Our daily reality in New Albany? That'd be Bob Caesar waxing delusional.

Not that WDRB's report is any masterpiece. In fact, it's rather horrid.

Granted, Charlie Harshfield provides the two-way neighborhood perspective, which is sufficiently irrefutable that opposing voices aren't really necessary.

But then Bob Caesar purports to speak for all downtown business, which of course is flagrantly mistaken. Caesar speaks for downtown business in roughly the same way as I represent the interests of Somali warlords. Significantly, he's afforded the platform to blather about potential harm sans rebuttal. Hurting small business downtown and hurting Caesar's profoundly limited cognitive skills are two very different processes. His selfishness when it comes to neighborhood issues? Shameful.

WDRB essentially does nothing with this story, and that's too bad. A reporter might ask some questions, right?

Or am I asking too many myself?

New Albany debates turning one-way streets into two-way, by Lawrence Smith (WDRB)

NAC’s Primary Primer: 3rd council district (D) endorsement.

By The New Albanian.

First the case against the incumbent, then an alternative.
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Council (D) 3rd District

The New Albanian (NA):
With each passing day, it becomes clearer that for New Albany to succeed, it must become smarter. 3rd district incumbent Steve Price’s consistent response to this obvious imperative is to become noticeably dumber, prone to substituting folksy hokum and mindless minstrelsy for thoughtful dialogue on issues of extreme gravity, and all the while insisting that a steady stream of “no” votes while on the city council is merited under the aegis of “fiscal responsibility.”

And yet economic, social and civic progress is the ultimate manifestation of fiscal responsibility, because making the city’s overall pie larger through economic growth and the willingness of homeowners to invest in their neighborhoods benefits everyone who lives here. The problem remains that the people and ideas best positioned to assist in New Albany’s revival are precisely those that Price doesn’t understand, and remain the ones towards which he feels outright and palpable hostility on cultural grounds.

Price’s sole political selling point is that he’ll watch the nickels and dimes, but he has yet to propose a single strategy for transforming the pocket change into larger sums, and as a result, he must be regarded as espousing the very epitome of a penny-wise, future-foolish approach to governance. It’s an approach that we don’t need.

(NA) - Endorsement:
Two opponents are vying to unseat Price: Maury Goldberg, who served as the 3rd district’s councilman for more than two decades prior to Price’s election in 2003 (when Goldberg unsuccessfully ran for mayor), and Charlie Harshfield, a neighborhood activist, accountant and political newcomer. The New Albanian is unable to offer an endorsement beyond the necessity of opposing Price’s brand of urban decay management.

Learn why here: Thanks, but no thanks – I’ve no conscionable choice except to sit this one out.

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Bluegill (BG) - Endorsement:

I certainly wish the 3rd district nomination process had been more cooperative. As is, the incumbent stands a better chance of reelection and I’m forced to fill in the arrow for only one of two men I consider friends. The election of either would signal a positive shift in support of redevelopment and the future of our community but a choice is unavoidable.

I appreciate Maury Goldberg. A relative who attended high school with Maury asked recently if he was still a character. I happily replied that he is. His enthusiasm for and continued involvement in 3rd district affairs is well noted, both in and outside the confines of elected office.

With that said, however, my pen will draw the line for Charlie Harshfield.

Regardless of Maury’s good intentions, his past council service has been unfortunately and perhaps even unfairly tied to the battles of the past and the allegiances those battles required, often with some of the less than acceptable council members that remain.

While his institutional knowledge could undoubtedly be a valuable asset in an advisory role, there’s a nagging possibility that old weapons would be taken up and old wounds reopened. Even the appearance or suspicion of such digression could have a chilling affect on the necessary continuance of collaborative development. Depending on the outcomes of other district races, that’s too great a risk to take during such a pivotal time.

I’ll gladly work with Maury. I’d just prefer that he wasn’t sitting across the table from the old gang at the time.

Charlie Harshfield, on the other hand, represents the ability without the loaded backpack. Since I’ve been involved in city affairs, I’ve known Charlie. In that time, I’ve become acquainted with a man with a head for finance, an adventuresome but practical approach to neighborhood situations, and an inclusive spirit that I both admire and would do well to better emulate.

As Charlie himself noted during the recent question and answer session, his natural inclination is to work behind the scenes and I can vouch that he has done so consistently and humbly, often providing a calming voice of reason in otherwise heated affairs. Resolute in his commitment to revitalization, I’ve sometimes found myself wishing he’d make a little more noise, particularly during this election cycle.

Leadership doesn’t have to be loud, though, and I trust that if elected Charlie will continue his active listening and learning, traits that are disproportionately underrepresented in current council chambers. With Charlie, there are no credibility issues or political issues; just issues and the will to seek fact-based, cooperative solutions for them.

Isn’t that what we’ve been asking for?

3rd District Candidate Q & A , Video Post 5

The following are the fifth and final installments of the 3rd district candidate Q & A held on May 1. The debate will be offered in chronological order, sans comment and unedited, generally five to ten minutes at a time. For quick reference, the excerpts will be collated in the box to the right.

The moderator is Ted Fulmore, president of the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association, who, along with the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association, produced the event.


Development Atmosphere





Development Atmosphere Cont'd and Rebuttal




Priorities and Final Statements

3rd District Candidate Q & A , Video Post 4

The following are the fourth installments of the 3rd district candidate Q & A held on May 1. The debate will be offered in chronological order, sans comment and unedited, generally five to ten minutes at a time. For quick reference, the excerpts will be collated in the box to the right.

The moderator is Ted Fulmore, president of the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association, who, along with the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association, produced the event.


Rental Property





Rental Property Cont'd and Rebuttal





City/County Merger

3rd District Candidate Q & A , Video Post 3

The following are the third installments of the 3rd district candidate Q & A held on May 1. The debate will be offered in chronological order, sans comment and unedited, generally five to ten minutes at a time. For quick reference, the excerpts will be collated in the box to the right.

The moderator is Ted Fulmore, president of the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association, who, along with the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association, produced the event.


Candidate Accomplishments





Accomplishments Rebuttal





New Albany: Positive and Negative

Editor's Note: About a minute and half of Maury Goldberg's answer to this question is missing from the segment, owing solely to the need to change tapes during the event. Apologies to Maury. He just happened to be the candidate speaking when the first tape ran out.





New Albany: Positive and Negative Rebuttal

3rd District Candidate Q & A , Video Post 2

The following are the second installments of the 3rd district candidate Q & A held on May 1. The debate will be offered in chronological order, sans comment and unedited, generally five to ten minutes at a time. For quick reference, the excerpts will be collated in the box to the right.

The moderator is Ted Fulmore, president of the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association, who, along with the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association, produced the event.


Candidate Qualifications





Qualifications Rebuttal




Two-Way Streets

3rd district candidate Q & A , Video Post 1

The following are the first installments of the 3rd district candidate Q & A held on May 1. The debate will be offered in chronological order, sans comment and unedited, generally five to ten minutes at a time. For quick reference, the excerpts will be collated in the box to the right.

The moderator is Ted Fulmore, president of the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association, who, along with the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association, produced the event.


Introduction and Maury Golberg opening statement





Charlie Harshfield opening statement





Steve Price opening statement

Challengers strong, incumbent prone to nonsensical babbling as 3rd district council hopefuls debate.

Bluegill will be here on Wednesday with commentary on tonight's 3rd district council debate, but until then -- and whether or not experience has been the teacher -- sleep well knowing that the best students in attendance learned something that most already knew: We have two excellent, qualified, crackerjack challengers ... and an anti-intellectual train wreck of a one-chord incumbent who predicted "some kind of rebellion" staged by "empty people selling their houses," and other familiar catechisms, homilies, clichés, repetitions, and regurgitations, and whose highly selective memory with respect to his own persistently obstructionist role in recent municipal history was glaringly in evidence throughout the evening.

The event sponsors are to be commended for a professional and informative session. With luck, perhaps both adjectives can be applied to the next 3rd district councilman. Take it away, Jeff ...

Photo: Charlie Harshfield (upper left) and Maury Goldberg (upper right); Steve Price (bottom left) and S. Ellen Jones School's official "May Day" ideological signage (bottom right).

May 2 update: Maury Goldberg is posting his answers to the questions submitted the candidates prior to the debate. Go here: Candidate Questions.

3rd district candidate Q & A tonight: Steve's pickin' but no one else except Erika is grinnin'.

Tonight the S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association and the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association will be hosting a question and answer session with the three candidates vying for New Albany's 3rd district city council seat. As most readers know by now, the candidates are:

Steve Price (D) Incumbent
Maury Goldberg (D) Challenger
Charlie Harshfield (D) Challenger

The session will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of the S. Ellen Jones Elementary School, 600 East 11th Street, New Albany, Indiana.

(It is unclear whether CM Price's current televised minstrelsy act will be sanctioned as applicable to the q & a session, especially if he attempts to answer serious questions via his well worn harmonica).

According to the organizers, each candidate will have ten minutes to introduce himself to attendees (30 minutes total), followed by questions and answers (60 minutes). A moderator will read questions aloud and each candidate will have three minutes to respond, and candidate rebuttals of one minute will be allowed. If submitted questions are exhausted, the moderator will facilitate questions from the audience, and because time is limited, there is no guarantee that all submitted questions will be asked.

For more information, please call 812.941.0466, e-mail at SEllenJonesNA(at)msn.com (replace "at" with @) or visit www.SEllenJones.org.

Here are a few of the questions that NAC submitted:

Do you agree or disagree with nationally syndicated columnist Thomas Friedman that in the future, green will be the next red, white and blue? What are the practical consequences of this for cities like New Albany?

How can we achieve “progress by design” through implementing the principles of Smart Growth and New Urbanism in our core neighborhoods?

Do you agree that the unregistered and unregulated proliferation of rental properties in the 3rd District, many absentee-owned, is a grave threat to a properly functioning core neighborhood?

Do you support traffic calming measure and the retrofitting of city streets back to their intended two-way usage?

Do you agree or disagree with this statement: “Progress is the ultimate manifestation of fiscal responsibility, because making the economic pie larger benefits everyone?”

Given that there is a good chance that the winner of this race will win the primary with less than a majority, as councilman, are you prepared to listen to all of your constituents, and not just the ones who voted for you?

How important is decorum and professionalism with regard to our city council, and by extension, has the last council’s antics and non-professional demeanor sent the wrong message to the world at large?

As councilman, will you fund the city’s ordinance enforcement program to succeed, rather than starving it to fail?

Questions needed for 3rd district candidate Q & A session on Tuesday, May 1.

The 3rd district candidate Q & A session described in the press release below takes place one week from tomorrow (May 1, 2007).

What questions would you like to see asked? Here's an example:

How can we achieve progress by design through implementing the principles of New Urbanism in our core neighborhoods?

Please pass along your questions in the comments here, e-mail the senior editor privately (see the profile for address) or forward to the organizers by the method outlined below.

Good questions can make or break such a forum ... and NAC will be there to record the answers.

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The S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association and the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association are proud to host a Question and Answer Session with the three candidates vying to represent the 3rd District of New Albany. The candidates are:

Steve Price (D) Incumbent
Maury Goldberg (D) Challenger
Charlie Harshfield (D) Challenger

When: Tuesday, May 1st – 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Where: S. Ellen Jones Elementary School, 600 East 11th Street, New Albany, Indiana
(Meeting to take place in the cafeteria)

Format/Agenda:

§ Each Candidate will have 10 minutes to introduce himself to attendees (30 minutes)

§ Questions and Answers (60 minutes)

§ Resident Questions are to be submitted prior to the meeting*

§ Email Questions to SEllenJonesNA(at)msn.com (replace "at" with @) or call 812-941-0466 and leave a voice mail

§ A Moderator will read questions aloud and each candidate will have 3 minutes to respond

§ Candidate rebuttals of 1 minute will be allowed

§ If submitted questions are exhausted then the Moderator will facilitate questions from the audience

*Because time is limited, there is no guarantee that all submitted questions will be asked.

For more information, please call 812.941.0466, email at SEllenJonesNA(at)msn.com (replace "at" with @) or visit www.SEllenJones.org.

S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association to Host 3rd District City Council Candidates in Question and Answer Session, May 1.

The text of the press release is as follows. NA Confidential promises to be there.

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Correction 04/16/07: The East Spring Street Neighborhood Association will be a co-sponsor of this event.

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The S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association is proud to host a Question and Answer Session with the three candidates vying to represent the 3rd District of New Albany. The candidates are:

Steve Price (D) Incumbent
Maury Goldberg (D) Challenger
Charlie Harshfield (D) Challenger

When: Tuesday, May 1st – 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Where: S. Ellen Jones Elementary School, 600 East 11th Street, New Albany, Indiana
(Meeting to take place in the cafeteria)

Format/Agenda:

§ Each Candidate will have 10 minutes to introduce himself to attendees (30 minutes)

§ Questions and Answers (60 minutes)

§ Resident Questions are to be submitted prior to the meeting*

§ Email Questions to SEllenJonesNA(at)msn.com (replace "at" with @) or call 812-941-0466 and leave a voice mail

§ A Moderator will read questions aloud and each candidate will have 3 minutes to respond

§ Candidate rebuttals of 1 minute will be allowed

§ If submitted questions are exhausted then the Moderator will facilitate questions from the audience

*Because time is limited, there is no guarantee that all submitted questions will be asked.

For more information, please call 812.941.0466, email at SEllenJonesNA(at)msn.com (replace "at" with @) or visit www.SEllenJones.org.

Electronic trench warfare paralyzes 3rd district council e-campaigns.

Excuse this bit of admitted backfilling. Not wanting the interrupt the cadence of today’s main post, and yet seeking to add this to the archival record for posterity’s sake, I’m inserting it using an earlier time stamp … RAB)

There’ll be much more to say at another time about the abject failure of local political culture to adapt to the electronic age, but for now, I’ll confine my survey to the 3rd council district, where all three Democratic candidates have blogs, but usage varies considerably.

By choosing not to permit comments from readers, incumbent councilman Steve Price served notice from the beginning that he remains disinterested in any genuine discussion of real issues; now, apparently having reached the pragmatic conclusion that any words he publishes on-line probably will be read only by the literate segment of the populace that already vigorously opposes him, Price has published absolutely nothing since March 6.

So much wisdom waiting to be pulled from grandma’s cigar box, and so little time to put the cart behind the horse before the Nazis come to take the VFW’s video poker machines.

Price’s silence, while in keeping with his stance of aloof detachment from any topic outside his narrow comfort zone, would seem provide a perfect opportunity for the two remaining candidates to define themselves. Such self-definition became even more crucial to the district after Charlie Harshfield’s late candidacy split the anti-Price vote.

In March, one-time councilman and current challenger Maury Goldberg offered three substantive postings, one each on the drug problem in neighborhoods, rental property inspections and tax abatements. These are much appreciated, and yet Maury continues to visible display signs of discomfort with the blogging format’s chief virtues of timeliness, flexibility and immediacy. It’s a fluid, adaptable medium, and it demands to be deployed in like fashion.

Charlie Harshfield – the last-minute, surprise candidate, and of the three, the one with the toughest of all name recognition nuts to crack – has oddly opted for silence in the blogosphere. A March 12 posting listed seven solid if briefly sketched platform goals, and generated a spirited discussion, but little else has followed. It is not unfair to suggest that Charlie needs 100% of the 3rd district’s progressives to have a chance of winning. Is this the way to find and retain them?

While Price’s muzzle is understandable – he’s comically prone to colossal linguistic gaffes and mutilates facts in the same fashion as psychotic cats torture mice – it defies our expectations of “reform” candidates to witness their bizarre hesitancy to regularly use some of the best tools available (i.e., the Internet) to articulate the need for reform.

All over town, “opposition” candidates are making the critical mistake of playing by “old school” rules. If these challengers wait too long to step outside the box, the results are going to be ugly, indeed.

As of the morning of April 2, 2007, here’s the rundown:

Days since last activity at Charlie Harshfield’s blog: 16.
Total posts since March 1: 3.

Days since last activity at Maury Goldberg’s blog: 4.
Total posts since March 1: 7.

Days since last activity at Steve Price’s blog: 26.
Total posts since March 1: 1.

Note: Maury Goldberg started his blog in October, 2005. Steve Price’s began in early January, 2007. Charlie Harshfield’s went up in Februart, 2007.

Charlie Harshfield fundraiser yesterday.

Charlie Harshfield, one of three Democratic primary candidates for the 3rd district city council seat, held a well-attended fundraiser yesterday at Treet’s. When I snapped these photos, most people in attendance were inside eating breakfast.

I'm told that numerous people stopped by during the two-hour event, asking both about Charlie's candidacy and Treet's, which ordinarily isn't open on Saturday mornings.