Communities take steps toward River Walk, by John L. Gilkey (Jeffersonville Evening News).
Here are edited excerpts:
Officials on both sides of the Ohio River say a circular river walk between the K&I Railroad and the Big Four bridges would be a significant asset to the region, and are taking steps to make it happen …
… Ohio River Greenway Development Corp. Director Rick Dickman … said the Greenway Commission has agreed to work with Kentucky officials to create the 10-mile loop around the Falls of the Ohio, but he stressed that the first priority of the commission is to build the Greenway.
"We have some serious issues to overcome with the next sections of the Greenway and with crossing Silver Creek on the Greenway," Dickman said.
Currently the pavement leads to nowhere ... but maybe ...
As for the river walk concept, it is widely understood that the biggest obstacle to completing such a loop is the Norfolk Southern Railroad, owner of the K & I Bridge, and the company’s fear of liability when people and trains share transport space.
A retired city councilman once told me that the railroad would be happy to yield on this point if either state agreed to pay for the necessary insurance, but warned me not to do something foolish like hold my breath.
Beyond that, can anyone connected with the recent history of the Greenway project provide an explanation for why it was designed for vehicular traffic, and not to be a pedestrian and bicycle path – which, after all, seems to fit the destination of “greenway” better than billowing exhaust fumes, motorcycles and automotive traffic that we’re told will be somehow controlled and restricted as to speed?
As a daily cyclist, color me skeptical about claims like these, although in fairness, it’s true that I’ve made it all the way through 2005 without garbage being thrown, obscenities being yelled, or evasive action being required to avoid a rampaging driver.
Wouldn’t the Greenway’s cost be far less if a new automotive bridge didn’t have to be built, and the existing trestles in Al Goodman’s Loop Island Wetlands could be used in the fashion of the Monon Trail in Indianapolis?
Ms. Bolovschak, recent commission appointee, if you’re reading: Do you think it’s too late to rethink the Greenway concept and make it more green, and less Dick Cheney?
xxxx
Big thanks to Ms. Bolovschak for this prompt Monday morning response:
"I would gladly hear from any of you who care to voice their opinion about the Ohio River Greenway. I contacted the Tribune about an open forum I will be hosting to discuss the topic. You’ll be reading about that soon."
14 comments:
Miss a day, miss a story.
That is what we hoped for, wasn't it? The Tribune, indeed, covered this story by John Gilkey - on Saturday.
It's heartening to see SMALL improvements on a daily basis, RAB. As a journalism geek, I see the K-vich touch already at work.
I made the assumption that it had run in the EN the day before, hence my opening. It was not intended as a stab at the 'Bune.
Apologies for muddling that, but my intended first sentence needed to reference the trog terrorism ... well, forget it, I sacrificed accuracy for art.
There's an issue for '07. Garner is determined (he's pledged to make it an absolute) to block vehicular traffic from the Floyd County portion of the Greenway.
Surely our local patronage appointment sees the wisdom of making it a non-motorized parkway. Right?
Well, for Pete's sake, why don't you ask Valla Ann instead of speculating on this blog? Afraid she's going to make you eat her chili?
That was asking her, and she did respond, noting that there will be public forums on Greenway topics.
As I stated previously in this space, politics aside, her appointment to the commission seems sensible to me. Like she could do worse than ex-Mayor Dougie when it comes to grasping lifestyle issues? I think not, unless it's "mafia lifestyles."
Yes, she just emailed me to tell me that she'd read your post and responded.
I understand all the irritation that the people in the progressive group have with so many of the silly, baseless rumors that float around. I feel the same way.
However, I have to say that many times you guys are perpetuating the same type of thing by promoting the idea that no one can dislike Garner without having some ulterior motive, or simply dismissing them as "trogs".
You have a policy that you don't allow anonymous commentary, and that's good. But unfounded, speculative commentary isn't necessarily a step up from the anonymous type.
However, I have to say that many times you guys are perpetuating the same type of thing by promoting the idea that no one can dislike Garner without having some ulterior motive, or simply dismissing them as "trogs."
Annie, you’re a very good writer, so I’m assuming that your use of the word “dislike” in the preceding is purely intentional. Bearing this in mind, my question is: Where is the current opposition to the mayor based on anything more tangible than personal dislike for him, or dislike for what some seem to perceive as his “class”?
It is my prerogative, both as a writer and as a resident of New Albany, to undertake rhetorical analysis of those factions with whom I disagree – not “dislike” – and accordingly, I’ve undertaken to define what I consider the lunatic fringe not only employing my own views, but as often as possible, using their own words and actions to further the process of definition.
You have a policy that you don't allow anonymous commentary, and that's good. But unfounded, speculative commentary isn't necessarily a step up from the anonymous type.
I imagine this has nothing to do with my innocent question to Valla Ann about the Greenway. What exactly has you piqued?
Before you answer, stop to consider how often it turns out to be the case that the person reporting the fire is revealed to be the arsonist.
I suppose that my "dislike" is your "disagree". Since I don't know Garner personally, I don't dislike him in that regard. But I do dislike him as our Mayor. Or stated in other terms, I disagree that he is an effective Mayor.
My dissatisfaction with him, if you will, is based on his overall performance, after a 2-year period of observation, and I certainly won't give him black marks all around, but on a scale of 1 to 10 he'd rate about a 3 or 4.
I don't like the fact that he accepted campaign contributions from several of the biggest owners of rental property in New Albany, and still has no active building code enforcement happening (which, coincidentally or not, would affect quite a bit of rental property if instituted).
I don't like that he represented himself as a successful businessman, when the record shows the opposite.
I don't like the expenditure of over $105,000.00 out of the sewer fund to buy new vehicles (which, as far as I can document, weren't for sewer-related business) as one of his first orders of business when he took office.
And yes, there is more, and no, it's certainly not based upon a personal dislike of him, for I have none.
I can't say I'm piqued, but I do think that that you insinuate by many of your postings that regardless of any individual or groups' efforts toward progress, they are worthless, or somehow diminished, if they do not also approve of Mayor Garner.
Vis a vis the "political patronage appointment" comment:
Valla Ann's appointment to the Greenway was the result of a stated goal, and an approved motion by the board of the MSPA. It involved a lot of research, letterwriting and patience on our part, after Valla Ann volunteered to serve on the Commission if appointed.
We felt she'd be an appropriate appointee because of her enthusiasm and willingness to serve, coupled with her proven ability to negotiate with the Indiana Dept. of Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railroad and even the Federal Railroad Administration-entities figuring greatly into New Albany's portion of the Greenway. Incidentally, her successful negotiations with these groups took place before we had a Republican governor.
We also believed she would bring new energy and motivation to a project that, frankly, hasn't seen much action in New Albany, but can have a tremendous positive impact upon the city.
Or I guess we could have left things as they were, with the Democrat person whose expired term she filled.
The last part first: Since "local patronage appointment" was not my comment, you can debate all4word as to its usage.
There are those prepared to debate the points you make with respect to the mayor's performance, and such a debate is by no means out of bounds. Insofar as we understand the meaning of the debate and how the debate is to be conducted in a civilized, pluralistic society, then it can be said that all participants are on the same page and can undertake the debate apart from the less savory methodology preferred by those who are jack-booted.
What I am stating openly, not at all insinuating or implying, has far less to do with the performance of the current mayor as it does with the performance of those who would subvert the very principles they claim to uphold, having decided unilaterally that they are justified in advocating extralegal means to an end.
You know exactly who these people are, and Annie, they don't much care that you and I have an education, a self-image, nice homes, or the capability to debate these topics apart from swinging baseball bats at each other.
For them, it's about rage, impotence, revenge, envy, hatred, and attempted class warfare. You know it, I know it, and the majority of reasonable people know it.
Even if I did not have reasons for supporting the mayor, just as you have reasons that differ, what's more important to me is not bowing to thuggery, whether it is the intellectual or the physical variety.
And not - never - providing succor, intentionally or otherwise, to such anti-communal, fascistic instincts.
I'd rather drink Miller Lite. It can't be put any more strongly than that.
For the record, considering who sits in the governor's chair, Valla Ann is about as good a choice as we could have hoped for. That's the point I've made privately any number of times.
She has the time and the energy, and certainly the curiosity to do a good job. But it's disingenuous to pretend it's not a patronage appointment.
The use of that term was not intended to disparage. Much like the owner of the Admiral Bicknell Inn, I use language to the hilt and for effect, but I don't think of patronage as being a term of diminishment. Perhaps you do.
Elected officials need to exercise patronage to ensure their initiatives are carried out. They must appoint someone qualified. And they must appoint someone who will not bring the body into disrepute or bring embarrassment to the elected official.
In this case, any number of local Republicans would be qualified. And it's clear that Their Man Mitch didn't appoint a political opponent.
Can we assume, however, that since Ms. Bolovschak did not express an opinion that she is willing to make the Greenway a motorized parkway?
She hasn't expressed an opinion, as far as I can tell, but recall that it has been noted previously that the Greenway people have received very little input from the community during their meetings and forums. I plead guilty to this, and will try to be better.
I don't doubt VAB's sincerity in any of this, and hope that the forum she proposes to hold will be well attended.
As for me, I'm still interested in knowing why a Greenway is planned to be motorized. Is it because of where the money's coming from?
I would ask her, and not assume what her thoughts are regarding a motorized Greenway.
Since the last reference to her on Volunteer Hoosier was "Cruella de Val", I just figured the political patronage comment was meant as derogatory also. My mistake.
Roger, I'm sure you know that, like you, I'd never advocate thuggery as a means to any type of end.
I think that we'd all be served well with less negative talk and more positive action. Many of us are trying to do so, and though we have political differences, that should not dilute the sincerity of our collective efforts.
Homeschool time. My little pupil is calling.
By the way, Annie, damned fine appreciation of your father's life.
Thanks, going to post some photos of Dad too as time allows.
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