Solar roads, shifts in thinking ... and paying attention.

Keeler, late of the at-large council race, sent me a link on Tuesday morning. A chat broke out. First, here's the story.

The World’s First Solar Road Is Producing More Energy Than Expected, by Katie Valentine (Think Progress)

In its first six months of existence, the world’s first solar road is performing even better than developers thought.

The road, which opened in the Netherlands in November of last year, has produced more than 3,000 kilowatt-hours of energy — enough to power a single small household for one year, according to Al-Jazeera America.

“If we translate this to an annual yield, we expect more than the 70kwh per square meter per year,” Sten de Wit, a spokesman for the project — dubbed SolaRoad — told Al Jazeera America. “We predicted [this] as an upper limit in the laboratory stage. We can therefore conclude that it was a successful first half year.”

De Wit said in a statement that he didn’t “expect a yield as high as this so quickly.”

The 230-foot stretch of road, which is embedded with solar cells that are protected by two layers of safety glass, is built for bike traffic, a use that reflects the road’s environmentally-friendly message and the cycling-heavy culture of the Netherlands. However, the road could withstand heavier traffic if needed, according to one of the project’s developers.

I replied, "I don't see that on the Board of Works agenda today -- great link."

Adam: "Additional incentive for bike lanes. Not only will it reduce emissions from cars but also renewable energy for lights, homes, etc."

Roger: "Agreed. It's important for us to discuss innovations like this even if it appears unlikely that we'd ever actively consider them -- unless, of course, there is a fundamental shift in thinking."

Adam: "Well, the fundamental shift in thinking needs to only happen at the local government level in New Albany. I think it's possible. If we elect people who are capable of critical thinking then our large projects will be analyzed better. Silver Street Park is a great example of a project that could have been ran by solar panels installed above the facility while only costing 2% of the total budget. Saving taxpayer dollars while completing city level projects should be a no-brainer. It's a shame a lot of the administration doesn't pay attention to things like this."

What they're saying: A potpourri of McCourt, Collins and Keeler.

As the weeks go past in route to May's primary election, I'm providing periodic candidate statements of substance, mostly unretouched, as lifted from social media and news reports. 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" will be omitted. That's because it is my aim to determine whether our declared candidates have anything to say at all, and I'll quote all candidates, from any and all parties, whether or not they're in a contested race. Just promising change and new ideas without divulging them won't cut the mustard, aspirants.


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First up: Apologies for thus far omitting mention of Vicki Glotzbach, who is seeking re-election to the office of city clerk. She has a Facebook campaign page.

Republican council candidate (6th district) Noah McCourt has had much to say of late, and you are invited to read his posts at Facebook.

I had the opportunity to speak with my fellow candidates Dr. Al Knable and local historian Dave Barksdale. We talked about our approach to campaigning and how we as potential city officials need to be straight forward with the community. I agree with Dr. Knable "I'm not going to simply tell people what they want to hear to get elected." The simple truth of the matter is this city is struggling financially. We as a community can not take four more years of reactionary spending, unsustainable development and irresponsible TIF practices. The shopping spree needs to end. I respect the many members of the community for willing to be honest about the issues, Now let's get the government on the same level. Vote Knable, Barksdale and McCourt and Put some honesty back in city hall

Over in the 5th district, Democratic challenger Dustin Collins mentions a facet of economic development that should be discussed more often.

The next generation of jobs will be technology: whether energy, internet, or another technology that is only an idea today. We need to invest in technological infrastructure like fiber optic internet. These jobs won't wait for us; we owe it to the future of our city, and her workers, to start exploring ways to invest in tomorrow's jobs. I am committed to making New Albany a place where the jobs of the future can locate today.

See also: No, Mayor Gahan, Indatus is not one of the "indie" bands playing at Bicentennial Park this summer.

At-large council hopeful Adam Keeler, a Democrat, shares a link and provides commentary: Bill to remove Ritz as education chair passes Senate committee (WTHR).

This is absurd. My heart goes out to Glenda Ritz. When we start removing elected officials from office we are no longer a democracy. Mike Pence has given the state of Indiana another black eye. Education is extremely important in today's world. Please get out and vote this year!

Voting information is compiled at the Floyd County Clerk's web site. Know where and when you can vote.

What they're saying: Transparency, with McCourt, Vaughn and Keeler -- and White on solutions to poverty.

As the weeks go past in route to May's primary election, we're providing periodic candidate statements of substance, mostly unretouched, as lifted from social media and news reports. 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" will be omitted. That's because it is my aim to determine whether our declared candidates have anything to say at all, and I'll quote all candidates, from any and all parties, whether or not they're in a contested race. Just promising change and new ideas without divulging them won't cut the mustard, aspirants.

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I'd like to begin this edition of "What they're saying" by saying thanks to Kevin Zurschmiede, who was among the first to "like" my own mayoral page at Facebook.

Also at Facebook, Democratic mayoral candidate David White has a question.

"What greater form of poverty can a community have than this? Read this letter to find out the TRUTH! We need your help to bring change to our city!"

Unfortunately, the letter White cites comes to us in the form of a photograph, not a readily usable text format (it does not appear to be featured at White's site, either), and so you'll have to go to the source to read it.

Turning to the council races, Al Knable (at-large council) offers a chance to meet the GOP candidates  -- with locally crafted Honey Creme doughnuts as a bonus,

The Republican candidates for this year's New Albany municipal races will be hosting a "Meet and Greet" Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. 2241 Green Valley Rd. Free coffee and donuts. Free speech. Meet the candidates for one on one discussion. All are welcome. Please help spread the word.

In the 6th district, two of the three Republican council candidates consider an increasingly common topic in the primary, this being the absence of transparency.

First, Noah McCourt.

One thing I often observe around town is a general frustration with the current administration's lack of transparency and limited communication with the public. I've kept up with a lot of the concerns from the New Albany PD to the Little League to the recent debacle with the historical society. Many city officials are not as responsive to the needs of residents as they should be. The city council meeting was maybe an hour and a half about a fourth of it was public concerns and the rest of it was them bickering and personally insulting each other. The current methods of governing are inefficient and often don't serve to combat any of the real concerns. I take a lot of grief from my own party because I am a very blunt individual and I am not always as politically correct as most elected officials are viewed to be. New Albany isn't a circus. It doesn't need more clowns to joke about and it doesn't require more to people dance around the issues. New Albany needs direct and honest leadership. I will not sugar coat and sanction the inefficiency of the municipal government. If elected I promise regained focus, a clear vision and a government that is efficient and accountable to its residents. Vote McCourt for Accountability.

Next, Nick Vaughn.

The confusion with our city's logo is the manifestation of a much greater problem facing our city today. That problem is transparency and communication. Too often it seems that the mayor's office will go behind the backs of the city council. Whether the seal has been changed or not isn't the point. There are boundaries and checks and balances that must occur for our city to run smoothly. Those checks and balances have been dismantled. If elected I will honor all boundaries and make sure the mayor's office stays within those boundaries as well as the council. I will be a strong advocate for transparency and also make it a point to keep an open door policy with my constituents. In order for our city to take that next step we all want it to, we must get serious about our city's actions and hold our elected officials accountable.

On the Democratic side, transparency also is of concern to at-large council aspirant Adam Keeler.

One thing I am hearing from all political candidates in New Albany is the request for increased transparency. I hope this will help show our current elected officials that this is an important issue. It will only help increase ease of access and awareness to current issues the city is facing.

Keeler also has closing thoughts on the anti-RFRA resolution passed at Monday's city council meeting.

I am proud of our City Council for voting yes to repeal the RFRA S.B. 101. However, I am saddened that Councilman Blair, a representative for our entire city, did not support the measure. Equal rights and equal opportunity are what sets the United States apart and allows every individual his or her chance at obtaining their American dream. It may be symbolic, but it shows good precedence.

If anyone or anything is being missed, let us know.

What they're saying: Adam Keeler on young people and voting.

As the weeks go past in route to May's primary election, I'm providing periodic candidate statements of substance, mostly unretouched, as lifted from social media and news reports. 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" will be omitted. That's because it is my aim to determine whether our declared candidates have anything to say at all, and I'll quote all candidates, from any and all parties, whether or not they're in a contested race. Just promising change and new ideas without divulging them won't cut the mustard, aspirants.

This edition of "What they're saying" belongs entirely to Adam Keeler, candidate for city council at-large as a Democrat, writing at his Facebook campaign page.

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Primary elections are now less than a month away and, if we maintain our current attrition, we will only see 21.5% of young people under the age of 30 vote. This is roughly 13% of the total voter amount, which is is proof that young people simply are not showing up to the polls. This is a major issue in the United States. We are going to inherit this country, and we need to make sure our voice is both heard and taken seriously. Today's youth is more informed than ever thanks to the social media and news aggregation sites like Reddit and Digg. We pay closer attention to new technology so we know how to utilize the capabilities of photovoltaics, emerging Artificial Intelligence, and robotic automation. With self driving cars, renewable energy, and 3D printing all poised to become staples in everyday American homes we must be prepared and understand the capabilities of these tools. These will save money, lives, and resources by allowing a lower cost of living and improved access to goods.

We cannot afford to sit idly by and allow our voices to be quelled. May 5th is approaching and we need EVERYONE to cast a ballot. If you have any questions about voting or how to file early, please send me a message and I'll do my best to make it convenient for you. Stop letting people you don't support represent you, speak up and let your voices be heard!

What they're saying: On RFRA, 8 council and 1 mayoral candidate with viewpoints.

April 1: Mayor Jeff Gahan released a statement opposing RFRA.

April 3 correction: Make it 9 ... Shirley Baird expressed opposition to the bill.

April 5: Noah McCourt clarifies his RFRA stance.

As the weeks go past in route to May's primary election, I'm providing periodic candidate statements of substance, mostly unretouched, as lifted from social media and news reports. 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" will be omitted. That's because it is my aim to determine whether our declared candidates have anything to say at all, and I'll quote all candidates, from any and all parties, whether or not they're in a contested race. Just promising change and new ideas without divulging them won't cut the mustard, aspirants.

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As of this writing, I'm the only mayoral candidate to make a statement for attribution. File me firmly "against." I've asked Jeff Gahan, David White and Kevin Zurschmiede, but received no reply.

Council candidates openly opposing the RFRA include incumbent 3rd district councilman Greg Phipps (he has posted frequently on the topic at his personal Fb page, though not his campaign page) and at-large councilman John Gonder, also at his personal site:

Quoted from the Indianapolis Star/ Associated Press, via Huffington Post ..."Pence disputes the law allows state-sanctioned anti-gay discrimination, as some Indiana businesses, convention organizers and others have argued. He says he didn't anticipate "the hostility that's been directed at our state." That is, HE SAYS HE DIDN'T ANTICIPATE "THE HOSTILITY THAT'S BEEN DIRECTED AT OUR STATE." My advice to the governor...next time you feel the urge to demagogue, take two aspirins, lie down and remember you're not in Mississippi.

At-large candidate Hannegan Roseberry's thoughts on RFRA (solidly against) already have appeared at NAC.

Democratic at-large candidates Brad Bell and Adam Keeler, and 5th district hopeful Dustin Collins have registered anti-RFRA viewpoints at Fb, which follow.

Brad Bell:

Why did Gov. Pence choose to sign this behind closed doors? Why is he costing our state millions of dollars in tax revenue? Conventions are pulling away, technology corporations have stopped sending reps to Indiana and the NCAA has even spoken out against it. How much more can our state afford to lose because of the "religious freedom" bill?

I'm so glad that New Albany is an open and welcoming community to ALL lifestyles, and in no way want to deny people their right to worship their own religion, but there must be a way to get to that goal without discriminating against others.

My other question is this. How is this not a DIRECT violation of church and state?

Adam Keeler:

Please contact Governor Mike Pence's office at 317-232-4567 and let them know your feelings regarding Senate Bill 568, the Religious Freedom restoration act bill. Discrimination is not okay and we should not support any actions that will promote it!

Dustin Collins:

The RFRA bill signed into law by the Governor has already started the domino effect. With Salesforce, Disciples of Christ, the NCAA, and countless others already threatening to pull activities resulting in 100's of millions in lost economic impact in Indiana and permanent damage caused to New Albany's non-discrimination ordinance as well as others around the state we have set ourselves up for failure with regards to recruiting and retaining the next generation of talent.

As a candidate for City Council, I recognize that the only way we will compete with other cities in a world wide economic marketplace is by being inclusive and tolerant of those of all backgrounds. The next generation is ready to step up and I will fight every day to ensure their prosperity is New Albany's prosperity, through inclusion, forward-thinking initiatives, and an eye always set on something greater.

On the Republican side, at-large candidate Al Knable opposes RFRA.

As a candidate for public office, I feel it's my responsibility to go on record with my opinion of the recently passed and signed "RFRA", aka SB/HB 101.

The matter has rightfully generated much discussion and I could go on at length but allow me to be succinct:

It's bad legislation and I'm against it.

I know that many have argued that "it doesn't really change anything", "other states have similar laws" or that it's "limited in scope". To me these points are not persuasive.

Our Government owes its citizens equal protection under the law. All of its citizens.

Any act that erodes this primary function in reality or even by perception should be extinguished as soon as recognized.

I hope this can be remedied before too much damage is done to some of our friends and neighbors as well as to our State's reputation and economy.

While the 6th district Republican candidate Noah McCourt does not directly address RFRA, his support of Ron Grooms in the context of "principles and values" and the posting date strongly suggests his support for the bill. If this is not the case, please let me know and I'll make a correction.

I'd like to say thank you to senator Ron Grooms for taking time to meet with me today and for his willingness to stand up for the principles and values of Floyd county residents. I hope to do the same for the city of New Albany. Thank you senator

What they're saying: Barksdale, Keeler and Vaughn on rental property registration.

As the weeks go past in route to May's primary election, I'll try to provide periodic unedited candidate statements of approximate substance, as lifted from social media and news reports, and as opposed to familiar gems (although they certainly have their place) like "I enjoyed talking with the bunco club last night" or "donate to my campaign first, and maybe I'll have something of merit to say later."

That's because it is my aim to determine whether our declared candidates have anything to say at all, and I'll quote all candidates, whether or not they're in a contested race. Just promising change and new ideas without divulging them won't cut the mustard, aspirants.

Today, the second of two parts, with a reminder: The readier your channels of electronic communication for me to ask these questions or to harvest your positions, the greater chance you will be asked (and quoted). I'm talking primarily to you, James Garner. Last week's replies:

What they're saying: Bell, Collins, Knable, Phipps, Roseberry and Staten on rental property registration.

And the question again: "Rental property registration? Go."

First up: Two at-large council aspirants.

David Barksdale (R; Facebook)

Thank you Roger for including me in the discussion. I would be in favor of Rental property registration, of course, enforcement could be an issue as often seen in New Albany.

Adam Keeler (D; Facebook and Web)

After reading other opinions I have several unanswered questions. 1. Why is this additional tax needed? 2. What will the cost be to the property owner? 3. How will it be enforced and why over other ordinances that are not enforced that produce revenue? 4. Is it not assumed that this cost will be passed on to the tenant of said properties and not the property owner? I think if I had these answers I could make a well informed decision. Until then I am for registration, not for additional fees.

Finally, Nick Vaughn, 6th district (R) candidate:

I believe that the city should require renters and landlords to register so that there can be more accountability for the enforcement of ordinances. However, in the long term we should look at renters transitioning into becoming long-term residents of our city. By putting down roots people have a stake in our shared success.

NA council: The at-large scrum of nine contestants for three jobs.

For the Democrats, it's six contestants, three jobs.

Standalone web sites are linked by candidate name; Facebook (or other) links follow. I have tried to find a source of information for each candidate, whether or not is it an "official" campaign site.

I hope to hear more from all of them, but until then, here's what we have.

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CITY OF NEW ALBANY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE
(Precincts New Albany 1,3,5,7,9,10,11,13,14,16,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,40,41,42,43,44)

R David C Barksdale 614 Terrace Court (Fb profile)
R Bob Hornung 513 Hollary Dr (Fb campaign page)
R Al Knable Jr 1301 Riddle Rd (Fb)

D Shirley Baird 602 E Elm St (Fb 2011)
D Brad Bell 1672 Garretson Lane (Fb)
D James E Garner, Sr 1506 Sunset Dr (Linked In)
D John Gonder 602 Captain Frank Rd (Fb 2011)
D Adam J. Keeler 613 E Main St (Fb)
D Hannegan Beardsley Roseberry 1203 E Spring St (Fb)

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Strictly primary: Democratic incumbents John Gonder (two terms) and Shirley Baird (one) are grouped with a former mayor, one previous at-large council aspirant (Bell in 2011) and two newcomers. Conventional wisdom for a primary election probably gives Gonder and Baird a very good chance of passing through to November.

Is Garner damaged goods? His mayoral term was tumultuous, he was defeated for re-election in the 2011 primary, and now he's looking like a stalking horse for mayoral candidate David White, who'll be running against the right-leaning DemoDisneyDixiecrat establishment even though he's as far to the right himself as Mitt Romney.

Hannegan Roseberry has the Beardsley birth name. It might be enough for her, given the party regulars expected to vote in May. Honestly, some of the Democratic aspirants should have waited and run as independents.

Across the aisle, Republican Kevin "Spa-tacular" Zurschmiede is running for mayor, and so we're seeing the whole GOP at-large council slate for November. It's a fairly solid troika, with Al Knable by far making the most sense in the early going. He's got my vote come November, although he may not want me to advertise that fact too loudly.

See the complete primary election listings here.