Jeff Gahan texts Greg Fischer: "OMG, the CJ called, LOL."

"Governing" (note proper use of quotation marks) by press release precludes exposure to the unscripted, as the free-lancer Esarey has discovered. In short, Mayor Gahan has no time for what remains the largest area newspaper.

Gahan faces former city controller in primary: Current New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan faces businessman David White in the May 5 primary, by Jenna Esarey (Courier-Journal)

Incumbent mayor Jeff Gahan is being challenged by businessman David White on the May 5 primary Democratic ballot for mayor of New Albany.

The winner will face off against Kevin Zurschmeide who runs unopposed on the Republican ballot, and likely Independent candidate Roger Baylor, a co-founder of New Albaniana Brewing Co., who is working to accumulate the needed signatures to appear on the fall ballot.

Gahan, who did not respond to several requests for comment, took office in 2012 ...

The entirety of the article that follows is devoted to White, who gives mostly good interview.

... White, 56, does not agree that the city is financially stronger, pointing to $89 million in bonded debt, the loss of some important businesses, and a near quintupling of the budget for the parks department, among other things.

"We're losing Pillsbury," he said. "We're losing Indatus — they just invented a new software that no one has in the world. Obama flew in just to meet with them. In a decade we've not had one major business move in. We're not investing in things that have recurring revenue."

White closes strong, observing that the mayoral hologram is remaining cloistered.

White said he has attempted to engage Gahan in a public debate before the election. "I've sent him a certified letter every week asking him," he said. "He's hiding from his record, because it's abysmal. He won't debate me, and I'll be honest, if I was him I wouldn't debate me either."

"I'm going to win this race and I'm going to win for all the right reasons."