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.