Latest issue of Jeff Roudenbush's "The Forum" mailed to NA Confidential

NA Confidential is appreciative of being placed on the mailing list of “Jeff Roudenbush’s The Forum of New Albany and Floyd County.”

Thanks for the enrollment.

The current issue of The Forum (February 2005; Volume 2, Issue 4) arrived today via snail mail, as it is a print-only product and apparently is not available on-line.

Articles are “limited to New Albany and Floyd County politics and government,” and written contributions are actively sought, with authors asked to “specify his or her party affiliation or political leaning.”

This month’s contributors include Yvonne Kersey, who compares New Albany’s 2003 and 2004 year-end financial reports, and the editor himself, Jeff Roudenbush.

Jeff discusses a request by township fire departments to consider reorganization into “fire districts,” the New Albany Fire Department’s proposed change in hiring policy (as presented before the City Council), and developments in the Linden Place subdivision controversy.

His editorial, “NA’s ‘Marketplace of Ideas’ Is Expanding,” expresses pleasure that “more citizens are taking an interest in city politics,” and introduces The Forum’s readers to Blogging in the form of NA Confidential (“runs pretty hot”), Volunteer Hoosier (“a civil level of discourse”) and New Albany Renewal (“downtown preservation and renewal.”)

As a longtime observer of the local political scene, Jeff has advice for the new generation of Bloggers:

“If I have any concerns about the bloggers at this point, it’s their newness to the process, the people and the personalities, the rules and regulations. Unrealistic expectations can cause undue anger when change does not happen as fast as you would like.”

He urges Bloggers to take account of issues, regulations and restrictions, as well as other, more instinctive factors.

“I had the wife of a candidate in a recent election tell me that she could not believe how many times her husband was asked whether he was a native of Floyd County (he wasn’t). She didn’t understand that natives will know and understand our issues – will know us – best.”

Jeff kindly adds:

“I think Roger Baylor of NA Confidential and Randy Smith of Volunteer Hoosier are going to have a positive impact on political discussions here in New Albany. I wish that someone like Warren Nash, retiring chairman of the Floyd County Democratic Party, a man who was Mayor of New Albany at an earlier age than these men began to take an interest in its politics had the interest and skills to moderate a blog. With his knowledge of the history of New Albany politics, what he could say if he were willing to say it … that would be fascinating.”

He concludes by asking public officials who might be tempted to participate on the Blogs to remember the potential pitfalls.

“Every word you say and especially every word you write is a part of the public record. Do your best to maintain your dignity and to make sure that nothing you say can come back to bite you.”

Speaking only for itself, NA Confidential knows and appreciates the sweet caress of the rhetorical stiletto, but nonetheless is delighted and honored to be one of the neighbors permitted to discuss the local news.

Again, sincere thanks for the issue.