Jamey Aebersold is wrong about street safety. Evidently facts are for non-smoking campaigns alone.

13 Simple But Factual Ways Biking Is Better.

Ask musician/favorite son Jamey Aebersold about smoking, and he will bombard you with reams of research.

I've seen and heard him do it.

Ask Aebersold, and he'll readily tell you that it isn't merely his opinion on the matter of tobacco. He has gathered facts, and he'll go fetch before-and-after lung graphics from the trunk of his car to illustrate the point. He deploys factual anti-smoking information like a general wielding his legions.

In short, it is fitting and proper to use facts when making an argument.

However, when the topic turns to the proper use and management of city streets, Aebersold seemingly no longer is interested in facts. In short order, Aebersold becomes just another tone deaf guy pounding Bud Lights in a smoky bar, opinionating.

Jeers

I don’t know why any biker would want to ride on Spring Street or Charlestown Road in New Albany. It’s way too dangerous. Those streets are for moving vehicles, not bikers. I think it’s a terrible idea to make bike lanes on those two city streets!

— Jamey Aebersold, New Albany

Think about it.

These streets are dangerous, so rather than make the streets safer by addressing the conditions that make them dangerous, the obvious solution is to remove all non-automotive elements from the streets -- you know, just like on the interstates.

That's shortenedbreathtaking.

There is no thought of the health of the city, through which these dangerous routes pass.

No mention of contemporary urban transportation trends.

No examination of the way that road design impacts property values and quality of life.

No evidence that Aebersold has researched the issue at all.

Perhaps Aebersold would be more convincing when pontificating on streets if he chose to embrace the same fact-based approach he uses to denounce smoking (did you know that his latest campaign is to convince the Harvest Homecoming committee to make its open-air street festival smoke free?)

I bet Aebersold has a few facts to back his "no smoking" request. What's more, he always has used his well-earned celebrity to advance his non-smoking agenda, and that's fine with me, because his smoking positions actually are factual.

When the facts evaporate, so does the credibility of his soap box. Of course, he's fully entitled to his own opinions -- just not to his own facts.

If Aebersold intends to become an advocate for street grid status quo, isn't he obliged to to operate under the same fact-based regime?

Perhaps Aebersold might begin by bringing himself up to date on concepts like this: Road diet. Believe it or not, the internet is filed with a wide range of ... (wait for it) ... facts about the topic. Heaven forbid, he might even read this important work, seeing as neither Bob Caesar nor Irv Stumler have bothered: Jeff Speck's Downtown Street Network Proposal.

Or do good ol' boys get an automatic Irv Fact Pass?

Exactly where is the opposition to law enforcement and street reform?

Grace Transue won't let up -- and why should she?

Her complaints to the Board of Works appear to have fallen on inattentive ears, but when the bookseller followed up with a devastating survey of non-enforcement patterns, the squirming became palpable, and qualifications began being issued far more often than actual speeding tickets.

In effect, as the bookseller pithily has observed, those with the misfortune of having their property values and quality of life compromised by lawless arterial streets -- ones that exist primarily to ease the passage of non-New Albanian pass-through commuters with little if any benefit to the city as a whole -- are being asked not to believe what their own eyes glimpse hourly throughout the day, but to trust the city's nervous assertion that there are no problems ... nothing to see here ... move along.

Meanwhile, we're all being asked to accept that the "quality of life" rationale for a megabuck public aquatics center is obvious, self-evident and need not be seriously debated ... but the very same considerations cannot be applied to the regeneration of core neighborhoods, where the mere existence of outmoded arterial streets actively negates the impact of monies spent to stabilize the very same area.

Last week a source in City Hall told the Green Mouse that in spite of oft-expressed public viewpoints like Grace's (and the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association for a full decade running, and 30+ independent businesses signing on to our emblem campaign), the current administration doesn't believe the general public has a firm opinion about two-way streets, and as such, City Hall absolutely must have a study affording political cover prior to simply lifting a finger to the breeze and noting the wind's current direction.

The only possible explanation for such persistent timidity on the part of a team that won election with more than 50% of the vote against three challengers COMBINED is that current opposition to street reform is coming from the ranks of the local Democratic Party's own elders and grandees. It's the only conceivable source of influence that makes sense. After all, the municipal GOP barely exists apart from Ed Clere's personalized brand. Jeff Gahan's electoral mandate is like no other in recent memory, and it's early in the term, long before the next city election. The air is heavy with propitiousness, and yet the deer remains frozen in the headlights of a reckless vehicle barreling down Elm Street.

Why the fear?

Apart from the seemingly bottomless vapidity of Bob Caesar, exactly where is the opposition to law enforcement and street reform?

Anyone?

Bueller?

CHEERS AND JEERS — For Nov. 16-17

READER JEERS

... to a lack of attention.

It has been over a month since I went to the New Albany Board of Public Works and Safety about the speeding on East Elm Street, and still there hasn’t been anything done about it by the administration of the New Albany Police Department.

I am wondering if there hasn’t been any attempt to curtail the speeding because someone doesn’t want to have any kind of history of the speeding when the decision has to be made about changing this street to two-way traffic. Whatever, how much longer will the NAPD allow speeding on East Elm Street?

— Grace Transue, New Albany

N and T: "JEERS ... to the Floyd County Health Department ... "

Jerod Clapp's fine piece in the News and Tribune on Thursday, detailing the Floyd County Health Department's photographic misstep, has drawn several supportive comments.

Battle brewing in New Albany over website photo

In the weekend edition, editor Shea Van Hoy issues a timely Jeer. An excerpt is below, but please follow the link and read it all.

CHEERS AND JEERS — For Aug. 17-18

JEERS

... to the Floyd County Health Department for its petty posting of a photo on its website taken in front of a local business.

It wasn’t just any business, you see, and that’s the major problem. The photo, since removed, was of a health department vehicle in front of New Albanian Brewing Co.’s Bank Street Brewhouse ...

... I can’t say who is in the right in the permit battle. What I can say is the health department — a government-funded agency — was flat wrong when it put NABC in this light.

Harris may not like Baylor or his actions, but he has to remember he is merely the owner. There are other livelihoods at stake here, ones far removed from permits and media coverage.

White bread, skim milk, light beer.

From the safe distance of Jeffersonville, the 'Bune's editor peels away no layers, asks no questions, and accepts a council expenditure at face value. Sounds almost like a corporate policy ... or a council habit.

CHEERS

... to the New Albany City Council approving $75,000 to help restore Second Baptist Church, another important part of black history in New Albany.

Commonly called Town Clock Church, the building served as a link in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.

Preserving it will help tell a vital lesson for the city and its residents and visitors.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy

Here's a clue, albeit it one outside the box of the 'Bune's business as usual: Future site of church steeple viewing zone.

If we're really part owners, then can we abolish those annoying Hanson ads?

I muted the automatic audio, zapped an errant roll-over, and fought through the inevitable Hanson ad. It felt like an Alabama pensioner was eyeballing me, so I reached for my bug spray.

By that time, I'd entirely forgotten what it was I'd come to read. Ah, wait ... there it is: CHEERS AND JEERS — For Dec. 29-30.

CHEERS

... to our loyal customers and readers.

As we close out 2012, I wanted to thank our readers and advertisers for their loyalty and commitment at a time when there are many media and other outlets competing for your time and attention.

There are frustrations that come with any job, and working at a daily newspaper can be stressful. One reason for that is that people care so much about what goes in the paper. It’s important to them, and to us. The community often feels like part owners of the News and Tribune.

The good part of that is that people do care, and we strive every day to reward that loyalty with the best coverage around of Clark and Floyd counties.

Thank you and happy New Year.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy

Tears of joy cascade like rain as the newspaper takes a position on "horrirfying" Pence.

Well, not exactly; it's just a "Cheers and Jeers" piece, but still, it's always encouraging to see evidence of a pulse. Given its oft-stated proclivities in opposition to progress in such matters, perhaps the New Albany news desk can issue some variety of counterpoint, or go on strike.

A boy can dream. Thanks to Amy Huffman-Branham for this welcomed dose of reality.

SOUTHERN INDIANA — CHEERS

... Triple cheers and a little jump for joy to columnist Brian Howey for his column, “Cat and mouse with Pence on his moral agenda,” which appeared in the Monday, Sept. 24 edition of The News and Tribune.

I have been wondering when someone — anyone — would remind voters who Republican Indiana gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence is.

I certainly don’t blame Pence and his handlers for keeping the focus of his campaign on the economy and jobs in an effort to keep quiet on the candidate’s stance on social issues. Hoosiers who didn’t pay attention to Pence before he announced his run for the Governor’s Office might just fall for it.

But those who have been paying attention for the last decade know the Pence’s trademark is his far right stance on social issues. We’re not just talking about him tiptoeing into conservatism here, we’re talking an all-out assault on people who believe [and prefer] they have a right to make decisions for themselves when it comes to marriage, children and religion.

As Howey wrote, “In his 2011 campaign kickoff speech in Columbus, Pence said, ‘To restore our economy we must reaffirm our respect for the institutions and traditions that nurture the character of our people. As your governor, I will stand for the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and the importance of organized religion in everyday life. To build an even better Indiana, we must recognize every day that our present crisis is not just economic, but moral.’

When pressed by the Times of Northwest Indiana’s Dan Carden, Pence would only say, ‘I am who I am and I hold the views I hold, but if I have the privilege of being governor of the state of Indiana, we’re going to make job creation job one.’”

While I certainly can’t argue with making job creation job one, the prospect of what job number two might be under a Pence governorship is horrifying.

Hopefully Hoosier voters will take the time to read up on Pence’s career as a lawmaker before they head to the polls in November to see what he’s really about.

Newspaper cheers the advent of the Human Rights Commission.

'Nuff said. Now we'll see if the council is prepared to support the concept.

CHEERS

... to the New Albany City Council members for voting 8-0 to form a municipal Human Rights Commission on Thursday.

The commission will weigh human rights complaints that can be submitted by any New Albany resident. Upholding equal opportunity for education, employment and property acquisition are among the charges of the body. The body will consist of five members, two appointed by the mayor, two selected by the council and the remaining person elected by the four designees.

Along with serving a working function, the move is also symbolic for those who may want to live or work in the city. It’s a step forward in showing that New Albany can be a community that accepts those from all walks of life, of all races, of any sexual orientation.

It’s a small step for sure, because to change actions, you have to change attitudes. But it’s progress nonetheless in making people feel more comfortable and safe in the community.

It’s also a chance for other municipalities or elected bodies to follow suit.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy

A jeer with a bit of jaundice, but what can be expected from mere reporters, anyway?

I meant, "Stenographers."

My two cents: Business owners on the Grant Line corridor had ample warning as to the road being closed at the rail crossing; specifically, our criticism has to do with the visual manner that stretches of road on both sides of the rail crossing were signposted and blocked with impediments (undoubtedly to deter big trucks), thus giving an APPEARANCE of shutdown when in fact autos could proceed to retail destinations.

JEERS

... to the City of New Albany, the Indiana Department of Transportation and the contractors in charge of the Ind. 111/ Grant Line Road construction work.

Last week, local businesses had to write their own signs and post them alerting people they were still open because of the confusing signage placed along the route when Grant Line Road closed at the railroad crossing. Unfortunately, this has been par for the course on this project. Whether it be massive potholes created on the sides of the road and interstate exit, the lack of information shared with business owners or the near daily shifts in apparently closed lanes, there’s been a lapse in communication on this effort that at times has led to quite dangerous situations. Yes, with every great road improvement comes some pains, but many of these are unnecessary. Perhaps if the city spent as much time informing the public of the traffic situation on one of its busiest roads as it does touting and explaining parking for its Live@5 concert series, the situation would be much better.

— News and Tribune

CHEERS

... to the city of New Albany for making a decision Wednesday to cancel its weekly Live@5 event scheduled for Friday.

This move because of extreme heat in the forecast gave ample time to spread the word that the weekly concert would not be held.

— News and Tribune

"It’s as easy as reading the newspaper" -- or the blog.

That's because keeping informed isn't such a good strategy when it comes to grandstanding.

But in my opinion, the current council members have been out in public quite a lot. I've seen council persons Coffey, Phipps, McLaughlin, Blair and Benedetti at various Live @ Fives; Bob Caesar walked through one of them, glowering, so I'll give him half credit. CMs Baird and Zurschmiede were at Exclusively New Albany.  I haven't seen John Gonder lately, but may well have missed him.

CHEERS AND JEERS — For June 16-17

JEERS

... to the New Albany City Council members that stated recently they were unaware of street closures for the city’s new entertainment venture, Live@5, until either the day of the first event or from phone calls from residents.

On May 2, the News and Tribune printed an article confirming Mayor Jeff Gahan’s administration was considering closing streets for the events. On May 24, the News and Tribune ran a second article confirming the intersection of State and Market streets would be closed for the June 1 event.

Furthermore, the city’s website also provided information on the event, parking and the street closure for several days leading up to the concert. While it may be excusable for some people to have overlooked these multiple announcements, surely elected officials would be more proactive about informing themselves of the city’s happenings. It’s as easy as reading the newspaper.

— News and Tribune

Newspaper editor: I think that if (bridge tolls) rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it.

Hmm, sounds a lot like 1Si's interim kingpin, who advised, “like it or not, we have no choice" except prone and greased submission to KStem's projected tolling pillage.

At least the News and Tribune's second (third?) editorial team did find the best possible word to use: Stupid.

Curiously, tolling opponents were not accused of having mothers clad in army boots.

On the other hand, intellectual vigor is not exactly synonymous with the News and Tribune, is it? But boy, what a sports page.

JEERS

... to the resolution introduced by Jeffersonville City Councilman Dennis Julius — and eventually passed 7-1 by the city council — on Monday asking for a delay in the construction of the downtown portion of the Ohio River Bridges project. Really? As if we haven’t waited long enough already.

While it is responsible to recognize and be concerned over the possible impact the project and tolls could have on Jeffersonville it’s also important for the council to recognize its role in the process. — Which is basically to wait for it to happen like the rest of us.

I do not dispute the east end bridge is the most important part of the project. And I agree the east end bridge should have been built first, perhaps to the result that a downtown bridge isn’t needed after all. But those positions have been argued and a decision has been made.

The governors of two states, along with representatives from each state, have been responsible for working together to oversee and give authority to this project and its details. They have done that. I seriously doubt any scenario would be without some hesitation or potential drawback for some involved community or another. When you’re trying to accomplish something this big, compromise has to be part of the final solution.

The city council’s resolution is little more than posturing for some politicians who can tell their constituents that they tried to stop the bridge and tolls — all the while hoping the public actually believes the city council had any authority in the matter to begin with — which it doesn’t.

We’re far beyond the point for this now. It’s time to move forward with the project, embrace the enormous positive impact it will have on Jeffersonville and figure out a way to live with the rest and make the most of it.

JEERS

... to the Clarksville Town Council for passing a pretty much identical stupid resolution regarding the bridges project as the Jeffersonville Council did on Monday.

— Amy Huffman-Branham, Assistant Editor

At least Amy wasn't dozing during art appreciation class.

For Chris's complaint to make sense ("I don’t know what it has to do with our historic city"), he must be prepared to explain what art of any sort actually DOES have to do with our historic city -- and he can't cheat by asking his fellow literalist Bob "CeeSaw" Caesar, who believes that art is so important that it must be outsourced to Tennessee to truly matter.

At least Amy was around to offer the counter-point. Either of them, or preferably both, might ask the best available question: Why is there a fork painted on the road in front of the Cardinal Ritter House?

CHEERS AND JEERS — For Feb. 25-26

JEERS

... to the art display of a fork stuck in a piece of cheese along Market Street in downtown New Albany.

Who approved it and what is it supposed to signify — that we have a few restaurants in the downtown area? I don’t know what it has to do with our historic city. Maybe it would work better at the Carnegie Center. Unless I am mistaken, I don’t think we are the fork or cheese capital of the world.

— Chris Morris, Assistant Editor

CHEERS

... to the giant fork stuck in a piece of cheese sculpture along Market Street in downtown New Albany.

While I didn’t really plan to cheer the cheese, reading Mr. Morris’ preceding jeer reminded me of the chuckle I got when I saw the cheese for the first time last week. It’s fun and whimsical. So what if it doesn’t have anything to do with New Albany’s history?

Just let it be what it is. It’s art. Don’t you just love it?

— Amy Huffman-Branham, assistant editor

NAC Guest Column: "Y They Removed the C from YMCASI."

"Y They Removed the C from YMCASI," by Kathleen Martin and JT Lindroos

Less than two weeks after our local newspaper printed a "Jeers" item* we had submitted on wasted watering at the Floyd County YMCA (heavily funded by Horseshoe Casino in southern Indiana), we received a letter from its executive director, Joe LaRocca, rescinding our 33-month membership at the facility. The primary reason cited was "since you are not happy here" with some vague, anonymous references to complaints and nothing about any broken regulation. LaRocca never suggested meeting with us first about our inferred "unhappiness" prior to the letter, nor has there ever been any transparency whatsoever on the sources of these anonymous allegations. JT's quizzical response to LaRocca's letter was initially ignored for 10 days, and only after reminding he owed a response, LaRocca then replied to him in a note that begins "Dear Ms. Martin." Mindless insult to undue injury.

A subsequent call to the national YMCA organization recommended we contact the Board of Directors about our baseless ouster, which we did. Robert Kleehamer, Chairman of the YMCASI Board, kindly set up a meeting that would include himself, LaRocca, and the two of us. [A fifth, previously unannounced attendee was Paula Lomax of the YMCASI staff.] We had the good sense to record the hour-long meeting, which we could tell was going very well for us with Mr. Kleehamer. We were able to properly present our perspective on matters and, finally, JT had the opportunity to voice his personal witness of our experiences, something he'd always been denied by staff in the past.

Shortly before the meeting's conclusion, the Board Chairman asked what we now wanted. When we said "immediate reinstatement," Mr. Kleehamer swiftly replied "Done." But then LaRocca interjected he wanted "to continue the meeting" -- without us, of course -- and then overruled his own Chairman by stating "no, you are not reinstated today, we'll get back to you." Again, we are so glad we have all this on tape. Mr. LaRocca did not get back to us, however, until after much prompting from various directions and more than two weeks after the meeting. His most recent email response is now a written overruling of Mr. Kleehamer's on-the-record reinstatement of us. So much for democracy and transparency, not to mention such clear-cut undermining of the Y's core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility to us, the national organization, the community and the environment.

So, now that we've exhausted every benefit of the doubt and hope for the right thing to happen behind closed doors, we can fully share our experience as members of the Floyd County YMCASI with the public. If this is not useful in changing some of the decision-makers at the facility who are involved, maybe it can at least mitigate any unchristian, ego-driven decisions considered in the future. If neither of these are outcomes, it will at least serve as a cautionary tale -- a caveat emptor -- to anyone with a current, or considering a future, membership with this New Albany, Indiana-based organization.

We became YMCASI members at the end of 2008 when the facility was sparkling new. We faithfully paid our monthly dues for 33 months straight. Our workouts quickly became a welcome routine for us a couple of early weekday mornings as well as a longer session that included the pool area on Sundays mid-morning, and this rarely varied. In mid-May of 2009, barely six months into our membership, there was a serious incident in the aquatics area. Per the instruction of the duty lifeguard, Kathleen opened a supply closet to retrieve exercise equipment and, dripping wet, immediately slipped into a bad fall on the smooth closet floor. No caution was first given, and there was no sign posted of "slippery when wet" either, even though we were told after the fact it was well known to staff this floor was untreated and slippery.

Kathleen’s pain was excruciating, especially the entire left forearm that took the brunt, yet our experience with staff in the aftermath only increased the injury of her needless fall. The head lifeguard arrived with an icepack and a report to fill out. When she was asked, Y didn't the lifeguard retrieve the equipment and, if not, Y didn't she at least caution about the closet, she had no answer except that the guards aren’t allowed to leave their chairs. Well, we knew for a fact that this guard and all others hopped up to turn on spa jets whenever needed, so that was no excuse. When asked Y there wasn't a caution sign, and we suggested, please, put one up now after this injury, she told us "The chief doesn't like tape on the doors." As to Y the equipment wasn't already out poolside as it had been in prior weeks, she answered again "The chief doesn't like equipment hanging around the pool area." Y isn't the floor textured? "We have textured paint, but haven't applied it yet."

Needless to say, this was a clear-cut lawsuit for gross negligence, and we did briefly discuss it, especially as Kathleen's arm took over a month to heal, but we decided instead not to make waves for this brand new facility that we wanted to see thrive. We didn't even complain to the "chief" himself (Joe LaRocca) at that point in time. But the whole incident left a sour taste in our mouths to discover the staff is so poorly trained with regard to public safety. The head lifeguard's uncaring excuses for allowing any patron to fall proved this attitude trickled down from the very top, however: After all, the ugly aesthetic of a temporarily taped sign was a greater concern to LaRocca than preventing paying patron injuries.

It wasn't but a couple weeks from our decision not to press suit or even make waves with "the chief" that we discovered there were at least two other falls after Kathleen's on that same, untreated floor. Leann, a therapy pool lifeguard herself, told us how she broke her coccyx in a fall there, and a patron in the pool overhearing us said she knew of another member's fall as well. Now of course, we felt truly awful we had not filed suit and so perhaps save these others from such needless pain and injury, or at least made big enough waves that would have forced signs to be put up, with or without tape.

Week after week, resentment built as we watched a few younger aquatics staff members in utter dereliction of duty. A last straw came in early September 2009 when the female guard never once broke eye contact in a 20-minute conversation with a male guard standing by her chair. The patrons in the pool were completely ignored, and so we finally contacted LaRocca about this. In that email about the staff chatting each other up rather than doing what our member fees pay them to do, we finally referenced back to Kathleen's fall in mid-May. We never got a written reply to our email and Kathleen only finally received a phone call after persistent requests for one. No apology was given and clearly a target was put on her back at that moment, and anything we reported after that was being compiled and kept in a file folder.

There was also a fitness staff member named John who was very often on duty the same hours as our weekly routine. No doubt John was a model employee when administrative supervisors were around to observe, but personally we never saw him do any work whatsoever. It wasn't enough that he didn't lift a finger, which a couple others didn't either, but he also spent much of the time we crossed paths talking with on-duty or off-duty staff members. One of those he engaged in conversation was a particularly loud and incessant talker, the sort who feel entitled to share cell phone conversations with everyone around them. Even our music at a safe level through our ear buds wasn't enough to drown out her loud, nonstop chatter egged on by John. Besides his role in disturbing the peace of our workouts, John would even turn away paying patrons asking him for assistance in order to continue his personal conversations.

Nothing worked at stopping their patron disturbance. Clear looks suggesting to take down the volume only emboldened them. Directly asking them to respect the space of paying members had no effect either. As a last resort, we contacted their supervisor, Julie Calloway (whose husband works with her on staff, too). Calloway’s harsh and defensive stance took Kathleen by surprise, but we knew from that point on we could never initiate a call to her about staff problems again. Unbeknown to us, we’d clearly stepped on the wrong toes involving some sort of cronyism if not outright nepotism. Calloway and, later Lomax, merely reinforced the trickle down attitude from on high – “we don't want to hear your problems or complaints” -- so instead we filled out suggestion cards on a couple of occasions about John's continuing behavior and broken equipment reported to him in 2009 (and still not fixed when we left).

Next thing we know, administrative calls are initiated from the other end in the spring and autumn of 2010, and Kathleen records Paula Lomax and later the aquatics director parroting "maybe the Y isn't the place for you" -- the identical passive-aggressive phrase from both staffers toeing the "party line." It didn’t matter that Kathleen had found the Y a perfect fit for her in prior memberships in Los Angeles and Boston facilities. The administration was determined to twist our legitimate suggestions for patron safety and needed improvement into "stifle yourselves or go elsewhere." The printed “Jeers” item on August 20th mentioned at the top was the proverbial last straw to break the backs of too easily bruised egos.

We must question: Y do they bother with a suggestion box at all? Y do members we've met along the way tell us they've also come up against attitude whenever they've made a complaint about something -- like the leak leaving a persistent puddle on the oval track for months on end (ironically something we never complained about ourselves)? Y has LaRocca never asked to speak with our list of people who could provide the opposite experience of our membership and counterbalance whatever these unnamed, anonymous complainers have purportedly alleged (which still has never been revealed to us)?

A city councilman suggested this concerted railroading all goes back to the serious fall Kathleen took and even the merest suggestion of a negligence suit. Another city official suggests we accidentally bruised the wrong egos, and yet another suggested it's a generational divide in work ethics -- slacking vs. giving a tinker's damn -- with the slackers banding together against our feedback to save their jobs. Probably some combination of all these factors but nevertheless patently unjust, and it creates a major interruption in our health regimen. Until he reverses his position and reinstates us -- as his Chairman of the Board already did back on September 19th -- LaRocca ought to pray for us to remain in good health in the interim.

If you have a dime, give Joe a call and ask him to justify to you his decision as he never did so to us: 812-206-4891

And then let us know Y in email to juha [@] oivas [.] com

Take and (always) give care, Kathleen & J.T., October 17, 2011

*News and Tribune CHEERS & JEERS: August 20, 2011

READER JEERS

... to the Floyd County YMCA landscapers for wasting great amounts of water because of an unadjusted sprinkler system they were notified of.

From at least early morning Tuesday through 6 a.m. Friday, needless streams of water were created all over the entrance concrete, walkways and gutters.

Water is the planet’s most precious commodity.

— Juha Lindroos and Kathleen Martin, New Albany

"Would the (bridges) project have been downsized if the pressure would have never arrived? "

The ongoing silence emanating from the general direction of the furnished oligarch's bunker occupied by Ron Grooms, Steve Stemler and Ed Clere continues to be deafening. Conceding that the cuts are being made in the wrong place -- the East End bridge, which was the only one necessary in the first place -- it remains that after a constant barrage of assurances that the monolith was impregnable, the past six months' worth of whittling proves that proponents to be lying all along. See also: Press release: No2BridgeTolls Responds to Massive Bridge Plan Reduction.

CHEERS AND JEERS — June 4-5

BACKHANDED CHEERS...

to another $700 million in “savings” found on the Ohio River Bridges project.It’s amazing what a little pressure can do to politicians. The real cheer is to the no tolls groups which created the pressure which led to a bloated project being scaled back.In just a few short months, elected and project leaders have said the projected price tag on two new bridges and a redo of Spaghetti Junction in downtown Louisville has shrunk from $4.1 billion to $2.9 billion due to simply scaling back a project that was too big to begin with.

Here’s a good question — would the project have been downsized if the pressure would have never arrived?

—Editor Shea Van Hoy

Amy Huffman-Branham jeers the GOP on Planned Parenthood vote.

Kudos to this powerful statement of principle by the News and Tribune's Amy Huffman-Branham. She can rest assured that Ron "Tell me how to vote, St. Daniels" Grooms stopped reading after the word "Senate", and of course we all understand that depriving women of health services has everything to do with the Republican Party's ideological leanings toward theocratic fascism and nothing whatever to do with any real concern for the health of women.

JEERS

... to the Indiana Senate, which voted Monday to prohibit state contracts or grants with Planned Parenthood or other organizations that provide abortions.

It is disappointing that state legislators would make a decision that effectively takes away women’s access to health services — which extend far beyond providing abortions.

At a time when millions of Americans live without health insurance, it’s hard to understand how legislators think this is a justifiable move. Thousands of low-income women rely on Planned Parenthood and similar organizations for birth control, pelvic and breast exams and other health services.

The passage of the bill Monday comes on the heels of the passage of legislation last week that adds other restrictions to the state’s abortion laws, giving Indiana some of the tightest restrictions in the nation.

If the concern among legislators is to reduce the number of abortions, it hardly makes sense to pass a law that will make it harder for Hoosier women to get birth control. And it is appalling that lawmakers continue to encourage and support legislation that sacrifices women’s health and restricts their right to make decisions for themselves.

— Amy Huffman-Branham, assistant editor

Shea Van Hoy jeers candidate campaign sign street spam.

It's time again for Cheer & Jeers at the extended local newspaper, and Shea Van Hoy is having a justifably violent allergic reaction to street spam. He might have mentioned the name of the sole candidate to reject such pollution: Me.

JEERS

... to politicians or their supporters who litter public property with campaign signs.

Most municipalities have laws against this sort of thing, laws that are regularly ignored by fly-by-night businesses. I can understand that to a point — they are just trying to turn a quick buck.

But those in elected office — or who want to be — are held to a higher standard, so breaking the laws others have made is a double-negative.

All the signs in places they shouldn’t be are a sore sight for the eyes.

— Shea Van Hoy, editor

Kozarovich: "Coffey’s antics continue to embarrass New Albany."

There's a big cheer 'n' jeers section in today's Tribune, and Coach K gets to the heart of the matter. However, he misses an obvious point: Dan Coffey cannot lead the city into the future because his entire political existence is devoted to keeping it stuck in the past. You might as well ask Steve Price to describe the flavor characteristics of oak-aged Imperial Stout.

JEERS

... to our crusading New Albany councilman Dan Coffey and his rabble rousing about sewer rates and corrupt local government (Note to self: Isn’t Coffey the longest sitting city politician?). I totally agree that government must be held accountable. I don’t put it past any person with power to try some funny business. There is always temptation. So let’s watchdog those we elected! But Coffey’s antics continue to embarrass New Albany. Instead of being a true leader and looking for a solution — it took Rep. Ed Clere to locate some help while Coffey grandstanded — he blames others. Instead of looking for potential solutions, this elected leader seems only interested in picking up his pitchfork and torch. Do some research and please join the logical and constructive discussions so the city you help lead can move into the future.

— Tribune publisher Steve Kozarovich

Tribune's "Cheers and Jeers" takes note of the council president's inadequacy, and so do we.

We were forewarned Tuesday afternoon on Twitter. Cheers go to National Newspaper Week, the Harvest Homecoming balloon race and Rep. Ed Clere, and jeers are directed toward Indiana governmental red tape, the absence of a plan for Grant Line Road, manhole covers on Green Valley road, and ... yes ...

TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Oct. 7, 2009

Jeers ... yet again to New Albany City Council president Dan Coffey and his continual efforts— be them intentional or accidental — to damage the city for future generations.

Follow the link for the complete text. Also in today's issue of the Tribune: Eastridge variance request denied, in which Daniel Suddeath describes the Board of Zoning Appeals smackdown of CCE.

Interesting: The Tribune's Chris Morris offers a jeer to "a few downtown New Albany business owners."

Chris Morris’s unexpectedly vigorous comments (reprinted here, verbatim) seem to have passed unnoticed, perhaps because he chose an admirable discretion in naming names. I appreciate that, and in the coming days, there’ll be the opportunity for this blog to transform the vague into the concrete, because there are times when things like this need to be said aloud.

Not just yet, though. Until there's time, here is the Tribune “jeer.” As you're reading, bear these thoughts in mind:

Is there any chance at all of unity among proponents of downtown, especially its mercantile class, or will parochial self-interest always trump singularity of purpose?

If there is even a chance of unity, who or what can a majority of forward thinking proponents trust to lead it?

If petty self-interest always carries the day, then can we expect to succeed as an entity without there being an ultimate, shared, desired outcome?

Are all downtown merchants equal, or are some longstanders more equal than the others?

TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Sept. 30, 2009

JEERS... to a very few downtown New Albany business owners. Good sources confirm to The Tribune that a small group complained about how their businesses would suffer by having the Harvest Homecoming parade re-routed down Pearl Street. The parade will now end at Bank as it has in previous years instead of going to Pearl. The committee wanted to change the route to get more people familiar with the businesses along Pearl and in the downtown area. How much will business be hurt? People not attending the parade know to stay away from the downtown area at that time. So a change seems like it would help bring potential customers to the area. Businesses could capitalized by running special parade deals or promotions.

Harvest Homecoming is New Albany’s premier event of the year and downtown businesses should work together with the festival.

Kozarovich tackles anonymity in today's "Jeer," while somewhere, a dog barks and Erika sharpens a crayon.

The Tribune's publisher comes down hard on anonymity, and doubtless will receive an anonymous letter or two in return.

TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Sept. 16, 2009

... My initial reaction was to toss it in the trash with the direct mail ads. But I stopped because in addition to it being futile and infantile I also view it as a needless affront to the principles of America, the land of Free Speech. Don't’ be afraid to say what you have to say. Take responsibility for your actions — and your words.

You win some, you lose some ...

... and some times, you understand that the good and the bad come mixed together in the same week.

TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Aug. 26, 2009

But ... we're winning more than we're losing, this city is a better place than it was five years ago, and we're on the side that's going to win in the end. Knowing this is what keeps me playing the game, even when I'm not at my personal best.

While I'm on the topic of winning in the end: R.I.P., Ted Kennedy.

(image cribbed from the web)