This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I try my hand at getting a little more assertive:
Over the years when I needed something from someone or wanted someone to do something for me, many times it doesn’t get done. Maybe I was unclear as to what I really wanted or too vague about how serious I was. After a news report in the News and Tribune about a New Albany city council meeting, and an exchange between a city council member and a member of the administration, I have found a new way to make my expectations clear.
To the Indiana Legislature:
You have a lot of very important legislation to consider this year and short session to get things done. It seems that some of you want to waste time on very unimportant issues that have very little impact on the every day lives of ordinary Hoosiers.
The first time I heard about the bill being proposed by Senator Vaneta Becker R-Evansville I thought it was some kind of joke. Her bill would set specific performance standards for the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner” at any event sponsored by public schools or state universities. Schools would be required to record and maintain a record of all performances for two years and performers could be fined if they strayed from the guidelines for singing the National Anthem. Without getting into the first amendment implications and the performers freedom of expression this bill is a waste of time and of tax payer money.
The next bill I agree with but do not think it is the job of the state legislature. It concerns the Indiana High School Basketball and a return to a single class tournament. For years the annual basketball tournament was the envy of the nation and I would like to see its return also. I do not think that it is the job of the Indiana legislature to force the schools to play the tournament the way that lawmakers like.
Both of these bills are examples of lawmakers overstepping their bounds, I think they should stick to their jobs and not look for things like this that score political points back home. There are much more important issues to tackle. Quit wasting your time and taxpayers money on ideas like this, that’s not a request
.
To the Floyd County Council:
Quit telling me how great of a job you are doing because we are better off than other counties. I don’t really care how others are doing, I just want Floyd County to be a great place to live. Why do I keep reading that you will fund the parks department properly only when a new plan is agreed upon with the city?
The current plan requires you to fund the parks evenly with the city, and you should be living up to your obligation. Maybe if you had been living up to your responsibilities over the last few years the parks department could have finalized plans to build a new outdoor water facility and a new little league field in our community. You need to do your job so that the parks department is able to do their jobs properly, that’s not a request.
To the NA-FC School board:
Creating a new position that pays six figures and then promoting the wife of one your own to fill a vacancy is no way to do business. Over the last few years you slashed budgets by closing schools, cutting programs and outsourcing services. Field trips, elementary sports and music and arts programs are disappearing and you are adding administrators. I am tired of hearing there is no money and then reading about things like this. Stop this nonsense and get back to the business of education. I really do not want to hear about a raise for this superintendent, that’s not a request.
To candidates seeking local offices:
If you send out a letter asking for support, please indicate some way for me to contact you besides the return address label on the envelope. This is 2012 and if you don’t have an email address maybe you should reconsider running for public office. Last year more than one candidate published the address of a website that was not even active. If you are going to expend time, money and energy on a campaign and would like my consideration, paying attention to the details is a good place to start, that’s not a request.
To the New Albany city council:
For years the members have looked out for their own self interest and it is time that you started looking out for the needs of our city. When you are in the council chamber your job is to worry about what is best for the city and not whether or not your business or members of your families business succeeds. If you would consider how your decisions will impact the entire city and not just worry how your business will be affected, this city would be a much better place. Bob, that’s not a request.
No comments:
Post a Comment