What they're saying: It's an election finale, and a look ahead.

As the weeks have passed in route to May's primary election, for which voting already is underway and will conclude on May 5 with what is still quaintly known as Election Day, I've referenced periodic public candidate statements of substance, generally unretouched, as lifted from social media and news reports. 

Again: Public. 

Not what was transmitted on the sly during a brief chat in a smoke-filled back room, but what has been transparent and in the open. Familiar gems such as "yard signs win elections, not people" and "donate to my campaign first, and maybe I'll have something of merit to say much, much later" have been omitted. 

That's because my aim has been to determine whether any at all of our declared candidates have had anything at all to say, and I've quoted all candidates, from any and all parties, whether or not they're involved in a contested race.

Happily, most have had something of value to offer. 

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The primary campaign didn't end with a bang, and there were no April Surprises. Perhaps this can be attributed to the changed dynamics of a weeks-long voting cycle.

As the actual (and perhaps increasingly outmoded?) "election day" has approached, discussion seems to have turned markedly toward the school corporation's referendum and the Democratic mayor's race.

In taking a final look at city council contestants on social media, we'll begin with Al Knable, Republican for city council at-large, who has campaigned vigorously despite being assured of the nod to compete in November. In a Facebook post, Knable offered this positive thought:

I'm especially pleased with the bipartisan nature of the communication taking place.

We are one community. If you share my goal of a cleaner, happier more competitive New Albany, we must move forward together!

I look forward to meeting with as many New Albanians between now and the November election as possible. I will continue to work each day toward that end.

On the Democratic side in the at-large race, two-term incumbent John Gonder recently linked to a blog entry in which he discussed sustainability.

Infrastructure of Sustainability

This article from earlier in the month appeared in the Courier-Journal. The article on the drought in California is relevant to us, here in New Albany, for a number of reasons: 1. evidence of climate change 2. noteworthy during the week of earth Day 3. validates the logic and exigencies of localism, independent businesses and sustainable communities.

Gonder's fellow Democratic at-large council aspirant, Hannegan Roseberry, was featured in a WDRB piece with Nick Vaughn ... her student, who seeks the Republican nomination in the 6th district: New Albany teen runs for city council. Also in the 6th district, Noah McCourt had a few things to say about spending.

In closing, the News and Tribune Voters Guide can be viewed here. Early Tuesday evening, much of the November ballot will be finalized. The GOP might insert a candidate into its vacant 1st district council slot. Incumbent 6th district councilman Scott Blair will file his petition to seek re-election as an independent, and, of course, I'll be completing my own petition and running for mayor, also as an independent.

Since October of 2004, this NA Confidential blog has changed and evolved, but always proceeded forward in a somewhat predictable pattern. Throughout this period, I've never once run for mayor. Consequently, it is unclear to me whether the blog will be affected by my campaign. We'll just have to wait and see.

As always, thanks for reading.