A look back at a New Albany Gem: LOOP ISLAND WETLANDS

June in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I featured Loop Island Wetlands.

LOOP ISLAND WETLANDS IS A LOCAL GEM

  Today I decided to visit there again to see what it was like in the winter time.  Armed with "Amy's" Christmas Present the CANON Powershot Sx30-IS and a clean pair of shoes I was well prepared.

I didn't even realize that construction of the Ohio River Greenway
Project had begun in the Loop Island Wetlands. This Path goes at the entrance goes about 200 yards to an old Railroad Bridge

The Ducks and other Water Fowl were far away on the other side of the Pond.

I made my way back to the Ohio River

 where I discovered the source of the Silver Creek...

 

IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I breakdown some fan mail that was recieved in the form of a Letter to the Editor in THE TRIBUNE.

IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES

I never get tired of hearing from the  people that read my column every week....

The point of Ms. Larner’s letter was to criticize me for pointing out the shortfalls of councilman Steve Price in my recent column THIRD DISTRICT DESERVES BETTER 


I stand by every statement that I have ever made concerning the members of this city council.


Ms. Larner started her letter by demonstrating her complete lack of knowledge of the “Historical Society” as she puts it, and exclaims that “something should be done about them.”  She claims that they are unconstitutional and a “far cry from what our fore fathers had in mind.”


I will continue to give my opinions on how this council has failed those that it has been elected to represent.  I am certain that this is what the fore fathers had in mind.


Last Sunday The Tribune’s Editorial Board published an editorial calling for “the best and brightest” to come forward and seek public office.  They say “the city needs capable people--those who can make a difference in our community.”   During the first week that candidates could file to run for public office there were only three people that committed to running (two for mayor and one for council at large).  


2011 PRIMARY CANDIDATES


Indeed it is imperative that our best and brightest do step forward so that there are reasonable choice in this May's Primary.

In the meantime I will continue to point out  the flaws and the faults of New Albany's city council.  If they are allowed to go unchecked, it would be hard to imagine the damage that they could cause.

New Albany has a Candidate who appears to have a pulse

Checking the Floyd County Clerk's list of candidates that have filed for Municipal Elections has been disappointing during the first week of filing.

2011 CANDIDATES

Yesterday Brad Bell filed to run for City Council at Large.  I admit I know very little about Brad, but at least he has put a little thought into running for public office...

http://www.bradbellforcitycouncil.com/

As far as I know neither of the candidates that have filed to run for Mayor of New Albany have even considered  websites.  I cannot find them on Facebook or Twitter either.

When I saw Brad's name on the filing list I searched for him on Facebook, requested him as a friend, and was directed to his website.

I look forward to hearing more about Brad and wish him luck in his first campaign.

Taking the Plunge Again

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I use my powers for good instead of Evil:

TAKING THE PLUNGE AGAIN

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Not only did I jump into the frosty waters of the Ohio River on that cold February morning, I have done it every year since.  Not only was I able to accomplish my goal, I was able to help out a worthy cause.  On February 26th I will once again jump in to the chilly water as part of this year’s Polar Bear Plunge.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

As part of the festivities that surround the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics there is  a costume contest.  I have become pretty popular amongst the regulars that attend the annual event for my creative costumes that I have come up with.

Ritz Cracker Box

Sonny and Cher

The third year I went all out and turned myself into Sonny and Cher.  I endured an eyebrow wax, shaved half of my chest, and grew a moustache that would make Tom Selleck and Sam Elliot both stand up and cheer, and then shaved half of it off.

MR AND MRS POTATO HEAD

Last year I convinced my girlfriend “Amy” to jump into the river with me.  She is a huge fan of Mr. Potato Head so the two of us went as Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.  

Starting with the year I was Sonny and Cher I decided that growing a mustache would become part of the ritual.  Over the last few years it has evolved into a full blown beard.  This year I have not shaved my face since October 16th.  I have been called such names as Grizzly Addams, Yukon Cornelius or “That guy from The Hangover” Zack Galifianakis.  Now when people ask, “What’s up with the crazy beard?”, I explain to them about the Polar Bear Plunge and The Special Olympics

A letter from a FAN

On January 19th The Tribune published a letter to the editor that took me to task for my constant ranting about councilmen Dan Coffey and Steve Price.


READER DEFENDS COFFEY, PRICE


The letter writer, Shirley Ann Larner, admits to not knowing much about the "Historical Society".  I assume that she means the Historic Preservation Commission that Steve Price spearheaded a futile campaign to have abolished. He had absolutely no support for his plan.


December 2, 2010: 3RD DISTRICT DESERVES BETTER


The Historic Preservation Commission’s mission as stated at their website is “… to work in cooperation with the City of New Albany to preserve the character and fabric of historically significant areas and structures for all present and future citizens of New Albany.” How can anyone be against a group whose soul purpose is to make New Albany a better place?


She writes that in her opinion:   "historical societies are unconstitutional and a far cry from what the founding fathers had in mind"


New Albany's Historical Preservation Commission and the rules that govern what they do, was set up based on state statutes and voted on by the New Albany City Council.  


Ms. Larner does say she thinks I am a very talented writer and that she really enjoyed my Christmas Eve Column.  


She finishes her letter by saying that she wishes that I would quit ranting about Coffey and Price.  I am positive that this is NOT what the founding fathers had in mind!


Coincidentally in the same Edition of The Tribune there is also a "CHEER AND JEER" from reader Stephen Scott concerning the work being done to make sidewalks handicapped assessable  . 


He writes:  "The benefit to those that need it is immeasurable and it enhances the city’s overall quality of life. Way to go, NA!!"


Third District Councilman Steve Price, who governs the district that many of these improvements were added, voted against the resolution that called for this, which were federally mandated.

CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO ADDRESS BUDGET SHORTFALL

Our city council is up for election this year.  As one member pointed out they do not have a lot to put in their Resume.  One of their main responsibilities 

CITY COUNCIL NEEDS ADDRESS BUDGET SHORTFALL

     Earlier this week is reported that  New Albany ended 2010 with a budget deficit of $1.7 million for the year but had reserves reaching nearly 7.4 million dollars.   The city council members have debated for months about how to balance the budget but the city’s general fund still ended the year in the red...


There have been several proposal on how to actually balance the budget.  Some of the plans seemed a little complicated and some members seemed confused.


...Most of the approximately $1.7 million deficit comes from the police and fire budgets, that the mayor says have been under funded for years.  City council members insist that those departments have been mismanaged and need to be brought in line with the budget but have so far not made it clear what should be cut...


For years I have attended city council meetings and Steve Price constantly rants about the use of the Police department's Patrol Car Take home policy as the cause of the budget shortfall.

...Third district councilman Steve Price claims that the police departments take home car policy is one cause of the problem.  He thinks that the citizens of New Albany should not be forced to pay for gas for police officers that do not live within the city limits.  Maybe there should be some reevaluation of the take home policy but restricting the use of take home cars will have only a minimal affect on the budget deficit...


He also refuses to support any new project that is brought before the council.


Councilman Price does not think it is proper to use “Rainy” day funds to cover the budget deficit.  He equates it to living on your savings account.  He has refused for years to use these funds for any projects that have been proposed, under the guise of fiscal responsibility.  Now we need that money for public safety, and he still refuses to use it.  What exactly is he waiting for?


I understand the importance of saving money for when it might be needed.  The only problem is you cannot just put that money under your mattress, you must eventually spend that money.

Fiscal responsibility in the time of crisis has  been a cornerstone of some of the members of this council.  They have refused to support projects that  could make this city better, because they did not think it was wise to use tax payers money irresponsibly.  Now they have the opportunity do the right thing and use some of the money they have been saving to properly fund the Police and Fire departments’ budgets.  That is the least they can do for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day for the sake of public safety.

ARE OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS SLEEPING ON THE JOB?

Find out tomorrow 

Can the Bridges Project be Changed?

I started thinking about writing this column when the initial news came out about the possibility of downsizing the plan.  I had to change gears a few times as more information came out and my deadline was before the meeting held on Thursday January 6th.

I was at the meeting and one person said that the new plan did not mean they had to reopen the "RECORD OF DECISION" and another person said that it would be up to the Federal Highway people to decide.

CAN THE BRIDGES PROJECT BE CHANGED?


...One of the universal statements that is constantly being repeated is The “Bridges Authority” cannot change the size and scope of the project.


...Imagine my surprise when I read in the newspaper that Indiana’s Governor has been discussing downsizing the plans during closed door meetings...


...So now the two state’s Governors and the Louisville  Mayor have said they are interested in downsizing the project, and eliminating the need for tolls on the Sherman Minton and Clark Memorial bridges...


At the meeting the Bridges Authority announced that there would not be tolls on Sherman Minton or Clark Memorial Bridges, they are still waiting on word if they will be able to toll the Kennedy Bridge.  It is clear that they are unwilling to work on a plan that would eliminate tolls altogether.

If the size and scope of the project can be changed, why would they consider downsizing the most popular part of the plan.  The East End Bridge is also the one with the most potential in eliminating the bottle neck that occurs when traffic is forced to drive through downtown Louisville.

According to the CN2 poll that was taken in August 50.3% of the people support building the East End Bridge, by far the most popular plan.  Compare that to the entire Bridges plan that only has the support of 14.5%.

While I do applaud Indiana’s Governor for finally listening to the citizens that live in Southern Indiana, I still am worried that he is too attached to the idea of tolling.  He is on record saying that those who use/benefit should pay for the project.  The problem is it is hard to collect from those who will benefit most.

Tolling on the Ohio River Bridges is a very unpopular idea.  Now the politicians have  taken notice and are attempting to add their two cents.



The news this week that the project could be downsized is welcome to many citizens of Southern Indiana.  Downsizing the plan is an important step, as long as it is downsized in a logical way.  We cannot afford to get this wrong, we are already spending too much money correcting the mistakes of the past.

I would like to Thank the Bridges Authority for all their hard work and holding a meeting!

The Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority wasted another couple of hours Thursday morning patting themselves on the back and thanking each other on all the hard work they have put into the process.

Holding a meeting just two days after the big announcement that the Indiana and Kentucky governors along with the mayor of Louisville would like to see the project downsized, they made it clear that this would not have to reopen the Record of Decision.  Until the next 30 seconds when they stated that would be up to the Federal Highways.

They also made it clear that tolling will be a part of the funding plan.

My Friday Column tomorrow discusses in more detail how I feel about the new plan.