Group distributes signs opposing New Albany tax hikes, by Grace Schneider.Typically, Kochert didn't think of it, and that's the primary reason for a council career bereft of achievement.
A group of New Albany residents has formed a committee to challenge what its leaders contend is a freewheeling tax-and-spend mentality in the city government ... Larry Kochert, a former council member, praised Denhart and the Martins, saying he also has become increasingly concerned about how little “backbone” is being shown by city leaders to rein in spending.
Denhart and others “are doing a good job,” Kochert said. “I wish I'd thought of it myself.”
New Albany is a state of mind … but whose? Since 2004, we’ve been observing the contemporary scene in this slowly awakening old river town. If it’s true that a pre-digital stopped clock is right twice a day, when will New Albany learn to tell time?
the article said CforA was formed just 6 months ago? Haven't we been hearing from them for much longer?
ReplyDeleteWhen did journalism become an act of simply repeating what others have said while making minimal if any effort to put those comments into a factual context?
ReplyDeleteAll this "he said, she said" business does little to inform the public while encouraging personal vindictiveness.
And strangley enough, if this is such an urgent message to be spread, again there is no way to contact "CFA" for membership information or anything at all...
ReplyDelete"When did journalism become an act of simply repeating what others have said while making minimal if any effort to put those comments into a factual context?"
ReplyDeleteWitness the C-J's pro-bridges project bias and anti-8664 vendetta.
If we can come up with some short, simple points (one not being a drum circle), I’ll chip in $200 for some “YES” sign. Who else is with me? Pete, how many signs can you print for $200? How about $1000?
ReplyDeleteI think making them all the same would miss the point of the project as its played out thus far, Dan, which is to encourage participation and creativity as a community building exercise.
ReplyDeleteYou really want a drum circle, don't you? :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think they all need to be the same. However, allowing write ins, to many, will appear disorganized and incoherent.
Or it may appear as fun and inclusive. We can learn from and identify with each other by letting people provide their own answers.
ReplyDeleteWhat is someone writes in “YES, Expel Gillenwater!”?
ReplyDeleteThat's fine. I'm just not going to pay for it. I'll chip in for a few signs that read "Yes, two way streets," "Yes, Healthy Neighborhoods," etc. If someone else wants to chip in for some fill-in-the-blank signs, that's up to them.
Expel Gillenwater could be pretty funny uder the right circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm getting at is this:
What is a healthy neighborhood?
Bluegill, if you’re interested in performance art, I suggest you call Pete and place an order for some blank signs.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I’m taking suggestions for the signs I’m ordering.
Asking what people think constitutes a healthy neighborhood is performance art?
ReplyDeleteI'm asking people right now what they want on the signs. Jeff's vote is for a blank. I vote for something else. Who else wants to vote? It's not written in stone that there can be but one sign design.
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ReplyDeleteHere are some good ones suggested yesterday.
ReplyDelete“YES”
- Beautification
- Redevelopment
- Code Enforcement
- Historic Preservation
- Healthy Neighborhoods
- Support our Police
- Neighborhood Schools
- Walkable Neighborhoods
- Bike Lanes
- Redistricting
I think three or four sign designs with one or two of these bullet points would be an effective counter to the “NO” signs.
Maybe a “YES” with a blank field next to it, a field to which a white sticker with green print can be applied. Everyone could pick four stickers from the above options (two on each side) and stick in the blank from the options provided (and others to-be-suggested). This would hinder the writing in of “Yes one way streets” while still giving people say a dozen options and maintaining an consistent font/color. I don’t know if this is economical. I’ll leave the technical side to Pete. Suggestions?
Wow. I don't even remember voting.
ReplyDeleteNow boys.... We all know that I am the low tax and low fee guy round these parts, but I have one question. Is three people really a GROUP? I thought two were a couple and three were a few and that it took at least four to make a group.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for "Yes, no new taxes."
LOL, my second choice is "Expel Gillenwater."
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ReplyDeleteOn a total side note, the current local tax debacle didn’t start with the recession. It started early in the Bush administration. Bush inherited a very modest surplus from Clinton. Without decreasing spending, Bush cut the estate tax, and lowered income and capital gains taxes. He also increased spending, mainly through the prescription drugs benefits. The new spending and tax cuts were finances by cuts in block grants and other remittances to the states. No one noticed while the economy was booming, partially being artificially over stimulated by other government policies. Now, the states are feeling the effects of reduced federal dollars. They’re balancing their books by pushing the cuts down to the cities. Thus, if we do raise a trash fee or use CDBG funds to hire plug a sewer hole instead of providing new amenities, you can thank the people who most benefit from the Bush tax cuts, primarily those making over $8 million a year and those inheriting more than $10 million.
ReplyDeleteI'm good with which ever way the signs might be printed - blanks, printed comments, sticker comments for blanks. I don't think it matters which way they're done - just that those of us who care offer a counterpoint to the COA crap that's already on the streets. I will offer a contribution of $25. toward the overall cost if some consensus can be reached.
ReplyDeleteMake that "when" consensus is reached.
ReplyDeleteAll this debate and nary a word about how out of touch exKing Larry still is with the 21st er,
ReplyDelete2oth er, (make that)19th century!
Hello! Is anybody home???
I think Roger wasted more "ink" on him than he deserves as it is. Am not sure what that says for the reporter of this story.
ReplyDeleteI've been very busy today, sorry.
ReplyDelete"However, allowing write ins, to many, will appear disorganized and incoherent."
No more so than NA is already.
Actually, I like the idea of blanks and formatted. There's no reason why we can't do two things at once with this.
And: Normally I'd be against the yard sign idea on principle, BUT ... because it's important to do something visible to counter the Erikability nonsense, AND because the blank signage is a worthwhile experiment, I'm making an exception.
I haven't touched a one of theirs. How many green signs will get filched the first night?
Put me down for a cut of the money - at keast $100, maybe more.
OK, I'm late, as usual, to the scrum, but here are a few comments.
ReplyDeleteI'll buy 10 signs at whatever price Pete sets, and will distribute them to my customers. But only if they are free form. "Ostracize bluegill" won't be on any of them.
Walking to Pete's today, I came up with at least a dozen cogent, zippy things I'm for. After all, I am one of "them people," or as a prominent local lawyer contends as a matter of accurate mimicry, "dem people."
Anyway, I have my sign. It's posted in the front window and filled out with my 3.5 additions to "Progress."
Finally..."modest surplus?" What are you smoking?
I've put a sign in my window, and followed progress with a string of "P" words.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to buy signs in quantitates, we can get them down as low as $3 for a two-sided sign with the "H" frame. I can't produce them here for that price, but I can get them wholesale.
It's kind of sad yet humorous (IMHO) that the best way to inform the NA public is by yard signs. It's how they've been educated for years.
Roger, I'll match your contribution.
I'll print 12x18 indoor posters for free if anyone wants to put a smaller one in their windows.
quantities, not quantitates. i blame spell check for that one!
ReplyDeletepete, how many do you need to order to get the $3 rate? to whom should we make the checks?
ReplyDeleteanyone think it worth the effort to create an LLC ("citizens for drum circles, LLC"?). i'll be happy to form if that's what everyone wants.
roger, total tangent comin':
ReplyDeleteyou often complain (rightfully) about bill allen's properties on e. main. last weekend i was in bedford and had a chance to speak with some of their people who work with their main street org. and their local UEA.
a few years ago the bedford UEA purchased a very large downtown building, did a rehab, and then sold it. i don't know all the details but i know the main street org. played some sort of role. from reading the mission statement of the UEA, i'd think buying/restoring buildings such as bill allens would be consistent with your mission, especially if the end result were a new tenant/owner downtown that otherwise might not end up downtown such as a new arts organization (just on suggestion).