On pints, union, Jouett Meekin and a people's history of New Albany.

We saw two major league baseball games in Baltimore last week, with my Oakland A's happily winning both, and although our arrangements were made long before youthful New Albany native Josh Rogers joined the roster of the woebegone Orioles, there was at least a theoretical chance Rogers might pitch.

He didn't, but it got me thinking about the greatest pitcher New Albany has produced up until the present day: Jouett Meekin (1867-1944), who retired in 1900 just as the "modern" era in professional baseball began.

Of course "modernity" is at best an approximation. Did you know that a baseball clearing the outfield wall on one bounce still was considered a home run as recently as 1930? Since then, it has counted as an automatic double, or in the vernacular, a "ground rule double."

Over the years I've mentioned Jouett Meekin several times in this space. At six feet, one inch and 180 pounds, he possessed a murderous fastball compared by none other than stats guru Bill James to Amos Rusie's and Cy Young's, averaging 16 wins a year during a career lasting from 1891 through 1900.

Meekin undoubtedly was New Albany's most famous baseball player prior to the advent of William Jennings Bryan Herman.

Billy Herman, named by his parents for an early 20th-century politician, presidential candidate and religious zealot (frequently targeted for well-deserved abuse by H. L. Mencken), was a second baseman from 1931 to 1947, and later coached and managed.

Herman was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975. There's a ball field downtown named for him, and his granddaughter Cherie is married to former Indiana governor Mitch Daniels.

As a baseball lifer, Herman lived on the road, and it isn't clear whether he spent any significant time in New Albany during or after his playing career, although by the mid-1960s, his permanent residence was listed as Florida.

I mention this only because Meekin returned home when his playing days were over. There's a plaque marking the house of his residence, which in spite of perennial slumlord neglect still manages to stand a mere block away from NA Confidential headquarters.

One fact unites Meekin's and Herman's eras in baseball, in that neither made very much money as baseball players. While Herman obtained employment in the game, Meekin was in his early thirties upon sporting retirement, and he needed to work, so he became a fireman and stayed a fireman for the remainder of his working days.

Ironically, a short time after Meekin's death a stylish new firehouse was built right across the street from his house, as yet in use as Rogers recorded his first win as an Oriole.

The preceding ruminations stem from a Wednesday evening with beers in a nearly deserted Camden Yards, thinking about Rogers, Herman and Meekin, and the thread of sporting continuity that links them despite crazily disparate time stamps.

The chronology wouldn't let me be, so I had to take a second look, learning that Meekin was born on February 21, 1867.

Damn it!

We missed the opportunity to honor Meekin's 150th birthday with a gala at Pints&union, except of course Pints&union didn't exist until his 151st also had passed, so the very best we can do is have a 152nd birthday party in 2019, hopefully making it an annual event in subsequent years. Meekin's birthday being February, perhaps a spring training motif is best.

Given that our friend Mark Keeler has conducted research into Meekin's life, and he's keen to share it, celebrating the pitcher's birthday might also afford the opportunity to honor a few more chapters in the "people's" history of New Albany.

As noted previously, taverns most often have occupied the 130-year-old building at 114 East Market that now houses Pints&union. Was Meekin the fireman ever a patron while off duty?

To conclude, Herman probably was the best baseball player this city has produced, at least yet. Still, we need to treat even this assertion with a disclaimer; for instance, what do we know about New Albanians who may have competed in the pre-desegregation Negro League?

It is my belief that Meekin deserves special consideration for his post-baseball career as hometown fire fighter, and taken together with his achievements in baseball, a simple plaque on a Midtown house doesn't quite do it for me. It wasn't until 2002 that Meekin's grave in Fairview Cemetery even had a proper marker, thanks to the efforts of Curtis Peters and the Floyd County Historical Society.

Stay tuned for more, and if you have any information about Meekin, please pass it along.

The plaque-ing of the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater began with the late Darrell Sweet, drummer for Nazareth.

The clip's from 1981.

Way back on October 4, 2008, a bar bet was settled here at NAC.

Mark Keeler said that the drummer for Nazareth died in New Albany after 1995. I said he died before the pub started business in 1992. Let the record show that Darrell Sweet died in 1999, which means that Mark was right and I was wrong. Can anyone remember why Nazareth decided to play New Albany in the first place?

Better stated: Who booked Nazareth to play New Albany?

Here is the rest of the story. Darrell Sweet, drummer and founding member of the Scottish rock band Nazareth, took ill before a scheduled show at the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater on April 30, 1999. He was taken to (then) Floyd Memorial Hospital, where he died of a heart attack at 51 years of age.

Fans of Nazareth commissioned a commemorative plaque for Sweet, which was affixed to the rear of the stage (facing the Ohio River) at some point prior to 2008, when the topic entered the barroom transcript.

Here is my 2012 photo.

A closer look.

And the plaque above Darrell Sweet's?

Circa 2011, this plaque was presented by the local Democratic Party to Shelle England. It was followed by a plaque of different design for her husband (and three-term mayor) Doug England. Both were mounted at the amphitheater by mid-2012.

Ironically, without boatloads of money from the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau, there would not have been an amphitheater reconstruction following wind damage in 2008, and hence no Bicentennial gift for England to bequeath.

Alas, these funds never seem to get mentioned.

The preceding three plaques eventually were joined in 2012 by a richly deserved memorial to the late Kevin Hammersmith.

Somehow I get the impression that when it comes time to affix a Gahan plaque, we'll no longer be measuring in inches.

Old Albania (photo credit Michel Setboun)

Break out the Bud Light, because the Sanctioned Monument to the Glorious Usual Heroes of the Bicentennial Park Cash Unlimited Uprising is scheduled for unveiling soon.

10:06 p.m. update: It has been pointed out to me that Vic Megenity's name does not appear on the plaque shown below. Remember that time he came before council and asked for a Bicentennial Commission audit ... nah, that couldn't be the reason. 

The devil's in the "details," or so "they" say.

But most would agree that BicenPk is a "fun"damentally better corner, as implemented by "courageous" and "selfless" public servants ... say, wait: Isn't that the new, "unofficial" city seal/marketing tool/branding mechanism right there, engraved on a plaque meant to last forever, even beyond the time when Shayruff Duggins has been exiled all the way back to Clark County?

Like they always say: Every tarp costs a thousand bucks.

Let's all rejoice in the promise of a "better" tomorrow, and a plaque at every house, even as we speculate whether the required tithe on the part of the stone mason has pushed Team Gahan over the $100K mark.

Big box dry humping in Sellersburg: In TIF poker, does a major unnamed retailer trump a minor named retailer?

Geez, this one's so breathless I could have sworn it was a banner at Insider Louisville.

It appears these professional, rotating development "pros" all learn to speak a variant of nonsense language: It's the best thing since sliced bread, but we can't talk about it too loudly ... and boy, you'll want to erect a plaque to us when it's finished, but seriously, let's not get our hopes up and all -- and meanwhile you know I like my fluffing slow and easy. 

Big Sales Pitch: Sellersburg hopes to attract major unnamed retailer, by Gary Popp (Alabama Business Fluffer)

SELLERSBURG — Sellersburg officials are working to bring a big-box store to the town, but they aren’t disclosing the name of the retailer as of yet.

Still in the early phases of attracting the business, the Sellersburg Redevelopment Commission met Wednesday to assess their next steps in getting the unnamed business to establish itself in the town’s tax increment financing district.

Mike Hostetler, the redevelopment commission’s president, said the project will be the largest commercial boost in Sellersburg’s history if it comes to fruition.

“There is nothing that can compare to this,” he said.

Hostetler said negations are ongoing with the retailer, and that is better for the community to not be privy to the identity of the business, until plans have further progressed.

“The negotiations are not completed yet, so [there] would be no purpose in giving somebody a name, and then it may not happen,” he said.

The initial public reaction is predictable: WE NEED THIS NEW PLACE TO SHOP DAMN IT BUT FIRST BUILD US MORE ROADS DAMN IT.

Then there's this.

It's a WalMart proposed for the west end in Louisville, and provides insight into pesky little things like principles, these being mere disposable flotsam for the gibberish-speaking economic dishevelment "pros." NPP provided these thoughts prior to last week's hearing.

Neighborhood Planning & Preservation (NPP) Kentuckiana

WALMART (Proposed for 18th & Broadway) CASE HEARD TODAY

NPP REQUESTS PLANNING COMMISSION DEFER DECISION on
CASE "14DEVPLAN1036and1400STREETS1004"

 ... NPP continues to be concerned about the lack of public input on this project thus far. Though we feel a Walmart does not represent the best use for this space, we have supported neighborhood efforts for an urban design--which could meet a broader range of needs in a community that has been neglected and undermined by needless destruction and sub-par development. Walmart has responded with urban designs in other markets (e.g. Washington D.C. and Chicago). Why not Louisville? There are many legitimate concerns about imposing a suburban design in an urban setting. Yet, there were no opportunities to discuss the ramifications on public safety and access among the public. Since taxpayers have footed the hefty bill for most of what has transpired at 18th and Broadway, decisions made behind closed doors suggests a willfully exclusionary process that was not in the public's best interest. The lack of accountability here is troubling.

That being said, we urge the committee to heed the staff report and not claims of economic benefits of said project. The short and long term benefits are debatable and should be addressed in a public forum---not solely among parties having a vested interest in this development. We would also ask the Commission to defer this case and instruct the developer to return with a new plan consistent with the neighborhood guidelines.

The purpose of the land use codes and staff evaluations is to protect communities from the profit agenda of a few, who may find it more convenient to ignore the community's heritage or concerns. We urge the Commission insist our guidelines be followed. Please compel the interested parties to return with plans complying with the standards before moving forward. There is still time to demonstrate a respect for our community that has been lacking to date. In doing so, we believe a win-win is possible for all concerned.

Perhaps miraculously ...

Zoning board delays West End Walmart, by Sheldon Shafer (C-J)

Metro planners delayed acting Thursday on a controversial plan for a Walmart superstore at Broadway and Dixie Highway and strongly implied they want the chain to redesign the site to put the store closer to Broadway and to reduce the amount of parking.

Kevin Thompson, an Indianapolis-based public affairs director for Walmart, said Walmart will consider a redesign. But Walmart officials asked the Metro Planning Commission to vote on the plan that had been submitted and said alternative designs had been thoroughly "vetted" and rejected —mainly because other layouts would be less efficient for operations and would likely reduce profits.

And we all know how important those profits are to the lives of ordinary Americans -- including those clamoring for more roads to reach WalMart.

The Walton Family: America’s New Robber Barons

Walmart’s ruling family, the Waltons, has more wealth than 42% of American families combined.

Nash on the amphitheater: "Could this be a destination for huge crowds throughout the year?"

Matt Nash has written an excellent column about the Riverfront Amphitheater. Before we get to that, a wee bit of history is merited.

Way back on July 15, 2005, NAC asked a question of New Albany's then-current amphitheater administrator and the one-time leader of the Stone Deaf Band random charity benefit generator, Bob "The Devil Went Down to NABC" Trinkle.

If he's not going to use the Riverfront Amphitheater, would Bullet Bob mind if we borrowed it and made some money?

 ... Perhaps New Albany’s chronically underused Riverfront Amphitheater might benefit from new and younger blood at the helm, someone who would refrain from applying a litmus test of church supper respectability to potential entertainment functions, but instead take a chance every now and then and book the venue with music and events that appeal to the city’s younger demographic.

The Trinkle Dome is a community resource. We should try using it occasionally .

Late note: In a letter to the editor published in Thursday's Tribune, Bob Trinkle thoroughly congratulated himself for the July 4 event and duly warned us that more G-rated entertainment is to follow over Labor Day weekend. Do the math; that's more that sixty (60) days between Trinkle-sanctioned events. Can't we do better than this?

Later, there was this blog observation, dated 2007:

Now think of the chicken and the egg, and tell me: Do we chronically underutilize this amphitheater because there is little demand, or is there a perception of little demand because we chronically underutilize this facility?

There followed an uptick in amphitheater usage during the third (and dare we pray final) City Hall occupancy of Doug England, but unfortunately, this was manifested by such colossal missteps as an expensive new roof being installed without any revised site plans being considered, dueling Buffett cover bands as supposed "entertainment", and a proliferation of plaques commemorating both England and his wife.

Amphitheater freedom fighters were forced to retaliate.

We were back in 2013, discussing the Amphitheater's constant neglect in the context of drunken-sailor-level "quality of life" expenditures.

ON THE AVENUES: Looking for Quality of Life bond issue bonuses? "Pick me," says orphaned Riverfront Amphitheater.

 ... However, spending a fair amount of time at the Riverfront Amphitheater these past few years, sweating off the pounds, slinging beers, and talking to folks who venture to the riverside for events … well, there’s legitimate cause for optimism. A future-oriented plan for the Amphitheater, as accompanied by leftover farthings from the Mega Bond Issue, would seem to fit perfectly within the Gahan administration’s park-reational and artistic orientation.

Wouldn’t it?

As a side note, I was chatting with a council person last week after the meeting. He maintained that before spending money on a potentially expensive two-way street conversion, a detailed study obviously was necessary. I replied that if this was so, then why hadn't a similar study been conducted prior to the $19 million parks bond issue? He said that when it comes to things like parks, "I suppose" we must trust the veracity of potential quality of life benefits, and go from there.

This is breathtaking. By such criteria, the amphitheater's decade-long starvation not only of money, but ideas, is even more disturbing.

Matt gets it completely right in his Friday column.

NASH: Utilizing our riverfront asset, by Matt Nash (N and T)

... The amphitheater has been shown to be able to draw huge crowds and could be profitable if managed properly.

It is time that we start to utilize this asset to our community and not waste any more time letting it sit empty.

Well, he deserves it.

Hugo smells more than catnip. There's adaptive reuse in the air, and all we need is a crowbar.

He just wants to know.

No Tolls Cat immortalized at Riverfront Amphitheater.

We didn't ask the Board of Works, either, but that's okay. The No Tolls Cat's plaque is cardboard. Maybe soon we'll all have a plaque, made of nice metal.

Kevin Hammersmith's richly deserved amphitheater plaque.

 

(Photo credit: Tyra Creamer)

Amid rapidly proliferating plaques, curiosity about New Albany Venues.

Way back on October 4, 2008, a bet was settled here at NAC.

Mark Keeler said that the drummer for Nazareth died in New Albany after 1995. I said he died before the pub started business in 1992. Let the record show that Darrell Sweet died in 1999, which means that Mark was right and I was wrong. Can any one remember why Nazareth decided to play New Albany in the first place?

Ever since then, I've intended to show the plaque facing the river on the back side of the New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater. Here it is:

But wait -- what's that new plaque above the late Darrell Sweet's?

Hmm, must be the one the Democratic Party presented to her last year: Cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex.

It mirrors the plaque installed on the other side of the stage, facing the audience, and oddly, there still is no mention of the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau's enabling donation:

I'm told that work is underway on an amphitheater use plan for this and coming years, and as we await the details, there remains confusion over the role and composition of New Albany Venues, which was incorporated in 2010 by then-city attorney Shane Gibson, with ex-first lady Michele England as sole principal and an address of the former mayor's office. I'll repeat the questions, in slightly modified form.

Seeing as Mayor England is (gone), does his wife's name remain on the charter of New Albany Venues incorporation, or is there an election/appointment procedure for a succession?

Do the non-profit incorporation rules permit the establishment of a truly non-political, community-infused, pluralistic board or committee, one not entirely dependent on personnel decisions made by future mayors?

Are there any plans for a succession of this sort, or for the establishment of the type of pluralistic, inclusive governing riverfront body?

We have plaques aplenty, and maybe someday there'll be answers, too. Until then, a number.