WHAT IS THE STORY OF THE YEAR?
In January I wrote a couple of columns about the impending 2010 elections. The first was a call to all potential candidates that would consider running for office.
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? 01/28/2010
I think it is important that the best and the brightest are seeking public office. We have had enough of people with an ax to grind or an agenda other than making our community a better place.
In February I took a close look at the sewers as the New Albany City Council began looking at increasing the sewer rate
THE SMELL OF SEWER RATE INCREASE 02/19/2010
After many years of ignoring the problems and subsidizing the utility with Economic Development Income Tax funds, it looked like a long term plan to fix the problems was in the works. A compromise was eventually reached that I hope will lead to some progress being made on fixing this problem once and for all.
School closings were a hot topic earlier in the year. The New Albany-Floyd County School Corporation was under fire with their plans to close four elementary schools.
I REFUSE TO POINT FINGERS 03/18/2010
The school board made headlines again last month when some on the board thought that it was appropriate to give Superintendent Dr. Bruce Hibbard a raise in just the second year of a three year contract. Bowing to public opinion this time, the Superintendent said he would decline any raise if it was offered.
In July I discussed New Albany’s plan to Annex part of the Charlestown Road corridor
At first glance it looked like a win-win for our city. After some local businesses came out against the plan it seemed to be put on the back burner. It was brought up again last month and this week the plan was agreed upon by the city council. It was put off for one year so that businesses in the area can prepare for the increased taxes and so the police department can prepare for the larger coverage area
In August I started to take a look at the Ohio River Bridges Project and the plans of the Bridges “Authority” to enact tolls on the bridges linking Southern Indiana to Louisville
While everyone agrees that something needs to be done to fix the transportation mess that has plagued our region for decades, there are no shortages of solutions on what needs to be done. Proponents of the “Two Bridges, One Project Plan” think the only possible solution is building an East End Bridge, a Downtown Bridge, and retool “Spaghetti Junction”, whatever the cost.
Last week our Governor, MyManMitch, was in town for a ground breaking ceremony for a bridge in Madison that will not be tolled. He was quoted as saying, “No tolls, no Bridges.” What he doesn’t understand is the bulk of the tolls will be paid by Hoosiers traveling to Kentucky to work. Also Southern Indiana businesses that have tried hard to attract patrons from Kentucky, would be at a disadvantage. One business owner said at a meeting last week, “They should build as many bridges as they can afford.”
The impact that the bridges will have on our region is immeasurable, as are the effects of tolls. Once the final decision is made there is no turning back. Battle lines are being drawn, and all parties are mobilizing to get their message out. Generations will be impacted by the decisions that will be made in the next few months, so I believe the issue of bridges and tolls has become the story of the year.
Last week our Governor, MyManMitch, was in town for a ground breaking ceremony for a bridge in Madison that will not be tolled. He was quoted as saying, “No tolls, no Bridges.” What he doesn’t understand is the bulk of the tolls will be paid by Hoosiers traveling to Kentucky to work. Also Southern Indiana businesses that have tried hard to attract patrons from Kentucky, would be at a disadvantage. One business owner said at a meeting last week, “They should build as many bridges as they can afford.”
The impact that the bridges will have on our region is immeasurable, as are the effects of tolls. Once the final decision is made there is no turning back. Battle lines are being drawn, and all parties are mobilizing to get their message out. Generations will be impacted by the decisions that will be made in the next few months, so I believe the issue of bridges and tolls has become the story of the year.
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