Hold On, I'm Comin'.

It's where my head is heading.

We have the ability to have those fights on offense under a Biden presidency while we are likely to be almost entirely on defense under a second Trump adfarm-near-me/">ministration.

It's a sensible plan, seeing as for a lefty like me, there is nothing whatever to recommend Biden apart from who he is not. Honesty is good policy in such an instance.

A Militant Union’s Strategic Case for Joe Biden, by John Nichols (The Nation)

Instead of portraying Biden as “a savior,” the United Electrical union argues for beating Trump and then pressuring the Democrats.

The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, an 84-year-old independent union with a history of prioritizing working-class solidarity over party politics, has come to the conclusion that the best strategy is to level with the 35,000 workers it represents in manufacturing industries and public- and private-sector jobs.

UE is not feigning enthusiasm for Biden. Instead, in a stark assessment of the race issued just before the traditional Labor Day pivot into the fall campaign, the union’s general executive board acknowledged that “working people deserve a government, and a president, who will stand up for them against the corporate onslaught of the past several decades. Under both Republican and Democratic adfarm-near-me/">ministrations, greedy corporations have destroyed good jobs, attacked our unions and devastated our communities. We have to be honest that the 2020 elections will not deliver that president.”

Unions often go overboard when it comes to talking up Democratic nominees. But UE officials are taking a different tack as they communicate with workers in battleground states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“We are clear that Biden is no savior, and will likely seek to implement the same kind of corporate-friendly policies as previous Democratic presidents Obama and Clinton,” admits the union statement. But, it adds, there is also clarity about something else: “The working class cannot afford four more years of Trump.”

That’s not a typical union endorsement. In fact, says UE general president Carl Rosen, “We do not consider this to be an endorsement of Joe Biden by UE but instead that it is a strategic recommendation to our members and to working people in general that they vote for Biden to remove Donald Trump from office.”

VIDEO: David White endorses Mark Seabrook; "We have a lot more in common than we don't have in common."

Let's put it this way: At NA Confidential, articles about local restaurants usually garner the most page views -- except the post on October 8, 2019, when David White's message to his supporters took the top slot at the blog for the month (Hull & High Water's closing finished second).

The post and David's written endorsement are reprinted here. See also: ON THE AVENUES: In which Team Gahan's looming appointment with unemployment is examined.

---

Democrat David White: "I am asking ALL the people who have supported me over the years to help Mark Seabrook put People First!"

As most of you know, my friend David White stood for mayor in the 2015 and 2019 Democratic Party primaries.

He has submitted this endorsement of Mark Seabrook, the Republican Party candidate, and I'm delighted to publish it here. You'll recall that Seabrook has my endorsement as well.

In May of this year, 1,400 of you opted to cast your vote for David; four years ago when I ran as an independent for mayor in the general election, I received 500 votes. It wasn't quite enough to tip the balance in either case, but beginning this week you can finish the job by taking our word for it and voting for Mark Seabrook.

---

Dear Citizens,

Since the primary this past spring, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response to my message of putting People First. The concept of fiscal responsibility, honesty and transparency in our city government and support for our most vulnerable populations has resonated with many of you. 

It had been my hope that Mayor Gahan and the Democratic leadership would recognize these are key issues and incorporate them into his platform moving forward. To-date, my requests have been met with silence.

My candidacy may have ended on May 7, but my vow to serve you did not. You see, People First was never just a campaign slogan — it was always my promise to you!

In the last 90 days, Mark Seabrook, Republican candidate for mayor, has reached out to me regarding my People First pledge and my 100 Day and Year One plans for New Albany. Our conversations have been open, candid and productive. I have spoken publicly for several years that my Democratic Party’s leadership is wrong for what they are doing to our city and our most endangered families. 

Mark and I agree that our citizens and city cannot take another four years of deception, dishonesty and bullying. The reckless spending, feuding between city and county and class warfare are preventing New Albany from reaching its full potential. We also agree that a true, modern city government must be inclusive and diverse.

I have known Mark since I was a teenager. Both our families have invested in and served New Albany for six generations. While we have chosen different paths politically and do not always agree on issues, I know he is a good and honorable man. 

For over 35 years, Mark has served this community well as a businessman and civic leader. His roles as funeral home owner and director, Harvest Homecoming president and chairman, city councilman, and county commissioner have endeared him to many. 

Most importantly, these positions have allowed him to meet people from all walks of life. Mark has always been accessible, and having been both a New Albany city councilman and a Floyd County commissioner, he has unique insights into the ways we can work with each other, not against. 

Finally, it is my belief that Mark will surround himself with people of decency, integrity and a desire to put the best interest of our community first.

On a very personal note: upon the passing of our 4-year-old daughter Ashley in 1987, Beth and I entrusted her into Mark’s care. Like many of you who have similarly tasked Mark with your loved ones, we too have been treated with the utmost respect and mercy. I feel that Mark’s heart for people is one of the reasons he has connected with Democrats, Independents and Republicans over the last 35 years.

It was not an easy decision to diverge from my party as a mayoral candidate, and it is not easy now as a private citizen. I still am and will always remain a proud Democrat. In our country’s current political climate, we have seen so many being marginalized. I find it important now more than ever to stand on the right side of history, even if it means standing alone.

After much thought and prayer, I have decided to endorse Mark Seabrook for mayor of New Albany. Mark clearly understands and shares my passion and vision for the future of our city. I am asking ALL the people who have supported me over the years to help Mark put People First!

Your participation in this election cycle is supremely important and every single vote will matter. 

Please join me in supporting Mark Seabrook for mayor of New Albany, and put People First.

The curious question of 3rd district candidate Alex Bilbrey's yard signs.

No joke: Alex Bilbrey will need to be Superman to beat Greg Phipps.

It's hard to imagine Bilbrey (R) breaking 40% of the vote in the 3rd council district against two-term incumbent Phipps (D); after all, the 3rd district is to pretend-progressive Kool Aid as Porto is to vintage port wine, and Bilbrey -- who registered to run at the last possible minute without the knowledge of his party's chairman -- has been all but invisible for the entirety of 2019.

Except for yard signs.

I've seen several, including one of the big honking signs behind my house at the auto repair shop, and this makes Bilbrey's CFA-4 campaign finance disclosures very curious.

Bilbrey reports that he has neither raised nor spent a dime.

How then did he pay for the signs?

No matter; never mind -- you know, like Gahan's platform.

Yes, conscience precludes a vote for either Bilbrey or Phipps, and this is why I'm supporting Thunder Over the 3rd.

Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.

 ... Phipps does a fair to middling job of performing the duties of a purely average council representative. However, in political terms Phipps is profoundly weak, and he has done so very little on his own initiative that it comes down to a single consideration.

Phipps has supported Mayor Jeff Gahan roughly 95% of the time, and I've opposed Gahan by an equal percentage. The taint is real.

Consequently, I cannot vote for Phipps, who has been utterly non-intellectual in his persistent sycophancy. That's a shame. He could have been so much more.

But no.

He wasn't ... and isn't likely to be.

---

Roger's Endorsement Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.
• Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.
• Vote Al Knable and Christina Estill for New Albany City Council At-Large.
• Vote your conscience for New Albany City Clerk, as both candidates are excellent.
• ON THE AVENUES: Socialists for Seabrook, because we desperately need a new beginning in New Albany.

PHOTOS: Senator Todd Young endorses Mark Seabrook at Pints&union on Friday afternoon.

It was a personal pleasure and an unqualified honor to host Senator Todd Young today at Pints&union as he endorsed Mark Seabrook for Mayor of New Albany.

NEW ALBANY — As the municipal election approaches, a U.S. Senator has given his endorsement to New Albany's Republican mayoral candidate.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, visited Pints & Union Friday to weigh in on the New Albany mayoral race and voice his support of Mark Seabrook, who is facing Democratic incumbent Mayor Jeff Gahan and independent candidate Dan Coffey in November's election ...

... The U.S. Senator said he has known Seabrook for years, and he explained his decision to endorse the Republican mayoral candidate.

"Unlike a lot of requests I receive to endorse different candidates, I've developed a personal connection with Mark, and I've found him to be a sincere, hardworking and really conscientious public servant who has encouraged me in the past, and I want to give back, and I want to make sure all our communities are represented by the most competent people that they can," Young said. "I enjoy working with people of all parties, but when it comes time for Election Day, I end up supporting the Republican nominees, and in this case, we just have an outstanding one."

Fair enough. You may disagree with supporting Republican nominees on Election Day; that's why we have a secret ballot, but the senator's reasoning about competent local candidates is impeccable.

In my view, "impeccable" also describes Joe's founding vision for this public house, because his idea is for it to be public. It's a place to check ideology at the door and have conversations, not just about politics, but anything else worth talking about. There were Democratic candidate functions upstairs last fall and this spring, and I hope there'll be more now and in the future.

Now the photographs, courtesy of Kelly Feiock except the first one by Scott Stewart. Several of the Louisville news channels were there, too.

Democrat David White: "I am asking ALL the people who have supported me over the years to help Mark Seabrook put People First!"

As most of you know, my friend David White stood for mayor in the 2015 and 2019 Democratic Party primaries.

He has submitted this endorsement of Mark Seabrook, the Republican Party candidate, and I'm delighted to publish it here. You'll recall that Seabrook has my endorsement as well.

In May of this year, 1,400 of you opted to cast your vote for David; four years ago when I ran as an independent for mayor in the general election, I received 500 votes. It wasn't quite enough to tip the balance in either case, but beginning this week you can finish the job by taking our word for it and voting for Mark Seabrook.

---

Dear Citizens,

Since the primary this past spring, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response to my message of putting People First. The concept of fiscal responsibility, honesty and transparency in our city government and support for our most vulnerable populations has resonated with many of you. 

It had been my hope that Mayor Gahan and the Democratic leadership would recognize these are key issues and incorporate them into his platform moving forward. To-date, my requests have been met with silence.

My candidacy may have ended on May 7, but my vow to serve you did not. You see, People First was never just a campaign slogan — it was always my promise to you!

In the last 90 days, Mark Seabrook, Republican candidate for mayor, has reached out to me regarding my People First pledge and my 100 Day and Year One plans for New Albany. Our conversations have been open, candid and productive. I have spoken publicly for several years that my Democratic Party’s leadership is wrong for what they are doing to our city and our most endangered families. 

Mark and I agree that our citizens and city cannot take another four years of deception, dishonesty and bullying. The reckless spending, feuding between city and county and class warfare are preventing New Albany from reaching its full potential. We also agree that a true, modern city government must be inclusive and diverse.

I have known Mark since I was a teenager. Both our families have invested in and served New Albany for six generations. While we have chosen different paths politically and do not always agree on issues, I know he is a good and honorable man. 

For over 35 years, Mark has served this community well as a businessman and civic leader. His roles as funeral home owner and director, Harvest Homecoming president and chairman, city councilman, and county commissioner have endeared him to many. 

Most importantly, these positions have allowed him to meet people from all walks of life. Mark has always been accessible, and having been both a New Albany city councilman and a Floyd County commissioner, he has unique insights into the ways we can work with each other, not against. 

Finally, it is my belief that Mark will surround himself with people of decency, integrity and a desire to put the best interest of our community first.

On a very personal note: upon the passing of our 4-year-old daughter Ashley in 1987, Beth and I entrusted her into Mark’s care. Like many of you who have similarly tasked Mark with your loved ones, we too have been treated with the utmost respect and mercy. I feel that Mark’s heart for people is one of the reasons he has connected with Democrats, Independents and Republicans over the last 35 years.

It was not an easy decision to diverge from my party as a mayoral candidate, and it is not easy now as a private citizen. I still am and will always remain a proud Democrat. In our country’s current political climate, we have seen so many being marginalized. I find it important now more than ever to stand on the right side of history, even if it means standing alone.

After much thought and prayer, I have decided to endorse Mark Seabrook for mayor of New Albany. Mark clearly understands and shares my passion and vision for the future of our city. I am asking ALL the people who have supported me over the years to help Mark put People First!

Your participation in this election cycle is supremely important and every single vote will matter. 

Please join me in supporting Mark Seabrook for mayor of New Albany, and put People First.

Lifelong Democrat calls for change: "Elect Mark Seabrook."

I'm the European-style Social Democrat voting for Mark Seabrook for mayor of New Albany, and for two basic reasons: Seabrook is the best candidate, and he will be the mayor we need right now.

ON THE AVENUES: Socialists for Seabrook, because we desperately need a new beginning in New Albany.

... Seabrook will be surrounded and advised by the most capable cast of adjutants and actual thinkers that we’ve seen for a while in this city, including (although not confined to) sitting councilman Al Knable, (hopefully soon to be) councilman Scott Stewart, State Representative Ed Clere, party chairman Shawn Carruthers and quite a few others, and with a younger generation of energetic, principled leaders on the horizon.

In this News and Tribune letter from September 27, my friend eloquently explains why Democrats should vote for Seabrook as well.

---

Democrat calls for change

Politics is about power. Leadership, however, is about service.

As a lifelong Democrat, I’ve taken a great interest in New Albany government and am, frankly, appalled by the insularity and lack of transparency displayed by the incumbent.

It’s time for a change.

Mark Seabrook has never lied to me. He has never tried to mislead me. And most importantly, he has never pretended that I, as an unelected citizen, should have no voice in my local government.

That’s not something I can say about the candidate nominated by my party.

Since about half of all votes are now cast in early voting, I feel it’s time to make my choice public. I urge my friends and family to elect Mark Seabrook to be New Albany’s next mayor. His record of service is obvious. He is the only candidate we can count on to be honest, accountable, and transparent.

The next mayor will be faced with dramatic problems. The debt accumulated during the past 8 years is unsustainable and it will take a skilled leader to deal with those problems.

Mark Seabrook is that leader. Whether we are Democrats, Republicans, or independents, we can’t afford four more years of this incumbent. Elect Mark Seabrook.

— RANDY SMITH

New Albany

ON THE AVENUES: Socialists for Seabrook, because we desperately need a new beginning in New Albany.

So off went the Emperor in procession under his splendid canopy. Everyone in the streets and the windows said, "Oh, how fine are the Emperor's new clothes! Don't they fit him to perfection? And see his long train!" Nobody would confess that he couldn't see anything, for that would prove him either unfit for his position, or a fool. No costume the Emperor had worn before was ever such a complete success.

"But he hasn't got anything on," a little child said.

 -- Hans Christian Andersen, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” recently quoted at Jeff Gahan’s campaign kick-back-off

---

NA Confidential’s 15th birthday arrives on October 20, 2019, to be followed two weeks later by Election Day.

That’s when we will learn if Jeff Gahan’s time-tested platform of power-grabbing, influence-peddling and campaign finance loot accumulation has been crass enough to buy him a third straight term as Anchor City’s Wizard of Bling -- something that hasn’t occurred since 1955, when C. Pralle Erni did it on a platform of support for public housing, as opposed to Gahan’s palpable and ongoing war against the community’s least fortunate.

But enough of that.

You already know how I feel about Gahan’s vapid Reign of Error, and so today we examine a viable alternative. In retrospect, NA Confidential’s entire 5,475-day-long journey through New Albany’s Open Air Museum of Ignorance, Superstition, Backwardness and Treachery now seems to have been pointing to this juncture, all along.

I suppose it has taken 15 years because I’ve always been a methodical learner, suspicious of sudden epiphanies and more disposed to trust the accumulation of evidence that seeps through, day by day, over long periods of time. The learning curve is a harsh mistress, and it can be a maddening maze, so I allow plenty of chances for front porch cigar pondering before jumping to my conclusions.

Taking all of it together, there is a strong likelihood that I’ll begin drinking at the blog’s forthcoming 15th birthday party, and continue the process until after the ballots have been counted.

Don’t worry, readers. I’m a trained professional. Beverage alcohol contains the minimum daily requirements for all mandated food groups, just so long as you continue eating tacos and pizza throughout the binge.

As such, let’s avoid the late October politics rush. If you’re looking for quality endorsements, you’ve come to the “right” place for a lifelong leftist like me.

In 2019, this European-style Social Democrat will be voting for Mark Seabrook for mayor of New Albany.

Before telling you why, just a wee bit of personal background. I’ve come to understand that my political frame of reference is utterly negated by America’s two-party system and the “traditional” call-and-response psychoses stemming from it.

I’ve lived in Floyd County, Indiana my entire life, the most recent half within New Albany city limits, and yet in political terms I might as well be in exile. As such, a born contrarian’s iconoclasm outranks even booze as an escape mechanism.

The votes I cast must be examined on a case by case basis amid forever shifting circumstances, which come down to this: What course of local action is most sensible, and which candidate is best suited to pursue it, irrespective of political party affiliation?

It took a long time to see that simple lockstep ideology cannot suffice for me, as neither major political party in America takes an interest in expressing my beliefs. I’m left to cope as best I can, honing my intellectual survival skills, and searching the dumpsters for discarded fish bones and carrot shavings to make a thin soup of sustenance.

Pragmatism, here I come, and it feels good.

---

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy
-- Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, quoted at a recent Redevelopment Commission meeting

Let’s begin by stating for the public record that Mark Seabrook’s lengthy experience as an office holder in both city and county government, and more importantly to me, his career as an independent small businessman, recommend him highly for the office of mayor according to any prevailing criteria of which I’m aware.

Eight years of Democratic Party propaganda would have you believe that Gahan’s ascendancy to power came via divine right, as though the goddesses themselves sent him to us as the only human being truly capable of ruling the New Albanian rabble -- hence Gahan’s surreal, unintentionally hilarious cult of personality and his fatuous claims to have made not one single error his entire time as an elected official.

That’s sheer bullshit, of course.

Even the majority of local DemoDisneyDixiecrats know that Gahan’s pipe dreams of glory and grandiosity are disturbing and delusional. They bow, scrape and toe the line only because so many of them are in it for the beak-wetting, and that’s why we must continue to follow Dear Leader’s financial trail: In Pecunia Veritas.

Seabrook is perfectly capable of being mayor, of performing mayoral tasks and delegating responsibilities to mayoral appointees.

Seabrook has wider experience in elected office than Gahan, and having been elected to multiple terms in office and not only one, he has benefited from far more hours of real hands-on time governance than presumed kingmakers like Gahan’s venal and cadaverous toady Warren Nash, who was a veritable Olympian of mayoral ineptitude until his clothes-free protégé came along to make veneer great again.

Seabrook has given no indication that he seeks the office of mayor in order to be a paid media superstar with his face attached to shopping carts, crosswalks, full-page lifestyle magazine advertisements, and any other unfortunate inanimate objects lacking the good sense to get the hell out of the way.

Seabrook will be surrounded and advised by the most capable cast of adjutants and actual thinkers that we’ve seen for a while in this city, including (although not confined to) sitting councilman Al Knable, (hopefully soon to be) councilman Scott Stewart, State Representative Ed Clere, party chairman Shawn Carruthers and quite a few others, and with a younger generation of energetic, principled leaders on the horizon.

Seabrook can be expected to appoint similarly solid representatives to serve on non-elected boards, and to see that these boards remain transparent and answerable to elected officials -- and hence, to the ratepayers themselves.

Seabrook will be questioned by some who doubt he possesses the stamina to serve as mayor, but he has been admirably pro-active and transparent in addressing his physical health concerns. As I can personally attest, those interacting with him lately encounter a nimble and fully engaged mind. I won’t begrudge Seabrook a nap now and then; imagine the vast amount of time he’ll save by NOT wasting the many hours Gahan needs each day to preen, posture and pretend to be an omniscient messiah.

Seabrook’s fitness for office cannot be denied, although Democrats lacking other suitable cudgels will lie about it. When they do, ask these increasingly wild-eyed ward heelers if they’ve ever experienced shame. Some actually might have.

Seabrook proposes that our city return to the task of efficient daily management, while ceasing to function as convenient set props and stage furniture for the tinhorn theatrical aspirations of a failed wood products salesman.

Seabrook aims at transparent operations and accountability, not exaggerated claims and play-acting. To summarize, he seeks to return governance to functional adults who possess long attention spans and small egos, and this is exactly what we need in New Albany at this point in time.

Seabrook will need all these attributes as well as a skilled team to begin cleansing our tainted City Hall.

---

Q: What do Gahan supporters say when the Kool-Aid and Loaded Rice Krispies Treats run out?

A: Dude, this mayor really sucks.

Now for a few random thoughts about Mayor Seabrook’s probable challenges.

Future costs must be identified and contained.

Among Gahan’s ritualistic bait ‘n’ switch tactics has been an infrastructure Ponzi scheme, borrowing massive sums of money against future “growth” and shifting the burden of repayment to the children and grandchildren of voters dazzled by bright shiny objects.

The problem: As we add infrastructure embellishments of questionable need, and considering the cost of borrowing to finance them, we’re also steadily adding maintenance and upkeep expenses that aren’t “included” in the glossy touts.

It is likely that one of Seabrook’s first tasks as mayor will be to conduct a complete and thorough audit of the city’s finances. Given the inevitable filing cabinet bonfires we’ll see on December 31, this might prove to be a daunting task, but a necessary one to restore sanity to the municipality’s tortured financials.

Gahan’s pestiferous swamp must be drained.

Seabrook will conduct a purge of the Democratic Party’s fat and sassy governing clique, and it’s about time. Nowhere within the code of ordinances can be found commandments proclaiming the feather-bedded entitlement on the part of gilded functionaries like Nash, party chairman Adam Dickey and Irving Joshua to lifetime sinecures on appointed boards.

A cleansing flush is necessary, and waiting off to the side, whether Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents, Druids or Monarchists, there are bright individuals, fresh ideas and new blood patiently awaiting their long overdue turns at the wheel.

I’m convinced Seabrook and his team will act to enable them.

The Democratic Party’s doctrine of non-cooperation must be curbed.

One hallmark of the Democratic Party’s perennial stranglehold on municipal government is an absolute refusal to cooperate with Republicans at any level. Granted, there are social policy occasions when this makes sense (see Pence, Mike), but the little-discussed flip side in a state like ours possessing a solidly Republican governmental apparatus is Gahan’s legacy of missed opportunities for cooperation with people like Clere and Ron Grooms, so as to leverage scarce resources toward genuinely useful goals. Gahan prefers putting it on the TIF One credit card, and this politically-motivated non-cooperation means we pay more than we should.

It won’t happen with Seabrook as mayor.

City-county relations must be improved.

It’s true that even in a county as small as ours, there’ll always be differences between urban, suburban and rural residents as they pertain to definitions about “quality of life.” The more I’ve learned about urbanization, suburbanization and guy-in-the-backwoods-hut-ization, within the contexts of transportation, land use, environmental impacts and a score of other considerations, the greater the complexity.

We may not know the answer to every question, but a house divided still can’t stand. Governmental units working together rather than separately might actually be useful -- for a change. It needn’t be “unigov” to cooperate where applicable for the collective good. It’s just sanity.

Ever since Democrats misplaced their mojo outside city limits, the party has pursued a policy of open hostility to county government. Indeed, at times this has been fact-based. Far more often the motivation has been one of pure and spiteful disruption. I think daily life is challenging enough without waging an ongoing Uncivil Cold War, and I believe the Floyd County Republican Party doesn’t bear the primary burden of bad behavior in this matter.

With Seabrook as mayor, perhaps we can begin thinking about rowing together when applicable.

---

Is Mark Seabrook flawless?

Of course he isn’t.

Not a single human being occupying elected office is free of error, in spite of Deaf Gahan’s incessant, mirror-gazing and narcissistic insistence to the contrary. Seabrook’s record in city and county government can be thoughtfully dissected like any other, as with the coal dust disposal scandal occurring during his tenure as commissioner, or those disagreeing with his advocacy of the hospital sale.

No one’s perfect, leaders are elected to make decisions, and the chips fall. Some imperfections merit a higher level of scrutiny than others. However, of most importance to me as a lifelong left-winger is this consideration:

I wouldn’t endorse Seabrook or any other Republican if I thought for a moment they harbored secret plans to impose a vicious right-wing dictatorship on New Albany.

Yes; the higher the elected office, the more this prospect does concern me, but it’s entirely irrelevant insofar as City Hall in New Albany is concerned. After all, Gahan the purported progressive darling has made no effort whatever to impose a vicious left-wing dictatorship on the city.

Mind you, he has imposed a vicious, elitist, cliquish dictatorship dedicated to duping progressives in order to satisfy cash-hungry sycophants. However, this isn’t to be confused with left, right or any other ideological standpoint. Rather, it’s all about a small-timer, C-minus homeboy student’s obsession with pay-to-play patronage and cold, hard cash.

Furthermore, I wouldn’t endorse Seabrook if the best I could say about him is, “Well, at least he isn’t Gahan.”

If the equation devolves to “anyone except Gahan” then I’d be obliged to consider Dan Coffey’s independent mayoral candidacy, and although I know precisely what it means in political terms to be in Coffey’s position outside the two mainstream party camps, surely we all grasp that this election is about Seabrook and Gahan, one on one.

In conclusion, both tactically and cynically, I might support Seabrook to supplant Gahan, who simply has to go.

Personally, I’d rather vote FOR Mark Seabrook out of conviction that he’d be a good mayor.

And he would.

So I will.

---

Endorsement Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.
• Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.
• Vote Al Knable and Christina Estill for New Albany City Council At-Large.
• Vote your conscience for New Albany City Clerk, as both candidates are excellent.
• ON THE AVENUES: Socialists for Seabrook, because we desperately need a new beginning in New Albany.

---

Recent columns:

September 12: ON THE AVENUES: There's no business like no business, and it's none of your business (2016).

September 5: ON THE AVENUES: Welcome to traditional Danish lunch in Copenhagen, September 1989.

August 29: ON THE AVENUES: Welcome to "Pagan Life," a weekly column devoted to heathens, infidels, idolaters, atheists, non-theists, irreligious people, agnostics, skeptics, heretics and apostates.

August 22: ON THE AVENUES: The 32 most influential books in my life.

Vote your conscience for New Albany City Clerk, as both candidates are excellent.

To be perfectly honest, I've agonized over the question of an endorsement for the city clerk's race.

The incumbent Vicki Glotzbach (D) has been unfailingly courteous and professional since she became city clerk in 2012. Prior to her two terms in office, she was a deputy city clerk. Obviously experience favors her.

However I greatly admire challenger Kelly Feiock (R) for her relentlessly fact-based involvement with the Mt. Tabor Road Project resistance movement. It's very important for all seats to be contested, and she's a powerhouse activist and a solid candidate -- and the only candidate to whom I've personally donated.

At the grassroots level, I tend to believe two terms in office are enough. Then again, the office of city clerk has yet to be overtly politicized.

The major imperative in this year's municipal election is to drive a garlic-lubed stake through the heart of the Democratic Party's pay-to-play political patronage machine, but I can't make the case that the city clerk's race is central to this civic necessity.

So there. I'm stymied. Glotzbach or Feiock; vote your conscience, and I'll vote mine.

---

Endorsement Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.
• Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.
• Vote Al Knable and Christina Estill for New Albany City Council At-Large.
• Vote your conscience for New Albany City Clerk, as both candidates are excellent.

Vote Al Knable and Christina Estill for New Albany City Council At-Large.

Call it an endorsement if you will, or think of it as my personal support, backing, seal of approval, recommendation or advocacy.

This 2019 election endorsement series began last week. Thanks to those who've read the picks in city council districts 1 through 6. Before looking at the at-large council field, a reminder:

Municipal candidates who are not endorsed in this space are welcome to offer their counterpoint. I will publish your statements in this space sans commentary of my own.

The entire city votes for three at-large city council seats. The three Republican Party incumbents are Al Knable, David Barksdale and David Aebersold (in descending order of vote totals in 2015). Their Democratic Party challengers are Christina Estill, Sam Charbonneau and Jason Applegate. Voters may choose as many as three candidates from this list of six -- or two, or one.

(As an aside, do independents and libertarians ever run for at-large seats?)

I intend to vote for Knable and Estill, and to leave the third slot blank.

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Al Knable's record of service speaks for itself. Agree or disagree with him -- and I surely HAVE disagreed with him -- the conversation remains thoughtful and respectful. In addition, Knable is transparent and approachable. His work ethic as a council representative is exemplary.

In retrospect, perhaps the biggest mistake Knable made during his first term in office was trying to be non-partisan, and to cooperate with Gahan's Goons during 2016 and 2017. Through no fault of Knable's, it proved to be a phony detente, and bipartisanship served only to subject him to an attempted kneecapping by the Dickeyites.

I believe Knable learned a valuable lesson about the Bud Light Lime Mafia from this experience in early 2018.

ON THE AVENUES: Al Knable doesn’t lie, but the local Democratic Party is a flood-plain Pinocchio. Let’s censure it at the ballot box.

Christina Estill is a welcome rarity among local Democratic Party candidates in that she's genuinely working class and self-made, which is the sort of thing the gentrifying Gahanites can't truly grasp. She is who she is, and that's refreshing. As such, here is Estill's pitch in her own words.

My name is Chrstina Estill, and I am your candidate for New Albany City Council At-Large. I am the single mother of 3 sons, Anthony 21, Alexander 18, and Adrian 13. I am a social worker by trade, and a community advocate by passion serving on the Board of Directors of Let Us Learn, and Community Action of Southern Indiana where I serve as the boards Secretary. I am a graduate of Spalding University with two bachelor's degrees in Social Work and Psychology.

As a professional Social Worker, I use my training and experience in conflict resolution and effective individual group process to make change happen in the lives of my clients, and I will approach my job as your city councilperson the same way with a focus on embracing diversity, and seeking community input and involvement in decisions before us as a body. By focusing resources and time to issues facing all of our citizens, and advocating as a voice for social justice, I will bring my full attention to bridging the gap for a stronger, safer, and compassionate New Albany.

That means looking forward for sustainable development and infrastructure repair that keeps business owners big and small and taxpayers concerns and needs in mind, accountable and transparent service as your council person being your voice at the table, and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars with an eye on responsible governance. This is of the utmost importance to me because as an advocate for diverse representation in government we must also act with future generations social, economic, and environmental needs in mind.

Lastly, I will work to be a consensus builder. In these times of divisive rhetoric emerging nationally, I will never shy from bold and dynamic solutions while still working for the best result possible. Elections are debated on the campaign trail, but after taking office a true public servant works to lead. Strong and spirited debate is essential, but we must not allow that to be a roadblock to what is right for our citizens.

A lot has changed in the years since I came to New Albany, and great changes lie ahead in the years to come. My passion for people, our community, our environment, and future generations is always in the front of my mind in all that I do. We need leaders who represent the community they serve in all aspects. The city council is in need of a more diverse perspective, and I can provide that voice.

Knable and Estill; that makes two. For me, that's all. At this juncture, there are reasons why I cannot vote for any of the four remaining candidates, although to reiterate, they are welcome to contribute their rebuttals to this space. Maybe I can yet be convinced.

Charbonneau and Applegate are both interesting and personable fellows, and I've enjoyed chatting with them. I like them personally. However, because they've enthusiastically chosen to be joined to the mayor's duplicitous, catastrophic hip, I must rule them out as candidates. Politically they're on the wrong side of municipal history ... and I can't go for repeating the same old lines.

This leaves Republican incumbents David Aebersold and David Barksdale, and both are problematic in the political context.

Aebersold has lengthy experience as an independent small business owner, and of course that's a good recommendation in my world.

Unfortunately he also has proven to be an uninformed advocate of car-based urban infrastructure to the exclusion of other non-automotive users, and of course that's very bad. Truthfully, I'm on the fence with Aebersold, but unless new evidence surfaces I'm forced to refrain. It might be a last-minute decision.

Barksdale's lapdog support of the Reisz city hall project simply cannot be excused, especially his breathtakingly far-fetched comment to the effect that government workers situated in a plumbed, climate controlled City-County office building with elevators, cushioned seats and WiFi somehow are being subjected to "inhumane" working conditions.

There's no doubting that Barksdale has done many positive things for the city, and yet this comment is a singular nadir in local political history, and plainly it disqualifies him to represent residents, roughly 25% of whom exist south of the poverty line, whose working conditions really are physically and mentally demeaning in ways that Barksdale evidently cannot fathom.

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Endorsement Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.
• Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.
• Vote Al Knable and Christina Estill for New Albany City Council At-Large.

My personal election endorsements are answerable. Rebuttal space is yours, if your party chairman will allow it.

Lest there be any misunderstandings, and sadly acknowledging that the Democrats seem to have an official policy against discourse and debate, municipal candidates not endorsed in this space last week are welcome to offer their counterpoint.

I will publish your statements in this space sans commentary of my own.

At-large council endorsements are next, followed by the city clerk race. My mayoral endorsement will constitute Thursday's ON THE AVENUES column.

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Endorsement Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.
• Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.

Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.

Call it an endorsement if you will, or think of it as my personal support, backing, seal of approval, recommendation or advocacy.

Being an independent in a situation of prevailing two-party primacy probably is a great deal harder than it appears.

Scott Blair has been elected to council twice as an "I," and he should know. I think Scott was not always as diligent as he should have been during the first few years of his council tenure as it pertains to the inherent and fatuous chicanery of Gahanism (generic mediocrity + pay-to-play monetization = Gahanism), but to his credit he did his homework and has improved with the passage of time.

Scott is accessible, and he'll return calls. His stance during the Reisz Mahal vote was especially appreciated in these circles.

I'm not seeing much from Lisa Chandler, the Democratic Party candidate, although the recent trend in District 6 has been for the Democratic candidate to be irrelevant. Is there even a Facebook page?

All three New Albany mayoral candidates attended Thursday's forum ... all of the New Albany clerk and city council candidates participated except Democratic District 1 candidate Jennie E. Collier, Republican District 3 candidate Alex Bilbrey and Democratic District 6 candidate Lisa Chandler.

It's almost as if voters in the 6th feel compelled to atone for two pre-mayoral Gahan city council terms (2004-2011) by punishing the Democrats. Chandler might have great things to say; so far, I'm unaware of them.

Lest there be any misunderstanding, Scott Evans appears to be a solid contender on the Republican side. He's been hoofing it. I've heard lots of good comments.

As I explained previously, it's just that I don't like the idea of police officers in elected positions like council. It's my own conscience and entirely personal, and it's not about being anti-police. Rather, it has to do with worrisome accumulations of power. I believe being a cop and a councilman simultaneously is a concentration of too much power in one individual.

You're free to disagree, and my ears are open to your arguments against my position. I'd love to find a loophole in my conscience to embrace otherwise fine candidates like Evans, but so far it has been elusive.

In truth, I'm also becoming increasingly hostile to the idea of lifetime sinecures and third consecutive terms.

However, given the rules as they're written, if I lived in the 6th district I'd vote for Scott Blair, and I would feel good about it.

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Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.
• Vote Scott Blair for New Albany City Council District 6.

Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.

Thunder's campaign web site.

Call it an endorsement if you will, or think of it as my personal support, backing, seal of approval, recommendation or advocacy.

In making these 2019 election endorsements, I'm trying my best to focus on the positives, but the 3rd council district is my own, and positives are few and far between.

The incumbent is Greg Phipps (D), and the challenger is Alex Bilbrey (R). Phipps does a fair to middling job of performing the duties of a purely average council representative. However, in political terms Phipps is profoundly weak, and he has done so very little on his own initiative that it comes down to a single consideration.

Phipps has supported Mayor Jeff Gahan roughly 95% of the time, and I've opposed Gahan by an equal percentage. The taint is real. 

Consequently, I cannot vote for Phipps, who has been utterly non-intellectual in his persistent sycophancy. That's a shame. He could have been so much more.

Conversely Bilbrey's bizarre vanity/stealth candidacy is so problematic that it's hard to know where to begin dissecting it.

He's been almost completely invisible, and he has made no public indication whatever of core positions or policy preferences apart from platitudes about "service." Bilbrey has not attended events like the League of Women Voters' chat at the Silver Street Pleasure Dome. He doesn't seem to be taking his own candidacy seriously, so why should anyone else?

However, my biggest problem with Bilbrey is that he works for the sheriff's department, as does Scott Evans, the Republican candidate in 6th district -- who by contrast is a quality candidate and a campaigning dynamo worthy of consideration in that district.

True, it is not illegal for men and women with badges to occupy elected office; Jack Messer (city councilman) and Steve Bush (county commissioner) both did, and they are good people.

It's just a personal thing with me, and it's not about being anti-police. Rather, it has to do with worrisome accumulations of power. I believe being a cop and a councilman simultaneously is a concentration of too much power in one individual.

You're free to disagree, and my ears are open to your arguments against my position. I'd love to find a loophole in my conscience to include Evans, but so far it's elusive.

Conscience dictates that my only option in the 3rd district is to cast a write-in ballot. I'm open to suggestions in this regard.

John Smith, are you ready?

Steve Price?

Thunder the Wonder Ferret?

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Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.

Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.

Call it an endorsement if you will, or think of it as my personal support, backing, seal of approval, recommendation or advocacy.

The residents of New Albany's 1st council district are about to experience a delightful change.

For the first time in two decades, they'll have a new council representative. Whether you love current councilman Dan Coffey or hate him -- and we've experienced both emotions at NA Confidential -- it cannot be denied that he symbolizes a very old-school white male approach to governance, even when he was a younger white male than he is now. Contrary to popular opinion, his legacy is not all bad; still, the transition stands to be exciting. No matter what else occurs this November, the 1st district will have a female seat holder, and this is an undisputed positive, in itself.

My endorsement decision is very difficult. Both Stefanie Griffith (R) and Jennie Collier (D) are first-time candidates, and there is no case to be made against either one.

Stefanie is better known city-wide owing to her role as owner and manager of the family business, Strandz Salon & Threadz Boutique, and participation in civic organizations like Develop New Albany.

Jennie worked hard for David White during both his mayoral runs and has a mind of her own, capable of making her own decisions and not being a lockstep sycophant beholden to the chairman of the Democratic Party. This is a high recommendation.

If I lived in the 1st council district, I'd vote for Stefanie Griffith. This one's a very personal endorsement, and I'd like to stress yet again that Jennie is qualified and worthy of consideration.

It comes down to history. I went to school with Stefanie's brother, and before Strandz moved to Vincennes Street, the Lenfert family business was located in the wing of the NABC Pizzeria & Public House building (my former business) now being used as the arcade. Stefanie has been running the business since she was a teen, and it has been successful all this time. That's no small feat, and to me, independent local business experience like this is a tie-breaker.

Compendium:

• Vote Stefanie Griffith for New Albany City Council District 1.
• Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.
• Vote for Thunder the Wonder Ferret as a write-in for New Albany City Council District 3.
• Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.
• Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.

Vote Cisa Kubley for New Albany City Council District 4.

Call it an endorsement if you will, or think of it as my personal support, backing, seal of approval, recommendation or advocacy.

In New Albany's 4th city council district, the best choice is political newcomer Cisa Kubley. I'd vote for Cisa if I lived in the 4th district.

Cisa is an independent local business owner (Sew Fitting at Underground Station). As an immigrant from Bloomington, she brings a fresh perspective and vast experience volunteering in community affairs.

She belongs to the New Albany chapter of Business and Professional Women, was named one of the 2013 "20 under 40," and now serves on the national board of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals.

I got to know her a few years back when we worked together with others to enable New Albany First, an independent business association, with the aim of organizing grassroots local indies into an organization of stakeholders with input commensurate with their contributions. The idea did not come to fruition, but it remains something we need, and it is my hope that regime change can help bring it about beginning in 2020.

Another strong plus for Cisa is her advocacy of a sensible downtown street grid for all users, not only drivers and their cars. She strongly supported the entirety of Jeff Speck's suggested downtown street grid makeover, which the incumbent Pat McLaughlin eventually came around to supporting only reluctantly without ever revealing a genuine grasp of the material or enthusiasm for fundamentals.

It's time for new blood in the 4th district: "Active representation to enable positive change".

I recommend voting for Cisa Kubley.

Previously:

Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.

Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.

Vote Scott Stewart for New Albany City Council District 2.

Call it an endorsement if you will, or think of it as my personal support, backing, seal of approval, recommendation or advocacy.

I don't live in District 2, but if I did, I'd vote for Scott Stewart. Hands down. No contest. Not even close. Nary a moment's pause. It does not require tea leaves, a degree in rocket science or a passing acquaintance with urban street grid essentials (the latter as yet eluding Stewart's intellectually exhausted opponent, Bob Caesar) to grasp that seldom in the history of New Albany governance has there been a candidate with Scott Stewart's experience and credentials.

Period. Full stop. Drop the mic.

At his website, the candidate explains why. If you're a 2nd District voter, please vote for Scott Stewart. It is exceedingly rare for us to have such an opportunity to elect a council representative of his caliber.

Meet Scott

I believe deeply in public service. I’ve bookended my career doing just that. So, a quick introduction.

I grew up on Fenwick Drive and Ellen Court. I attended Holy Family and Providence.

I joined Mayor Bob Real’s administration while attending IU Southeast. I bought my first home in Finchland. I was a staff director for U.S. Senators Richard Lugar and Dan Quayle, then joined the Procter & Gamble Company. While I spent most of my time in Cincinnati, I did live in Switzerland and Belgium for 6 years. I retired from P&G after 24+ years and joined Governor Mitch Daniels’ staff in Indianapolis. I returned to New Albany and the 2nd District in 2010, completing my tenure in state government with INDOT and the Ports of Indiana in 2018.

My wife Christi and I have four children spread between Cincinnati, Lexington, KY, New York City, and Basel, Switzerland. Our four grandchildren are split between Lexington and Basel, the latter much too far away.

A final word about voting in local elections. My plea is to take it seriously.

Nowhere in the world is democracy more relevant than a local election. Be it mayor, city council, school board, or county offices, we all have the opportunity to select those men and women who have a direct effect on our lives. Everyday. The responsibility falls to you and me, our family, friends, and neighbors to ensure that our elected officials reflect the choice exercised by as many voters as possible. Too many big decisions that affect taxes, spending, and our community spirit too often are made that people who were elected by a minority of registered voters. During the last city election in 2015, 27% of registered voters turned out in District 2. We are better than that. Be sure to learn about the issues, the candidates and be sure to vote.

Previously:

Vote Josh "JT" Turner for New Albany City Council District 5.