Develop New Albany's on-line farmers market "poll" is a reeking, juvenile cesspool of intellectual dishonesty.

NAC suggests you go to the DNA rigged polling page and disrupt its bush league tactics by voting for the parking garage. Sadly, doing so may be the only chance we get to register a viewpoint.

From the same old suspects, playing the same old childish fix-is-in games, comes this absurd "choice" in an on-line poll about the future of the farmers market.

I'll have more to say about this on Thursday morning. Until then, just remember DNA's statement of principle back in 2010, when it was asked to take a stand on bridge tolls, and produced a statement of pure, unadulterated, unalloyed cowardice. It's reprinted below.

While you're reading it, just keep asking yourself: From the inception of DNA's farmers market expansion boondoggle, through its surreptitious placement in the city council budget, right up through this insulting poll -- the poll's insipidity quite possibly is the only transparent act DNA had ventured in a decade -- has any one thing the organization has done to advance the idea of overspending on the farmers market NOT BEEN POLITICAL? 

Rather than forward yet another payback to farmers market management (ye Gods, when will it ever be enough?), couldn't we take the $270,000, pay someone $10K a year to run it at whatever location might be deemed of best interest to the entire city, and buy ourselves 27 years of restful nights?

Why is DNA opposed to having an intelligent community discussion about the farmers market and its place in a revitalizing downtown without resorting to the misconceptions and scaremongering?

If the farmers market is genuinely important, maybe we need to take it back from DNA's clutches and do something important with it.

World classics of bureaucratic evasiveness: DNA's 2010 tolling "position" announcement.

NA 1st's position on bridge tolls is much appreciated in the indie business community, which a full year and a half later still looks to the self-endowed, self-described local revitalization leaders for leadership. And, a year and a half later, pins drop, crickets chirp, and somewhere, a beaten cur moans in pompous resignation.

Develop New Albany releases statement regarding bridge tolls.

We support the success of downtown merchants.

Develop New Albany will continue to observe the progress of the construction of new bridges and the proposal for tolls on existing bridges and release statements as they pertain to the economic development of the historic business corridors. The organization is a tax exempt charitable organization and IRS rules state Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct. As a non-political organization we are in favor of anything that supports the success of New Albany business owners and favor policy that advances economic development. We encourage a transparent effort on the part of the Bridge Authority and political leaders.

This Corporation was organized with the mission to promote and encourage the economic revitalization and historic preservation of downtown New Albany. Therefore, actions that contribute to these goals have been, and will be, welcomed by Develop New Albany. Actions that are a detriment to these goals have not been, and will not be, welcomed by Develop New Albany.

Develop New Albany: Develop New Albany, Inc. is a non-profit organization composed of local businesses and community volunteers. Develop New Albany is committed to the economic revitalization and historic preservation of Downtown New Albany. Develop New Albany proactively markets New Albany to organizations and businesses to encourage the continued renaissance of Downtown New Albany.

Develop New Albany Contact:
Mike Kopp, President