White Castle is just White Castle, but THIS is a genuine improvement.

Relax.

The White Castle at the dangerous intersection of Vincennes and Spring has reopened, although it's just another chain, and I don't give a tinker's damn whether it lives or dies.

If we must have cookie-cutter chains, then I'd rather have seen the building rebuilt right on the corner, flush with the sidewalk, as it used to be. At least now it's closer, and surprisingly, one aspect of the refit actually matters.

The view during construction ...

 ... and before.

I'd love to know the names of those city officials who approved the installation of a grassy berm at the precise spot where pedestrians would be approaching the restaurant. Suburban design idiocy like this is one reason why the intersection remains dangerous.

Wait ... it was John "Pinocchio" Rosenbarger, wasn't it?

After all, his fingerprints of 40 years time-serving can be found at hazardous junctures throughout the city.

ON THE AVENUES: For New Albany’s Person of the Year, the timeless words of Mother Jones: “Pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living.”

Show trials. We need 'em desperately.

"No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any of the following places."

Following last week's random look at unenforced sidewalk parking ordinances ...

Parking is not permitted on sidewalks. This IS a sidewalk, right?

... reader W reinforced the message with this clear citation from the city's own rule book, noting that "Parking on a New Albany city sidewalk is illegal." Just for the record, here's the citation.

From the City of New Albany's adopted Ordinances:

§ 72.18 PROHIBITED PARKING AREAS.

(A) (1) No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any of the following places:

• (a) On a sidewalk;
• (b) In front of, or otherwise blocking access to, a public or private drive;
• (c) Within an intersection;
• (d) Within ten feet of a fire hydrant;
• (e) On a crosswalk;
• (f) On a tree lawn, the space between the street curb and the sidewalk; and
• (g) Front yard, side yard, rear yard or courtyard other than a designated driveway.

These prohibitions can be found in the ordinances at: New Albany, Indiana Code of Ordinances

Look for: TITLE VII: TRAFFIC CODE; CHAPTER 72: PARKING REGULATIONS

ADA, anyone? Parking is not permitted on sidewalks. This IS a sidewalk, right?

I have no beef with the business at the corner of 15th and Spring, and I suspect it hasn't dawned on anyone working there to consider a potential access issue on the sidewalk out front owing to employee parking habits.

Primarily, this is because the city of New Albany has neglected maintaining the sidewalk. We can afford a $9 million water park, but not a gallon of paint.

As with the (until recently) ignored crosswalks on nearby Elm Street, it's another instance of simple striping. At least once since we moved into our current residence in 2003, the city painted yellow stripes on the tarmac to show the sidewalk's configuration in the absence of a road verge.

Emulating local Democratic Party grandees, it has been allowed to fade into nothingness.

Here are three recent views looking west, with the photos taken on different days.

I fully understand that New Albany's Board of Public Works has a full slate of ongoing befuddlement as to who's going to tune the street piano, which just isn't an option, because art shouldn't stray past the boundaries of velvet Elvis and dogs playing poker.

But I believe the intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act is to make the boundaries of the sidewalk clear and accessible. Perhaps the chairman can add this one to his burgeoning agenda.

Ironies (and straight lines) abound.

Only one day after St. Daniels artfully exposed his sensitive side in a conference call with Hoosier journalists, going so far as to acknowledge "concerns that have been brought up by the residents of Southern Indiana in relation to the bistate bridge project," our newly re-elected State Representative used his weekly Tribune slot to offer professional resolutions for the coming year: CLERE: Session will require resolve from all.

• I resolve to be more accessible. Over the last two years, I have worked hard to be accessible. Still, I know there are some folks who have had trouble connecting with me, and I resolve to find new ways to be even more accessible.

• I resolve to listen ... I want to hear from you. If you live in my district, you will soon receive a survey, which will also be available online, but if you have a question or concern, please don't hesitate to go ahead and get in touch.

• I resolve to do my homework and ask tough questions ...

• I resolve to get more folks from Southern Indiana to participate in the legislative process.

Now, I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I might know of a place to start, and ... what's that? It was written by WHO?

But as Hungadunga is my witness, I thought Matt Nash wrote them!