In a comment yesterday, SBAvanti63 wrote:
The platform for 2007 is an easy one. Bluegill mentions clean up, revitalization, preservation and economic development. Add in public safety and there's plenty with which to work, especially as it relates to the current council. The trick is finding the candidates willing to run for each seat and then funding them, as it's likely that Dem. or Rep. party funds will support incumbents over new candidates. I'm new enough to New Albany not to know who these potential candidates might be, but the neighborhood associations are certainly one place to start identifying possibilities. I suspect that some of the readers/responders to NAC would be good candidates. Is anyone willing? Now is the time to get started. It's going to take a grass-roots effort to make the sweeping changes necessary and that won't come easily.
--Posted by SBAvanti63 to NA Confidential at 11/27/2006 08:49:32 PM
Good thoughts, indeed.
Readers, assuming such candidates might be found, how does such a platform fit within the confines of the still Democratic-leaning two party system here in New Albany?
In response to SBAvanti63's question, "Is anyone willing"? my answer is yes. I am considering a run for the 4th District Council Seat held by Larry Kochert but I haven't filed or announced my intentions yet (of course now anyone who just read this knows my intentions). A lot of people know my name from the occasional letter or column that I wrote in the Tribune, which is really why I wrote them, but nobody knows me from Adam. As for a platform? This year's election had the Democrats saying it's time for a change, but when the current City Council is almost all Democrat what kind of change can a Democrat offer? I invite everyone to please visit http://altonforcitycouncil.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletewhere I have posted my views and ideas. If I do run, and if the Democrats are really so fed up with the incumbants, I would like to ask for the support of the party. If I do run, I would like to see a platform that offers accountability, accessibility, fresh un-tried ideas, Increased security and enforcement. I understand the reality that this may defeat Kochert in the primary, but could I beat the Republican candidate (if there is one) in November? Please take a look at the site and comments are welcome and will help me decide.
Thanks for jumping in, John.
ReplyDeleteFor clarification: Does ...actively "marketing" downtown New Albany to major stores, restaurants, hotels around the country... include chain stores?
John, please don't take this the wrong way; I'm being a devil's advocate in asking: Do you have what it takes to stand up to the bullying of a Dan Coffey or the inanity of a Steve Price?
ReplyDeleteLike so many others, are you worried that once there, you'll be ground down by the forces of dunceheadedness that reign?
Do you have the will to fight back? Will you stand up and block the transmission of Coach Anna's signals to Bill?
Does actively "marketing" downtown New Albany to major stores, restaurants, hotels around the country... include chain stores? Yes...chain clothing stores, specialty stores, variety, entertainment like an arcade for kids and teens to go to who is willing to locate here and can be competitve with the Clarksville/Jeff/Louisville malls. As far as chain restaurants, the restaurants that have opened downtown are local pioneers, and they have to work against all of the Mickey D's and Wendy's out there now. Downtown is their backyard and they, and others like them, should be the only one's able to play in it . If a hotel chain opened here that had a restaurant/lounge included would be something to go for.
ReplyDeleteRoger, You're exactly what I need! I need someone to point out the negatives to me because I've never run for anything before, even though I've been around politics all of my life. With regard to Dan Coffey, if I would be lucky enough to be on the council, I would be there to represent the views of MY constituents in the 4th district, because they would be the one's that put me there..not Dan Coffey. In my 23 years of working at AT&T, I had to deal with a lot of people who came across as "bullys", and blow-hards and regularly put them in their place. If Mr.Coffey is still on the council if I get there, and he attempts to railroad the "new guy", I would let Mr. Coffey know immediately that I am there to represent the people in the 4th district and to relay their ideas, as well as mine, and to get those ideas passed that will improve my district and the rest of the city, and that will not be pushed away from that commitment. I have no problem standing up to him, or Steve Price.
If Bill feels that he needs a Coach, or if he can't make decisions without Anna...he shouldn't be there. He should get his signals from his constituents, and his decisions should be made on their behalf not Anna's. I want to have a District Town Hall meeting each month so that I can regularly update my constituents and get feedback. How I vote on major issues will come directly from how the majority of the people, one way or the other, voice their views to me at these meetings.
Am I worried that once there, I'll be ground down by the forces of dunceheadedness that reign? I will say this, I am a very stubborn and determined person, and as long as I am communicating and listening to what the people in the 4th District are telling me, and I'm armed with that knowledge and their confidence in me, I feel that I can honestly represent my district's views on issues and not allow myself to be ground down by those with personal agendas.
All of this being said, I haven't completely decided to run yet.