his Tumblebus business is located on Main St. and his Condo development Shiloh place is coming along quite nicely and is going to be a beautiful addition to our mansion row area. Good luck on your city council run!

G Coyle said...

Can I say something about the "downtown arts district"? The elements for a successful arts and entertainment district are ALREADY in place - cheap good buildings, density, supplies within walking distance, cheap housing, and cheap space. We ought to advertise that fact in artists publications nationwide. I've lived in genuine art ghettos before and the one thing that distinguishes them is a lack of institutional engagement. Wen artists create a loft complex, or revitalize a run-down end of town, they do not have corporate sponsers. In fact, once the business and corporate interests discover an arts district, it's usually the beginning of the end. I hope we CAN use some of that vacant space downtown for artists - but carefully or it wont work.

New Blood for New Albany said...

I agree G.Coyle, but it takes dedication from people like Mike Kopp and other realtors do get the ball rolling. We have a few local artists in downtown now that are exellent, but the 3rd floor of the New Albany Inn is going to be a new addition to the downtown artists scene, not to mention several new restaurants getting ready to open within the next six months. The Elements are there but until recently, downtown New Albany was treated like the plague in concern to new business coming to town, it took years of hard work by some very dedicated people with a heart for downtown to change that.

G Coyle said...

Yes, agreed new blood, MIke Kopp and others have worked hard to bring new people and businesses in. However, traditionally, you don't "bring" artists or entertainers "in" - unless you're Orlando of course. Artists gravitate to cheap funky space and freedom to work, preferably around other like-minded people. The best artists districts are created organically. They're sort of outsider zones intially. That's what I like about NA now, it's that weird outsider zone and we can capitalize on that.

New Blood for New Albany said...

Downtown New Albany a weird outsiders zone? Lol, I can agree with that. I guess thats why we all fit right in!

John Alton said...

Gina..You're right about the elements for a successful A&E district already being here, and also about using the old buildings. In fact the old buildings themselves reflect an architectural art form not found in more modern structures. I also agree that artists and entertainers are genuinely "drawn" to an area that is conducive to their individual creativity. Years ago in New Albany, around the 4th of July, there used to be an annual Art's Festival/Show. My late Uncle, Orville Carroll, who was a well known regional artist, used to have showings there, and at the St. James in Louisville. Perhaps, to entice artists to New Albany now, the New Albany Art's Festival should be revived.

Yvonne...Doug is a nice guy, but I'm afraid in this case the term "nice guys finish last" may prove to be true. The days of same ole same ole politics are gone.
The following has nothing to do with this other than it being a Doug England story. I keep remembering Doug on the day of the 1997 Clinton Inauguration in D.C. There was a reception in Lee Hamilton's committee room in the Rayburn Building. Doug was in there filling up on donuts. My Mother, who is a former District Aide to the late Sen. Vance Hartke as well as a former President of the Floyd County Democrat Women, called him over saying, "Mr. Mayor, come here I want to tell you something. She said, "I heard that the Democrats want you to run for Senator". Doug's eyes got so wide and he almost choked on a donut. He said, "Where'd you here that"? and my Mom just said that was the rumor going around. When he walked away, my Mom said, "I just made his day"!
Back on subject and keeping with the A&E theme, we saw The Doug England Show, which doesn't need to be made into a sequel, The Regina Show which is now canceled, and the latest show called "Our Gang Comedy", starring James Garner and the Gang of 4 which is currently in reruns hoping for syndication.

New Blood...I've been "talking" with LS via e-mail and a lot of my ideas are similar to his, and visa versa. You mentioned that until recently businesses treated NA like the plague. There are those who have the guts to open now and wait for the promise of Scribner to bring more people to spend money in their business. There should be an added incentive to the tune of waving local fees for 2 years for new or relocated businesses downtown to help them get started and keep going.

New Blood for New Albany said...

Hi, John I totally agree with you. I think scribner place will be a nice addition to downtown but I think new apartments and condos will be the biggest boost. For so many years the predominant and influential families in New Albany did everything in their power to keep there businesses the monopoly in New Albany. We missed the Greentree mall and no pun intended we missed the boat. Big business will come to the area eventually, but I agree some sort of tax breaks and incentives need to be offered to bring them here. Scared or not, opening a retail business in downtown was suicide not too far back. You want people downtown, develop the riverfront, build condos, demolish the west end and start over there with new homes and affordable condos and appartments instead of what we have now. Its easier for people who live there to shop and eat there. The plans are in the works and I belive it's just a matter of time. With the right people being a catalyst instead of the hinderance we have now, all the pieces will fall into place. God help us on election day!

youthmovement said...

Knowing Larry scharlow i can tell you, that in my opionion would be a great leader and mayor for NA. Its time for our great city to rise up and take its place as the up and coming city we all know it can and will be, elction day is critical, and my small part will be to try to get my generation to make the difference.

New Blood for New Albany said...

Has anyone else seen that, all the candidates basically have the same platform. Talk is cheap when it comes to politics! How can you tell when a career politician is lying? When you see his mouth moving! Larry Scharlow seems to be the only candidate that isn't a career politician. He couldn't do any worse than the last three administrations. current candidates included. I personally think he would be the best mayor we've seen in many years. Hope the rest of New Albany eventually feels the same. Just my two cents worth.

John Alton said...

youthmovement... We are in total agreement. It is time for our city to be THE place to go to. It is time that we become more than a stop off point, and become a destination. I didn't get to the meet "n" greet last week due to a funeral of a close friends father, and I haven't directly met with Mr. Scharlow. I knew nothing of his ideas for New Albany until I saw his website and found that much of his platform resembles much of mine. So..I introduced myself to him via e-mail, and asked him what he thought about creating an Art's & Entertainment district downtown, and I quickly found out that we are on the same page...even in the same paragraph. I sort of have the "Jerry Abramson" take on downtown that if there is something in downtown that is fun to do, and entertaining to do, it will be like a "build it and they will come" situation. Why do people flock into Bass Pro Shops? Because there is so much to do in that one store..it's entertaining, not because they intend to go in and spend $500 for a gold-plated bass casting reel (don't know if there is such a thing..reference just as example). Being flexible and able to adjust to the times, and making downtown a destination for all generations, while still embracing it's history are the ingredients for making this city rise again. I am in the 4th District (a.k.a. Kochertville), and your generation is our future and any member of your youthmovement is welcome to visit my blog at www.altonforcitycouncil.blogspot.com . If any members are in the 4th District, I have three words to remember... November Surprise...Indie.

New blood.. Due to inflation 2 cents is now worth 5..lol I agree that Mr. Scharlow has something that has always been lacking in local politics..someone who's not political..someone with fresh, new, ideas and a plan to carry them out. But he's going to need council members who are coming in thinking along the same lines or it could turn out to be the same ole same ole just with new faces.

The New Albanian said...

John, if you haven't already done so, give Lopp Realty a call and ask to speak with Mike Kopp. You'll find that your and many other ideas currently are being expressed in Mike's downtown vision.

youthmovement said...

My thoughts on our downtown are also on that same page. Its sad to see such a perfect exzample of what our downtown needs right across the river and then have most decision makers in our city seem completely clueless. I also am sick and tired of so many people bitching and complaining about our leadership and year after year seeing the same old carrer politicions, makeing the same old NEW ALBANY decisions which are basically,anyone that wants to try to make a positive imapact on New ALBANY is going to be put through hell doing it. We can have a quick turnaround in our city but I think weve all learned by now it starts at the election box. And John just from seeing what youve said on here youve got my support. I dont want my 3 year old son to grow up in the same NA i did and a lot of people that im talking to in my age bracket feel the same way. Im dying to see a change in leadership and am going to try my damnnest to see it happen.

New blood for New Albany said...

To John Alton, John I agree with you, and I just wanted to say that my previous comments where directed more toward the mayors race.
I've been following you and as far as I'm concerned you have my support also. As I am a district 2 voter my ballot will go against Schmidt and for John Dowell, assuming he runs.
Larry Scharlow, I'm sure isn't the perfect candidate as no one ever will be, but he brings so much more to the table than your politicians of old. It seems thet the mayors of the past have been so duty driven, don't rock the boat of the political machine that got you elected, and return the favors of your supporters, that they couldn't or wouldn't take the steps neccessary to lead our great city. I think, and pray, that after this election we clean house in our small town political system. New council, new mayor. I have to say that I think, Jack Messer and Jeff Gahan have under the circumstances done a great job. I hope to see them return with a working intelligent city council next term.

youthmovement said...

Agree there are a few good councilmen its the bad apples that ruin the bunch so lets all check our BIG BAG OF APPLES shall we, before they all go bad......