2006: The NA Confidential - Volunteer Hoosier merger.

Diana and I first met Randy Smith on the grounds of the Moser Tannery in 2004 (wife Ann was with him; I knew her from university), a story which was told earlier in 2020: "ON THE AVENUES: Alas, New Albany is less of a place without a bookstore." He'd just moved here with Ann, and they were opening Destinations Booksellers.

To make a long story very short, Randy and I have collaborated numerous times on civic matters over the intervening years, with the needs of the moment at our respective business ventures ordaining an ebb and flow to the relationship.

If it isn't too bold a statement, allow me to observe that of all the folks I've met over the years who turned up in New Albany from elsewhere with abilities and good intentions, and found the creaking antebellum wagons of "that's the way we've always done it here" circled and manned by vigilante NAHS graduates, Randy's frosty reception is the only one to have equaled my own.

Perhaps that's why so many locals think we're brothers. It isn't so, although spiritually -- in the sense of necessitated samizdat and the petty pushback from locally inbred mediocrity -- there's a case to be made for a solid bond.   

From April 3, 2006. It would seem that 2006 predated the use of labels at Blogger.

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Constantinople to Istanbul: NA Confidential welcomes All4Word, a familiar voice, to its roster. 

The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things - the power to tell the good from the bad, the genuine from the counterfeit,and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit. --- Samuel Johnson

“Good” and “genuine” are just two of the many words I’ve used to describe the quality of the writing and the advocacy at Volunteer Hoosier, a blog long included in NA Confidential’s sidebar links and often cited on these pages. 

Today I’m pleased to formally announce the addition of All4Word, a/k/a Randy Smith, to the editorial board of this Web log. Randy is a fellow businessman arrived lately to these shores, and was the founder of Volunteer Hoosier in 2004. Readers will be familiar with his work, online and behind the scenes, in drawing attention to matters of public affairs. 

After long consideration, Randy and I decided to consummate a merger of interests in the belief that together we can make NA Confidential a more comprehensive and useful site. With two primary reporters/commentators, each of us will be able to devote more time to making the site better without neglecting our other responsibilities. 

NA Confidential, effective this date, has acquired the rights to Volunteer Hoosier, which will cease publication. However, the archival postings and comments will remain online.

The New Albanian

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Istanbul is widely recognized as the name of Turkey's most well known city, but it was not always this way, and even today some confusion over its proper name still exists. The confusion is rooted in the various names the city assumed under the Ottomans in the centuries after their conquest of the city in 1453. Although the Ottomans did not purposely change the city's name, they opted to make "Constantinople" into a more Turkish style name "Konstantiniye" (which loosely translates as "of Constantine"), however variations on Konstantiniye soon cropped up. 

"Stanbulin," (Greek for "to the city") once commonly found on road signs directing travelers to the capital, was punned by devout Turks into Islambol, where "Islam abounds." The names Islambol and Konstantiniye were used interchangeably in Ottoman documents up until the empire's demise in 1923. Westerners continued to refer to the city as Constantinople well into the 20th century. In the 19th century, however, the city's large foreign expatriate community took to calling the old city Stamboul. Western accounts of the old city during this period make regular references to the name. -- Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies and Culture 

Effective this date, Volunteer Hoosier ceases publication. This blogger departs from "Constantinople" for a new home at "Istanbul." 

The New Albanian and I have, in his words, consummated a merger of interests, and I will be joining him in the hope of making NA Confidential even stronger. It is already the premier Web log in the region. The separation between us has never been as wide as the Bosporus, but we, The New Albanian and All4Word, have always marched to the beat of distinctly different drummers. 

As for me, I early on decided that it would have been boorish of me to write at length as a commenter on NA Confidential. And yet, like The New Albanian, I’m not one to write in short bites. Thus, shortly after NA Confidential came online, Volunteer Hoosier was born. We hope you have found it stimulating. 

In my judgment, The New Albanian offers strong insight and a wit that I appreciate. If anything can be said about our senses of humor, it is that he has the better delivery of it, and I have a greater appreciation of it. I will say that I can think of no instance in which The New Albanian has taken his satire further than is appropriate. I would proudly sign on to his spot-on critiques. 

Another distinction is that, between the two of us, I am clearly the “wonk” in the equation. In addition to my affinity for policy and financial detail, I’m more likely to consider the electoral strategies that underlie public policy decisions – at least, I’m more likely to speculate about them. 

As mentioned above, Volunteer Hoosier ceases publication effective today. I have no regrets. I’m pleased to join the online platform at NA Confidential, and the acquisition price was sufficient incentive to surrender my single-author site. 

We are of like minds about many matters, but don’t expect a monolithic front here. 

I will have the freedom to post on any topic at a moment’s notice, without prior restraint, and it is a given that agreement between us is not a requirement. We do disagree from time to time, including recently, which makes this a fortuitous time for our “merger.” In short, we trust and value each other’s judgment. 

One final note. It is our joint and fervent desire to encourage contributor Bluegill to “ramp up” his contributions and make this site even stronger. 

The New Albanian is departing for a well-earned vacation road trip and will be on enforced hiatus. NA Confidential has been a primary source for community news, like tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Summit. 

Be sure to copy me with such items, particularly during NAC’s hiatus. 

All4Word

LIVE TO EAT: Randy Smith offers "a grass-roots campaign to support and sustain local eateries."

It's an excellent strategy for helping your favorite eateries without jumping through hoops. Just invest in your future meals by helping them pay the light bills now.

Thanks to Randy for contributing this idea. Have you purchased gift cards from your favorite independent local businesses? Tell me about it.

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To the Editors:

Hi, guys. My spouse and I, as we've aged, are eating out less frequently. Part of that is a habit of healthy eating, but, frankly, my own business had never really contributed much to our household income.

We've also ramped up our travel via vacations, taking about 2 week-long vacations each year and a few long weekends. Necessarily, that boosts the number of occasions where we eat out. Someday I hope to share our favorite out-of-town dining experiences with you. We've had some great ones in Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, West Virginia, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

At root, though, we have a few local independent restaurants we love.

I wanted to talk to you about a grass-roots campaign to support and sustain local eateries. Yes, there are other such campaigns. But independent restaurants are "independent" and rarely are willing to ask for help.

Can't we who aren't struggling right now throw a few bucks to them?

Here's my proposal. Pick your 3 favorite independent restaurants. Call them and buy a gift certificate of $25, $50, $75, or $100.

Maybe you order takeout, too, but the pure cash infusion now in exchange for sustaining those restaurants into the future seems to me to be an invaluable investment.

Three of our favorites have suspended operations until further notice, and I regret that I can't invest in their futures right now. But those who are hanging in right now can use our help. And those other three will value our patronage when they return to "normality."

We are investing $75 each in Aladdin's Cafe on Bank Street, and Israel's Delicias de Mexico Gourmet on Market Street.

We stand ready to do the same for Cups and Cones on Vincennes Street, Hing Wang on Spring Street, and New Albanian on Plaza Drive. If you know how we can do that, let us know.

These are our favorites. You'll have your own. Pick three of them and invest in their futures. After all, they are one of the biggest contributors to our quality of life in New Albany.

Randy Smith, formerly of Destinations Booksellers, et al.

ATTENTION SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: Let Randy Smith help you unravel the CARES Act.

Longtime local independent business owner Randy Smith posted the following yesterday on his social media pages. He's offering his time to help you determine how grassroots players like most of us can derive benefit from the newly enacted economic relief plan. Randy's contact information is herein. I'll be sharing this with friends via personal channels. You?

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Do you have a small business in New Albany? Has COVID-19 hurt your ability to survive? Of course it has.

I’m one of you. I can help. No strings. No fees.

Thanks to Heather at my bank, I was able to learn how the CARES Act can help and I’m ready to help you apply for government assistance. You can borrow 10 weeks of payroll now and keep your staff employed. You can pay retention bonuses. And, if you handle it properly, you’ll never have to pay it back

I have the details and am ready to help. Call or text me at 812.944.5116 or email me at randysmith@outlook.com and I’ll share what I’ve learned.

Your bank is likely to be an SBA Preferred or Certified lender and they’ll be ready to lend as early as next week. But you need to be ready. You can use the loan proceeds for rent, utilities, and even for accounts payable. And you may never need to pay it back.

I’ve been a small business owner in New Albany for 16 years – Destinations Booksellers, Dueling Grounds Café, Flood Crest Press – and for decades before that across the U.S. In this crisis, I can help you survive.

Banks will lend now without collateral, credit checks, or personal guarantees. The SBA will guarantee your loan.

Let me know if I can help you apply for these unprecedented loans. We’re all in this together and we can keep our businesses alive.

Please share this as you see fit. Best wishes to all of you.

Gahan begins search for a disposable scapegoat as Indiana's Public Access Counselor finds the mayor in violation of the state's public records law.

Thanks to WDRB's Marcus Green for tagging me at Twitter. Here's the link to Public Access Counselor Luke H. Britt's advisory opinion.

"This case involves a dispute over a municipality’s lack of responses to multiple public records requests."

Here's the conclusion.

In the instance of Randy Smith's ignored request, these three posts are relevant background.

River Run Family Water Park: Why won't the city of New Albany comply with the law and grant Randy Smith's public records request to view the financials?

Reader writes about River Run: "I was under the impression public records HAD to be made public."

Team Gahan's failure to fulfill open records requests? That's Gahan's political conspiracy against transparency, and it's HIS problem, not anyone else's.

Britt informed Smith that his complaint was taken into consideration in formulating the advisory opinion.

I didn't realize the story had made it to the Associated Press. WDRB has it, dated November 4.

Indiana city faces records lawsuit after counselor's opinion

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (AP) — Three southern Indiana residents are suing the city of New Albany for allegedly failing to fulfill their public records requests.

The Floyd County lawsuit comes after Indiana's Public Access Counselor, Luke Britt, found that New Albany had violated Indiana's public records law.

The three plaintiffs say they requested public records in August, including electronic correspondence related to River Run Family Water Park. They sought Britt's opinion after officials in the Ohio River city failed to acknowledge their records requests.

The News and Tribune reports the trio say their suit was filed in response to "a consistent pattern of failing to acknowledge, let alone respond, to a citizen's inquiry into the affairs of local government."

New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan says city officials "greatly look forward" to their day in court.

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Information from: News and Tribune, Jeffersonville, Ind. 

Reader writes about River Run: "I was under the impression public records HAD to be made public."

Yesterday we examined yet another instance of City Hall foot-dragging over public records requests.

River Run Family Water Park: Why won't the city of New Albany comply with the law and grant Randy Smith's public records request to view the financials?

Once again the city's corporate attorney Shane Gibson oversees Team Gahan's activities in a manner indistinguishable from William Barr's, but let's move ahead to a comment by regular blog reader RW:

"I was under the impression public records had to be made public. Any newspaper can request these be given for we the people. Am I incorrect?"

You are correct in theory, but if governmental entities don't comply, there isn't a pathway to compel them short of a lawsuit. Hence the traditional "Fourth estate" role of the newspaper in making issues like this public, a task which our biased Jefferonsvile-centric News and Tribune typically refuses to exercise;  reporters show interest, but management likes Jeff Gahan's advertising income a bit too much.

And yes, there is the Indiana Public Access Counselor, who can make rulings pro or con, but enforcement mechanisms are lacking. Gahan's sycophantic city hall is a persistent violator, but again, short of hiring a lawyer and seeking a judge, little can be done to bring them to the table.

Obviously this needs to change. In Gahan's case, the handiest expedient is underway as we speak: Election 2019, and an opportunity to drain the swamp.

River Run Family Water Park: Why won't the city of New Albany comply with the law and grant Randy Smith's public records request to view the financials?

Campaign finance implications, too.

Today we have two related topics.

Second, there's a question and answer session with a citizen who is being stonewalled by the city with respect to a public records request.

But first, some background on the subject of the request: River Run Family Water Park. In 2013, NAC's Jeff Gillenwater did what the newspaper refuses to do, then as now -- namely, research:

Water on the brains: Much less for far more will keep us swimming in it.

Unlike some voluntarily voiceless council members, I bothered with a smidgen of research into how comparable cities have handled comparable situations.

Six years later, with River Run in its fourth season of non-transparent operation, we spotted an example of selective municipal reasoning:

GREEN MOUSE SAYS: Why does City Hall demand financials from the county parks department when it eternally refuses to divulge its own River Run Gahan Water Dome numbers?

To the Green Mouse's knowledge, the city has steadfastly resisted releasing the financials of the water slide for four years, almost surely because they're not pretty, or contain buried land mines; for instance, how is the aquatic acreage connected with the new fire station's monthly disbursements?

Now for the facts of the city's public records request refusal, as revealed in the following interview conducted by NA Confidential with Randy Smith, New Albany resident, taxpayer and owner of Destinations Booksellers.

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NA Confidential: Randy, when did you submit a records request? To whom was it directed?

Randy Smith: I hand-delivered the request (dated August 6) on August 7, 2019 to Linda Moeller, controller for the city of New Albany. I did not request copies of these records at that time – only access to them to inspect and record the information for further use.

NAC: Why did you make this records request?

RS: My purpose is to analyze the financials of River Run Family Waterpark (RR) and to share my findings with the public.

NAC: What did you request of the city toward your aim of analyzing River Run’s financials?

RS: I requested access to the following records dating from the June 2015 to the end of July 2019:

REVENUES
1. Monthly revenue from admissions to RR.
2. Monthly revenue from concessions sold at RR.
3. Any other revenues from any source resulting from the use of RR each month.
4. Monthly reports to the Indiana Department of Revenue for sales taxes collected, reported, and remitted with respect to the operation of RR.

EXPENSES
1. Monthly expenditures/claims for utilities, including water, sewer, electric, gas, telephone, internet, or any other like expenditures related to RR and/or metered billing for each month for each category.
2. Monthly wages, salaries, and benefits for each person paid for work at RR, including professional, full-time, part-time, temporary, employee, paid contractor, or person paid, regardless of how that person’s position is designated.
3. Reports of allocations of payroll and benefits for administrative personnel whose duties include supervision or operation of RR for each month.
4. Reports of allocations of payroll and benefits for personnel from other city departments whose time has been spent in the operation or maintenance of RR, including public safety officials.
5. Expenses for maintenance conducted by contractors not employed by the city.
6. Expenses for consumables (other than utilities) necessary to the operation of RR.
7. Expenses for food and non-food items necessary to conduct concessions operations at RR.
8. Vehicle and equipment expenses that can reasonably be allocated proportionally to the operation and maintenance of RR.

NAC: Under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act, citizens are entitled to a response within 24 hours of receiving such a request. Were you contacted within 24 hours as stipulated?

RS: Yes, Moeller’s initial acknowledgement to my note came on August 7th when I handed it to her. She observed that the city has its own form, only slightly different from the official state form. She said my form complied.

On the 8th I followed up by e-mail, indicating that while it might take time to pull together all the information I’d requested, I am especially interested in the sales tax returns to the Department of Revenue, which would take almost no time to produce; I could even come down to the City County Building immediately and inspect them.

At this point (August 9) she replied.

Randy,

I was out of the office yesterday and was getting ready to respond to your public records request dated August 6, 2019. Within 10 days you will be provided with the materials requested or a status update.

Linda Moeller

NAC: To be clear, on August 9 you were told that within 10 days the request would be honored, or a “status update” given. Have you heard from Moeller since then?

RS: No, I have not.

NAC: That’s approximately 72 days late, isn’t it?

RS: Yes, it is. It’s important to understand that the stipulated 10-day wait is purely arbitrary. With respect to sales tax records, while it might take me a few minutes, my own business can provide copies of every single sales tax return for the past 15 years. The major limitation on that is the time it takes to change from page to page of my returns history.

I also can't understand the use of the term "available." Why would not these records be "available" almost immediately? Certainly the 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 FY records are immediately available, right? Obviously the June and July 2019 numbers wouldn’t have been compiled, but why wouldn’t these numbers for previous years be right at hand?

NAC: Is there any mechanism for redress in cases like this?

RS: In view of the city’s non-responsiveness, I have sought the assistance of the state’s Public Access Counselor.

NAC: As of this writing, you’re not the only citizen to have requested the River Run financials and been refused. The city council evidently has seen only limited numbers for the past four years. What’s the principle at stake here?

RS: I think we all have the right to know how much it’s costing us to operate this facility. State law says we have that right. In other states, laws like the APRA are called “Sunshine” laws, in the belief that sunshine, or transparency, is a guard against misfeasance and malfeasance. And a suspicion of corruption is not a requirement. How a city spends its money is a legitimate public question.

Since I’ve received no formal response from the Gahan administration, I literally can’t say why these records remain secret. I am left only to surmise.

NAC: Do you think River Run is losing money?

RS: That’s actually beside the point. The city’s water recreation facility probably loses money — a lot of money. That’s OK. Elected officials can choose to lose money to provide a wading pool, splash pads, waterslides, and a “lazy river.” Those of us who thought the “pool” was a poor use of borrowed money can but criticize it now.

But, we are entitled to see the numbers.

Rules for election letters to the Daily Journal of the Tom May Writers' Colony, formerly known as the News and Tribune.

If the News and Tribune genuinely valued "fairness to the candidates," the sinking newspaper wouldn't support the sham candidate "forums" sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

But I digress.

Here are the rules for submitting election-related letters to the editor of the Jeffersonville newspaper, followed by a recent example of one.

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Out of fairness to the candidates in the Nov. 5, 2019, General Election, the News and Tribune will be cutting off election-related letters several days before voters go to the polls.

The last day to submit election letters to the News and Tribune is Tuesday, Oct. 29. Here’s how:

• Letters can be submitted in person or through the U.S. Postal Service to our New Albany office (318 Pearl St., Suite 100) and Jeffersonville office (221 Spring. St.) by close of business Oct. 29.

• Electronic submission of letters through our website (newsandtribune.com) or by email (newsroom@newsandtribune.com) must be timestamped by midnight that day.

Letters received after the deadline will not be published. Maximum length is 600 words. The last day the News and Tribune will publish election-related letters before the election is Friday, Nov. 1.

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Now for a sample letter.

Incumbent Gahan best choice for mayor

I read Randy Smith’s letter of Sept. 26 and could not disagree more with his assertions. Smith, a long-time and well-known political opponent of Mayor Gahan ...

Well, let's see. If this letter writer, who apparently is an officer in a regional electrician's union that previously has donated to Payhan's campaign ... and who quite possibly is benefiting from the boom borne of Beach Blanket TIF Bingo ... utterly fails to note all this background in his puff piece, then I'm not really obliged to link to it.

What's more, I've also been "a long-time and well-known political opponent of Mayor Gahan."

How 'bout some equal time, Mr. May?

Introducing MOVING FORWARD, a new op-ed column by Randy Smith.

I've long admired Randy Smith's writing, and consequently it is a great pleasure to publish his new op-ed column here at NA Confidential. We'll get to a publication schedule in time. For now, kindly allow Randy to provide an overview of what's to come. 

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I want to thank my friend Roger Baylor for his work over the past 15 years in making NA Confidential the most reliable source of news, analysis, research, and opinion. Though his readership only numbers in the low thousands, that still towers over the New Albany circulation figures of the Jeffersonville newspaper. I still don’t understand why Roger doesn’t accept advertising.

For more than a century, New Albany had a newspaper. The Jeffersonville paper, owned by a pension fund in Alabama, pays rent for an office here, but if one wants honest coverage of local government, NA Confidential is pretty much the only remaining source for consistent reporting and analysis.

As for me, I’m a daily reader of NA Confidential. Over the last eight years, I’ve reduced my public participation in civic affairs to a whisper. But that does not mean that I have lost interest. I remain engaged and (mostly) silent.

NA Confidential allows me to stay engaged.

As we enter the stretch run of 2019’s municipal elections, I find myself seeking candidates who can bring about a better New Albany. I’m a Democrat for life (DFL?), but when it comes to New Albany politics and policy, I’m the ultimate pragmatist.

As it stands, I can’t bring myself to vote for any of the incumbents, least of all the incumbent Democrats. And yet, I yearn for a city led by Democrats who deserve to carry the party banner.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have not ruled out running for public office this year or in the future. Obviously, I am ineligible to run under a party label. But unless and until I make that decision, I’ve decided to lay out a few very specific legislative and/or executive actions that I would like to see put into effect.

Over the coming weeks, I will be submitting long-form policy proposals that constitute my own limited platform. Where possible, I will endorse and vote for candidates who can show an understanding of and a basic support for these specific proposals.

There was a time that I felt I could influence as many as 200 voters. By retreating from the arena, I have surrendered that influence. Nonetheless, I am a voter. At the least, I have one vote and this voter would like to see candidates who can and will respond to my proposals.

There was a time when a mayor and some members of the city council were responsive to things like this. Personally, I lament the loss of these leaders. For example, John Gonder, a former member of the council, was the first to propose a city-led revitalization of the Colonial Manor shopping center. Gonder and former council member Jack Messer proposed a rational program to create a city-only administrative center that would have cost this city far less than the abomination that Roger calls the Reisz Mahal.

I chose to live here in New Albany. I was not born here. I did not graduate from high school here. It can be theorized that New Albany’s future is dependent on people like me who choose to live here, for if people like me don’t choose to live and work here, our prospects are limited. Indiana stands out as one of the states where the highest percentage of people living here were born here. That’s not a plus.

For the first eight years living here, I was the ultimate optimist, the most vigorous of promoters for New Albany and its potential. At this point, my business (15 years here) qualifies as one of the oldest downtown businesses. That, in itself, is a terrible indicator.

Mayor Gahan has done great damage to New Albany. Having been advised by a man known as the worst mayor in New Albany’s 203-year history, he has climbed to the pinnacle and taken that title as his own. As November approaches, he seeks a third term. That is almost unprecedented. I am certain that Gahan would reject every single one of the proposals you will read over the next several weeks. Accordingly, you will reasonably expect that I will not be endorsing nor voting for Gahan this year.

Again, I want to thank Roger Baylor and the editors of NA Confidential for accepting these modest (but serious) proposals as op-eds. I look forward to any feedback. Roger will decide the publication schedule, of course, but I invite any of the nominated candidates to contact me if they would like to hear more about these proposals as the campaign for city office continues. I would like nothing more than to see candidates adopt these proposals and commit to a progressive future for the city I’ve chosen to live in and invest in.

In finding Chris Morris' Green Deal (sic) "oops-ed" to be disinformative, misinformative, objectionable and dismissive, our guest columnist is being charitable.

I had planned on writing a response of some sort to one of Chris Morris' worst ever News and Tribune opinion column outings: OPINION: Green Deal a little farfetched. Morris' column truly is abominable, but Randy Smith beat me to the critique. Here it is.

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Keep Chris Away from the Children.

I'm a writer and have been a writer most of my life. I've also been a newspaper reporter and newspaper news and copy editor (over the course of two decades), a book editor, and a published author. I also wrote a nationally distributed column on topics of my choosing for a few years.

On Tuesday, I woke to find a Twitter referral to an opinion column by Chris Morris, an assistant editor of the Jeffersonville daily newspaper. Given that Morris is a member of that paper's editorial board, I don't know whether that particular piece would be called an op-ed, but in my view, it certainly qualifies as an "oops-ed."

I consider myself a fairly sophisticated reader of mainstream science and politics, so the error in the very first sentence was jarring to me.

Morris referred to something he calls the "New Green Deal." No one else has ever heard of it, though there is a dramatic proposal circulating about a "Green New Deal." That was either a glaring mistake by the writer or a disingenuous attempt to belittle by mis-terming something one opposes. In modern times, such mis-terming has been a primary tool for disinformation, popularized by former Speaker Newt Gingrich and his technocratic ally, Frank Luntz.

Nothing if not determined, the columnist continues to refer to his bugbear as the "Green Deal" throughout his editorial. Again, there is no such thing. There is a Green New Deal.

Morris at least acknowledges that the proposal, in its breadth and ambition, hearkens back to the second President Roosevelt's New Deal designed to address a nation in crisis.

The column's headline calls this new proposal "a little farfetched." In most dictionaries, it would be "far-fetched," but I'll postpone further criticism of what could have been a difference of opinion on orthography.

However, as an aside, Mr. Morris's newspaper is becoming known for its near-daily errors in facts, spelling, grammar, and word choices that are, to me, risible.

As a natural editor, I've made a pest of myself in pointing those out, sometimes privately but more often via social media. And sometimes, it is appreciated by the reporter, who tries to correct the errors in online editions. I'm sure others resent my suggestions.

I do this for historical reasons. I became a precocious and accomplished reader early in life because I read newspapers. My parents modeled this and I, being an eldest child, emulated their example. In short, I learned to read by reading newspapers. Over the years I developed a highly advanced ability to proofread, a skill that no longer offers remuneration.

A newspaper that has no standards when it comes to spelling, grammar, or word choice puts children (and adults) like me at risk of being "word dummies." Beyond that, for a certain class of individual, it diminishes greatly the reputation of the newspaper. We can ill afford that.

But back to Mr. Morris's opinion piece.

I'm generally inclined toward the ideas of the Green New Deal. I see them as ambitious but doable. Mr. Morris sees them as far-fetched.

And I'm certainly not the person within his readership who can best refute the disinformation and misinformation Morris relies on to form and express his opinion. But I'll bet I can express mine in a more credible way than he has done with his.

Mr Morris unintentionally "blows it" in his second graf, one in which he poo-poos recent reports of climate change scientists with incendiary intent. He exaggerates:

The basis behind the Green Deal (sic) is a recent climate change report which (sic) basically states if (sic) we don't change our ways, the Earth as we know it will cease to exist and be swallowed up by floods, out-of-control fires and will basically be inhabitable.

Inhabitable means capable of being inhabited. That is, those bad things (can we agree?) will make life on earth, "basically," livable. If the mischaracterization hadn't already undermined the editorial, the poor word choice essentially refutes the point Mr. Morris was (presumably) trying to make.

Later in the piece, Mr. Morris does it again. See if you can pinpoint the moment where he undercuts the credibility of his own piece.

I do believe many Americans, however, have absolutely no conscious when it comes to littering and being more environmentally friendly.

I am conscious of where Morris went wrong here. How about you? He may have meant to write "consciousness" here, but it's more likely he meant to say "conscience." These are different words with different spellings and meanings. One implies awareness. The other implies guilt and a need for correction.

Morris continues:

Do I believe in a lot of what this Green New Deal [ah-ha!] is pushing [you know, like a drug dealer]? It is way too left of center for me and unreasonable.

There are many places you can go to read more about current climate science. I believe we are already seeing the effects of anthropogenic global warming and the resultant extremes in temperature, precipitation, winds, captured oxygen, etc. It's plausible that we are very near a tipping point where we will be unable to reverse the effects of the gases we are injecting into our atmosphere.

I'm eager to see if we have politicians and policy makers who can come up with an American and a global solution.

I don't believe I've read an opinion from a masthead editor of a mainstream newspaper that used such pejorative and dismissive language. The piece does little to inform while hurling insults at broad swathes of Americans. Had I been in charge, it would never have been published.

I could critique it line-by-line, but as I said, there are others who can do that better than I can. Chris Morris, after all, is paid to inform and opine. I am not.

I am, however, willing to submit an invoice if his newspaper is willing to underwrite a well-researched op-ed column.

Let's leave it at this: Almost every paragraph is acid-tongued, deliberately insulting, objectionable, misinformative, or disinformative. That's not what I look for in a newspaper or from a man who represents the editorial board of his publication.

And far sooner than 11 years from now, Mr. Morris will disavow this contribution to the public discourse. If his is the view from the "center," God help us all.

GUEST COLUMN: Councilmen on Reisz: "You have a duty to treat public money as the public’s money. You can’t just spend it on what you WANT."

This commentary is contributed by Randy Smith, owner of Destinations Booksellers. 

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A fictional council member of a Second Class City in Indiana:

· I WANT to give taxpayer money to a church. Sorry, it’s not allowed under the constitutions of the United States and of Indiana.

· I WANT to give taxpayer money to a charity. Sorry. Indiana has given the trustee the ability to levy taxes for such purposes. They have not given it to you. Go talk to the trustee.

· I WANT to give taxpayer money to the schools. Sorry. If you hadn’t given up the authority to levy taxes for schools years ago, it could be done. But you did and you can’t.

· I WANT to create a public transit system with public money. Sorry, you gave that authority and all available revenues to TARC.

I WANT a new city hall. Hmmm. Do you have a need for new space? Is the space you have too small or is it unusable? Do you have financial obligations that make that too expensive? Do you have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers that overrides what you WANT?

Guess what? If you want a new city hall, it’s not illegal. In the current circumstances, it’s evil, but it’s not illegal. Considering the vastly inflated costs, there are almost certainly individuals who can be indicted, and even if I’m wrong, it stinks to high heaven.

You have a duty to treat public money as the public’s money. You can’t just spend it on what you WANT.

Now, if you want to raise your personal pay packets, I might just come down and speak in favor of it. It certainly would improve the talent pool at election time. Then, if you WANT something, you can spend YOUR money on it. If you want to preserve old buildings, you can invest YOUR money. If you have a pet charity that involves, oh, let’s say backpacks, you’ll have extra money you can donate. Gosh, I guess if you want to give money to a church or a school, you’ll be able to.

But keep your hands off my money.

No Democrat, no Republican, no independent is looking at next year’s municipal election and saying, “You know, if those Democrats would just demolish half of all public housing, I’ll vote for them.”

No Democrat, no Republican, no independent is looking at next year’s municipal election and saying, “You know, if those Democrats would just build a new city hall, I’ll vote for them.”

Votes matter. Machines don’t. You may think you’re invulnerable from defeat. You are not. Ask the people you replaced if they thought they were popular, if they were sure they would win reelection. You may say, well, I’m a Democrat in a Democratic district. So long as I play along with the machine, I’ll be safe.”

You may be saying to yourself, “This is New Albany. This is Indiana. There won’t be any newly energized voters looking to lop off the heads of incumbents.”

You may be saying to yourself, “I’m giving up my seat after next year, but at least my name will be on the plaque for a city hall that should last a while. This ‘yes’ vote will be my legacy.”

It’ll be your legacy, alright. It will haunt you. It will diminish your reputations. This is but another in a long line of decisions made in the shadows – most of it was even kept from this body, although I can’t speak to how many private conversations with particular councilmen led to this vote.

Why do we need new space for city hall? Because Jeffersonville and Clarksville got new ones? Why are we renting such an enormous amount of space? Because the city civilian staff has tripled? Why are we choosing the Reisz warehouse? Because the developer took decision-makers on a junket to Keeneland with paid escorts? Why are we paying such an exorbitant rent when we don’t have to?

How much more are we going to pay in utilities? Who is going to perform and pay for the maintenance of this ancient building? How is security going to be handled? Are we going to replicate the guarded entrance and metal detectors at the current site? New furniture is a given, but how much MORE furniture will be needed for triple the space? Will there be a vast public hall available for public meetings, government or community? Will that public hall be designed for the broadcasting of official meetings and with a sound system that allows all in the hall to hear? Will the building have public wi-fi and will it be strong enough to accommodate hundreds?

The building exists. It is old. But in the words of Councilman Barksdale, does it even meet the criterion of “contributing?” Why have we not had a vigorous discussion of this warehouse’s historical significance? There are many buildings that have been torn down, much to the regret of historic preservationists LIKE ME. Most were torn down because the city wanted them gone, or at least, were willing to let them be. Who says this building is about to be torn down? Jeff Gahan? What the hell does Jeff Gahan know about historic preservation? Does he even give a fig?

I don’t think even one councilman is urging this building be torn down. In fact, I believe every member is in favor of the building being put to an adaptive reuse. The city can prevent demolition and if they won’t, the council can defund the administration until they comply with the council’s wishes. They can make the position of mayor an unpaid position. They can impose new restrictions on the RDA and RDC until they comply with the council’s wishes.

If every single member were in favor of this expensive relocation, would the Reisz building be the place to move?

Mr. Barksdale is so clearly compromised in this matter that he must abstain from voting, particularly if he stands ready to provide the fifth “yea” in a 5-4 vote. David, have you come to some sort of accommodation with Mr. Coffey whereby he can provide the fifth vote? How about with David Aebersold? Councilman Blair? President Knable? And if there are not even 4 “yes” votes without you, don’t tarnish your integrity. Tonight, I don’t ask you, David, to vote against this boondoggle. I insist, however, that you have such obvious conflicts of interest that you must abstain. Give up your seat temporarily and march to the podium as a citizen with a special interest and make your best advocacy case. But don’t pretend you are objective.

A 4-4 vote will set the stage for a reasonable exploration of ways to reclaim the Reisz building and to determine if a relocation of city administrative offices is wise.

Randy Smith for NA-FC School Board: "I think it's important to remember that the superintendent works for the school board and not the other way around."

Thousands of Floyd Countians already have voted, and as with the News and Tribune, the Courier-Journal has belatedly released candidate information.

Couldn't these newspapers go to work a bit earlier, and provide information to the public before voting begins?

Floyd County School Board candidates | Election 2016, by Kirsten Clark (Courier-Journal)

The presidential election isn't the only important race on the ballot. There are nine candidates vying for seats on the New Albany-Floyd County School Board, which evaluates the superintendent, oversees the school district's budget and has the final say in issues of district policy and facility decisions.

Take a look at who's running, and be sure to vote on Nov. 8.

Having already endorsed Randy Smith for the at-large slot on the school board, I'm under no obligation to be fair to the other candidates. Here is Randy's bio and answers, as submitted to the C-J.

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Randy Smith

Age: 60

Occupation: Bookseller

Education: Bachelor of Science with high honors in public administration, graduate study in law

Family: Wife, Ann Baumgartle

Reason for running: I hope to take NAFC schools to the next level by building a community consensus around public education and the importance of investing in our students. Great schools are made by great teachers, and it is important to show them the respect needed to make their jobs fulfilling.

Biggest issue facing constituency: Two issues present themselves: 1) Teacher recruitment and retention, and 2) restoring trust in the school administration. A lack of transparency and accountability have created a lack of trust which hampers progress. I think it's important to remember that the superintendent works for the school board and not the other way around.

The NAFC administration has falsely presented this referendum as if it is our only choice. For that reason, I do not expect it will be approved by the voters. I don't believe there is even a Plan B, which makes this do-over referendum incredibly risky. The next school board will need to be prepared to address the most serious concerns facing the district. Dr. Hibbard's solution actually puts limits on what we can do to strengthen the vitally important instruction mission, offering only a construction alternative. I will be voting "no."

Randy Smith for NA-FC School Board, At-Large.

He has my endorsement and my vote -- and voting has started, folks.

With voting beginning Wednesday, Oct. 12, I humbly ask for your vote. School board elections are non-partisan, so be sure to look for me on the At-Large ballot. Thank you.

Tomorrow evening, Randy is attending this candidate forum.

There will be a local forum for NAFC school board candidates at the Roadhouse on Thursday, October 13.

Each respondent will deliver an introduction, and then have two minutes to address the topic. Please note this is not a debate, but a session designed to inform voters on candidates’ views of issues in education today. After the panel, those participating will be able to mingle with voters and answer any additional questions.

RFRA and localism: Can New Albany's human rights laws trump the state's?

At this evening's meeting, councilman John Gonder has a human rights resolution on tap: RFRA resolution: Gonder rushes in where Gahan fears to tread.

During a conversation at Facebook, Gonder was asked, "Will (the) legislative 'clarification" remove NA's existing human rights ordinance from presumed limbo?"

Gonder answered.

I think the uproar over the state law underscores how important local efforts such as the Human Rights Commission can be. How the "fix" will affect the HRC and such boards elsewhere in the state is one reason why the intent of the resolution is still valid. Locally we need to take the measure of our collective backbone and commit to backing up the good intentions of the HRC and the Ethics Commission with substantive support up and down the line.

Seemingly, we must all now become lawyers. Thanks, Grooms. Now, about the "fix" ...

What The ‘Fix’ To Indiana’s ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Does And Does Not Do, by Ian Millhiser (Think Progress)

Indiana lawmakers released a widely awaited “fix” on Thursday to a new Indiana law that, as it exists right now, can be invoked by anti-gay businesses who wish to discriminate against LGBT individuals in violation of local ordinances. The fix does nothing to expand LGBT rights beyond where they stood on the day before Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) signed the new Indiana law. Nevertheless, it appears to be expansive enough to neutralize attempts to wield the Indiana law as a sword to cut down LGBT rights protections at the local level.

To understand how the “fix” is likely to work, it’s important to first understand the current state of Indiana’s LGBT rights law, as well as how the bill Pence signed into law functions. At the state level, Indiana does not protect LGBT people from discrimination by private businesses. Several Indiana cities and counties, however, including the city of Indianapolis, have enacted local ordinances protecting against many forms of anti-LGBT discrimination.

... Although the fix does nothing to expand LGBT rights, anti-gay groups started complaining about it days before its language even became public ...

So, what about our local safeguards? New Albany merits a brief mention here.

Do local laws really protect rights of LGBT Hoosiers? by Stephanie Wang (Indy Star)

In the absence of a state law banning discrimination against gays and lesbians — and in the explosive wake of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act controversy — more cities are considering their own protections of LGBT rights at the local level.

But even though Marion County and 10 other Hoosier communities already have local nondiscrimination ordinances that include sexual orientation, experts say such protections can be so weak that they are virtually unenforceable.

The Bookseller provides greater context for tonight's meeting with these thoughts, as gleaned from the Fb discussion thread mentioned at the top. First, a call and response with Gonder.

Randy Smith: Just declare that our Human Rights Resolution remains in effect and trumps state law. What are they going to do, sue you?

John Gonder: Just this morning, I read that North Dakota was going to pursue industrial hemp without regard to federal law. How different is that than a City standing for principle over process?

Randy elaborates.

A city is an artificial creation of the state with limited home rule (sovereignty) and a state has at least some independent status under the Constitution. However, the legislature, having not addressed municipal ordinances and resolutions (which they could have done), leaves it open to "arguance." The substantial burden defense is a defense, but it need not prevail when a city has established nondiscrimination rules within its boundaries ... that is, it's not a complete defense, especially when a city has legislated community standards that prohibit discrimination. They could have added specific preemption language. They did not. Therefore, I would argue that New Albany's nondiscrimination resolution remains in effect.

As I understand it, we cannot create a municipal broadband utility because AT&T and the other wire carriers (and ALEC) lobbied for a law preventing it. (That should be repealed, btw.) But Scottsburg was not required to divest itself of its own municipal broadband utility, even as laggard cities like New Albany are prevented from doing so. Without specific preemption language, a case in New Albany would have a judge weighing a nebulous defense against a clear nondiscrimination rule. Discriminators can move their businesses to a city that welcomes it.

I'm OK with the proposed resolution to Gov. Pence. Messaging is important. I just think we cities who have human rights ordinances should band together and say "That's not us. That law (RFRA) has no effect here."

Personally speaking, I'm for having the clearest and toughest anti-discrimination rules in the state, and enforcing them accordingly.

Let New Albany's favorite son of an attorney general come after us, if he likes.

On the trail of the Phantom of the Ethics Commission.

So, how does one file a complaint with the Ethics Commission?

Well, when the information cannot be found on the city's website, you send notes to both city attorneys, and when they don't reply promptly, you take to Facebook to ask your council representatives (3rd district and all three at-large), and when one of them (Kevin Zurschmiede) helpfully provides at least part of the answer, he routes it through a third party e-mail, after which the council person originally responsible for the idea of an ethics commission concedes its conceptual inadequacy.

This, my friends, is the essence of chronic malfunction hereabouts.

Step 1. File ethics complaint concerning city attorneys who won't answer questions about filing ethics complaints. LOL. Sometimes I look at the tragedy and comedy masks laying there together and I just don't know which one to choose. -- JeffG

Is there an Ethics Commission, or not?

As of 2013, the Ethics Commission apparently existed, because according to the newspaper, it declined to hear a complaint brought by Randy Smith, although it's unclear to me whether this information ever was conveyed to him apart from the newspaper's citation.

Zurschmiede's reply yesterday is much appreciated. It takes the form of an e-mail forwarded to council members by Matt Lorch, dated January 7, 2013. The Ethics Commission appointees are listed by point of origin (vitals omitted), followed by Lorch's explanation of how the ball would be set rolling.

City of New Albany Ethics Commission Appointees

Floyd County Bar Association: Claire Hagedorn, Attorney, LORCH & NAVILLE, LLC

Hope Foundation: Doug Grant, Pastor

NAACP: John Malone, Sr.

Rauch Incorporated: Ron McKulick, CEO - Southern Seven Workforce Initiative

United States Post Office – Postmaster: Stephen Kiger, Executive Director at The Salvation Army Southern Indiana

Further background comes from John Gonder.

Roger: I was the sponsor of the ordinance establishing the Ethics Commission. As one might expect the ordinance passed unanimously. The commission members worked earnestly and diligently to bring forth the ethics rules the commission would follow. This happened during the early days of the Human Rights Commission. While these two commissions are in no way connected, I mention it because I felt that the Ethics Commission was headed in the direction of a feel good empty gesture. Too many ordinances are drafted, enacted, and then ignored. Although I felt, and still feel the aims of an Ethics Commission are worth pursuing, I personally made the call to not pursue it because I've seen too many ordinances address a need, get peoples' hopes up, maybe even win a few votes, but then lay idle in the ordinance book. I didn't want to go down that path on such an important issue. Inappropriate porch furniture is one thing to ignore, but an ordinance aimed at enhancing the central workings of government can't be enacted then ignored, without breeding cynicism. While I am grateful these citizens took up the challenge to make government better by joining the commission, I, rightly or wrongly, didn't want to start another exercise in futility, so I stepped back.

And yet, futility or otherwise, Ordinance G-12-17 (passed 8-16-2012) remains on the books. After yesterday's fact-gathering, we at least have names and contact information.

If the Ethics Commission still exists, shouldn't it be easier for citizens to use it? It really shouldn't matter whether it's Spring Break week or the middle of August.

War zone: Look, ma, NA now "battles converting one-way streets to two-way."

Good exposure for the rational streets cause v.v. the Bookseller and John Smith.

New Albany battles converting one-way streets to two-way, by Fallon Glick (WDRB)

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) - Increasing downtown business and pedestrian safety in New Albany is what some people say would happen if one-way streets were converted to two-way streets.

“Two Way Streets Now” signs are posted in front of homes and businesses that are accustomed to seeing speeding traffic.

“It's like walking on the interstate,” Randy Smith said.

And that's exactly what quality-of-life economic extractors like trucking companies so heartily desire: Interstate conditions.

Opponents of the proposal are worried about head-on collisions with two-way streets. Companies like Padgett Inc. are also concerned New Albany would no longer be construction friendly.

Good job, guys.

Speck program: "Rather than embracing this opportunity, (Jeff Gahan) is pre-emptively knee-capping it."

To so very much of merit, I can add only this explanation for my belief in an activist stance: My reaction to this or any mayor pre-emptively knee-capping my city's future is to pre-emptively knee-cap his (or her) political future, in whatever way works best, or by multiple paths.

By not implementing Speck's proposals now, Jeff Gahan is knee-capping independent small businesses as well as neighborhood quality of life. He is knee-capping economic development.

That said, I respect Randy's point of view and strongly urge you to read this column. To those attending tonight's two-way planning meeting, see you at seven at Sew Fitting.

The Speck Report and New Albany’s Future: A Contrarian View

by NewAlbanyBooks

I understand that some readers can still say of New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan that "He's my guy." I only ask, "Why?"

Almost from the moment I arrived in this city, I've pushed, prodded, and pleaded for city officials to pay some attention to our broken streets, most often in the downtown area, but elsewhere, as well. At first, my quest was relatively simplistic. I asked why we couldn't change our one-way streets back to the two-way traffic patterns they were designed for. As the years passed and I educated myself and others, "my" quest became "our" quest and our petitions to our elected officials metamorphosed from simplistic to sophisticated, though no less simple to accomplish.

This is my 11th year working on this. Coincidentally, this is Mayor Gahan's 12th year as an elected official. These were years where he could have educated himself and perhaps even become a champion for our cause. After 8 years as a city council member, Gahan put himself forward to serve as the city's executive. Many of you voted for him. All of you believed Mr. Gahan when he said he supported two-way streets.

Today, we have available to us a comprehensive street design program that is, as they say, shovel-ready. Prepared by Jeff Speck, the most prominent city planning professional in this country, and his team, the program is elegant, simple, and inexpensive to implement. Whether you read the 60-page justification or the 40-page section-by-section program for street change, you are likely to feel your heart leap while imagining the probable outcomes if New Albany embraces the program.

Read the report here

Yet, as recently as this past weekend, the mayor said to the News and Tribune that he "want[s] to emphasize this is just a study." (emphasis mine)

Rather than embracing this opportunity, this mayor is pre-emptively knee-capping it. He is unwilling to claim it as his own. He is unwilling to step out in public and say "This is what I want to do. I believe it's in the best interests of this community. And here's why" ...

Green Mouse says: Randy Smith to contest 5th district council race ...

... as an independent.

In 2011, running as a Democrat, the Bookseller came tantalizingly close (less than two dozen votes) to snatching the seat away from Diane Benedetti.

In 2015, as we declare independence from DixieDemoDisneyism, Randy would be a valued independent presence on a cleansed council. Alas, it's only a rumor ... until it isn't,

Ten years ago today, a book was sold.

Earlier today, we stopped by Destinations Booksellers, and Randy Smith said that 10 years ago, on October 18, 2004, he sold his first book at the store.

Congratulations are due, but the happiness goes beyond New Albany having and supporting an independent bookstore for decade, during changing times not always favorable for the genre.

Randy and Ann are our friends, too. That's the most important thing.

I've known Ann for a long time, but we first met Randy and his wife as a couple at an open house at Moser Tannery around the time the bookstore opened. They've done more than sell books. They've been an incubator for progressivism, ideas and ideals -- for thinking. Nowadays there's a coffee shop, bars and a brewery for fostering subversion.

Ten years ago?

We had nuthin'.

Concurrent with the advent of Destinations Booksellers, I began dabbling in blogging. My first post was on October 22, 2004, but it wasn't until George W. Bush was tragically re-elected shortly thereafter that I realized how futile it is to debate national issues when local affairs are far more capable of being influenced by direct participation.

Roughly 8,000 posts later, it occurs to me that I may have been profoundly mistaken. Either way, without people like Randy and Ann, and of course non-bookselling others too numerous to mention here, it isn't clear how we ever could have survived New Albany's mind-numbing numbness of mind these past ten years.

Thanks, Destinations. You've helped make this unreconstructed, dirty river town bearable. Now, if we could just stuff it into the tub for a good scrubbing.

Support rare Bicentennial usefulness: "Henry Bain's New Albany" performances coming on November 15, 16 and 17.

Back in August, we posted the casting call: Audition: Multiracial cast of 10 actors needed for “Henry Bain’s New Albany”. Now the production is ready to open, and I'm struck by one utter coincidence.

Aficionados of British television's Rumpole of the Bailey will recall Samuel Ballard, the Head of Chambers and frequent victim of Rumpole's rapier wit (from Wikipedia).

Samuel Ballard (Peter Blythe) (Series 3-7): Head of Chambers in later series; a very pious and priggish person. Rumpole refers to him as "Soapy Sam" which is an allusion to a much parodied nineteenth-century Bishop of Winchester, and generally addresses him as "Bollard". Later became a judge in the ecclesiastical courts, while maintaining his role as head of chambers.

Look at the characters listed below, and there it is: Samuel Ballard, played not by Peter Blythe, by our very own bookseller, Randy Smith.

Yes, I know: Different continent, different production, different author ... whatever. This shall not prevent me from addressing Randy as Soapy Sam.

You have been forewarned.

Now for the details about the play, and a genuinely useful Bicentennial occurrence amid so much forgettable pablum.

Henry Bain's New Albany on Facebook

STAGE ON SPRING
St. Mark's United Church of Christ
222 E. Spring St., New Albany, IN

$10 general admission
For tickets call 502-380-6569

November 15, 16 and 17
Nov. 15 and 16 7:30
Nov. 17 2:30 and 7:30

Jambo Everyone! I've been raving about the talented actors portraying historical figures in HENRY BAIN'S NEW ALBANY, our docudrama about the charmingly old fashioned Southern Indiana city and it's African-American community, 50 years up from slavery. You know 'em, you love 'em, you can get enough of 'em -- And Here They Are!

Frank Goodloe is Henry Bain

Alexandria Sweatt is Fannie Wiley

Sherrick O'Quinn is Roland Hayes

Randy Smith is Samuel Thruston Ballard

Karen Hunter is Lucy Higgs Nichols

Tamika McDonald is Daisy Bain

Reed Wrege is C.C. Mengel Jr.

Erica Denise is Pearl Johnson

Ogen Buckner is Joseph Wiley

Michael Sands is Henry Watterson

Headwaiter at the venerable Pendennis Club and a member of Louisville, Ky.’s black aristocracy in the early 20th century, Henry Bain marries New Albany socialite Daisy Welch and sets up house across the Ohio River. He adjusts uneasily to small-town life. The daily streetcar ride back and forth to work annoys him. His residency and business interests in New Albany -- he co-founds the city's first Negro manufacturing company -- cast doubt on his loyalty to Louisville high society. But under Daisy's patient tutelage he succumbs to New Albany's charms, learns of its abolitionist heritage and racial progress that rivals the larger Louisville's, although he is tested when a Pendennis Club event falls on the same day his wife is hosting a party to celebrate the 100th birthday of her beloved hometown.

A love note to New Albany during its bicentennial and docudrama about its African-American community, 50 years up from slavery.

Proud recipient of the Arts Council of Southern Indiana Thomas Keith Peterson Fellowship

Rare sighting of the city's Ethics Commission returns focus to Ladd's UEA 2012 "norwooding."

The Gahan administration has a mint condition Ethics Commission, and according to the newspaper's Suddeath, perhaps they're willing to let it be taken it out for a spin.

New Albany Ethics Commission may not have to review past cases

NEW ALBANY — The members of the New Albany Ethics Commission have been chosen, and the group has held two organizational meetings, however, the body may not hear complaints filed over matters that occurred prior to its establishment.

A complaint against a high-ranking administration official wouldn’t be heard if the commission doesn’t review past cases, however, Mayor Jeff Gahan said this week the body should still review the matter as he added he’s confident the body would find “everything in order.”

Specifically, there's the matter of the Bookseller's complaint over the handling of Mike Ladd's ouster from the Urban Enterprise Association.

Local businessman Randy Smith submitted a complaint for the commission to review that cited several alleged violations by David Duggins, economic development and redevelopment director for the city, in his involvement in the firing of former New Albany Urban Enterprise Zone Association Executive Director Mike Ladd.

Why does this "old" news still matter?

Let me phrase it this way: If you lost your job owing to allegations of malfeasance, and there was an opportunity to set the record straight, wouldn't you prefer future employers to view your past record as it was, not as unsubstantiated insinuations have continued to depict it?

Meanwhile, persistent rumor has it that New Albany has a brand new Human Rights Commission parked somewhere out of mind and sight. Perhaps the HRC also will be declared street legal soon, as opposed to something we can feel good about on the city website, but never actually drive.

We have all been here before ...

Ethics Commission receives shovel-ready complaint.

UEA decapitation: Different tactics, same desired outcome, and still just as wrong as before.

ON THE AVENUES: A decapitation, coming tomorrow.