There was an article by Daniel Suddeath in the local chain newspaper about council members quizzing administration officials 'bout infrastructure projects: "New Albany City Council questions administration about projects." Tunnel under the paywall to read it, or peruse this nifty paraphrasing.
The miracle is that City Hall sent anyone to the council meeting when there existed a chance they might have to reveal top secret plans. But David Duggins, who serves as the city's Economic Development and Redevelopment Director Everywhere Except Downtown was there on Thursday.
Duggins said that anything you've heard about the Slate Run Road, Mount Tabor Road and Captain Frank Road projects is true, unless it isn't. All are being contemplated, unless they aren't. The mayor will consider modifications, unless he won't. The usual suspects from Pool "A" will design these projects and build them, unless other usual suspects from Pool "B" are chosen instead. To reveal more would mean having to kill us all, and the street department can't manage such a clean-up.
Councilman John Gonder then made a forceful presentation on the topic of sidewalks in the context of safety, and mentioned that since the city is in a position to massively fund no-brainer quality of life issues like aquatic complexes, there obviously is money for basic walkability elsewhere. Duggins answered that the city had contacted the usual engineering suspects and would begin formulating a secret sidewalk plan for Captain Frank Road.
Finally, council person Diane Benedetti asked Duggins about the long discussed and always delayed Slate Run Road project. Resisting the impulse to provide Benedetti with the most obvious reasons ...
If you don't vote with the mayor, you can't have any road work.
How can you have any road work if you don't vote with the mayor?
... or suggesting that she move to Silver Hills where the streets are paved with Caesar's Gold, Duggins remained composed and replied that of course, it is being considered just as top secretly as all the others.
In other news, the Arts Council will permanently loan a Barney Bright sculpture to Bicentennial Park, where everyone hopes it won't be vandalized during the annual Harvest Homecoming Swill Walk.
Is it beer thirty yet?
1 comment:
The miracle is that City Hall sent anyone to the council meeting.
Sadly, that comment hits a home run when describing our fair city's governance. I do not understand how or why. I am not an ignorant person, but the lack of cooperation, the dearth of information and the obvious fear and loathing just leave me befuddled.
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