OHIO RIVER GREENWAY RIBBON CUTTING

This morning the Ohio River Greenway project phase from 18th Street to Silver Creek was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

I first discussed this phase of the Greenway back in January when our unseasonably warm temperatures sent me on a journey to explore it, I detailed it in my weekly column.

GREENWAY PROJECT IN FULL SWING

Several dignitaries were on hand including Mayor Gahan and much of his staff, a single city councilman and one county councilman.  Several business leaders were also present each wearing One Southern Indiana Ambassador pins.

The path that extends from the cut in the floodwall at 18th street all the way to the deserted railroad bridge that crosses Silver Creek and into Clarksville.  Eventually the path will connect the communities of Clarkville, Jeffersonville and New Albany and eventually to Louisville via the Big Four Bridge and maybe someday the K & I Bridge.

I look forward to the day when this sign can be taken down.

Don't blame it on the Rain

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at New Albany's never ending problem of continued desire to develop land formerly used for absorbing rain water without spending money to find a place for this water to go.

DON'T BLAME IT ON THE RAIN

Last Tuesday after ten blissful days of marriage I awoke early to put my new bride on an airplane for her to travel to Sacramento, California for a business trip that would keep her in the Pacific time zone for the next  18 days.  Never wanting to press her luck “Amy” enjoys getting to the airport several hours before the plane is to board, sometimes even before the airport even opens.  Most of the time this drives me bananas but this time it really didn’t.

It wasn’t because I was looking forward to her being gone for the second through forth weeks of our marriage, it was because I was excited to avoid the traffic associated with people returning to work after a long holiday weekend.  The other thing that worried me was the impending storm that was bearing down on our region.  Most people were actually looking forward to the rain after the sweltering heat of the Memorial Day weekend, but Louisville commuters have a problem dealing with rain on the roadways.

I was able to get home and return to my slumber before traffic got too bad and before the rain began to fall.  I was dozing  away on the couch when suddenly I was awakened by the sound of thunder.   As I rolled over to inspect what was happening outside I realized we were in the midst of a torrential downpour.  Most of the time I do not like it when it rains but after the lack of April showers my May flowers were really desperate for a nice watering.

VIEW FROM MY DRIVEWAY DURING RAIN
EVENT MARCH 2, 2012

We moved into our neighborhood in the summer of 2009 right around the time of the wettest few  months on record so I know what to expect when the rain starts to fall.  At the end of my next door neighbors driveway, and just across the street from that are two storm drains that should move water away from our street but do not work efficiently and also sometimes need cleaning. 

Many times during a major downpour you will see one of my neighbors or me, walking through knee deep water to insure that the grate is clear so water can flow as smoothly as possible.  Even with a drain that is cleared of debris when we have a major rainfall event, there is still flooding that occurs on our street.  The good news is it does go down quickly when the heavy raining stops.

New Albany has been historically bad about planning and zoning which goes hand in hand with their ability to move storm water efficiently away from neighborhoods.  City government allows new developments to come in and blacktop over areas that use to absorb rain as it fell but now is covered with impervious surfaces so we would have more place to drive, park and shop.  This was all done with little to no forethought about where rainwater would go when heavy rains would fall.

At this week’s New Albany city council meeting 6th district council member Scott Blair brought up the subject of neighborhood flooding in his district.  It was also pointed out that there were a couple of more problems around town including pooling of water around the intersection of Interstate 265 at State Street.  I grew up in this part of town and have witnessed the drainage getting progressively worse as the area was continuously developed.

Over the last few years I have been critical of developments in that area including several new doctors offices and the old Wesley Chapel Church sight which is currently under development.  Flooding in that area continues to be a problem but developments continue to get approved.

Each time a new development is planned some hippy types are always there to  complain about the possible storm water runoff. The protesters are always told that the developer will do what is necessary to control the overflow.  Retention basins or other forms of engineering marvels are used to assure the careful evacuation of all of the overflow water.  Years later neighbors downstream complain to council people that there is a problem but no one wants to address what caused it, just how much money it is going to cost to fix it.

If the leaders in this community wanted to get serious about flooding in neighborhoods around New Albany they would take a tougher look at planned developments.  I understand the need for progress and the important adding things like a new Doctor’s office and a Starbucks to the tax rolls but what is the cost to property that is already here.  Unless we take these things into consideration the problems that we have endured for all these years will only continue.

The Cost of Justice

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at the ever growing cost of the David Camm triple murder trial.  After nearly twelve years the taxpayers of Floyd County are no closer to the end of this roller coaster than we were in the beginning.  Not to mention the emotional toll that this must be having on the family of the victims.

THE COST OF JUSTICE

Last week the Indiana Supreme Court refused to hear arguments over the appeals court ruling to remove Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson from the David Camm murder trial.  What this means that a special prosecutor will be named to continue with the case.  It also means that the taxpayers of Floyd County will pay an even higher cost for the third murder trial of the former state trooper that has twice been convicted of killing his wife and two young children each conviction was later overturned on appeal.

While Mr. Henderson in interviews has made it quite clear that he disagrees with the decision of the highest court in the State, he still is totally at fault for his removal from the case.  His decision to write a book about the second murder trial, before it came to a full conclusion has resulted in the ever growing cost of the new trial.  I am disappointed in the prosecutors decision to use his position as an elected official in Floyd County to try to make a profit and then when the whole thing backfires sticks the County with the bill.

At every turn the price tag on this trial continues to rise.  Now, along with paying for the defense, we also have to pay for the new prosecutor.   There will also be additional cost of the new prosecutor to get up to speed on the case.   Some people have estimated that the third trial may cost as much as another $1 million.  

Not only are the taxpayers of our county paying for new prosecutors and defense attorneys, we have also been stuck with the bill for covering personal ethics complaints against Mr. Henderson.  It was reported in the Courier Journal that his defense bills on the ethics complaints have reached $27,000.  Mr. Henderson was quoted in the News and Tribune last week say that he believes  “but for my position as prosecutor that complaint wouldn‘t have been filed.”   I believe that his decision to write a book, and to be compensated for it, he would not be under the scrutiny.  Making it not directly part of his position, but of his desire to profit from his position.  

Why does Mr. Henderson believe that it is the taxpayers responsibility to pick of the tab to defend him from ethics complaints?  Why are attorneys from an Indianapolis law firm billing Floyd County and why are the Floyd County Commissioners agreeing to pay the bills?

In a news report that was reported on WLKY Television a few weeks ago Steve Bush, president of the Floyd County Commissioners,  announced he sees  no problem with paying whatever legal bills the Prosecutor presents him.  He was quoted in the news report saying “I will support Keith Henderson.”   I have no problem if Mr. Bush wants to personally “support”  the Prosecutor, but that should not include paying for personal legal bills with taxpayer money.

David Camm’s defense attorneys have used every legal maneuver to prolong this trial and drive up the cost to Floyd County.  It almost seems like they believe that eventually there will be enough backlash about paying for all of this that someone will just give up.  While they are within their rights to do what they have to do to I believe all they are doing is prolonging the inevitable.  Eventually David Camm will get a fair trial and they will exhaust all legal maneuvers and he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. 

It has been eleven and a half years since the Murder of Kim, Brad and Jill Camm. I feel for the family of the victims of this senseless murder.  No amount of time or money will ever make their lives whole again.  I can’t imagine what they are going through after all these years.

The murder of The Camm family is one of the greatest tragedies that our community has ever seen.  It has been a burden on everyone involved.  It has also been a financial burden on the taxpayers of our county.  I do not believe that there should be a price tag put on justice.  I am just not sure who should be paying for it.

Taking the plunge Again...

This is a link to the column that I wrote last year before the POLAR BEAR PLUNGE to benefit Special Olympics...

TAKING THE PLUNGE AGAIN

DONATE HERE

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

What is best for our schools?

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at the very unpopular decision of the NA-FC School Board to give the superintendent a raise

Last week when I first heard that the New Albany-Floyd County Board of School Trustees was planning on giving a raise to its superintendent I thought it would be a good topic for my weekly column.  Now almost five days after the meeting that delivered Bruce Hibbard his contract extension and 20% salary increase, there isn’t much left to be said.  Each story written about Monday night’s meeting has been flooded with comments which were overwhelmingly anti-raise.  Most people agree that with a budget deficit reported at $2.8 million dollars, maybe right now isn’t the best time to start handing out raises.

My opinion when the topic was first brought up back in 2010  could be summed up in the title of my November 19th column “Superintendent’s salary should be based on results”.  In that column I pointed out that there needed to be some sort of track record of higher test scores and better graduation rates in order for a raise to even be considered.  While  the numbers seem to be moving in the right direction, has enough time passed in order to gauge whether they will keep going up.

I would also point out that Dr. Hibbard is not solely responsible for our school district’s improvement.  I believe that the teachers in each of the classrooms deserve some credit when it comes to the progress that has been made.  When the time to negotiate teacher contracts will we use the same criteria to determine whether or not they deserve a raise?  I would wager that when it comes time for teacher raises, the looming budget deficit will be a major factor in the school board’s decision process.  

I also pointed out in that column that Dr. Hibbard signed a contract that specified his pay rate with modest raises built in.  That contract was extended in 2010 and again this week.  I compared it to a professional athlete who thought that he was worth more money because he had a stand out year.  What if the numbers fall next year?  Can we go to Mr. Hibbard and ask for some of that money back?  Can we renegotiate his contract to reflect a lower salary if the numbers drop off one year?  

Why do we even take the time to write out a contract if neither party seems interested in following through with it.  Maybe there should be a clause in the contact that states that if he bolts early, that we can recoup some of the extra money that we threw at him to stay.  I am sure if the school board decided to end his contract early, Floyd County taxpayers would still be on the hook for the balance.

The pro raise school board members have been very outspoken that we got him on the “cheap” and we would risk losing him if we didn’t give him more money.  He admitted that has had conversations with other school systems and was even offered $200,000 for a job in Florida.  Personally I believe that with cost of living factors, our pay scale seems to be a better deal, of course some people think it would be nice to live in Florida.  What would happen if we found a superintendent that was interested in living in Floyd County Indiana?

Some of the outrage over the raise was the fact that it was discussed behind closed doors and the plan was not released to the public until the meeting that it was voted on.  Many people wouldn’t even have realized it was coming if one of the board members hadn’t written a column in the News and Tribune giving his reasons for supporting the need for the raise.

As they have been quick to point out, the board was within their rights to keep their plans secret.  Why wouldn’t they want the public aware of what they were doing?  Had they handled the process a little better, they may have been able to avoid some of the negative backlash.  I think they could have helped their cause if they would have presented the contract at one meeting and then voted on it at another.  Two of the board members did try to table the matter at Monday’s meeting, but were voted down by the rest of the board.

I hope that the recent progress within our school corporation is not a fluke and things will continue to improve.  I also hope that Dr. Hibbard lives up to his agreement and fulfills the terms of the contract.  If he should decide that he needs more money and Floyd County is not the place for him, I hope the school board looks at this situation and learns something themselves.  Hiring a superintendent that is just using the position as a  stepping stone to a better, higher paying job maybe isn’t what is best for the children in the New Albany-Floyd County School Corporation.   Ultimately that should be the only factor considered when picking our superintendent.  

A look back: November 19, 2010 Does the Superintendent deserve a raise?

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I discuss the recent events facing the New Albany-Floyd County School Corporation.

SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY SHOULD BE BASED ON RESULTS

New Albany Floyd County School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Bruce Hibbard is in the middle of his second year of a three year contract.  This week some members of the school board considered giving him a large raise.  Some school board members believe that he has made some tough decisions and has done a good job as superintendent.  One board members says he was gotten on the “cheap” and should be rewarded before he leaves for higher pay.  

Mr. Hibbard's salary is $142,000 this year.  The average salary for a superintendent in the state of Indiana is $115,000.  The NA-FC School Corp. is said to be the 15th largest school system in the state.  Dr. Hibbard's salary is ranked 32th out of 296 school systems. The $24,000 raise the the school board was proposing would have reportedly put him at the average of school systems with above 10,000 students.

Dr. Hibbard and the school system board did not have that great of a year last year...

• Four elementary schools closed
• 5th graders moved to middle school
• elementary school athletics eliminated
• Music programs cut
• No Field Trips
• support staff benefits cut

Dr. Hibbard began the school board meeting on Monday night by announcing that he would not accept a pay raise if it was offered... This didn’t stop some members from insisting that he deserved a raise. ..

School board member, Neal Smith, who supported the salary increase said “…I will continue to try to find some money, somewhere, to try to reward this person for making tough decisions…”. How hard did Mr. Smith look for more money to keep our schools open?  Is he still looking to looking for extra cash to return music and elementary athletics to our schools?

Where did this decision to give Dr. Hibbard a raise  come from?  

You have to wonder if one of the reasons that some believe that a raise is in order has anything to do with the pay of the leader in neighboring Greater Clark Schools.   Their Superintendent, Stephen Daeschner, was hired last year with a total salary of $225,000 paid partly by private donations.  Mr. Daeschner is now the highest paid school superintendent in Indiana, but has many years of experience having led Jefferson County (Kentucky) Schools for many years.  This is Dr. Hibbard’s first job as superintendent.  

I don't have a problem with paying a school administrator a reasonable salary.  I just think it should be made based on measurable results as opposed to just "doing a good job" or "making tough decisions"

 I could understand an increase in pay if there was a track record of higher ISTEP test scores.  If there was a significant improvement in the number of students dropping out of school,  I could understand some kind of reward.  If our more of our kids were going on to college after graduation I would approve of a raise.  There is no way to track the progress of how Dr. Hibbard decisions have improved our schools after just one year on the job.

Mr. Hibbard should honor his current contract and when it is over there should be an evaluation based on goals and criteria that the school board determines.  He does not deserve a raise for basically doing the job he was hired to do.

We have to share the road

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at an accident last week between two men, one walking the other riding a bike across the 2nd Street Bridge.

WE HAVE TO SHARE THE ROAD

Last week, on the 2nd Street Bridge, there was a tragic accident involving a pedestrian and a bicycle rider.  One man was walking on the sidewalk of the bridge from a job in Jeffersonville to his home in Louisville.  The bicycle rider was  riding on the sidewalk from his job in Louisville to his home in Indiana.  The cyclist claimed he was trying to get the attention of the walker when the two collided.  The pedestrian fell into oncoming traffic and was struck by a vehicle suffering head and abdominal trauma.

In the report in the newspaper about the accident the Jeffersonville Police spokesman, Todd Hollis was quoted saying “The bicycle should have been on the roadway, not the sidewalk”.  While this may be how the law reads, I do think in this case there needs to be an exception.  As someone who rides a bicycle of a regular basis, including on the roadway and the sidewalk of the 2nd Street Bridge,  I would agree that in nearly every other circumstances a bicycle belongs on the road, but to survive crossing that bridge the sidewalk is the only way.  Maybe when the Sherman Minton Bridge is reopened I will change my mind.

BRIDGE TRAFFIC AFTER SMB CLOSURE

 I still believe the cyclist was wrong, as the one who had the ability to go the fastest and inflict the most damage, he had a responsibility to make sure he avoided the pedestrian.  At the very least he should have stopped and let the walker pass by.  Some have also suggested that he should have pushed his bike across the span.  No matter what method that he should have used, he had the burden to insure that both parties made it across the bridge safely.

Whenever a news story like this comes out it is inevitable that the anti-cyclist coalition uses the tragedy  to advance their movement.   They are very predictable and almost everyone of them say the same thing.  They throw around words like “menace” and claim that the roads were meant for automobiles.  It is always the same argument that bicycle riders don’t pay taxes and should be registered and be forced to get insurance just like cars.  The throw around accusations like bike riders never follow the rules of the road, including stopping at stop signs or speeding through lights.

Bicycle riders do belong on the road.  They have the same rights as automobiles and the same responsibilities.   In this circumstance the automobiles have the responsibility as the one traveling the fastest and the ability to inflict the most damage.  

Many people believe that roads are built exclusively by gasoline tax and car excise tax.  These taxes only pay a fraction of the cost of infrastructure.  Local streets and roads are paid for and maintained with property tax money, sales tax money, and Economic Development Income Tax.  Bicycle riders pay all these taxes, and most all cyclist also have cars.  Bicycles also do far less damage to roads than cars  so the cost to maintain roads for cyclist is minimal.

When you put all people who ride bicyclist in the same group, you do a great disservice.  You can’t say that every bike rider speeds through stop signs, because I do not.  While I don’t always come to an absolute stop at every sign in a neighborhood ride, I will generally slow down to a pace far slower than when most cars roll through the same sign.  I do stop at all red lights, which is far better percentage than cars, and I have never exceeded the speed limit on my bike.

Both of the victims of last week’s accident were on their way home from work when it occurred.  When times are as tough as these how can anyone criticize people doing what they have to do to get to work.  Neither of these men used the fact that they did not have a car to get to work that day to stop them, they did what they had to for their jobs.

While the circumstances of last week’s accident are unfortunate it does help to raise awareness.  Everybody should pay attention to what they are doing and do whatever is necessary to insure everyone should get home safely.  If every person that uses the roads, whether they are walking, riding a bike or even driving a car,  would pay attention, tragic accidents like these could be avoided.

I wish a speedy recovery to the man injured and hope he is able to return to a normal life when all of this is over.

I am sure I had a point

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I address a reader's concern that my column last week was a little too vague, I hope this helps.

I AM SURE I HAD A POINT

It might be hard to believe but when I sit down each week to write one of these opinion columns I believe that ultimately I will have a point.  Whether I make my point clear to everyone in every column is a matter of debate.  Apparently last week I failed miserably in that endeavor and for that I would like to apologize.  

Although I received a lot of positive feedback from last week’s column, one long time reader didn’t understand the use of my phrase “That’s not a request” that I used at the end of each segment of my article.  It seems I wasn’t clear enough about what my point really was.

In the title of the column “Thanks for the Idea, Bob” , I am referring to New Albany’s 2nd district city councilman Bob Caeser and a comment that he made at a city council meeting earlier this month and reported in the News and Tribune.  He owns a business on Pearl Street and Indiana-American Water Corporation was seeking a permit from the city in order to do some maintenance on  the water line there. 

In the very first paragraph of my column I refer to an exchange between the councilman and a member of the administration.  Mr. Caeser made it clear that the permit should not be issued until after Valentine’s Day.  Emphasizing his position by announcing “that wasn’t a request”.  He made it clear that he would use his power as a member of the city council to protect  his business interest.

I guess my point by emphasizing the statement throughout the column was to highlight that elected officials should not be able to use their power or position in order to obtain special privileges.  People in power should not use that power to protect their own business interest.  They should use their power as an elected official to protect the business interest of the entire city.

Just this week United States Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was preparing to board a plane and set off an alarm and he was asked to submit to a more thorough screening, to which he refused.  Senator Paul said in an interview that the TSA spends too much time doing invasive searches of people who are not a threat, instead of identifying people who are.  How would the Senator differentiate between people who are or aren’t a threat?

I do not agree with all of the rules that are enforced by the Transportation Security Administration, an agency of the Homeland Security Department.  I believe that they probably over step their bounds and infringe on our civil liberties.  I also believe the rules are there for a reason and that they need to be followed.  It is the price that we pay for safe air travel.  If the rules are wrong, then they need to be changed, until that time they need to be enforced evenly for everyone.

Another person that believes that he is above all the rules is Indiana Secretary of State,  Charles White.  In 2010 as he was running as a candidate for Secretary of State, ironically the chief election official in the state, he maintained the address of his ex-wife’s residence.  Had he updated his residency as required he would have also had to resign from his position of town councilman and lose the $12,000 salary.

Last month a Marion County Court overturned the election and ordered the runner up to replace him as Secretary of State.  As of right now the case is still in the hands of the courts and it could be a while until it is ultimately decided.  Would any of this have been necessary if Mr. White had just followed the law?  

Elected officials should not be given special powers or be considered to be above the rules.  They should go out of their way to follow the letter of the law as it is written and not challenge the authority of others.  If they believe that the laws are wrong or unfair, they should be changed for everyone.

What if everyone went to the airport and refused to be searched?  What if everyone that moved before an election didn’t change their voter registration properly?  What if every business owner demanded that their business deserved favorable treatment?  If our leaders are not required to follow the rules, why should any one else?  I guess that was my point.

Matthew Nash just wishes common sense were a tad more common.  If you don’t get the point of this, or any other column he can be reached by email dmatthewnash

Thanks for the idea, Bob

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I try my hand at getting a little more assertive:

THANKS FOR THE IDEA, BOB

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.  

Ohio River Greenway project in full swing

GREENWAY PROJECT IN FULL SWING

At the first meeting of the New Albany City Council for 2012 there wasn’t much on the agenda.  Election of officers, appointment of committees and municipal boards (which was postponed) were some of the very few things that needed to get done.  About thirty minutes into the meeting it looked like it was about time to adjourn and everyone would get to go home early.  That’s when Shauna Graf project coordinator  of The Ohio River Greenway Commission got up and gave her annual update on the progress of the Greenway.  

The twenty five minute presentation was a look at the history, progress and the future plans of the Ohio River Greenway project.

At first glance The Ohio River Greenway appears to be just a concrete path along the river but it is more than that.  According to their mission  the “Ohio River Greenway is to provide a common linkage between the Communities of Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany, Indiana along the banks of the Ohio River and to promote a passive recreational environment for river access, while allowing each community to construct riverfront amenities to enhance the overall project.”  

Many people are aware of The Greenway progress around New Albany near the amphitheater, as part of the “Scribner Place” project.  The next phase of the project is preparing to open between 18th Street and the Loop Island Wetlands.  With the very nice weather that we have had over the last couple of weeks I was able to get out and enjoy the newest segment of the project.

I decided to start at the entrance to the Loop Island Wetlands and work my way back towards town.  While the pathway is not 100% completed, it is to the point where citizens can enjoy a piece of New Albany that most people have never seen.  The day I went out there were construction workers putting the finishing touches on some railing and cleaning debris from the path.

 

 The old entrance to the Loop Island Wetlands is still where it always was but now as soon as you enter there is a roundabout path that has benches for sitting and resting and just watching nature.  I hadn’t walked 100 yards when I saw my “exotic” creature when I captured a picture of a small woodpecker.

The path from there heads west along the concrete floodwall and up a railed path to the top of the levee trail.  From there you walk along the top of the levee trail that curves around to conform to the shape of the Ohio River banks.  Until spring arrives and the leaves return you can see through the row of trees across the river to Sand Island and hear the echoes from thee McAlpine Locks.

Then you walk down the levee trail to the entrance at Eighteen Street floodwall.  A sign welcomes you to the newest phase of the Ohio River Greenway project.  A place for a few cars to park has been added so that people can stop and take a walk from 18th street to Loop Island Wetlands.

The greenway will be a valuable asset to our community and to Southern Indiana.  creating a new bound between our communities that will last for generations.  One of the roadblocks to creating something really nice for every citizen to enjoy has been a rash of vandalism.  Several lights near the New Albany amphitheater have been damaged by vandals intent on destroying for the sake of destruction.

Along this newest segment of the Greenway Path graffiti covers  the concrete floodwall.  Gang signs, racial slurs and just your bored kids with a can of spray paint cover portions of the wall.  You can already see spots where some of the vandalism has already been covered up.  I believe that the concrete floodwall would be a great place for a huge mural to be commissioned, maybe depicting the history of the region throughout the years from the Scribner Brothers to the twenty first century.

Litter has also begun to be a problem with people just tossing garbage out and dumping their family garbage along the path.  If the Ohio River Greenway is going to be a nice place for people to go and spend some of their recreation time, it has got to be treated with the respect it deserves.  

With plans for the Big Four Bridge in full gear and the growing possibility of a pedestrian bike path across the K and I bridge,  our region would have a complete loop that would be an resource for commuting or recreation which would rival any in the nation. 

Southern Indiana communities will always be linked by our river heritage. When the Ohio River Greenway  is finally completed from the Jeffersonville Riverstage to the New Albany amphitheater we will also be physically linked with a path between our communities.  I look forward to the continuation of this project and hope for its timely completion.

Highway Commissioner Slush fund uncovered by State Board of Accounts

A few months ago the County Highway Superintendent was allowed to retire while the department was said to be under investigation.  On December 5th the Indiana State Board of Accounts announced its findings.

Here are some the overview:

RECEIPTS NOT RECORDED OR DEPOSITED 

Ronald N. Quakenbush, County Highway Superintendent, was responsible for the operations of the Highway Department.  Among the duties of the Highway Superintendent is the removal and disposal of old culverts, guard rails, and other items of salvageable materials. 

The normal process for disposal of these items was to haul them to various recycling companies.  The truck drivers, at the time of delivery of the scrap, would receive either cash or vouchers.  If they received vouchers, they would immediately turn them into cash at the machines provided at the recycling company, and then, the receipts along with the cash, were given to the Highway Superintendent.  

The Highway Superintendent was to turn the monies received into the County Auditor to be deposited into the County's bank account and recorded in the County Highway Fund. There were allegations made by some of the employees of the Highway Department that not all monies received from the sale of this scrap metal were being turned into the County Auditor.  

They stated they would bring the receipts from the recycling companies and the cash to the Highway Superintendent and he would put some of the money into a locked drawer in a filing cabinet in the Highway office.  According to these employees, there was a significant amount of cash in the drawer at all times.  These employees also stated on numerous occasions they would be given cash from that drawer to purchase items for the Highway Department and bring the receipts to the Superintendent.  

In some instances, the Highway Superintendent would then submit a claim, along with these receipts to the County Auditor for reimbursement, as if he had paid for these items personally.  In addition to the above allegations, they also  stated he would use money from the drawer to purchase candy, water, soft drinks, and ice cream and then sell them to the employees 

EXAMINATION REPORT OF FLOYD COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Mr. Quakenbush has been asked to repay the County $17,000

When Black Friday Comes

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at what has been referred to as "Black Friday":

WHEN BLACK FRIDAY COMES

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons have all been deflated and put into storage until next year.  The turkey has been consumed and the effects of the Tryptophan have worn off.  The dishes should all be cleaned and put away by now and the football games are all over with.  .Thanksgiving Day is officially over and the Christmas season has officially begun.  

Many Americans celebrate the start of the holiday season by waking up early and hitting the malls and the “big box” stores.  The stores have begun opening earlier and earlier while their door buster sales have gotten bigger.  News helicopters will hover over the stores to show those at home what they are missing including traffic jams, overflowing parking lots,  and lines that rap all the way around many of the stores.

Most of the big retailers use to wait until early morning to unlock the doors that had been closed while their employees and families enjoyed Thanksgiving with their loved ones.  This year they decided to get a jump on things by opening earlier than they ever have before.  Several retailers thought that instead of opening early Friday morning they could get a jump on things by opening their doors at midnight.  Not to be outdone, the leaders of Walmart made plans to open at 10 pm Thursday evening with staggered start times for various deals that they were promoting.

When the retailer Target announced that they would be opening at midnight it set off a backlash from some of their employees.   One Target employee decided to make a stand when he realized he would have to go to bed in the middle of the afternoon in order to wake up and go to work.  With a little help from FACEBOOK he gathered over 190,000 signatures on a petition and hand delivered them to executives in Minneapolis.  

Some people wonder why the stores continue to open earlier and earlier each year?  The reason is fairly simple, if customers continue to shop earlier, they will continue to open.  If there was no demand, they would just open at normal hours with normal sales for normal people.

I work for a retailer that is open every day of the year.  Many of the locations, including the one where I work for have no different hours on any Holiday.  We stay open 24 hours 365 days a year and we never close.  I wouldn’t even know where to find a key if I had to try to lock the door.  When people have asked why we stay open, the powers that be always have the same answer, because of the customers.  Some people have said that it is wrong to be open on Christmas, for many stores in our chain, that is by far, the busiest day of their year.

Many people that I have talked to have said they would never get out in that mess.  If “Black Friday” is not your cup of tea, the next day is “Small businees Saturday”. Conceived last year by the American Express credit card company, to spur gift buying at neighborhood stores.  This year Fed-Ex donated $25 American Express Gift Cards to the first 30,000 people who “liked” their FACEBOOK page on November 1st.    So American Express, Fed-Ex and FACEBOOK have joined forces to get more people to shop at small business.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: FACEBOOK

Studies have shown that when you shop at locally owned independent businesses significantly more money is returned to the community in which they are based.  Local independent business owners are  people with ties to the community, and a vested interested on what goes on here.  Local business owners generally hire employees with better knowledge of the products they are peddling and usually have more time to get to know their customers. 

What if fewer people woke up early and rushed out to local malls and “big box” retailers on Friday?  What if you just slept in and waited until normal people shop and find a local independent business to spend a portion of your Christmas dollars.  If   a significant number of people could make a simple lifestyle choice it would have a huge impact on the community that we live.  Maybe someday the big businesses can open at a reasonable hour and their employees can enjoy the holidays with their families.

Facing some Critiques

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at the comments that people have posted concerning some recent columns that I have written:

FACING SOME SOME CRITIQUES

As a writer of a weekly opinions column I appreciate any feedback that I receive.  I believe by letting me know how you feel about a particular column will help me become a more talented writer.  The best way to communicate your admiration  or disdain for a particular article I write is to email me your response.  I read every email and try to respond to each.  It is the best way to communicate if you would like to discuss a particular topic.

Another way to express yourself is to write a comment on the online version of each of my columns.  While the tab you click “Add a comment on this story” is listed under a heading of “Discussion” it is not a very good vehicle for a constructive dialogue.  The comments are not posted in real time because they are scrutinized by a moderator for appropriateness.  It can be hours or even full days before your comment is seen so a discussion of the topic can be difficult.  

I try to read each of the comments that are posted online but I generally do not comment.  Today I would like to take some time to reply to some of the feedback that I have received.

A few weeks ago I wrote a column about the funding of our local parks department.

EVERYONE SHOULD PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE

  I was pointing out that the inequitable funding between the city and county governments and it was somehow turned around and I was being labeled a communist.  I was asking that county government at least live up to their agreement and pay an even share that the city pays.  I never said ‘from each according to his need’ as I was accused.

Another commenter “BOB” wrote “if you live in the county and pay more to the county coffers we should pay more to support city expenses.”  One of the problems with this statement is that city residents pay county tax at the same rate as those who live outside of city limits.  City residents also pay city taxes for the services that we receive.   That means that people who live within the boundaries of New Albany are paying twice.   I was only pointing out that the county leaders should pay a fair share, I wasn’t stating that people outside the city should pay any more.

The next column that received some attention was pertaining to the New Albany’s police chief and his decision to change the take home car policy to help shore up his budget.

POLICE UNION SHOULD WORK WITH CHIEF

 I was labeled  “a  part of the good ole boy network downtown.”  I just pointed out that Todd Bailey at least deserves a consideration in the new mayor’s administration because of his willingness to take steps to fix our budget needs.

Another commenter posted “What did he do before being chief…I bet that pretty boy has never been in a fight.”  I do not know much about what Todd Bailey did before becoming chief.  I was only making judgments based on his job performance as chief.  I also do not know if he has ever been in a fight and do not think that it has any relevance.  Maybe if he has never been in a fight it shows something of his character or skills in navigating a difficult decision.  The fact that he may or may not be a “pretty boy” has no bearing on his ability to lead the New Albany Police Department.

This brings me to last week’s “Cheer and Jeers” section in the November 12-13 News and Tribune.

CHEERS AND JEERS NOVEMBER 12-13

In her jeer, reader and perennial letter writer, Shirley Ann Larner stated that “when you commit to writing a column, you should write a real column.”  I take my commitment seriously and will continue  to strive to write columns that readers enjoy.  Everyone will not appreciate each column on the same level and I am sorry you didn’t like that particular column.  I appreciate the comment “I believe Nash is a talented writer” , Thank you.

I would like to thank everyone who reads my columns each week, even the ones who do not agree with me.  If everyone agreed with my opinions, what would be the point of writing them down.  If you would like to discuss a particular topic feel free to send an email, that is posted at the end of each column.  You can also go to my blog site MyFridayColumn.blogspot.com.  I plan to be more diligent in posting and updating there.

I look forward to continue to writing my weekly column as long as there is an audience to read.

The Future seems Brighter in New Albany

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN (which appears in the weekend edition of the News and Tribune due to the Veterans Day Holiday)  I take a look at the future of our city after the Municipal elections this week.

THE FUTURE SEEMS BRIGHTER IN NEW ALBANY

Jeff Gahan earlier this year as
as he kicked off his campaign 

The votes have all been counted and the winners have all been declared (pending a challenge from Floyd County Republicans).  Hopefully all of the signs have been packed away and will not return until late next spring. The election is over and we finally know who the new mayor of New Albany will be.  We also know who he will need to work with on the city council when the new year begins.  Now it is time to start planning for the future of our city.

Beginning on January 1st, 2012. Mayor-Elect Jeff Gahan had better be prepared to hit the ground running because the citizens of New Albany have a track record of turning on our leaders pretty quickly.  The President of the United States usually has an unofficial deadline of 100 days to make his mark on the American people, the mayor of New Albany usually gets called out by the time of the first snow storm.

Since 1970 only two people have ever been re-elected in New Albany.  We have a current streak of three straight single term mayors that were all first elected with a considerable margin.  Why have the citizens of New Albany been so quick to turn on the mayor that they elect while continuing to send the same people back to the city council?

Many of the candidates that ran in this year’s election talked of  more cooperation between the new mayor’s administration and the city council.  Over the last several year’s the animosity between the administration and the council had gotten so bad the mayor just quit going to council meetings at all.  With six of Mayor-elect Gahan’s colleagues on the city council surviving reelection he should have a good working relationship with the new council that will take the oath of office on New Year’s Day.

I look forward to a city council and an administration with a plan for cooperation instead of  the animosity that has been evident over the last several years.  As long as the campaign promises were not just rhetoric, the future of our city is looking better after this week’s election.  

What would a New Albany that is run with cooperation look like? 

I hope that it gets cleaner.  Stricter code enforcement with enforceable laws with teeth to get the job done.  If we could get the city to look a little nicer it would go a long way attracting people that would like to invest their money here.  Attracting new businesses and filling some of our vacant housing will help in expanding our tax base which will ease the burden of the citizens who already call New Albany their home. 

With the mayor and city council working together maybe the roads would get paved before pot holes that are capable of consuming small cars are visible.  The vote to approve this years plan to pave streets was taken at the last city council meeting.  Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense to approve the plan at the beginning of the year then wait to argue about it in fall and try to squeeze it in before the weather turns bad?  

If the new Mayor and city council members are willing to work together maybe the leaders in Floyd County will be willing to sit down and discuss more equitable funding of joint ventures like the NA-FC Parks Department and a combined 911 center.  Some people believe that the parks are less important than other things.  I argue that a thriving system of parks and recreation would go a long way in revitalizing the pride in the citizens of New Albany.  Maybe 2012 is the year that we can finally break ground on a new outdoor swimming facility.

Jeff Gahan probably hasn’t had enough time to relax since his election on Tuesday night.  He has a lot of work to do between now and the first of the year to assemble his team who will lead New Albany into the future.  I look forward to seeing what the Gahan administration has in store for us and wish him the best of luck.

In his acceptance speech Tuesday night after his landslide victory Mr. Gahan said“ when we all work together our minds become stronger and our future becomes much brighter.”   After every election there is always the idea of a brighter future ahead.  I look forward to that future and am proud to be a part of it.  

Police union should work with chief

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I discuss New Albany's chief of police and his decision to adjust the take home car policy and the Police unions challenge:

POLICE UNION SHOULD WORK WITH CHIEF


In early 2009 the fate of the economy was still in question and many companies were making adjustments or risk going out of business.  The company that I work for made the tough decision to eliminate overtime for all employees.  At the time everyone in my position was working at least four hours a week and some were working from seven to ten hours of overtime.  Many people had come to count on this extra money and believed that it was guaranteed to them.

Losing this overtime meant that many people at the company would lose from 10-20% of their annual salary virtually overnight.  Upper management justified their decision by saying that without this reduction in payroll would cause the loss of thousands of jobs in the future.  We don’t have a contract with our employer or a union to protect our interest.

Earlier this year New Albany’s Chief of Police Todd Bailey made the tough decision to change the department’s long standing policy concerning take home police cars.  Chief Bailey amended the policy so that members of the New Albany police department that lived outside of Floyd County would no longer be able to drive their patrol cars home.

When Chief Bailey announced his decision to change the policy he cited cost of fuel as his concern.  By the end of June of this year $114,000 of the $150,000 that was in the budget for fuel cost had already been spent.  I commend the Chief for his attempt to try to save his department and our city money by limiting the use of take home patrol cars.

As soon as the decision was made to change the take home car policy the union that represents the police officers filed a grievance.  Last week an arbitrator ruled for the union and forced the New Albany Police Department to reinstate the former policy and even pay damages to ten officers.  Now the Police Chief must find a way to make up the money in the Police Department budget another way.

The arbitrator in ruling in favor of the union cited a contractual obligation that all officers had to be treated equal in respect to their employment.  This means that they cannot take away the cars of some officers, without taking them away from everyone.  While I support the union and their right to collective bargaining, I believe that they are wrong on this issue.  I believe that they should be willing to concede some of their benefits so that the department can operate within its budget.  What if their hard-line stance on the take home car policy ultimately cost jobs?  Would it not be better to make some small sacrifices then to have some staff reductions in the future?

The Police and Fire departments have been under attack over the last few years because of New Albany’s budget problems.  Now when the chief of police tries to take action that will save the taxpayers of New Albany some money, the Union stands in his way.   What has the union done to help the police department to live within the constraints of its budget?

If the chief of police is unable to keep the city’s patrol cars within the boundaries of our county, then I think then maybe police officers that reside outside of Floyd County should pay a surcharge for the extra mileage that they put on the cars.   I think this would be a compromise that is fair to everyone.

Todd Bailey has made some great strides in his short stint as chief of police.  He has change the way that the department operates and has made the streets of New Albany a safer place.  Next week the citizens of New Albany will go to the polls to elect a new mayor, I hope that the one that is chosen will at least give Chief Bailey a chance to continue some of the programs that he has started.  At least one of the candidates has made the statement that no one that has held the position of Chief would be considered for the job in his administration.  I believe that it is short-sighted to not even consider a qualified candidate who has shown that he is willing to do things differently in order to get the job done.

The job of police officer is a difficult one no matter if you live in New York City of New Albany, Indiana.  I appreciate the job that they do and do not blame them for trying to receive the most out of the benefits that they receive.  I also think that is important for members of the police department and their union to work with the chief of police and the administration to work within the constraints of their budget.

It's that time of year again...

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at New Albany's premiere event

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

It is starting to get dark earlier in the evening and stays dark longer in the mornings. The morning temperatures are starting to dip to a point to where it is down right cold if you leave your windows open all night. Soon the leaves will begin to change and eventually fall off the trees, and raking them up will be the bane of my existence. Fall has come to Southern Indiana and that means one thing to the citizens of New Albany, it is Harvest Homecoming time.

Now in its forty-fourth year the Harvest Homecoming has grown from a simple pumpkin festival, to one of the largest events held in the State of Indiana. Hundreds of thousands of people converge on downtown New Albany to visit the party that “was conceived as a means of bringing the people of southern Indiana together to share in its wealth of talent, historic background and beauty”, according to their website.

A parade kicks off the festivities held annually on the first Saturday in October followed by four “booth days” the following weekend. The parade has featured such dignitaries as Davy Jones of the Monkees and Tom Wopat of the Dukes of Hazzard. Many people line the parade route and cheer on the floats as the travel from New Albany High School to the heart of downtown. I have participated in the parade as a spectator and as a participant and there is nothing like it in this part of the state.

People travel to New Albany to visit the Harvest Homecoming for a variety of reasons. Many people come down to eat the food that is only available this time of year. Some come down for the chicken and dumplins, others for the fresh made doughnuts. I always enjoy a ear of roasted corn and wash it down with a pork chop sandwich.

Others come downtown to see people that they haven't seen since last year's Harvest Homecoming. For years there are a few people that I always make it a point to see while I am down there. Some of them include people that I went to high school with and others are people that I worked with years ago. Some work at the same booths every year and I always make a point to stop by and say hello.

There are also those that come to see the entertainment. Whether there is a rock and roll show at the riverfront on Friday night or a group of school kids singing or square dancing on the official Harvest Homecoming stage, there is something available for everybody. For years I worked a booth where we could watch the old Pearl Street stage and I remember the belly dancers that seemed to be scheduled every year on Sunday afternoon.

Until the last few years, many people only came to downtown New Albany during the Harvest Homecoming. Lately that trend has changed with many dining and shopping options opening up in recent years. Now local citizens here have more reasons to visit our once floundering downtown area.

There has been some grumbling from people who own businesses downtown for things like trash thrown around and booth operators taking over the sidewalks in front of their business. Some places even close down there business for those days because of the problems. Even the YMCA which has been heralded as the catalyst for some of the Renaissance downtown schedules its annual shut down during the booth days. Downtown merchants contribute to our city for the other 361 days of the year and should be given some consideration.

I talked to a mayor from the early 1970's once and he said in the early days there was a proposal to move the booths to the center of the street back to back so as not to disturb the daily operations of the permanent businesses. This might be a legitimate compromise if the Harvest Homecoming committee would be willing to make some adjustments. Of course change is often hard implement even it would be a huge benefit to our entire city.

Another idea that has been tossed out is moving the whole thing to the riverfront. Putting all of the booths in one long shoot from West 10^th to East Sixth Street would be interesting and would bring citizens back to their river heritage. There would be some logistical problems with parking with many people fear that crossing the flood wall would be too much of an obstacle.

The Harvest Homecoming has a little something for everybody. I have been visiting it for most of my life and have experienced from the position of booth operator, booth volunteer and as a private citizen just enjoying the show. I look forward to it every year and who knows, maybe I will see you downtown this weekend.