Let's get forensical, forensical ... city council live blogging, part one.

I was in the council chamber at 6:45 p.m., and seated in front of me was King Larry, who joined with his still-living buddies in ridiculing a broad range of people with whom he disagrees. One of his friends had the gumption to disagree on one point, saying he thought a two-way Spring Street was a good idea. But quickly they came together over how ridiculous bike lanes are, leading me to fantasize about them walking down a typical street in Copenhagen and being creamed.

Steve Price spent a good twenty minutes calling various people and objects as as Communist and Russian. I recalled the words of Mencken:

"Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey-cage."
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CIVIL CITY OF NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, HELD A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IN THE THIRD FLOOR ASSEMBLY ROOM OF THE CITY/COUNTY BUILDING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 18, 2010 AT 7:30 P.M.

Advance warning: Tonight's a night for cynicism and commentary.

The following order of business shall be observed by the Common Council at its meetings:

(A) Invocation. To be given by ministers, if present of different faiths ;

None. That's so sweet.

(B) Pledge of allegiance;

Rote.

And: The council now comes miked! Yes, remote microphones hanging around their necks. We were warned, but I really didn't believe it. Marcey says there is a mute button. Is Coffey listening?

(C) Roll call of members;

Benedetti and Zurschmiede absent. Seven present.

(D) Reading, correcting and approval of the journal of the preceding regular or special meeting;

Regular meeting minutes for January 21, 2010
Regular meeting minutes for February 1, 2010

Ritualistic. Yes on both. On best procedural behavior with a camera in the room.

Also: No longer a separation between agenda and non-agenda items.

(E) Communications, in the following order:

(1) From city officials:

(a) Mayor;

Malysz in the mayor's stead. Wants A-09-22 to be postponed until March (police and fire money from EDIT). Mayor England also is not opposed to R-10-06, a resolution for an aw-dit.

City Hall differs with accusations at last night's town hall meeting that the England administration has deteriorated the sewers.

Another inappropriate comment was about the Mayor's vacation in Florida. Implication of detachment is mistaken, says Malysz. Constant communication.

Chief Matt Juliot will speak about a fire protection grant.

Coffey Grandstand 1: Denies he slurred anyone last night. Cites letter to former Mayor Garner from EPA -- what happened since? Coffey misuses "misconscrew" as he defends his accusation of malfeasance.

Juliot: $700,000 FEMA grant to be divided among local fire departments. Good news. Some questions. Old man heckles Juliot about not speaking into the microphone.

(More to come)