NA Unrestricted

The Most Important News

2006-11-06T09:13:00.000-05:00

What’s the most important news to come across the wires in the past 24 hours?

More on the elections? NO

The Ted Haggard evangelical scandal? NO

Miami upsetting the undefeated ‘Da Bears? NO

Scribner Place groundbreaking? NO

Louisville # 3 in BCS Rankings? L Yes!

Go Cards!

Next up this Thursday evening, the #3 ranked Cardinals will square off against the #15 Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. Both teams are undefeated, in regular season and Big East conference play. An overflow crowd is expected at what will be the Cards toughest road game this season (until they get to the National Champiosnhip, that is.)

Other Louisville related articles in today’s C-J.

Shoe is on other foot for Cards.

BCS Ranking Puts Title Game in U of L's Reach.

In all seriousness, though, tomorrow is Election Day. Folks are projecting heavy turnout, even locally; Strong turnout expected at polls in S. Indiana

I hope and pray such turnout is true, for I think that voting is perhaps the most cherished civil right that we have. I am however, long enough in tooth to have seen all this ‘mid-term, high turnout hype’ many times before, only to be disappointed the next morning.

Every vote does make a difference. In one of my prior posts, Happy Birthday America!, I highlighted how but one vote has at various times in the history of our country made a difference.

A few final interesting political anecdotes, for whatever they are worth.

In mid-term elections, in the second term of a sitting President, the opposition party has, on average, picked up 31 House seats and 6 Senate seats.

Since 1860, in mid-term elections when the country has been at war, the opposition party has, on average, picked up 35 House seats.

The House has never changed hands without the Senate doing likewise.

Happy Voting!

And, Go Cards!

Too Fast, Too Furious …

2006-11-04T16:15:00.000-05:00

A puff piece ran on Baron Hill in the Courier Journal this past Thursday, entitled Driven By Competition.

In the article we were regaled with Baron’s athletic prowess.

I didn’t give it much thought until today, when I retrieved my mail and the Courier from the box. Seems that some of Baron’s claimed accomplishments were, lets say, a little ‘overly optimistic.’

Just this morning the C-J ran a correction on page A2, reprinted below:

CORRECTION

Baron Hill’s athletic accomplishments

A story Thursday said incorrectly that Democratic congressional candidate Baron Hill set and still held Indiana record for the 100-yard dash and that he had been drafted by the New York Giants football team when he graduated from college.Hill’s campaign biography said he set the dash record while at Seymour High School and continued to hold it. But the Indiana High School Athletic Association lists someone else as the record holder for running a time of 9.5 seconds during the state finals of the 1965-66 school year. According to Seymour High School, Hill ran a 100-yard dash in 9.5 seconds at a 1970 track meet. But because it was not part of the state finals, the IHSAA does not count it as tying the record. The Hill campaign yesterday removed the reference from its Web site. Also, Hill is not listed on the Giant’s official draft list. Through a spokeswoman, Hill said he remembers being contacted by the Giants organization and believed he’d been drafted because friends said they’d read about it. But he said he never followed up with the team.

[Hey, Baron, maybe they were calling to see if you wanted season tickets! As a former football player myself, with long-faded NFL dreams, I can assure you that no young man would ever forget to return a call from any pro team for any reason. What about an offer letter? C’mon, this doesn’t happen every day! It’s the stuff dreams are made of.]

The Giants story falls into that category otherwise known as A Whopper!

These ‘claims’ wouldn’t be so bad, if I had not yet received just today another couple of glossy mailers touting Baron’s “Family Values.”. In one, a letter from his wife Betty Hill proclaims in part,

”I want you to know, directly from me, the deeply held Christian values of my husband of 30 years, Baron Hill.”

Apparently one of those values is not complete honesty.

Alas, we’ll always have one of my hometown heroes and a real NY Giant, Phil Simms.

Think for a minute ........

2006-11-03T21:09:00.000-05:00

You Wouldn't Even Ask

Fr. Frank PavoneNational Director - Priests for Life
If a candidate who supported terrorism asked for your vote, would you say, "I disagree with you on terrorism, but where do you stand on other issues?"

I doubt it.

In fact, if a terrorism sympathizer presented him/herself for your vote, you would immediately know that such a position disqualifies the candidate for public office -- no matter how good he or she may be on other issues. The horror of terrorism dwarfs whatever good might be found in the candidate's plan for housing, education, or health care. Regarding those plans, you wouldn't even ask.

So why do so many people say, "This candidate favors legal abortion. I disagree. But I'm voting for this person because she has good ideas about health care (or some other issue)."

Such a position makes no sense whatsoever, unless one is completely blind to the violence of abortion. That, of course, is the problem. But we need only see what abortion looks like, or read descriptions from the abortionists themselves, and the evidence is clear. (USA Today refused to sell me space for an ad that quoted abortionists describing their work because the readers would be traumatized just by the words!)

Abortion is no less violent than terrorism. Any candidate who says abortion should be kept legal disqualifies him/herself from public service. We need look no further, we need pay no attention to what that candidate says on other issues. Support for abortion is enough for us to decide not to vote for such a person.

Pope John Paul II put it this way: "Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights -- for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture -- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination" (Christifideles Laici, 1988).

False and illusory. Those are strong and clear words that call for our further reflection.

"I stand for adequate and comprehensive health care." So far, so good. But as soon as you say that a procedure that tears the arms off of little babies is part of "health care," then your understanding of the term "health care" is obviously quite different from the actual meaning of the words. In short, you lose credibility. Your claim to health care is "illusory." It sounds good, but is in fact destructive, because it masks an act of violence.

"My plan for adequate housing will succeed." Fine. But what are houses for, if not for people to live in them? If you allow the killing of the children who would otherwise live in those houses, how am I supposed to get excited by your housing project?

It's easy to get confused by all the arguments in an election year. But if you start by asking where candidates stand on abortion, you can eliminate a lot of other questions you needn't even ask.

For more election related articles and information, visitwww.priestsforlife.org/elections

***********************************************************

In a very similar vein, on August 15th the Bishops of Kansas released a statement, Moral Principles for Catholic Voters. In a joint letter signed by the Bishops to every pastor in the State of Kansas they stressed the importance that Catholics not only realize their right and duty to vote but also of being informed voters who make their decisions based on moral principles.

The Statement can be found here.

************************************************************

And one further authoritative source on the matter is Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver. His statement criticizing use of liberal Catholic 'seamless garment' philosophy to sideline the abortion issue can be found here.

We R Ready!

2006-11-03T12:25:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of the season this year, many so-called pundits and commentators questioned whether the Cards were all they appeared to be. Even after injuries to Bush, Brohm and others decimated the team of its 'stars,' but UofL continued to show its depth, skill and tenacity by winning on the road, this same group of self-professed experts continued to ask R U Ready?

Well I'm a believer in letting performance speak for itself.

We R Ready!

Can't touch Brohm!

Cold but pumped!

A real "Blackout!"

The score says it all!

Let the party begin….

Hey Jurich, better order another set!

What a night!
What a game!
What a post-game tailgate party!
What a hangover! (I'm getting too old for this!)

What's the frequency, Baron?

2006-11-02T08:24:00.000-05:00

Back in 1986, anchorman Dan Rather, while walking in a toney neighborhood in Manhattan, was assaulted by a ‘disturbed’ assailant who asked (in the popularly reported version), “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?”

When later arrested, the assailant said he came from a parallel universe 200 years in the future. He claimed that because everyone in the future had a double in the past, he had mistaken Rather for his own future double, Vice President Burroughs. He assaulted Rather to recover the secrets necessary to stop signals being sent to his brain, and then go back to his own time.

That inanity is about the same way I felt when reviewing Baron Hill’s latest print political ad. I feel that I am in some parallel political universe where the Democrat Ninth District Congressional candidate is now trying to run further to the right than the Republican incumbent. Is this not the same Baron that was banging the same Mike Sodrel on the same family values issues way back in 2004? Upon a closer reading of the ad, before relegating it like all others to my fireplace, one would think that Baron is planning to enter the seminary! Photos in front of the church, religious iconography, a large picture of Baron with his minister, written proclamations of his sanctity, etc.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for religious values, if they are truly held. [To me, what is not said in this ad on Baron’s past pronunciations and House votes is more telling that what is said.] I thought, however, that this imposition of “family values” is exactly what the Democrats did not want.

This ad lays to rest exactly what the voters in the Ninth District really value; now the question is which candidate, in words and deeds, past and present, truly supports such ideals.

Is Mike the future double of Baron? Perhaps Baron should get the signals out of his head and return to his own time!

And speaking of the frequency, what’s with the national agenda for Democrats running for the House? First promised by Congresswoman Pelosi and Senator Schumer way back late 2005, a new, bold national agenda for all Democrats was to be delivered to an American public, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the same with baited breath, in January 2006. Never happended! Well, the 'partial' agenda for Democrats seeking to attain House seats is finally out, and reprinted in pertinent part below:

Put new rules in place to break the link between lobbyists and legislation.

Enact all the recommendations made by the 9/11 commission.

Raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour.

Cut the interest rate on federally supported student loans in half.

Allow the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.

Broaden the types of stem-cell research supported with federal funds.

Now that’s bold, isn’t it?

I haven’t seen such milquetoast in national politics for …. well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it! These are the type of issues that form the central, most important part of the Democrat agenda? I guess these same democrats are not listening to their own constituents.

What are the priorities of the American people? Lets’ take look at the most recent poll from CBS News/New York Times Poll. Oct. 27-31, 2006. The poll asked the following open-ended question, "Of all the problems facing this country today, which one do you most want the new Congress to concentrate on first?"

The top three issues identified are:

War in Iraq 39%

Illegal Immigration 9%

Economy and jobs 7%

Show me please just how this announced Democrat agenda addresses but one of these top priorities? It doesn’t! The national Democrat leadership, as it exists today, knows first and foremost that their own purported solutions to these issues are either non-existent or contrary to what the majority of Americans would find palatable. Being the proverbial ‘third rail’ for their desire to retake leadership of the House, they elect instead to simply avoid the issues, hunker down and hope for the best.

What are Baron Hill’s position in the war, immigration, and the economy and jobs? Haven't heard.

I know what Congressman Sodrel’s positions are on these issues, because he is not fearful to speak to them.

What’s the frequency Baron?

Oh, and GO CARDS !

Senator Lurch Kerry

2006-11-01T10:39:00.000-05:00

“You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, you try to be smart, you can do well. And if you don’t you get stuck in Iraq.”

Try unsuccessfully as you will to spin it any way you like, Senator, but here is some language even you should understand.

RES IPSA LOQUITUR

And something of which you have no understanding ……..

Semper fi !

[With sincerest apologies to actor Ted Cassidy]

GO CARDS !!!!

2006-10-29T14:28:00.000-05:00

I was reminded this morning that I have been a bit remiss at posting anything, anywhere about my beloved University of Louisville Cardinals.

So here is a brief update, superseding even the upcoming elections in importance.

The undefeated #6 Cardinals (7-0) will meet the undefeated #4 West Virginia Mountaineers (7-0) this Thursday, November 2, at 7:30 P.M. Officially dubbed the Blackout, this game represents the Cards opportunity to avenge last year’s heartbreaking road loss at West Virginia. Do you know the last time the Cards were 7-0 was in 1925?!?

I will make one absolute prediction about this game: either UofL or WV will no longer be undefeated! And, the Cards will be victorious!

This past Tuesday also saw the Tipoff Luncheon for the men’s basketball team. This looks to be a strong season for the Cards basketball program; Pitino always makes it exciting.

Speaking of basketball, the Lady Cards basketball team is also gearing up for its season. Last year we were able to buy season tickets for the women’s games for only $25 per seat on the lower level. This year it is a mere $40 per seat. It was some of the most exciting basketball I had seen in quite awhile; these ladies are very, very good!

Some people have asked us how we got such good tickets for men’s basketball and football. Well, we started buying the seats years ago when a big game drew maybe half a stadium/arena full of folks. As long as we did not let our tickets lapse, we were guaranteed the same seats in subsequent years. The same is true of women’s basketball; lock in the good seats now!

GO CARDS!

blogtastic

GOP Victory Rally (Election Selection: Round 2)

2006-10-28T20:55:00.000-04:00

This afternoon we attended the Indiana GOP Victory Rally at Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg.

President Bush had the over capacity crowd of 4,000 jazzed for the upcoming election. As you can see from the photo above, people filled the gym quite literally to the rafters. I was personally enthused to see so many college students in the crowd. All I spoke with assured me they were indeed going to vote. [I do not know what this means, but a variety of studies over the past seven years show college students becoming more ‘conservative,’ albeit still in a minority.]

The President’s talk was positive, lighthearted, and humorous; none of the ‘doom-and-gloom air’ one reads so much about in the majority of the national media. The crowd was exceedingly energized, and ready for the final, critical week leading up to the general election (all the tickets were spoken for within three hours of the announced visit.)

Mike has once again assembled a formidable ground team, and his extensive GOTV efforts assured his success in 2004. His 2006 campaign accomplishments in this area far surpass both those which brought him victory two years prior, and from what I have seen and heard, also those of his competitor Baron Hill in this year’s race. Congressman Sodrel’s ground initiatives are but one reason that the National Republican Party has agreed to funnel campaign cash, and perhaps more importantly national political personalities, into his campaign this year.

The C-J has already posted an article on the rally.

Of course there was the same small, tired haggard group of gray haired protestors on the road leading to the high school, and a few in the parking lot. I’m sure I recognize some of these folks as the same who ‘greeted’ me and others outside LAX in early 1972; and through the years in a variety of other past protests. As the saying goes, just give ‘em a free sandwich and shove a sign in their hand, and they’ll protest anything! But hey, that is indeed the beauty of free speech.

No one knows what election day will bring in the Ninth District, but our hopes, prayers, personal campaign support, financial backing and, most importantly, votes are squarely behind Conressman Mike Sodrel.

Mike Sodrel for Congress

[I was similarly invited to the Baron Hill rally earlier this week with Senator Bayh, but could not make it since we were out of town. Perhaps this anonymous blogger is the one who should profess to have the 'press credentials'??]

More personal election selections to come ........

blogtastic

Tutankhamun

2006-10-28T17:42:00.000-04:00

My wife and I just returned from Chicago late yesterday evening, having taken a brief trip to Chicago with some friends and their kiddos.

While there we toured the King Tutankhamun exhibition at the Field Museum. The intricate craftsmanship of this period of the Egyptian civilization dating some 3,400 years ago is absolutely amazing, even more so when one considers the lack of tools and technologies available to their artisans.

No photographic images on any kind are allowed in the exhibition halls, but there are a variety of hard copy and digital images of the artifacts on sale (of course) in the gift shop. We bought the 'official' exhibition DVD narrated by Omar Sharif. Kind of pricey at $30, but it is an excellent resource with more in depth information on the artifacts and artistry than offered in the actual exibition itself.

If you can get to Chicago before the New Year, we highly recommend visiting the King Tut exhibit (plus the city is a cool place to be, especially during the holidays.) Many local hotels offer VIP ticket (non-time restricted on admission) packages. You can find these packages at the web link above; I am told the AAA offers similar packages for a better overall deal.

Happy travels!

blogtatsic

Election Selection: Round 1

2006-10-25T14:03:00.000-04:00

Below are some of my final choices for local races. My decisions were made after reviewing the positions and performance of a given candidate/incumbent and their opponent, to the extent available. In addition, I have personally spoken to all of the candidates/incumbents listed below, to get any questions answered, in addition to three of their collective four opponents.

State Senate, District 46 – Connie Sipes (D)

Senator Sipes has done a wonderful job representing the interests of all her constituents, ready to lend a willing ear regardless of party affiliation. She also has a proven independent record, taking stands on issues that may put her in opposition to the power-that-be (like eminent domain), and even those in her own party. Coupled with her connections in the capital, Connie is best able to continue to serve the interests of her district in Indianapolis.

County Commissioner, District #1– Randy Stumler (D)

Randy has demonstrated leadership skills, especially in the area of financial controls, in addition to a track record of independent thinking. This coupled with his stand on proper development in rural Floyd County, and the rebirth of New Albany itself, sets him well above the competition. Only one note of caution. As Chairman of the Floyd county Democrat Party, should Randy fall in with the extreme radical wing of his party, all bets for future support are off. I find this prospect, however, highly unlikely.

Frank Loop - Floyd County Sheriff (R)

Frank is a very proficient law enforcement officer, with a personal and professional career track of increasing self-development and responsibility. Coupled with his clearly articulated vision of future improvements for the department, including but not limited to the critical issue of more officers on the street, Frank is the only choice in this race.

Keith Henderson – Prosecuting Attorney (R)

Professional, tough on crime and an extremely proficient attorney, Keith has brought to the office of the Prosecutor everything that was both desperately needed and sorely lacking in his predecessor. Sending Camm up the river only adds icing to the electoral cake!

An interesting article of note in the C-J: Key state races draw little attention.

More personal selections to come in a few days ……..

New Life: Part Deux

2006-10-20T09:18:00.000-04:00

A week or so back, I wrote about New Life in New Albany, evidenced most recently by the opening of two new cafés in the still largely vacant and lifeless downtown area. Since that posting, there has been some bit of media coverage regarding the amount of tourism dollars being spent in Clark and Floyd Counties. Overall the news is positive.

From the Tribune ….

Tourism in the two counties brought about $317 million into the area last year. That’s up from $259 million in 2000 — a growth of 1.2 percent when adjusted for inflation.

“You’re seeing a very healthy growth each year over this five year period,” Carr said.

The tourism industry generated nearly $75 million in tax revenues to government, a number that’s up from $64 million in 2000. About $27 million went to the state; $14 million went to local government and $33 million went to the federal government.

The report cited job growth over the five year period as well. In the two counties, there were 4,386 travel and tourism related jobs in 2000.
That number grew by about 500 by last year. The jobs generated about $63 million in wages, the report said.

“Tourism has a wide range of benefits to communities in Clark and Floyd counties,” Carr said”.

[James Carr is president of Lexington, Ky.-based Certec Inc., which conducted the study.]

Tribune article: Sunnyside bureau touts sunny economic news.

And from the C-J’s more extensive reporting ….

”Jim Keith, executive director of the Clark-Floyd Convention and Tourism Bureau, said yesterday he was "pleasantly surprised" by the gain, considering that tourism went into a slump after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Keith also noted that last year's numbers didn't reflect the full impact of the Bass Pro Shops outdoors store in Clarksville, which he said has received more than 1 million visitors since it opened in November 2005.

Although the casino is in nearby Harrison County, Keith said it has had a positive impact on lodging and travel in Floyd. Top tourism draws for the two counties included Louisville, the Falls of the Ohio State Park and Jeffersonville's restaurant row.

Slightly more than one-fifth of visitors to the two counties came from somewhere in Indiana, followed by Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio and Tennessee.”

C-J article: Clark, Floyd counties' tourism up, study says

As stated previously, overall this is indeed good news for Clark and Floyd counties. More revenue for business owners, more jobs and the increase in tax dollars dearly loved by the local politicos and the ‘progressive constituency’ are the positive outcomes of this increase in tourism.

It is good, that is, until you examine where the monies are being spent. If one takes a map and draws a line between all the southern Indiana communities and attractions mentioned – Jeffersonville, Clarksville, Starlight, Caesars casino – they end up with the “Tourism Crescent.” Isolated at the center of this crescent, and left out of any direct impact from increased tourism dollars, sits downtown New Albany.

With all this money floating around, I must ask what have our local politicians and those associated with official downtown redevelopment efforts done to help grab some of the bucks? Seems like the answer is NOTHING.

Even the small community of Starlight, with more limited resources than New Albany, has managed to launch a community marketing initiative to boost tourism even further: Ready to shine in Starlight.

Worse yet, it appears that people are having a problem even finding our little burg: Signs of our times in New Albany.

The articles citing the increase in tourism also leave out one critical fact. The tourist sites mentioned were overwhelmingly financed by private investment; casinos, restaurants, wineries, Bass Pro, shops, malls, hotels, etc. Perhaps New Albany’s local leadership can take a cue from this fact, and see what they can do to facilitate such investment from private individuals, rather than continuing to think they can construct such draws themselves.

Getting private individuals to risk their own cash, now that's progressive!

Alas, our local leadership hasn’t a clue.

I must admit, however, that the sight of all the hundreds of red tail lights on a crisp autumn night, bypassing our city en route to the casino, up the hill to Starlight, or over to Jeff and Clark, do begin to put me in an early holiday mood. I may not even have to hang my Xmas lights this year!

Thanks for the Laughs

2006-10-19T13:01:00.000-04:00

After a brief absence, due to an unanticipated and tragic loss suffered by close family friends, I was looking for something to boost my spirits. Visits from my grandson and my children, accompanied by some serious hugs and handholding, did much to improve my spirits. Given the completely unknown tenure of our time on earth, and my own ever-increasing age, I have come to an enhanced appreciation of just simply spending time with loved ones.

This morning dawned much brighter. With a much improved disposition, I returned to the blogosphere to check out, among other things, the local goings on. What I found were a two items which made me chuckle quite heartily.

First it appears that the New Albany Sewer utility is asking to get even deeper into our pockets: City Council to hear sewer funding request. It appears that after recently receiving a rate hike of 8% and about $11M worth of EDIT monies, they are looking for another $540K. Not to worry though, because, ”Fifer said the $540,000 wasn't factored into the rate-increase package in August and isn't absolutely necessary.”

I must ask three questions of his honor the mayor. First and foremost, why was the $540K not factored into the August rate-increase package? Second, why ask to expend more of our hard-earned money when it isn’t absolutely necessary? And third, what and where are your priorities for Economic Development and the expenditures of EDIT monies?

This fiasco, humorous as it may be, is the lesser of the two entertaining issues I encountered this morning. The second is to be found over at the quasi-socialistic, I mean progressive, New Albany Confidential

In a series of rambling, somewhat incoherent and verbose postings, the author launches a vitriolic attack against the Freedom of Speech (FOS) blog, and the purported true identity of its editor/author. The broadside begins with a thinly veiled justification for his contempt, namely the posting at the FOS blog of a respectful photograph of the mayor’s family at the Harvest Homecoming Parade, accompanied by an innocuous question. Appears the NAC author is (falsely) concerned for the children; boy, hasn’t that fiddle been overplayed a bit?

Then the author delves into the readily apparent, yet undisclosed reason for his contempt, namely that he does not really know the true identity of the FOS editor/author. This is indeed what gets into his crawl, for his brief charade at defending the children provides but a rough segue into his true purpose of outing, then personally denigrating (as this author predicted over at SOLNA) the purported FOS writer, whom he identifies as, ”a pathetic Internet troll.”

Note that this barrage of attacks takes not one posting, nor two, but a total of three posts over two days. Must not have gotten the traction the author wanted. Seems he is trying to put into practice that old Vladimir Lenin advice, ”A lie told often enough becomes the truth.”

Perhaps the author should have spent his time and column inches (bandwidth,) and answered the question originally posited by FOS.

Daddy, why indeed are they booing you?

New Life

2006-10-12T10:05:00.000-04:00

More signs of downtown renewal are popping up in New Albany, thanks in large part to risk-taking entrepreneurs and gracious donors.

Two new cafés are part of this reawakening, one already open for business and the second set to launch soon.

Theresa Dick and her identical twin sister, Lisa Fouts, opened their first restaurant, Main Street Cafe & Treats on Tuesday, in the location of the old Main Street Grind.

Twin sisters open cafe in downtown New Albany

Teresa Clancy, wife of Bistro New Albany’s co-owner Dave Clancy, is opening Treet’s Bakery Cafe at 135 Market St. The café is set to open as-close-as-possible to November 1st.

Bakery to face bistro on downtown block

Even though the old blood sugar is near borderline, I plan to check out the goods at both these new eateries. Too tempting!

Finally, the Padgett Museum, which documents Floyd County’s history, has opened at 509 W. Market St. The historical house in which the museum is located was graciously donated to the Floyd County Historical Society by Beverly and Jim Padgett. The Society has done a superb job setting up this new museum; it has a lot of potential and will be a terrific asset to our community. You need to check it out soon. We will be returning with our niece this weekend.

Floyd's past is on display

Best wishes to Theresa, Lisa and Teresa on their new ventures, and many thanks to Beverly and Jim for their donation to the Historical Society.

To think all this is being done while Scribner Place is still a ‘muddy’ dream ….

What was that comment about private capital investment?

Happy Harvest Homecoming!

Respect Life

2006-10-01T11:55:00.000-04:00

Today is Respect Life Sunday, and October is Respect Life Month.

It is also Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

The two fit together quite naturally.

Respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly…….

2006-09-30T12:31:00.000-04:00

Blondie

A new business is set to open in downtown New Albany in the old Fashion Shop building. A lot of traffic passes daily (and completely bypasses downtown) by this highly visible, and long-vacant, building at Spring St.

Some are lamenting that it is ‘only a flea market.’ What these critics fail to realize is that it will be yet another reason for people to stop and linger, and perhaps check out what is further down the street or around the corner. More people, more cash, more business….

Good luck to Messrs. Benjamin and Collins, and all those who rent the booths….

Tuco

The Ninth District Congressional race is getting more interesting by the day. Hill: ‘Good idea’ was a bad idea; GOP says it will change ad.

The Dems criticize Congressman Sodrel for being too far to the right, the President’s virtual lap dog.

At the same time, it is interesting that Baron Hill tries to show the he is the true God fearin’, church goin’, gay hatin’, flag wavin’, gun lovin’, senior protectin’, veteran respectin’, terrorist killin’, family values prayin’ candidate. (Did I leave something out?) It sounds like even his car doesn’t turn to the left anymore!

It appears Ninth District voters, on the whole, must truly embrace conservatism.

Angel Eyes

The mayor continues his unbroken string of inept, politically divisive appointments: Stormwater board’s reign arrives. Given the contentious atmosphere surrounding the entire stormwater, and interrelated sewer issues, one would think that a savvy politician/person would appoint a chair who could at least appear to soothe some of the wounds. [I think the article’s title, unfortunately and unintentionally, says it all.]

The mayor, however, has demonstrated he has no political savvy. It appears he is not only trying to absolutely destroy his own political career, but take the local Democrat party down with him.

Oh, well. Time for a motorbike ride with some friends. We have been told that the leaves are really starting to turn up around Brownstown. My wife and I love the fall season, so we’re going to check it out.

blogtastic

The Greenway

2006-09-27T10:36:00.000-04:00

Drats! Cold weather has returned! I enjoyed the past four days playing outside. I even enjoyed the recent rains of near biblical proportions. It temporarily turned a large portion of our cul-de-sac into a wading pool. My grandson and dog had a big time playing in the 'puddle'..... to be a kid again! (or even a dog for that matter…)

Speaking of playing outside, it is great to see the New Albany portion of the Greenway Project will finally be getting underway. Thanks to those involved, especially Valla Ann Bolovschak, for representing our local interests and making sure the necessary funding is obtained. [Let's not allow the mayor screw up this project, like almost all else he has touched!] For those who may not already know, Valla Ann is a member of the Ohio River Greenway Commission.

Just this past Sunday our family, some fellow parishioners and friends participated in the Louisville AIDS Walk. The walk took participants across the Clark Memorial Bridge and along a portion of the riverfront in Jeffersonville. Some co-walkers from Louisville, and even from Indiana, had never been down along that part of the Indiana riverfront. Many remarked on the beautiful views and surrounding scenery.

I started thinking how cool it would have been if these 3,000-some people could have proceeded on via the Greenway into an (albeit revitalized) downtown New Albany. If the ped/walkway was finished across the K&I railroad bridge, we could have organized walks/bikes, mutual community activites and recreation across this bridge as well!

After the walk, three carloads of us Greenway-intrigued folks drove back across the bridge, down past the Falls of the Ohio, over the floodwall to the George Rogers Clark Home Site State Park, across the new bridge, and snaked into New Albany via “junkyard row” (anyone know who owns the old interurban car sitting along the riverfront?) We then proceeded to the Loop Island Wetlands to look at the location(s) where the Greenway could/would cross Silver Creek into New Albany proper. Only two of us had ever been to the wetlands, and all were amazed at this treasure in such an unseemly place.

I do not yet know how and where the Greenway will terminate in New Albany (hopefully in a very apparent open, inviting and attractive area.) It did however begin to dawn on me that the Greenway has much potential to attract and channel many new people into downtown New Albany, I believe many more new people than Scribner Place.

And think of the expanded possibilities if the K&I crossing becomes a reality?

To dream like a kid again!

Fall Blooms

2006-09-19T10:27:00.000-04:00

One of my first assigned tasks upon returning home was to plant some mums in our landscaping. After acquiring some dozen-plus of the plants at a local nursery, I planted them as ordered along our front walkway and drive. After seeing how good they looked, the boss sent me back for another dozen to plant around our deck/patio. (I thank God mums were on sale the day I went.) As the mums have now started to bloom in full splendor, I am enjoying the variety of colors. The boss is happy; remember, no one is happy unless the boss is happy!

I wish I could say the same about the variety of ‘colors’ in many yards around New Albany, but alas it is not so. Many of the yards display but one ‘color.’ I am not talking about mums, but the bloom of political campaign signs.

Yes, it’s that time of year where seemingly overnight hundreds of political yard signs spring forth. Our own yard is no exception.

I have noticed the same disturbing trend, however. Almost every yard with more than one candidates’ sign sport the same ‘color’ – the same party. The yards are either monochromatically Democrat or Republican. As New Albany proper is overwhelmingly Democrat, the majority of such yards are of that ‘color.’

Such monochromatic yard displays are nothing new, reflecting the historical shallowness of thought many give to selecting our elected leadership. For those of us old enough to remember -- just pull the party lever.

Given the current state of affairs in our country, our state and perhaps most important to all, our city, however, I find such displays especially disheartening.

Even some of the self identified “little people” and “pro-progressives” sport nice gardens of but one color. I expect this from the PP’s, for while they hold themselves out as having attained a higher level of philosophical political thought and ‘independence,’ on the whole this group is nothing more than far left ideologues who would rather sacrifice their firstborn than to vote for any Republican, regardless of the latter’s qualification. So the corollary is likewise true; they will vote for any candidate, regardless of how unqualified, if running against a Republican. Thank God that Stalin isn’t on the ticket!

But c’mon “little people,” I hope that more thought was/is given by you to a candidate other than their political affiliation. My expectations are higher! Given the overwhelming lack of progress in this city for many decades, during which one party has held an almost exclusive grip on city hall, are we not asking for simply more of the same? Isn’t it time to stir the pot to some extent?

If nothing changes, nothing will ever change!

Stirring the pot will also send a strong signal to those running in next year’s city elections to be on watch! The mayor, city council....

As for our yard sign garden, so far it has a nice mixture of colors. More blooms are expected in the weeks to come

Back in the (blogging) Saddle!

2006-09-13T10:02:00.000-04:00

If you have been checking this blog, sorry I have been away for so long. I was out of the country on business for a few weeks, with little or no time to blog. When I returned home right before Labor Day, there were other more pressing events to tend to: my beautiful wife’s honey-do list, the UL-UK game, final planning for and hosting of my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary party, and spending time with Ryan, my brave nephew/Navy SEAL who departed for Afghanistan yesterday.

So below are my thoughts on some topics in which I have an interest. If my views seem a bit negative, please forgive me. (Maybe the Cards putting the hurt on Miami this Saturday will cheer me up.) It is only after being away from community activities for five weeks or so, and returning to find things no better (perhaps worse), that has perhaps jaded me. I also write in the frame of mind that my nephew Ryan will soon be putting everything he holds dear on the line for our benefit; while our local leadership cannot make simple decisions for fear of a little criticism – what a stark contrast!

Scribner Place

It looks like the project is finally a go. I hope for the benefit of the community it proves to be the nexus for the rebirth of downtown New Albany as advertised. [Watch for cost overruns.] I still don’t understand why, at this late date, the YMCA needs to issue bonds? Seems a bit interesting, no?

Sewers

If the entire situation was not so pathetic, it would be laughable. System still not fixed as committed, EPA investigation ongoing, $millions$ missing, newest state audit still shows problems, rates increased – only after which the council now demands more fiscal and operational accountability! A bunch of idiots led by the head do-nothing, Mr. Mayor. Can anyone say outside audit?

City Budget

Here we go again! Everyone asking for raises, but no one wants to talk about accountability. I read where someone wants their seniority recognized as it relates to pay – how about effectiveness? If you and your department have been effective, you get more cash; if not, you take a pay cut! I don’t want to hear the cock and bull about how these people make so much less than they could in the private sector; it is a personal choice. Sound draconian? Then try the private sector. The penalty for ineffective performance is not a pay cut – it’s termination! And once again, can anyone say outside audit?

Leadership

[First, let’s laughingly assume for a minute that the mayor is in no way culpable, in any manner or to any degree, for the current state of the sewers, the city’s finances, etc. After catching up on the local press in a condensed period of time, I notice that ‘hizzoner has been continually trying his best to escape any accountability, referencing “prior administrations” and “the last 30 years” in but two articles. What a joke!]

In the six weeks I have been gone, what has the mayor proposed regarding his plan for the future of New Albany, to pull us out of this vapid, muck-ridden state in which the city finds itself? I can find nothing in the online newspapers, the various blogs or via word of mouth. Just the same, continuous vacuum of intelligent, visionary leadership.

I have noticed noble efforts by various community groups to come together and make New Albany better (code enforcement, etc.) While such efforts are great at building broader networks of support for eventual improvements, they are wholly ineffective until the man at the top throws his support behind the same initiatives. And that, I am now sure, ain’t gonna’ happen. The mayor does not care. What is worse, at this point, is that the mayor fully realizes that he will be a one term flounder. As there is no real cleaning business to which he can return, the mayor now has two goals which he desires to achieve through his remaining time in office. First, maximize his income while still in office, through paid positions on various boards, etc. Second, maximize his income after the voters toss him out, by negotiating a ‘soft landing’ with some employer, or that employer’s buddy, whom the mayor has helped while in office, or at the minimum has not hurt. For this second reason alone, the mayor will not rock the boat with any of the real or perceived power brokers in Floyd County. So, do not expect to see any code enforcement or other actions that would benefit the city, if it could hurt the mayor’s future career prospects. [See the comments on my nephew Ryan above, mayor.]

I have likewise noticed a strategic decoupling from the mayor by the pro-progressives. They no longer express their rabid support and admiration of the mayor. It has gradually disappeared, as they eventually realized that their efforts to rehabilitate an empty suit were not going to be successful. Some in their camp now are switching to a secondary strategy of trying to blame the city council for the lack of leadership in the city. Sorry, that likewise isn’t going to work. We elect a mayor to lead a city – articulate the vision, set the agenda, and execute the plan. That is not the role of the council.

Save Our Knobs

Let me end on a positive note. I have been a member of the Save Our Knobs group for several years. Last Saturday evening, they hosted their annual picnic at the lakeside shelter up at Mt. St. Francis, which I had not attended for three years. It was a beautiful evening in a gorgeous setting. Many people were in attendance, including representatives from another community action group (Greenville Concerned Citizens) and many local elected officials and candidates. The gathering provided an informal forum for people to break bread, and hear from and question those who desire to be (re)elected. What struck me most was how much progress the county has made in the past three years, facilitated in large part by the willingness of those in office to hear and work with the citizenry. I knew that the county was moving forward, but not that so much had happened so soon. Some accomplishments I jotted down were hiring a new planner, a new comprehensive plan, new subdivision and zoning laws, a new eminent domain law in the county and changes to eminent domain legislation at the state level, and proposed changes to wastewater regulations at IDEM. Senator Sipes also gave a personal thanks to some of those in attendance for giving testimony to a Senate panel on eminent domain. They also spoke of definite plans for the future. Wow! And all in a bit over three years! To get a group of elected officials, candidates and citizens working together, across party lines, to actually produce results was so refreshing to see!

Why can’t you do the same, Mayor Garner?

Who Believes in the Y-M-C-A?

2006-08-04T11:01:00.000-04:00

Well, I have received a lot of emails about my espoused position on Scribner Place, some in agreement, most not. So be it.

Today’s C-J includes the article, Extensions sought on Scribner Place bids

The article opens,

“Officials have asked three contractors to extend their bids on New Albany's Scribner Place project for 60 days beyond the original deadline, which is Monday.

John Rosenbarger, director of the New Albany Plan Commission, and Jamie Pillsbury, director of finance for the YMCA of Southern Indiana, said they hope to get an answer from the companies in the next few days.”

The article continues later,

“Pillsbury said she hopes that the full 60-day period won't be needed and that all the elements of the project will be lined up before then.

But she added that the parties didn't want to be in the position of having to go, hat in hand, seeking another extension if they asked for just two or three weeks more time and still weren't finished then.”

At this point, I must ask just what the heck is going on behind the scenes with the YMCA? Their financial position on this project must be very questionable.

First and foremost, it will be very difficult for the contractors to legitimately hold their bids for another sixty days. Keep in mind that would mean that their bids would be, at a minimum, a full 120 days old at such time the YMCA may have their financing finally approved. Given the escalating costs of building materials, and now fuel, how does any rational person think that a contractor can legitimately freeze their price, on a multimillion dollar project, for that period of time? If you have not already, notice I keep saying legitimately. If the contractors do hold their ‘bid’ prices, in this inflationary construction environment, for yet another sixty days, then watch out for ‘uncontrollable cost overruns due to supplier price increases’ once the project is started. In a mixed private/civic project such as this, who will pay such overruns?

Most questionable is the need for a sixty day extension. This last minute, inexplicably long request leads me to believe that the YMCA is now scrambling to garner the necessary financing. Sorry, I do not buy Ms. Pillsbury’s “hat in hand” excuse; something more is transpiring. Perhaps the Y does not indeed have sufficient contribution pledges to support the financing request, and needs more time to press the flesh? In any event, asking for a flat sixty day extension is very suspect. What is normal in such circumstances is to request staged bid extensions (I.E. 30, 45, 60 days), asking for and assessing what cost impact(s) may be incurred.

If the Scribner Place project fails, at this late hour, due to the sole incompetence of the YMCA, they should be ridden out of both New Albany and Floyd County on a rail.

Scribner Place Omen?

2006-08-01T21:08:00.000-04:00

Some troubling news has recently broken regarding the Scribner Place project. It appears that one of three contractors initially chosen to perform the HVAC portion of the project has gone out of business.

Louisville based Stewart Mechanical Inc. has closed their doors due to tax problems, as reported in the Tribune article, Scribner contractor shutting down.

”The Scribner Place bids from Stewart, Stevens Contractors and Ready Electric expire next week, and both financial partners in the project — New Albany and the YMCA of Southern Indiana — wanted to extend the bids until the YMCA gets its share of the financing and construction could start.

Otherwise, the city and YMCA would have to take new bids for the contracting jobs, which could increase costs several million dollars beyond the $17.7 million originally bid.

If Stewart Mechanical is out of the picture, Rosenbarger said, the best two options are:

• Solicit the second-lowest mechanical contract bid — $3,644,777 from GBMC Inc. of Clarksville.

• Rebid all three contracts: general, mechanical and electrical. It’s unlikely that new bids could be taken for only one contract, Rosenbarger said.

The city and YMCA are trying this week to coax Regions Bank to hand over $6.5 million in credit earlier than its target date of early September so the contractors would be more willing to accommodate, Rosenbarger said.

Floyd County is pledging an annual $137,500, about what the city is expecting to pay currently, though it has the option of spending up to $263,000 without returning to the City Council to ask for more.

“There’s some margin there,” said Rosenbarger of a rebidding scenario, but “we’re not flush. It’d be tight on a rebid.”

Just this morning the C_J reported that New Albany to propose Scribner bid extensions soon.

It is unfortunately too late for Stewart Mechanical to extend their bid.

I am starting to lose my guarded optimism that the Scribner Place project will proceed as desired in August. One has to wonder how the YMCA’s financiers, in particular, will view this latest issue. A minor matter to be managed or an excuse to deny financial backing; only time will tell the impact of this latest unfortunate event.

Perhaps the silver lining, if one exists, may be that it is better to discover the contractor’s woes at this time rather than once the project was well underway. Bringing in another HVAC contractor at that point, to finish another’s work, would have resulted in substantial cost overruns.

It's Fun to Stay at the Y-M-C-A.......

2006-07-22T14:14:00.000-04:00

The C-J published an article today entitled Scribner Place hits financing snag.

It appears that a somewhat remiss attitude on the part of the YMCA has created a delay on their part in securing their final financing for their portion of the project, until three weeks after construction was to begin. This delay will mean that the city of New Albany cannot sell its bonds as originally scheduled. If this does come about, then the entire project may have to be rebid (since the original bids expire August 7th) or reduced in scope (due to anticipated increased costs on new bids.) There is also an implied fear that opening the project up again may effectively kill it, due to community opposition.

Over at the Gang of Progressives Propaganda Agency (GPPA), aka NA Confidential, they have effectively, and prematurely, declared Scribner Place DOA. These Francophiles sure do know how to raise the white flag quickly!

In their usual and anticipated accusations, couched in the normal, threadbare pseudo intellectual verbosity, the GPPA author states,

We know who is directly to blame, but this negligence on the part of the Y is a betrayal from "within." If true, it goes down as the blackest of days for New Albany, and those whose obstructionism brought us to this had better be building their electoral war chests posthaste.

Even allowing that the author has a direct pecuniary interest in seeing Scribner Place proceed, in potentially increased foot traffic for his store, his comments are way out of line and represent an attempt to defelect attention from the repsonsible party. Can you say lie?

To set the record straight with facts, the YMCA is “directly to blame.” They have been involved in the project from day one, and are acutely aware of the multiple interrelated deadlines that need to be met.

No obstructionists (read little people or council members) “brought us to this point;” the fact is both the financing from the city and county are set.

Given these facts, is the apparently delusional GPPA author implying that the 'little people' infiltrated the actual inner workings of the YMCA and insidiously derailed their financing plan? An you accuse the 'little people' of wild rumors and innuendo?

The YMCA blew this one, blew it alone, and blew it big time.

Personally, I am not so quick to raise the white flag and do not think that Scribner Place is necessarily DOA, even if the situation plays out as referenced in the C-J article. In order to keep its head above water, however, the mayor’s administration needs to get to work and convince us, the voting taxpayer public, that the project can still be afforded by the city. The mayor needs to work hard (rare), and be open (even rarer) to ensure us that the city’s finances are in order. It could be done, and I for one will give him the opportunity.

[Related sidenote: Remember way back when the audit was being discussed? I believe my comments were that an audit would ultimately ensure our city had a good financial foundation, and ensure the public that our monies were being properly handled. If allowed to proceed, it could have in large part been completed by now. You PP’s need to be careful what you fight for, or against.]

If the mayor can convince the council with facts that more is needed for Scribner Place while assuring them and the public with facts that the city’s finances are in order, then the project would receive my backing.

If the mayor cannot or will not defend the project with facts, but only impassioned pleas and harbingers of doom, then council should do its duty, put two in the boiler room and send this one to the bottom.

Rollin' on the River ... But What's Floating In There Along With Me?

2006-07-21T20:06:00.000-04:00

I just returned from what can be called a ‘conservation vacation’ to eastern Kentucky (more on that later), only to be greeted by mounds of mail, overflowing email inboxes, two indignant cats and a very happy dog. My wife took the opportunity to go on a ‘girls vacation’ to Chicago. My tab was a few hundred dollars; I don't want to think what hers may be!

One of my backlogged readings was the July 2006 newsletter from the Cumberland Chapter of the Sierra Club of Kentucky, of which we are members (the Hoosier Sierra Club has no local chapters south of Columbus.)

There was an excellent article entitled Campaign Protects Ohio River Water Quality, which deals with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. Given the city of New Albany’s problems with its own municipal sewers, this article struck me right between the eyes.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was established on June 30, 1948 to control and abate pollution in the Ohio River Basin. ORSANCO is an interstate commission representing eight states and the federal government. Member states include: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

In the fall of 2004, ORSANCO began a series of poorly publicized public informational meetings intended to inform the general public in the Ohio River Basin about its proposal to lower recreational water quality standards on the Ohio River after it rained (technically known as wet weather events).

ORSANCO’s company line regarding this proposed reduction in water quality standards is that communities may spend billions of dollars to reach unattainable goals. The fact of the matter is that neither ORSANCO nor any other agency has actually done the economic analysis to support this conclusion. The proposal is being driven by waste water treatment facilities and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at a time when most municipalities along the Ohio River, and other communities on other rivers facing Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) and Combied (sic) Sewer Overflows (CSO) problems, have not even begun the process of fixing SSO’s and/or developing Long Term Control Plans for fixing CSO’s. In proposing the reduction in wet weather standards, waste water treatment facilities and the EPA are hoping to obviate the need to fix the aging infrastructure in communities throughout the Ohio River Watershed.

So this backdoor maneuver, if successful, would allow municipal sewer systems to completely avoid investments necessary to protect the river, and the health and welfare of those who use its waters for recreation. The article continues:

At their February 2006 Commission meeting, the ORSANCO Commissioners voted to open the proposed revisions to Ohio River Pollution Control Standards for public comment with the intent to act on adoption of the standards at its June, 2006 meeting.

At this point the Sierra Club and a wide variety of conservation groups up and down the Ohio began a successful petition and communications drive to communicate with ORANSCO their collective displeasure aith the proposed rule revisions. The results?

“The comment period on proposed revisions to the ORSANCO Pollution Control Standards has now closed. All comments received through May 31, 2006 will be considered. Due to the unprecedented number of comments received, it will take longer than usual to consider them. The Commission will not take any action on the adoption of proposed revisions to its Standards at its next meeting (June 15 in Evansville).”

And in summary ….

It’s not over yet, we’ve just got a little breathing room. The next ORSANCO Commission meeting is in September 2006 and phase two of the campaign is in the works. You may be hearing from us as we’ll need lot’s of help continuing to protect water quality on the Ohio River.

If you are interested in getting involved, or getting more information, you can contact the Cumberland Chapter – Sierra Club Kentucky

I have begun communicating with the Hoosier Sierra Club and the Hoosier Environmental Council to ask their involvement. I have also spoken with our local congress people, and the EPA in Chicago. As explained to me by the EPA, these rule changes are being driven in large part by the municipal sewer systems – read local governments.

I wonder if our local elected leadership and sewer board is aware of this issue, and if they have taken a position on it? Given the city’s renewed focus on and access to its waterfront in the Scribner Place project and the Ohio River Greenway, I would assume our elected leadership are against further degradation of the Ohio River; would that not be a responsible, progressive position?

I also read a somewhat related article in the C-J, Many unaware of warnings about eating fish. The Indiana State Department of Heath press release can be found at State Issues 2006 Fish Consumption Advisory.

In a nutshell, the waterways in western Floyd County, namely Silver Creek, are in horrific condition; our southern border of the Ohio is likewise deplorable and may get worse if ORANSCO is successful in changing the rules; and the streams in western Floyd County are under assault by a variety of poor performing, under funded, privately owned package treatment plants.

Just don’t eat the fish. And watch what's floating!

Happy Birthday America!

2006-07-03T15:26:00.000-04:00

What does the Fourth of July mean to you?

To me it means FREEDOM.

But as my parents quite correctly told me while a lad, with freedom comes responsibilities.

From those sultry, intolerable days in Philadelphia, the founders of our great country announced to the world that they were breaking the yoke of tyranny that had burdened them for so long.

Through the ensuing Revolutionary War, the 'War of Independence,' these new Americans fought and died for our right to determine our own destinies.

After the War, many of these same founders gathered again to codify our rights and responsibilities, and likewise limit the rights of the government, in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

Perhaps the most 'revolutionary' right was that of the vote. The dream was to enable people to choose their own leaders, hold them accountable and eliminate the necessity to endure another bloody revolution, by giving to the people the inviolable right to vote -- a peaceful revolution -- which has endured for the past 230 years.

More so than the military might of these United States, despots the world over fear that our democratic right to vote will spread to their countries.

It is truly unfortunate, however, that fewer and fewer people in our great country actually exercise that right, and responsibility, for which most of the world still yearns. If indeed they could see it, I feel that our founders would not believe how casually we take this responsibility for self-determination. Voter turnout is low; voter apathy is high

Many Americans espouse cynical views about voting, and the democratic process as a whole. Allegations such as "My vote doesn't really count;" questions such as "What difference can I make?" It is sometimes difficult for people to see how their sole vote does indeed matter, and can be of singular significance. The list below highlights some examples of the true importance of "One Person, One Vote."

•1800: One vote by the U.S. House of Representatives elected Thomas Jefferson President over Aaron Burr.
•1820: One vote kept President James Monroe from being elected president without dispute by the Electoral College.
•1824: One vote by the U.S. House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams as President over Andrew Jackson when one representative from New York changed his vote.
•1829: Nicholas Coleman defeated Adam Beatty 2,520 to 2,519 in Kentucky's election for the U.S. House of Representatives.
•1839: Marcus "Landslide" Morton elected governor of Massachusetts by one vote. Of the 102,066 votes cast, he received exactly 51,034. (Had his count been 51,033, the election would have been thrown into the Legislature, where he probably would not have won.)
•1842: Marcus "Landslide" Morton won the same office again by one vote, this time in the Legislature. (In those days, Massachusetts governors were elected for terms of one year.)
•1846: One vote decided on war with Mexico. In 1846, the Mexican army invaded Texas and President Polk asked for a Declaration of War. The Senate did not want to go to war and the declaration passed by only one vote.
•1847: In the election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana's 6th District, Whig candidate George G. Dunn defeated Democratic candidate David M. Dobson 7,455 to 7,454.
•1847: Whig Thomas S. Flournoy defeated a Democratic candidate named Treadway 650 to 649 in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd District of Virginia.
•One vote admitted California (1850), Oregon (1850), Washington (1889), and Idaho (1890) into the Union. These were important states in the National Women's Suffrage movement.
•1854: In the election for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 7th District of Illinois, Democratic candidate James C. Allen bested Republican William B. Archer 8,452 to 8,451.
•1882: In the election for U.S. House of Representatives in the 1st District of Virginia, Readjuster Robert M. Mayo defeated Democrat George T. Garrison 10,505 to 10,504.
•1867: One vote confirmed the purchase of Alaska from Russia.
•1868: President Andrew Johnson retained his office by one vote short of the constitutional two thirds required for removal (after he had been impeached).
•1876: One vote elected Rutherford B. Hayes to the Presidency, and the man in the Electoral College who cast that vote was an Indiana Representative also elected by one vote.
•1882: Robert M. Mayo defeated George T. Garrison 10,505 to 10,504 in Virginia's election for U.S. House of Representatives.
•1916: One vote in each of California's voting districts re-elected President Woodrow Wilson.
•1948: Harry Truman is elected president by a margin of one vote per voting precinct.
•1960: In presidential election, one additional vote per precinct in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Texas would have put Richard M. Nixon in office eight years earlier.
•1981: Thomas Kean won the gubernatorial contest over James Florio in New Jersey by less than one vote for every third precinct; or 1677 votes.
•1982: In Illinois, Governor Jim Thompson defeated Adlai Stevenson by less than 1/2 a vote per precinct.
•1994: Republican Randall Luthi and Independent Larry Call tied for the seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives from the Jackson Hole area, with 1,941 votes each. A recount produced the same result. Mr. Luthi was finally declared the winner when, in a drawing before the State Canvassing Board, a PingPong ball bearing his name was pulled from the cowboy hat of Democratic Governor Mike Sullivan.
•2000: The U.S. Presidential election was decided by an extremely narrow margin. George W. Bush won the state of Florida by just 537 votes, making him President of the United States. Nearly 6 million voters went to the polls in Florida. It wasn't one vote, but it was certainly obvious that every vote counted!

So on this Fourth of July, while celebrating with family and friends, please give some thought to your right -- your responsibility -- to vote.

Remember those who sacrificed all to give us this right.

Remember to VOTE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Note: This list has been compiled over the last few years from a variety of sources, with the help of family and friends. Thanks to all in the past who have helped me to clarify and add to the list. Any and all suggestions regarding the list are always welcome.

Vindication!

2006-06-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

After a few days generally away from blogdom, I was catching up yesterday evening on the local goings on.

On one blog, there was the expected periodical, juvenile rant against local politicos whom the writer labeled “anti-intellectual”; a better tag would have been “I don’t like you because you don’t agree with me and I cannot force you to,” but honesty remains elusive.

On Speak Out Loud New Albany (SOLNA), I read a comment regarding a letter to the Tribune editor. After reading the letter on line, it was more of the same. A subsequent comment posted on SOLNA by one named pu-s quite accurately portrayed the letter writer’s state of mind; s/he stated, “If he [the letter writer] didn't perceive the silent majority as a true threat to his own perfect worldview of how he thinks the 'state of New Albany' ought to be, he wouldn't have even taken time to have written the response.”

Thoughts were roaming through my mind after reading these items, framed against by the background of somewhat similar ravings in Mr. Tucker’s June 17 editorial, when he protested against the call for an audit; and his subsequent outbursts on SOLNA against me, SOLNA, anonymity, etc. when I dared to question the circulation (small) and influence (questionable) of the New Albany Tribune. Recall in that opinion, Mr. Tucker stated, “Yelling for an audit plays to the fears and mistrust of the public.” By direct implication, we the (little) public are too stupid to understand the fiscal mismanagement raised by the State Board of Accounts, and instead are simply “afraid” and “mistrusting;” kind of like Cro-Magnons in a lightning storm.

While in Louisville today, after a business meeting, I stopped at Heine Brothers to enjoy some excellent coffee and the warm, sunny day on their patio. I picked up a copy of LEO – Louisville Eccentric Observer, and started to read an opinion-article by Mark Nickolas that hit me right between the eyes. Mark is a former Democrat political consultant and publisher of Kentucky’s most widely read political blog, BluegrassReport.org. In that article, Bluegrass report: A blog swarm stings Fletcher, Mark was reporting on some further botches by Governor Fletcher’s administration in Kentucky and what role the blogosphere played in that process. Mark reported,

”I won’t rehash what’s been reported by state media, information that made it into a second New York Times story just days later. Instead, I thought I’d give you an inside look at how the Internet, and political blogs in particular, have accelerated the speed at which political scandals unfold before the public, and how a critical mass of the blogosphere then forces the story into the mainstream media. This phenomenon is called a “blog swarm,” and it’s become one of the most powerful forces in political reporting today. (emphasis added)

Out of the mouth of yet another expert in blogging comes vindication!

Now let's look at our local situation.

Who would not relent until the EPA justifiably investigated New Albany’s sewers, making the actual investigation a reality?

The “little people.”

Who would not relent until their local politicians called for an audit of New Albany’s miserable financial management, making the motion a reality?

The “little people.”

Who exposed the alleged, and now acknowledged, phone call from the Mayor to try and intimidate a councilman for supporting a motion for an audit?

The “little people.”

Need I go on?

Now, how did the "little people" do it?

In large part by publicizing the facts, and building support and momentum for the movement through blogging (SOLNA).

Where were the stories reported first?

SOLNA

Where were they reported next, if at all?

The C-J and the Tribune.

So what do the ‘other blogs’ and the Tribune fear?

They fear true success, reporting the bare facts and successfully influencing the political process. They fear no longer being able to drive the news process, but only reporting on what people already know. They fear not selectively controlling what people get to hear and see. (Sounds rather Stalinist, no?)

Oh, they’ll still attack, and they’ll still rant and rave. It has only gotten worse since they have backed off their rabid defense of the failing mayoral administration, and refocused their salvos on the councilmen and the “little people.” Just sit back, smile, and keep reporting the facts!

Mark Nickolas goes on to sum up his article by stating,

”In the end, then, this stands as an ongoing lesson in consequences for an administration that has lost its compass and ability to govern, and as a powerful testament to the growing strength of blogs, a movement that happens instantaneously and drives the news cycle along the way. So, stay tuned. The fight has only begun.” (emphasis added)

Another contributor to LEO, Professor Ricky L. Jones, a writer with whom I frequently disagree but greatly admire for his well-reasoned, academic positions, summed up his opinion in this fashion.

Remember, until next time — have no fear, stay strong, stand on truth, do justice and do not leave the people in the hands of fools.

I can only respond, AMEN!

So thanks to you east ender and all those who contribute to Speak out Loud New Albany. You all have done yeomans’ work both in exposing the truth, standing strong, seeking justice and positively influencing the process in New Albany, no matter how much the pro-progressives align themselves and try to quash it.

Footnote: BluegrassReport.org is a well-respected political blog in Kentucky, and also in some national circles. Interesting to note that they permit anonymous and pseudonymous commentary. Hmmm…. Vindication again!

"The Ride"

2006-06-28T21:13:00.000-04:00

The last two days I got the chance to put in some real road time on my 'new to me' 2003 Harley Davidson Fat Boy (no jokes about the name of the bike in relation to the size of the rider!)

I set out headed due north early Tuesday morning, about half an hour before dawn. Because it had been some years since I really rode for a distance, I started out on I-65; relatively straight and flat. The morning was cool and foggy, and the traffic was very light. What a great ride!

I exited at Columbus and took a brief tour of the town. I then turned due west and headed into Brown County. After breakfast in Nashville, I hit the back roads of Brown County. Since the Fat Boy is much bigger and more powerful than any other bike I ever had in the past, I took it slow and easy on the curves. (A sign posted in Nashville said there have been seven people die in motorcycle accidents on nearby roads just this year to-date, and I am sure they were much more experienced riders than I.)

Later in the morning, I headed towards Bloomington and cruised the campus. I stopped at a local coffee shop that looked like a throwback to the 60's Haight-Ashbury district (or modern-day Berkley.) Psychedelic decor and modern-day hippies were in abundance! There was even a used clothing store upstairs, specializing in 'classic hippie wear.' I wish I had been packing my camera. (I'm sure I never looked that way when I was younger, did I?)

After my flashback experience, I headed down through Bedford, Mitchell, and Orleans, over to Paoli, checked out the casino doings in French Lick, then rode back Hwy. 150 through Palmyra to New Albany.

Today a fellow Floyd County buddy and activist cruised with me down the backroads to the Bardstown, Kentucky area. We stopped at almost anything that sparked our interest (antique shop, old cars for sale, watching some Amish working in a field.) Our true destination was the Abbey of Gethsemane; I wanted to buy a few books. While in Bardstown we walked around the vibrant historic city center. Another great ride!

Sorry if all this is boring to you, but I am like a kid in the candy store! When much younger I used to ride all the time. Shortly after my first child was born, a relative died in a motorcycle accident. My wife feared the same would happen to us; she rode too. Being new parents, we decided the responsible thing to do was sell my prized 'Harley-hybrid' as a meaningful step to make sure we were around to raise the kids (like we have some real control over our time on Earth.) That prized bike of mine, built from a myriad of borrowed, bought and fabricated parts, reminded me of the old Johnny Cash song: One Piece at a Time. The bike was all I could afford after I got home; but it took me from point A to point B, and was of such a poor appearance that no one would want to steal it, much less been seen in public riding it!

After 30 or so years, I am back in the saddle and loving it! And as I told my wife, this bike is going nowhere without me; they can bury me on the thing!

I promise to take my new digital camera in the future and get some photos to post. I am having real trouble weaning myself off the 35mm gear; the old dog - new tricks thing.

What Do The People Read?

2006-06-26T14:14:00.000-04:00

Some interesting local newpaper circulation statistics.

The New Albany Tribune - 5,339
The Courier-Journal (Floyd Co.) - 10,412 daily / 13,942 Sunday

The Jeffersonville Evening News - 7,152
The Courier-Journal (Clark Co.) - 12,981 daily / 19,180 Sunday

Floyd County Progresses - Will New Albany Lose Out?

2006-06-24T16:03:00.000-04:00

This past week on two occasions, at the invitation of some buddies ‘out in the county,’ I had the opportunity to witness two extraordinary meetings of elected and appointed officials in Floyd County. (I must admit I have a vested interest, since my wife and I own a few acres of woodlands in the Knobs.) Leadership at both meetings was pleasantly evident at all levels (how refreshing!), as was cross-party participation and cooperation. I would settle for the members of one party in New Albany working together!

In any event, kudos to the Floyd County Board of Commissioners, Mr. Chuck Freiberger, Dr. John Reisert, and Mr. Steve Bush, who just this Saturday morning collectively and unanimously voted to ratify the new Floyd County Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Maps/Atlas.

Kudos also to the Floyd County Plan Commission who likewise approved the same Ordinance in unanimous fashion this past Wednesday evening, as reported in the Courier-Journal.

And many thanks to County Planner Don Lopp, who steered the process from its inception some 20 months ago. He took a lot of cheap and undeserved shots in the meetings, and who knows what he heard outside the meetings! Many dozens of people from the community also participated in drafting the ordinance, representing a myriad of interests and perspectives.

The new Zoning Ordinance reflects the desires of those in the county to retain the rural atmosphere of the surrounding countryside while allowing for controlled growth. As with any zoning ordinance, there was much heated debate, pro and con, about the new law. Both of the aforementioned meetings were standing room only, attended by nearly 70-100 people.

The Ordinance must now go back to the Plan Commission for final approval before becoming law. Since all hearings have been conducted and public input received and duly considered, at this time the final approval is expected to be a pro forma proceeding.

How does this Ordinance affect New Albany? It could in a few ways.

The first relates to the still malfunctioning New Albany municipal sewer system….

At Wednesday night’s meeting Mr. Ken Griffin, Georgetown Town Manager, addressed those in attendance. He described how Georgetown had purchased 23 acres outside the town limits, in Floyd County, on which they were to build their new wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Griffin stated that if and when the new Floyd County zoning ordinance is enacted, due to zoning restrictions, they will no longer be able to construct the wastewater treatment plant on the purchased property. What will Georgetown do with the sewage that was to be directed to this plant, once the new Ordinance is adopted? Will it too be fed into the NA system?

Also, the I-64 & Hwy 150 interchange ‘growth corridor’ will almost exclusively be zoned commercial and higher density residential. (The same is true for the I-64 & SR64 Edwardsville/Georgetown ‘growth corridor.’) A recent tour up Hwy 150 on my motorbike revealed the amount of construction in this area. Developers relate imminent plans of many dozens more homes, restaurants, businesses, patio homes and even a movie theatre complex! All this sewage will likewise feed, via the new line ran ‘over the hill,’ into the NA municipal system.

The question becomes, “Can the New Albany sewer system, in its current state, handle this projected additional flow?” Will the system be ready for it, or will sewage continue to perk up into our city streets, yards and basements?

The second way the new Zoning Ordinance could affect New Albany relates to how this urban growth may affect the city’s growth….

Those for and against the new Ordinance agree on one point; everyone now knows what can be built where. Proposed development will no longer be tied up in ongoing conditional use hearing(s) and meeting(s), citizen protests and/or litigation. The thought is that the new Ordinance, when enacted, could for a period of time speed up some level of ‘pent up’ development in the county; especially commercial development.

Against this background of growth due to the new Ordinance, just this same week the US Census Bureau published the Louisville MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) population projections. Extensive coverage was provided by the Courier-Journal in a series of articles. One such article discussed the growth of cities and towns in Indiana.

In that article, it was reported that New Albany's new population estimate of 36,772 represents a drop of nearly 3 percent compared with 2000! Georgetown, on the other hand, is in the top 25 cities and towns in Indiana for growth.

In the not-to-distant future, Floyd County residents ‘on top of the hill’ may have no real need to enter New Albany for shopping, entertainment and in some cases, employment.

Will New Albany then, simply become an exit to bypass on I-64?

What New Albany needs now is truly progressive, dynamic leadership to reinvent and guide the future of New Albany. This refers not simply to the city center, but to the entire city! We need a comprehensive plan that will grow, and where necessary rehabilitate, residential and business areas. Bottom line, we first need to keep people and employers from leaving New Albany, and then attract even more.

Who is in the wings?

Welcome to NA Unrestricted

2006-06-22T11:38:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the newly minted NA Unrestricted!

I am publishing this blog contrary to my better instincts, because I do not know if I have the desire or motivation to keep an ongoing blog ‘alive.’ As a semi-retired dude, I like to spend my time doing many other things, or quite honestly, sometimes nothing at all. To boot, my wife and kids gave me a new motorcycle for Father’s Day. After a decades long hiatus from two-wheel motorized touring, I like to hit the road quite frequently! Therefore, if this blog becomes stale, or takes too much of my time, I reserve the right to cancel all subscriptions and close the door.

Topics

Topics will include postings about our New Albany-Floyd County community, and others that that tickle my interests. The latter could include, without limitation, gardening, conservation, books, travel, biking (both kinds) and Catholicism.

Comments – Ground Rules

While I believe in complete freedom of speech in all its manifest forms, there will be a few rules which guide discussions on this blog.

Comments from all authors, whether anonymous, pseudonymous, fictitious or known, are welcome (I think I set up everything correctly.)
Comments must be on topic, or a reasonable string that flows from that topic.
No comments will be permitted that are slanderous, i.e. “I heard Billy Bob is cheating on his wife.”
No comments will be permitted that contain any profanity, including those words that have unfortunately become part of our accepted vernacular, i.e. “sucks”. This includes variations that attempt to evade this requirement, i.e. s_cks. My young grandson may be reading this, after he masters Go Dog Go.

Not adhering to these ground rules may result in an editorial slash.

Thanks for visiting!