See also:
UPDATED: Councilman (oink) Steve Price for (oink) ordinance enforcement (oink) officer, and Profiles in abject and supremely petty moral cowardice: CMs Coffey, Schmidt, Price & Kochert publicly urinate on code enforcement in NA.
And: Public sounds off to mayor at symposium, by Amany Ali, Tribune City Editor.
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Earlier tonight, Destinations Booksellers held an impromptu Summer Public Affairs Symposium, which brought Mayor James Garner before a small but well-informed crowd of 25 literate, taxpaying New Albany citizens.
Excellent audience questions and Mayor Garner’s thoughtful answers ranged over a wide spectrum of public affairs, including the pending contract with Industrial Disposal, the bidding process therein, details of the eight-year contract, an explanation of the mechanism for rate increases based on inflation, who pays for which type of garbage and recycling container, garbage container hinging systems … then to the Scribner Place pool, its size, who will run it, and the nature of the YMCA’s relationship with the aquatic center … and finally to the future of ordinance enforcement in the aftermath of last evening’s defining moment of moral cowardice and civic irresponsibility on the part of obstructionist councilmen Dan Coffey, Bill Schmidt, Steve Price and Larry Kochert – and let’s not forget the squirming Mark Seabrook’s ingenious disingenuousness – in refusing to approve Officer Jack Messer as the interim ordinance enforcement officer.
Mayor Garner’s take on the Gang of Four’s snickering public assault on decency was that it was politics, pure and simple, and in this assessment he echoed a forceful Tribune editorial today that said, in part: “It’s time to play politics once again. Some council members have decided that Messer is too much on Mayor James Garner’s side. That is ridiculous. So, once again this city is being hampered by partisan politics.”
Explaining that the Board of Public Work had recommended CM Messer to the city council as the interim choice for the job, and not the permanent appointee, and adding that he still believes that CM Messer is the right man for the difficult task of restoring accountability to ordinance enforcement, the mayor said that he’ll initiate further discussions with the council in search of common ground.
And if that fails? “With the (police) chief’s approval,” said Garner, “we’ll reassign him” to ordinance enforcement for the five-month interim period.
That's music to NA Confidential's ears, and if it comes to pass, we'll happily withdraw our proposal that the position be awarded to CM Price.
Is there a noise ordinance Messer can enforce?
ReplyDeleteWith Stevie and the Sycophants practicing for a new gig, there's bound to be a garage being acoustically abused somewhere within city limits.
I could probably be cajoled into renting them an old RV for their farewell tour, though.
Ed, here's what Mayor Garner had to say about recycling, taken from my notes:
ReplyDeleteWe're at somewhere around 40% (the percentage of recyclables actually being recycled) and the percentage has been dropping owing to well-documented reasons. The new contract with ID calls for recyclables (including cardboard) to be co-mingled in a packer (presumably) dedicated for recycling, then taken to a place for automated sorting.
Over on the Trog Blog, Tim Deatrick asked "Are you a Bailerite?" and cited the following as one identifying factor:
ReplyDeleteDo you use more than five words greater than four letters in length in each sentence???
Then he posted this (above):
how about an ordinance for the pompous pontificating from the likes of you?
Do the math. Yep, five words of more than four letters.
Egads - should I be alarmed?
The Easy Recycle program sounds interesting. It's also not out of the realm of possibility for most to simply recycle their own materials. That's what a lot of progressives did prior to the advent of curbside service.
ReplyDeleteI'm also giving composting a more serious look these days. If anyone has information about local resources for such, please share.
Not to make light of a potential loss of jobs, but we'd be better off in the long run concentrating on producing less waste rather than arguing about who should haul it.
If we do ever advance the idea of community gardens, which I think is as good one, perhaps we could have a composting center on site.
A couple three employees could pick up yard waste and other materials and be in charge of the composting operation. The resulting organic matter could be used to fuel the garden or made available to the public for use on their own property.
Jeff I'll tag you on your email with details of composting experience of the Parish household for near 20 years. Bob from Easy Recycle returned my call last night with details and he even recycles old eye glasses to the Lions Club International.
ReplyDeleteWe were one of the few households who did our own recycling years ago and would not have a problem with doing it now. We will do something other than give our money to ID, Rumpke or any other big business Corp.
I know a lot of Trash Force members use and endorse Easy Recycle. He does a pretty good job from what I've heard.
ReplyDeleteYou can also call the Floyd Co. Solid Waste district. I believe they have drop-off sites for recycling if you decide to go that route.
Here's a breaking post from the Pink Trog Blog:
ReplyDeleteSPEECHLESS IN N/A said...
Progressive Gang of Four: Roger Baylor, Randy Smith, Ann Streckfus, Jeff Gillenwater.
There is so much good in the worst of us. And so much bad in the best of us,That it hardly behooves any of us To talk about the rest of us.
Ann, looks like you have a fan.
Or I may have a stalker.
ReplyDeleteI guess this posting means I need to start hanging around with you guys. We can talk about progressive stuff. Whatever.
What's heartening about progressives is that any four of them can clearly express five reasoned, balanced opinions.
ReplyDeleteBeats waiting to be told what opinion you are supposed to have.
Not sure this is current info. It would probably be a good idea to call and check before loading up your recycling.
ReplyDeleteThe Floyd County Solid Waste District's Mobile Recycling unit's schedule is as follows:
Tuesday: St. Mary's of the Knobs School.
Wednesday: CBM Flea Market -- Edwardsville (Old Edwardsville School); Greenville Elementary School.
Thursday: Floyd Central High School.
Saturday: Grant Line Elementary School.
The times for the facilities to be open are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the office 948-4733.
I was always very faithful about hauling my recycling to Community Park when Trash Force had a collection site set up there and then to the Floyd County Solid Waste collection site after they took over. I have to admit that I was very glad to have curbside recycling when the city started it. And I was very glad to pay the fee that was charged at that time.
If I remember correctly, when the state mandated that communities reduce the volume of refuse going into the landfills (20 years ago?) I think that New Albany was able to put off starting a recycling program partly due to the efforts of Trash Force and partly because the yard waste that was picked up by the street department was sold to Earth First for mulch and compost.
I don't know if they still sell yard waste to Earth First. It would be interesting to know what they do with the yard waste they collect.
That's a great story. I'd definitely drink a toast to your mom!
ReplyDeleteWe’re fortunate that many New Albany residents have always been good about recycling everything possible. I too had that lesson etched in my brain by my mom. Not to the extent you did by driving all around collecting other people’s recycling, but through many trips to the Trash Force sites and days volunteering there. Even today, I think she checks my recycling container for signs of use every time she’s at my house!