Ready or not … here they come.
New city council debuts Monday in New Albany; Two returning members vie for presidency, by Eric Scott Campbell:
The two biggest issues on a short agenda are the consideration of payroll additions and the election of a council president and vice president. Incumbents Jeff Gahan and Jack Messer are considered likely candidates to be nominated to the top seat, one Gahan held in 2005 and 2006.
The payroll changes would add a deputy mayor/development director and a deputy director of operations to England’s staff. Carl Malysz and Matt Denison would fill those positions.
Verily, some things may well change, while others stay forever the same.
Asked by reporter Campbell to comment on the new council’s legislative agenda, returning 3rd district embarrassment Steve Price indicated that he remains, as always, woefully uninformed:
Price said he hadn’t heard much about legislative plans, other than the possible resolution of a court case over the relative size of council districts: “I don’t know what they’re going to be going through.”
Is the accidental councilman’s use of “they’re” meant to imply that he doesn’t see himself as being part of the group? If so, it would appear that the 3rd district is destined to suffer through four more years of flagrant under-performance.
And yet, in fairness, the performance of this or any other legislative body is but a small piece in the bigger puzzle of a community's daily existence. However, if there is to be any substantive discussion of something approximating a civil society in this town, the council itself needs to do its part in conjuring a few more of the better angels of our natures, and pandering to fewer of the nasty ones.
We begin the year with limitless optimism ... and now, the clock starts ticking.
Optimism?
ReplyDeleteIn trying to make the best of two apparently bad choices for mayor, I held my nose and voted for Mr. England. Maybe he HAD "learned" from his previous experiences and gained some wisdom with age.
It has not been a good start. Even before taking office, he has already gone back on one of his statements during the campaign. Mr. England clearly stated that he would not have to pay an Economic Development Director because he was more than qualified to that himself. He can call it Deputy Mayor, but the old saying "if it walks like a duck and quacks like a ..."
(This is NOT meant to disparage Mr. Malysz in way, shape or form.)
To clarify, my optimism in this instance is directed toward the notion that a reconstituted council can play a role in promoting a civil society in New Albany.
ReplyDeleteYour point v.v. the mayor is well taken. It will be interesting to hear the rationale this evening.
I knew what you referring to. It just gave me a reason to bitch!!
ReplyDeleteMan, I am leaving words out left and right.
ReplyDelete"I knew what you WERE referring..."
Huh, two more positions? For what? I sure am glad that I don't live in the city limits right now, Roger. The government always grows, whether the economy or the city prospers. Surely there are other ways to go about this. Maybe small business owners can give Mr. England suggestions on how to increase economic activity, and I'm not talking about his personal activity.
ReplyDeleteUnless I am mistaken, it is really only one new position. Mr. Denison is basically replacing Mr. Toran. Not exactly but in general terms.
ReplyDeleteEven so, not what was suggested before the election. Careful, Mr. Short, we both might agree on something. Not sure which one of us would be more upset!(smile)
I will stand right up and proclaim that I agree with anyone on the issue of smaller government and/or and end to wasteful spending. Can't we all agree on that? smile
ReplyDeleteI will match your "stand up" on the end to wasteful spending.
ReplyDeleteUh, I am going to guess that we will probably part ways on the details of wasteful spending. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.
Tippecanoe and Tyler too.
I have a few opinions about the general topic of "smaller government," and if there's time some day soon, perhaps I'll string them together and provide grist for debate.
ReplyDeleteWarning: I'm a Europhile, so don't expect my thoughts to parallel those of grover Norquist.
Wasteful spending is a no brainer. I don't know anyone who boasts that they are for wasteful spending. The phrase is wasted rhetoric.
ReplyDeleteI'm less interested in 'big government' and 'small government,' and more interested in competent and effective government.
Your new mayor is interested in wasteful spending - he is going to create two new positions out of thin air paid for by taxpayer's money. Is any government truly effective, much less competent? Good evening all!
ReplyDeleteStrangle it in the bathtub, eh Daniel?
ReplyDeleteThis total anti-government and 'wasteful spending' nonsense is getting to me. Talk about old and tired. Ever wonder who gets paid by the government?
ReplyDeleteThe soldiers who are on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan are paid by the government.
The Veterans Administration is caring for those who have been wounded. These people are paid by the government.
I grew up right outside New York (Go Giants!!!) and a large part of my heart is still in that city. The New York City Fire Department is one of the finest organizations in the world. They save countless lives each day. They are paid by the government. These were the guys still walking up the steps of the World Trade Center to rescue people and fight a fire that was beyond fighting. And, they were paid by the government.
The NYPD is also paid by the government and they solve crimes and protect the people in that city.
Floyd County lost a deputy last year who died heroically in the line of duty. He was paid by the government.
Another deputy was wounded, and also a hero.
My office looks out at the New Albany Fire Department and I see them respond a great deal. They don't know if the fire they are going to is going to be out of control and which of them may get hurt or worse. The call comes in and they go. They get paid by the government.
New Albany has some rough sections in the city. People are well protected by dedicated police officers all of whom are paid by the government.
Those people who educate our children in public schools are paid by the government. Sadly, public schools are looked at as wasteful and ineffective. I once taught in a private high school. We had a great thing going for us. The kids who were lousy students or huge problems were dismissed. We bid them not so fond farewells. They went to public schools....who didn't have that option. Being a teacher in a public school is hard, hard work. As I said, they are paid by the government.
The list goes on. Is all the money given to the government well spent? Of course not. Frankly, not all the money I receive in salary is well spent.
But to dismiss most government and harp on wasteful spending, to me, is a gross insult to many people who put their lives on the line for each of us.
Now I feel better that I've given my rant.
And please, folks, if you want to jump on me, that's fine. But please avoid these lame cliches. They have become tiresome.
I'm really excited. I've gotten three word verifications right on the first shot. That's a record for me.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, not sure what strangle it in the bathtub means, probably something sophomoric. Now, John, all the things you mentioned are what dollars are supposed to be spent on. Protecting us is constitutional. Hiring buddies after you promised that you wouldn't need to is wasteful. Has anyone noticed that we throw more money at public schools every year and see little change. I usually don't spout cliches, but in this case the local government is wasteful, even to these bloggers.
ReplyDeleteIt's sophomoric, all right, but emanates not from one of us; I believe these are the famous words of Grover Norquist, who wants to shrink government to such a size as can be strangled in the bathtub.
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard that one from Grover. I don't want to strangle it in the tub, just not let it outgrow the tub. Talk to you guys after the NH primary. May need a Tunnelvision after this one!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNot that anybody will really see this, I was mistaken in my 3:11pm comment. Actually I was dead wrong. Two actually is the correct number(if not more).
ReplyDelete