The year 2007 is shaping up as pivotal for the city of New Albany, and not coincidentally, a primary election comes to us on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. NAC is considering the five contested city council races in the Democratic Party primary and the wild three-way Democratic mayor’s race.
The format will be consistent throughout, continuing here with the 2nd and 4th council districts.
----
Council - (D) 2nd District
The New Albanian (NA):
Tired of the same old Schmidt? The incumbent’s campaign literature predictably touts him as the man “who listens to the citizens,” but something about that phrase always reminds me of the Twilight Zone story about the visiting aliens and their book, the tome with the “seemingly innocuous title of ‘To Serve Man.’”
While listening is important, leading sometimes requires independent thought – and this has not been in evidence, at least lately.
(NA) - Endorsement:
Challenger Bob Caesar’s relative youth, retail experience, longtime involvement with New Albany’s downtown business district and impeccable service credentials add up to ample qualifications to serve on the city council. I suspect that Caesar will rely far less on the esoteric numerology practiced by the incumbent, and seek a slightly more comprehensive development strategy than “Not In My Back Yard.” As David Brain once wrote, "NIMBY reactionaries don't stop change in the long run. They simply help to insure that it happens in the worst possible way." That's the Schmidt legacy.
The format will be consistent throughout, continuing here with the 2nd and 4th council districts.
----
Council - (D) 2nd District
The New Albanian (NA):
Tired of the same old Schmidt? The incumbent’s campaign literature predictably touts him as the man “who listens to the citizens,” but something about that phrase always reminds me of the Twilight Zone story about the visiting aliens and their book, the tome with the “seemingly innocuous title of ‘To Serve Man.’”
While listening is important, leading sometimes requires independent thought – and this has not been in evidence, at least lately.
(NA) - Endorsement:
Challenger Bob Caesar’s relative youth, retail experience, longtime involvement with New Albany’s downtown business district and impeccable service credentials add up to ample qualifications to serve on the city council. I suspect that Caesar will rely far less on the esoteric numerology practiced by the incumbent, and seek a slightly more comprehensive development strategy than “Not In My Back Yard.” As David Brain once wrote, "NIMBY reactionaries don't stop change in the long run. They simply help to insure that it happens in the worst possible way." That's the Schmidt legacy.
----
Bluegill (BG):
Bob Caesar has built and maintained a downtown business for over thirty years during the proverbial worst of times. When most everyone else left, he stayed and thrived. As an entrepreneur and survivor, he's a seminal root of the tree that's now branching. Simply put, he's earned my respect.
While Schmidt has spent the past few years in a fog of imaginary lists and figures, Caesar has produced, with hard numbers in real time. As a young, at least semi-ambitious person in the city, I'd readily seek Caesar's counsel concerning business in New Albany. If I wanted to know what Schmidt's wife thought, I'd just ask her and spare myself the probably confused translation of the incumbent.
------------
Council - (D) 4th District
The New Albanian (NA):
Although he competently played the title role in a revival of "Hamlet" with his anguished decision not to seek re-election as a Democrat, the infamously ward-heeling incumbent Larry Kochert continues to cast a spectral, malign influence over the 4th district, which he obviously regards as something of a personal fiefdom. Kochert has emitted shifting signals of support for Roger Hefler (apparently the King’s preferred successor), boastful threats to run himself as an independent, and pious vows to support the unopposed Republican, David Aebersold – just about anything to keep up in lights a political name brand that increasingly has come to symbolize futility and impotence of an unprecedented magnitude, even by the benighted and reactionary standards of New Mayberry.
(NA) - Endorsement:
In 2003, challenger Pat McLaughlin came within 30 votes of unseating Kochert. McLaughlin is intelligent, earnest and capable of independent thought. He deserves the nomination in 2007. Apologies to Pat for forgetting to snap a photo of one of his signs.
Bluegill (BG):
Council - (D) 4th District
The New Albanian (NA):
Although he competently played the title role in a revival of "Hamlet" with his anguished decision not to seek re-election as a Democrat, the infamously ward-heeling incumbent Larry Kochert continues to cast a spectral, malign influence over the 4th district, which he obviously regards as something of a personal fiefdom. Kochert has emitted shifting signals of support for Roger Hefler (apparently the King’s preferred successor), boastful threats to run himself as an independent, and pious vows to support the unopposed Republican, David Aebersold – just about anything to keep up in lights a political name brand that increasingly has come to symbolize futility and impotence of an unprecedented magnitude, even by the benighted and reactionary standards of New Mayberry.
(NA) - Endorsement:
In 2003, challenger Pat McLaughlin came within 30 votes of unseating Kochert. McLaughlin is intelligent, earnest and capable of independent thought. He deserves the nomination in 2007. Apologies to Pat for forgetting to snap a photo of one of his signs.
Bluegill (BG):
4th Aside from the acumen highlighted by the New Albanian, Pat McLaughlin is funny on purpose.
4 comments:
Bluegill,
Good line. I met Pat at one of the Meet 'n Greets. I would agree with both you and NA.
Speaking M 'n G's, I am aware of the reason they stopped happening but I miss them and the opportunity to meet people.
OOPS...
John Manzo and I had started a dialog regarding a meet and greet, but I have just been buried up to the eye teeth...My brain is only functioning on partial circuits!
I understand. Of course, being a social worker(I think)your brain is little lopsided anyway!
PS My wife is also a social worker.
Social worker is it to a tee.
It is a vow of poverty, being overworked and underpaid.
lopsided brain in an understatement, my left lobe has actually moved out at this point
Post a Comment