You'll note that there's no link here today to the Courier-Journal article about CM Bill Schmidt and the building of a flood wall next to his niece's house. Apparently, proper authorization procedures for the work weren't followed.
What's more interesting is that, according to some sources, when Mayor Garner experiences personal business difficulties that have nothing to do with city business, it's somehow indicative of his character and the public has a right to know via newspapers and blog postings.
However, when Bill Schmidt improperly uses city funds to improve a relative's property, letting the public know about it is simply a game of political "gotcha" and shouldn't be considered as commentary on Schmidt at all.
That's an interesting perspective from someone calling for the end of spin.
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Obviously, you are referring to my blog posting today on Diggin' in the Dirt.
I stand by my opinions; they are my own, formed from my own observations. From the reports I have been given, Bill Schmidt states that he did receive the proper clearance for the project. The newspaper reports that he didn't. My PERSONAL opinion, based on two wildly conflicting versions, is that given the type of scrutiny Schmidt is under, he did follow procedure as he knew it to be.
I also stand by my opinion that a Mayor that would stiff someone out of money legitimately owed is not the sort of leader I want for New Albany.
We're all entitled to make our own determinations. I respect your right to do so, even if I may disagree.
The meat of our disagreement isn't about which public official did what or our indiviual opinions about those actions.
It's about fairness. It's hardly fair to suggest the Schmidt situation is political game playing but the Garner situation isn't.
You chose to add your own spin to the situation and then complain about spin from others.
Bluegill--did you really read my blog?:
Is it yet ANOTHER instance of political "gotcha" in New Albany? Without a doubt. (my capitalization)
It's all "gotcha" in my opinion, Mayor or Council, because it is motivated by one-upmanship and grudges, rather than a true concern for ethics and responsibility.
The thing I find most disconcerting about the various citizens' groups now so vocal in New Albany is that each one seems to have its own hero(es) and villain(s). There are few freethinkers. And when these groups become the political tool of any person, they're doomed. It's why I haven't affiliated with any of them.
I understand where you're coming from, but with your post of the mayor's court records, you participated in and may have actually created that particular gotcha.
It was only after Schmidt got attention did you suggest that the one-upmanship should stop.
If you're indeed calling for all the spin to stop and agreeing to not spin anymore yourself, then that's cool.
What's most disturbing to me about the whole competitition, outside of the fact that it is a competition, is that it's almost impossible to participate without at least involuntarily being put on a team.
As I've mentioned before, the cultural battle is probably more important than the financial one and that bit of partisan culture is very much ingrown.
I am a new blogger, but an old resident. We continue to see this same behavior in all areas of the city, county and ,in my interest, the healthcare environment. Everyone wants to pass blame, shirk responsibility, and continue with the status quo. I cannot remember the last forward-thinking person in any administration in this area. We need new blood in all of these areas if we plan to compete in the 21st century. This partisan-type of bickering is unusual in the fact they are all democrats. Significant turf battles must be going on behind the scenes as with so many other problems.
In order to "spin", I think it needs to be intended to sway public opinion. I really don't care about that. My opinion is commentary, and it's strictly my own. I don't care for Garner as Mayor; you do. Is it worth it to me to debate you (or anyone else) to change their view? No, it's not.
There's a good reason why religion and politics are the two subjects polite society have historically been told to avoid.
Healthblogger, you're correct about the partisan bickering. Floyd County's Democratic Party has been fractured for quite awhile, and I think it's unusual. Normally you just see party vs. party posturing.
I think what we're seeing is a changing of the guard in the Floyd County party. Hopefully it will lead to some of the new blood needed.
I also think that change is playing out on the New Albany stage. Coffey,et al, got thumped in internal party elections recently and some of the winners work for the current administration. There's ample bitterness outside of city business.
If the party is going to be successful in the future, some of the old hangers on have to go. They've been tolerated for votes in the past, but their lack of fresh ideas and status quo behavior has snuck up behind them and well, you know...
Jeff I think has nailed it on the head. People are finally getting fed up with the good old boy club running this city and running it into the ground.
Change is good. Positive change is even better.
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