Thursday, May 20, 2010

Can't blame this one on the Pope.

If you haven't already seen this, go look: File under: Senseless atrocities.

My advice to preservationists or anyone else who wishes to see the old Coyle building remain standing as part of an adaptive reuse project, rather than bulldozed to suit the construction of a government center more worthy of Hugo Chavez:

See lawyers now, rather than later. Raise money to pay them now, rather than later. Seek legal redress now, rather than later.

Because:

Those bulldozers might be idling tomorrow morning. That's the way this hopeless, dysfunctional, Philistine-ridden, slumlord-infested burg works. Take it to them now, as they deserve it.

Good and hard.

I'm going for a bike ride now. At least I don't have to ride past the crime scene.

10 comments:

Jeff Gillenwater said...

You all still thinking about Madison? I need a job and my willingness to go mobile is increasing daily. Of course, if things keep going like they're going, I might get a free trip replete with accommodations.

Randy said...

The headline is correct. The Pope ain't responsible. The Mayor is.

It's the New Albany Way. Do it in the dark. Don't allow time for the public to react. Then pretend that because it was permitted during a public meeting that you're running a transparent, democratic administration.

Tree board? Nah. Stormwater board? Nah.

Who wants to guess how many days before new saplings are planted? Given that the tree service has no apparent plans to grind the stumps (which would do very little to prepare the ground for new plantings, anyway), I'm not optimistic that it will be any time soon.

G Coyle said...

"t's the New Albany Way. Do it in the dark. Don't allow time for the public to react. Then pretend that because it was permitted during a public meeting that you're running a transparent, democratic administration."

or by another word - CORRUPTION.

New Albany is corrupt, has been forever, and people who are new to the political landscape often seem not to entertain that possibility.

I've said for years, it won't change until there are public interest attorneys in Indiana who will work on civic, environmental, constitutional, blah blah issues.

dan chandler said...

Lack of transparency does not necessarily equate corruption.

Corruption implies personal gain by the public official. Lack of transparency results from desire by the official to achieve their goals without scrutiny, irrespective of whether those goals are intended to achieve personal gain or are legitimate political goals. I don't like the opaque process, but I see no evidence of personal gain being sought.

Furthermore, I don't know why attorneys should be expected to contribute more to a particular cause than non-attorneys are expected to contribute.

G Coyle said...

"Furthermore, I don't know why attorneys should be expected to contribute more to a particular cause than non-attorneys are expected to contribute."

Public interest attorney's, like trial lawyers, are paid through fees from successful cases.

I'd go further to make my point and say I've offered real money to back a publilc interest suit...no takers. Like I said, it begs the question of who all the attorneys in Southern Indiana work for.

dan chandler said...

Public interest attorney's, like trial lawyers, are paid through fees from successful cases.

Actually, most trial attorneys are not paid from successful cases. Most are paid hourly.

1. I understand the term on its face, but as someone who has completed law school and passed the bar, I can certify that "public interest lawyer" has no special meaning in the law. It might in lay speech but not to judges.

2. No amount of lawyering and no amount of lawyer's fees is going to solve a non-legal, political issue.

3. Finally, as an attorney and as a friend of many other attorneys, I'm amazed that anyone would think we're all part of some cabal. I'm not prone to conspiracy theories, especially ones which include me as a co-conspirator.

G Coyle said...

"I'm amazed that anyone would think we're all part of some cabal."

Dan, I am exaggerating for effect. However, the majority of attorneys in New Albany I suspect work for and with the city government, which limits options for folks that need to wrangle anything outta local gov't. And I've yet to hear of any public interest lawsuits initiated locally, other than the redistricting suit.

I work with lawyers, I don't hate all lawyers, just the stupid and/or greedy kind who take advantage of city hall.

dan chandler said...

Gina, a modest lawsuit would cost you $10,000. Instead of handing your hard earned money to attorneys, might I suggest you donate your $10,000 to a candidate or candidates you trust early before the next local primaries. That will get you much closer to your goals.

G Coyle said...

Dan - if only there were a good candidate to contribute to...

RememberCharlemagne said...

Amen to that.