(Originally posted in January, 2006)
Part 1: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Part 2: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Part 3: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Our original questions are numbered, and CM Price's original responses italicized. Commentary follows. Note that while two-thirds of the questions asked of CM Price were formulated by Jeff "Bluegill" Gillenwater, the commentary is entirely that of the blog owner. Jeff is invited to join the discussion, either as a team member or in comments, and of course, all readers are likewise encouraged to provide their thoughts subject to our identity policy.
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6. What have you done or what will you do to express a clear preference for the redevelopment of existing city neighborhoods as opposed to continued sprawl?
New Albany in the past several years recognized the neighborhood associations. It has been a pleasure to watch a growing relationship between the associations and the city government. Maintaining an open line of communications between the two is a positive step toward redevelopment of existing neighborhoods. I have assisted the associations within my district as they work with city officials to devise and implement proactive problem resolutions. For instance, there was growing concern among my constituents regarding a car lot being placed in their highly residential neighborhood. I was able to help them voice their concerns to the city and reach a positive resolution.
Small communities within a larger city working to improve their particular area in relation to the city as a whole is yet another example of new urbanism planning in action.
I will continue to work with the existing groups that are dedicated to improving their piece of New Albany, Which in turn will improve New Albany as a whole.
CM Price’s most recent pronouncement on this topic came at the January 19 city council meeting, when he remarked that “9 out of 10” property developers just want to make money; having voted previously to approve exurban projects initiated by Gary “The Gary” McCartin, we’re left to surmise that the 10th developer referred to by CM Price as not being interested in profit is The Gary himself, who has dismissed existing city neighborhoods as places devoid of lawns and churches, and suitable only for bulldozing and replacing with discount big box stores.
It has already been established that temperamentally, CM Price lies much closer to the “evil government” school of the GOP’s Grover Norquist than to the core ideals of his own Democratic affiliation, an identification that looks increasingly opportunistic placed within the relevant context of New Albany’s traditional Democrat-heavy political apparatus.
Accordingly, when asked to state a “clear preference” for the needs of the people of his own 3rd District – needs previously referred to by the councilman as his motivating factor in public service – and to contrast the benefit of inner city redevelopment with the exurban sprawl perpetuated by The Gary and his peers, CM Price can do no better than point to his heartfelt support of good communications between existing neighborhood associations and city government as evidence of his preference.
Like any good politician, CM Price also provides the example of his intervention in a dispute over a used car lot as proof of his involvement in neighborhood advocacy.
Neither does CM Price comment on his lack of engagement in similar issues, nor does he attempt to answer the question asked of him, i.e., to explain the merits of redevelopment of existing neighborhoods vs. sprawl.
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7. Have you or do you intend to approach county officials to develop, in partnership, a countywide plan for smart and coordinated growth?
As I mentioned above, new urbanism or progressive urban planning is a team effort. It would be pointless to try and conceive a plan of progress in New Albany without consulting and coordinating with those who it will have the impact on.
If it will benefit my constituents and city government as a whole, I am certainly not opposed to opening a dialogue with county government regarding a mutually beneficial relationship to further “Smart Growth”, as it can only help.
CM Price’s answer to this question might be summarized as “I’m for it, unless I’m against it,” but he at least manages to indicate allegiance to the vague principle of city-county cooperation, albeit at the cost of avoiding the advocacy of potentially harmful specifics.
Incidentally, as the councilman is eager to imply support for the “smart growth” referred to in the question, here’s an introduction to what the term means: Smart Growth Online.
In communities across the nation, there is a growing concern that current development patterns -- dominated by what some call "sprawl" -- are no longer in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural communities, or wilderness areas. Though supportive of growth, communities are questioning the economic costs of abandoning infrastructure in the city, only to rebuild it further out. Spurring the smart growth movement are demographic shifts, a strong environmental ethic, increased fiscal concerns, and more nuanced views of growth. The result is both a new demand and a new opportunity for smart growth.
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8. What have you advocated for or will you advocate for that would provide an incentive to or lessen the risk for the early redevelopment "pioneers" who are now making themselves known around the city? Have you played a role in attracting these people and/or how do you hope to empower and encourage them and other similar people?
If the mission of the “early redevelopment ‘pioneers’” is to continue to bring New Albany into the 21st century with a solid fiscal foundation then I will do everything in my power to support them.
If there is a more egregious example of CM Price entirely ignoring the intent of a question, you’ll not find it in the text of this interview.
What would the councilman do to “advocate,” to “attract,” to “encourage,” and to “empower” those willing to invest time and money into redevelopment projects?
Crickets chirp. Pins drop. Somewhere, a dog barks at his shadow.
And Steve Price is completely silent.
Cognitive dissonance is defined as:
A condition of conflict or anxiety resulting from inconsistency between one's beliefs and one's actions, such as opposing the slaughter of animals and eating meat.
Tellingly, CM Price can find nothing positive to say about the efforts of “redevelopment pioneers” because he is fundamentally hostile to their worldview in the social and cultural senses, and though he is grudgingly willing to acknowledge their work – and perhaps cognizant at some level that without their presence, there is little hope of a positive future for New Albany – he can do so only in the vacuous breach.
Given the councilman’s obvious fondness for the “debt-free” household strategies of the right-wing financial guru Dave Ramsey, and noting the breathtakingly transparent manner by which he refuses a tactically proffered opportunity to openly occupy common ground with the “redevelopment pioneers,” it isn’t surprising that he responds with a terse, intentionally lukewarm vote of indifference to the effect that as long as it doesn’t cost him or the city anything, then perhaps he’s for it – or, at best, not actively oppose it.
No single answer provided by CM Price is as indicative of his obstructionist instincts – and his inability to fathom the interests of his constituents -- than this one. Remember it. It’s going to come back again, and again, and again.
----
9. What is your reaction to this statement: “And yet, to Steve Price and those of his utterly clueless ilk, Frankfort Avenue is somehow the enemy, an inexplicable collection of strange people and alien concepts to be feared and loathed owing to the incomprehensible differences, and a revitalization equation that simply does not compute -- at least when reckoned by the slumlord’s shopworn abacus.”
This is a classic case of selective listening. Frankfort Avenue is a great example of new urbanism in a land locked area. Currently, New Albany is not land locked. I do believe there is such a thing as over crowding. When you have unimproved land throughout the city why over crowd tight spaces?
Excuse me?
In the sense that tenets of New Urbanism are applicable to New Albany, it is far from clear how being “land-locked” or not has anything to do with them.
Taken from the broader view of city limits and county lines, both New Albany and Floyd County are land-locked, but again, it isn’t clear how this pertains to the application of principles of New Urbanism to the existing neighborhoods and downtown areas of the city.
Overcrowding in the city comes from a block that originally was intended for single family homes but now is filled with these same homes subdivided into three and four unit apartments, and not from building new single family homes on existing vacant lots. While there may be points here that NAC and CM Price are in agreement, it remains that he does not explore them in his answer.
In short, CM Price provides a confusing and perhaps contradictory answer, and he sidesteps the cultural implications that were so obviously implicit in his original reference to Frankfort Avenue as something not to be wished upon New Albany.
See “cognitive dissonance,” above.
----
10. In terms of rate of growth in the state of Indiana, Harrison County ranks 4th, Clark County ranks 18th, and Floyd County ranks 44th. A local developer recently expressed to me that the "ridiculous politics" of New Albany played a major role in our low sore. Do you agree with this assessment? Please explain why or why not.
New Albany’s good ol’ boy perception has had an impact over the years. Hopefully our hindsight is becoming increasingly clearer as we pay the debt from our elected elders.
With such a brief and cryptic response, we’re forced to assume that New Albany’s “good ol’ boy perception” is considered by CM Price to be something negative in nature, and as such, we have no problem agreeing with this assessment.
Is it correspondingly clear that with hindsight, we can understand the mistakes of our “elected elders?”
Probably.
Hindsight’s like that … but what, then, of our future as a city? Do we strictly define the future by the the payment of debts in the financial sense, or is there an element of avoiding the past missteps when it comes to planning and strategic direction?
In short, is CM Price an improvement over the malady he diagnoses?
Indirectly, he seems to suggest that there is something to his positioning and political record over the course of two years as councilman to indicate that he is substantively different from these “good ol’ boy” elders that he identifies as those bequeathing disaster to the current generation.
If so, we have not seen the slightest indication of it.
Have you?
Monday, March 12, 2007
Part 3: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price’s interview responses.
(Originally posted in January, 2006)
Part 1: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Part 2: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Part 3: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
As a preface to this third and last installment of the series of NA Confidential's examination of interview responses offered by 3rd District Councilman Steve Price, we're happy to report that hits and page views this week are running around 20% more than normal for the days on which the installments ran.
We know you're reading. Thank you.
Part 1: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price’s interview responses.
Part 2: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price’s interview responses.
Our original questions are numbered, and CM Price's original responses italicized. Commentary follows. Note that while two-thirds of the questions asked of CM Price were formulated by Jeff "Bluegill" Gillenwater, the commentary is entirely that of the blog owner. Jeff is invited to join the discussion, either as a team member or in comments, and of course, all readers are likewise encouraged to provide their thoughts subject to our identity policy.
---
11. What ideas do you have, if any, to restructure and enhance educational opportunities in New Albany?
As we know from following the news regarding the implementation of the federal “No Child Left Behind” Act we as a municipality are somewhat limited in our ability to legislate public education. However, that does not leave us without options. Other cities are finding ways to increase their school systems services and success. I strongly believe we as a city government owe it to our children to research and investigate plans from other cities to see if they are feasible for New Albany.
Fair enough; if, as it is obvious by the lack of a direct response, CM Price has no immediate ideas of his own, looking to the experience of other cities isn’t without merit. In fact, seeking information in such a manner is a large part of any educational experience.
But is the councilman willing to apply this precedent to other areas of inquiry?
We’ve already seen that Louisville’s successful Frankfort Avenue area is regarded by CM Price as “overcrowded,” “landlocked” and unsuitable as a goal for New Albany.
Can he provide an example of another school system worth studying, one that fits his obviously narrow crieria, i.e., as long as it doesn’t cost the city anything, it’s potentially useful?
More importantly, what else besides educational opportunities do we owe to our children?
----
12. What is your plan for giving more meaningful authority to the historic preservation commission and ordinance enforcement position? Do you support the expansion of the city attorney position to full-time and/or the creation of a city court to better deal with the violations cited by those entities? If not, how do you envision the city being able to deal with them adequately?
The City Council established a position of ordinance enforcement officer to enforce the existing ordinances. While doing so, we outlined the consequences of violations to these ordinances. When properly enforced, I feel the message will get out that the city will not tolerate housing in substandard conditions. The City Council has discussed the possibility of a full time attorney. While I am not opposed to the idea, obtaining an accurate account of monies is a more immediate need at the present time.
On Thursday, January 26, the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association had its monthly meeting (as is his habit, CM Price did not attend this meeting).
One local couple went into great detail in describing their renewed efforts to demand accountability for a prominently ramshackle adjoining property. Indeed, after some years of effort, there is cautious optimism that meaningful action finally has been initiated to resolve the rampant code violations and filthy living conditions found in the house by the ordinance enforcement officer, the building commissioner and other officials charged with tending to such matters.
Our point in recounting this episode is that the ensuing discussion, one laced with understandable frustration and pointing of fingers, yet again pointed to certain realities as contributing to – in some ways, of enabling -- the culture of unaccountability that must be reversed if the city of New Albany is to move into the future.
While not excusing indolence on the part of city officials, it remains that in the absence of a city court, and without a full-time city attorney, the chances of successfully following up on building code violations is minimal. The same applies to parking fines.
Furthermore, in the absence of a division of city government responsible for regulating and inspecting rental properties, there are equally limited opportunities to bring the slumlord to heel, and it is the slumlord’s rental properties that are the prime source of “substandard housing.”
In essence, we are asking public officials to do 100% of the job with 50% (or less) of the tools needed, and when asked whether he is in favor of providing the tools – in the end, providing citizens with the tools to take back their neighborhoods – CM Price can offer only a lukewarm acceptance in principle, with the disclaimer that we’ll almost certainly not be able to afford it.
Can we afford not to?
Characteristically, he does not attempt an answer.
---
13. As an extension of the preceding, do you agree that New Albany should institute rental property inspections with real teeth? Why or why not?
As a reminder, I spearheaded the cleanliness ordinance. I think homeowners’ period should take responsibility for their property. At the present time, I feel we need to focus on enforcing the established ordinances before entertaining new ones.
See the analysis of #12, preceding.
----
14. Is there a difference between being a “taxpayer watchdog” and expressing public contempt for the ideals of civic progress? Please explain.
The difference is the “taxpayer watchdog” is open-minded and looking out for the better good of the community and supports “community-based “ progress and takes a stand on force fed growth. A “taxpayer watchdog” knows taking out a 2nd mortgage to go to Disney World isn’t the smartest business move you can make. While the latter would say no without just reason, the “taxpayer watchdog” says lets look at ways to make the progress happen without tax increases. We can progress ourselves into bankruptcy. After all, Grandma’s don’t spend it if you don’t have it philosophy left wealth not debt with her memory. Let history be our teacher.
CM Price closes the NA Confidential interview on a palpable note of impatience, defiantly welding together a handful of favored themes and convenient catchphrases into a rousing homily designed to rally his constituency to his defense.
Stripping away the tired rhetoric (second mortgages to finance a vacation, “progress” into bankruptcy) and unsupported premises (force-fed growth, “better good” of the community), we’re left with the fundamental premise – one that CM Price has articulated throughout his term in office – that government finance is the same thing as household finance, and by extension, that if Dave Ramsey can instruct Steve Price how to keep his family debt free, that should be good enough for the city of New Albany as a whole.
It should be noted that NA Confidential does not deny the efficacy of the “taxpayer watchdog,” for we, too, pay taxes like all the rest.
Rather, we believe that by the very nature of the social contract (as implicitly recognized by CM Price, though perhaps not by our Libertarian friends and readers), government is entrusted with performing a number of tasks the likes of which are not directly applicable to household or business finance.
These tasks pertain to the commonweal, or the public good. Police and fire protection are among them, although they’re not the only examples.
Money in this context is a means to an end. Yes, it must be accounted for, properly audited and explained to the citizenry. Yes, we are certain that it does not grow on trees. But there are indeed matters of importance to the community in general, and insofar as these are the domain of elected officials and their appointees, they must sometimes be considered in ways that differ from the calculations made by those living from paycheck to paycheck.
If these considerations and expenditures are botched and the monies misused, legal and electoral ramifications will come into effect.
Government has never been as simple as grandma’s cookie jar philosophy, and it never will be, but there will always be those among us who seek to simplify the world in such a way, and who do so from both noble and ignoble motivations, but sometimes for other reasons, too.
Perhaps grandma was frightened, unwilling to confront the uncertainties of a changing world, content with her lot in life but unaware of the possibilities. With some encouragement and information, she might have seen that sometimes one spends money to make money – as in the case of her grandchildren borrowing to attend college.
Maybe then, instead of fearing the future, she would have embraced it. Rather than be intimidated by the inevitable force of change, she would have seen in it the seeds of diversity that carry within them the potential for community-wide empowerment, achievement, success.
Throughout the NA Confidential interview, Councilman Steve Price clearly enunciates a tri-partite “vision” about the city of New Albany and its future.
We don’t comprehend the future.
We can’t afford the future.
We can’t.
When one considers CM Price ’s policy alternatives, it becomes clear that he, along with fellow Councilman Dan Coffey, speaks as the foremost local prophet of decay management as the only attainable goal.
This is completely unacceptable to the majority of CM Price's constituents.
NA Confidential is dedicated to a differing proposition.
“We Can.”
You, our readers and citizens, are invited to join us.
----
15. Neil Young or Bob Dylan?
What do you think?
We think neither. The Manic Street Preachers came close with "If you tolerate this/Then your children will be next," but they come from a place (Wales) where they don't even speak English all the time.
Although we may not enjoy the music, the only artist that matters is the one embraced by the young New Albanians still in school, because that artist will provide the soundtrack for their future.
We're working toward their future being here, in New Albany.
Part 1: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Part 2: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
Part 3: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price's interview responses.
As a preface to this third and last installment of the series of NA Confidential's examination of interview responses offered by 3rd District Councilman Steve Price, we're happy to report that hits and page views this week are running around 20% more than normal for the days on which the installments ran.
We know you're reading. Thank you.
Part 1: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price’s interview responses.
Part 2: NA Confidential examines Councilman Steve Price’s interview responses.
Our original questions are numbered, and CM Price's original responses italicized. Commentary follows. Note that while two-thirds of the questions asked of CM Price were formulated by Jeff "Bluegill" Gillenwater, the commentary is entirely that of the blog owner. Jeff is invited to join the discussion, either as a team member or in comments, and of course, all readers are likewise encouraged to provide their thoughts subject to our identity policy.
---
11. What ideas do you have, if any, to restructure and enhance educational opportunities in New Albany?
As we know from following the news regarding the implementation of the federal “No Child Left Behind” Act we as a municipality are somewhat limited in our ability to legislate public education. However, that does not leave us without options. Other cities are finding ways to increase their school systems services and success. I strongly believe we as a city government owe it to our children to research and investigate plans from other cities to see if they are feasible for New Albany.
Fair enough; if, as it is obvious by the lack of a direct response, CM Price has no immediate ideas of his own, looking to the experience of other cities isn’t without merit. In fact, seeking information in such a manner is a large part of any educational experience.
But is the councilman willing to apply this precedent to other areas of inquiry?
We’ve already seen that Louisville’s successful Frankfort Avenue area is regarded by CM Price as “overcrowded,” “landlocked” and unsuitable as a goal for New Albany.
Can he provide an example of another school system worth studying, one that fits his obviously narrow crieria, i.e., as long as it doesn’t cost the city anything, it’s potentially useful?
More importantly, what else besides educational opportunities do we owe to our children?
----
12. What is your plan for giving more meaningful authority to the historic preservation commission and ordinance enforcement position? Do you support the expansion of the city attorney position to full-time and/or the creation of a city court to better deal with the violations cited by those entities? If not, how do you envision the city being able to deal with them adequately?
The City Council established a position of ordinance enforcement officer to enforce the existing ordinances. While doing so, we outlined the consequences of violations to these ordinances. When properly enforced, I feel the message will get out that the city will not tolerate housing in substandard conditions. The City Council has discussed the possibility of a full time attorney. While I am not opposed to the idea, obtaining an accurate account of monies is a more immediate need at the present time.
On Thursday, January 26, the East Spring Street Neighborhood Association had its monthly meeting (as is his habit, CM Price did not attend this meeting).
One local couple went into great detail in describing their renewed efforts to demand accountability for a prominently ramshackle adjoining property. Indeed, after some years of effort, there is cautious optimism that meaningful action finally has been initiated to resolve the rampant code violations and filthy living conditions found in the house by the ordinance enforcement officer, the building commissioner and other officials charged with tending to such matters.
Our point in recounting this episode is that the ensuing discussion, one laced with understandable frustration and pointing of fingers, yet again pointed to certain realities as contributing to – in some ways, of enabling -- the culture of unaccountability that must be reversed if the city of New Albany is to move into the future.
While not excusing indolence on the part of city officials, it remains that in the absence of a city court, and without a full-time city attorney, the chances of successfully following up on building code violations is minimal. The same applies to parking fines.
Furthermore, in the absence of a division of city government responsible for regulating and inspecting rental properties, there are equally limited opportunities to bring the slumlord to heel, and it is the slumlord’s rental properties that are the prime source of “substandard housing.”
In essence, we are asking public officials to do 100% of the job with 50% (or less) of the tools needed, and when asked whether he is in favor of providing the tools – in the end, providing citizens with the tools to take back their neighborhoods – CM Price can offer only a lukewarm acceptance in principle, with the disclaimer that we’ll almost certainly not be able to afford it.
Can we afford not to?
Characteristically, he does not attempt an answer.
---
13. As an extension of the preceding, do you agree that New Albany should institute rental property inspections with real teeth? Why or why not?
As a reminder, I spearheaded the cleanliness ordinance. I think homeowners’ period should take responsibility for their property. At the present time, I feel we need to focus on enforcing the established ordinances before entertaining new ones.
See the analysis of #12, preceding.
----
14. Is there a difference between being a “taxpayer watchdog” and expressing public contempt for the ideals of civic progress? Please explain.
The difference is the “taxpayer watchdog” is open-minded and looking out for the better good of the community and supports “community-based “ progress and takes a stand on force fed growth. A “taxpayer watchdog” knows taking out a 2nd mortgage to go to Disney World isn’t the smartest business move you can make. While the latter would say no without just reason, the “taxpayer watchdog” says lets look at ways to make the progress happen without tax increases. We can progress ourselves into bankruptcy. After all, Grandma’s don’t spend it if you don’t have it philosophy left wealth not debt with her memory. Let history be our teacher.
CM Price closes the NA Confidential interview on a palpable note of impatience, defiantly welding together a handful of favored themes and convenient catchphrases into a rousing homily designed to rally his constituency to his defense.
Stripping away the tired rhetoric (second mortgages to finance a vacation, “progress” into bankruptcy) and unsupported premises (force-fed growth, “better good” of the community), we’re left with the fundamental premise – one that CM Price has articulated throughout his term in office – that government finance is the same thing as household finance, and by extension, that if Dave Ramsey can instruct Steve Price how to keep his family debt free, that should be good enough for the city of New Albany as a whole.
It should be noted that NA Confidential does not deny the efficacy of the “taxpayer watchdog,” for we, too, pay taxes like all the rest.
Rather, we believe that by the very nature of the social contract (as implicitly recognized by CM Price, though perhaps not by our Libertarian friends and readers), government is entrusted with performing a number of tasks the likes of which are not directly applicable to household or business finance.
These tasks pertain to the commonweal, or the public good. Police and fire protection are among them, although they’re not the only examples.
Money in this context is a means to an end. Yes, it must be accounted for, properly audited and explained to the citizenry. Yes, we are certain that it does not grow on trees. But there are indeed matters of importance to the community in general, and insofar as these are the domain of elected officials and their appointees, they must sometimes be considered in ways that differ from the calculations made by those living from paycheck to paycheck.
If these considerations and expenditures are botched and the monies misused, legal and electoral ramifications will come into effect.
Government has never been as simple as grandma’s cookie jar philosophy, and it never will be, but there will always be those among us who seek to simplify the world in such a way, and who do so from both noble and ignoble motivations, but sometimes for other reasons, too.
Perhaps grandma was frightened, unwilling to confront the uncertainties of a changing world, content with her lot in life but unaware of the possibilities. With some encouragement and information, she might have seen that sometimes one spends money to make money – as in the case of her grandchildren borrowing to attend college.
Maybe then, instead of fearing the future, she would have embraced it. Rather than be intimidated by the inevitable force of change, she would have seen in it the seeds of diversity that carry within them the potential for community-wide empowerment, achievement, success.
Throughout the NA Confidential interview, Councilman Steve Price clearly enunciates a tri-partite “vision” about the city of New Albany and its future.
We don’t comprehend the future.
We can’t afford the future.
We can’t.
When one considers CM Price ’s policy alternatives, it becomes clear that he, along with fellow Councilman Dan Coffey, speaks as the foremost local prophet of decay management as the only attainable goal.
This is completely unacceptable to the majority of CM Price's constituents.
NA Confidential is dedicated to a differing proposition.
“We Can.”
You, our readers and citizens, are invited to join us.
----
15. Neil Young or Bob Dylan?
What do you think?
We think neither. The Manic Street Preachers came close with "If you tolerate this/Then your children will be next," but they come from a place (Wales) where they don't even speak English all the time.
Although we may not enjoy the music, the only artist that matters is the one embraced by the young New Albanians still in school, because that artist will provide the soundtrack for their future.
We're working toward their future being here, in New Albany.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Taking the bad with the good.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all doing direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
--Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities”
----
These are revolutionary times in New Albany, and accordingly, expectations are rising.
Or are they? As Chris of New Albany Eyesores notes, the time-honored New Albanian status quo of slumlord empowerment can seem utterly impervious to change or reform, especially for those suffering the misfortune of expecting better things for their city while residing in the unplanned and non-gated enclave of Gregoryville:
To hell in a handbasket.
Usually the nature of our block is rather cyclical, we will have a couple years of peace and quiet, then an explosion of nerve racking unending chaos for about 6 months, then the home owners get out the war drums, and go to town demanding that the rental house owners get the tenants to clean their acts up. BUT in the last year, home owners appear to have become the minority in our neighborhood …
… To my knowledge, there is no candidates who have placed rental property inspection and control as a part of their electoral platform, and if New Albany needs anything right now, this is at the top of the list.
Chris is absolutely right, but so was Charles Dickens. There is good news aplenty, existing alongside frightful omens. The downtown property market is heating, and indicators are overwhelmingly positive – verifiable testament to the presence of people who wake up in the morning with the notion that we can, in fact, do.
At the same time, numerous neighborhood residents remain frustrated that fundamental tenets of a civilized society somehow are not viewed as worthy of discussion – much less action – by the majority of officeholders and candidates in this, a critical election year.
Why is that?
In this morning’s Tribune comes a similar critique from an entirely different quarter:
PADGETT: New Albany needs, by guest columnist Jim Padgett (vice president of Padgett Inc. in New Albany).
The past New Albany mayoral administrations have been a great disappointment to this community and the City Council for the most part has not performed any better.
This year we have an opportunity to change that. We must demand more from our elected officials. This city is the most anti-business, anti-progress in this area.
But the slumlord business remains good, doesn’t it? The problem is, it’s regressive, not progressive, in nature, and seemingly the perfect issue upon which to base a campaign, and yet the crickets continue to be heard chirping, those pesky dropping pins create percussive cacophony, and an uneasy mood persists. 800-lb gorillas are like that.
It has been noted elsewhere, and persuasively, that we’ve reached a stage where it is imperative to begin referencing and reinforcing positives. Such efforts are being pursued, and you’ll be reading more about them in the coming weeks.
At the same time, it remains the case that areas of the city remain under siege, and initiatives to boost morale and encourage investment sometimes seem superfluous for those pinned in a trench – or living in the shadow of an unregulated rental property.
Speaking personally, and at this precise moment, there are more reasons to be optimistic about New Albany’s future than at any time in recent memory. But the situation is tenuous in the extreme, and there are precious few guarantees. To read the essays linked above is to immediately grasp the importance of at least a dozen issues in the forthcoming election campaign, and yet how many of the declared candidates are prepared to acknowledge them, preferring the conventional wisdom holding that one cannot be elected on issues?
From Dickens, to Pogo. Voters must demand issue-oriented political campaigns, or assuredly they’ll not be given them. Simplistic declarations along the lines of “I’ll continue to work for you” are pablum, nothing more, and sometimes veer into the territory of patronizing.
Best of times? Worst of times? Yes, both. Perhaps neither.
Which direction are we planning to travel?
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Gravity night off.
The objective is to post something every day, and if that is something you haven't tried, please know that doing so can be difficult. Prof. Erika is content to cut and paste statutes, but generating genuine content requires more effort.
No such effort from me tonight; I'm too tired.
Gravity Head has been fun and exhausting as always. During the past two days, people from Arkansas, Ohio and Tennessee have attended, alongside lots of Louisvillians and even more residents of New Albany and Floyd County. The event always was intended for the latter, which is one reason why we keep it going for so long.
If you're reading and have dropped in for Gravity Head, thanks. If you're reading and have patronized us at any time, thanks even more. Regional and national notoriety are great, but the customers right here in New Albany are the ones that matter the most. Skol!
No such effort from me tonight; I'm too tired.
Gravity Head has been fun and exhausting as always. During the past two days, people from Arkansas, Ohio and Tennessee have attended, alongside lots of Louisvillians and even more residents of New Albany and Floyd County. The event always was intended for the latter, which is one reason why we keep it going for so long.
If you're reading and have dropped in for Gravity Head, thanks. If you're reading and have patronized us at any time, thanks even more. Regional and national notoriety are great, but the customers right here in New Albany are the ones that matter the most. Skol!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Gravity Madness: March isn't just about basketball anymore.
Hard to believe, but it's baaaccck ...
Gravity Head is NABC's annual celebration of the brewing world’s biggest and best. Beginning today, and lasting until all the kegs are gone, we’ll be devoting half our 34 taps to showcasing these rare and sought-after beers.
Because not all listed Gravity Head beers can be served at the same time, and the selection is in constant flux, see the blackboards for the daily selection. Note that the usual choices of NABC ales and guest drafts will be available during the festival for the non-gravity inclined.
The 2007 Gravity Head starting lineup will feature 16 kegs of high gravity beers (and 1 firkin) selected to exhibit maximum diversity of flavors and stylistic inspiration.
The winner of the 2007 fan Internet vote, and occupying the 17th slot, is ...
Ettaler Curator Doppelbock (9% abv)
Read about it here: Gravity Head 2007 #17: And you thought the 2000 Presidential election was close.
At various times during the first two weeks of Gravity Head, there will be cask-conditioned gravity beers available from the hand-pull and/or the bar top. See the schedule here.
As always, solid second and even third waves of microbrewed and imported beers will come on tap as the ranks deplete. It’s the deepest Gravity Head ever, with 59 gravity beers in all waiting to be tapped, of which 19 will be appearing for the first time ever at Rich O’s (just two shy of the 2006 Gravity Head record total).
See the current breakdown for the entire Gravity Head beer list here.
Download the complete Gravity Form 2007 here (.pdf)
For those readers who are contemplating Gravity Head attendance for the first time, please be aware that we’re very serious when we command you to plan your life, arrange transportation from the venue at the conclusion of your gravity session, and/or have a designated driver. Typically, a cab ride to Louisville costs $30, which isn’t very much when split two or three ways … and it’s far less than the cost of the consequences.
For Gravity Head updates:
Publicanista! Newsletter - http://richosnewsletter.blogspot.com/
Potable Curmudgeon's blog -http://potablecurmudgeon.blogspot.com
Gravity Head beers are available in 8 or 10 oz. pours, depending on the individual beer and the type of glassware used. Prices are indicated on the blackboards.
Here are the remaining starters for 2007:
USA
Avery "The Beast" 2006 14.9%
Bluegrass Brewing Co. (Main & Clay) Dank IPA (hand pull) 8%
Bluegrass Brewing Co. (St. Matthews) Leah's Etrange 9.2%
Bell's Hopslam Double IPA 9.5%
Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA 2006 13%
NABC Thunderfoot Imperial Stout 2006 11%
Rogue XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine 2002 11.3%
Stone Imperial Russian Stout 10.8%
WORLD
Aventinus Eisbock (Germany) 12.5%
De Dolle Special Extra Export Stout (Belgium) 9%
Kasteelbier (Biere de Chateau) Tripel (Belgium) 11%
Koningshoeven Quadrupel (Netherlands) 10%
Regenboog t’Smisje BBBourgondier (Belgium) 12%
Samichlaus Bier 2005 (Austria) 14%
Urthel Hop-It Belgian IPA (Belgium) 9.5%
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Be a part of the New Albany Source community.
Bluegill covered this ground two weeks ago, but here's another reminder:
New Albany Source
Tabitha's back and in the groove, and she's building New Albany Source into a formidable portal for all things New Albanian. Your assistance is very much needed. Go there, register, and begin contributing reviews and information. I updated my registration this morning. You should do the same. Forums have been transferred to New Albany Source from the now defunct Clean Up New Albany site, and are a better format for discussion than the comments section here.
The next three days are my busiest of the year in terms of work responsibilities (it's Gravity season again -- more on that tomorrow), so until I come up for air on Sunday, postings here at NAC may be short. I'm going in now ... (SPLASH)
New Albany Source
Tabitha's back and in the groove, and she's building New Albany Source into a formidable portal for all things New Albanian. Your assistance is very much needed. Go there, register, and begin contributing reviews and information. I updated my registration this morning. You should do the same. Forums have been transferred to New Albany Source from the now defunct Clean Up New Albany site, and are a better format for discussion than the comments section here.
The next three days are my busiest of the year in terms of work responsibilities (it's Gravity season again -- more on that tomorrow), so until I come up for air on Sunday, postings here at NAC may be short. I'm going in now ... (SPLASH)
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
New Albany Inner-City Grid Transportation Study Public Meeting is Tuesday, March 13.
Mark your calendars for this very important meeting. We're told that the Tribune will be previewing the gathering, and we'll link to it here when it appears on-line.
Follow the link to read the agenda at New Albany Source.
New Albany Inner-City Grid Transportation Study
Public Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Calumet Club
1614 E. Spring Street, New Albany
Follow the link to read the agenda at New Albany Source.
New Albany Inner-City Grid Transportation Study
Public Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Calumet Club
1614 E. Spring Street, New Albany
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Thanks, but no thanks – I’ve no conscionable choice except to sit this one out.
It's the busiest time of the year for me, so I'm leaving this one on the marquee until Wednesday evening in the hope that a discussion will develop ... RAB.
----
All those current and aspiring city council members who’ve ever uttered the words “I’d do it for free” aloud, in public, please step forward.
Congratulations. You’re the new volunteer fire brigade.
Hell, we have to start somewhere, right?
Galoshes, horse-drawn wagons and wooden buckets are stacked in the storage area of the Floyd County Historical Society. Newly minted EMTs – don’t forget your leeches.
Readers are free to interpret the tortuous three-year saga of New Albany’s firefighter hiring ordinance according to any or all prevailing theories of human political, social and economic affairs, from Shining Path to Ayn Rand, and from Ronald Reagan through Noam Chomsky, and if at any point you’re able to make sense of it and discern any thread of consistency amid the shifting alliances and rhetoric, please don’t keep it to yourself.
Such insight just might qualify you to serve as mayor, fire chief, city council member or dogcatcher, or perhaps all -- or as is equally likely, none of them.
Verily, only one thing is beyond doubt, and that’s the long overdue discovery of the central active ingredient in the New Albany Syndrome: A profound inability of New Albanians to communicate with each other.
It’s the reason why it has taken so long to determine the best way to hire a firefighter, and moreover, it’s the reason why the current city council has wasted so much time on issues great and small during the course of its tenure.
But, given that we as residents tend to get the sort of government we deserve if we’re unwilling to work together to change it, poor communication is also the reason for the curious decision on the part of certain of the author’s 3rd District brethren that the “best” way to displace the incumbent – one of the chief symbols of the New Albany Syndrome’s inherently dysfunctional miscommunication – is to run not one, but two candidates against him, presumably to better split the anti-incumbent vote, ensure his re-election, and to help bring about the perfect circumstances for a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Now that’s New Albanianism at its finest – and most profoundly disillusioning.
Truly, we’re all cut the same in a town this size. The office holders we elect are no different than we are, and if we’re incapable of something so incredibly simple as uniting tactically around a single credible candidate as part of an overall strategic plan to lift the council bar, exactly how can we criticize the ensuing dysfunction?
In fact, by doing so, we’re enabling the dysfunction.
Effective communication among all parties involved might have precluded this unfortunate juncture, and yet at various times, critical elements have chosen to unilaterally excuse themselves from the numerous forums offered to facilitate communication.
Not unlike the firefighter hiring imbroglio ... and that’s very annoying for those of us seeking for three long years to be facilitators.
There are no hidden meanings in today’s sermon. If you’re reading this, you’re still a valued friend and neighbor. None of what I’m writing here changes anything in a personal sense, although the present absence of reassurance in any substantive and collective sense has jaundiced my view of future hope.
At first, I wasn’t going to speak of these 3rd district matters publicly, primarily because it would be easier for me if I were not forced to listen to the vindictive chortles of the congenital naysayers and semi-professional obstructionists, but in fact, and to be perfectly, brutally fair, these non-contributing hyenas have every right to enjoy a good laugh at our expense, because somehow we’re well along in the process of managing to pull the stupefyingly difficult feat of pulling the 3rd district rug out from under our very own feet even as we stand atop it.
Readers may recall this excerpt from my January manifesto:
Mr./Mrs./Ms. Candidate: Just in time for the filing period, here are my modified rules of voting engagement.
I regard the city council tenure of Steve Price as a nadir for my 3rd council district. I am absolutely positive that the district and the city need better if we’re ever going to escape the leaden grip of the self-defeating, self-perpetuating, underachieving and anti-intellectual New Albany Syndrome.
To my extreme and enduring embarrassment, I did not foresee the opposition’s pell-mell descent into the Syndrome’s crippling factionalism, and while I remain convinced of the reality that CM Price is the very embodiment of political inadequacy, it appears now that in personal terms, there’s no place for me in the 3rd district’s Democratic primary sweepstakes. Perhaps it will be a different story when the slate is wiped clean following the primary, but today, right now, according to the dictates of my conscience, I’m effectively nullified as an active participant in the forthcoming campaign.
As a public affairs blog, NAC will continue to report on activities pertaining to the 3rd district race, and on relevant pronouncements made by the three candidates. My colleague and co-editor Bluegill may wish to comment and editorialize, and he is perfectly free to do so, as I’ve not sounded him out prior to writing this essay.
It’s quite possible that he doesn’t agree with my position, and that you, the reader, don’t agree either, but please bear in mind that the preceding is a statement of personal conscience, and shaped by not only one, but by a series of factors largely outside my control as an individual.
So be it. See you in May.
----
All those current and aspiring city council members who’ve ever uttered the words “I’d do it for free” aloud, in public, please step forward.
Congratulations. You’re the new volunteer fire brigade.
Hell, we have to start somewhere, right?
Galoshes, horse-drawn wagons and wooden buckets are stacked in the storage area of the Floyd County Historical Society. Newly minted EMTs – don’t forget your leeches.
Readers are free to interpret the tortuous three-year saga of New Albany’s firefighter hiring ordinance according to any or all prevailing theories of human political, social and economic affairs, from Shining Path to Ayn Rand, and from Ronald Reagan through Noam Chomsky, and if at any point you’re able to make sense of it and discern any thread of consistency amid the shifting alliances and rhetoric, please don’t keep it to yourself.
Such insight just might qualify you to serve as mayor, fire chief, city council member or dogcatcher, or perhaps all -- or as is equally likely, none of them.
Verily, only one thing is beyond doubt, and that’s the long overdue discovery of the central active ingredient in the New Albany Syndrome: A profound inability of New Albanians to communicate with each other.
It’s the reason why it has taken so long to determine the best way to hire a firefighter, and moreover, it’s the reason why the current city council has wasted so much time on issues great and small during the course of its tenure.
But, given that we as residents tend to get the sort of government we deserve if we’re unwilling to work together to change it, poor communication is also the reason for the curious decision on the part of certain of the author’s 3rd District brethren that the “best” way to displace the incumbent – one of the chief symbols of the New Albany Syndrome’s inherently dysfunctional miscommunication – is to run not one, but two candidates against him, presumably to better split the anti-incumbent vote, ensure his re-election, and to help bring about the perfect circumstances for a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Now that’s New Albanianism at its finest – and most profoundly disillusioning.
Truly, we’re all cut the same in a town this size. The office holders we elect are no different than we are, and if we’re incapable of something so incredibly simple as uniting tactically around a single credible candidate as part of an overall strategic plan to lift the council bar, exactly how can we criticize the ensuing dysfunction?
In fact, by doing so, we’re enabling the dysfunction.
Effective communication among all parties involved might have precluded this unfortunate juncture, and yet at various times, critical elements have chosen to unilaterally excuse themselves from the numerous forums offered to facilitate communication.
Not unlike the firefighter hiring imbroglio ... and that’s very annoying for those of us seeking for three long years to be facilitators.
There are no hidden meanings in today’s sermon. If you’re reading this, you’re still a valued friend and neighbor. None of what I’m writing here changes anything in a personal sense, although the present absence of reassurance in any substantive and collective sense has jaundiced my view of future hope.
At first, I wasn’t going to speak of these 3rd district matters publicly, primarily because it would be easier for me if I were not forced to listen to the vindictive chortles of the congenital naysayers and semi-professional obstructionists, but in fact, and to be perfectly, brutally fair, these non-contributing hyenas have every right to enjoy a good laugh at our expense, because somehow we’re well along in the process of managing to pull the stupefyingly difficult feat of pulling the 3rd district rug out from under our very own feet even as we stand atop it.
Readers may recall this excerpt from my January manifesto:
Mr./Mrs./Ms. Candidate: Just in time for the filing period, here are my modified rules of voting engagement.
I regard the city council tenure of Steve Price as a nadir for my 3rd council district. I am absolutely positive that the district and the city need better if we’re ever going to escape the leaden grip of the self-defeating, self-perpetuating, underachieving and anti-intellectual New Albany Syndrome.
To my extreme and enduring embarrassment, I did not foresee the opposition’s pell-mell descent into the Syndrome’s crippling factionalism, and while I remain convinced of the reality that CM Price is the very embodiment of political inadequacy, it appears now that in personal terms, there’s no place for me in the 3rd district’s Democratic primary sweepstakes. Perhaps it will be a different story when the slate is wiped clean following the primary, but today, right now, according to the dictates of my conscience, I’m effectively nullified as an active participant in the forthcoming campaign.
As a public affairs blog, NAC will continue to report on activities pertaining to the 3rd district race, and on relevant pronouncements made by the three candidates. My colleague and co-editor Bluegill may wish to comment and editorialize, and he is perfectly free to do so, as I’ve not sounded him out prior to writing this essay.
It’s quite possible that he doesn’t agree with my position, and that you, the reader, don’t agree either, but please bear in mind that the preceding is a statement of personal conscience, and shaped by not only one, but by a series of factors largely outside my control as an individual.
So be it. See you in May.
Monday, March 05, 2007
City council and Extreme Belgian tonight; Gravity Head later this week, and more.
As noted previously, tonight’s Extreme Belgian beer dinner at the Bistro New Albany (seats are yet available) will preclude my attendance at the city council meeting. No doubt this will come as a relief to some.
For a preview, visit at-large council candidate Shirley Baird’s Voice of the People blog:
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
After an uncharacteristically quiet weekend in the New Albany blogosphere, here’s a “timely” reminder from Healthblogger at NA Health:
Change in Daylight Savings.
For a preview, visit at-large council candidate Shirley Baird’s Voice of the People blog:
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
After an uncharacteristically quiet weekend in the New Albany blogosphere, here’s a “timely” reminder from Healthblogger at NA Health:
Change in Daylight Savings.
Gravity Head 2007 kicks off Friday, and those readers who know me understand what I'll be doing the remainder of this week. Don't forget to vote for the 17th starter ... Vote now for the 17th and final Gravity Head starter ... and see the schedule for the festivities: Gravity Head 2007 Schedule: 30 Days of Gravity Madness.
As a final, sad note for those who knew him and may have missed the news at my Potable Curmudgeon blog:
In memoriam: Jim Scott.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Check out NA Books Daily, a new blog by Randy Smith.
It’s safe to say that the bulk of the NA Confidential readership knows Randy Smith and Ann Baumgartle Smith, proprietors of Destinations Booksellers, quite well – as do our credit card companies.
Most of us share in the conviction that a locally owned bookstore is very important to a recovering downtown New Albany, and it hasn’t escaped our notice that both Randy and Ann are heavily involved with civic affairs and have occupied leading positions in advocating downtown revitalization.
Therefore, it’s great to learn that Randy has returned to the blogosphere. You’ll recall that previously he authored “Volunteer Hoosier,” and later contributed to NAC. Appropriately, Randy’s new launch is all about books. Here’s the location, followed by an excerpt from the Destinations e-newsletter that explains the format.
----
NA Books Daily
----
If you're the type who's always scanning for book reviews in USA Today, the WSJ, the NYT, or any of the other book reviews and local papers, the type who keeps a notepad by the couch to write down books mentioned on TV, or the type who endangers other commuters trying to jot down the intriguing book you heard about on "Fresh Air," then I'm giving you another option.
… We're launching NA Books Daily, a Web log (blog) with digestible nuggets about books and the books business. I'll offer you views on big news about books, hot issues, upcoming and favorite books, etc.
Almost daily, we bring in new books that I just know several of you would love to read if only you knew they existed.
When a book gets hot here, I'll try to let you know. When I've picked a book for you (you know who you are), you won't have to miss it because you didn't know it existed.
I invite you to join us at NA Books Daily. Feel free to link to it in your own e-mails or blogs. Comments are open and my e-mail is always available for private comments, too.
Come every day if you like. I promise to post SOMETHING each day. Or drop in from time to time to see what books and issues have caught my interest. We hope you'll find it edifying and who knows, you might just drop a little cash at your hometown bookstore.
Most of us share in the conviction that a locally owned bookstore is very important to a recovering downtown New Albany, and it hasn’t escaped our notice that both Randy and Ann are heavily involved with civic affairs and have occupied leading positions in advocating downtown revitalization.
Therefore, it’s great to learn that Randy has returned to the blogosphere. You’ll recall that previously he authored “Volunteer Hoosier,” and later contributed to NAC. Appropriately, Randy’s new launch is all about books. Here’s the location, followed by an excerpt from the Destinations e-newsletter that explains the format.
----
NA Books Daily
----
If you're the type who's always scanning for book reviews in USA Today, the WSJ, the NYT, or any of the other book reviews and local papers, the type who keeps a notepad by the couch to write down books mentioned on TV, or the type who endangers other commuters trying to jot down the intriguing book you heard about on "Fresh Air," then I'm giving you another option.
… We're launching NA Books Daily, a Web log (blog) with digestible nuggets about books and the books business. I'll offer you views on big news about books, hot issues, upcoming and favorite books, etc.
Almost daily, we bring in new books that I just know several of you would love to read if only you knew they existed.
When a book gets hot here, I'll try to let you know. When I've picked a book for you (you know who you are), you won't have to miss it because you didn't know it existed.
I invite you to join us at NA Books Daily. Feel free to link to it in your own e-mails or blogs. Comments are open and my e-mail is always available for private comments, too.
Come every day if you like. I promise to post SOMETHING each day. Or drop in from time to time to see what books and issues have caught my interest. We hope you'll find it edifying and who knows, you might just drop a little cash at your hometown bookstore.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Another new downtown beginning: Connor’s Place.
Former Bistro New Albany partner Dave Himmel tells NA Confidential that his new downtown eatery and watering hole, to be called Connor’s Place – named in honor of his infant son – has a projected opening date of May 1.
Connor’s Place will occupy ground floor space in the historic building that most readers know as the old Maytag Laundry, located adjacent to the Parthenon at 207 E. Main Street. Both buildings are owned by Third Century Services.
Interior remodeling has begun, and part of the lease package is an atmospheric back bar once housed around the corner at the New Albany Inn – now the Bistro New Albany.Connor’s Place will occupy ground floor space in the historic building that most readers know as the old Maytag Laundry, located adjacent to the Parthenon at 207 E. Main Street. Both buildings are owned by Third Century Services.
Precise details are of course uncertain at this early date, but Dave tells us that he will be acquiring a three-way alcohol sales permit under the auspices of the riverfront development district, and the barroom itself will be on the right side (looking from the front) and separate from a dining area on the left. There is a roomy and shady patio to the rear, which will be accessible from the dining area.
Tentatively, Dave plans a full and varied lunch menu with pub grub in the evenings, and six beers on tap in addition to wine and liquor. He views the warm and historic ambience of the
interior as appealing both to non-drinking diners and sports viewers seeking refreshment during prime events.Connor’s Place stands to occupy another important niche in the growing portfolio of downtown New Albany’s expanding dining, drinking and entertainment options, which include the recently opened Treet’s Bakery Café and the forthcoming Speakeasy on State Street.
These are precisely the sort of developments that attract precisely the sort of people who are needed to fuel and sustain a renaissance, itself something that no longer can be doubted. NA Confidential will continue to chart these trends, and as we do, lift a Progressive Pint to Dave Himmel and these other pioneers downtown, and please support them with your patronage.
(Don’t forget Extreme Belgian at bNA on Monday, March 5)
Photo credit: Building view courtesy of Third Century Services.
Friday, March 02, 2007
From one lame duck to another.
Two of the protesters who gathered across Silver Street to provide balance to the machinations of the presidential hagiography machine came into the pub afterward and said that the crowd of dissidents was sizeable, and that’s a source of great joy here in the curmudgeon’s lair. It wasn't the only source of amusement on a slow news day.
NAC had been told earlier that city council kingpin Larry Kochert, a Democrat, was among those wangling precious invitations to pose as VIPs and attend the speech from a visit that wouldn’t have happened unless Mitch McConnell, a Republican, brought W to town to raise the big bucks. Did he make it to the party on time?
Presumably Slippery Larry was seeking quality time to commiserate with the Chief Executive over their plunging favorability ratings. Waiter, two lame duck soufflés – and hold the smoke.
A “surge” from one, a “ban” from another, and speaking of bans, now would be a good time for me to divulge that in light of my ejection from the last city council meeting – admittedly, Kochert called that one right – I’ve decided to hand myself a one-meeting suspension as penance. I call upon my esteemed fellow transgressor to follow suit, but whether or not he does, my evening off will be Monday, March 5.
Did I mention a beer dinner at Bistro New Albany on Monday, March 5?
Meanwhile, today’s Tribune reports the one positive thing to emerge from today’s presidential photo-op:
NA-FC Superintendent: Silver Street not scheduled to close, by Eric Scott Campbell.
Shuttering the 90-year-old institution is “not something we’ve talked about,” (Superintendent Dennis) Brooks told The Tribune on Thursday.
“The school’s an old school, and for several years we’ve had discussions about facilities districtwide. ... We have a committee that is looking at all of our school facilities, but there’s been no decision made to close any school,” Brooks said …
… The superintendent surmised that there’s been “a lot of emotion about [the school’s anniversary] and I think it’s caused people to think more about the school than they would otherwise.”
Didn’t they used to hold ward heeling classes in the councilman’s garage – or was that Haiti?
NAC had been told earlier that city council kingpin Larry Kochert, a Democrat, was among those wangling precious invitations to pose as VIPs and attend the speech from a visit that wouldn’t have happened unless Mitch McConnell, a Republican, brought W to town to raise the big bucks. Did he make it to the party on time?
Presumably Slippery Larry was seeking quality time to commiserate with the Chief Executive over their plunging favorability ratings. Waiter, two lame duck soufflés – and hold the smoke.
A “surge” from one, a “ban” from another, and speaking of bans, now would be a good time for me to divulge that in light of my ejection from the last city council meeting – admittedly, Kochert called that one right – I’ve decided to hand myself a one-meeting suspension as penance. I call upon my esteemed fellow transgressor to follow suit, but whether or not he does, my evening off will be Monday, March 5.
Did I mention a beer dinner at Bistro New Albany on Monday, March 5?
Meanwhile, today’s Tribune reports the one positive thing to emerge from today’s presidential photo-op:
NA-FC Superintendent: Silver Street not scheduled to close, by Eric Scott Campbell.
Shuttering the 90-year-old institution is “not something we’ve talked about,” (Superintendent Dennis) Brooks told The Tribune on Thursday.
“The school’s an old school, and for several years we’ve had discussions about facilities districtwide. ... We have a committee that is looking at all of our school facilities, but there’s been no decision made to close any school,” Brooks said …
… The superintendent surmised that there’s been “a lot of emotion about [the school’s anniversary] and I think it’s caused people to think more about the school than they would otherwise.”
Didn’t they used to hold ward heeling classes in the councilman’s garage – or was that Haiti?
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Open thread: Your impressions of the candidates after tonight's meeting?
The mind was willing, but the jet-lagged body simply wasn’t able, and so I skipped Uptown's “meet the candidate” function. Sorry, Lloyd. Until we begin turning enough ad revenue to hire stringers, it’ll have to be that way, which means that maybe it’s time to start selling ads.
I’m sure some readers attended, and if so, please provide your impressions.
I’m sure some readers attended, and if so, please provide your impressions.
Open thread: What question would you like to ask of each candidate for local office?
As noted previously this week, these are banner days for New Albany.Tonight at 7:00 p.m., you can join the Uptown Neighborhood Association in meeting many candidates for local office.
Tomorrow, there’ll be a cynical photo-op that you’ll recount for future generations as “that time back in ’07 when I got stuck in traffic so the worst president in American history could come and visit.”
We’ll not be given the opportunity to chat with the current occupant of the White House (I'm quite sure my name is on the Secret Service "enemies" list), but the occupant of the house down the street, the one who seeks municipal office and a place in determining New Albany’s future, will be available for direct questioning tonight.
What’s the one question you would like to see asked of each and every candidate for local office?
Here is my choice:
Can downtown New Albany become an “alternative” engine for making the city’s pie bigger, or must we continue to enable the culture of the slumlord?
Or, as suggested by Lawguy, perhaps it would be easier to ask each how to spell "potato."
----
For an exhaustive listing of issues, one currently being referenced by certain city council incumbents as a "cheat sheet" for what to ignore, refer to Randy Smith's "Walk This Plank, Candidates," in the January 31, 2007, Tribune -- and be enriched.
Meanwhile, in Haarlem ...
It's what I always planned to do opposite Scribner Place with the millions in kickback money coming from City Hall. Whatever happened to that, anyway?
Some of you certainly have wished that I not return, and many of these people have filed for city council election slots since my brief Benelux excursion began. Sorry, but this is going to be too much fun, isn't it? I just couldn't miss a second.
Don't forget: Uptown Neighborhood Association's Meet Your Candidates event tonight (March 1):
The "Meet Your Candidates" event is an opportunity to personally meet the candidates that have registered to run for public office during the May 2007, City of New Albany, Municipal Primary Election. All candidates have been invited to participate and we have obtained commitments from a majority of the candidates that are running for Mayor, City Council and City Clerk. Since City Council candidates represent different districts of the City, we have opened this event up to the public ...
Meet Your Candidates
Thursday, March 1
7:00 p.m.
Silver Street United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
On Silver St. between Spring and Elm
Parking accessible from the alley off Elm
Or, you can take public transport.
Right.
After all, this is New Albany.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sorry, George, really
I met our current President's father, the former President Bush, at the White House once when I was a teenager. I asked him about military operations in Central America. He ignored my question and responded by literally patting me on the head, telling me that it was good to see a young person take an interest in politics.
I responded by tellling him that I'd be voting when he came up for reelection and that I didn't really appreciate being patronized. It was right about then that I got a tap on the shoulder from the Secret Service, who informed me that I needed to step back, since I wouldn't be allowed to speak to the President anymore.
With a New Albany Presidential visit scheduled later this week, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to the elder Bush. Had I realized what he was dealing with at home, I could've empathized with his situation and his thinking that, based on his experiences as a father, not taking young people seriously was a totally legitimate thing to do.
It turns out that in at least one case, he was right.
I responded by tellling him that I'd be voting when he came up for reelection and that I didn't really appreciate being patronized. It was right about then that I got a tap on the shoulder from the Secret Service, who informed me that I needed to step back, since I wouldn't be allowed to speak to the President anymore.
With a New Albany Presidential visit scheduled later this week, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to the elder Bush. Had I realized what he was dealing with at home, I could've empathized with his situation and his thinking that, based on his experiences as a father, not taking young people seriously was a totally legitimate thing to do.
It turns out that in at least one case, he was right.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Through the past, into the future
For readers who haven't had a chance to experience it yet, tonight's an excellent evening hours opportunity to check out The Carnegie Center for Art and History's Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: The Men and Women of the Underground Railroad, a permanent exhibit highlighting FLoyd County's involvement in the antislavery movement.
The Floyd County Historical Society is hosting a meeting at the Carnegie featuring the exhibit tonght at 7:00 p.m., with a video presentation and self guided tour.
According to the Carnegie Center's web site, the National Park Service accepted Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage in the "Network to Freedom Program" and the state of Indiana also recognized the educational and cultural tourism value of this program by naming the Carnegie Center as one of three "gateway" communities interpreting the Underground Railroad in seventeen counties in southeast Indiana.
Meeting details, from the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission:
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage
Tonight, Tuesday, February 27
7:00 p.m.
Carnegie Center for Art and History
201 E. Spring St.
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Also, a reminder of the Uptown Neighborhood Association's Meet Your Candidates event this Thursday, March 1.
From UNA:
The "Meet Your Candidates" event is an opportunity to personally meet the candidates that have registered to run for public office during the May 2007, City of New Albany, Municipal Primary Election. All candidates have been invited to participate and we have obtained commitments from a majority of the candidates that are running for Mayor, City Council and City Clerk. Since City Council candidates represent different districts of the City, we have opened this event up to the public...
Meet Your Candidates
Thursday, March 1
7:00 p.m.
Silver Street United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
On Silver St. between Spring and Elm
Parking accessible from the alley off Elm
The Floyd County Historical Society is hosting a meeting at the Carnegie featuring the exhibit tonght at 7:00 p.m., with a video presentation and self guided tour.
According to the Carnegie Center's web site, the National Park Service accepted Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage in the "Network to Freedom Program" and the state of Indiana also recognized the educational and cultural tourism value of this program by naming the Carnegie Center as one of three "gateway" communities interpreting the Underground Railroad in seventeen counties in southeast Indiana.
Meeting details, from the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission:
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage
Tonight, Tuesday, February 27
7:00 p.m.
Carnegie Center for Art and History
201 E. Spring St.
-----
Also, a reminder of the Uptown Neighborhood Association's Meet Your Candidates event this Thursday, March 1.
From UNA:
The "Meet Your Candidates" event is an opportunity to personally meet the candidates that have registered to run for public office during the May 2007, City of New Albany, Municipal Primary Election. All candidates have been invited to participate and we have obtained commitments from a majority of the candidates that are running for Mayor, City Council and City Clerk. Since City Council candidates represent different districts of the City, we have opened this event up to the public...
Meet Your Candidates
Thursday, March 1
7:00 p.m.
Silver Street United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
On Silver St. between Spring and Elm
Parking accessible from the alley off Elm
Monday, February 26, 2007
What schools have to do with it
Assuming neighborhood streets are safe enough to accommodate them, any children Mrs. Bluegill and I may have will likely never need tax-supported transportation in order to complete their public education through grade 12. They’ll be able to walk or ride a bicycle. Save possible extra-curricular travel, they’ll require no buses, no bus driver salaries, no insurance, no maintenance, and no fuel.
Even though national trends have for several decades strongly favored costly new suburban and exurban school construction and multiple inner-city schools have been abandoned or threatened locally, we’ve made a conscious decision to live in such a way that saves the school system money that could be spent on teachers, staff, and equipment to further enhance educational opportunities, creates a daily exercise regimen to enhance children’s health during a time of alarming childhood obesity, and saves precious fossil fuels when even politicians with whom I normally disagree are rightfully touting energy independence as a major national security concern.
The same cannot necessarily be said for suburban and exurban dwellers. By choosing to live in outlying areas further from preexisiting schools, they necessitate, at least by local decision-making standards, the need for an extensive school transportation system. Tax dollars are siphoned from other educational concerns to provide it.
It seems a fairly straightforward premise, but what’s intriguing about this situation is that many times over the past few years, when I and others have suggested that government should create a system of incentives or disincentives to encourage living arrangement choices that would save the schools and other taxpayer-supported entities money by reducing costs, we’ve been branded socialists and radicals, mostly by more conservative suburban and exurban residents who insist that the free market, not the government, should dictate such things while actively using our tax dollars to subsidize their chosen lifestyles as part of a government sponsored scheme.
It’s an interesting conflict to say the least and school system decisions certainly influence its resolution, as well as many other development phenomena. The initial school transportation thoughts communicated here are only a small part of a larger equation. In fact, the reverse of the presented scenario is often true, when the schools rather than residents choose to move to previously undeveloped areas, creating sprawl rather than merely serving it.
The National Academy of Public Administration in 2004 published a good introductory article about the role schools play in wise development choices.
Billions For New Schools: How Well Spent?
by Neal Peirce
The article provides a link to a Michigan study on the topic, also published in 2004. The linked PDF seems troublesome, so here’s another link to an HTML version at the Michigan Land Use Institute’s site.
Also referenced is Edge-ucation: the compulsion to build schools in the middle of nowhere from Government Magazine
For even more information, visit the Smart Schools Initiative’s Links Page.
*Graphics Credit: Michigan Land Use Institute
Sunday, February 25, 2007
New Albany Source
Welcome to New Albany Source. This site is loaded with information about your community. All of these sections come complete with an events calendar and a directory of information. We encourage you to take advantage of the New Albany Source message boards to leave reviews of restaurants, and local events. We would also like to read about your experiences with businesses in our review area. If you have any questions about this site, or would like to offer suggestions please do so in our general discussion forum. Tell us what you would like to see and share your photos."
New Albany Source is a homegrown, interactive collection of information about entertainment, food and dining, shopping, and community in our burgeoning urban center. It's free and growing, with proprietors Tabitha and Jim Sprigler (no "N") helping to highlight the there that's here.
There's no reason it shouldn't be overwhelmed with users sharing their experiences in discovering the new New Albany, unless maybe people don't know about it.
But, hey, now you do.
New Albany Source
Saturday, February 24, 2007
One small step, two small spots
The Courier-Journal’s Dick Kaukas reports that current New Albany City Council President Larry Kochert decided not to run for re-election at least partially based on his realization that he doesn’t like “‘the way things are moving.’” While I ‘d amend that statement to something suggesting that he may not be too happy that things are, in fact, moving at all-- as in continuing the trip from the former poll in his garage out into the modern world-- I’ll not quibble with CM Kochert’s self-inflicted exile. That modern world can be wearisome to navigate and I’ll take a spot of free joy when I can get it.
What’s notable, however, is Democratic Chairman Randy Stumler’s wondering, “‘if some fresh faces isn't what the council needs anyway.’” Longtime readers will remember that NAC pointed out one of Stumler’s rare public utterances on the topic last year when, in reference to support for a Dan Coffey resolution to kill Scribner Place funding, he said, “‘It might be time for them to step back and think about why they’re Democrats and what being a Democrat stands for.’”
I’m not sure two published statements in nine months constitute a trend, but it's nonetheless some positive semblance of a raison d’être strikingly lacking in both parties and it's appreciated, particularly in direct comparison to Republican Chairman Hancock's "shredding" gamesmanship.
I can't help thinking, though, had Stumler taken a firmer stance over the past couple of years and made his feelings more clear, he may now be enjoying intensified support from a formidable group of mostly Democratically leaning activists instead of fretting over a potential Republican resurgence whose most impactful campaign tools thus far are the members of his own party currently inhabiting the right side of the council table.
New Albany is slowly getting over itself, rediscovering what it means to be “wonderfully and delightfully us”. As NAC’s senior editor mentioned before heading off to the high times of the Benelux Lowlands, the naysayers are losing and some of us are having fun. It’s free to join and, other than a few bucks for the occasional great local meal, membership dues are paid solely via a shared appreciation of possibilities.
Whether that means anything to either party is up to them. Whether either party means anything to us is up to us, but I'm guessing I'm not the only one who'll take a free spot of joy when I can get one.
What’s notable, however, is Democratic Chairman Randy Stumler’s wondering, “‘if some fresh faces isn't what the council needs anyway.’” Longtime readers will remember that NAC pointed out one of Stumler’s rare public utterances on the topic last year when, in reference to support for a Dan Coffey resolution to kill Scribner Place funding, he said, “‘It might be time for them to step back and think about why they’re Democrats and what being a Democrat stands for.’”
I’m not sure two published statements in nine months constitute a trend, but it's nonetheless some positive semblance of a raison d’être strikingly lacking in both parties and it's appreciated, particularly in direct comparison to Republican Chairman Hancock's "shredding" gamesmanship.
I can't help thinking, though, had Stumler taken a firmer stance over the past couple of years and made his feelings more clear, he may now be enjoying intensified support from a formidable group of mostly Democratically leaning activists instead of fretting over a potential Republican resurgence whose most impactful campaign tools thus far are the members of his own party currently inhabiting the right side of the council table.
New Albany is slowly getting over itself, rediscovering what it means to be “wonderfully and delightfully us”. As NAC’s senior editor mentioned before heading off to the high times of the Benelux Lowlands, the naysayers are losing and some of us are having fun. It’s free to join and, other than a few bucks for the occasional great local meal, membership dues are paid solely via a shared appreciation of possibilities.
Whether that means anything to either party is up to them. Whether either party means anything to us is up to us, but I'm guessing I'm not the only one who'll take a free spot of joy when I can get one.
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