More historic commercial district gossip.

Continuing the theme from yesterday …

We were strolling downtown on Saturday evening and noticed a “contract pending” banner on the Bank of Salem Building (234 Pearl Street), which many of us remember as Jim’s Gun Room (recently, the ground floor was used for a wretched Budweiser-festooned swill den).

Can anyone divulge the plan there?

Also, hopeful news: The May on-line edition of “The Visitor -- The Monthly Newsletter of St. Marks United Church of Christ” confirms that the church has received an offer (from an unidentified legal firm) for the bank building the church owns on the southeast corner of Spring and Bank streets. As the newsletter indicates, the church previously had been seeking approval to demolish the structure, but was not able to gain the requisite nod from the Historic Preservation Commission.

The grapevine continues to furiously hum about a prospective offer for the Reisz Furniture building (think: condos) on Main Street, but lips are sealed and concrete information is lacking.

North across Main Street, the (three?) older commercial buildings with interconnected ground floors that until recently housed the antique mall now are for up for grabs.

Does anyone know the current status of the former Abe’s Rental (next to Reisz), and the space previously occupied by Main Street Grind? The fortunes of these blocks could change very quickly if the rumored Reisz transaction comes to pass.

With Scribner Place Phase I construction just around the corner, speculation about tipping points already has begun. How long has it been since you could say that?

bNA update, downtown odds and ends, and pity for the tone deaf.

According to “the Daves” at Bistro New Albany, their first week in business has been gratifying – and that’s a relief. There was little advance publicity outside of a Tribune article and this blog, and an opening the week before Derby guarantees a flight well beneath the radar.

My customers at the Public House have been offering unsolicited testimonials all week. Congratulations, guys, and best wishes for the coming weeks as the evening ramp-up commences.

----

Recently a native New Albanian returned to the municipal fold after many years living elsewhere. Gina Coyle has purchased a home on Main Street, and she is returning it to single family use after a long period of neglect as a triplex.

Gina’s experiences are being documented at her Letter from New Albany blog, where a recent entry reminds us of another longstanding downtown New Albany institution:

Honey Creme

----

Two fine ideas for the enhancement of downtown revitalization are offered in NA Renewal:

Dining Downtown

Bread and Milk

----

More downtown news from a revitalized Tribune:

A long wait at the bar; Liquor licenses for downtown restaurants will take months to process, by Eric Scott Campbell (News-Tribune).

The city council enacted a law Monday night to allow unlimited liquor licenses for restaurants in a segment of downtown, but the average proprietor’s paperwork odyssey may take four months, said Economic Development Director Paul Wheatley.

True, but as NAC reminded readers prior to the approval of the development area, nothing about the process for obtaining a three-way permit is altered except for the provision allowing applicants within the project boundary to avoid the existing quota.

It’s not an easy task to get an alcohol permit of any sort, and it never has been so. It’s also a laborious process to get the other permits and licenses mentioned in the Tribune article. But at least now prospective investors and businessmen have an incentive to set up shop.

I’ve been out on the street all week long, and instead of indulging in the empty calories of idle political gossip, I’ve been eying the diners at bNA, studying the urban landscape and talking to people involved with the revitalization effort.


It’s simple. If you aren’t currently aware of the growing buzz, you need to turn down the volume on your creaking Victrola, ditch the scratched 78 r.p.m. rendition of “New Albany Just Can’t Do” by the Siamese Councilmen Doo-Dah Kazoo Band, and listen instead to the new tunes being busked on the avenues by people who are taking an increasingly dim view of failure as prevailing local motif.

It’s sweet music … but you have to want to hear it, don’t you?

Commentary: Thwarting the "nimrod bloc" -- and other sordid tales of politics.

(The following is the author's personal view and does not necessarily reflect the official editorial stance of NA Confidential -- which is fortunate, as we don't yet have one.)

The local blogosphere has been fairly quiet this week, perhaps reflecting the arrival of temperate weather and the many festive opportunities preceding Derby 132.

Elsewhere in cyberspace, a motley collection of predictably anonymous commentators has attempted to discern existential meaning from a primary election that reportedly drew less than 20% of registered voters to the polls, although it should be obvious that this scale of comprehensive public apathy ranks somewhat higher in significance than these typically labored efforts to selectively graft petty personal agendas onto miniscule vote totals.

To be sure, Maury Goldberg is making an earnest stab at interpreting the results over at New Albany Today, and his work is worth your attention.

Now that the obstructionist spitwad blogyard has grown silent since the belated introduction of adult standards of disclosure, we must look for our daily doses of pathos, futility and amusement to Freedom to Screech, where the decidedly non-academic poseur currently cross-dressing as “Erik/Erika” has triumphantly announced that some folks hereabouts “have alot to learn about New Albany Politics!”

I disagree.

As to the failures of certain longstanding political practitioners, no, there’s not much more to be learned than what already is visible to the naked, long-suffering eye.

The persistent dysfunction of “New Albany Politics” can be seen in its genetic propensity toward stunted comprehension of the modern world, an inbred inability to visualize, and a sometimes sentimental but periodically violent adoration for the palpably untrue.

Then again, it’s easy for me to say these things, as I’m neither a Democrat nor a Republican.

Rather, I belong to that little-known third group, among the ones who’d rather accomplish something of lasting value than waste time creating and abetting culture wars that defer attention from matters of genuine importance that stand to benefit the general populace.

There are many others in New Albany who feel the same way, and many – even most – of them openly declare a party allegiance. So be it. It is my fervent wish that these intelligent and well-meaning Democrats and Republicans not permit the dead, innuendo-driven weight of the looter factions in both their respective parties to pull them down into the traditional New Albany muck of illiteracy, malice and loathing.

After all, it’s the very same despair-ridden muck that we must resolve to escape if this city is to succeed in the necessary task of reinventing itself. Of course, my default inclination is to propose unity of purpose across the aisle as the best antidote to pernicious partisanship, which of course exposes me to immediate charges of naivete and idealism.

Guilty as charged. After all, skeptics as well as cynics are naïve idealists at heart.

I’m informed by high school dropouts with Messianic complexes that working, reading, writing, exercising, traveling and advocating the advantages of a life governed by the mind aren’t sufficient credentials for citizenship; rather, I must declare allegiance to one or the other political organizations, which together have governed the city of New Albany throughout the time of the city’s degradation.

I’m told by hooded character assassins that the obsolete language of local political dysfunction must be mastered prior to my penitent petition to shed the dilettante’s badge and assume my rightful place in local society.

Let’s be blunt: That’s complete and utter gibberish.

As you read these words, we are in socio-economic flux, and the language necessary to compete in this evolving world likewise is changing and will continue to change irrespective of our whim and desires.

Several dialects of this tongue already are being spoken out in the street, and this fact is well understood by a younger, more worldly and better educated local leadership cadres -- especially in the Democratic Party.

Just because I wish them well in their efforts to reform a creaking tar paper shack into a contemporary structure without ward heelers that leak, it doesn’t mean I desire a membership card – at least until the reactionary elements are purged.

I remain a pants-down independent.

For now.

Amen, Brother Nick.

A more deadly accurate parting assessment is difficult to imagine.

In today's Director retires from development nonprofits; Nick Cortolillo ran Develop New Albany for 9 years, reporter Eric Scott Campbell of the New Albany Tribune writes:

In a statement from Develop New Albany, Cortolillo, a Floyds Knobs resident, said he hoped Scribner Place would be seen through to completion and that local leaders would find common ground.

“Some of our leaders seem to be good at seeing what can’t be done and seem to find it difficult to work together. Think about the cities that you enjoy visiting and spending time in,” Cortolillo asked. “That sense of place, that vibrant atmosphere didn’t just happen. It was planned and executed by visionary leaders.”

Do you think our Siamese Councilmen read the newspaper?

A bNA lunchtime reservation followed by an evening's chat about historical preservation.

Finally there was time Wednesday to visit Bistro New Albany's sunny outdoor seating area and sample the lunch menu.

The Daves currently are opening for lunch (Mon. - Sat.; closed Sunday) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., then shutting down until 5:00 p.m., when evening bar menu hours begin (lasting until around 8:00 p.m.) By early June, bNA will have shifted into fuller evening mode, and with a menu to match.

I had soup of the day (minestrone) and pasta of the day -- penne with mushrooms and veggies, a pesto-based sauce and Capriole goat cheese scattered over the top. My pal Graham opted for a turkey reuben with homemade slaw and lattice fries. We both enjoyed our meals, accompanying the food with Rogue Dead Guy Ale, BBC APA and NABC Electoral ... though not all at once.

Here are accounts from two other satisfied customers:

Bistro New Albany, by Ann Streckfus (from her Diggin' in the Dirt blog).

Historic Lunch Downtown, from Ted Fulmore's Our History in New Albany blog.

For an after-lunch constitutional, we took an orientation stroll of downtown, which served as an apt preview of last evening's "Preservation Conversation Forum: What’s Next for New Albany’s Older and Historic Neighborhoods" at Destinations Booksellers.

Visit the Historic New Albany website for a complete listing of Preservation Month 2006 activities.

At least a couple of eyebrow raisers in yesterday's primary election.

In last night’s NBA playoff action, all four homestanding favorites beat back challenges from pesky underdogs.

Here in Floyd County, longstanding incumbent county councilman (and council president) Ted Heavrin wasn’t as fortunate, falling to first-time candidate Tom Pickett in a lightly attended Democratic primary.

In another race of interest here at NAC, incumbent township trustee Tom Cannon also was defeated.

Baron Hill and Mike Sodrel handily won their primaries, and will spend money like drunken sailors between now and November during the course of a major-league rematch.

Check the New Albany Tribune and Courier-Journal web sites for election results and analysis.

Pending any thoughts from our resident political wonk, All4Word, I’m content to open the comments section for discussion – if any.

Another NA (non-alcoholic) election day.

Another election day is here, and with it eleven hours of state-mandated prohibition against the sale of demon rum.

Presumably, this unwelcome vestige of an otherwise discredited social policy serves as a bulwark against the horrific possibility that unscrupulous politicos or their conniving agents might swap half-pints of Kessler (or a similarly valued slopping spree at Hugh E. Bir’s) in exchange for a poor wretch’s vote.

As there exists no commensurate prohibition against the sale of strong black coffee, chocolate-covered Krispy Kremes and hickory-smoked bacon, apparently the veiled but very real threat of breakfast-induced bribery is not worthy of the same scrutiny as that posed by the insidious grape and the grain.

If you’re hopelessly intoxicated after ingesting that half-pint of Kessler, are you really any more destructive to democracy than the perfectly sober voter who is following instructions provided by a fundamentalist preacher who has promised not temporal inebriation, but a favorable reference when the time comes to take up residence in heaven?

Hey, wait – speaking of votes, where’s my $1.2 million check?

----

Don’t forget: You must have an ID to vote – and to get served.

Quick council report: RDPA passed, condo project tabled, and city attorney ordinance ignored.

At tonight’s city council meeting, the Riverfront Development Project Area ordinance passed second and third readings with no dissent, and although a much discussed city attorney ordinance was on the agenda, it was unceremoniously pulled from view and not considered.

Rather, the bulk of the meeting was given over to public discussion time, which centered on widespread, passionate and articulate neighborhood opposition to the Bridgewater Condominium development off Daisy Lane. A decision on the project was deferred when Bridgewater’s developer asked for it to be tabled until the next council session.

If you were there tonight and care to begin a thread about any of the meeting’s themes, please do so, subject of course to the usual guidelines.

Ragpickers, editorial coin tosses and antiquated governing principles prevail on May Day, 2006.

New Albany’s city council meets again tonight, and apparently returning for possible second and third readings is Councilman Dan “The Wizard of Westside” Coffey’s purloined city attorney ordinance, which originally surfaced on April 20 and was immediately acclaimed as an example of world classic grandstanding by observers who had the misfortune to be in attendance.

Still, in spite of the palpable aura of insincerity exuded by its author, and based on a literal, word-for-word reading in the context of Indiana law, CM Coffey’s ordinance astonishingly proposes the addition of a full-time city attorney on top of the part-time corporate counsel currently serving.

Hmm ... the nickel-and-dime crowd is aghast, right?

Unsurprisingly, this particular notion of expanding the city’s legal powers as a means of enhancing its commitment to code and ordinance enforcement had to be ineptly filched from another – namely, the bipartisan neighborhood forum group whose research theme CM Coffey gracelessly co-opted even as he rejected the forum’s legitimacy – owing to the councilman's doctrinaire rejection of original thought.

Much as nature abhors a vacuum, our Cappuccino detests the realm of ideas.

Whether CM Coffey’s ordinance passes or fails tonight, the likely outcome of his characteristically self-serving and ham-fisted intervention in the ordinance enforcement debate is unlikely to result in any real progress toward addressing the most fundamental of questions facing us:

Why does the city of New Albany not possess a solitary office holder of either party who is willing to expend political capital to enforce codes and ordinances?

Until that existential question can be answered, all the rest is irrelevance – and that’s truly unfortunate, especially when considered from the broader interests of the citizenry as a whole, increasing numbers of whom do not agree with the prime component of New Albany's prevailing political dysfunction (we at NAC call it the Kochert Axiom) that holds, “An ordinance enforced is a vote lost.”

----

Also up for second and third readings is the ordinance establishing a Riverfront Development Project Development Area, which is regarded by many front-line combatants as vital to the redevelopment of downtown.

Restaurant bill approved 8-0; Eateries would be exempt from liquor-license quotas downtown, by Eric Scott Campbell (News-Tribune).

----

Meanwhile, partisan brows are fevered; there is an election tomorrow, and the Tribune’s John Tucker describes his newspaper’s coverage of the prelude to the balloting in this Sunday rumination.

Unfortunately, he does not attempt an explanation of why it was necessary for the newspaper to run a guest column penned by an obviously biased source hostile to sitting township trustee Tom Cannon in addition to its own staff coverage of the trustee’s race, an issue examined here in greater detail: Without proper disclosure, credibility is questionable.

----

From the organizers comes this reminder that in addition to the election, other manifestations of local democracy will take place on Tuesday:

The next Neighborhood Forum will be held Tuesday, May 2 @ 6:30 pm at the White House Center in Downtown New Albany. We can't postpone this meeting because Dr. John Newman (moderator) is not available after May 2.

If you're not counting votes, come on down.

An Evening at Bistro New Albany -- and, we hope, many more to follow.

On a day filled to the brim with Derby activities, weddings, the NFL draft, NBA playoff games and an excellent beer festival, Bistro New Albany finally arrived and held a belated kickoff party last night in celebration.

Here’s the Tribune’s bNA preview from earlier in the week:

Bistro New Albany to open Monday for lunch, by Eric Scott Campbell (News-Tribune).

Note that regular business hours commence on Monday at 11:00 a.m. (not 10:00 a.m.), with a lunch menu and limited afternoon hours for May, and a more extensive evening operating schedule in June.

Here are a few photos from the event. Much to my chagrin, I neglected to squeeze off a shot of Dave Himmel, who resuscitated the project after founder Greg Merz’s untimely health problems put plans on hold earlier in the year.

However, Dave’s partner, Chef Dave Clancy, is shown below mugging for the camera before returning to a hot burner:

Gratifyingly, the common theme of conversations held during the course of the evening was optimism for New Albany’s future. I’ve always been aware that for some in the community, the advent of a dining and drinking establishment is not something to be regarded as a signal accomplishment, but for those already living and working downtown – whether their tenure is measured in months, years or decades – and for those everywhere in New Albany willing and able to learn and speak what amounts to a second language hereabouts – this being the language of progress, success and future thinking – the arrival of bNA and other bastions to follow preface a turning point.
Crucially, they provide us with “third spaces”:

What is a third space? It's a place that's neither work nor home; it's an in-between-space. It may be a coffee house or a bistro. Third spaces are generally busy and locally owned…with funky restrooms.

Absolutely. First there's Dave at Federal Hill, and now two new Daves at bNA; can we find more Daves to open even more third spaces?

I’ll provide bNA updates as merited.

You? Go out and find some Daves -- pronto.

Hangman

...but ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved...

Who said it? In what book?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

Guess one letter and only one letter per commenter. No cheating. No Internet searches. First one to guess the author and the book completely and correctly wins "Blogger o' the Day."

Like anyone won't go to ask.com and punch in the text string!

Oh, Say, Can You See...? (updated)

Let me put my marker down, right here, right now.

Asked at a news briefing in the Rose Garden whether he believed the anthem would have the same value in Spanish as it does in English, (President) Bush said flatly, "No, I don't"

"And I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English," Bush said. "And they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English."

Accordingly, if you want to worship Christ and sing the Hallelujah Chorus, it follows, you must sing it in German.

Nuestro Himno (Our Hymn) is just fine by me. I'd like to hear it sung in Arabic, Hebrew, French, Italian and Swahili, in Tagalog, Japanese, Mandarin and Russian.

If you don't know what this is all about, read a paper.

And post your thoughts here on the following question after voting in this online poll: Is it dishonoring of or disrespectful to the U.S. for immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries to sing (or enjoy the singing) of a Spanish-language version of The Star-Spangled Banner, our National Anthem?

Spanish Language U.S. National Anthem

Money Wars, continued

Previously, we reported the latest PAC contribution reports, courtesy of the Web site OpenSecrets.org, for Mike Sodrel, Member of Congress for the Ninth District of Indiana. Today, with thanks to contributor Brandon Smith, we offer candidate and former Congressman Baron Hill's take:

Baron Hill (D)

Indiana University $11,850
American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees $10,000
AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America $10,000
Assn of Trial Lawyers of America $10,000
Blue Dog PAC $10,000
Carpenters & Joiners Union $10,000
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $10,000
National Education Assn $10,000
New Democrat Coalition $10,000
PAC to the Future $10,000
Plumbers/Pipefitters Union $10,000
Sheet Metal Workers Union $10,000
United Auto Workers $10,000
United Food & Commercial Workers Union $10,000
Our Common Values PAC $7,500
Operating Engineers Union $6,000
Democratic Party of Indiana $5,602
AFL-CIO $5,000
Air Line Pilots Assn $5,000
All America PAC $5,000
International Assn of Fire Fighters $5,000
International Longshoremens Assn $5,000
Laborers Union $5,000
MWH Global $5,000
National Assn of Letter Carriers $5,000
Simon Property Group $5,000
Teamsters Union $5,000
United Mine Workers $5,000

An Evening at The Grand

Much interest, of course, here about Bistro New Albany. Last evening I and other habitues of NAC were next door spreading the word about bNA's imminent (and eminent) opening (May 1 for lunch, May ?? for dinner). In fact, each attendee at the soiree had a short flyer announcing the opening.

But I see a problem vis a vis the cherished courtyard. Various and sundry politicos of the nicotine-addicted variety decamped from time to time through the French doors to the East of the Grand's ballroom and out into the bNA courtyard. That could become a problem if the Bistro catches on as I suspect it will. If patrons of The Grand take it for granted that they can traipse into the courtyard dining area at will, especially to smoke and kibitz, it won't be a pretty sight.

-----------------------

As promised, here are a few observations from the Jefferson-Jackson Day Democratic Party celebration.

I experienced a moment of cognitive dissonance when I discovered ink-stained wretch Amany Ali all scrubbed up, seated with the grownups, and sans steno pad. In fact, Amany was a guest of honor and the recipient of an encomium of appreciation for her stalwart work as a reporter over past years.

But habits die hard, and I have it on good authority that the raven-haired Ali continues to dig for the story and made it a point to gather intelligence at the event. A reporter's instincts don't float away simply because the paycheck is signed by a different employer, even if the weekly take is higher.

-----------------------------

After a less-than-perfect dining scrum at last fall's Roosevelt Day dinner, the Floyd County Democratic Party Central Committee organized a much more effective solution to feeding hundreds of folks. Logistics prevented the preferred family-style service, but expanded buffet lines solved most of the problems.

It fell to party Vice-Chairwoman Marcey Wisman to herd the cats, and on paper the litany of "table 1 and 2 go to buffet line 3, table 40 and 39 go to buffet line 2, table 3 and 4...." must have seemed brilliant. It was, in fact, confusing, but it worked.

I have to admit to having stolen credit for one of the funnier lines of the night, and must credit Township Board candidate Rick Carmickle for the bon mot. I quickly passed it on to Ms. Wisman, but attendees thought it was my line: "Please remember that you will not be able to go through the buffet line without presenting a photo ID."

A little inside, but understood by a room full of political types on the virtual eve of an election day. HAVA, ostensibly the Helping Americans Vote Act, stimulated this new requirement at the polls; be sure to have a government-issued photo identification that includes an expiration date when you go to vote. Should you not be able to produce one, you may still vote on a provisional ballot, but you'll have to go to the County Clerk's office by noon on May 12 to prove you are who you are.

You are not required to present photo ID, ironically, if you vote "absentee" in person at the Voter Registrar's office (2nd floor north, City County Building). That "poll" is open today until 4, Saturday from 8 to 3 p.m., and Monday from 8 to noon.

-----------------------

James Garner was at his best last evening. He spoke off the cuff in praising various dignitaries and made an eloquent case for a Democratic recapture of the statehouse and Congress. I've never heard him do better. He did not read from prepared remarks, but spoke from the heart about the critical problems faced by minority Democrats in the Indiana General Assembly, and by the towns and cities faced with unfunded state mandates.

I made it a point to keep my back turned and just listen while he spoke. I watched my tablemates and the crowd, who listened attentively. Cherie Smith Baumgartle, whom I escorted to the event, and who is also seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Township Board, assured me the mayor was not reading from the page, but was making eye contact with his fellow Democrats. All in all, it was an inspiring performance, especially his tribute to retiring County Commissioner John Reisert.

Nice job, too, in presenting the Roosevelt Award to former county Democratic Party chairman John Garry, Jr.

----------------------------

Be sure to check out New Albany Today for a light-hearted look at last evening's J-J dinner, coming soon.

----------------------------

Sadly, it appeared that the idea of a rancor-free primary campaign couldn't survive actual contact, and some of the factions obviously snubbed those from other factions. The most pointed was one incumbent's refusal to shake hands with a primary opponent.

In 2006, it appears the GOP can only count on turmoil within the Democratic Party to prevail in November. Unfortunately for the Dems, that is often something that can be counted on. Democratic Party Chairman Randy Stumler needs to watch for bitterness arising from the primary while waging his own campaign to become a county commissioner. It's a tough job, but if anybody can bring the party together, Stumler's the one.

-----------------------------

Baron Hill was unable to reach Louisville from Washington, so was forced to fly into Indianapolis and drive down, making him a couple of hours late for the dinner. He did make it in time, and I exchanged a few words with him on his way in. Let's just say it was a memorable encounter and leave it at that.

Congressional candidates John "Cosmo" Hockersmith (Washington County), Gretchen Clearwater (Bloomington), and Hill (Seymour) alternately amused and inspired the throng with an indictment of Republican corruption and dishonesty, and pleaded for the chance to take on incumbent Mike Sodrel.

Hockersmith comes off as a bit of a non-linear thinker, and has promised to donate his Congressional pay to charity. Clearwater is cogent and an attractive candidate, and offers a fairly progressive plan of action, based mostly on dissatisfaction with Bush handling of the economy, foreign policy, and national security. Hill seems self-assured, as usual, but obviously feels he must play this campaign toward the center. I'm still waiting for anyone who thinks Hill won't be the nominee Tuesday night.

---------------------------

Once again, the gracious Becky Gardenour put in an appearance. Some will remember that the school board member created a bit of a stir at last fall's event. Although she serves on a "non-partisan" body, Gardenour is a pillar in a local party organization that includes not the "D" that most attendees proudly wore.

I introduced Becky to our friend the Highwayman, and the three of us discussed one particular local lawsuit for a few moments.

----------------------------

Constituency for Progress members have pretty much agreed that endorsements aren't a CFP objective. On the other hand, most CFP'ers will be happy to share with you their views about the candidates. If you desire to know whom any of us might be supporting this election season, feel free to contact us individually.

A periodic reminder: NA Confidential's policy on reader comments is explained.

Newcomers, please take note.

NA Confidential follows a policy with respect to your comments.

First, you must be registered with blogger.com according to the procedures specified. This is required not as a means of directing traffic to blogger.com, but to reduce the instances of flaming and anonymous attacks.

Second, although pen names are perfectly acceptable, I must know your identity (and, of course, will keep it confidential).

To reiterate, I insist upon this solely to lessen the frequency of malicious anonymity, which plagues certain other blogs hereabouts.

You may e-mail me at the address given within my profile and explain who you are. Failure to comply means that your comments may be deleted.

Thanks for reading, and please consider becoming a part of the community here, one that is respectful of the prerequisites of civilized discourse.

In related news...

Louisiana, reeling from the twin punches of Katrina and Rita, those global-warming-fueled disasters of Mother Nature, is hard at work getting the Bayou State back on its feet. That's why the legislature made it a priority to pass laws this month to bar flag burning and cock fighting.

No word yet on who will step forward to ban cock burning and flag fighting.

Money Wars

Without passing judgment on the man himself, it is clear that Mike Sodrel's seat remains one of the key legislative objectives of both parties. It was once believed that the Ninth Congressional District of Indiana would be a battleground of unprecedented scale. Now, however, we may be spared some of the outside money that was expected, because so many more seats are in play as Dubya and the GOP reel from the scandals. For us, that means less money, fewer commercials, but still a very competitive race.

Today, we report Sodrel's PAC contributions

From Open Secrets:

MICHAEL E. SODREL (R-IN)

Top Contributors during this election cycle
1 Keep Our Majority PAC $15,000
1 Rely on Your Beliefs $15,000
3 Promoting Republicans You Can Elect $12,500
4 America's Majority Trust $10,000
4 American Dental Assn $10,000
4 Americans for a Republican Majority $10,000
4 Associated Builders & Contractors $10,000
4 AT&T Inc $10,000
4 Every Republican is Crucial PAC $10,000
4 Majority Initiative-Keep Electing Repubs $10,000
4 National Auto Dealers Assn $10,000
4 Siebel Systems $10,000
13 Credit Union National Assn $8,500
14 George Pfau's Sons $8,200
15 MAC Construction $8,000
15 Morgan Foods $8,000
15 Sodrel Truck Lines $8,000
18 Ernst & Young $7,500
19 National Beer Wholesalers Assn $7,000
19 National Multi Housing Council $7,000
19 Natl Star Route Mail Contractors Assn $7,000

The unintentional humor of some of those PAC names is priceless.

Tom and Andy

The two fellas couldn't have been more different. The patrician farmer was a polymath whose Monticello was a repository for scientific curiosities and inventions. The frontier fighter built The Hermitage, which only became a place of significance in its owner's later years.

The two fellers couldn't have been more alike. Both lost wives when they needed them most, and served in the White House sans First Ladies. One helped create the Union, the other did more to preserve it than any man of his generation.

Both lived long lives and influenced their party more than any others. Our third president was the first Democrat to hold the office. Our seventh president solidified the identity of the party as the people's party.

T.J. authorized the exploration of the American West. A.J. secured it for posterity, but in the process inadvertently gave renewal to the withering institution of slavery.

Tom was cerebral, and took on no great military role beyond Commander in Chief. Andy was such a military genius that it was feared he might become Commander in Chief with or without the imprimatur of an election.

Jefferson treated with Napoleon, much to the benefit of the country, and this region in particular. Jackson was accused of wanting to be Bonaparte.

In all likelihood, the two men didn't much care for each other, although no record exists that the elder actively opposed the younger, or vice versa.

Tonight, their legacies are celebrated anew as the Floyd County Democratic Party meets at The Grand in New Albany. Buffet food will lubricate the exchange of intelligence and the latest gossip from the primary campaign front, and a few will debate the legacy of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson.

Kickoff is 6 p.m. We'll follow tomorrow with reports from the scene, and we invite all who attend tonight's party shindig to share their thoughts about it, too.

Update: Bistro New Albany seems about to commence operations.

(Crossposted at Potable Curmudgeon)

Bistro New Albany appears to be ready for liftoff, beginning with lunch hours on Monday, May 1.

Most readers are familiar with the ups and downs of bNA, a downtown New Albany eatery planned for the space at the corner of Market and Bank that formerly did business as the House of Bread.

Rather than provide links to earlier pieces I wrote, it strikes me as more appropriate to provide you with an assessment from one of the partners. Here’s the most recent update on bNA’s status, courtesy of Chef David Clancy, and as posted on Monday, April 24 at Robin Garr’s Louisville Restaurants Forum:

----

Robin Garr:
I got this from Dave Clancy while we were out of town, regrets that I neglected to post it until now. It's great news for foodies all over the metro.I wanted to take a moment to get you up to speed on what has transpired since February (our opening date was originally projected to be 2/6/2006, as you may recall).

The principal owner (Greg Merz) had physical issues arise that basically brought the whole project to a screeching halt. I have spent the last two months trying to arrange financing to open the business on my own, and was fortunate enough to find a new partner, Dave Himmel, who is just as eager to strike out in the fledgling New Albany market as I am.

We have now come to terms with Greg on a buyout of his business interest in the restaurant, and are slated to open May 1st for full service lunch, followed by full service dinner later in May. The same basic concept remains intact, in that our goal is to bring fine dining to downtown New Albany – affordable, and approachable to a wide demographic.

We will feature tap beers from NABC and BBC brewing, a world class wine list, as well as menus based on local purveyors such as Capriole farms, Kentucky Bison, Lotsa Pasta, Turtle Run etc.

You may feel free to post or use any of this information at your discretion, and my hope is that we can play an integral part in the renewal of downtown New Albany, as it is clearly a city on the move.

----

As for NABC’s end of the deal, I corresponded with Dave and Dave while visiting the West Coast, and since returning from the trip, I’ve met and spoken with them about the beer selection. Here is my assessment, as posted on the Forum:

----

As with Greg before, I've been offering beer assistance and suggestions to Dave and Dave. Here is the projection with respect to craft beer at the new bNA. It's a good and balanced list with room for playfulness and seasonal rotations. They're all quality beers with food, and Chef Clancy will be using some of them in his recipes.

1 NABC Community Dark (Dark English Mild)
2 NABC Croupier (English IPA)
3 NABC Elector (Imperial Red?)
4 NABC Bob’s Old 15-B (Porter)
5 Rotating according to season and demand
6 BBC APA (American Pale) Ale
7 BBC Alt (German Altbier)
8 Bell’s Oberon (American Wheat)
9 Rogue Dead Guy (Amer. Hop/Bock hybrid)
10 Spaten Premium Lager (German Lager)

The Bell's and Rogue taps likely will rotate seasonally. The open tap might be almost anything -- subject perhaps to Chef Clancy's culinary needs?

----

I’ll try to keep Potable Curmudgeon Blog readers posted on hours, menu offerings and other relevant bits of bNA information as the exciting new era dawns.

You're simply going to adore bNA's outdoor seating area, for dining as well as drinking.

Good to Have Him Back, Isn't It?

Welcome back, New Albanian. We missed you. Well, not the NBA-mania, but the rest, you know? Our favorite publican has a knack for the "reveal" that adds spice to life in New Albany.

Speaking of spice, readers, have you declared your preference by adding the NA Confidential T-shirt to your wardrobe? I wear mine regularly, alternating, of course, with my own more commercial bookstore T. The light gold shirts are available in all sizes, exclusively at Destinations Booksellers in the heart of the historic district, emblazoned with the slogan "New Albany is a state of mind...but whose?," and the most popular URL in town.

----------------------------------

Amid the growing buzz about the release of our "down payment" on the city-county jail, I keep waiting to hear a responsible public official explain how this money might be used in the next few years. I have my own ideas, but I'd sincerely like to see some reality-based thinking from elected officials.

An obvious priority for the city is to divert tax dollars to sewer maintenance. The sanitary sewer operation is a business enterprise of the municipality, and independent, but it goes without question that we have neglected the ongoing maintenance and upgrading of the actual sewer lines. Continued neglect is just courting trouble.

This writer recognized the need immediately on reaching this shore, and I've yet to meet anyone who disagrees that we need to boost spending and try to stay ahead of the curve of natural decay and obsolescence. It's so obvious that it hardly merits discussion, given the fact that there is universal agreement. I remain baffled by some of the screeds that circulate as if it was not a recognized problem.

Nonetheless, there is a deep confusion about how much of the operational maintenance should be borne by the utility and its rate-payers, and how much should be borne by the taxpayers.

For almost two decades, the indebtedness for jail construction has required the city (and the county) to maintain a reserve balance in cash sufficient to satisfy a period's worth of bond payments. As the bonds are retired this summer, that "deposit" again becomes available.

I think it is clear that we are some years away from a need to borrow for additional jail space. In fact, I'm suspicious of those who beat the drum so loudly about it. It is all well and good to anticipate a need, but the immediacy is not there. Local crime rates are falling steadily, and at least for now, Floyd County is not in crisis, nor in danger of facing a constitutional decree. It may, and probably will, come, but not immediately.

A portion of what has sheepishly been called a windfall (the $2.5 million, plus the freed up annual bond payment) can be allocated to increase sewer line maintenance. Under the recent agreement with the EPA, the sewer utility committed to at least $500,000 in annual expenditures. A case can be made that the utility could spend another quarter-million and we'd still be rolling the dice.

But the idea of dumping the cash into the sewers to avoid a rate increase is misguided. It is the opposite of prudence.

Under the existing bond agreement, sewer rates must generate enough to cover all operating expenses, replenish the reserve, and then spin off a minimum of 125% of the annual bond obligation. A direct cash infusion aimed at preventing a rate increase is not permitted. The rates themselves must provide all the operational funds plus 125% of the bond payment. Playing games by commingling tax funds with enterprise funds is a clear violation of the bond agreement.

To freeze the utility rates or subsidize them with tax dollars is a shell game. It's unlawful and unwise. The sewer board needs to put the enterprise on a sustainable footing, supported clearly by rate-payers, including new connections.

It is obvious that brazen political manipulation is the goal. The ex-officio sewer board members who represent the city council are calculating the electoral cost of a sewer rate increase. I suspect they are gambling that an illegal subsidy from "found" money will be safe, and that bondholders won't grumble so long as they receive their payments. Mr. Seabrook will face the voters this fall, and presumably next spring and fall, and is of course wary of being tagged with blame for a rate increase. Mr. Kochert is, of course, retiring from public service, but he, too, is sensitive to what the spin might be on his legacy.

I'd like to commend the sewer board for the responsible way it insisted on segregating the sewer operations from other city operations. They have laid the groundwork for a future where the sewer utility will operate as designed, paying for its own operations and only its own operations. The board can continue to act responsibly by setting a rate sufficient to meet the actual operational needs of the system.

The city must be extremely careful in how it structures this. Any tax money dedicated to the sewer operation must be a capital expenditure, not an operational subsidy. The "windfall" money can be used only to accelerate the upgrading of the system, not to subsidize rates or delay a necessary increase. If, without the "windfall," a rate increase is imminent, then the rates should be increased. The "found" money may only be used for non-operational expenses - that is, to move the infrastructure further from collapse.

If you see anything else going on, you'll know it's self-serving electoral chicanery.

-----------------------------------

Aren't you glad The New Albanian is back? A steady diet of this would kill us all.