Tuesday, February 08, 2005

NA Confidential vs. NA Incontinent at Monday's City Council meeting

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them. Author Ray Bradbury

“What are you reading?”

As opening lines go, this is a fairly innocuous one. Most of us regard it in the same manner as other common greetings, like “how are you?” and “what’s up?”

How is it, then, that a seemingly harmless supposition with respect to one’s view of the act of reading is transformed into an offense, a provocation, a seeming challenge to one’s masculinity?

Mention the words “NA Confidential” to New Albany Councilman Dan Coffey, and you’ll find out what those of us who grew up on a farm have known since childhood.

Wild skunks spray as a defense mechanism when they perceive a threat.

At least one beleaguered local politician has now been observed to display similar characteristics.

At last evening’s City Council meeting, I took advantage of the time allowed for public comment to speak briefly on three matters:

(1) To restate NA Confidential’s opposition to the further expenditure of public monies to fight a losing battle against the 1st Amendment in the New Albany DVD case,

(2) To encourage the mayor (who was absent) and the council to consider setting up public forums for discussion of matters not reserved to the weekly Board of Public Works and Safety meetings, and

(3) To support the March 2 Public Affairs Symposium, "New Visions for Downtown New Albany."

NA Confidential regards these statements as general in nature, fully in keeping with the “respect” factor and time limitations enforced by President Jeff Gahan, and certainly not directed toward any single individual on the City Council.

But Dan Coffey’s immediate, visceral and jarringly defensive reaction was as indicative of an ill-tempered, anti-progressive mindset as one is apt to find without running to the library for transcripts of Senator McCarthy’s 1950’s-era witch hunt hearings in the US Senate.

These hearings might be available on video for the benefit of those who feel threatened by the act of reading.

Coincidentally, Dan Coffey does not read Blogs because “anyone can hide behind the keyboard,” but by means of osmosis or the Vulcan mind meld, he purports to know exactly what is written in NA Confidential.

Dan Coffey, who sits as part of an elected body known as the “city” council, which is charged with matters pertaining to the city as a whole, sees no need to speak with anyone outside his own district, where he holds public meetings six times a year ... and ... hey, you ... outsider … you don’t live here, do you? … well, congratulations, you’ve just been invited not to attend!

Dan Coffey emphatically and abrasively possesses not the slightest intention to attend any town hall, public forum or revival meeting that is not organized by himself in the safety of his own fiefdom, especially if he’s invited only to listen to the taxpayers throughout the city who pay his salary (and whose money he spends) rather than speak himself.

That’s because Dan Coffey, red-faced and sermonizing, is in fact gravely insulted at not being consulted.

By his own admission, he doesn’t read, but also by his own admission, he is one of the select group able to understand the money, who controls the purse strings of the city, who knows how things get done, who certainly doesn’t need the advice of mere "complainers" who should know their place in the back of the cosmos bus or else get up off their laggard butts and run for office – as if there were no other way to participate in the political process in this city.

The meeting room was quiet as the Wizard of Westside self-destructed.

Then, having encapsulated the most virulent form of New Albany’s native disease in far more eloquent fashion than has been attempted in NA Confidential or any other repository of the written word, Dan Coffey ceased his diatribe.

Ten minutes later, Dan Coffey nodded in assent as fellow Councilman Bill Schmidt produced the results of personal research indicating that neither he nor Coffey, or for that matter, anyone else on the City Council really knows how much money the city has borrowed or if it has been paid back.

NA Confidential earnestly hopes that Dan Coffey’s outburst last evening was the result of the stress and strain that doubtless accompany the task of sifting through New Albany’s current budgetary woes. The Courier-Journal’s and Tribune’s coverage of the meeting make clear the extent of the crisis.

But extenuating circumstances aside, Dan Coffey’s performance cannot be allowed to pass without comment.

His narrow parochialism with respect to the responsibilities of elected public representatives is sadly indicative of the discredited “ward-heeler” school of political “thought,” once the norm but now utterly incapable of providing the unifying vision critical in a world increasingly reliant on the very qualities of communication and inter-dependence that Coffey regards with open contempt.

And, for the record, I’m reading “The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History,” by John Barry.

Volunteer Hoosier's essay "Contrapunction" analyzes the February 7 City Council meeting

New Albany budget questions put vehicle requests on hold, by Ben Zion Hershberg of the Louisville Courier-Journal

Outstanding loans force delay in possible purchase of city vehicles, by Amany Ali, Tribune City Editor

11 comments:

edward parish said...

Brandon, I think that is presently taking place. The true colors of these individuals are starting to show. To make statements of hiding behind a keyboard is preposterous, my name clearly states who I am. That said, I have nothing to hide, only desire to have my voice heard in a manner that is an educated and more modern way of communication. These leaders do not want the apple cart upset, so they can continue to keep their small town small. We are approaching all of this from an educated, thought out process and they are feeling some what threatened by it all. Folks, come to Destinations on March 2nd and just listen to what will be said. We as a community will all benefit from what is being proposed.

The New Albanian said...

Brandon, you mustn't discount the enduring appeal of populism with the body politic. No one is suggesting that Mr. Coffey isn't savvy when it comes to assessing what plays in his constituency, which of course makes his political dalliances further, ahem, "east" so much more compelling, especially to those with a literary bent.

All4Word said...

Does showing up for your neighborhood association meeting count as one of the half-dozen "town meetings" in Mr. Coffey's resume? Just wondering.

Would dropping by the South Side and schmoozing the folks count as a town meeting? Just asking.

Would responding "hello" when hailed on the street count as a town meeting?

You know, I don't mind the politics. That's pretty much normal. But it is an embarrassment when A) a council member makes such obviously fascist statements and B) refuses to retract them after seeing them read back to him in print.

Jeff Gillenwater said...

A bit of personal testimony to reinforce what Brandon said:

My grandparents and great grandparents lived within two houses of each other in Mr. Coffey's district on West 10th for decades. Its reputation for being on the "wrong" side of the interstate existed long before the interstate. My mother grew up there, roaming the formerly safe, prosperous streets of downtown on a daily basis. Enough money for a movie and a coke at the Grand was tantamount to a glorious Saturday.

My grandfather worked in production at Breece Plywood until the day they closed their doors and was a post commander at the VFW on Market. My grandmother put in 17 years at the Whitehouse.

My wife's grandparents ran a photography studio on Oak Street and her mother is a local librarian. I met my wife at the Carnegie Center where we both interned as college students. We were married at the Culbertson Mansion.

I grew up in Sellersburg, the only kid in the sixth grade with a New Albany Bulldogs t-shirt and hat. And, as Ed can attest since he knows my father, I spent a lot more time with a pick and a shovel than I did with books or lofty ideals as a youngster.

My wife and I are currently looking for residential property in the neighborhoods around downtown New Albany. Our family histories and the spirit of those we've met on the blogs, at Destinations, and via the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association have conspired to make us advocates for the type of creative, diverse community we'd like to live and raise children in, even before we've found that special house.

We've read, studied, traveled, and lived in other cities. We know New Albany can be better and are already successfully convincing other young couples to join us in what may become the work of a lifetime to make it so.

It's with great hope and determination that I volunteer my time and thoughts to the process of rebuilding what arguably used to be the most vibrant community in the region. I'm not personally familiar with anyone involved in local politics nor am I afflicted with the silly yet cancerous diatribes that all too often characterize partisan efforts.

I sincerely wish the process to be as inclusive, cooperative, and respectful as possible. As a young man in my thirties, I'm old enough to know that, even though infrastructure and financial problems exist, it's the people and the dialogue they share that define a community- not the empty buildings and dirty alleyways. I'm still naive enough, though, to believe that the best ideas and those who encourage them should be carry the most weight.

As such, I hope Mr. Coffey will realize these blogs and public forums are perhaps his best opportunity to prove himself as a local leader rather than just the winner of a simple popularity contest. Should he choose otherwise, however, and attempt to thwart them out of short sighted personal interests, I'm certainly not afraid of him, red-faced and ranting or not.

Beyond all the ballyhoo, I'm certain of one thing: My great grandparents didn't spend years of their free time driving people to the polls and their son didn't leave their west New Albany home to parachute into the Pacific just so some local huckster could tell their grandson to shut up.

na girl said...

A message to the elected officials of New Albany:

*Born and raised in New Albany.

*Great-great-great grandfather came to New Albany in 1815.

*Graduated from New Albany High School and Indiana University Southeast.

*Own residential and commericial property.

*Investor in a local business.

*Pay property taxes and county income taxes.

*Member of/donor to various community organizations.

*Resgistered voter.

I am not a complainer behind a keyboard. I am a citizen. I have put my time and money where my mouth is. I am for New Albany. What are you for?

And, I am currently reading "Live Well on Less Than You Think" by Fred Brock. $15 at Destinations Booksellers.

na girl said...

A clarification:

The purpose of the Destinations Booksellers' quarterly public affairs symposium is to discuss ideas and explore possibilities. Our first symposium will address the topic of what should/could be done with downtown New Albany.

A four-person panel representing various interests in downtown New Albany will comment on presentations made by several speakers.

This forum is about generating ideas for improving and investing in our city. Anyone who is interested in the future of New Albany is invited to attend. Elected officials are more than welcome. This should be a great opportunity for them to meet and listen to some of their constituents.

As the moderator of the forum let me assure you that it is not about politics and I will not allow it to be about politics.

Please check my blog for some background information on the kind of ideas that may be discussed at the forum

www.narenewal.blogspot.com

All4Word said...

What am I reading?

For the record, I'm reading Lynne Truss's "Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero-Tolerance Approach to Punctuation"

Jeff Gillenwater said...

For the record, it's "The European Dream: How Europe's Vision of the Future is Quietly Eclipsing the American Dream" by Jeremy Rifkin for me.

Ann said...

I agree totally with many of the points Mr. Zurschmiede has made. I think much effort should be put into recruitment of persons who can run for office next election--persons who have business training and experience and who are able to (and desirous of) effectively managing our city.

When I learn things about our elected officials like those that have come to light recently, I believe that their motives are purely self-serving and intended to keep the old status quo. Mayor Garner and Councilman Gahan, what were you thinking? Why would you ask WNAS to NOT air the council meeting tapes? Did you think no one would find out, that Superintendent Brooks would not report your request? And why, oh, why, do you two think that these meetings should not be broadcast? As a friend very close to me has stated, "The devil likes to work in the dark."

The kind of leadership we have now in many cases is NO leadership. It is so disturbing, because New Albany has such potential! I do not understand why someone who has gotten the great opportunity to serve as Mayor of this town isn't taking advantage of the chance they have been given. Just imagine what this city would be like if we had a real leader in charge!

The New Albanian said...

Seems like MJ is offering sound advice to Concern Taxpayer.

All4Word said...

MJ - Why not offer the meeting at Rich O's? Or at Destinations?