Finn: Keep moving our community forward
The recent article on “Center of the City: Nearing a year in New Albany, YMCA is boosting fitness and business” was perfect timing for The Tribune. Daniel Suddeath’s creative and engaging article reminds us of how important it is to keep the energy focused to move our community forward making it a great place to live, learn, work and be family.
Seven years ago when the Horseshoe Foundation made the $20 million commitment to the YMCA and Aquatic Center, the board wanted not only a great facility for health and wellness, but also a means to revitalize the city center. Indeed the YMCA has been a huge success and the Foundation is proud to have been the catalyst to help make that happen. The board knew from the beginning economic growth would not be guaranteed success and that community leaders would have to continually pay attention to keep revitalization and redevelopment on the radar screen. It was for this reason the general manager of Horseshoe Southern Indiana and our board treasurer recommended the Foundation establish a Small Business Revolving Loan Fund to assist emerging private business enterprises in expanding operations and increasing or retaining employees. The fund is capitalized by a $250,000 grant made by Foundation and administered in partnership with One Southern Indiana. Several loans have benefited downtown business expansions as well as the county.
It is also for more than improving quality of life and cultural enrichment for New Albany residents that the Foundation has been involved in the Riverfront Amphitheater events. It is good for the city and county to have patrons enjoying the heart of the city and reconnecting with our river heritage. We believe this helps economic revitalization.
As developers and city and county leaders talk about the second phase of Scribner Place, now is the time for the entire community to encourage the political forces which can make or break such initiatives to be visionary and bold in their leadership. No one likes to spend money in this economy, but to continue to grow we must make sure the infrastructure is there to promote development. This community needs to brand itself as forward thinking, innovative with assets which will attract quality businesses.
The river and outstanding geography of the community remind us of the need to be “green” and environmentally conscious. We need to continue to develop bicycle lanes, and expand fitness opportunities. Our parks and the Greenway need to be pristine resources which will attract families and businesses to the community. There is much work to be done, but this community is up for the task. A wise decision was made with the YMCA. Let’s keep making wise decisions for the good of the community.
— Jerry Finn, Executive Director, Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, New Albany
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Finn: "Keep moving our community forward."
Apologies for overlooking this fine letter to the editor in Sunday's edition of the Tribune. Jerry Finn makes a cogent, fact-based case for continued progress. I've underlined my favorite paragraph.
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9 comments:
"Visionary and bold" leadership.
I should have put that on my YES sign.
We need to continue to develop bicycle lanes, and expand fitness opportunities. Our parks and the Greenway need to be pristine resources which will attract families and businesses to the community
Sounds pretty danged elitist to me...or maybe its just good economic theory.
I think its rather elitist of you Brandon that you aren't a member of the Floyd county or Indiana Bar association, after all you are licensed for Indiana so why do you exclude our community, and our state with your legal patronage?
Doesnt your Stites and Harbison Bio tout your community activism?
I'm presume this is sarcasm. Just in case it's not, I'll take the bait.
First, since Brandon is licensed in Indiana, he is by default a member of the Indiana Bar Association.
Second, bar membership, either at the county, state, or national level, is hardly a definitive indicator of ones level of activism or other altruistic behavior, or lack thereof.
Bar associations do many good things. For example, through a bar association, an attorney may provide ethical consulting to another attorney, or take advantage of a coordinated network for providing pro bono legal services.
Alternatively, many attorneys join bar associations (1) at the state level because they HAVE TO, and/or (2) for career advancement through networking or continuing education.
Finally, an attorney can contribute to her or his community without going through a bar association.
Actually Dan, it doesn't work that way in Indiana. You can be a licensed attorney in Indiana but not a member of the ISBA.
In fact, I am both licensed in Indiana and a member of the Indiana State Bar Association - member # 39272 - although thanks for reminding me to update my firm bio.
Petty.
Thanks BW. Indiana must be different than Kentucky.
I’m neither licensed in Indiana nor a member of the Indiana State Bar. I have been licensed in Kentucky for seven years. I’m also a member of the Louisville Bar Association and the American Bar Assocaition. I primarily took to those organization for continuing education opportunities.
I wish Mr. Warrior would explain to me how I deprive New Albany of some type of benefit by not being a members of the ISBA or Floyd Bar Association.
Back to Jerry's letter.
Jerry writes of improving quality of life in New Albany. "Quality of life" is a phrase I've thought about much lately. That is, if there's one simple phrase that sum’s up the “Yes” crowd’s desires, it’s that we want a higher quality of life in New Albany.
Our goal is not higher taxes. Our goal is not to punish landlords.
Our goal is to improve the livability of the city for everyone.
Some cities have instituted "Quality of Life Courts."
Has this option been discussed on NAC?
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