Two-way paving: "During this time of highly-anticipated construction, please add signage that instructs the drivers on what to do in the meantime."

Hannegan Roseberry has an excellent letter in the Hansonator.

Among other unintended "interim" outcomes, she can see that a newly paved, unstriped Spring Street will result in yet another 5-10 mph bump in vehicular speeds (the first came after upper Spring Street was narrowed and the toll bridges opened).

In short, without bike lane markings to narrow Spring Street's ridiculously wide lanes, we'll be seeing drivers passing on the right and motorcyclists five abreast.

On a related note, since Dear Leader's sadly belated two-way street project began last week with paving on Spring Street, the social media airwaves have been choked with lamentations and venom.

In what might serve as this blog's mission statement (or its epitaph), it remains that you're entitled to your own opinion -- just not your own facts. Before taking a look at Hannegan's letter, let's indulge in a reprise.

The Return of the Two-Way Street: Why the double-yellow stripe is making a comeback in downtowns.

The Many Benefits of Making One-Way Streets Two-Way.

Why we fight: In 2014, Jeff Speck told us how street design impacts our city.

Traffic myths that won't die.

Watch the video of Dr. John Gilderbloom's two-way streets presentation last night.

Now, over to the neighbor.

Signage needed to help drivers in New Albany

As a resident of downtown New Albany and a Spring Street dweller, I am thrilled that the implementation of two-way streets has begun at long last. However, I do want to make a serious safety request. The traffic cones marking various work areas are causing serious and potentially dangerous traffic confusion, as there is no accompanying signage denoting what the cones mean. Meaning, the cones sort of look like lanes and cars appear to be making their own decisions as to what the cones mean ...

Hannegan Roseberry's wonderful column on two-way streets: "What are we waiting for?"

I had a rejoinder ...

Let's ask the old white guys: Revisiting last Saturday's dismal "spotlight" on street reconversion.

... but the accumulated weariness at being compelled to rebut the same tired arguments again and again plainly got to me.

Thanks, Hannegan. Thanks for having the patience to tackle their idiocy point by point. Thanks for standing tall on behalf of the neighborhood.

Just plain thanks. We needed this.

GUEST COLUMN: New Albany deserves two-way streets, by Hannegan Beardsley Roseberry (Morrissongs)

I am writing with regards to the recent story titled “As Cities Convert to One-Way Streets, is New Albany Next?” As a resident of Spring Street who lives in the epicenter of this debate, I am baffled as to how this article was written without talking to a single resident of the neighborhoods affected. To add to my dismay, the article took a negative tone toward two-way street conversion, despite the national research, statistics, and specific experiences of other cities pointing to the contrary. Of the six people quoted in the article — all business owners and/or politicians — four people were opposed to the idea, one was in support, and one was up for “whatever is best.” I feel the voices of the residents affected should have been heard.

Celebrate the New Albany Street Piano, while remembering Team Gahan's dismal reaction to it.

It is fitting and proper for Hannegan to say what she does in the commentary linked below, in which she applauds the playing of a new tune.

Consider also this summary, posted last week by NAC's Jeff Gillenwater.

First, there was a request to place a piano on a public sidewalk in New Albany; a fun, harmless, and completely normal happening around the world. Then there were months of city officials sidestepping and ignoring that request. Then there were additional weeks and multiple meetings of artificially constructed and wholly irrelevant hurdles put in place. Then there was media attention and, by New Albany standards, an expression of public support for the piano and exasperation with the City sizable enough to embarrass the officials involved. And then there was finally approval, with an almost equally embarrassing rearguard attempt to claim officials had supported it all along. I wish any of that was out of the ordinary but it's a near perfect example of what ordinary is here, even and especially when the stakes are much higher. Playing a new tune couldn't be any more welcome.

As any teacher knows, there's always an important lesson to be learned, and in this instance it must be remembered that in the aftermath of a board of works meeting last week in which the street piano finally was set free, Hannegan Roseberry absorbed a fair share of intemperate social media abuse from Team Gahan.

This is very unfair, and someone needs to say it aloud. It might as well be me.

Hannegan didn’t know about the "free the piano" Facebook page, because I did it on my own without asking her, secure in the knowledge that my sub-par “photoshopping” skills immediately would identify it as mine – to my anonymous Twitter parodist (why is a masked Rogar acceptable if my signed satire is not?), if to no one else.

Furthermore, Hannegan also didn’t know about Michael Wimmer’s protest piano project. In fact, I believe they only met for the first time as she walked past on her way to the meeting.

So, in short: If any of you wish to “bully” someone, my advice is to leave her out of it and come straight to the source of your displeasure: Me.

Why?

Because I’m the thorn in your paw.

I’m the one exposing your chicanery and detailing your errors.

I’m the one creating serious doubts in the minds of the voters ... one at a time, little by little.

I’m the occupant of your anxiety closet, instigating your existential crisis, and keeping those Tums shareholders happy.

I’m the one throwing my head back and laughing, because I'm old enough to remember Democrats like Hubert Humphrey, "The Happy Warrior."

Let's be blunt: Your wounds are self-inflicted. It didn't need to be this way. You did it to yourselves, and in the end, it's all good, because there'll be an election in November.

Team Gahan will seek to buy it by flashing photos of a pool on TIF plastic, payable by our grandchildren, as the self-interested cadres pretend to be democratic, (lower case) and masquerade as Democrats (upper case).

The Republican will counter by saying, "I'm not Gahan," offering as an alternative our county government's chronic austerity and disinvestment.

The remainder of us will get to work building something tangible, absent the Kool-Aid spiked with Walt Disney.

Kudos to Hannegan for her perseverance. Let's just not forget who put her through this ridicuously unnecessary wringer: Team Gahan.

Newly dubbed: Celebrate the New Albany Street Piano.

ROSEBERRY: Time to play a new tune: Let's shift the narrative on the New Albany street piano, by Hannegan Roseberry (News and Tribune)

More than three months ago, I approached the New Albany Board of Works with the idea of installing a street piano. Little did I know, Pandora’s Box of political jockeying was about to be opened.

The goal of this project was to spread music and joy, not to ignite a firestorm surrounding City Hall. Over the past four months, I have inadvertently served as whipping post/pied piper/musical Robin Hood for quirky arts in New Albany. I’ve made some people unhappy with me by chronicling my experience, and I’ve made others very excited that this fun project is coming to fruition.

GAHANS STRIKE BACK: Street piano approved but the social media fur begins to fly.

I predicted this one. First, Hannegan thanks her supporters.

And then this.

There isn't much else to say about this WATCH OUT FOR THAT FRYING PAN!

The News and Tribune story is here.

Part One of "Free the Street Piano," in which there is a subtle public protest outside.

With Hannegan Rosebarry's street piano returning yet again to the Board of Public Works and Safety agenda on Tuesday morning, artist Michael Wimmer conceived a public art protest of the public art captivity, and created his own street piano out of scrap materials.

As you can see from the photo above, when I arrived on the scene at 9:30 a.m., Michael's piano was in place on the plaza in front of the City-County building's front entrance. The News and Tribune's photographer was snapping shots.

David Duggins emerged from the front entrance. The city's corporate welfare bursar walked toward us, said hello to everyone except me, continued walking on the sidewalk, and made a loop to the building's Spring Street entrance.

Moments later, out came the building authority's head supervisor, who informed Michael that if he wanted the piano to remain on the public plaza, as opposed to the public sidewalk ten feet away, he'd have to obtain -- wait for it -- the Board of Public Works and Safety's approval.

Not wanting to subject himself to a six-week rejection process, Michael rolled the piano to the sidewalk, then after a few minutes, he repositioned it on the south side of the plaza-sidewalk intersection. It was at this point that I  glanced toward the entrance to the sheriff's department and saw a hologram. ‬

The mayor spotted me leveling a camera in his direction, and by the time I squeezed the shutter, all I saw was his back.

Michael stayed streetside with his creation when the meeting started at 10:00 a.m., and he said that he'd be wheeling "Free the Street Piano" around during the next few days. It's intended to be inter-active, so you can sign it and leave comments. Here's a good one: "Regime Change Now."

Part two is here.

Part Two of "Free the Street Piano," as the Bored finally releases the hostage.

Part One is here.

I'm not sure where to begin in documenting the rampantly officious hypocrisy that has come to epitomize New Albany's Board of Public Works and Safety, but let's give it a try for posterity's sake.

Since first approached by Hannegan Roseberry with a request to place an artistically adorned street piano under the awning at Jimmy's Music Center on the corner of Pearl and Market, the board has gone out of its way to be unresponsive.

It tabled Hannegan's request, then obscurely deflected responsibility first to an utterly befuddled Historical Preservation commission, then to an equally baffled Develop New Albany, before finally -- weeks later -- concluding that major liability issues precluded approval. These issues were explained in mind-numbing detail this morning by the city's "corporate" attorney, Shane Gibson, who didn't bother summarizing why they don't matter for various trip hazards on city sidewalks ... but I digress.

In short, it has been as though this board, handpicked by Mayor Jeff Gahan, has contrived to distill fifty years of underachieving, caterwauling, Luddite, top-down, ward-heeling insensitivity to modernity into one entirely unintentional crowning condemnation of New Albany's political monetization "culture."

In short, the Board of Works has sent up itself -- parodied itself, made itself a laughingstock, tittered at the artsy-fartsy, donned the emperor Gahan's brilliant new clothes, mimicked the movie Footloose, an embarrassed an entire city.

Today, having at last reassured itself that Jimmy Gaetano actually was on board with the idea of the piano sitting by his building, near the "Gahan for Mayor" sign in his window, which provides the single gut-funniest commentary in this entire theater of the absurd (naturally, any of the board's members might have phoned Gaetano moments after the first request was made, but no), Hannegan's request was approved unanimously.

Before you could extract a cash-stuffed envelope from a far-off Democratic Party PAC, the same city officials who have laboriously compiled a weeks-long record of pettiness on the Street Piano rushed to glad-hand Hannegan.

They have not read George Orwell, and they feel no shame. You can be sure they'll now claim credit for what they did so much to impede.

Can anyone explain why this happened?

Street Piano remains silent, though City Hall's cluelessness nears a crescendo.

The saga continues, and the non-communicators remains silent.

At last glance, the Free the New Albany Street Piano community at Fb had garnered 233 like in a little over a day. Sample comments:

• We should stage a piano sit in- New Albany mayor should be embarrassed- aren't we voting for new leadership soon?
• Come on! Let go just for once!
• We should encourage not discourage any opportunity to bring art, creativity and music to our citizens. How could this possibly harm anybody?

At the News and Tribune, Hannegan Roseberry concedes to exasperation. I feel badly for her, and also for all those who value art, music, creativity, and thinking outside self-imposed boxes. However, New Albany's Street Piano is performing a valuable public service.

It's showing us just how tone deaf the Gahan administration is -- and not just about a painted piano.

Oops, she did it again

• Why is the idea of a street piano so abhorrent to our officials?
• Why, when I followed the correct procedure back in April, was I completely shut down by a tangled web of emails and miscommunication (which I chronicled in a News and Tribune column at that point)?
• Why was I then encouraged to proceed again, and do it the "right way," why was I then put through a series of public hoops and hurdles over the last two weeks?
• Why is the Board of Works working so very, very hard to think of any— ANY — reason to shut this (me?) down, dragging Historic Landmarks and Develop New Albany into the fray (my apologies to both entities)?
• Why are citizens not allowed to have individual ideas? Why does everything have to come from above in our city?
• Finally, why is Jeffersonville so ready and willing to consider art in unexpected ways and why are we so terrified to do the same here in New Albany?

Make no mistake: Jeff Gahan is the "driving force" behind the Bored of Works' inability to fathom street pianos, public art and modernity itself.

There always are self-assigned community pillars who believe it is their solemn duty to safeguard the community from terroristic threats, such as that posed by a painted piano on a downtown street corner.

In their interior worlds, where Velvet Elvii and Happy Meals define the very extent of artistic aspiration, there is a mortal fear that "respectable" folks will laugh at them for allowing modes of expression that cannot by categorized by dull conformity, and worse yet, expression that resists being linked to the address on the campaign committee flier for the express purpose of gathering the monies necessary for the next campaign, from whence their need to control ultimately derives.

When in reality, these officious guardians of neutered conformity are the ones being laughed at. In fact, they're plain silly, and getting even sillier. That they're Democrats makes me laugh even harder.

Daniel Suddeath explains that in New Albany, surreal small-pond bureaucratic Philistinism is an inexorably expanding universe: New Albany again delays street piano request.

It's been highly instructive to observe the Bored of Works contriving one bumbling excuse after another to cover for its down-low orders to maintain proper channels for expression.

We don't understand this art ... OMG, who'll tune the piano? ... wait, ask the preservation people for their permission, 'cuz, you know, the piano is old ... no, how about Develop New Albany -- yeah, that's right (chortles in corridor afterward), DNA does all that goofy merchant support stuff we see going on even as we're driving out to the Cracker Barrel in Sellersburg.

Earth to the Bored: DNA has, er, WHAT to do with any of this?

What's next, Warren V Nash?

Ask Animal Control?

Jeeves?

The Oracle at Delphi?

Tell you what: I'll personally make Hannegan's mandated "Gahan for Mayor" campaign donation FOR HER, even though I'm running against him, if that would somehow help you arrive at a position somewhere proximate to a CLUE.

Jeeebus. It's an art project and a street piano. Exactly what does nuclear physics have to do with it?

Of course, if Hannegan had only let the mayor think it was his idea, then we'd have a street piano on every corner in town -- player pianos, that is, just to make sure no one departed from the chosen street music and the top-down sacred political writ.

Here are previous NAC links to the street piano saga.

Life is like a street piano. What the Bored of Works gets out of it depends on how they "nay" it.

New Albany's new slogan: "Truck Through City" ... Part 95: It's the return of 18-wheeler pinup porn and utter Bored of Works indifference.

Seattle alleys, New Albany street pianos and the overdue purging of bureaucrats.

Life is like a street piano. What the Bored of Works gets out of it depends on how they "nay" it.

Previously at NAC:

New Albany's new slogan: "Truck Through City" ... Part 95: It's the return of 18-wheeler pinup porn and utter Bored of Works indifference.

Seattle alleys, New Albany street pianos and the overdue purging of bureaucrats.

The same people guarding the public participation gates on behalf of those other people who blithely toss millions of dollars at lifeguards and Indy property developers are flustered by a street piano -- again.

What is this, anyway? "Mayor Jeff Gahan Presents Groundhog Day?"

New Albany continues to review street piano request, by Daniel Suddeath (N and T)

Months after initially bringing the request to the Board of Public Works and Safety, local resident Hannegan Roseberry was told Tuesday that she will likely need a Certificate of Appropriateness, or COA, from the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission to proceed with installing the street piano.

Roseberry is seeking approval to have the piano placed under the awning of Jimmy’s Music Center from Labor Day through the Harvest Homecoming celebration in early October as part of a public arts project ...

 ... However, Warren Nash, president of the board of works, said a COA will be needed because the installation would be located in an historic preservation commission.

There are several tables, signs and other items placed on sidewalks throughout downtown, Roseberry said. She questioned whether those businesses were also required to obtain a COA.

Nash said he was “not sure” if all had.

“It’s not easy to enforce that or police it either,” Nash said.

Nash & Co. have had more than a month to think about it -- and the very best they can do is fabricate hooey about a Certificate of Appropriateness from the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission.

Because ...

Roseberry said later Tuesday that after speaking with a representative of the preservation commission, she was informed the body had never required a COA for an art installation.

Is there anyone on Planet Earth surprised by the preservation commission's befuddlement?

Is there anyone surprised by the Bored of Works all-purpose bewilderment?

Does the piano itself have poisonous tentacles?

Are the boarders themselves tone deaf?

Must public art in New Albany ALWAYS begin AND end with dogs playing poker?

Does the down-low Gahan team even begin to grasp how petty and vindictive it is beginning (?) to look?

Seattle alleys, New Albany street pianos and the overdue purging of bureaucrats.

Photo credit: Hannegan Roseberry at Fb

I generally advocate thinking outside our self-imposed civic boxes, because New Albany has far too many of them, stacked somewhere out in the garage, creased and dusty, and filled with hoary rationales for non-activity that we've forgotten even exist.

We also have many suitable alleys, as outlined in is adaptive reuse saga from Seattle.

Seattle's Future Alleys Look Like Paradise, by John Metcalfe (City Lab)

When you peer into a downtown Seattle alley, you might see rats and people sleeping in dumpsters. That could change, however, as the city plans to turn some of these airless holes into charming, plant-filled utopias.

Against all odds, New Albany has a thriving restaurant and bar culture to consider, and consequently, while excitedly reading about alley renovations in Seattle -- and recalling the many "hidden" infrastructure places we possess in addition to these -- one sensation kept coming back to me.

Namely, the smell of dumpsters behind restaurants in a red-hot, humid Indiana summer. However, using spaces, making places ... I support the idea, and the possibilities are endless. In fact, apart from alleyways, we could do so much better here, and the first step simply must be liberating ourselves from thinking that the usual suspects and their same "officially" accredited agencies, commissions and political entities possess a monopoly on creativity.

They don't, and all too often they stifle grassroots artistic expression, placemaking and neighborhood revitalization.

As Hannegan Roseberry's experience with our gatekeepers at the Board of Works earlier this week illustrates, the cultural asphyxiation starts at the very top. Hannegan had an idea, and the bored's political appointees could barely stifle their yawns while flashing the usual reply: "It's not an option."

 ... Now, you may be wondering what this surely controversial project must be, considering the absolute breakdown of communication and complete avoidance it inspired: A street piano, painted brightly by teenage artists, sitting out on the street for all passersby to enjoy and experience. I know, contain your gasps of horror; the audacity of this citizen, to think she could so arrogantly prep a whimsical and creative project such as this and terrorize the streets of New Albany.

In all seriousness, my goal is to shed light on a far more concerning challenge than the fun and frivolity of a street piano: The piano is really beside the point.

New Albany must make government more accessible. It is absolutely inexcusable that a citizen with an idea and a passion for her community could be so absolutely and completely led in circles, shut out and shut down.

Tuesday mornings, 10 a.m. It's in need of a dose of glasnost.

Look it up, Warren.

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. 

---

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.

What they're saying: On school buses, prayers and the Bard.

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.


---

We begin with a housekeeping note. Incumbent at-large council members Shirley Baird and John Gonder, both Democrats, have updated their Facebook campaign pages. Gonder also still has his blog, and yesterday  -- perhaps in a nod toward this recent post at NAC -- he published a short piece about schools and public transit.

Food for Thought

Why not have an arrangement between the school system and TARC which uses TARC buses rather than school buses to transport students to and from school?

In a risky move seemingly designed to dissuade Dan Coffey from ever voting for her, Hannegan Roseberry (at-large council, Democrat) has chosen to speak publicly about ... Shakespeare.

Here is an excerpt; click through for the complete post.

Kentucky Shakespeare is bringing its parks tour production of "the Scottish Play" to New Albany's Bicentennial Park on Friday, April 24th at 8:00 pm. What a delight to look forward to! I am pleased that this event got scheduled as a result of a passing conversation between my family and a friend of ours who is an actor with Kentucky Shakespeare. We ran into him at a show in Louisville, he mentioned the tour, and my husband mentioned that the tour should come to New Albany, gave him some names of who he should talk to to get it scheduled, and voila: several weeks later, the schedule was released and we were thrilled to see New Albany had been added to the list!

Coincidentally, Coffey has his own Shakespearean prayer plot line coming tomorrow night, although screenwriting for The Dukes of Hazard comes closer to describing his resolution's overall intent. At-large candidate Al Knable (at-large, Republican) has thoughts on the matter.

It seems the current NA City Council is sailing into waters that have been charted many, many times before.

Like many of you, I have my religious beliefs. They are sacred to me. These beliefs, along with my parents, my life experiences and many secular readings have helped frame my personal behavioral codes. I take these moral and ethical bulwarks to work with me each day and would use them to guide me if elected to the City Council.

But as I would resist anyone imposing their religion upon me, I would not attempt to do so to anyone else.

The "moment for reflection" now held before Council meetings is a working compromise. I suggest leaving it in place and getting on with the actual work of governing our City.

A novel idea, this governing. Is that the same thing as ward heeling?

Democratic at-large hopeful Brad Bell provides today's coda.

The City Council will take up a resolution to re-adopt the saying of the Lords Prayer before every City Council Meeting. Dan Coffey brings the measure for a certain fail on Thursday's agenda. To say that i'm opposed to this resolution is an understatement. I personally think that the moment of reflection is a perfect compromise between the 2 sides. I do happen to agree with my opponent, John Gonder, that a Municipal building is not the place for a cross. I have no problem with organized religion, but there is, though greatly overlooked within the past several years, a separation of church and state in our country. Our founding fathers adopted this legislation for a reason and we have turned our back on it.

You can not cater to one religion over another in a matter such as this. We would literally be sitting through prayer after prayer for hours on end to cover the vast cultural diversity of our city. My opinion stands, that a moment of reflection is perfectly suitable during the start of the City Council meetings. Should I get elected, and should this resolution pass, it would be first on the list for immediate repeal.

Happy voting, folks.

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.

---

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: Roseberry, Knable, Staten and Rutherford.

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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Hannegan Roseberry (D, at-large council) and Al Knable (R, at-large council) continue to buck the close-lipped traditions of their respective parties by speaking and writing openly about the real world. Hannegan leads off with two postings at her Facebook campaign page.

First, on the topic of standing up for what you believe:

I feel we have a real problem on our hands when our elected officials refuse to give simple yes or no answers to questions. When you are an elected official and you refuse to give your thoughts on a subject, then I politely suggest that you hang up your hat. Whether it be something as obvious as Two-Way Streets in a city like New Albany, or something as colossal (and sinister) as RFRA, you have an obligation to be transparent on your stance. You were elected by the people (granted, a very small amount of the people of Indiana, see my earlier posts about voter apathy in the Hoosier state), and you owe them transparency. This doesn't mean that your opinions can, or even should, please everyone at all times. I think that is another tricky corner that too many elected officials get themselves into, trying to please everyone at all times by committing to nothing and towing every line "just in case." Be bold, be educated, and stand strongly for the things you believe in.

And, on women in local politics.

Wonder Women - Where Are You?

Where are the women candidates? In our upcoming city primary elections, there are a mere five female candidates out of 28, and only two of those women are challengers (myself included). Last time I checked, one out of every two human beings are female - why are we not stepping up to the plate to lead at that same level?

Al enthusiastically riffs on an idea previously discussed by Hannegan.

I won't pretend that encouraging a civic theater in New Albany is my idea. Hannegan Roseberry discussed it on her page a few days ago. Randy Smith proposed the Baptist Tabernacle site as a possible location with me several weeks ago. The thought's been kicked around for years. In fact, I remember Jim Anderson's wife, Mary, advocating this 40 years ago. But heck, I can recognize a great idea!

A civic theater would be yet one more draw to downtown and everyone knows when the show lets out people love to eat or hit their favorite night spot.

The old Tabernacle building might prove multi-functional. When not in use for shows it could easily serve as a site for other public forums.

As NA doesn't have unlimited funds, and as there are numerous pressing needs, I see this as a project facilitated rather than fully funded by the city. Even so, this is definitely a cause I'd support, allowing others (Mrs. R?) to champion.

(OMG -- candidates from opposite parties, agreeing on social media as to the virtues of an idea? I don't know about Al's arbiters, but Hannegan can expect an unannounced visit from Warren "I used to be mayor, pal" Nash's "purity of absolute silence" department)

Over in the 6th district, Democratic council hopeful Dr. Cliff Staten sensibly asks, "What will New Albany do to attract and keep younger generations here?"

Working Today to Build Tomorrow

Elections are about the future. Think about New Albany 5 years from now… now picture it 10 years from now… how about 20? How do you picture New Albany in the future? How would you like to picture New Albany in the future?

To me, the future starts with our young people; it starts with our children and our grandchildren. How do we picture their New Albany?

Meanwhile in the 5th district, Tonye Rutherford is back with a Facebook campaign page. He has an opponent in the Republican primary (Danita Burks), as does the incumbent Diane Benedetti (Dustin Collins).

Tonye Rutherford for New Albany City Council District 5

This is Tonye Rutherford, I am running for City Council in the 5th District. After narrowly losing by 21 votes in 2011, I have been busy ... I have since been appointed to the New Albany Floyd County Library board where I serve as the president, I was appointed to the New Albany Human Rights Commission and serve as the Chairman, I was appointed to the Floyd County Corrections board and elected to the Emmaus board.

Have you spotted substance omitted here? Let me know. The primary's only five weeks away.

What they're saying: Hannegan Roseberry on creativity, streets, SB-101 and demographics.

Damned spell check.

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 "yard signs win elections, not people" or "donate to my campaign first, and maybe I'll have something of merit to say much, much 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.

At-large city council candidate Hannegan Beardsley Roseberry (D) is taking the time to write, so let's take a look. These comments are collected from her Fb campaign page.

On what we want to be as a city:

I enjoyed seeing some New Albany natives tonight - the incredible Houndmouth. It is terrific to see a group from New Albany find such huge success; they are a reminder of everything we should strive to be as a city: eclectic, intelligent, innovative, creative and spunky. New Albany, we need to follow suit and claim our place in the region. Who do we want to be and how are we going to get there? As a city council member, these are the questions I will be pursuing.

On Speck's downtown street network proposals:

Matt Nash made some terrific points in his op-Ed piece in yesterday's Trib about the ongoing fiasco surrounding the street grid. If we are wanting to continue to attract people to live in our city, we have to appeal to their needs for a walkable, engaging environment.

Matt observes: "How often do “wide load” trucks need to actually use these roads? Is there enough traffic like this that we should force the entire city to kowtow to its needs? How do trucks manage to get from place to place in other towns who don’t have wide one-way streets?

You need not look any further than the city of Jeffersonville to see a city that’s downtown has thrived even with narrower two-way streets. They also have a couple of large manufacturers downtown that are able to ship goods without the need for a 40-foot-wide, one-way street. How has material arrived for the downtown bridge project without wide one-way streets?"

On the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act:

I have written a lot about this debacle on my personal page today, and will now share this here on my campaign page, as well. One of my goals is to help New Albany to claim its place in the region as a leader in culture, commerce, and community. New Albany needs to be a place where people are going to want to live, work, spend their money, and raise their families. Indiana's legislature just made our job this much harder - I stand for a New Albany that is welcoming to all people, and I disagree wholeheartedly with the notion that this is the way our founding fathers intended our governing bodies to be used. New Albany - we've got our work cut out for us if we are to counteract this sort of damning national publicity. We've got to be forward-thinking and welcoming to all - yes ALL - residents. We don't pick and choose our neighbors, but we do pick our elected officials. Make your voice heard and let our legislators know that this is not the Indiana that we want. In New Albany, we can do better than this.

On theater and why millennials matter:

New Albany Civic Theatre - now doesn't that have a nice ring to it? Millennials (ages 18-36) are currently 77 million strong, or 24% of the population, which is roughly the same size as the baby boomer generation. What does this mean? For cities like New Albany, we have to figure out what we're going to do to hang on to and attract these vibrant, creative young people. Studies show that millennials are flocking to more urban, mixed-use communities that are socially conscious and creative. Right now, New Albany is being outpaced by the surrounding communities as far as cultural offerings. As a city, we need to understand that a thriving cultural center results in economic benefit. New Albany is long overdue for a New Albany Civic Theatre, with additional space for art studios/classes/displays. This sort of creative venture is exactly the type of thing New Albany needs.
"COMMUNITY ARTS ANCHORS SERVE AS PURVEYORS OF CULTURE AND CONTRIBUTORS TO QUALITY OF LIFE.”–TIMOTHY MCCLIMON,AMERICAN EXPRESS FOUNDATION

I'm trying to be dispassionate in these surveys, but Hannegan's doing a great job so far in articulating substance.

What they're saying: Bell, Collins, Knable, Phipps, Roseberry and Staten 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.

Earlier in the week, I went to the Fb campaign pages of several candidates and asked a short, quick question. Note that if I omitted you from the survey, please feel free to provide a reply, and it will be published; the readier your channels of communication for me to ask, the greater chance you will be asked. Now for the question.

"Rental property registration? Go."

Opening with numbered districts, incumbent 3rd district councilman Greg Phipps had this to say.

That's not part of the new property ordinance. Some of us suggested it , but its the census that we need to adopt the property ordinance first .

Dustin Collins, 5th district (D) candidate:

I'd really like an accurate cost/benefit analysis on it. An ordinance is only as good as the enforcement that can be provided.

Cliff Staten, 6th district (D) candidate:

Having an effective rental property registration program is important to any city but especially New Albany as it continues to develop. Every city is different, but holding landlords accountable for the standard of living they provide to renters is universal (and good business). If we want people to move to New Albany, if we want young people to rent in New Albany, we must ensure that they have places to live where they are safe, secure, and healthy. Of course as with any program, without proper enforcement by the city it cannot succeed.

1st district councilman Dan Coffey was asked, but did not answer, and so we turn to at-large council aspirants.

First is Brad Bell (D).

I can see both sides of the argument. My concern would be enforcement. We already have tons of ordinances that go unchecked and this would probably fall into that same category I'm sure. I would like to think that a legitimate land lord would be fine with filing and registering but I have a feeling there are more bad ones than good. Then you have the added problem of finding what is and what is not rental property.

I replied to Brad, "We can't find what is and is not rental property because we have no registration procedure. That's actually much of the point." He added:

Like I said, the bad ones outnumber the good and the chances of them coming forward and voluntarily spending "their own money" on a registration process is slim.

Hannegan Roseberry (D):

Building community and attracting more families to our neighborhoods is a major part of my platform. While I have a number of clarifying questions for the folks at city hall, it is clear that what we are doing right now isn't working. I can look out my windows and see rental properties that aren't being properly maintained or appear to have been abandoned. Landlords, as business owners, need to be held accountable for their properties and the impact their neglect has on our neighborhoods and property values. For me, this issue is a symptom of the bigger issue for the current administration - transparency and mission. As a city council member, I want to see the city first put forward a clear mission/vision for development of community, commerce, and culture. Once this vision exists, it will make decisions concerning issues (rental property registration) easier because the city's mission is clear, and citizens will understand that creating these policies is consistent with that mission and not a random act of government.

Finally, Al  Knable's coda (R):

Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I am favor of registration. Sooner rather than later. More rather than less comprehensive. Why? What we have now is failing. Failing the tenants and the City at large. I used to own a few rental properties, never balked at registration. Got out of that business beachside REITs are a more efficient use of my time.

Thanks, everyone.

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ON THE AVENUES: Die Hard the Hunter, or the political impossibility of rental property registration on New Albany.

What they're saying: At-large council candidates Roseberry and Bell.

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 in the at-large council contest, we find Democrats Hannegan Beardsley Roseberry and Brad Bell. It is Roseberry's first run for office, and Bell's second (he ran for an at-large council seat in 2011).

At her Facebook campaign page, Roseberry contributes this valuable observation about Saturday's Speck street study meeting.

At this morning's meeting about the Speck street study, there were questions about the funding and cost of implementing two-way streets. The city officials did not give any response to that question, but this article from last month states that, "...the city has $1.6 million in Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA) funding to get started." This was a quote from Mayor Gahan. The meeting should have shared this information. We need greater transparency from our city leaders, and city officials who aren't afraid to speak their minds and stand up for its citizens.

It would help to know that, wouldn't it?

Also at Facebook, Bell offers economic development strategy, echoing a topic previously discussed at NAC: Impure thoughts about suburbia" and New Albanian corridors.

What to do with Colonial Manor??

When Kroger moved from Colonial Manor Shopping Center, many many years ago, that section of Charlestown Road has struggled to find it's place in the community. Even though many different stores have tried to fill holes over the years, Colonial Manor now sits nearly vacant again. Two (2) unsuccessful grocery stores have tried to hold down the anchor spot, but have both lasted less than 2 years. Dollar General moved down the road to a much bigger location, and other stores have simply disappeared.

While some area's of New Albany have seen major growth and expansion, some areas have continued the downward spiral. This section of Charlestown Road needs major help. With that being the sole agenda, I propose turning Colonial Manor Shopping Center into a family friendly fun zone. We should seek out an anchor such as GattiLand, Chuck-E-Cheese or a Puzzles Fun Dome type of location so families can have an indoor fun center for all season's right here in New Albany. The outlying stores in Colonial Manor can also be family driven, in order to be a family destination site.

Not only that, but Bell thinks he can do it without tax abatements. Be sure to follow the link and read the entire piece.

See this post for more information on the at-large council race:

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

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.