Live blogging from Hell, Part One: We are called to order, disorder and self-aggrandizement.

We have a connection, so tonight there'll be live blogging.

THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, WILL HOLD A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON THURSDAY 18, JUNE 18, 2009 AT 7:30 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER ... PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ... ROLL CALL

Dan Coffey makes sure people know to sign in if they want to speak. All council persons are in attendance tonight.

APPROVAL OR CORRECTION OF THE FOLLOWING MINUTES: New Albany Common Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 1, 2009

Approved.

COMMUNICATIONS – PUBLIC:

1. Paul Haub - FOP Lodge 99, and a police officer. In favor of R-09-15, which would add ten officers and ancillary civilian personnel. Reiterates importance to community. Perspective offered -- two years ago tonight was when Paul was called to the scene of the Denzinger ambush. He spoke to the officer's widow today. Another phone call was from the wife of a fellow officer with whom Paul doesn't usually get along. She thanked him for telling the story and noted that she can live without pay and perks, but not her husband. Emotional rendering. Tying the families and spouses into the issue of safety, which suffers because of the thinness of the ranks. Reiterates the absence of information previously, allowing this to "get out of hand." Police department has been compromised, and crime statistics are grim. Paul says: "It's our failure."

Editor: That's not entirely the case; too many people take the penny-wise, pound foolish Coffey/Price approach to the social conditions that preface this problem.

Notes that if you're not a victim of violent crime, you'll not be getting very much service. Additional manpower will permit the implementation of proven programs. Council actually will be helping prevent crime by this appropriation. Now pits police funding against paving.

He made it almost all the way through before resorting to either/or.

Casts this vote as epochal, and warns the council that to not approve it is to be complicit in the problem. Less than ideal. Not talking long term. The annexation will correct the funding difficulty -- in essence, indicates officials support for annexation, but NOT WITHOUT extra police to provide extra service. Vote against, and "blood is on your hands too."

Get crime rates down, and all will correct itself. Things will be cleaner, the economy will take off, and the middle class will reappear. The cops will take care of the recividists if given the resources to do it. Has nothing to do with the union, but an investment in "all 37,000" people in the town.

Paul's pull quote: "Until these crime rates are under control, this city is going to fail."

Had 10 minutes to speak, this coming after Coffey's reminder last time that the five minute limit would be enforced regularly. Odd. Given what the police are asking, and we have something like $9 million in economic development money disappearing down the sewer rate subsidy rathole ... never mind.

2. Randy Smith - supports the money for police officers. Laments the history of police-council relations. We are, in effect, asking criminals to come here. Thinks that this is a "Katrina moment" for New Albany, and a rare opportunity to do the right thing.

Also a comment about economic development revenue bonds - they should be extended. Unsure of the exact case referred to.

3. Maury Goldeberg - "Tired of handing over the key of the city" to miscreants and criminals. Lists several unresolved criminal cases, rapes and murders. "Don't gamble with our lives," and "take our city back." Denounces child molesters.

On R-09-14: Difficult to tell what's going on, but ... notes that Exhibit A is missing. Unclear. What is the Redevelopment Commission doing? Also, R-09-13 (Jones Popcorn): What are you doing for this company? Begins talking about another ordinance, also noting that the council isn't explaining itself. Comes back to child molesters again, and says that irrespective of what the council is doing on the ordinances that he doesn't know about ...

... sorry, I'm lost. The 3rd district electoral slate in 2011 just became crystal clear to me. Meanwhile, Coffey says that it's okay to contradict himself tonight on comment length because they're passionate issues. These words could come back to haunt him, like most things he says.

4. Officer Higdon (I think): Describes the situation on the ground for the police night shift. "If the funds are there, it's an investment in the city." Could get the city going in the right direction. It would scare you to know what happens at night. Many of his officers are here at the meeting. "Horrible" if it doesn't pass, but no one will quick. Hard pressed to be comfortable if a family member worked at night. "We protect the best we can," but could do better ... "invest in us, and invest in the city."

Coffey asks for people wishing to speak about Coe's Lane project. None volunteer.

COMMUNICATIONS – CITY OFFICIALS:

Marcey Wisman makes clear that some information was received late for the agenda attachments.

Price wants to know if additional appropriations require a public hearing. Apparently for 15, not 14. Stan Robison is not here.

Coffey expresses confusion about resolution vs. ordinance forms of "we will support" something, because resolutions don't need to be advertised. Has to come back in ordinance form. No one understands any of this, least of all Price. Gonder tries to clarify. Resolutions indicate support only.

Back shortly.