Speak Out Loud NA

What's The Real Deal With That New Sanitation Contract???

2007-02-13T22:19:00.000-05:00

We, as citizens, demand a full investigation by our City Council into the matter and issues surrounding the privatization of the Sanitation department and the specific information regarding the sanitation contract
i.e. the leasing of our equipment, the Insurance issues, the location of our equipment (23 – 24 minutes out Dixie Highway, in Louisville, from New Albany), and more importantly – the $$ we have saved (or made), on this “privatized” deal!

Wrecks have occurred, our trucks have been cannibalized, and our New Albany public seal is missing from one truck. Is this particular truck being used in Bullitt County? Some say so, and that would answer the Seal question.

Taxpayers would like some answers, please. Not from the Mayor, not from other ill-informed sources, but the Council. Please, we need to take back what is ours, before it is too late.

That means a Resolution will have to be drafted and approved in order to get those answers; we’ll see who steps up to do the right thing. This is going to require a full OUTSIDE investigation.

The Indiana Law that is applicable would be the following: IAC CHAPT. 3, IC 15-.5.5 SECTION 2. There are others law that will play into this contract, namely government accounting laws. They are on the IN.GOV website for your perusal.

[2006] 80 IAC 3 Disposal of Property (PDF) ... 80 IAC 3-2-2 Disposal of property by means of public sale or auction Authority:IC 15-1.5-2-8 Affected: IC 15-1.5-2 Sec. 2. (a) The ... 3. Indiana Administrative Code (PDF) ... 80 IAC 3-2-2 Disposal of property by means of public sale or auction Authority:IC 15-1.5-2-8 Affected: IC 15-1.5-2 Sec. 2. (a) The ...

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

2007-02-11T03:30:00.000-05:00

Hello Folks!
Yeah, it's been a while, but there are some interesting new developments that are about to unfold, and this blogster simply can't resist the opportunity to help get these developments out to the community.
Remember when the BRAND NEW Sanitation company was created to take over New Albany's garbage contract and questions were raised concerning the use of the city's facilities and equipment? Well, some of those questions and concerns are about to be answered with indisputable proof of actions occurring that are contrary to State laws regarding publicly owned property.
Stay tuned for more to come in the following days regarding this issue.

Give Peace a Chance

2007-01-15T16:48:00.000-05:00

It's been real interesting these last few months to sit back and watch folks banter around with one another on all the blogs and see just how nice, or nasty, you all want to be with each other. This blog has been particularly interesting when there has been no "mediator" (administrator) jumping in trying to 'control' the crazies, the malcontents, or the subject matter...or anything else.
It's actually been quite surprising that many folks and other blogs have demonstrated that they are indeed capable of showing a little respect during discussions, and making actual attempts at compatibility, or at least recognizing some commonality, proving that disagreements can occur without blatant disrespect.
I suppose there will always be those certain individuals that get their kicks out of being asinine jerks, it's just a darn shame that there's that one particular blog among the array of New Albany blogs that has no hesitance to being viscous, confrontational, and downright nasty to anyone who happens to get caught in their 'radar' for one reason or another.
Still, that's the prerogative of the administrators of that blog. If that's the kind of blog they want, they have the right to have it.
What's NOT O.K. is that they keep bringing all that nastiness, confrontations, and questionable "FaCTS" over to SOLNA because they will not deal with "comments" on their own blog, or because they perversely believe they can remain anonymous commenting on the blog that allows anonymity.
The truth is, most folks are absolutely identifiable... by their topics, their targets, and their writing style. Grammar, spelling and sentence construction make some commentor's identity completely unmistakable.
It is exactly those unmistakables that I wish to address in this posting today. Frankly, we're all disgusted with it. Most certainly, we're all tired of reading it, and we've had enough of this "element" using this blog to spread false allegations, to attack innocent people with baseless accusations, and to berate folks with vulgar language and hateful venomous spewing.
So, here's what's going to happen:
FOS, keep it on your own blog! Open up comments if want to air your opinions.
This blog, SOLNA, is going into semi-retirement. Comments will be moderated until further notice. Article postings will be infrequent, but will still occur.
As has been evident lately, my life circumstances dictate that I take a sabbatical from this blogging endeavor due to work and family obligations.
Election time is coming, and things are about to turn very political. As always, we don't discuss political campaigns on this blog, so I feel it's time to turn our collective attention to the "Floyd County Democrat" blog where discussions have been on target, on topic, and on a civil and mature level.
I think I'll much prefer being a participant rather than an administrator for a while. I have a lot to learn regarding the history of some of the folks I hear are going to be running. My stance is that one can't really understand where we are as a community, and as a city, unless one understands how we got to here. Only by understanding fully where we are, will we be able to intelligently make a decision about where we need to go. Hopefully, there will be candidates advocating the same direction.
As for my words here tonight, well, I'm sure I'll wind up in the #1 slot of the sh**-list for a few, I know I've done the right thing for myself and for the issues that are in the forefront for New Albany at this time.
My deepest gratitude to my friends who have helped out with SOLNA and thanks to everyone who has participated.
Good night & good luck New Albany!

We Shall Be Back

2007-01-15T12:32:00.000-05:00

We'll be back once the .... go back under the rocks. Sure has been interesting to see what some people in New Albany can call everyone behind their backs; the backbiting you could say. Have a good day New Albany.

We all know who, what and hopefully most of us will never reach the mind set of understanding why....

Open up your own blog for comments. Have a good day finding somewhere else to spew your venom. Later...gone, but not for good.

Report From the New Albany Potty Police

2006-10-07T01:00:00.000-04:00

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to the New Albany Potty Police (NAPP)for being the pro-active citizen advocates they are, Thank you for giving so much of your time and energy, and for being so diligent in your quest for truth and answers.
At the end of this article, folks will find contact information for the EPA official who is overseeing New Albany's problems and handling submitted reports.
If you live in one of the areas that have experiened repeated sewage overflows for years upon years, we think you might appreciate having this information.

New Albany Potty Police Member said...
Speaking of when it rain, it pours...we have some of the stats in from our September 22nd & September 23rd rainfall and how well our Sewers worked.

The City reports 18 sewer system overflows (though the State reports 19), and maintain they did not bypass. The City is declaring this a 42 hour rain even with a total of 6.23".

The City is also maintaining there were no SSO's on the 22nd; we would beg to disagree. The City maintains the overflows did not happen until 9:51 am on the 23rd.

The City maintains Joe Kraft Park didn't have any SSO's. The Engineer questioned how that could be, seeing it was under water by 11:00 pm on the 22nd? "Well, we walked back in there and didn't see any residue." The Engineer was sure any such residue would have washed away.

The other locations were 3 at the Robert E. Lee; 3 on Cherry Valley (underwater by 11:00 pm the 22nd); Linda Drive Area in mini-basin 18. Basin 16 was overwhelmed, which would be the Korb and Sanderson area. Basin 12, which we are assuming would be Cummins and the Lewis Street areas; the Meiers and the I-265 areas; and Arnie's (that's how they refer to the manhole out in the middle of the street). We could have sworn they said they fixed Arnie's, though.

The Old Ford area, where again, not a lot of specifics, but mentioned how a 12 inch line ran into a 6 inch line which ran into a 8 inch line which ran into a 15 inch line which then runs into a 10 inch line. Whew, doggies. Sure hope we got all of that one right.

Up in Silver Hills and the people down on Corydon Pike -- there was totally black sewage running down towards Corydon Pike from between 1705 and 1707 Woodland Rd up behind you. They are maintaining a line completely broke.

Another issue we have with the "reporting" going on is the "guesstimation" there was only 32,520 GPD leaking out during this time frame. State records.

Also, at E 6th and Elm, sewer board says it a storm drain -- is it?

The Engineers weren't buying the Clark-Deitz's "engineering study" done so more houses could be built out the Green Valley/Daisy Lane area. Mr. Fifer (you could hardly hear him) actually admitted he might have a conflict of interest with this subject. Anyways, it was ordered sent to the EPA for their scrutiny. Thank you Mr. Solomon and Mr. Utz.

The missing EDIT monies we were after last YEAR was brought to the floor by the Engineers, this time -- not us. The Mayor told them to go get it from the Council. The Sewer Board misspent the monies and now they want more? Help.

You know there has to be a lot more, but we are tired so to all a goodnight. Thanks for the space, EastEnder.

12:37 AM, October 05, 2006

EPA Associate Regional Council - Erik Olsen 318-886-6829
(Pictures are welcomed) 77 West Jackson Road
Chicago, IL 60604

Pardon the Interruption

2006-10-05T23:48:00.000-04:00

We are editing the latest posting with some additional information, and it will be re-posted with a couple of changes.
Besides the added information, most of the comments that were tagged to it will be gone. This is being done for several reasons.
First of all, Freedom of Speech (FOS) has decided NOT to allow comments on that blog. For whatecver reasons, that is their perogative, and it must be respected. Therefore, this blog, Speak Out Loud New Albany (SOLNA), will NOT become the 'default' comment section for FOS.
We have asked again and again that folks stay on topic for discussions and leave the personal attacks and/or 'taunting' off of SOLNA. However, our requests have gone unheeded for the most part, so we must implement some stricter "RULES".
From this point forward any comments about the FOS blog, it's administrator(s), it's policies, it's intentions, etc., etc., will be promptly deleted from SOLNA. Should the person(s) involved with the FOS blog wish to engage in such discussions, the option to open up the site for comments is theirs.
Any and all comments that attack any private citizens on a personal level are off limits as well.
Now, in an effort to endorse idea of community discussions, and in the interest of information disbursement, should there be a "TOPIC" on FOS regarding a community issue that you want to civilly discuss on SOLNA, such comments will be allowed to stand.
This decision has been carefully considered and is not up for discussion, nor will we waste time defending this decision. So, don't waste your time trying to tell us we should be doing things differently.
Look for the previous posting to be re-posted on Friday with additional vital information.

When It Rains It Pours....

2006-09-21T02:38:00.000-04:00

We hope everyone is safe...and dry in spite of the torrential rains we have experienced these last 2 days, and we are hopeful that those who have suffered property damage will soon have their losses recovered.
We are also hopeful that stormwater drainage problems around the city, revealed again by this event, will be dealt with appropriately and quickly. After all, the city is already collecting quite a bit of money to do just that. With the recently imposed "Stormwater" fees, in addition to "drainage" fees we were already paying, and the always increasing "sewer" rates, there should be no excuses (other than "bad management") for continuing inadequate or poor drainage.
Of course, we also contend that after approximately $80 million has been poured into our sewage system, and a 90% increase in rates over the past 6 years, there should be no room for excuses when it comes to overflows and bypasses with as little as 2" of rain, yet both are still occurring. However, it does appear that the "excuses" are wearing a bit thin when it comes to the officials at the EPA since they are now requiring photographic proof of the problems being reported as the causes of such failures.
Apparently the EPA's dissatisfaction with New Albany's progress is high enough that the portion of sewer credits slated for release at the beginning of September were ultimately denied. That's right folks. The highly touted "plan" for earning the release of additional sewer credits has failed. Funny how this piece of news seems to have slipped under the local radar and has gone largely unnoticed, or at least un-mentioned. It remains to be seen how they intend to address the issue of potential economic development for the Downtown district without sewer credits. We are even more interested to hear how they plan to issue enough credits to support the Scribner Place project. Unless they've been holding credits in reserve, this new wrinkle could threaten the entire project.
Meanwhile, the City Council has given final approval to the next budget of $16.1 million which, interestingly, includes quite a few raises despite the many fiscal crisis' the city has faced recently. While we don't want to begrudge anyone a livable wage, a suggested 33% increase for one particular employee has been perceived as a bit excessive. We also find it rather obnoxious that some others are receiving a raise when they have done nothing with their work to warrant any such type of 'reward' (ie: a non-functional Building Commissioner). Then again, should we still be getting surprised by the audacity of this administration to put personal gain over the good of the community at large? The apparent answer is a resounding "NO". Indeed, we have almost come to expect it.
What else should we be expecting?
We would like to suggest that the least we should be expecting is some accountability from those who are supposed to be in charge (why do we pay T. Toran?), and perhaps a little honest effort expended towards reigning in some exorbitant costs, such as the outrageous cell phone costs incurred by the Parks Dept., which would go a long way towards regaining some of the public trust.
Apart from these two basic expectations from our City officials, we would like for you folks to tell us what you think.
Finally, we have just a couple of things we want to say regarding the new "arrangement" the city has made with the YMCA to finance the Scribner Place project. Namely, the decision to provide financing via the Redevelopment Commission. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to CM Steve Price for standing his ground on this one by casting a "NO" vote, as he was standing our ground as well.
THANKS STEVE!!! Your dedication to fiscal responsibility is appreciated and noted.
First, we find it extremely troubling that the city has embarked on a path that unites church and state rather than keeping with accepted practices of keeping the two very, very separate from one another. For those in our community who have alternate faith beliefs, this is nothing short of a slap in the face. Taxpayers should never be forced to contribute to a faith based organization, and that's exactly what this financing deal amounts to.
Secondly, the cost of this Scribner Place project places our city well beyond our constitutional debt limits, yet they have managed to take away any possibility of a remonstrance by the taxpayers who object to this force fed "investment" into the Downtown area.
The only thing that abates our frustration is the realization that these decisions have almost certainly sealed the fate of James Garner as a one-termer. He has displayed, over and over again, a blatant disregard for propriety and a complete lack of concern for the lower economic class of voters. 'Nuff said.

CITY OF NEW ALBANY AUDIT RESULTS AND COMMENTS FOR 2005

2006-09-05T22:47:00.000-04:00

BANK ACCOUNT RECONCILIATIONS

Record balances were not fully reconciled to depository balances during the audit period. Monthly reconciliation performed consisted of verifying source documents (quietuses and checks) to deposits and checks clearing depositories each month for each of the City's 18 (EIGHTEEN) bank accounts. However, these reconciled amounts were not totaled and compared to actual cash transactions and balances recorded in the City's records. As a result of undetected errors as of December 31, 2005, the City has $21, 511.00 more in unidentified cash recorded in its records than that being held in its bank accounts.

Indiana Code 5-13-6-1(e) states: "All local investment officers shall reconcile at least monthly the balance of public funds, as disclosed by the records of the local officers, with the balance statements provided by the respective depositories."

At all times, the manual and/or computerized records, subsidiary ledgers, control ledger, and reconciled bank balance should agree. If the reconciled bank balance is less than the subsidiary or control ledgers, then the responsible official or employee may be held personally responsible for the amount needed to balance the fund. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guides Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7.)

It has been our policy to recommend only a minimum number of bank accounts in order to avoid unnecessary bookkeeping and possible errors in charging warrants to bank accounts. So long as an ordinance does not require the keeping of a separate bank account, funds should be consolidated into as few accounts as possible. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 1.)

OVERDRAWN CASH BALANCES

The cash balances of the following funds were overdrawn in 2005:

FUND AMOUNT

General $ 743,906.00
Motor Vehicle Highway 472,504.00
Unsafe Building 56,155.00
Indiana Housing Board Rental Rehabilitation 14,776.00
Law Enforcement Continuing Education 633.00

The cash balance of any fund may not be reduced below zero. Routinely overdrawn funds could be an indicator of serious financial problems which should be investigated by the governmental unit. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7.)

APPROPRIATIONS

The records presented for audit indicated the following expenditures in excess of budgeted appropriations:

FUND EXCESS AMOUNT EXPENDED

General $ 81,136.00
Motor Vehicle Highway 520,248.00
Reserve Liability Insurance 27,359.00
EMS 30,851.00
Walking Patrol (?????) 53,319.00
Park Cumulative Capital 11,930.00

TOTAL $724,843.00

Indiana Code 6-1.1-18-4 states in part: "...The proper officers of a political subdivision shall appropriate funds in such a manner that the expenditures for a year do not exceed its budget for that year as finally determined under this article."

TRANSFERS BETWEEN CITY FUNDS

As previously reported, a temporary transfer of $401,348.00 was made during December 2002 from the Economic Development Income Tax fund (EDIT) to the General Fund. In accordance with Indiana Code 36-8-4(b) the Common Council determined an emergency existed and extended the term of the loan for six months beyond the 2002 budget year. This loan was to be repaid no later than June 30, 2003. However, this loan has still not been repaid.

During 2005, the City transferred $114,892.00 from the Riverboat fund to the Drainage fund. Additionally, transfers in the amounts of $265,000.00 and $338,698.00 were made from the Economic Development Income Tax fund (EDIT) to the Ceasar's Donation fund and the Rainy Day fund, repectively.

The City approved resolutions authorizing the transfer of these funds with the intent that these were to be permanent transfers and not required to be returned. Transfers to depleted funds are allowed for cash flow purposes, however, these transfers must be returned to the other fund. The period may be extended for not more than six months beyond the budget year of the year in which the transfer occurred. EDIT and Riverboat funds may be used by a city for any lawful purpose for which money in any of its other funds may be used, i.e., permanent transfers to other funds are not allowed.

Indiana Code 36-1-8-4 concerning temporary transfer states in part:

"(a) The fiscal body of a political subdivision may, by ordinance or resolution, permit the temporary transfer of a prescribed amount, for a prescribed period, to a depleted fund in need of money for cash flow purposes from another fund of the political subdivision if all these conditions are met:...(3) Except as provided in subsection (b), the prescribed period must end during the budget year of the year in which the transfer occurs. (4) The amount transferred must be returned to the other fund at the end of the prescribed period..."

"(b) If the fiscal body of a political subdivision determines that an emergency exists that requires an extension of the prescribed period of a transfer under this section, the prescribed period may be extended for not more than six (6) months beyond the budget year of the year in which the transfer occurs if the fiscal body does the following: (1) Passes an ordinance or a resolution that contains the following: (A) A statement that the fiscal body has determined that an emergency exists. (B) A brief description of the grounds for the emergency. (C) The date the loan will be repaid that is not more than six (6) months beyond the budget year in which the transfer occurs. (2) immediately forwards the ordinance or resolution to the state board of accounts and the department of local government finance."

Indiana Code 6-3.5-7-13.1 states in part: "Economic development income tax funds (EDIT); deposits; uses, ...(3)By a county, city or town for any lawful purpose for which money in any of its other funds may be used.

Indiana Code 4-33-13-6 concerning Riverboat funds states in part: "...(3) may be used for any legal or corporate purpose of the unit, ..."

TRANSFER TO WASTEWATER UTILITY

The City transferred $270,000 from the Economic Development Income Tax Fund (EDIT) to the Wastewater Utility fund during 2005. There was no ordinance resolution authorizing this transfer. Additionally, the monies were not returned during the budget year 2005.

EDIT funds may be used by a city for any lawful purpose for which money in any of its other funds may be used, i.e., permanent transfers to other funds are not allowed.

Since the temporary loan provisions of IC 36-1-8-4 would not apply to funds of a municipally owned utility and there are no statutes authorizing or prohibiting loans from a city or town fund to a municipally owned utility, a home rule ordinance could be adopted authorizing such loans. Such ordinance should list the amount and term of the loan and interest rate, if interest is to be charged. (Cities and Towns Bulletin and Uniform Compliance Guidelines, December 2001)

Indiana Code 6-3.5-7-13.1 states in part: "Economic development income tax funds (EDIT); deposits; uses,...(3) By a county, city or town for any lawful purpose for which money in any of its others funds may be used...."

CAPITAL ASSET RECORDS

The City does not maintain sufficient detailed records of capital assets for the City owned capital assets, which also includes Wastewater Utility owned utility plan in service accounts. The City's capital asset ledger has not been updated to account for adjustments reported in these accounts during prior audits. A sewer expansion project was substantially completed during the current year, but not recorded., Deletions or disposals of capital assets were not recorded. In addition, inventories of capital assets were not taken by all departments so that capital assets on hand could be reconciled back to the capital asset ledger.

Every governmental unit should have a complete inventory of all capital assets owned which reflect their acquisition value. Such inventory should be recorded in the Capital Assets Ledger. A complete inventory should be taken every year for good internal control and for verifying account balances carried in the accounting records. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for cities and Towns, Chapter 7).

CREDIT CARDS

During 2005, the following deficiencies were identified concerning the use of credit cards:

(1) The City was using credit cards to purchase items without an approved credit card policy.

(2) Some payments were being made on the basis of the statement or a credit card slip without supporting documentation.

(3) The City incurred, and subsequently paid, finance charges for delinquent payment of credit card invoices.

The State Board of Accounts will not take exception to the use of credit cards of a governmental unit provided the following criteria are observed:

(1) The governing board must authorize credit card use through an ordinance or resolution, which has been approved in the minutes.

(2) Issuance and use should be handled by an official or employee designated by the board.

(3) The purposes for which the credit card may be used must be specifically stated in the ordinance or resolution.

(4) When the purpose for which the credit card has been issued has been accomplished, the card should be returned to the custody of the responsible person.

(5) The designated responsible official or employee should maintain an accounting system or log which would include the names of individuals requesting usage of the cards, their position, estimated amounts to be charged, fund and account numbers to be charged, date the card is issued and returned, etc.

(6) Credit cards should not be used to bypass the accounting system. One reason that purchase orders are issued is to provide the fiscal office with the means to encumber and track appropriations to provide the governing board and other officials with timely and accurate accounting information and monitoring of the accounting system.

(7) Payment should not be made on the basis of a statement or a credit card slip only. Procedures for payments should be no different than for any other claim. Supporting documents such as paid bills and receipts must be available. Additionally, any interest or penalty incurred due to late filing or furnishing of documentation by an officer or employee should be the responsibility of that officer or employee.

(8) If properly authorized, an annual fee may be paid.

(Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

SALES TAX

During the review of claims we noted that sales tax was paid on some purchases.

Governmental funds generally are exempt from the payment of sales tax on qualifying purchases. Respective tax agencies should always be contacted concerning tax exemptions and payments. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

TRAVEL CLAIMS

In one instance, an employee was reimbursed $90.00 for travel expenses without original receipts being attached to the claim.

Supporting documentation such as receipts, canceled checks, tickets, invoices, bills, contacts, and other public records must be available for audit to provide supporting information for the validity and accountability of monies disbursed. Payments without supporting documentation may be the personal obligation of the responsible official or employee. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Six instances were noted where employees received payments during 2005 which were not transacted through the payroll system.

All compensation and benefits paid to officials and employees must be included in the labor contract, salary ordinance, resolution or salary schedule adopted by the governing body unless otherwise authorized by statute. Compensation should be made in a manner that will facilitate compliance with state and federal reporting requirements. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance guidelines annual for cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

TIME AND ATTENDANCE RECORDS

During the review of payroll records it was determined that bi-weekly payments were made to an employee even though time and attendance records were not maintained. Additionally, we noted that the corresponding payroll claims were certified by the responsible official attesting that they had examined the time records for this employee when in fact they had not been presented for their review. Upon inquiry, the employee subsequently presented time records with "estimated" hours worked during 2005.

Officials and employees are required to use State Board of Accounts prescribed or approved forms in the manner prescribed. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance guidelines Manual for cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

DEPARTMENT RECEIPT AND FEES

Receipts and fees collected by the departments listed below were remitted to the Controller less frequently than once a week:

Building Commissioner
City Clerk
Planning Commission

All collections made by any department or person connected with a city or town shall be turned in to the Clerk-Treasurer (or Controller) at least weekly. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 6)

DEPOSITS

Instances were noted where the Park and Recreation Department collections were deposited later than the next business day.

Indiana Code 5-13-6-1(d) states: "A city (other than a consolidated city) or a town shall deposit funds not later than the next business day following the receipt of the funds in depositories (1) selected by the city or town as provided in an ordinance adopted by the city or the town; and (2) approved as depositories of state funds."

RECEIPT ISSUANCE

In some instances, General Receipts (Form 352) were not issued by the following departments:

Building Commissioner
Cemetery

Officials and employees are required to use State Board of Accounts prescribed or approved forms in the manner prescribed. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

Receipts shall be issued and recorded at the time of the transaction; for example, when cash or a check is received, a receipt is to be immediately prepared and given to the person making payment. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)

BAD DEBTS AND UNCOLLECTABLE ACCOUNTS

The City has contracted with Medical Billing Group, LLC for the billings and collections of ambulance service runs. During the year 2005, Medical Billing Group, LLC wrote off $272,285.00 in delinquent accounts it deemed uncollectible. The minutes presented for audit did not indicate that these accounts were presented to the Board of Works for approval. Additionally, documentation was not presented for audit concerning unsuccessful collection procedures prior to adjustments to the records.

The governing body of a governmental unit should have a written policy concerning a procedure for the writing off of bad debts, uncollectible accounts receivable, or any adjustments to record balances.

Documentation should exist for all efforts made by the governmental unit to collect amounts owed prior to any write-offs.

Officials or employees authorizing, directing or executing write-offs or adjustments to records which are not documented or warranted may be held personally responsible. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7.)

DELINQUENT WASTEWATER ACCOUNTS

As of December 31, 2005, delinquent wastewater fees and penalties total $563,538.00 had not been recorded with the County Recorder nor were they certified to the County Auditor which would result in a lien again the property.

Indiana Code 36-9-23-33 states in part:

"(b) Except as provided in subsection (I), the officer charged with the collection of fees and penalties assessed under this chapter shall enforce their payment. As often as the officer determines is necessary in a calendar year, the officer shall prepare either of the following:

(1) A list of the delinquent fees and penalties that are enforceable under this section, which must include the following:

(A) The name or names of the owner or owners of each lot or parcel of real property on which fees are delinquent.

(B) A description of the premises, as shown by the records of the county auditor.

(C) The amount of the delinquent fees, together with the penalty.

(2) An individual instrument for each lot or parcel of real property on which the fees are delinquent."

"(c) The officer shall record a copy of each list or each individual instrument with the county recorder..."

"(e) Using the lists and instruments prepared under subsection (b) and recorded under subsection (c), the officer shall, not later than ten (10) days after the list of each individual instrument is recorded under subsection (c), certify to the county auditor a list of the liens that remains unpaid for collection in the next May..."

SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND SANITATION CHARGES

The City has an ordinance (G-02-12) setting the rates to be charged for sewage disposal. We noted the following noncompliance:

Some customers that should be receiving a minimum bill for sewage disposal were not being billed.

The City has an ordinance (A-01-47) setting the rates to be charged for sanitation collections. We noted the following noncompliance:

1. Some commercial customers are being charged less than the approved commercial rates.

2. Some churches are being billed more than the approved rates established for the churches.

3. Some customers that are required to be billed for sanitation charges are not being billed.

Each governmental unit is responsible for complying with the ordinances, resolutions, and policies it adopts. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7.)

Sewer Talks Solved Nothing

2006-08-27T14:23:00.000-04:00

Don't forget tonight's Special Council Session called for 6PM to vote on the Sewer Rate increase proposal.

It sure wasn't a surprise at last Wednesday's special Public Hearing meeting when the portion of the proceedings that got out of hand and brought down the gavel (haphazardly wielded by CM Blevins), turned out to be the Public Officials speaking time. They went at each other with a ferociousness that revealed all the frustrations and mistrusts that are perculating just under the surface of this administration's relationship with members of the sitting City Council.
Apparently, the quickly scrambled meetings that were questionably assembled prior to the Public Hearing, as well as the assortment of private meetings that obviously occurred between certain folks to strike deals for votes, were not enough to bring a consensus for the specially called Council meeting voting opportunity immediately following the Public Hearing.
Unceremoniously, after all the hoopla and all 8,9,10,15, or however many (let's just say: too many) sets of numbers that were miraculously made available to Council when the Sewer Board can't get their own financials to be able to pay submitted claims, everything was tabled. But, only until the next Special Meeting, called for on Wednesday, August 30th, to have the second and third reading of a resolution to get millions of dollars back into the sewer fund by any means possible.
Currently, the Council Members are reviewing 3 options presented just prior to the Public Hearing, and they have asked for additional options from Fifer and Umbaugh that would reduce the rate increase to zero.
Many Council Members favor using TIF funds as well, which are available. The jail bond reserve fund of $3.3 million that is being refunded to the city is also available for use, but some want to use a significant portion to "bail out" the Street Department that is now losing an additional $300K per year in the last 2 years, due mostly to the decision to privatize Sanitation services.
I must agree with CM Coffey when he suggested that before we throw good money at a bad situation, we find out exactly WHY the Street Department is suddenly losing so much money. In my opinion, it seems just too convenient for it not to be related to 'creative financing'.
The Street Department is on its way to privatization no matter how much money we throw at it. The sooner CM's Blevins and Crump realize this, the better off we'll be.
I also applaud CM Price's stand that it's foolosh to borrow money to get out of debt. It simply creates new debt. His comments refer to a $2 million SRF Loan for sewer works that is showing up as recieved by New Albany this month. However was this money is NOT showing up in the financial scenarios handed to Council? After speaking with CM Price, he explained that this $2 million "Loan" is only a possibility that is being considered by the administration to solve the funds shortfall crisis, and the money has NOT been received by the City.
Also, CM Schmidt prepared and presented a very do-able plan for solving all these problems, and we hope the other Council Members give those numbers serious consideration when debating their stance on where all this needed money will be coming from, and what is fair and best for the citizens of New Albany.
Easily the most outrageous and insulting statement of the evening, made by the administration "Suits", was the warning they continued to issue to Council about, "...using too much available EDIT funds will result in having nothing left for any other projects for the next 15-17 years."!!!
Well, I for one would like to know just what numbers they have REALLY plugged in for use on the Scribner FIASCO for the next 17 years. After all, the adopted resolution allows for use of up to $400K in EDIT funds (we'll try to post the resolution in full or link), and we all know costs are continuing to rise on the construction due to financing difficulties (?!) by the YMCA (ha!).
Then, there is another little matter that no one is talking about, and that would be the brilliant suggestion that the YMCA obtain their needed financing through the Redevelopment Commission by getting a loan of (you guessed it) EDIT funds, based on classifying them as an "Industrial" development. GIMME A BREAK!!!
Correction: The YMCA financing assistance proposed by the Redevelopment Commission does not include any use of EDIT funds. This was a misunderstanding on my part.
No EDIT funds available for other projects would be a direct result of the determination of this administration to protect getting the Scribner Place done, costs be damned! Too many people are counting on the financial windfalls to be made.
Still, they will use scare tactics to deter the Council from using sufficient EDIT dollars to offset the millions of dollars owed BACK to the sewer fund from monies that have been mis-spent under this administration and others.
They have approached this $5 million September Bond payment as though it has popped up unexpectedly and now demands swift, strategic manuvering of other available funds, including rate increases, to cover costs that were supposed to have already been covered according to documents we've reviewed from the current and previous Councils Resolutions.
Keeping up with inflationary cost increases is another matter altogether, and they know it. Using that argument as a justification for this 11th hour push for 3 consecutive rate increases is only a smoke screen for what's really behind it all.
Finally, I want to personally thank everyone who stood up in front of that Council and spoke out loud about the way this situation of "missing money", or as the administration would have it: "shortage of funds", in the Sewage Utility is being presented and dealt with. Everyone is calling for nothing less than honesty, accountability, and capability in our City government.
The BEST solution heard Wednesday night was the suggestion that the current Sewer Board be dissolved, and the Council take over all matters of the Sewer Utility until such time as the current problems are resolved, or until the next incoming administration can demonstrate the ability to effectively manage the resources and operations of a seperate Sewer Board.
After all, if we are now in a position of considering hiring a "Sewer Manager", then what does that say about the capabilities of those who are currently running things?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

2006-08-22T01:54:00.000-04:00

The links in this posting have been repaired and now are working.
Sorry for any inconvenience.

WE HAVE A VERY INTERESTING AND PERTINENT SITE FOR FOLKS TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT RECOURSE WE, THE CITIZENS, MAY HAVE REGARDING THE FIASCO SURROUNDING THE SEWER UTILITY, THE MONIES THAT HAVE SPENT, AND THE REQUEST FOR RATE INCREASES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER.

"...upon the petition of twenty-five (25) interested taxpayers showing that effective local relief has not and cannot be obtained after due effort, shall make the inquiries, tests, examinations, and investigations that may be necessary to determine whether:
(1) any public contract has been regularly and lawfully executed and performed; or (2) any public work, building, or structure has been or is being performed, built, or constructed in accordance with the terms and provisions of the contract, and in compliance with the plans and specifications, if any."
To read more...
Click HERE:
TAXPAYER PETITION; EXAMINATION OF PUBLIC CONTRACTS; PROSECUTIONS RESULTING THEREFROM

Meanwhile, today the phones have been ringing off the walls for many taxpayer advocates and Council Members, after word got out that a deal has been struck and decisions have been made about the Sewer rate increase request.
We have serious concerns regarding the legality of these meetings that led to the "deal" that was struck, and the status of the public meeting scheduled for this coming Wednesday, August 24th, when members of the public were to have an opportunity to address the Council.
It is still very important that everyone show up for this meeting on the 24th, as this is time for citizens to express their views and opinions regarding the situation surrounding the Sewer Utility and its oversight and management.
However, we have learned that the five (5) options that were presented to Council this past Thursday evening, and which were supposed to be made available for public scrutiny, have now been reduced to three options, none of which match any of the 5 original options.
Now, we have to ask, why and how they will be presenting three options if indeed the decison has already been made and the deal has been struck.
Furthermore, how does this turn of events affect the actual legality of the mandated published public notice since the agenda items no longer match the advertised legal?
Again, we find ourselves being blindsided by closed door meetings that just may violate the "Sunshine Laws" that were designed to prevent such deal-making from taking place 'behind the scenes', or anywhere else removed from public scrutiny. Especially when the issue concerns taxpayer monies.
There are many more questions concerning the events that have surrounded this scramble for money to replace funds that were mis-spent.

Another citizen also advised us of another site that has been found that provides information concerning funds that have been dispersed from the State Treasurer's office to Floyd County and New Albany.
It is made available be State Treasurer Tim Berry in Floyd County.
For a full listing click HERE
The most intresting piece of information we found here is a notation that the City of New Albany issued SRF Bonds for a Wastewater Loan in the amount of $2 million dated August, 2006.
This begs the question:
Has the City recieved another $2 million loan for our sewers witout telling us, or Council members that this money has come into the city?

Suffice it to say that many members of our community are more than a little concerned about how this situation with the missing funds from the sewer department is going to be resolved.

NAPP Report

2006-08-16T23:24:00.000-04:00

Here is the main posting we promised to bring up from the comments section.
We will also bring the follow-up reports and comments into the comments of this posting in order to keep everything together.

Our only hope is to get as much of the REAL information out to as many of the general citizens as we can and let them decide for themselves what to make out of the whole mess, and who seems to be part and parcel of it all.
It remains to be seen how our elected officials will handle all this information.

New Albany Potty Police Member said...
We have posted the following on New Albany Today's Blog as a thank you to Maury.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. In the past Maury, whenever bonds and other rates issues arose, you and another were the ones which asked the "right" questions. Because you and the other Council member always asked the correct questions from different financial consultants, we have always felt like you had a grasp on the money situation.

We have now researched and found the other documents needed for further analysis.

When we told Mayor Garner these monies seemed to be missing, he asked us to give him a two month time-frame in order for him to check with the Attorney who was in charge at the time, Keith Henderson, and see if he had done what he needed to do. The Mayor then told us the Attorney had done what he needed to do, but couldn't explain where the monies were and shrugged when asked how he was going to pay it back.

We can't deal with a shrug, Maury.

Thank you, again."

Now, tonight at the Budget Hearings, the other $270,000.00 pledged is still not reflected on their budget sheets nor was it brought up in the meeting. There is one more meeting where we hope we can resolve at least getting the money NOW starting to go the right direction; seems to be difficult because that EDIT seems to be pledged out, and there's fines for not using it correctly and it is just one big can of worms.

We were told at the Sewer Board today that the citizen who spoke at a City Council meeting about EMC still owing the City (US) for the truck ordered and not authorized HAS NOT YET been paid. We had been told it was...but the citizen was correct in that it had not. EMC was given until the next meeting to come up with a check.

Even though they put a collar on the manhole out at Meiers, evidently it didn't work, because they went back out and put a 20 foot high collar and said that seems to be holding. Of course, we haven't had any rain to prove that piece of information, yet.

Because of the overflows in mini-Basin 35, developments by certain developers are being told the lines can't handle the new development already authorized to come in. We maintain the "magic pen" was passed around in the sewer board and the developer was told this line could handle the sewage, but alas... Now Clark Dietz, OUR Engineer is doing studies for that area, number one is suppoose to be to see how to clear up the problems there. We do not feel their job is to see what is to be done so these developers can add more on top of us. We are tired of paying for the Developers. We want an impact fee. We pay 5-1 just to get one sewer credit and the Developer is paying a 1-1. We're tiiirrreeed.

Now you have told us Meiers somehow didn't get a bill; nor did Applebees; nor did some car wash out that way; we're truly interested in whether Beef O'Grady's did. We would find it hard to imagine one of the co-owners, John Kraft, wouldn't have been aware he wasn't getting a sewer bill.

There is no documentation of lines being laid under the Overton administration. EMC was also instructed to get together with Clark-Dietz and Donohue and come up with a "certified" document as to same. Seems the EPA investigator may have talked with Mr. Solomon, who has nothing but OUR RESPECT (and Mr. Utz).

They still can't figure out with Jennys Lane is still having SSO's.
Not sure on that spelling...please forgive.

A new SSO popped up on Charlestown Road, we think out by St. Joe's, which is impacting a development on the shelf.

Now, with Umbaugh's 2004 figures showing the $270,000 for the Bonds, along with their $270,000 figures from 2002 showing the pledges of EDIT to the inner-city, we may be able to get these monies back where they belong -- in the sewers.

There's more...we were well'ed on what happened at the State meeting on the SRF monies -- well, if the Council does this, well, blah, blah, blah.

We simply wish people, well it seems to only be certain people, would realize these EDIT moneys have to be returned and repaid and put in the fund where they need to go. We do not need a rate increase because of their incompetency. We simply need to fix the inner-city sewers with the original EDIT funds which were pledged in 1997 and 2002 and more in 2004, then you can build your field of dreams. Unfortunately, this has been on the burner a lot longer than the Y or Scribner. It's definitely not our fault; we are waiting for the EPA to lay the blame.

And, please, ratepayers, please don't forget the past 2 (TWO) years in lost revenue. HOW IN THE HEY DO YOU LOSE TWO YEARS WORTH OF REVENUE, and you really want us to pay for that TOO? Come on.

Mayor Garner, we can only say this to you, personally. It's not an attack, simply a dialogue.

Do you remember the sewer board meeting when we asked you if you were aware you could go to jail over this whole blankety thing? Do you remember your reaction? You threw your hands up in the air, put your head down on the desk, and then looked at us and told us you didn't sign up for that. Then, Fifer came into the room. When you asked Fifer "do you know what so and so just said to me...", are you aware that Fifer didn't tell you we were wrong. He WELL'ED you. You didn't notice, and we are sorry. We did notice.

Again, thank you Mr. Solomon and Mr. Utz for your work and diligence and honesty.

There is so much more, but I'm out of breath. One thing about blogs, it's bring back writing. However you may write. A lot of articles have appeared where people "just don't write letters" anymore. This is a blessing in disguise.

Disperse the information with a push of a button. So, here goes...
10:43 PM, August 15, 2006

Looking for Answers

2006-08-14T16:01:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of folks in this City who think these questions, originally asked by SdamonS on NAC, are very critical to the situation we find ourselves in right now.
Since they've been left hanging over there, unanswered, for almost a week, we figured we would rescue them for a re-post on SOLNA.
We want to get as much information out there as we can about these issues, and provide as many REAL answers as possible (without the political "spin").

Original Post - Tuesday, Aug. 8th, 2006
At 4:34 PM, SDamonS said...
Who pays the EDIT tax (and who does not)? is this a county or city tax? a summary here and a link to more information about it would be great.

Is it true that by passing a rate increase the loan rate will be lowered? Is this guaranteed in writing? Are there other ways to have the rate lowered? perhaps putting $8.3 million dollars immediately into the sewer fund?

Why doesn't the city work to have the sewers reclassified so they are monitored under the same rules as Clarksville or Jeff? (and why was this agreement made in the first place) ..ie as a 'combined system' and not a 'separated system'. That would at least give some more time to come up with a better solution for getting the money that is needed.

Tribune Angers Many (again)

2006-08-14T01:47:00.000-04:00

Sunday's "opinion" piece by Tribune Publisher, John Tucker, was without a doubt the most asinine thing I have ever read from a newspaper publisher.
In fact, the "article" (I use the term very loosely) was so absurd that it's difficult to swallow the fact that it was actually printed in something that insists on calling itself a NEWSpaper!
We are not providing a link from here due to the outrage that has been expressed by so many people over this poor, poor choice of publishing. If you haven't read it, consider yourself fortunate. It was a ridiculous piece of satire storytelling so very familiar to anyone who has ever read one of Rogers' rants over at the New Albany Confidential blog .
Mr. Tucker has certainly made no bones about the fact that he has aligned himself with the politically motivated "progressives" in our community. A certain faction of folks who are convinced that their opinions are the only ones in New Albany that actually matter, and who apparently have made it their mission in life to insult, slander, and otherwise bad-mouth CM's Coffey, Price, and Schmidt by any means, and with every opportunity that presents itself.
Thus, not only does everything the Tribune reports from the third floor these days have the progressive spin on it, but the other contents of the paper (I will NOT call it a NEWS-paper) are more and more often displaying the same audacious and insolent attitudes of the progressives.
We feel very strongly that Sunday's article by John Tucker not only was an unnecessary and mean-spirited attack on select Council Members, but it was also so entirely off the mark in terms of the issues facing the citizens and rate-payers of New Albany, that it had absolutely no worth being put in print.
We think it is imperative to express our continued profound disappointment in the Tribune and its publisher, John Tucker.
We feel an apology is owed to CM's Dan Coffey and Steve Price, as well as to the Tribune's remaining readership who were subjected to such a ridiculous piece of storytelling that was passed off as journalism.

WHERE'S THE MONEY?????????

2006-08-09T21:45:00.000-04:00

Monday nights council meeting was nothing short of another meltdown for New Ablany's City Council. Passing a proposed rate increase through a first reading "ONLY" gives Garner and Fifer another foot in the door that should have slammed shut a long time ago.
We are in the process of gathering thoughts and opinions, as well as data, from several sources and officials to include in our full posting for Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, continue to check the other blogs for relevant discussions and well-posed questions.
There is so much WRONG with the way things are unfolding, that we are having a hard time bringing the information into a shorter version of what could be an entire book about mis-management and incompetance.
So, please be patient as we sort through all sources and all words to get to the real issues at hand.

Scribner Place: Beating A Dead Horse!

2006-08-04T09:46:00.000-04:00

It has become painfully obvious that the Scribner Place project has become a complete disaster. With absolutely no help from a dissenting public, the project seems to be dismantling itself right before our eyes.
With the need for re-bids now a certainty, costs are likely to skyrocket given the predictions of most. Plus, any more scaling back of the project will probably buy us another disaster like our infamous Firehouse the Chief is so proud of. So, where does this leave us in terms of enthusiasm and/or confidence in the likelyhood of the Scribner Place project ever becomming a reality?
Let's discuss all the happenings that have surrounded this controversial use of scarce resources of funds, and try to determine if this is just a bad idea gone horribly wrong, or if it's really got a chance of still being worth all they say it will be.
Does anybody believe in Karma?

Q & A's About the Budget

2006-07-29T02:42:00.000-04:00

Now is the time for all good boys and girls of New Albany to ask for their fondest wishes. Because now is the time to get answers to questions about the budget for our fair city.
This is the time to speak with your Council representative, and all three At-Large Council Members, and find out what they know about the budget and the issues that matter most to you. Ask what Jimmy is planning to do about the things that are foremost on the minds of our Neighborhoods and property owners. Ask anything you want, but...ASK QUESTIONS!!!
This is the time of year that our officials should regularly hold "Town Hall" meetings, with the specific intent of addressing the city's financial condition, and to talk with citizens about budget decisions. After all, it is OUR money.
Truth be known...if our elected officials gave any real consideration to the overwhelming public sentiment that there is a serious lack of accountability from the city administration, 'Town Hall' meetings would be happening already.
So, while we won't be holding our collective breath's waiting for that to happen, we will continue to advocate for better, more accessable, avenues for communication between Council Representatives and their respective constituency.
As for these most recent Budget Hearings, the main points that have been brought to the forefront seem to concern the rising costs of our Police and Fire protection, the question of purchasing 5 or 6 new Police cars, and the Controller's and Council's jobs of cutting the total budget back to $16 million.
Then there's Jimmy...one hand out for a salary increase, the other behind his back to hide his crossed fingers as he tells stories regarding the need for more sewer rate increases. With one foot out the door already, one has to wonder just how he's holding up! LITERALLY!!!
Especially when you consider that he doesn't have a leg to stand on when it comes to blaming private citizens for the amount of money that it will take to comply with the EPA Agreed Order and the amended, amended Consent Decree. Does he really think private citizens can control what is required to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act that New albany is in violation of?
Anyway, it's time we got some straight answers to some straight questions about the financial condition of our City.
Get your questions together and get your Council phone numbers (city website) and call them up! Bring your stories here and share them, and let folks know what you learned. Perhaps between all of us, we can get a pretty good picture of what's going on with our money.
Finally, the poll totals:
Q.) Would you vote for Garner again?
1. Yes = 9 = 19%
2. No = 34 = 71%
3. Maybe = 0 = 0%
4. Never = 5 = 10%

BUDGET HEARING

2006-07-26T16:26:00.000-04:00

Tonight's Budget talks are promising to be full of information concerning the annual budgetary allowances for each department, and all staff, within the City.
With all the questions concerning how many departments are costing substantially more than their budgeted amounts (street dept. -$700K), following these talks is one of the most important things we can do as citizens to educate ourselves about the spending habits and requests of each department.
I'm also looking forward to hearing Jimmy's pitch on why he should deserve a raise after his dismal performance, and the public's poor perception of his abilities. Who else will he ask to give raises to?
The talks will go on for a couple of days, so prepare yourself to sit through a lot of hours of rather boring details, but you'll be glad you were there. Actually, the best thing to do is to partner up with folks and take shifts. It gets to the point of sheer torture after a few hours.
We have other issues for a later posting, but we wanted to remind everyone about the meeting tonight.
Remember, there is no public speaking allowed. This is a sit and listen session only.

Shame On You Donnie Blevins!

2006-07-21T16:39:00.000-04:00

Last nights Council meeting held yet more grandstanding and finger pointing than it did any actual City business. Lord knows we have major problems to deal with in several areas of City operations, but CM Blevins' tactics last night were shameful.
Yes, most folks agree that the money being poured into the "sewer system" has become ridiculous and way out of hand, but CM Blevins should be careful who he's calling "greedy".
That title is easily awarded to Mayor Garner since he's made no attempt to disguise the fact that he thinks he should be making more money, and he isn't a bit reluctant to ask for it!
But, I digress. Back to the original discussion...
After the now infamous mayoral phone call/meltdown that followed CM Blevins' vote for an investigation into the 2004 audit findings, we are somewhat surprised that Donnie has once again swallowed the hook that Garner has baited.
Not only has CM Blevins swallowed Garner's empty promises (AGAIN) hook, line and sinker, we are convinced that this councilman's votes are compromised due to his status as a city employee.
Even though Donnie has flip-flopped a few times, managing to piss off everyone at one time or another, he always comes swimming back to the mayor's boat where Garner has so many lines in the water that it would be impossible to ever untangle the whole mess of stories and promises. But, Donnie is convinced he must grab onto one of those lines if he plans to continue his career as a city employee.
The former sanitation worker, transfered to the Street Dept. just before privatization of the Sanitation Dept., has been easily 'handled' by Garner and his goons by simply dangling promises of jobs over his head. A situation that doesn't bode well for serving the City's best interests.
So again, we say: "Shame On You CM Blevins" for only being concerned with securing your own job rather than concern yourself with helping save the ratepayers from another huge rate increase for the sewers. And you PROMISED us Donnie. You PROMISED you would NOT vote for a rate increase.
And Shame on you for biting on Garner's line AGAIN! A line saying he will save the Street Department and thus your job, if only you will...
Shame on you Donnie.
You should be asking how in the hell the Street Department has suddenly lost an extra $300K per year, going from a $179K deficit in 2004, to a $463K deficit in 2005, and now a projected $700K deficit for 2006 (thanks FOS), since Garner took office before you are so ready to throw good money after bad. Do you realize that's a 291% increase in the deficit in just 2 years??? How does that happen?
How about asking to have this situation included in the audit investigation? How about asking to see some documentation of how the Street Dept. has suffered such staggering losses the last few years?
Shame on you Donnie for abandoning the best interest of the citizens for another empty promise that won't hold true in the long run. They show those kinds of losses so they have an impossible hole to climb out of, forcing the department into privatization because the city cannot afford to bail out such huge losses.
Shame on you Donnie, for not understanding the bigger picture.
So, we'll leave you with one last piece of advise that we can only hope and pray that you will heed: Be careful. It can get pretty difficult to catch your breath when you get yourself shoved so far up there. And you can bet you WON'T come out smelling like a rose.
Finally, one short mention about the current article on the New Albany Today blog.
Maury acknowledges the obvious political stance taken by the Tribune as illustrated with the example of interviewing the candidate for Sherriff rather than interviewing the current Sherriff as would be accepted practice for thoughts on current issues.
We also agree with the assertion that a sewer rate increase cannot, and should not, be presumed until a lot of questions get answers, and a lot of financial documents are examined.
Thanks Maury for carrying the torch on these issues.

Downtown Revitalization?

2006-07-16T02:30:00.000-04:00

Well folks, I’m back from the ‘dead zone’ and ready to jump back into the troubling issues that face New Albany on a daily basis.
I want to first thank the folks that helped out in my absence, and I want to thank the folks who read the blog for keeping the ball rolling.
My illness has retreated, and I am now able to write new articles and participate in the discussions that ensue. Believe it or not, I have missed the banter that the blog instigates, and the opportunities to put forth my opinion on certain matters.
For now, I want to talk a bit about what New Albany is doing, or has done, to encourage Downtown revitalization.
What are they doing to entice businesses to locate in existing downtown buildings? Are there ways to be providing certain incentives, and/or possible funds to help with restoration efforts that will ultimately save our historic buildings?
Downtown IS a TIF District you know. All the taxes collected from that area are to be set aside for use ONLY in that area, in terms of funding for economic development projects and surrounding infrastructure improvements.
If they are obligating all the available EDIT funds, using a large portion to make Scribner Bond payments, then what about the TIF money that’s earmarked for Downtown? What kind of “projects” can be supported using those funds? Are there plans for utilizing these funds already?
More importantly, what, if anything, have they been doing with that money for the past 3 years to encourage or support Downtown Economic Development? Because, we’ve watched as major developments have taken footholds in the fringe areas of Charlestown Road, Grantline Road, State Street… and waiting in the wings are all the County developers who are chomping at the bit to build large quantities of high priced housing.
Why have there been no significant investments in the Downtown area until this YMCA/Natatorium idea? Are they really going to throw this much money at ONE project in an area that has been ‘dead’ for some 20+ years, and just HOPE that everything will change??? What a naïve way to go about things. Then again, we do have a child for an Economic Development Director, don’t we?
For New Albany, the fringe areas have been the ‘hot markets’, while Downtown has sat empty and neglected, save for the few brave souls who are eeaking out a living and keeping the doors open in a hostile environment that screams, “WE’RE CLOSED!” to anyone who dares to enter or ask after 6PM.
Meanwhile, surrounding Downtown neighborhoods have had to suck up the minor developments that turn neighborhoods into mixed, commercial/residential land use that lowers property values for homeowners, and negatively impacts the neighborhood in terms of traffic, crime, density, and aesthetic value.
Like the development at Ellen Court and Green Valley Road that completely disrupted the residential “feel”, and turned the area into a bustling business district.
Why couldn’t those who wished to open a medical facility use an existing building downtown? We’ve already built and paid for the parking garage!
What about the hell-bent plans to develop something on Daisy Lane despite the safety issues that have been presented and demonstrated?
Now, the East End, the entry to New Albany, is under siege as more and more green spaces are disappearing from the landscape, replaced with ugly modern shopping spaces that offer no hint of our historic treasures that sit silent and empty only a mile or so up the road.
I’ve watched, in utter disgust, as another concrete block building goes up on what was one of several open green spaces that dotted the entry into New Albany. What a shame it is to watch those treasures disappear.
First came the corner of Thomas and Spring. A monster office building that took up every possible square inch of developable land, coming dangerously close to a multi-unit housing structure during construction, and it still sits empty today.
This other building is going up at the corner of Spring & Best, which is right next door to the Dairy Queen. Word has it that this is going to be an auto parts store.
Just what we need!!! Especially since there is an Auto Zone and a Pep Boys store only 4 minutes from here, in Clarksville.
However, my quandary is not about how many auto parts stores the demographics of the area can support, it is about what it’s going to take to get businesses into those long neglected, very expensive, downtown buildings.
Still, can someone please explain to me how it can be less expensive to buy land, build a brand new building, and pay all the expenses associated with such, than it is to refurbish and utilize an existing Downtown building?
Why has Downtown NOT already been marketed as the place to do business? Yet it is this very objective that is being touted as the end goal and ultimately the saving grace of New Albany.
I find this situation very troubling, and somewhat curious, in so far as these buildings remain sitting empty, slowly deteriorating, until the Scribner Place development takes place.
I want to know why. I think we all deserve to know.

EastEnder Under The Weather...Few Topics For Discussion While She Is MIA -- GET WELL

2006-07-07T13:34:00.000-04:00

While EastEnder is getting physically healthier, WE are posting this in her absence, under her name. We simply hope the issues can be held to a "debate" and not the "haranguing" of certain individuals.

FIRST TOPIC

Sewer Board Meeting this past Tuesday afternoon. These are only bits and pieces of information; there is an audio tape and there will be minute available informing the public of other activities.

First, Mr. Fifer stated he is on the "State Revolving Loan Fund Committee's Agenda" for August trying to get our bond rate lowered or refinance it. This will "save" us $660,000.00. Of course, if he refinance, he will get a percentage of the bonds. We have yet to see a lawyer not make any monies on any Bonds -- whatever they were/are.

The Controller put some things on record. For one month there was income of $177,090.00. Expenditures were $177,140. Balance in cash flow is -$50.00. She will have to borrow to continue operations.

There are seventeen (17) bank accounts for the Sewer Department. The Controller maintains they can not pull sanitation and drainage out of Sewers because this would give the City 19 Bank Accounts, which seemed to be illegal in some manner.

No claims again approved by the Sewer Board. Controller told Sewer Board she sends them a green bar report (which is simply a line item and could hold ghost companies the way it is now) and if she doesn't hear back from them within two days, she automatically pays all claims. The Sewer Board didn't like this time frame, and demanded more. They also told her they did not get a greenbar report, as she stated. The blame was placed at the City Clerk's office for not getting the financial greenbar reports out to the Sewer Board.

The Controller also wanted it known one of our past Controllers, Greg LeMar, did not have a "reserve fund" for our Bonds. He bought insurance.

It was brought up that Redevelopment had six (6) bank accounts, but they were non-interest bearing.

It was mentioned the Bond Covenants were 125%, thus Georgetown's monies are desperately needed.

TOPIC TWO

The City Council President, Mr. Gahan, has scheduled BUDGET HEARINGS for Tuesday, 6:00 PM, at Floyd Memorial Hospital on the lower level. It was suggested to him it be held on a Saturday; the reasoning being so Council could talk to Department Heads.

We have not seen the legal for this. We are being told this may be closed to all but Council; legally they wouldn't be able to do this. We'll update you as well hear more from the press.

Get better, EastEnder. This "ain't" no fun! Have a good day, New Albany!

WHEREAS, the New Albany City Council is in support of the Scribner Place Project

2006-06-30T16:21:00.000-04:00

We've seen reading comprehension problems; we've seen selective interpretation of the facts presented (obtained from GOV); but we have to admit, selective disregard of the VERY FIRST SENTENCE IN THE RESOLUTION? Give us a break, why don't you?

Very tangible issues behind the scenes are driving this resolution; and I for one hope the City Council gets this project OFF of MY property taxes. Our blessings for Scribner and the Y can proceed without such financing regarding OUR PROPERTY TAXES.

The State adopted something called a "circuit breaker" law last year. Our City has a constitutional (City and State) debt limit of 20% of our assessed value. If I am wrong about this, surely someone will call me out and set me straight, no doubts there. The way the Cities were able to circumvent this debt limit (which is in our City constitution and State mandated) is by having the municipal City sewage bonds/works separate from our debt limit.

This new "circuit-breaker" law is meant to correct this issue. After speaking with the State of IN and telling them of the debt we, as New Albany, are in -- I felt he was stunned.

Here is the new "circuit-breaker" law, and other corresponding info you may find interesting. Enjoy.

(P.S. BTW, is it legal for the Clerks' office to release the Council's packets to the PRESS and the Mayor's blog before the Council even received their packets from the police? Just a question.)

SECTIONS 8-13 of HEA 1001-2006 expand the 2% circuit breaker beyond pay 2007 in two phases: (1) the circuit breaker becomes mandatory in all counties for qualified residential property for 2007 pay 2008 and 2008 pay 2009; (footnote 1) (2) the circuit breaker becomes MANDATORY for all types of property in all counties beginning in 2009 pay 2010. (footnote 2)

The "circuit breaker" works by giving a property owner a credit against the person's property tax liability exceeding two percent of the gross assessed value for the qualifying property.(footnote 3) The application of the credit results in a reduction of property tax collections of each political subdivision in which the credit is applied.(footnote 4) A political subdivision may not increase its property tax levy to make up for the reduction. (footnote 5) A political subdivision may not borrow money to compensate the political subdivision or any other political subdivision for the reduction of property tax collections due to the credit. (footnote 6)

EXAMPLE:

Taxpayer has a qualifying property with an assessed value of $100,000 before deductions. Taxpayer's property tax liability is calculated at $2,100. Two percent of the gross assessed value of taxpayer's qualifying property would be $2,000. Thus, taxpayer receives a credit for $100, and his tax liability is reduced to the maximum of $2,000. This results in a reduction of property tax collections by the taxing units in an amount of $100.

$100,000 gross assessed value $2,100 calculated taxes due
X .02 cap -$2,000 maximum tax liability

$ 2,000 maximum tax liability $ 100 amount of credit

__________________
Footnotes:
1 IND CODE 6-1.1-20.6-6.5(b).
2 IND CODE 6-1.1-20.6-6.5(c).
3 IND CODE 6-1.1-20.6-7
4 IND CODE 6-1.1-20.6-9.5(b).
5 Id
6 IND CODE 6-1.1-20.6-9.5(d).

The following is an ESTIMATE CIRCUIT BREAKER IMPACT ON BUDGETS issued last year at the CITIES 2006 ANNUAL BUDGET WORKSHOP:

Potential Tax Credits for Property Assessed over 2% of Net Assessed Value:

UNIT 2006-2007 2008-2009 2010
FLOYD COUNTY $ 108. $ 108,526. $ 276,062.
NEW ALBANY TWP $ 3. $ 3,143. $ 7,995.
NEW ALBANY CITY $ 325. $ 324,803. $ 826,313.
NA-FC SCHOOLS $ 587. $ 587,059. $1,493,322.
NA-FC LIBRARY $ 23. $ 23,125. $ 58,825.
NA FLOOD CONTROL $ 8. $ 7,605. $ 19,345.

NOTE: The estimate impact on these budgets were based on 2003 assessed values. The impact on the budgets could be much greater when the estimates are based on current assessed values.

In other words, Cities will not longer be able to get around OUR Constitutional debt limits; but the State maintains there will have to be "new income taxes" to cover the shortfalls. Hmmmmmmmmm. Our income taxes seem to be going other ways.

Read the first sentence to Mr. Schmidt's resolution one more time, then the info posted here -- you'll find no malice; simply people who are up on those numbers and trying to protect your property tax and mine. That's the SPEAKOUTLOUDNA view, anyways.

Tribune Misses the Mark Again and Again

2006-06-24T01:11:00.000-04:00

Thursday’s newspapers revealed exactly the type of "non-reporting" we have lamented over from the Tribune.
In the Courier-Journal, writer Ben Hershberger reported on a couple of very important issues that were completely ignored by the Tribune.
Unfortunately, for some reason, I am unable to make a direct link to the stories work tonight, so...for now, use the following link to the Courier, then enter keywords "scribner snag" and then "Garner spar" to read the articles mentioned here.
Courier-Journal
Only after talking to few folks did it become clear that the information I was discussing with them, never made it into the Tribune pages.
Namely, the Sewer Board meeting held on Tuesday that included discussions on the dilemma the City is facing with Georgetown: "Board Seeks Explanation for Partial Sewer Payment".
You remember. The folks James decided to “drop” off the system to get 150,000 credits pre-released from the EPA. The rate-payers that we contend the rate increase is, at least partly, designed to compensate for.
Anyway, a settlement of money has been owed from Georgetown for quite some time: A settlement that has been renegotiated by “double-duty” Sewer Board/County Developer attorney Greg Fifer.
Originally, the amount owed was $1.9 million. However, in November the renegotiation brought that figure all the way down to $800K, which is a $1.1 million discount. Now, Georgetown is only prepared to pay $300K and doesn’t want to pay the remaining $500K until October.
According to Ben’s article, “Todd Soloman and other sewer board members said they were concerned about the delay because the money is needed to pay for the installation of a new line to the Robt. E. Lee pumping station." A project that is REQUIRED by the EPA for the release of sewer credits, which is scheduled to be completed by April of next year according to the consent decree.
Now, you would think, after all we’ve been reading about this Sewer rate increase, that the happening of the sewer board meetings might be worth reporting on. However, there was not one word printed in the Tribune about this situation with Georgetown, or other things that happened at that extraordinarily long meeting. NOT ONE WORD!
The most glaring exemption from the Tribune and their crack team of investigative reporters (NOT), is the headline spread across the front of the Indiana section on the same day; "Scribner Place Hits Money Snag"
In this lengthy and informative article, Courier-Journal writer Ben Herberger reports that the YMCA is having trouble securing their $7 million line of credit with the bank. Why? Because, the agreement between the City and the “Y” is not sufficient enough to provide the proper collateral for the loan.
Thus the agreement between the City and the YMCA must be re-written.
Gee, what a great opportunity this would be to get this thing done right.
Did you read about this anywhere in the TRIBUNE? Do you wonder why?
Isn't this type of information about Scribner Place development a major interest to the people of New Albany? They sure manage to write stories that glorify the project. It appears anything negative about the project will simply not be covered.
Could it be that the Tribune is part and parcel of the “spin” machine that whirls around James Garner that sucks up and hides any hints of disappointing information?
Consider too, the story printed on Wednesday, June 21st, about the angry phone calls that spewed from the Mayor to Donnie Blevins after the past Council session. The Courier-Journal reporter covered this story very well, speaking to everyone involved, including the Mayor, and presenting all the evidence without even a hint of judgment or personal bias.
"Garner,Councilman Spar Over City Audit"
No name calling of any Council Members. No disparaging remarks about the intellect or reasoning behind CM Blevin’s action to vote for the audit investigation. Just plain old-fashioned brass tacks reporting that explains all views of the incident, the way it’s supposed to be, leaving the conclusion drawing up to the reader.
Was this story written up in the Tribune? It sure got around town pretty quick, as folks were talking about it before the night was done. Everyone heard about it, but the Tribune was silent.
Even in their report about the night’s Council session, there was no mention of the infamous calls despite the fact they spoke with Garner AFTER the meeting.
Personally, I find the omission of these happening in the local press to be an unforgivable action. It makes it very apparent that the local paper is in the Mayor’s hip pocket and you, readers, will ONLY read a selective view of your community. Nothing negative, nothing of problems with financing the “Y”, and certainly no mention of the Georgetown sewer payment being delayed.
Is that sort of coverage sufficient for you?

Considerations of the Audit Investigation

2006-06-22T04:56:00.000-04:00

With all the chest thumping going on about how CM Coffey is going to be discredited and how he has 'supposedly' embarrassed himself by "going after" Garner on some sort of "whitch hunt", we feel compelled to assert our continued support of Coffey's resolution. It is Garner who has turned this thing into an ugly political football by making so much noise about his objections to having an investigative audit done.
We also want to express our support of CM Blevins for doing the right thing by voting in favor of the resolution. He understands that the monies of the City MUST be reconciled with the findings of the State Audit. That can only happen if the Council follows the recommendation of the State and conducts their own inquiry into the financial condition of the City and all its related departments.
Once again, our friend blogtastic has presented our contentions regarding this investigation into the monies very eloquently.
Therefore, we are posting the following in the hopes that everyone will understand that this endeavor is the best thing to come out of that Council room in quite some time. We hope you will read these words from the perspective of realizing that the money we refer to is YOUR money. Don't you think you have a right to know what's happened to it before they come asking for more?
Finally, we would like to point out that controller Kay Gerry, although very concientious in her work, has not been handling the financials for the sewer fund, which is our greatest money sucking concern.
The outside accounting firm of Melheiser, Endric, Tucker has been conducting all the financial reports for the Sewer Board. We're not even sure if outsourceing our financials is completely in keeping with accepted procedures. At any rate, explaining the discrepencies of this fund is going to be outside the relm of Mrs. Gerry's knowledge.
So, without further muddling of blogtastic's well articulated reasoning, we now present the most rational discussion of the issue that we have had the opportunity to consider:

On June 17, 2006, Mr. John Tucker penned an opinion that opposed any outside investigative audit of New Albany’s finances, and somehow tried to twist any such attempt to initiate such an audit to the ongoing dispute of Scribner Place and a vision for the city’s future.

As a city resident and taxpayer for the past 23 years, I have seen firsthand this fiscal mismanagement of New Albany’s finances. The audit in question, for year 2004, was just the latest in a series of audits performed by the State Board of Accounts which reflected poorly on New Albany.

Since the audit results were made public a few months back, many of us implored the mayor’s office to initiate an audit. When it became apparent that he was not willing to perform an audit, whether by his own administration or outside auditors, we asked our city council members to do likewise. The request for an audit was not tied to any sentiment on our behalf about Scribner Place, nor was Mr. Coffey’s resolution tied to some “latest attempted murder of Scribner Place.”

Mr. Tucker states that, “Yelling for an audit plays to the fears and mistrust of the public.” It is a shame he places so little trust in the intelligence and perseverance of New Albany’s citizens. We fear nothing, but rather know that a full accounting of how our monies are being handled is long overdue.

So contrary to what Mr. Tucker asserts, Mr. Coffey was not trying to “sell the audit as something it isn’t.” He was simply responding to the request of informed citizens in this community, who have endured decades of taxation and ever increasing fees with no adequate explanation as to how our money is being spent.

A proper audit also will show much more than what Mr. Tucker contends. It will reveal more than “whether the books are balanced, if employees who are getting paid exist and if the proper paperwork was filed.” Some of the largest and most worrisome issues with New Albany’s accounting deal with improper account reconciliations (sewer, sanitation), capital asset accounts, and cash and cash equivalents balances. And contrary to what the State Board of Accounts contends was their full audit, a proper, full investigative audit goes much further than exposing such deficiencies. It will answer those questions raised, as any audit should, and show the city’s residents just exactly why the accounts are out of balance, and where the monies went.

These results do not necessarily imply some potential sinister outcome as Mr. Tucker mentioned; embezzlement, areas of possible theft or cooking the books. It could be nothing criminal at all, but rather the results of poor accounting and financial controls, processes and/or management. Even such non-criminal deficiencies, though, can have a measurable, negative impact on the decision making processes in our city.

Start if you will with a strictly internal audit process. Given the local political infighting, more vicious perhaps because it is within a single party, we all doubt that it will get very far in providing the answers we demand. This will probably serve nothing more than to burn up more unproductive time until outside auditors ultimately are brought in.

The citizens of New Albany deserve a full investigative audit of how our money is being used. When informed of repeated, supposedly necessary sewer rate increases, or the immediate urgency to redesign the sanitation department, finances have frequently been presented with a great degree of certainty by board members and the mayor’s office. The audit by the State Board of Accounts, however, reflects that such certainty is truly unknown.

In closing, unlike Mr. Tucker contends, we too desire a better New Albany, and a bigger and brighter future. We welcome the opportunity to participate in the dialogue. Building a better New Albany will take some time, and like any construction, will only be as good as its foundation. The foundation of any city’s ability to grow and progress is its financial status, and without knowing the true financial health of our great little city, we are indeed building on a shaky foundation.

Coming Next...

2006-06-21T01:41:00.001-04:00

RUMOR HAS IT...

Farewell to the Tribune

2006-06-19T15:08:00.000-04:00

This weekend's "Opinion" article in the Tribune, written by John Tucker, is not only disappointing, it is wrong!
A full investigative audit will indeed reveal much more information than the yearly partial audit done by the State.
The State recommended a full audit be undertaken.
We don't really care to hear what John Tucker's opinion is regarding this matter. Who is he to second guess a State auditor's recommendation?
Who is John Tucker to come to town and second guess what citizens have been working on for more than 10 years?
Yep, 10 years have accumulated under the belts of several civic activists in town, and their hard work will NOT be trivialized!
After 2 sets of books were discovered under Overton's administration, and now a Federal FRAUD Investigator is here from the EPA, how can ANYONE argue against a complete investigation of the books?
It has become clear that Mr. Tucker has succumbed to the dribblings of the progressives, and that's just too bad.
We had high expectations that the new editor would see through the veil of lies that surround this administration and actually provide some investigative journalism to bring the facts to the people.
But, there's been no "investigative" reporting. No digging for facts and history. No critical thinking skills have been displayed from the Tribune for quite some time now.
Even accurate reporting of Council meetings has become a problem for the folks at the Tribune. Many of these errors were pointed out in an article at Freedom of Speech recently.
Still, the biggest disappointment is the bias that bleeds through every article written by Mr. Tucker. What happened to the idea that the press is supposed to remain neutral on issues? Most importantly, where is the most basic of good journalistic traits, the TRUTH?
All we've been getting is somebody else's opinion of the truth. At times, even the truth has been left out:
A FULL INVESTIGATIVE AUDIT WILL PROVIDE MUCH MORE INFORMATION THAN THE STATE'S ANNUAL PARTIAL AUDIT DID.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS RECOMMENDED!
So, I'll be canceling my subscription. I don't think I want to pay good money just to read Mr. Tucker's personal opinions.
Many others have already done so.
Some simple mistakes can be overlooked, but the overall stance of the folks who manage the Tribune cannot be missed. We feel this compromises attention to details and accurate reporting.
So, farewell little Tribune paper. We tried to hold onto some shred of dignity for you, but alas, you have slipped through our fingers. If you are not the press of the common majority, if you cannot print the truth, then you are "propaganda".
The only use I have for you is a place for the puppy to do his business.

Re-Post: March, 2006 - Audit Results

2006-06-18T01:13:00.000-04:00

Important Findings of 2004 Audit:
The previous posting, which spoke of the finding in the 2004 audit of the City of New Albany, was left open for citizens to discuss what they felt were pertinent issues that merited further discussions.
As we all know, there was not much mention of the actual audit findings, but rather a plethora of various perceptions of the Administration and their competence, or lack thereof, as well as a lot of unnecessary personal and political jabs.
Before we delve further into the 2004 Audit, we would like to reiterate our stance that this blog is for the Citizens of New Albany, and will not be used as a platform for any political campaigning.
That said, let's move forward with the 2004 Audit written report, which is a public document produced by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
On page 4, 4th paragraph, of the Independent Auditor's report on financial statements, they note:
"We were unable to audit the note disclosure relating to capital assests of the City, because capital asset records were not properly maintatined and updated; and we were unable to satisfy ourselves as to the value of the capital assets by other auditing procedures. In addition, we were unable to verify the accuracy of cash and investment balances because monthly cash reconcilements were never compared to the funds ledger so that variances could be identified and corrected in a timely manner."
They further note; "The Wastewater Utility did not maintain sufficient capital asset records. Due to lack of supporting documentation, capital asset valuation cannot be verified." Nahhhhhhhh, not the Sewer Utility!
Surely, with all the other departments that were being supported by Sewer Funds, and all the "loans" that were made out of Sewer Funds, surely they were keeping accurate and detailed records of all such expenditures.
"In addition, we were unable to verify the accuracy of cash and investment balances because monthly cash reconcilements were never compared to the funds ledger so that variances could be identified and corrected in a timely manner."
Well now, doesn't that just take the cake, so to speak? Only in this instance, the cake is made of the hard earned money of the rate payers.
What does all this mean?
"As capital assets and cash equivalents constitute a major portion of the Statement of Net Assets, any uncertainty concerning assets and cash and cash equilvalents similarly affects the Statement of Net Assets."
In other words, because no one managed to do the monthly balancing of the City's books, and reconcile the funds ledger, they really can't tell what the City has in terms of the bottom line.
One other statement early in the report that raises concerns is as follows:
"The City has not presented Management's Discussion and Analysis or Budgetary Comparison Schedules that the Governmental Accounting Standards Board has determined is necessary to supplement, although not required to be part of, the basic financial statements."
As we mentioned in a previous posting, the State guidelines say no departments may make expenditures in excess of their appropriated budget. However, New Albany has several departments that show spending indeed exceeded the budgeted amounts for those departments. Namely, the General Fund (duh), Motor Vehicle Highway, Local Road and Street (no, we're not kidding), Park Nonreverting, Ambulance Runs, and Park Cummulative Building.
The total excess spending for these funds was just over $1.7 million dollars.
The Audit notes: "These disbursements were funded by inappropriate available cash balances." (mis-appropriated funds?).
After perusing through the pages of numbers, looking at balances and debt, disbursements and income, assets and liabilities, we turned our attention to the Audit results and comments concerning the condition of records (pg.38).
There we discovered the profound cumulative effects of the propensity of City Departments to repeatedly fail to reconcile cash accounts monthly with the City funds ledgers.
Such instances are more fully described later in this posting; However, our purpose here is to explore the consequences of such oversights, or simple non-compliance with proper accounting procedures.
As revealed in the documents of Findings and Questioned Costs (pg. 52), the Audit found problems with the condition of City records (2004-1).
The Audit notes: “…reconciled amounts were not totaled and compared to actual cash transactions recorded in the City’s records. As a result of undetected errors as of Dec. 31, 2004, the City [had] $88,947 more in unidentified cash recorded in its records than [was] being held in its bank accounts.”
In “Notes To Financial Statements”, on pg. 17, item I-C notes: "The government –wide, governmental fund , internal service fund and fiduciary fund financial statements are reported using the basis of accounting that demonstrates compliance with the cash basis and budget laws of the State of Indiana…. Receipts are recorded when received and disbursements are recorded when paid.” Doesn’t sound too terribly difficult to us. How about you?
Back to page 38, concerning the Condition of Records, Indiana Code 5-13-6-1(e) states: “All local investment officers shall reconcile at least monthly the balance of public funds, as disclosed by the records of the local officers, with the balance statements provided by the respective depositories.”
These comments go on to explain: “At all times, the manual and/or computerized records, subsidiary ledgers, control ledgers, and reconciled bank balance should agree. If the reconciled bank balance is less than the subsidiary or control ledgers, then the responsible official or employee may be held personally responsible for the amount needed to balance the fund. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)”.
How ‘bout them apples?

Re-Post of Audit Findings

2006-06-15T17:49:00.000-04:00

Given the attitude of our Mayor concerning tonight's resolution to have a full investigative audit done, we felt compelled to re-post some information that was contained in the 2004 annual partial audit performed by the State.
As a reminder, the State Board of Accounts Report said:
"...we noted certain matters involving the internal control over financial reporting and its operation that we consider to be reportable conditions. Reportable conditions involve matters coming to our attention relating to significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal control over financial reporting that, in our judgment, could adversely affect the City's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data consistent with the assertions of management in the financial statements."

This information, along with now having a Federal Investigator in Town from the EPA who is looking into the financials of $44+ million of sewer fund money, should result in nothing less than a full investigative audit.
If there is nothing to hide, then there is nothing to be angry about and no reason to balk at a full audit. If anything, Garner should be anxious to be vindicated by having a full audit reveal no improprieties.

LESSON - HOW NOT TO RUN A CITY

OK. Let's give it a go here on the blog as to why the Stormwater Compliance should NOT include another bureaucratic Board (thank you CM Price), with more money getting sucked into pockets rather than projects. Do we really want to create another way for our City expenses to bulge?
I thought the whole idea was to reduce our spending levels, so at least the often-used & abused excuse of "there's no money" would still hold a little water, while money accumulates and become "unavailable" or "restricted in use" to the tune of about $5 million sitting in 'special funds', to be used for restricted, and 'special' purposes in restricted and special places.
TIF, CDBG, UEZ , EDIT, PERF, IHFA, etc., etc., etc.
There's no money - "IN THAT FUND"... is what they should be saying.
So, where is it, how much is it, and why are they not doing regular monthly reconciliations?
Page 38 of the City of New Albany Audit: Indiana Code 5-13-6-1(e) states "All local investment officers shall reconcile at least monthly the balance of the public funds, as disclosed by the records of the local officers, with the balancesstatements provided by the respective depositories."
"As a result of of undetected errors as of Dec. 31, 2004, the City has $88,947 more in unidentified cash recorded in its records than that being held inits bank accounts." In other words, we're missing almost $90,000 that should be in the bank, but is not.
We've begged them to park the City owned vehicles IN THE CITY. Or at least keep the log books that are required by this pesky little agency called the Internal Revenue Service that keeps personal use separated from work use.
We really can't afford to pay for so much gasoline. We can hardly keep our own tanks full. Make that more like half full.
Another small but important show of trying to help save money would be to please, turn off the cell phone and leave it with the car keys (unless you live in the City), and go home.
We can do better to save the City of New Albany from complete financial ruin. If we don't put a stop to the wasteful spending, and the loose accounting, that's exactly what's going to wind up happening to New Albany.
In the State Board of Accounts' Financial Report to The Officials of New Albany, we found the following as related to compliance for financial reporting:
"The opinion to the financial statements was qualified due to the lack of sufficient documentation of capital assets and inadequate cash reconciliations."
The report also says, "The results of our tests disclosed instances of noncompliance that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards and which are described in the accompanying Scedule of Findings and Questioned Costs."
All of this means that the City officials responsible for keeping track of funds and expenses in all the separate departments, boards, and commissions, are not doing their job the way the State says they should be doing it.
It's all been slip-shod management of the public funds, and ultimately, the Citizens trust. The bad decisions need to stop, and we need to get a lid on it real quick.
CM's, you must understand that no plan he has come up with, no approval that you have allowed to go his way, none of it has come out to be a good decision for the City of New Albany. A big part of what he says he'll do, or he'll get back to you with, never happens. Why continue to put our fate in Garner's greedy hands?
So, let's just start with the fact that there is already enough 'bad blood', so to speak, in the Political realm of New Albany about who gets paid on which board, and which Boards pay, and which don't. Hell, they are all different. Furthermore, who's paychecks get paid out of which funds?
That's another one that will confuse most folks around here if you ask them.
Just exactly who IS getting paid with City money, and how much are we paying them? After all, this City money is actually the people's money.
So, isn't this a reasonable thing to be able to ask, and expect an answer from, the people who we elected to spend our money for us? I think so.
Unfortunately, I think there are other people in our City who would rather keep that information solidly under a rock (don't worry, we'll dig it up).
That same State Board of Accounts Report we referred to earlier also states:
"...we noted certain matters involving the internal control over financial reporting and its operation that we consider to be reportable conditions. Reportable conditions involve matters coming to our attention relating to significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal control over financial reporting that, in our judgment, could adversely affect the City's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data consistent with the assertions of management in the financial statements."
This is a huge statement that is pretty clear about what s going on.
Still, there are considerations to be made about the Mayor sitting on X# of Boards, and getting X# of salaries in return.
We want to know how much is enough for this guy? How much money does he think he can suck out of the citizens of New Albany before somebody crys: "FOUL"
We just can't keep taking the hit, paying the penalties, for the 'fouls' that have been made by the heads of New Albany's past and current administrations.
However, we find it's a weak and spineless person who, when caught with a hand in the cookie jar, would point and say "they did it too" as though that makes it alright. One thing that's real important here to all future New Albany Mayors out there: IT NEVER MAKES IT RIGHT!
Now, what would we start thinking, knowing that more hits are coming... raising Sewer rates, climbing Sanitation costs, along with the "Brand New" Stormwater 'user Fees'???? These are all but guaranteed.
We've been told that all of this is probably going to happen, and we know that when they say probably, that's the warning shot....DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! .
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO LIVE UNDER THE REIGN OF JAMES GARNER?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Well, there are other considerations that should be taken into account when assessing our Mayors performance. How he is performing in his duties and responsibilities on the Boards he currently sits on (we don't care about his style, we care about his substance)?
We all know that the first order of business upon his election as Mayor was to immediately appoint himself as Chair of the Wastewater Utility (Sewer Board), and to draw another salary from that.
What did the State Audit have to say about the Sewer fund records?
"The City's capital asset records for wastewater Utility owned capital assets are $18,442,759 less than capital assets reported in these financial statements."
That's about $18.5 million in capital assets that were reported in financial statements to the State, but there are no records to back that up.
Now, we all know that the Sewer Board, which he has been leading for over 2 years now, has done a dismal job of being able to comply with State and Federal EPA and IDEM mandates of the Clean Water Act and the agreed orders of the Courts that were signed by Overton. A situation Garner knew about from the four years he sat on Council prior to his run for Mayor.
(we will be loading copies of financial documents concerning the Sewer Fund)
There should have been no surprises there. He should have been ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, getting things done to comply, and securing the needed blessings from the EPA for future growth, probably along with a hearty pat on the back from the citizens for a job well done.
Instead, Garner has been advancing a very expensive agenda, including an overpriced and underfinished Firehouse, a $16 million natatorium, a soccer complex, an Assistant Mayor (a broken campaign promise), privatizing Sanitation services (another broken campaign promise), ignoring the sewer issues, and handing out political favors like they were lollypops.
He's been using the Sewer Fund as the City's "slush fund", borrowing huge amounts of money to shore up an assorted number of Departments, programs, and projects, including the General Fund which was depleted below zero.
State Board of Accounts Comments concerning Overdrawn Cash Balances:
"The cash balance of any fund may not be reduced below zero. Routinely overdrawn funds could be an indicator of serious financial problems which should be investigated by the governmental unit." Think they'll do that?
New Albany had 9 funds overdrawn in 2004:
General Fund, Motor Vehicle Highway, Local Road & Street, Law Enforcement Continuing Education, Unsafe Building, Indiana Housing Board Rental Rehabilitation, reserve Liability, TIF Park East Industrial, and the Medical/Drug Fund.
We've only scratched the surface of the findings in the Audit, and there is more to come on the Sewer fiasco, and why we are saying NO to another sewer rate increase.

What's the big deal with anonymity?

2006-06-13T15:06:00.000-04:00

Much ado has been made in the New Albany area blogosphere, in no small part by the prostituted progressives, about the anonymity or pseudonymity of contributors and posters. Even Speak Out Loud NA recently waded into these choppy waters, changing course only to reverse yet again.

Western civilization has a long history of anonymous and pseudonymous commentators and authors dating from at least the Greco-Roman era. These people were, may I say without trying to offend anyone, writing much more eloquently and intelligently than any of us (myself included) are in these local blogs. Much of our outstanding literature (Shakespeare?), important political discourse (Camillus?), and even perhaps New Testament writings (Pauline attributions?) were published anonymously or pseudonymously.

Many of the anonymous and pseudonymous political contributors, in fact, helped to shape the formation and direction of our nation, perhaps best exemplified by Benjamin Franklin and his many (alleged) pseudonyms.

Likewise, modern investigative journalism has come to rely upon the anonymous source (Watergate?), and many states and the federal government have enacted whistleblower statutes, which protect the identities of those who come forward.

“So What’s the Big Deal?”

Well, there is no big deal with unknown writers.

Many of the pro-progressives, and others of their ilk who seem to think they are somehow more enlightened than others, rant and rave about anonymous/pseudonymous posts. They claim that such submittals somehow carry less intellectual worth or veracity, although they cannot articulate the reasons why. Such comments from those who sport their own blogs are especially humorous, given the overall tone of contemptuousness in their publications. Dare not post anything in dissent of the ‘bookman’ – he will try his feeble best to eviscerate both you and your opinion.

The real and only reason for the desire to know and control ‘who writes what’ is the patently obvious, yet unstated desire to quash any debate by those who dare disagree with their opinions, or chosen leaders. How would knowing a person’s identity perhaps quash the debate? There are two main reasons. The first is quite obvious in a small town and community such as ours (and like those where I grew up in my home state). If a person must disclose who they are, they will not participate in the debate in the first place, for fear of losing their job, their relatives losing jobs, not getting a job/contract, scorn from their neighbors, hassled by law enforcement, etc, etc. This is especially true if what such people wish to say cuts against the current leadership, and the local press is in the pocket of said leadership. The second reason is the belief that, if a person’s identity is known, that fact can somehow be used to undermine their position – skeletons in the closet if you will. [Note: Keep in mind, only P-P’s are capable of throwing the first stone….]

A minor, humorous third reason focuses on “frustrated censorship.” Most ‘enlightened’ folks, and P-P’s, are in reality closet socialists. They decry the open press (Rush? SOLNA?) and are frustrated by the electoral process. We “little people” do not know how to write, to whom we should listen, nor for whom to vote – we are much too stupid to be entrusted with such things, “troglodytes” if you will. But please do not hold this fact against them. Many do not even know (yet) that they are closet socialists. It is analogous to the person not yet ready to enter rehab, because many have not reached the point where they can admit to themselves that a problem does indeed exist. That damned Berlin Wall never fell!

”Just the Facts, Ma’am”

The only real issue is the facts of a given situation. As long as the debate centers on the facts, it matters not the identity of the debaters. Facts can be verified, no matter from where or by whom they were disclosed.

Facts about investigations, facts about sewer overflows, facts about city finances, facts about multiple paid positions, etc.

Those who protest against the anonymity and pseudonymity of this blog simply do not want the facts to surface, especially those which focus attention, perhaps negatively, on their self-anointed leaders. By focusing instead only on the issue that those in the debate are unknown, they are simply trying to detract attention from the facts of the argument.

These protestors attempt in vain to practice the old legal adage -- don’t cloud the issue with facts.

”The Ultimate Anonymity”

I would encourage all to continue to post anonymously or pseudonymously, and stick to the facts of the situation. It is a large part of our democratic heritage and political debate. Those who protest against it will continue to do so – just laugh and let it ride, you certainly cannot stop it.

And this fall, I would encourage all of appropriate age to practice perhaps the longest, constitutionally protected right of anonymity we have: VOTE to throw the current mayor out of office!

Just don’t ask me who I am!

blogtastic

Investigation Underway

2006-06-12T16:42:00.000-04:00

Isn't it interesting the way some things work out?
Just as we were beginning to wonder if there was a sane mind left in New Albany, the EPA sends in the man from their Criminal Investigations Division.
We believe there must be probable cause at hand to have initiated questioning of Council Memebers, Sewer Board members, and the City Comptroller, Kay Gerry.
We believe they he is here to investigate the use of a State loan of Federal money that was used in the $44 million plant capacity expansion.
Because it was Federal dollars that were spent in order to "fix" the failing Sewage System, and the system wasn't fixed, it still doesn't work, they might be wanting to know what happened to that money.
Don't forget that the EPA has been 'negotiating' with the City of New Albany for about 12 years now. We've been given opportunity after opportunity to comply with signed agreed orders for specific repairs, yet one administration after another has chosen to ignore the real problems and instead spend massive amounts of money to simply expand the capacity of the plant.
Meanwhile, raw sewage was being dumped straight into the Ohio River, by the City of New Albany, at enormous rates. System overflows have caused enormous amounts of raw sewage to spill into the streets and pollute springs and groundwater.
Now, the sewers really do need fixed.
Perhaps now the EPA is going to come in and do it for them.
More importantly, the administration will be held accountable for the millions of dollars that have been used from the Sewer Utility funds to support, and in some instances outright pay for, other City services and associated costs.
The proposed rate increase will be halted, and the financials associated with more than 38 checking accounts will be examined.
We asked for an investigation into the audit. We asked many times.
Now, an investigation into the money is what the Federal authorities are here to do.
Does this little problem of ours now warrant the top of the priority list?

The citizen's advocates, often referred to as New Albany's Potty Police, who have worked diligently to follow the bouncing politicians who have had hold of this issue over the years, and who have tread where most of us would fear to tread, are due our sincere gratitude.

FINALLY!!! The Man Is Here

2006-06-09T14:02:00.000-04:00

Q: Who is that man with the big gun and a badge that says "Federal Investigator"?
A: Why, that's the man from the Fraud and Corruption Division of the EPA.
Q: What's HE doing here???
A: Well, he's here to fix the little problem we're having with our Sewage System.
Q: Why?
A: Because he says for the money we've spent, we could have dug holes and laid all new lines throughout the City, yet the sewers still aren't fixed.
Furthermore, the $44 million that WAS spent, was used to expand capacity rather than "FIX" the system, and it was Federal money.
Q: Where's he going?
A: EVERYWHERE!!!

To Mr. Federal Agent Man:
Welcome to New Albany. Welcome to our nightmare.
We extend our deepest appreciation for your arrival.
Please understand our gratitude for the diligence of our local citizen's advocates, otherwise known unofficially, as the "New Albany Potty Police".
We wait with great anticipation to see this matter is taken before the right authorities and dealt with in the manner that's appropriate.

More soon.......

We are going to follow up on the issues that the investigation is likely to include.
Our local New Albany Potty Police are to be commended for their tenacity and hard work in bringing the problems of the Sewer utility to light.

IT'S ALL OUT THERE NOW

2006-06-08T04:03:00.000-04:00

Well, that was fun!!!
Hope everyone feels better after blowing off a little frustration.
We wanted to let the last posting ride for a while and see how folks responded after the spectacles at the Council meeting Monday night.
We never expected the thread to take the turn it took, but we feel we learned a lot from it. The lines have indeed been drawn in the sand.
It's a damn shame, but the fact of the matter is that the city's problems are so severe that citizens are blaming other citizens rather than holding the proper officials accountable for bad management.
It's clear that there is virtually no respect for people's differing opinions about what is best for the City, and this leads to the propensity for personal insults.
We would like to remind folks that the issues that must be dealt with pertaining to the City's current well-being, and future potential, have absolutely no bearing on the personal character of individuals.
Now, everyone put the potty-mouths away, and let’s get back to the business of dealing with the real issues, O.K.?!
We want to direct your attention to Ben Hershberg’s excellent article in Wednesday’s Courier-Journal regarding the situation we are facing with the Sewage Department - click here
Most importantly:

“Fifer discussed sewage system finances at the council meeting Monday night, explaining why a controversial rate increase -- projected at 26 percent to 32 percent -- is needed four years after a 49 percent increase was enacted to help finance an expansion.” Folks, thatequivalentivilent of an 80% increase.

"…he said the system technically is in default on the requirements of the $40 million bond issue used to expand the system -- a project completed in March 2005.” Read This One Again!!!

“The sewer system is required to generate enough cash annually to pay operating expenses and make more than $5 million worth of bond payments -- plus an extra 25 percent for security, Fifer told the council.”
The bond payments were appropriated by Council from EDIT funds.

"A recent projection by the city's financial consultants said the sewer system is $2.5 million to $3 million short of what's needed.”
There is more than $1 million in appropriated funds that are missing.

We must admit, we are confounded that anyone could seriously put forth a compelling argument for swimming pools when we are facing such dire conditions in an absolutely vital component of our infrastructure.
Even more so, we are curious as to why the administration seems to think they do not have to produce true and accurate financial details of the 38 some-odd checking accounts that the Sewer Fund uses.
We stand commited to insisting upon a full investigative audit into the financials as recommended by the State. We will NOT accept a rate increase without such, even if it means we must go down the same road that 20 other citizens recently traveled.

We also feel compelled to remark on the inaccurate and incomplete coverage of the Council session by the Tribune in Tuesday’s edition of the paper (“…instead of the $6.25 per meeting Mayor James Garner’s administration had suggested.”???). Make that $625.00, which is the current pay for members of the Sewer Board. Our records show Garner was asking more for the Stormwater Board members ($700 per meeting), and himself as Chair ($1700 per meeting).
We’ll come back to the particular details, but suffice it to say that many people are severely disappointed and we intend to follow up on this matter with Mr. Tucker in the very near future.

Lastly, in light of the assertions made over at NAC today concerning their planned campaigning come next May, we would like to respond in-kind;
We take this as a challenge to the Council Members that we feel have the most concern for the City, and are most in touch with their respective constituents. Therefore, we’ll meet their challenge and pledge to work diligently on the behalf of re-election campaigns.
More importantly, we are committed to educating citizens about the dispositions, behaviors, and attitudes of those who will be challenging our Council representatives. That, my friends, will be the ultimate downfall of the progressive movement.

INTIMIDATION TACTICS

2006-06-05T16:06:00.000-04:00

We've been hearing, and reading a lot of political threats being made towards the Council Members who are going to support the re-direction of EDIT funds tonight.
We consider this insulting, and we resent the 'bullying' tactics from those who have made these threats.
We strongly feel that your opinions are indeed the minority, and we intend to stand behind the Council Members who support the resolution coming before them tonight.
We also pledge that we will support their re-election campaigns based on their courage and committment to the best interests of the City of New Albany.
They understand the implications of NOT complying with Federal directives, and they have listened to the MAJORITY of Citizens who are fed up with Garner's bad decisions.
Actually, not only with Garner's, but with the last 3 administrations before him as well.
They all contributed to digging this monsterous hole we are only now trying to climb out of by making their own mistakes in judgement, and laying the costs of such at the feet of the taxpayers. All the while ignoring the sewer problems that arose back in 1995 when the EPA finally took measurable steps to hold the City of New Albany legally liable for failing to meet the Clean Water Act, and thus made DEMANDS that the failing sanitary sewage system infrastructure be corrected.
Here we are 12 years and $80 million later, and that infrastructure STILL isn't fixed, so now the EPA has taken away ANY opportunities for City growth by restricting sewer credits and doubling the required annual expenditures from $270K to $500K as well as doubling the oversight period fom one year to two.
Meanwhile, our City has built a Parking Garage that cost us dearly, and a multi-million $$ Firehouse that doesn't function properly, and a multitude of other bad decisions that has drained the City finances and left us no closer to solving these crippling problems with the sewers, and now they want the Citizens to pay another $30 million when those costs can be mitigated WITH OTHER FUNDS!
This Scribner Place project could have very easily become a compromise between the two 'factions' of thinking, about what is best for the City of New Albany.
However, it seems obvious that the 'progressive' thinking crowd is an ALL OR NOTHING sort of bunch who don't grasp the concept of compromise.
These Council Members who stand strong tonight, to do what is right and what is best for New Albany's future, are to be commended. They understand what MUST be done is very different from what WANTS to be done. They are doing the RIGHT thing.
UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE MAJORITY!!!

Read the Documents

2006-06-04T03:16:00.000-04:00

OK folks.
Let us show you here in black and white, just what the situation IS with New Albany and the EPA. It ain't good, and they ain't kiddin'. More importantly, it must be fixed. Environmentally, New Albany really is a real shit-town.
(click on images to enlarge)
The problems with the sewers, and the ripple effect of those problems to future growth, is no less urgent than the Clean-Up New Albany efforts of Code Enforcement meant to rid our City of the eyesores and dangerous conditions of dilapidated property that contributes significantly to the "perceptions" of our community. The biggest difference would be that the sewer problems actually pose a threat to our individual health and well-being, which is put in jeopardy every time it rains.
We'll grant you that there is indeed a part of us that is "mad-as-hell", and NOT going to pay for it! Why should we pay them for dragging their feet and putting us at risk, refusing to comply with the Clean Water Act and incurring more cost?
However, to use some familiar logic, the longer we put this off, the more expensive it's going to be. Still, it simply MUST be done. Especially if you want to be forward-thinking, or if you're at all concerned about the future prospects for New Albany. Under current conditions, we are optimistically estimating a minimum of 4-5 years out before we are out from under any EPA restrictions.
The first document (above) shows the City's agreement with the EPA dated Feb. 2006, and noting staged disbursement of sewer credits based on certain repairs being completed, and an oversight period of one year.
And, here's page 2 of that agreement:
Here, they explain quite well what the problems and concerns are, and make particular note of several large overflows. One as large as 98,000 gallons.
It also remarks on the two projects, the Robert E. Lee lift and the bar screen, that MUST be repaired for release of credits. We know that early bids for the bar screen project alone were over $700K, and the Robert E. Lee project is expected to be about $2 million.
We also took note of the mention of a letter sent by the EPA in 2004, Garner's first year, expressing concerns with the delays of one of these projects. So, there's no saying he didn't know this was a pressing matter. He simply chose to ignore it while he pursued more "rewarding" ventures..
However, we find the real meat of this issue in the final page, which is repeated in the "new" consent decree, verbatim.
"The City shall not permit any new industrial, commercial, or residential developments that would have the effect of adding at any particular connection point flows to or exceeding 50 houses or 15,500 gpd (gallons per day) at full buildout or in the aggregate unless the City first receives approval from EPA. The City shall submit to the EPA under Part VII of the Amended Consent Decree a report certified as true and complete by a professional engineer (NO, Chaz Hunter doesn't qualify) documenting that the development at full buildout is not expected to cause any capacity relate bypasses or overflows in the collection system."
Here's some interesting info: The hotly contested Daisy Lane development would require 48,000 credits at full buildout. Did anyone even ASK if they had sewer credits? Or, is that why our City's Sewer Board Attorney, Mr. Greg Fifer, is their attorney? How where they planning on getting around that one? It's still applicable.

Well, we have at least 3 more documents we want to get up here for you to look at, but we are going to break here for now and hope you folks will avail yourselves of the opportunity to read the EPA letters for yourself.
Our next series will show how Garner and the rest of the Sewer Board opted to drop Georgetown, as we predicted, and in return for lessening the load on the system, wrangled 150,000 sewer credits in advance out of the EPA. Oh, but there are very critical changes in the amended, amended Consent Decree in exchange.
(we also predicted they would turn right around and hike our rates to make up the dif in rate payers from G-Town)
We are now obligated to have the bar screen repairs done by September this year, or we face penalties. We must have the Robert E. Lee project finished by April of next year, or pay penalties.
We must now spend $500K annually instead of the previous $270K, and the oversight period after all repairs and telvisioning the lines will now be 2 years instead of one. Some great deal we're working on here. Thanks a lot Garner.
Think about it folks.
This City must stop getting the horse before the cart and not getting anywhere.
We must put our resources where they will serve us best in the long term, and still keep us moving in the short term.
It's far past time to make smart decisions about smart growth, as well as pure sustainability. We must postpone major expenditures until we deal with this matter and know better about where we stand financially with funds for these sewer repairs, as well as all other departments.
One question:
Would you go have a luxury in-ground heated swimming pool installed in your yard if you knew your car was about to fall apart? Or would you take care of the car situation before you made any firm decisions about that swimming pool?
After all, everything relies on you having transportation.
Hmmmmmmm.

The City's Dilemma

2006-06-01T18:38:00.000-04:00

As we have been discussing recently, we feel strongly that the natatorium, planned for the Scribner Place development, should be postponed for a minimum of 2 years while all efforts and possible resources are directed towards meeting EPA directives, including the part that says we MUST spend at least $500K per year, every year, on inner-city repairs and upgrades.
New Albany is currently under a Federal mandate to comply with Federal laws, and we are concerned about the devestating economic impact of the restricted sewer credits that resulted from not meeting those mandates in a timely manner.
These impacts not only affect New albany, but are reaching beyond our City limits and impacting Georgetown and their neighbors, Lanesville as was reported here in today's Courier Journal.
Owing to the fact that we are under NO Federal mandate to build swimming pools, we feel the $400K in EDIT dollars that would be stripped from the City by a natatorium would be better utilized, at this point in time, to pay for these Federal directives.
It is looking more and more like our pleas for common sense to prevail have been heard, and Monday's Council Meeting will hopefully tell for sure.
We recieved copies of the "financials" concerning Stormwater, Drainage, and Sewage that were handed out at the last Council meeting, by Sewer Board attorney Greg Fifer, and we have to say they are pretty difficult to take seriously.
I mean, if the State recommends a full investigation into the financials because they can't make heads nor tails of them, then perhaps we should pay attention.
Obviously, there are Council Members who are having a hard time swallowing these numbers as well. We congratulate, and thank them, for their resolve to get to the bottom of these matters.
The Sewer rate increase that has been recently proposed, along with new rates for Stormwater "use", and the need for money to pay Drainage, along with all the "loans" that are due back to the sewer fund, are being wrongly assessed to the citizens.
We are looking to our Council Representatives to set right this unfair burden on the ratepayers due to failures to adequately and efficiently represent the best interests of the City, and all its residents.
The City must indeed move forward. However, it must be able to do so on solid footing with the proper infrastructure in place before we start pouring vital funds into "luxury" amenities.

Lots of Our Money at Work -

2006-05-30T00:07:00.000-04:00

Here's a look at the overflow that "DIDN'T OCCUR" according to reports from New Albany to the EPA oversight facilities. We thought you might get as much of a kick out of these ghostly images as we did.
Can you guess the location of this photo?
You get 10 points if you do!

Hint: The photos were taken 2 days after the last photos we put up were.

Don't you just love the wonderful golden brown coloring the water has?

Here's a good look into how dangerous this water is, in more ways than one. It moves very swiftly, and it is a large body of water. Anyone who might slip, or fall, into the water would be in serious danger.

Here's another little tributary that's come into being thanks to the overflowing system.
It's all headed straight to the Ohio River.

Finally!
We've saved the best for last.

Do you know what we call this beautiful structure?
Our $44 million waterfall!!!

Common Sense: Is there any left in N.A.?

2006-05-27T16:02:00.000-04:00

In today's Tribune there is an interesting article concerning the City's present swimming pool investment, the Camille Wright Pool.
We see that the new Ordinance, passed at the last Council session, that allows the Parks Dept. to keep all proceeds from concessions in-house, has quickly been put to use at the under-achieving Camille Wright Pool. The Parks Department will now be providing a full 'concession stand' instead of the familiar Snak-Machines.
Parks Director Bill Koehler expects the new concession offerings at the pool will help to make up the revenue losses this year.
We would be curious to know who has been selected for helping to operate a Concession stand on behalf of the Parks Department.
The article states the pool only lost about $7,000 last year, and that is a major improvement from proceeding years (financials concur). The Pool has historically been a losing enterprise for the City, often recording losses of 5 figures.
Even with Bill Koehler recruiting uses by several area swim teams, the pool is still under-used and losing money. How much can we count on hot dogs and hamburgers to bail out a losing operation?
Still, we believe the Camille Wright Pool is an asset to the community. Only, let's get this one operating in the black before we pledge our property taxes that an entire complex of pools is a good idea.
How can anyone even try to explain to us the reasoning that a $16 million indoor swimming complex will suddenly succeed in New Albany when the Camille Wright pool, and the Holiday Inn pool, are both already underutilized?
Where's the feasibility study that says this project will succeed?
Oh, that's right, they didn't have one done.
Furthermore, with the Parks Department busy over on Budd Road and at Bicknell Park, along with all the other projects we've heard about, don't they have their hands full right now?
The Swimming Pool Natatorium portion of the Scribner Project should, by all known indicators, be postponed for at least 2 years.
Council members must be the reasonable Public Stewards they were elected to be.
Sometimes this means making tough decisions and taking drastic measures to protect the best interest of the majority of the citizens.
Rescinding the EDIT funds from the Scribner Project will solve many more problems and clear the way for much more future economic development.
We must be responsible for having a strong foundation on which future businesses can stake their life dreams and financial well-being on.

Note: we are bringing DICK STEWART'S previous comment questions up to this posting because we think it deserves more consideration and contemplation before disappearing into 'Archives'.

Garner and the Good Life

2006-05-25T15:52:00.000-04:00

Someone earlier today said, "Garner sure takes good care of his Staff"!
It was said in response to the information that part-time City Attorney Shane Gibson will pocket about $200K as a commission off the Scribner Bonds sale.
At least that's what MIGHT happen, and that's only IF the Bond sale actually occurs.
We had to reply:
"Yeah, he (Garner) takes real good care of his staff and himself. Almost as if money were no object." Then we got to thinking and had to finish with the following:
"It's a real shame that he has no concern for the general citizenry of New Albany." It's obvious he's not too interested in anything we have to say.
We wonder, would he have been elected Mayor if he had told us the truth about what he would do with his opportunity to be Mayor? What if he had told us what he was going to do?
"Pledge residential property taxes to back up $17 million in Bonds for public swimming pools and committ $400K annually out of EDIT funds for SEVENTEEN YEARS TO DO IT!!!
Because that EDIT money won't be available for Economic Development needs (sewer credits) he'll need to raise the Sewer rates every year for the next three years. That means once even after his term ends.
Meanwhile, the City will NOT comply with the EPA and signed agreed orders, but will still manage to spend $44 million in taxpayer monies.
Then, he will create a new fee to pay for Drainage (without proper approvals), bring sewer billing in-house, pay himself 3 salaries, and wrap it all up in a bundle and CALL it a Stormwater "user fee".
To top it all off, let's say we know he's going to:
Give away the use of public facilities and assets (sanitation) without compensation, and hide the details of a Privatization company.
He'll give us a Code Enforcement Officer, but no way to actually enforce the codes.
Is the point getting any clearer?
If not, let us sharpen it for you by adding a few more details.
Let's consider that much of this fiscal creativity requires Public meetings to discuss the issues and their financial impacts, and these have been held in the middle of the day, on a weekday, when very few people are able to attend. This was after an attempt to hold an "Executive Session" was thwarted by calls of violations to the Open Doors Laws and the Sunshine Laws.
No need for details just now, but that was the last straw.
It's time to take a more pro-active stance regarding these matters and the manner by which they are being decided.

Rule 13 Stormwater Control Compliance & Fee

2006-05-24T02:31:00.000-04:00

Score another one for Garner the Gabber who once again duped us into believing him as he assurred everyone that the rates wouldn't rise if they let him do what he wanted. That was to institute a Stormwater fee at the beginning of the year for a mandate that didn't kick in until May, and for which no actual "project" is/was even planned.
That's the way it had to be, he said, to hold interim rates low for the first year.
Well, guess what? ...and I quote: "Things changed."
An increase in the fee was requested and passed within 5 months.
We are greatly concerned about the proposal that has been presented to Council for the creation of a new & seperate Stormwater Board that will drive the cost of meeting the Federal mandate up by more than 400 percent. A cost that rate-payers alone must bear the brunt of since there are no Federal dollars allocated to go along with the new requirement.
However, a seperate Board is neither a requirement, nor a necessity, to comply with Rule 13, but it is being sought none-the-less. We have good reason to suspect the primary motivation is the additional salary it would provide to the Mayor as Chair of the Board, but we are also aware of the plans to 'grow' this fund into a virtual garden variety of eligible costs.
There has been talk since last year that this new Stormwater "user fee" would be used to pay the Drainage Committee and any of their projects since the Sewer fund can no longer afford to bear that cost.
Now, doesn't it make sense to go ahead and put the Stormwater requirements in with the Drainage Committee that already exists and will be getting paid with this fee??? OF COURSE IT DOES!!!
The other thing Garner wants to get out of this is to start bringing the Sewer billing functions back 'in-house' which we feel is a huge mistake and another bad decision that will only hurt us in the long run.
Indiana-American Water Corp., which now handles the billing, is already set up and handling our billing needs efficiently. It is the City that has fallen off track from collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in delinquent and unpaid sewage accounts.
In our opinion, the City simply cannot, and actually should not, perform the functions of a private bill collector.
As someone stated just recently..."we have enough on our plates."

Council Members Get It Right

2006-05-19T18:46:00.000-04:00

Last night's Council meeting was by all accounts a contentious and emotionally charged session of City Government meeting head on with public sentiment.
Finally, last night, the Council Members listened to the people who would be effected by a new proposed development, and acted appropriately.
It was a bad idea that other City administrators were trying to force onto the community, and the community said NO!
This is the way good local government is supposed to function. For that, finally, we thank the members of the Council who are sensitive to the opinions of the people.
It's been real interesting watching the other blogs blast away at the Council and defend the development. But, what's been very troubling is the tact they are taking to basically threaten the citizens with some tacky housing development since they dared reject the desired plan as a dangerous proposition.
These are the same people who have filed a lawsuit against the Council to force a redistricting. Something that was supposed to happen in 2002.
Indeed the proposition to redistrict was brought to the table by then Council Member (CM) Maury Goldberg in 2002, but it was considered, voted down and then pulled rather than tabled.
Most interesting is that our Mayor Garner, then a lowly Council Member, voted against the redistricting. We are also very interested in the fact that said former CM and 20+ year veteren of City politics Goldberg is sited quite often hanging around the local bookstore, whose owner happens to be the apparent 'leader' of this bright idea to sue the City.
We feel the questions raised at Freedom of Speech are very valid and we would like to know those answers as well.
For your convenience, we've brought the questions here for a re-print:

Questions to Former Councilman Goldberg:
1. [Are] the above IC Codes and Council minutes correct for 2002?
2. Why did you, Mr. Goldberg, withdraw the Redistricting Ordinance in 2002?
3. Why didn't you, Mr. Goldberg, table the Ordinance and keep it alive for further discussion in 2002?
4. Is it not a fact that Councilman Schmidt, Councilman Coffey and Councilman Kochert did vote "Yes" for Redistricting?

These are only the beginning of the questions that have been raised as a result of the events that have taken place within the past week or so. However, there is one more item that I feel compeled to share with everyone.
One listed member of the group of 20 which filed the lawsuit against the City was sighted at Thursday night's Council session handing City Clerk, Marcy Wisman HER KEYS to her office while she was seated at the Council table waiting for the meeting to be called to Order.
This happened in front of a full room of citizens gathered there for the meeting.
Now, I'm not an expert on what might be the LEGAL rules governing such behavior, but I have a real problem with this. Especially since this was the same person sighted coming out of the room that is BEHIND the Council chambers just before a previous Council meeting prior to the lawsuit being filed. It was another demonstration of the true nature of the relationships between members of the lawsuit and members of the City administration.
We're guessing maybe 'James' was minding a bookstore somewhere since he couldn't make it to the meeting.
Alas, even without his smug appearance, his pet project for his political supporters...uh, I mean....the Plaintiffs, of which he says he "...doesn't know except to speak in passing"... LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR!!!!

SHAME ON YOU JIMMY!

THIS IS ANOTHER REASON YOU DON'T GET OUR RESPECT

...was removed by ammendment from the Redevelopment Plan before it was approved 9-0 by a show of hands. Special thanks to CM Steve Price for making the ammendment to put that money into the Dilapidated Housing Fund which had been shown as "overdrawn". A violation of Indiana Code that says no fund shall be spent below a zero balance.

Finally, a correction from what is posted on Maury's blog. The camera guy and I spoke at the elevators Thursday night and he wasn't not taping due to the School Boards decision not to air tapes, rather, there was a mal-function with his equipment and he couldn't tape.
We'll get those tapes aired.
Like the say... This isn't over. Not by a longshot.

Other Opinions

2006-05-18T16:34:00.000-04:00

From "blogtastic" on 6:21 PM, May 10, 2006
To "iamhoosier":
"As a PoliSci grad, you know that neo-Stalinist is both a political and historical term of art, academically recognized and accepted, for a certain type of political viewpoint, namely one which ‘bastardizes’ original Stalinism as that ideology made its way west. What is germane to this discussion is the fact that neo-Stalinism, among other things, "consciously rejects the decisive role of the working class and proletarian democracy." Many papers and treatises have been published on the subject in the past 60 years. And let’s face it, pure Stalinism at its core depends on the absolute necessity of repression of political opponents [and hence their ideas, press and speech.]
Reread my comment. Taken in the context of the paragraph in which I used it, the term is not name calling, but rather a very accurate and descriptive moniker.
"Some" cannot stand the anonymity of various posters, and rant against it, even though such speech is well within their constitutional rights. Hence their disdain for the proletarian (worker) democracy –--- "little people", "troglodyte," "transgender." [Query: I wonder, what do they think of the absolute right to anonymity while voting? See the next paragraph]
"Some" cannot stand the results of the polls, and elect to sue the city in an attempt to gain in court what they cannot at the proverbial ballot box, hence their rejection of the decisive role of the working class.
Let us not forget the frequent, rabid "pro-progressive" defenses of the current mayor, and vitriolic attacks on those who dare question him – could these be but vain attempts at repression of political opponents?
So you see, neo-Stalinist is an accurate description of those to whom I have directed it, and in doing so I did not find it necessary to call into question their identity, their intellect, their income, their evolutionary status nor their sexual status. It is no more a name calling than referring to me as a conservative. As the famous philosopher Popeye once said, "I am what I am and that’s all that I am."
As far as comments made by others, (your drunk reference), I only answer for myself.
And if you do not understand some of the words I use, that’s your issue to deal with. Pejorative is a very commonly used word; I’ve used it on prior occasions in this blog. I enjoy reading a variety of materials, including the posts of New Albanian, because they provide, at a minimum, a chance to broaden my vocabulary.
Back on the sewer issue, what the heck is the Sewer Board doing in issuing credits without the mandated and agreed engineering reports???? Are we begging for another lawsuit from the feds (and perhaps the state)?"
6:21 PM, May 10, 2006

We also encourage readers to look at other these opinions on some other local blogs that address the state of New Albany as a community right now:
Letter from New Albany
and
Diggin in the Dirt
and
Freedom of Speech

WHERE'S THE MONEY??????

2006-05-17T16:41:00.000-04:00

Alright, enough is enough. Things are getting just a little crazy around here lately, and seeing those 20 names in the Tribune today really put the cherry on top of an ever worsening situation. How many law suits are there against the City now? I'm sure somebody knows!
Adding insult to injury, another short article gave a completely erroneous version of events regarding the cancelled "Executive Session" meeting that was scheduled for this past Tuesday evening.
Garner sure pulled hard on that string and got the 'story' spinning off and away from the actual truth of the matter. The notice was indeed posted, as we checked it out personally and have a copy. Also, there were no mis-communications of intent. Everyone knew exactly what was supposed to happen, but it was indeed something that is not allowed to happen behind closed doors. Discussions of public monies and City financial matters are off limits (see Freedom of Speech for Indiana Codes pertaining to Open Door Laws).
We have previously expressed great confidence in our new local media outlet managers, and we anticipate that Mr. Tucker's main objective is indeed to print the actual truth, rather than some politicized version thereof. Therefore, we plan to apprise Mr. Tucker of the actual facts surrounding the canceled meeting. It was planned to discuss, "...Stormwater funding, Fuel costs, and Sewer Utility project spending" according to the posted notice.
The financial shortfalls of the City's limited resources are upon us.
The bottom line is that the City of New Albany has arrived a full 360' around until it's come face to face with itself and the repercussions of a whole lot of bad fiscal decisions that have been made over the course of the last few administrations.
However, Garner's tenure has been most particularly damaging, as one bad decision has followed another, and another, and he continues his attempts to dig deeper and deeper into the pockets of the general citizenry to regenerate funds that have "gone missing" by co-mingling City Departments, Services, Boards, and Committees.
The entanglements resulted in receiving a recommendation from the State Board of Accounts that the 2004 Audit warrants a full investigation due to signs of serious problems of the (mis)management of City funds, and actual violations of budgetary rules that were revealed when the Audit was released.
We, as citizens' and taxpayer advocates, are committed to our repeated requests for just such an investigation, and we are just as committed to standing up and demanding change, not only in terms of fiscal accountability, but as well as accountability for the basic management of the City.
This means we expect an intense re-examination of the plethora of issues that are contributing factors to the dismal financial picture and public discontent that IS currently New Albany.
From tax abatements to mounds of uncollected delinquent sewage accounts, unencumbered TIF funds and previously pledged EDIT dollars earmarked for sewage repairs, it must all be re-examined.
It is time for our elected bodies to take whatever drastic measures are necessary to correct drastic mistakes and get this community back on its collective feet with a strong foundation under us from which to build on. Both metaphorically and literally speaking. Our basic infrastructure is absolutely critical to the building blocks of any real sustainable economic revitalization.
We will be posting documentation, minutes of meetings, legal agreements and various other information to support our contentions that some of this money was already supposed to be there to pay upcoming expenses.
We want answers, and there's a lot of 'splaining to do.

ILLEGAL MEETING CANCELED!!!

2006-05-15T17:32:00.000-04:00

We have finally been able to 100% verify that the contented ILLEGAL meeting that the Mayor had scheduled for Tuesday evening with the full Council and Melheiser-Edris-Tucker to discuss financial matters has indeed been cancelled.
Thanks to everyone who worked on this matter.

DECISION, DECISIONS......

2006-05-13T04:35:00.001-04:00

WARNING - WARNING - WARNING!!!

There are several important and costly issues that are currently under consideration by the City Council. We here at SOLNA feel that these issues warrant careful consideration and close scrutiny in terms of what events have predicated these issues, how the City of New Albany has been led to this dangerous precipice, and why the decisions being made regarding these issues will be so fundamentally vital to the community's future welfare.

First, let us simply list what we believe are the issues most pertinent to our inquiries and concerns:

1. City Financials

a) 2004 Audit Investigation as recommended by the State

b) Sewage/Sanitation/Drainage/Slush Fund deciphering

c) Budgetary Savings Opportunities

2. Sewer Rate Increases

a) EPA Agreement

b) Sewer Credits & Allotments

c) Necessary Projects & Repairs

d) Financial Statements

3. Stormwater Management

a) Rule 13 Mandate Requirements/Options

b) Funding/User Fee Assessment

c) Board/Staff Composition

d) Proposed Projects

4. Scribner Place Development

a) EDIT Funds

b) Referendum

c) Property Tax Encumberment

d) Alternative Community Needs

This is, unfortunately, only a short list of concerns facing the Citizens of New Albany, but these are the things we believe require our immediate attention and discussion.

Of course, we welcome your input on these matters, or any other that you may feel warrants expediated consideration, as we delve further into the details of these issues.

Our goal is to dissiminate as much information to as many of the public as we can. Especially since the NAFC School Board made its disappointing decision concerning airing Council tapes on WNAS, New Albany's original public access channel that was graciously put into the hands of the School Corportion in the first place.

Read about the Tribune's take on this decision Here.

AMAZING

2006-05-08T04:06:00.000-04:00

Well now, wasn’t Sunday’s Tribune just a dandy little wake-up call to for the common-thinking folks of New Albany?! At first glance it appeared to be another lawsuit on the horizon for the City and then, quite possibly, it was related to the other bold print of SEWER RATE INCREASES (after all, Sewer Board member and CM Larry Kochert’s picture was there too).
Especially after what we’ve been hearing concerning the proposed development for Daisy Lane that was tabled at last Council and the problems of keeping that project within the recently renegotiated EPA agreement guidelines for new sewer connections. I wasn’t surprised at all that there were residents prepared to sue for an intelligent decision.
Furthermore, a Sewer rate increase can’t possibly be rationalized, or supported given the poor 2004 Audit results and the impossible untangling of Sewage and Sanitation costs that have co-mingled for the last several years. Let alone the abandoned contracts with surrounding areas and the amendments of the amended agreement with the EPA.
A quick glance back to the top of the page however, revealed something completely unexpected: “districts” and “represent”ation. (?)
Oh… wait a minute…these particular residents aren’t suing about the Sewer rates. Absolutely not! They are actually suing to force redistricting of the City….right now.
Now, why on Earth would any residents really get involved in such a politically charged issue, by filing a lawsuit, and so close to time for City elections? Well, these aren’t so much residents as they are “groups”. The self-Christened “Constituency For Progress” and the “East Spring Street Neighborhood Assoc.” have taken on a completely political agenda, and there should be no mistaking that. It’s the “Why?” that gets tricky.
I think they said something about equal representation?????????? HA!
After reading Randy’s account of the situation at NAC, and then his statement that now, he doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. Not another word he says.
Yet, he says this has been in the works for over a year now. Hmmmmmm.
And they really don’t think it’s obvious to us where, or who, this idea sprang from?
Amazing.
Concerning the Sewer rate increases…
If there’s a lawsuit that needs to be filed, it would be about MIS-representation.

Could They Do Any Less, And Ask For Any More???

2006-04-27T05:21:00.001-04:00

Hello again folks.
Please excuse my extended absense as I had some matters to tend to and some meetings to attend in order to make some assessments, some decisions, and some setting of priorities. Life requires a bit of maintenance at times.
In other words, I've been very busy.
So has everyone else who stands behind SOLNA and the changes we advocate for in our community. We have had productive meetings, and a lot of good advise and action plans have resulted from them. Everyone has done their fair share of research and records chasing, to which we owe our greatest thanks.
So, you may be asking, what now?
Up till now, I have been the only Post writer, and the only Administrator for Speak Out Loud NA. However, I have now extended those privledges to a select few others who will be assisting in the day to day operations and occassionally, writing Posts of their own.
Anyone else who wishes to submit a Posting for possible publication on the blog may do so, and the matter of confidentiality will be handled on a case by case scenario.
SOLNA was created to be the Blog where anyone and everyone has an opportunity to Speak Out Loud about what they think about the community, how it's run, and what they think may be right or wrong about it.
We are re-establishing that original mission.
We have created another blog site that will handle ONLY Sewer Utility related documents and contracts, and we will let you know as soon as it contains info.
Meanwhile...
Yes, we're still here.
No, we haven't quit.
What have we been doing? Planning
Why have we been doing it? To achieve our purpose.
What happens next? A little Thunder of our own.
Let us know what you think!

My Question of the Day (may also be submitted for use):
Considering the tussle that's going on over the question of a full-time City Attorney, or another swing at a City Court in order to enforce Codes and Ordinances that are already on the books, has just set us to doing a lot of thinking, and asking a lot of questions.
Just what is it that a Mayor and the Elected Officials of a City are SUPPOSED to be doing?
Let's start with something just that simple. What is the Oath they take?
Don't they swear to uphold the Laws of the City when they take office???
Why do they always come back at us with: "How are you going to pay for it?"
Don't we have some inherent assurred protection when it comes to enforcement as a DUTY by certain officials as written in Indiana State Law?

Sewer Fund Six Month Finaincial

2006-04-19T02:06:00.000-04:00

Since we've been talking about this notion of possible upcoming increases in sewage fees, we did some searching and came across something we thought was interesting.
First, we'd like to share this with you, as fellow citizens of New Albany and rate payers of New Albany City Services.
We received a bill this month for $70 from Indiana-American Cities Water Corporation.
Wondering how in the world a 2 person hoousehold could have a $70 water/sewage bill, I called the company and spoke with a service representative. You know what she told me when I asked her how much were the water charges only? She told me it was $20 out of the seventy owed.
That means the City is already getting a pretty huge chunk of money out of us every month, even if our water usage is low. It's troubling to think they may still be considering adding even more to it.
We turned back to the information we found while doing our research, and we are providing it here because we feel it's vital that every citizen is aware of the financial condition of the sewer fund without the sanitation services being taken out of the numbers.
You will note that Drainage is still included in this report from last year, and it was promised, by the Mayor, that Drainage employees salaries would not be coming out of sewers after the beginning of this year.
To our knowledge, the Drainage employees are indeed still being paid from sewage, but it is being considered another "loan".
We have no idea if, or when, this money will ever be returned to the sewer funds, as other monies have been used out of the sewers as if it were a "slush fund" to cover any extrodinary circumstances or expenses.
This is a six (6) month financial statement, and as you can see, the net income every six months is almost $1 million according to last years numbers.
The new agreement with the EPA would require the City to adhere to the $500K per year repairs to the inner city lines, and extend the EPA oversight to 3 years.
We firmly believe, and rumor has it that it's been admitted, the Georgetown deal was squandered away on purpose as it was an extra load on the lines and wasn't really turning a profit for the City.
However, the folks in Lanesville have hired an attorney, and vow to fight against the notion that Georgetown will build its own sewage treatment plant in their area.
We are also very concerned with the possible conflicts of interest inherent in our sewer utility attorney also representing developers out in the County who have been waiting to hook up to our lines.
Our inquiries and interests will follow up on this portion of the deals as we track down the trails of paperwork that will lead to the truth of what game they are playing now.
Meanwhile, give us your thoughts on the subject, and we'll keep you updated on our discoveries.
Take Care New Ablany....

Was it RUMPKYGATE After All?

2006-04-17T14:06:00.000-04:00

We have preliminary information that the Sanitation Company, specially created to take on the New Albany service has been shut down by the EPA due to multiple violations.
We are in the process of verifying this information and will bring you more details as they occur. For now, this is a troublesome rumor, but it comes from reliable, multiple sources.
If our sources are indeed correct it is questionable what will occur in terms of garbage pick-ups this week.
We have questioned the contract again and again, and have attempted to secure a copy of the "final" version since the "rough draft" was published on Randy Smith's blog, Volunteer Hoosier, where it was vehemently defended.
This was a contentious occurrence when the bid was awarded to a then non-existent company, and we have questioned its validity ever since.
There have been many, many issues surrounding the privatization of Sanitation services, including the question of who was partnered in the new company and why they were using City property and equipment without any type of compensation going to the City in return.
Stay tuned for more information, and verification of these events.

HAPPY EASTER NEW ALBANY

2006-04-16T19:05:00.000-04:00

We wanted to extend our wishes that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Sunday with their families, whatever your particular persuasion of Religiosity may be.
It's too bad we didn't have a sunny day for the kids, but at least it didn't rain.
At least not in our neighborhoods.
We'll check in other parts of the neighborhood to make sure nobody had to pay a "Stormwater User Fee" for today, or this month, or any month.
I think I'll ask the guy that owns the rental property that's vacant right now, while he "renovates" (5 years running) the leaning tower of crap.
Anyway, I bet he hasn't had any "Stormwater usage" to pay.
Evidently it NEVER storms on his property when it obviously storms on mine, because I've been paying a "Stormwater User Fee" for 3 months now, and so are my neighbors, but he's not had to pay a dime.
Hmmmmmm. Another break for the slumlords.
Oh well, at least it's been nice and quiet, and we're feeling very relaxed, as all the vandals and hoodlums have scurried under their rocks since the inception of registered use for commentors.
We are sooooooo loving this!
The phone's not ringing constantly, and we don't have to waste our time scooping up "pro-progressive" computer droppings.
Even had time to get in some enjoyable antiquing.
We're happy to have our blog space back so we can continue to put information and issues out to the public.
Thanks to everyone for the positive words, we're glad you approve.

The Way Back

2006-04-13T15:58:00.000-04:00

Dear Readers,
Due to the propensity for angry outbursts to occur, despite repeated requests that exchanges of viewpoints and dialogue remain focused on the issues, we are forthwith allowing only registered users to utilize this blog.
I can't begin to tell you folks how disappointed I am with the nasty mud slinging that has gone on in the previous postings, and I am disappointed in myself that I have given in to exchanges that degenerate qwickly into name calling and comments that have nothing to do with the issue(s) at hand, resulting in words that escalate to the point of "crossing the line".
I would have never guessed that the citizens of New Albany, a small, close knit town, would stoop to the levels of personal assaults and ugly language that we've been seeing. It has been a rude awakening to the worst of our personalities that
we all have been guilty of, myself included, when we go too far in our impassioned defensive stance of our personal beliefs.
I originally allowed anonymity so that anyone and everyone could give their input in regards to the condition of our City and the decisions of our leadership without fear of reprisals. I felt these issues could be discussed, even from differing viewpoints, with some modicum of responsible behavior. I've always said that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Just try to put them across with some intelligence and some degree of a reasonable exchange of ideas, and STICK TO THE ISSUES.
However, due to the inability of some to refrain from malicious insults and a general lack of respect for the viewpoints of other citizens, we are instituting a new rule of only Registed Users having access to comments on this blog.
Because there are folks who disagree, but are unable to disagree in an adult manner with intelligent discussions and interpretation of facts, we invite you now to do so "face-to-face" by putting your name to it. Registered Users Only, is the policy on this blog from this point forward.
To those who use foul language, who assail private citizens' integrity, and who continually digress into insults, prodding folks into arguments and defensive rebuttals, you can now come out from under the shadows of that oh so 'awful anonymity' you've been abusing.
We will now know the identity of every commentor, but you may still use a screen-name, but we are going to regain control of the direction and nature of our blog. Participate in discussions about issues, but leave the attitude and personal remarks out of it.
This blog's original intent, to provide a forum for citizens to air their concerns and beliefs about the issues that affect our community, is going to be restored. We are all capable of civil discussions. You will recieve one warning of inappropriate discourse, after which a subsequent incident will result in either suspension, exposure and/or banishment, at our discretion.
Now, back to the business of SOLNA and citizens' advocacy.
The blog will guide you through the steps of Registration.

Let's Start at the Beginning...

2006-04-07T23:07:00.000-04:00

We thought folks might be interested in looking at the Financial Statement of the Sewage Utility Fund before Mayor Overton, or Mayor Garner, got their hands on it.
This is the Financial Statement of Sewage and Sanitation for 1994 and 1995.
The England Administration years.

If you click on the page, it will enlarge well enough to read that Sanitation Operations were included with the Sewage Operation Financials more than 10 years ago.

It shows that in 1994, Sewage and Sanitation together netted $2,569,533 in revenues.
In 1995, that number dropped a little, to $1,747,650 in revenues.

We invite you to examine this document closely, and we will be posting more information in the next few days.

We are also posting a one (1) month Income Statement for the Sewage Department from September of 2005.

Notice the costs associated with the Drainage committee, and the "New Drainage Fees" under the heading of REVENUES.
What New Drainage fees were collected last year?
Also note that in 2005, Sanitation was not included in the Sewage Financials.
Our question is, when did the changes occur, and under whose direction?
Would this be Council duties?
If so, could someone please provide the Resolution numbers and the dates?
I'm sure with all the knowledge out there, someone can easily answer our questions and provide the relevant information.

We also noted that "Contractual Services" are listed twice on this monthly statement. Once in the amount of $2,333, and another for $116,145, which totals $118,478 for one month.
What was happening in, September of last year?
How do we find out where these payments went? Should they be part of the month end Green-Bar reports of budgetary expenses?

However, the most interesting finding when we looked closely at the one month Financial from last year (2005), and compared it to the 1995 one year Financial.
In 1995, Sewage collections were $5,767,215 for the entire year.
That breaks down to about $480,600 per month .
In 2005, ten years later, the Sewage Fees are reported to be $928,925 for one month.
WOW!
That means a full year of collected fees would likely come in around $11 million.
Hmmmmmm. Q. What's that increase work out to be? (A=90-95%)

Decisions, Decisions...

2006-04-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

I have been working on a new posting in which I want to cover two issues very carefully. Those issues are the Stormwater Compliance plans, and the EPA & IDEM compliance problems with the sewers, which has New Albany in a stranglehold right now.
In order to address either of these issues requires that I look closely at what has transpired so far, in terms of what decisions have already been made, what's on the table now, and what will be the end results of the final decisions, once they are made.
Most importantly, what are the choices we have concerning those decisions? Who is ultimately responsible? The Council for allowing it, and the citizens for continuing to pay for it.
Folks, I cannot stress how vitally important these upcoming decisions are to the citizens, businesses, and future of New Albany.
I have often lamented the inability of our Mayor to make good decisions.
Only, this time, I am also holding the Council Members responsible for the role they play in approving, or more like acquiescing, to the well-sold, plans of the Mayor, and the decisions such plans have ultimately led to.
(you know, this guy really should have been a salesman).
After all, Council is the City's "...legislative authority (IC 36-4-4-4) [and] makes the laws that govern the City and appropriates the city's monies."
Since "the gang of four" have taken it on the chin many, many times from other blog sites who like to blame them for everything from fiscal shortfalls to the sewage fiasco, to the decisions that were made decades before they ever entered the Political sphere in New Albany.
This time, let's take a look at the Council Members we refer to as "Garner's Goons". The ones that are just doing whatever they're told because they're not really paying that much attention anyway. They have other things to do, and they don't need this aggravation.
You know, the LEFT side of the table that chastizes the public for not showing more respect to our elected leader? After all, he IS the Mayor.
Their logic? We elected him, now we must deal with it, and show some respect... even if he hasn't earned any.
But, something always tugs at my conscience as I try to absorb their logic that the title alone denotes some measure of respect.
It's something my Dad taught me a long time ago, and it has always held true, no matter what the circumstances.
"Respect can't be demanded, it must be EARNED."
Thanks Dad. You've never let me down when it comes to good advise, or anything else for that matter.
Because of the consistency of good advise from my Dad, and the Mayor's utter lack of ability to earn any respect, I simply cannot afford any genuine respect to James Garner just because he holds the title of Mayor.
Show us some good decisions, and convince us we should put our trust in you and your 'plans' of how to work things out.
Make some effort to show us a true desire to pull New Albany out of the muck it is mired in, instead of standing there with that smirk on your face, saying, "I dunno". You act as if there is absolutely nothing to be concerned about, and you have it all under control.
Sometimes we get, "I'll have to get back to you on that". And I think we've heard a few instances of, "I'll have to check on that".
I must say, on the few occassions I've heard actual data, I find it strange that you appear to be in quite some distress when you're trying so hard to remember the data they told you to say when you are actually advocating for a particular vote.
Your head throws back, eyes are squinted, and suddenly, out comes...... yeah, your first guess is true, but what actually comes out is some idiot 'Plan' of how you've already got everything all figured out.
Yeah, right.
That's how we got Privatized Sanitation*, a Mayor as Director of the Sewer Board* (violates Attorny General's dual lucrative office holding opinion), a 'interim' Building Commissioner*, more than a handful of Lawsuits/Grievances aginst the City* (at least 7 I know of), a "Bombed Out Downtown Ghetto"* (Tribune), with increasingly deteriorating, vacant, historical buildings (many thanks to the Historical Society and everyone who works so hard to protect our treasures) in desperate need of repair and sustainment, and 2 years to acquire a Code Enforcement Officer who now can't complete her duties*, an old woman fleeing her home of 30 years due to 'Selective Enforcement'*, and on and on and on and on, etc.
What IS Garner's 'Plan' that makes him think everthings OK ?
How can he expect us to buy his "everything's OK" bulls**t?
It should be:
We MUST meet the EPA mandates and earn Sewer Credits
We MUST meet the Federal mandates of Stormwater Rule 13
These are 2 things we Must do, no ifs, and's or buts about it!
Let's do whatever we must to get these things done, so New Albany can move forward without encumbrances to economic revitalization, and make real strides in bringing beauty & activity back to Downtown.
Just show us, Jimmy, show us you would do whatever was necessary to correct Governmental mistakes and non-compliance issues in good faith and with the greatest concern for the well-being and the economc opportunities of the people who live among it.
You know the drill: The greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Your administration has been offered help in various Departments, free of charge, from private citizens who are so concerned with New Albany and its future, that they will, and have, volunteer(ed) in the Clerks Office, the City Attorney's Office, the Building Commissioners Office, and a bunch of others that I can't even remember right now*.
Yet, if the Mayor, or one of the Political 'inner circle' people serve on a Board or Committee, you can bet it's a PAID position.
This City is in an Economic Revival Stranglehold, and we have people in charge, or people who know those in charge real well, who are getting 3, 4, 5 salaries/payments from the City coffers. We're buying their cars, furnishing their cell phones, paying for their gas (no IRS mandated Log-Books are being kept), buying furniture, buying the office party goodies for B-Days, engagements, etc., and even the spring water they drink.
Hear any of them offering up any of their time for free? See any of them stand up and say the citizens should't have to pay for our mistakes?
See any of them lay down their keys, their cell phone, their gas card, when they leave work in order to help get the money it's going to take to fix the sewers, and do only what we MUST do for the Stormwater mandate, and don't let it become a monster money eater.
PLEASE!
We really have had enough!
Council, we are begging you to think about what is right for the people who elected you and gave you these opportunities in your life.
To serve the public good.
Please, do the work you signed on to do, and take a stand for the citizens.
Don't ask us for any more money to fix what they did wrong with what we already gave.
The money is spread out among 'special' projects, and paying for things out of the wrong funds. It's all there in the audit.
The number ONE, the first thing, on the agenda for us as Citizens is to insist that things be straight again, and we start right now. Any Council Member who has what it takes to take the lead on this will be highly appreciated. Either way, the buck stops here...on the Mayor's desk.
He is responsible for this mess, and he must be held responsible for fixing it. The ratepayers and taxpayers, the residents, owned or rented, of New Albany will NOT pay again for political screw-ups.
As a previous commentor mentioned, we've already lost Georgetown along with Greenville, so the Sewer situation is only getting worse.
See what happens when you ignore the nitty-gritty going for the bling-bling?
Reel in the EDIT dollars, and put them back where they go. Stop the TIF madness, and the tax abatements, and start collecting those delinquent bills Valla Ann, a private citizen, managed to get copies of (thanks for citizens with a sense of civic advocacy).
Start doing your jobs we payyou for. Protect the best interests of the Citizens you serve. Hold the Mayor to task for the decisions he's made, the promises he's made, and the plans he's made, and ask him why we are in our present condition.
We also think everyone should take a good long look over at another blog that is working diligently to provide documents and information that helps folks see all the dots that go into making our "Connect the Dot" game we promised not long ago.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH

*More information on these subjects will be forthcoming.

Missing in Action!!!

2006-03-30T22:25:00.000-05:00

Hello, I wanted to give folks an update since I've been AWOL all-day.

Today was my birthday, and I've not been allowed within 6 ft. of the computer under any circumstances (well there was 1).

However, I am now back home and the day is done (finally).

I have also been given this brief opportunity to explain my disappearance, on the condition that I would admit, I have indeed incurred the wrath of another B-Day, and, that's all I have to say on the matter.

There was no deal that required me to give my age (hee hee).

- - Gotta watch those details, we keep tryin' to tell 'em.- -

We will be back on-line with a new posting by lunch time tomorrow.

Has anyone seen the complete & 'Final' Sanitation Contract?!

Fascinating Stuff.

We'll take a closer look at the Sewer Fund details, and also the pending unfair, inequitable, Stormwater "user-fee" (???) we'll all be paying after the inerim period.

Then we'll delve thru a little more of the Audit findings.

After all that, we'll play connect the dots... a simple childs game that eventually portrays the WHOLE PICTURE.

Hope everyone had a great summer day, I think I actually saw a few sunburns out there. GO FOR IT!!!

What a gorgeous gift from the Universe!

Yep, just reassurance that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

Nobody's going to make me feel bad about that, and nobody's gonna get a "do-over". The facts are what they are.

Some people have been following all this thru many, many administrations. Others, just recently jumped in.

But we are all here to stay.

Deal With It.

Nighty, night.

Important Findings of 2004 Audit

2006-03-27T14:04:00.000-05:00

The previous posting, which spoke briefly of the finding in the 2004 audit of the City of New Albany, was left open for citizens to discuss what they felt were pertinent issues that merited further discussions.
As we all know, there was little mention of the actual audit findings, but rather a plethora of various perceptions of the Administration and their competence, or lack thereof, as well as a lot of unnecessary personal and political bickering.
Before we delve further into the 2004 Audit, we would like to reiterate our stance that this blog is for the Citizens of New Albany, and will not be used as a platform for any political campaigning.
That said, let's move forward with the 2004 Audit written report, which is a public document produced by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
On page 4, 4th paragraph, of the Independent Auditor's report on financial statements, they note:
"We were unable to audit the note disclosure relating to capital assests of the City, because capital asset records were not properly maintatined and updated; and we were unable to satisfy ourselves as to the value of the capital assets by other auditing procedures. In addition, we were unable to verify the accuracy of cash and investment balances because monthly cash reconcilements were never compared to the funds ledger so that variances could be identified and corrected in a timely manner."
They further note; "The Wastewater Utility did not maintain sufficient capital asset records. Due to lack of supporting documentation, capital asset valuation cannot be verified." Nahhhhhhhh, not the Sewer Utility!
Surely, with all the other departments that were being supported by Sewer Funds, and all the "loans" that were made out of Sewer Funds, surely they were keeping accurate and detailed records of all such expenditures.
"In addition, we were unable to verify the accuracy of cash and investment balances because monthly cash reconcilements were never compared to the funds ledger so that variances could be identified and corrected in a timely manner."
Well now, doesn't that just take the cake, so to speak? Only in this instance, the cake is made of the hard earned money of the rate payers.
What does all this mean?
"As capital assets and cash equivalents constitute a major portion of the Statement of Net Assets, any uncertainty concerning assets and cash and cash equilvalents similarly affects the Statement of Net Assets."
In other words, because no one managed to do the monthly balancing of the City's books, and reconcile the funds ledger, they really can't tell what the City has in terms of the bottom line.
One other statement early in the report that raises concerns is as follows:
"The City has not presented Management's Discussion and Analysis or Budgetary Comparison Schedules that the Governmental Accounting Standards Board has determined is necessary to supplement, although not required to be part of, the basic financial statements."
Folks, we are only up to page 5 of 55 pages of the 2004 Audit.
There is so much more to look at, but we are going to stop here for today.
When we resume we will be looking at the problems associated with drawing Department funds down below a zero balance, or "Disbursements in Excess of Appropriations".
As we mentioned in a previous posting, the State guidelines say no departments may make expenditures in excess of their appropriated budget. However, New Albany has several departments that show spending indeed exceeded the budgeted amounts for those departments. Namely, the General Fund (duh), Motor Vehicle Highway, Local Road and Street (no, we're not kidding), Park Nonreverting, Ambulance Runs, and Park Cummulative Building.
The total excess spending for these funds was just over $1.7 million dollars.
The Audit notes: "These disbursements were funded by inappropriate available cash balances."
Perhaps you will recall our earlier expressed frustrations with what we termed "mis-appropriated funds".
Only 50 pages left to go!
Hang in there New Albany, things will get better. We will accept nothing less.

Well, we have some more information we would like to share with folks before we turn out the lights tonight.
After perusing through the pages of numbers, looking at balances and debt, disbursements and income, assets and liabilities, we turned our attention to the Audit results and comments concerning the condition of records (pg.38).
There we discovered the profound cumulative effects of the propensity of City Departments to repeatedly fail to reconcile cash accounts monthly with the City funds ledgers.
Such instances are more fully described later in this posting; However, our purpose here is to explore the consequences of such oversights, or simple non-compliance with proper accounting procedures.
As revealed in the documents of Findings and Questioned Costs (pg. 52), the Audit found problems with the condition of City records (2004-1).
The Audit notes: “…reconciled amounts were not totaled and compared to actual cash transactions recorded in the City’s records. As a result of undetected errors as of Dec. 31, 2004, the City [had] $88,947 more in unidentified cash recorded in its records than [was] being held in its bank accounts.”
Folks, that’s almost $90,000 in cash that is unaccounted for. Money that should be among one or more of the City’s seventeen (yes, 17) bank accounts.
In “Notes To Financial Statements”, on pg. 17, item I-C notes: "The government –wide, governmental fund , internal service fund and fiduciary fund financial statements are reported using the basis of accounting that demonstrates compliance with the cash basis and budget laws of the State of Indiana…. Receipts are recorded when received and disbursements are recorded when paid.” Doesn’t sound too terribly difficult to us. How about you?
Back to page 38, concerning the Condition of Records, Indiana Code 5-13-6-1(e) states: “All local investment officers shall reconcile at least monthly the balance of public funds, as disclosed by the records of the local officers, with the balance statements provided by the respective depositories.”
These comments go on to explain: “At all times, the manual and/or computerized records, subsidiary ledgers, control ledgers, and reconciled bank balance should agree. If the reconciled bank balance is less than the subsidiary or control ledgers, then the responsible official or employee may be held personally responsible for the amount needed to balance the fund. (Accounting and Uniform Compliance Guidelines Manual for Cities and Towns, Chapter 7)”.
How ‘bout them apples?
Don’t worry, there’s lots more to come.

The 2004 Audit Findings

2006-03-23T14:55:00.000-05:00

The City Audit for 2004 is nothing short of a horror story. The inaccuracies and the ineptitude it points out are only the tip of a vary large iceberg. The City of New Albany is, quite unfortunately, symbolicly the 'Titanic' that has crashed into this mountain of mismanagment, misappropriations, and mishandling of City finances and functionality.
We are now left 'dead in the water', with damages that are so devestating it will indeed take years to correct. That is about the only true statement made by Mayor Garner at the last Council Meeting. The rest of his blubbering "it's not my fault", and "it's because of the past administrations", just doesn't cut it with us, the people of the inner-city who are taking the hit for every bad decision and mis-step this Administration has taken.
Economic development is at a standstill due to the unwillingness to adhere to a Federal and State agreements to make critical repairs to the sanitary sewage system, and every day that passes bring us closer to the moment our ship will slip beneath the cold, dark waters of the abyss. Who knows how many will survive?
How many souls have disappeared from our City? Just look around at all the "For Sale" and "For Rent" signs that are littering the landscape. It's all that's left of a once proud little City that chugged along with residents who lived their entire lives in homes that now house renters, or have been left to rot from neglect.
Now, we are presented with a City Audit that clearly shows the dismal failures of the leadership of the our City.
We have multiple issues we intend to address over the course of the next few days, but for now we are going to leave things here and allow folks to start commenting on the issues they feel are most important.

Citizen's Advocate Sets Record Straight

2006-03-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

We have received a request by citizen Valla Ann Bolovschak to print an account of the events that transpired prior to her presentation at last Thursday's City Council meeting. We are granting her request in the spirit of cooperation and truthfulness, as well as the appreciation we have for her as one who truly had the best interests of the citizens of New Albany at heart with her actions.
As most folks already know, and for those who don't, Ms. Bolovschak spent her own time and her own money, out of her own fortitude, to obtain a copy of the recently released 2004 State Audit of the City's finances.
She spoke at the meeting about several points of concern contained in the audit, and subsequently supplied a copy to every Council Member present.
Since the meeting, and even a bit during the meeting, false accusations have been made about certain members of the Council working in tandem with Ms. Bolovschak in an effort to embarrass or humiliate the Mayor by producing the Audit.
The key words here are FALSE ACCUSATIONS.
We provided a link to Freedom of Speech where CM Schmidt submitted a written response to the allegations against him. We encourage everyone to read CM Schmidt's letter, and to consider why a particular group of citizens constantly slander and attack select Council Members that they commonly refer to as "the gang of four".
If there are "agendas" to be found in the actions and words of anyone, those agendas are becoming clearer by the day, and they are being advanced by the progressives who are laying the groundwork to discredit the "gang of four" CM's they want to see unseated in the next election.
Yet, it is these same Council Members, along with a handfull of concerned citizens who have done a great job trying to protect the citizens of New Albany from a dreadfully incompetent Mayor who weasels his way out of every bad situation he creates by blaming everybody and everything but the phases of the moon for any negative outcomes.
I expect soon we'll even hear that as well because he's running out of folks who are willing to take the hit for him.
Because of the increasing severity of the ramifications of Mayor Garner's incompetence, I am more than happy to help in the efforts to "set the record straight", so folks can recognize the likely potential that, left unchallenged, our current Mayor will take this town apart at the seams and leave us all swimming in sewage muck while he runs off with pockets full of our money.
Therefore, what follows is the series of events that led to Ms. Bolovschak's actions at last Thursday's City Council session, as well as other instances that were adulterated with political spin which led to misunderstandings, mis-information, and flat out misrepresentations of the facts and truths of the matters:

Laura
As you know, I am not a blogger, but appreciate you printing this as I am disgusted to see the never ending blame game being played out again, accusing others of being behind my actions.
I returned a phone call to Mark Seabrook late Thursday afternoon about the “State Street Live” item on the agenda, and asked him if he’d seen the 2004 audit and he said he hadn’t. I also ran into Dan Coffey that afternoon downtown, passing on Main Street, heading in opposite directions in our cars, and asked him if he’d seen it and he told me that he had heard it was not pretty. That is the complete extent to which I “discussed” what I had. I didn’t. I acted on my own with regard to the audit presentation and I trust the council was honest in their response to my question, Have you seen it? Nobody said they had and they all appeared to be as shocked as I was when I read it. I have no reason to think otherwise since the mayor claimed not to have seen a copy either. Why would he think that any of them would have been able to get a copy of it before he did and why does he forever blame an elderly person or weaker person with health problems for his errors and/or my doings? I expected this reaction from him because he uses this cowardly method to deflect attention away from himself consistently.
The following examples I have on tape:
--I wrote the “Good Grief” e-mail he blamed on Anna Schmidt and I spoke up and took responsibility for it. The person that sent it to Tony Toran knows that it came from me and me alone and so did the mayor and Tony Toran because Tony Toran called me about it that same day. Knowing full well the e-mail came from me, he blamed it on Anna Schmidt anyway, like the coward he is.
--When I brought up the matter of malfeasance and misappropriations it was directed at the mayor and he turned that into some grand attack on Mrs. Garry who was NOT the object of my discontent. The mayor was the reason I asked for an audit, and the 2004 audit certainly supports the dire need for one. However, acting in his normal cowardly fashion, he shoved the burden of this condemnation onto Kay. Any man that would allow those people, with enough problems of their own, who are doing what they are told, and force them to shoulder the burden of his problems is a real chump. You don’t throw your soldiers out in the path of an oncoming bulldozer. You should be man enough and skilled enough, to stop it yourself, because that is what noble, successful leaders do. Watching Mrs. Gary’s husband and daughter standing up to speak for her was one of the most depressing experiences I have had at council and it speaks volumes as to the sort of character he has.
--Rather than face the fact that the people’s finances are a complete train wreck, he once again chooses some innocent soul and pushes the matter off on him. Had the audit come from Mrs. Crump or Jeff Gahan, perhaps out of fear for upsetting their leader, that might have even made a little sense, but blaming it on Mr. Schmidt, when it is already known he wants an audit, why wouldn’t he just make copies and hand them out himself? I didn’t get it from Mr. Schmidt nor have I had any conversations with him about it other than the gracious “Thank you” he extended the other night and my response that he was welcome. It’s a sad state of affairs when a person is targeted as guilty for something because he acts respectful and grateful to a citizen.
But this has nothing to do with logic or reality. It’s about never accepting the blame for anything. It’s about a severe lack of courage, lack of skill, lack of compassion for people and a whole lot of other ugly dynamics that some blogs are focusing on exposing.
Valla Ann

Hell No, We Won't Pay!!!

2006-03-18T01:51:00.000-05:00

This posting is going to show how money from different funds was shifted around, mis-spent, or just plain went missing (as the Audit states: We should demand an investigation), and the mistakes made by the Administration that have brought New Albany to its knees financially.
Too many mistakes, one after another, and too much greed is what has gotten us into this predicament, and we the rate-payers, refuse to be hit up for more money in rate increases. If they try, they can be certain the citizens will respond accordingly.
We will lay out the sequence of events, the funds, and the Council resolutions that appropriated certain funds for certain operations, but were ignored. Particularly in the Sewage Department, but it doesn't stop there.
We suggest that folks also take a look at Freedom of Speech for more interesting information. They have provided an opportunity for CM Schmidt to address the false accusations that have been made against him relating to the distribution of the State Audit.
We would like to make it perfectly clear that we hold the utmost respect for CM Schmidt whose integrity is sterling, and whose honesty is uncompromised. He and Mrs. Schmidt are the most hard working public servants New Albany has been fortunate enough to have in our community. They both have nothing but the best interest of the citizenry at heart at all times. We offer our thanks to the folks at FOS for making it possible for CM Schmidt to set the record straight.
They also have a very good second article that relates to the thread of conversation that is taking place here at Speak Out Loud NA.

New Albany Potty Police On Patrol

2006-03-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

Our thanks go out to the hearty Potty Police of New Albany who made it out today to check on a few of those overflow locations. This one is behind the Hamptom Inn.
If there's been any doubt in your mind as to the severity of our sewer problems, let this photo burn into your memory, and remember it is but one of many locations where sewage literally gushes out of the manholes and creates a substantial health hazard as is posted in this location, which does have the required signage (most do not).
Folks, we are talking about RAW SEWAGE that spills out into the streets, into areas where most of it eventually soaks into the ground (except for the solids that you really don't want to hear about), and you can only imagine what's left behind after these overflows.
You can find the locations of all overflow areas by logging into www.in.gov/idem/water/compbr/compeval/ssoreport.html Look for New Albany in the list.
We have put up a link on our front page to the IDEM Web Site.
Part of what the EPA is mandating in order to receive all our sewer credits that have been requested is not only to do the 2 repairs we've talked so much about, but we must also undergo a one year oversight period to demonstrate NO overflow occurances.
As you can clearly see, we have a lot of work to do.
We will be adding onto this posting over the next couple of days, so check back and we'll have updated information and more pictures.
We'll also be talking more about the money and time it will take to get us into compliance with the EPA mandates.
We should not be trying to make deals about this situation. Who wants to live in a City that has raw sewage flowing thru the streets with every inch of rain we get? It is a serious health hazard to everyone who lives here.
In our opinion, one of the duties of a City government should be to provide a safe and clean environment for its citizens. Currently we are living with health hazards.
This sewer situation, along with the dilapidated housing, the garbage filled alley ways, and the rodent infestations are simply unacceptable. Any administration official who does not have these issues at the top of the priority list for the City and for us, has absolutely no interest in serving in the best interest of the City.

What Can We Say? (Plenty)

2006-03-04T14:42:00.000-05:00

WOW!!!
That's our best response to the happenings of this past week.
Very interesting string of events and communications.
"Uh...I didn't know..."
That's what we anticipate from the administration in the coming week.
"Hell 'yea! We've been tryin' to tell 'ya!!!!"
That's what we expect from the wee voices of the voters ('lil people)
The realities of how the Sewer Fund has been operating, yet not functioning, will all be spelled out for everyone to see, so there will be no doubts about who and why so much more money is needed to do what we have to do.

Now, we've also recently read the Monthly - end of the month (Jan. 2006) - expense report over at 'Freedom of Speech'.
Our response?
"Get the calculator and add it up."
Here's what we arrived at:
The first thing we are going to look at is our 'Good 'Ol, beat 'em up, Bad Man, CM representative of the 3rd district, Steve Price's silly little fussing about nickels & dimes expenditures like cell phones, pagers, and other "communications" devices.
His suggestion of wasteful spending in this particular category has resulted in the chastising of him by certain parties (no names here), as the "un-Councilman Price".
Well, let's take a look. What do the numbers tell us about a one month expenditure balance sheet when it comes to cell communications?

1. One Month Communications Expenses: $4900.00 for 6 Departments
I. Cell-Phones
II. Pagers
III. Radios

If we can consolidate communications and reduce costs by 30%, that saves $18K annually.
We believe $18,000 equates to another part-time position to process fines, for example, or what ever else it could be better utilized for.
It is a matter of being fiscally conservative, while embroiled in a fiscally challenging time like New Albany is facing right now.
Right now, the Street Department could use some help if that can be taken as a suggestion, so they could fix the streets of the inner-city in a manner by which they would not beat the **it out of our vehicles daily.

Of course, that has to come after getting the big stuff taken care of.
The most important issue at hand is to complete the Sewer repairs needed to comply with what the EPA - they been telling us - Rob. E. Lee Project and the Screen Bar replacement, so that true and substantial economic development can take place.
It MUST become our number one initiative to take care of this situation, get into compliance, and then get moving on what and how Downtown New Albany may come back to life as.
I'm sure the YMCA will help, to a degree, with attracting new businesses, but we still have a lot of other issues to deal with in terms of Downtown development.
Infrastructure isn't the "prettiest" or the most "positive" end of Economic development issues, but it's the foundation on which we will grow.
If we are to grow.
When the 2006 audit comes in, and the budget has been cut (as most are predicting), the Mayor will be asked to make cuts in the "fringe benefits" and the miscellaneous areas of his budget where cuts can and should be easily made.
TIF areas should be reeled back to one, maybe two. Having 5 & 6 TIF Districts in this town is ridiculous. It keeps money out of the General Fund.
You know, the fund they just borrowed $4 million for so they could make a cash flow problem go away, temporarily.
Otherwise, we're in great shape.
Take Care Tonight New Albany. You're going to need your rest.

Re-Print of "Freedom of Speech" blog Posting

2006-03-01T10:36:00.000-05:00

Monday, February 27, 2006
THE 2004 AUDIT IS COMPLETE!
We understand a meeting was held in the Mayor's office on February 14, 2006, with no information made public!

We have had knowledge of this information concerning the 2004 Audit but have been sitting on it since 2/21/06, waiting for this information to be made public. If memory serves, the Mayor was asked, by a council member, at the last council meeting (2/16/06) if he had heard about the 2004 audit and he responded that he had not. Doesn't it seem rather strange that the field reps from the State Board of Accounts were right here in the city without his knowledge?

Well, citizens of New Albany this is how the procedure should be done.

1. The exit conference takes place before the audit is completed. That exit conference takes place in the city of the audit with the Mayor, Controller, and Council President. At this time the Official concurs with the Auditor's findings.

2. The audit is then submitted to the State Board of Accounts, (meaning handed over to the State Board of Accounts by the staff who did the audit of the city for the State Board of Accounts to review and agree).

3. After the State Board of Accounts in Indianapolis reviews and agrees with the findings it is then filed. At this time the audit should be made available to the public.

To the shock of the participants of Freedom of Speech we contacted the Mayor's office not once, not twice, but three times during the week of 2/21/06 and asked if there was any word about the 2004 Audit. We were told each time that there was no word. How can ordinary citizens have this information and the Mayor's office not?

We also contacted various members of the City Council during this time, even as late as today, asking the same question. None of the council members questioned had any knowledge of the audit either.

We, the participants of Freedom of Speech, feel the members of the City Council should have this information as a matter of course. Again, we must ask what does the Mayor have to hide? Why doesn't he communicate and update members of the council of the steps being taken for the audit. Doesn't the Council have the right to know about the audit? It is our opinion that this shows a total lack of professionalism.

In the next several days, Freedom of Speech should have a copy of the 2004 Audit. At this time it will be made public for all of the citizens of New Albany to review.

We, the citizens, do not see competence in the Mayor's administration. He continues to dismiss his critics as misguided and/or pessimistic. Contrary to his remarks, we number more than six of seven citizens.

We the public and citizens of New Albany no longer have confidence in his decisions and feel that he should resign.

posted by One voice at 5:51:00 PM

EPA Letter and Our Opinions

2006-02-25T19:14:00.000-05:00

We have obtained a copy of the official letter from the EPA to the City of New Albany dated Feb. 6th, 2006, which outlines the requirements of work that must still be completed before any sewer credits will be allotted.
The letter clearly states that although the upgrade of the Sewage Plant has increased capacity...:
"New Albany is still, however, experiencing significant overflows..."

The letter goes on to cite specific instances of concern such as a 94,000 gallon overflow on Nov. 15th, 2005, and another 38,000 gallon overflow on Nov. 28th, 2005, and there are 2 projects the City must complete in order to utilize the plant's increased capacity without experiencing overflows. They express concerns:
"The November 28 overflows are particularly troubling, as a 1.5 inch rain event is substantially smaller than storms the plant improvements were designed to endure without sanitary sewer overflows in the system."

PROOF OF THE LETTER:

The EPA letter further explains:
"...[T]here are two projects that the City must complete in order to routinely use the full capacity of the upgraded facility without experiencing these overflows, and [the EPA] has conditioned the award of approximately the first two thirds of the credits upon the completion of these two projects."

The two projects required are the installation of an upgraded bar screen, and upgrades to the Robert E. Lee lift station.
They note:
"As evidenced by my December 17, 2004 letter, we have been concerned with the delays in the bar screen upgrade process for several years, and failures at the bar screen have caused a significant number of bypasses and overflows. We will issue the final third of the credits one year after the completion of the upgrades to the Robert E. Lee lift station if these two projects have successfully eliminated overflows occurring due to these problem areas."

Folks, this portion of the letter acknowledges that Mayor Garner was directly made aware of the source of our sewer problems, and the repairs needed to resolve the matter, in December of 2004, his first year in office. After all, he did appoint himself Chair of the Sewer Board upon his election as Mayor.
This portion of the letter also explains that even once the 2 projects are completed, they will not issue the final third of the sewer credits until we pass a one year oversight period showing that overflows have been alleviated.

In 2002, when Garner was a sitting Council Member, the Council passed (9-0) a resolution (R-02-51) pledging $270K in annual EDIT funds for the purpose of Sewer Works maintenance and repairs in order to meet the EPA mandates. However, these designated funds have not been utilized for necessary repairs, per the resolution, since Garner took office, and nobody seems to know where the money went. They will only tell us it is gone.
When asked how they intend to replace this money, all we got was a shrug of the shoulders from our Mayor.
WHAT ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY???

The letter concludes:
"The EPA is not currently issuing, nor including in the above schedule, additional credits for the excess flow basin (EFB). As I (Sally K. Swanson, Chief, Water Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Branch of the U.S. EPA) noted in my Oct. 6, 2004 letter granting 61,000 credits for the EFB, [the] EPA reserved issuance of an additional 61,000 credits because the City has been unable to fill the EFB. At the date of this letter [Feb.6, 2006], approximately 15 months later, the City has still not utilized the full capacity of the EFB.
EPA recognizes that the bar screen repairs at the headworks of the plant may allow full usage of the EFB, and will consider issuance of these credits in the future, if the City can fill the EFB to alleviate overflows."

Now, the time has come when the City is at a virtual standstill for any significant Economic Development growth due to the lack of allowable sewer credits.

Their plan for obtaining/replacing the money needed to meet the EPA mandates? Raising our sewer rates by as much as 50%!!! We are outraged, and feel that this is not only absurd, but unethical as well. We all antied up with a 49% rate increase in the last administration, giving them a whopping $44 million to "fix" the sewer problems. Only, they didn't fix them. They simply increased the holding capacity of the plant, but the mechanisms for getting the sewage into the nice new big beautiful plant are broken or lacking. They did not do the work that was mandated by the EPA, and we will refuse to pay for more of their mistakes out of our pockets.
We contend they should rescind the EDIT money pledged to the Scribner pool. We could sure use the annual $400K to get into compliance with the EPA without a rate increase to the citizens. The "Y" would still be built and have an opportunity to prove its ability to spawn downtown development. The pool can be built later.
Call your Council Representative and tell them what you think!

To sum it all up:

"This language will also be included in Exhibit 4 of the Amended Consent Decree as part of the forthcoming negotiated changes to that Decree:
The City shall not permit any new industrial, commercial, or residential developments that would have the effect of adding at any particular connection point flows equal to or exceeding 50 houses or 15,500 gpd at full buildout or in the aggregate unless the City first receives approval from EPA."

COMING SOON TO A TOWN NEAR YOU

2006-02-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

Please excuse my absence for the past few days as we have been working on some important issues, and there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the days. I'm sure most of you can relate.
I've also had some plumbing problems at the house (imagine that) that have just topped off a rather frenzied week.
The good news is, we have some recent information from the EPA that we are about to post, which will help frame the picture of things in New Albany right now as far as economic development and infrastructure issues.
We have also been working on another collaborative posting concerning the unsafe structures initiative, and the building commissioners position that has been standing on one leg since Jimmy took office. Who would have guessed this would be the hardest thing for him to accomplish?
Other issues will be revisited with updates and status reports.
So........ meanwhile feel free to bring up anything you would like to see addressed in the near future, or any concerns you may have.
Good news is always welcomed, if you can find some, and we'll gladly follow up with details and opinions.

Stay tuned.

What Will They Try Next?

2006-02-19T04:49:00.000-05:00

The following post is a compilation of ideas and conversations that occurred after the last Council Meeting which left a lot of us feeling as though the more they try to flex their power over the people, the more ridiculous they become.
Walking into last Thursday's Council Session was a bit disorienting for those of us who have attended with any regularity over time. The seating arrangements were completely askew, all for the purpose of controlling the public, and making sure that everyone knows who's in charge, and who's rules the public must abide by. Gahan has thrown down the gauntlet.

However, we beg to differ on this point of controlling order at the meetings, as the rules are not at the discretion of the sitting Council President. The rules are all spelled out in a little book known as Robert's Rules of Order.

There is a reason for these Robert’s Rules of Order and it has to do with carts and horses and prioritizing the people’s rights, not the administrations whims. It’s an arrangement that best protects the taxpayer, who should be able to control the city, not the other way around. Other systems and tools are in place for order during the meetings, but it takes a person who not only demands civility but practices it himself. Otherwise, he will never be respected and never have any power over any part of the room no matter what he does. The president can continue to be a little juvenile bully or learn how successful people manage by attending other council meetings, reading books, and learning. I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to hold my breath for this guy. I think the future looks bleak.

Separating the public comments into two different agenda items is an oncoming train because there will be too much gray area. We will waste more time arguing about what is relevant to an agenda item to one person that may not be relevant to another person. And there will be all sorts of new interesting spins placed on how people get around to what they really want to talk about by tying it to the agenda items in some obscure and creative fashion. It is completely and utterly stupid. We are the citizens and what they are doing is denying us our rights, insulting our intelligence and making us more resolute in voting against them. We are the tax-payers. We represent our neighborhoods. We spread the word.

Take the example of the people on Martin Drive two council meetings ago. Who knew? Had they not shown up and spoken about this mess they unfairly have to deal with, find their councilman, be directed to the board of works, etc., where would they be? We all listened to those tax payers for the first time, explaining how their basement was now flooding and their property was being eroded away by the new hospital expansion, a hospital that is causing these people pain and suffering. The council served and directed these people in this new matter that faced them and that was good. And it wasn’t on the agenda.

May I ask, What about what we want? What about what is taking place all across America? Why does New Albany have to reinvent the wheel? Why do they have to “form a committee” for discovery into what sort of agenda we should follow? The key word in “Robert’s Rules of Order” is ORDER. Order means many things, but in the context of our situation, the definitions that apply would be “functioning,” “instruction,” “neatness,” “arrangement,” and “absence of crime.” Any deviation from these rules of order, by our council, can only be construed to be some antic to suppress our rights and a stand against the words in quotations listed. You heard the uproar and laughter when Gahan made the comment that he wants to make sure the citizens are heard and embraced or whatever poppycock he was spewing. This, on the night when they move the camera that has been watching them for a year and a half, from the front of the room to the back. Hello. We are not blind.

It really is astonishing how clearly we can see them and yet they do not seem to see us. They are sort of like a fish tank, I suppose, only entertaining in a very different way.

Many thanks go out to those who contributed so much to this posting. It couldn't have happened without you.

Problems With Housing Enforcement

2006-02-15T18:17:00.000-05:00

In the interest of acknowledging that the housing problems exist all over the city, and have become so numerous that it is going to take a major effort to deal with them, and a lot of money to deal with them correctly, I am sharing some examples from the East side of the City.

I recently received a letter from a Main St. friend of mine who gave permission to post the following interpretation of the problems we are facing in our efforts to have sub-standard, unsafe, housing in the inner-city addressed.
There are certain issues raised that must be considered in the scope of the problem. Therefore, we submit the following:

"The reason the city doesn’t want rental inspections is because the houses will not pass inspection. You may recall when this was brought up at a council meeting and a certain person held up a stack of about 100 rental properties that are all owned by a hand full of slum lord’s that ALL show up on the mayor’s campaign finance report. This is why they are keeping a tight rein on Pam Badger who I really feel has the best intentions, I’ve heard nothing but good things about her, but hey, you do what you’re told or be fired for insubordination. Don’t we Steve?
You do NOT screw around with the money trees.
Were the slum lord’s forced to bring their properties up to code???? It would cost HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars. You know it. They’d have to increase their rent fees and probably then lose the current low rent renter. But no. They are content to charge what they charge and just let the buildings fall down around these people of questionable background who are just glad to have a place they can afford. And we get to live amongst low rent people who are trouble makers, thus the term, “Low rent,” a term used to describe scummy people, as in “You are a low rent son of a gun.”
And it’s not just the rent revenue they get that is the big money maker for them. It’s what they can get for the property on a loan. They buy the house for $5000 and maybe/maybe not fix it up a little, then have it appraised for $80,000 and cash out that money and invest it. Boom, they now have $75,000 cash. Invest that or use it buy 15 more $5000 houses and do the same thing and turn around and cash that out 15 X $75,000. Now we’re up to over a million dollars. So what if you have mortgages to pay on 15 houses, its chump change compared to what you are borrowing, investing and playing with. The interest off the money could pay the mortgages or the rent. However you want to work it, you still have a million dollars. And if you have 100 of said properties, which some do, you can do the math. I think the number will explode my calculator. Do you now understand why 49% of our cities in town properties are rentals? Because other cities won’t allow this. They have code enforcement. So, they are all here, in New Albany, because that’s where they can get away with it. That’s where they can grease palms like the greasy people they are known to be. Okay, not all of them, but enough to feed the kitty.
And even if you don’t get the appraisal that high (but you probably do because he’s your brother and you’re paying him to do what you tell him to do), it all adds up. You probably ship a couple of cases of Maker’s Mark to the bank president every Christmas and he’s looking the other way too. But then he might be your brother as well and actually know what you’re up to. But hey, who cares, the loans are always paid, so who cares if they got more for it than it was really worth? Who cares if the houses fall to disrepair? Put a little duct tape on it and keep on going.
See how this works? We should all be in the slum lord business. It’s the biggest business going in New Albany and by golly, we don’t want to upset the slum lords because we need to get re-elected, and when it comes down to it, you can’t count on your party, but you sure can count on people who owe you big time. People who have brought you garbage bags full of cash and have continued to every time you pocket veto the code enforcement officer or hire an idiot to be the building commissioner (current gentleman excluded as I don’t know him) or fire the building inspectors or what have you. This is ALL about money. Think of these houses as you drive by them as little money trees. Who knew?! It’s certainly a better vision than what you have to look at.
One of these slum lords could and probably will give Jimmy all the money he wants, but it’s too bad because there isn’t enough money in the world to save his rear after the stunts he has pulled. The voters know and they’re going to know even more thanks to you, thanks to Freedom of Speech, thanks to those who stand up at the council meetings and thanks be to God.
Think about it. Look around. It’s obvious if you think about it. ANYBODY can look at some of these houses and know it’s not right. You can see it and you can even sometimes smell it."
My opinion AND the facts.
Yes you have my permission to post this on your blog.

Thinking Stuff, Because I Can't Sleep...

2006-02-11T03:13:00.000-05:00

O.K., I've fulfilled my end of the deal, I wonder if "anonymous- 12:20:04AM" has accomplished their end of the deal. I'm sure I'll never know.
I re-read a text-book I've actually been wanting to read for about a week now, but I kept getting distracted. It made its way around to every room in the house, and there it laid until I moved it on to the next, with never more than a few pages read.
I'm glad it waited until it felt a little more satisfying for having done it.
It not only satisfied a task completed, it's left me contemplative as well.
In a good way...
What are the larger issues and dynamics at work here with all the happenings of late? After all, it's vital that one fully understands something if one hopes to affect change on it.
For a sociologist, it's about taking into account every layer of what makes up a set of circumstances, that leads to a certain quality-of-life quotient, which must be identified and analyzed to be fully understood.
Then I caught this show.
It was all about reasoning, and a lot about the exact type of issues we have been dealing with on the blogs and in the community.
I'll tell you, I don't know how long it's been since I've caught an episode of 20/20, and I feel sure tonight was nothing short of 'divine intervention' (interpret that to whatever your beliefs mean to you). Therefore...
FYI, I have put up a link to the John Stossell, 20/20 Report: "Myths, Lies, and Nasty Behavior", which aired on 2/11/06 on the local CBS channel.
It came along at just the perfect time to help me put some things back into perspective, and to get back to the way I look at life and living it.
The article is certainly worth a qwick read, but a lot of consideration, of how and why things are the way they are in our society today (or at least as good a stab as I've seen taken at it in 3 or 4 pages lately anyway). The logic makes it easy to reduce some of the broader concepts down to the community level.
Actually, it could be more like a ton of rocks hitting you, depending on your particular stance and/or concepts of our community's current well-being.
Too bad this time the written version falls short in the depth of the televised version, but I'm sure what aired was way too much to throw on the Net in written words.
Still, take a look, and then think about what is happening behind the scenes of our everyday, busy-er (is that a word?) lives, that we are completely oblivious to.
It will make you stop and wonder if this community is ever going to truly succeed on any level that will be the most meaningful to the majority of the population of New Albany.
It might be worth purchasing this one.
It sure would start a very interesting and informative Town Hall meeting.
Let us know what it made you think about.

What Are The Answers?

2006-02-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

So the Mayor and a few of his hand-picked associates are going to fly to Chicago now (they decided to forget about Washington) and try to get the EPA to let up on the Sewer Credits lock-down. I just wonder what kind of reception they will get.
What will they answer with when they are asked if the projects they promised to fix are done? "..duh, no, not yet."
What will they answer when they are asked if we are still having overflows with less than 1" of rain? ".....duh, yeah, we think so, but there was sabatoge!" (wrong)
What will they answer when they are asked if the mandated $270K annual repairs have been done in the past 3 years? "....duh, no, we don't know where the money went."
What kind of answer do you think they will get from the EPA? Because the problems don't stop here, with just these few examples. There's much, much more.
What will they produce when the Utility Regulatory Commission asks to see the budgets, past and present, of the Sewer Department before they are granted permission for a rate increase? What about an audit for the past year of the Sewer Department operations? Answer: There isn't one. Couldn't be done.
Somehow they got it all mixed up with Sanitation, Drainage, Secretary salaries, loans to the General Fund, and God knows what else... but, they have no idea where the Sewer Fund actually stands on its own.
What are they going to say when asked how they have spent over $100 million over the last 15 years on a system that still doesn't work?
How are they going to explain all the fringe development that has occurred recently while we've been under a sewer credit freeze?
We're telling you, it just doesn't look too good, and that's a real shame. Because until this matter is resolved, to the satisfaction of the Federal authorities, New Albany will remain a ghost town and economic development will be impossible.
They have had more than enough time, more than enough money, but not enough smarts to do things the way they were told to do them by the EPA.
A responsible City government doesn't simply do as they please and think they don't owe anyone any explinations as this administration has done repeatedly.
Now, they are going to try to assess another sewer rate hike on us. Only, this time, they have a lot of explaining to do. We are tired, and broke, from paying for their mistakes. We want answers.
We must demand accountabilty, and we deserve to have a City Administration that has the best interests of New Albany at heart, and will do what it takes to get this City back on solid ground. Even if it means a spending freze.
Developing more fees and higher rates for the public is not an acceptable solution.
For more interesting information on the sewer issue we've been discussing for some time now, check out Maury Goldbergs blog: www.newalbanytoday.blogspot.com
Or, you can use the link on the front page of this blog.

Another interesting tidbit of information, in case you haven't already heard; The Mayor intends to bring sewer billing back in-house, and we are told this will be done using the money they will make off the stormwater fees. Word is our contract with Indiana-American expires soon (we can provide dates of Sewer Board minutes with discussions of where the billing office will be located).
However, none of this has been discussed with the City Council mmembers, except for those who sit on the sewer board.
We would like to see the reasoning behind this decision, and if or why they believe this will be a better way of doing things. Again, what are the answers?

Where Should We Begin?

2006-02-02T02:30:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of issues that we feel need to be discussed, and we are working on a new posting that will encapsulate most of the recent happenings.
Meanwhile, we would like for you to submit to us any topics that you, the readers, feel should be addressed, and we will either include them in the new posting, or dedicate a new posting to the topic suggested in the near future.
Right now, between the broadcasting of Garner's politics on WNAS after trying for too long to get Council sessions aired, unsuccessfully, along with the Police promotions made prior to receiving an approved budget from the State, we are stammering a bit over what to make of the current situations in New Albany.
"Gaveling Gahan" and the changes occurring within, and among, the City Council are of serious interest, as is the issue of possible, much needed, Rental Property Inspections.
Then we have accusations made in the David Camm trial regarding the former Prosecutor that are disconcerting, and may be just the tip of an iceberg when it comes to how evidence was handled during the initial investigation.
There's the barge mishap and the subsequent announcement of orders to restrict access to the riverfront that were later denied by outside authorities that left us curious, as has the news of retaining a problem-plagued former Police Chief at considerable expense to the City.
Of course we still have questions and concerns regarding the Sewer problems and the EPA oversight, and how this will affect true economic growth for Downtown New Albany, and we have some serious problems still unresolved concerning the new Sanitation privatization.
Watching businesses pile up weeks worth of garbage around town is becoming a major sore spot, and the refusal to reveal the partners of the new business entity awarded the sanitation contract is unacceptable.
New fees, rate increases and City spending habits are impacting all of us, and the fiscal picture is uncertain without audit findings and budget approvals in hand.
These are just a sampling of the many issues we feel require further inquiry, and we have a lot of questions, as well as opinions, on these matters.
We look forward to investigating further, and getting the community's feedback on how and why New Albany has become mired in so many unresolved issues.
We want to look forward to a better future with more accountability from our elected officials, and a renewed commitment to a united effort to improve the quality of life in our community.
This will require rebuilding the public trust, making wise and informed decisions regarding economic development, as well as providing demonstrable evidence that efforts of improvements include considerations of the entire population of the City, not just a select portion of the citizenry.
With all this in mind, we are working on putting things together in an articulate and informational manner. Please feel free to add to our list, and we will consider each and every suggestion.

Problem Solved - Here's the Real Deal

2006-01-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

To read the contents of the letter, see the article below, and follow the discussion link that is going with that posting.
This Posting is simply to satisfy Inquiring minds who want "proof" or "documentation" of the reported developments.
Thanks!

Yup, It's All True

2006-01-27T14:18:00.000-05:00

We are mysteriously experiencing technical difficulties with adding an image to our posting. This is the first time we have been unable to load an image, and we suspect we have been tampered with.
We wanted to offer here, a scanned image of the original advertisement, but we will have to suffice with providing a re-typing of the item that was referred to in our last posting. Bad grammer and all, so you all could have a gander at what 'ol Donnie has had up his sleeve.

They are calling themselves:
N.A. CITY BOY'S
Sanitation Department

New name same Great Service in town,as you well know the New
Albany Sanitation Dept has been privatized. We Work Hard to improve the quality of
life by keeping our community clean. We take pride in our work; we wish to continue to
give good service to this community. This is why we stepped out on Faith to start our
own Sanitation Dept, we would like to provide service for the city and county.
We know with your help this new Department will be a Big Success!
This is the way some of the other private company's got their start.
We will continue to pickup Garbage and Recycling. We will continue to pickup
Trash,Large items and yard waste etc. We are a locally owned company located in New
Albany.
We have had an over Whelming response from this community a long with other
communities in support of our Sanitation Department.
We will continue to take the garbage can back up to the house or garage for the
elderly person or the physically challenged person who needs help. We care about this
community, this is our home.
You will recieve Down Home Service from your Home Town Crew (N.A. City
Boys Sanitation Department).
We plan on starting Garbage and Recycling pickup in your neighborhood by
March 6,2006. Between now and the end of February we're trying to have as many
Residents signed up as possible to begin service. Please don't hesitate to give us a call.
Should you have any further questions, concerns or would like to sign up for
service please feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Thank You,
Signature
Donald Blevins (812) 944-4856
Cell # (502) 727-0516

Seems this guy knows only one business... garbage hauling.
I'm guessing maybe he's been saddled with so much political garbage, he might just be shaking it all off and going about his own business.
Or, perhaps this was all a done deal when the other Contract got signed. You know, the one that awarded a $1.9 million annual revenue service over to a (then) non-existant company.
A figment of someone's imagination was the winning bid for New Albany's sanitation services. How about that? Now, the real question, the one that most likely holds all the "details", is in the revealing of the partners.
What's that I hear? Open record laws? Yeah, it's gonna all come out.

We will have our technical problems resolved, and new protections installed, and we will post the copy of the original as soon as possible.

Another "New Business Enterprise" -

2006-01-26T01:20:00.000-05:00

Apparently there is another new business enterprise taking shape with some familiar faces, and familiar names, right at the helm of the new undertaking.
Sort of like the new business enterprise that was formed specifically to service the City of New Albany's Sanitation services. In a "privatization" deal that took bids from, at that time, a non-existent company... (aren't there guidelines about who can submit bids for City contracts), a fictional, or more accurately an 'imaginary', company was awarded the $1.9 million annual City contract for the next 5 years.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, and I don't believe I am here, there is a built-in option for an extension of said contract for another 3 years, as well as guaranteed annual rate increases. hmmmmmm

Now, and here's the real kicker folks: The gentleman that submitted the winning sanitation bid, and conceived of the new enterprise with a proposal for a new start-up operation, refuses to name his new business partners. Uh-huh.
I'm pretty sure that a contract entered into by the City on behalf of its Citizens is subject to a few disclosure laws. Taxpayers are entitled to know who these people are, and which Council members may have a vested interest in same.

Here's where things start getting real interesting...
We don't know if formal adoption papers have been filed, but Mayor Garner is said to have taken a real interest in the successes of one young new Council Member, and always makes sure his 'boy' is taken care of.
About 4-6 weeks before all this contracting was done, At-Large Council Member, and former Sanitation worker/supervisor/worker, Donnie Blevins, was questionably transferred from sanitation to the Street Department, seemingly 'out-of-harms-way' from the anticipated fall-out resulting from privatization.
Ah, but contraire my friends.

CM Blevins has launched another new enterprise (probably appropriately) named the City's Sanitation Boy's (bad grammar included), and is drumming up business out in the County. The notice Sellersburg residents received stated they would be handling City and County trash pickup. Some Council members are aware this is happening, but were under the impression it was to strictly be for the County. Some Council members state it was on the table BEFORE the privatization contract went down, but thought it was nixed.

We believe that any City Council action, which required a vote, taken in regards to Sanitation Department, should be re-addressed with the abstaining vote of CM Donnie Blevins taken into account.
There are obvious conflicts of interest, then and now, and for the future.

Finally, and who are Donnie Blevins' partners? Who financed his new "start-up" business? Who's equipment is he using, or how is he buying his own? Last time I heard, saitation workers don't make that much money, That's what R&R had to say... Oh yeah (paraphrasing of course), 'sanitation work is nothing to aspire to become. You people are ranting to save jobs that are at the bottom of the economic scale.' Oh, but we fought back saying a city job has certain "advantages".

Still, we never knew advantages like financing an expensive start-up business would be one of them, and I'm sure the rest of the guys who signed on at $12 something an hour would love to come back and get the deal Donnie got.

Donnie, how many times can you throw your scruples under the bus? But, it sure explains a lot. That's why you don't have any anymore.
It's a shame people have to be so "bought & sold" in this town. A real shame. But, like we keep saying, the devil's in the details, and we intend to take a close look at the details on this one.

Interesting Information

2006-01-22T15:02:00.000-05:00

There is some very interesting information posted on the FREEDOM OF SPEECH blog today. Seems as if they've caught another one with their hand in the cookie jar.
If you haven't already read it, you may want to take a look.
For those who like to refer to us as "paranoid", and to those who believe we are just here to bad-mouth the City, let us take a moment of your time to explain a couple of things.
We are not operating this forum just because we have nothing else to do. We are not devoting many late nights and long hours of our time just because we want to 'slam' New Albany. We love New Albany. We live here, some work here, others are concerned about our plight here. But, the basic foundation of this blog is the concern we have for New Albany. The desire to see it succeed and thrive.
Yes, great things could happen to our little town. The possibilities are endless. Some have been preaching for years about living spaces in the upper floors of Downtown and "support/service" small businesses start-ups that would be generated by such. We all want the quality of life to improve through success by New Albany.
It - success - measured as an 'improved quality of life for the majority'- would be possible if the best interests of the majority of the population were being served by the "Community Power Structure" that controls it.
However, if we don't root out the infection of "specialized" politics (for lack of a better term) that keeps our community sickly and pale by comparison to cities around us, then we will continue to falter and always wind up trying to nurse small scatter-shot ventures into success. [For an interesting read, take a look at Larry Lyon's "The Community in Urban Society"]
"Any successful attempt to improve the local quality of life must be cognizant of the unequal distribution of community power. In fact, the first systematic study of community power began with an attempt to improve the local quality of life."
How many times have we attempted to talk about the "quality of life" issues on this blog? How many discussions have we had about that being the same end result we are ALL striving for? A better New Albany for everyone.
What some of us are trying to make happen, is an honest-to-God (to all our Atheist 'friends', excuse the objectional referance) better quality of life for EVERYONE in EVERY segment of the population. Wouldn't that be the most desired end result? "EVERYBODY does what is best for the MAJORITY of the inhabitants of the community" (Aristotle, Politics)... more or less -
We cannot continue to allow things to get "swept under the rug" (we were warned), and obvious favortism pervade our local government and adversly affect the quality of life issues for the majority of the community inhabitants.
We are trying to make New Albany a better community, only we want it better all the way through. However, what New Albany has, is a "Community Power Structure" that is elitist in nature, elitist being a select few with socio-economic priviledges. and; "Although these elite leaders held no political office,...they managed to effectively control the local government." (Lyon).
We have more to say on this subject, but we want to stop here and give folks time to think about this a little bit. Just give some thought to the idea that when community power leaders gain control of the local political processes, the predicted possibilities for long term successes for that community in terms of actual improvement in quality of life for the majority of the citizenry, are grim.
"City governments that include nonpartisan elections, a city manager, and at-large representation are more likely to have dimensions of elitism (Clark, 1971; Grimes et al. 1976). ...the reform movement that transformed many cities of the ...midwest...into more "businesslike" governments also insulated them from the demands of the public they represented. This lessening of the public accountability appears to have increased the possibility for elitist power structures."
(Lyon).
'nuf said for now.

New Posting On Its Way!

2006-01-19T15:03:00.000-05:00

We are working on the new posting, and will have it on-line by this evening.
We have been very busy doing some research, and gathering information on matters that are of significant concern.
We will share this data at a later date.
Meanwhile, we would like to know what positive things you folks see happening in New Albany. What do you think Mayor Garner has done to make New Albany a better community for EVERYONE to live in, and what do you anticipate for the remainder of his tenure?

Not Better, Not Worse, Just Different

2006-01-14T00:12:00.000-05:00

I have often commented, and remarked, about what the Speak Out Loud NA blog is for, and why it is that way, but I have never approached the issue to address why this blog is Different from the other blogs. Apparently, it’s time to do just that, as the attacks from the “others” are getting quite nasty and brutish.
Anyone who has read this blog for more than a couple of months, maybe less, knows the bashing and the constant harassing that we get from Volunteer Hoosier, aka Randy Smith, and New Albany Confidential, aka Roger Baylor (from this point forward to be known as R&R).
We have repeatedly requested that they refrain from visiting the SOLNA blog if they found it to be so objectionable to them. We suggested many times that if they do not agree with our purpose, or our mission, that they should simply keep to their own blogging practices, and just leave us alone. We really saw no point in continuing to argue, or to constantly defend our rights to free speech and the choice we made to allow anonymous comments.
As an interesting note, it is in fact the “Baylorites” (name we use for the folks who agree with R&R) that over-use the anonymous blanket to toss out very ugly comments. I will go back and retrieve some of those for you folks to look at, but most of you already know the tactics they use to try to intimidate and speak down to us. Here’s a few just from the last posting:

Anonymous said... you guys are losing it man, time to check into solna's nut house 1:14 PM, January 08, 2006

Anonymous said... tonight you little people will be so humiliated, you are toast 3:48 PM, January 09, 2006

Anonymous said... cry me a river losers 4:16 PM, January 09, 2006

Anonymous said... so go and sue the council then big mouth 8:49 PM, January 10, 2006

Anonymous said... you suck 12:47 AM, January 11, 2006

Anonymous said... because dan coffey is an idiot 3:48 PM, January 11, 2006

Anonymous said... eat shit potty patrol 9:13 PM, January 12, 2006

Now, I ask you, what is the point of being so obnoxiously rude and ugly? If they don’t agree with, or don’t like the way we do things on SOLNA, they could just avoid coming to this site. Only, they won’t do that. Despite our requests to stop interfering with the SOLNA blog, as well as our outright banning of them multiple times, they just keep coming back and taking swings at us.
Why? Because evidently we are perceived, by them, as a threat to Mayor Garner’s credibility and the way the current City administration is being run.
A threat because we are demanding answers and accountability.
This blog is for the people and by the people. People who want answers, and people who want to know just what is, and what is not, happening with our money. People who are upset with the deterioration of the City they have witnessed from the homes they have lived in for decades. People who have watched as neighbor after neighbor leaves town for better surroundings, and renters move in. Neighborhoods deteriorate, property values plummet, and drug sales escalate. People who want to know how their City is being managed. After all, they are being asked to withstand rate hikes, new fees, and the use of their property taxes to back bonds for a project they didn’t even get to vote on.
Speak Out Loud NA did not start the discontent of people of the inner-city feel. We simply gave it an avenue of release. SOLNA is an electronic means of civic activism. Plain and simple, we want to know what’s going on.
We are not the ‘blog press’ that Volunteer Hoosier claims to be by reporting news and information regarding the City’s activities. We don’t have a pipeline to the Mayor’s office as Randy Smith apparently does.
In fact, Randy tipped his hand in his latest posting by giving information about a budget that hasn’t yet been officially received by the City. A budget that no Council Member has seen, and yet Randy knows there is a separate fund in the budget that the salaries in question are being paid from. He accuses me of lying, in so far as we questioned the preservation of these jobs after the first of the year due to the fact that their salaries were mandated by Council resolution to be paid from Stormwater revenues, and not out of the sewer fund.
Since no Stormwater fees have been assessed or collected, we naturally assumed there would be no money in this new pot to pay these folks.
I don’t care if there is a separate fund their salaries are being “charged to”, we want to know what fund is being raided to pay them until the Stormwater fee indeed gets ramped up and begins collecting funds. Answers PLEASE!
This has been a major rub with the public. The misappropriations of funds, the borrowing and shuffling, has all led to a very fuzzy fiscal picture, and absolutely no idea what shape some departments are in financially. That is unacceptable.
Returning to the main issue at hand here, we are simply a different kind of blog than “Volunteer Hoosier”, who claims to be a news reporting electronic press. We find that one rather hard to swallow, but if that’s what he wants to call it, then have at it. In any instance, we do not deserve to be assailed, insulted, or slandered for seeking answers that we do not have.
We are also very different than “New Albany Confidential”, which covers many other topics such as beer, pubs, European vacations, and street spam, in between “satires” of the SOLNA blog and the egotistical manner by which Roger Baylor berates the intelligence of the readers and participants of SOLNA.
Notice that we do not go over to their blogs and wreak havoc on their opinions and attempt to wrangle their integrity with obnoxious statements of a personal nature. We most often ignore, and dismiss their assaults, but they have now crossed a line that is just going way too far. Calling me a liar is an outright attempt to shut me up and diminish my character. It is highly objectionable, and it is a false allegation.
We are a forum for civic activism, and we will be the watchdog group that will hound this Mayor about every bad decision he makes. Not because we don't like the man, or because we don't like his politics, but because we love New Albany, and we don't want to see it sink further into disrepair and go under financially. For any of the acclaimed economic development to occur, we MUST fix the inner-city sewers. This is also something we are under a Federal mandate to get done. Where's the money?
We will continue to push on with our mission of getting answers to the myriad of questions that remain unanswered, and our demands of accountability from the administration. Like it or not, that is our right as citizens, and we have no intentions of doing things any differently than we have been thus far.
Every blog out there has its place and its purpose. We are only one of many, but the involvement of the community speaks to the need and the appreciation of our blog.
Don't worry folks, we will continue to fight the good fight.

Let the Mayhem Begin....

2006-01-13T13:19:00.000-05:00

Thanks for your patience while this blogster sorted through new information and talked with new people, concerning the present sad condition of New Albany, and any hopes for the future that things could change.
I was renewed with hope, and I do believe things are going to change for the better around here. It has been very exciting to find out who is reading the blogs, and at the same time, it has been a relief. Help is on the way folks!
Even though the City Government didn't get off to a good start by any stretch of the imagination:
The last (I wish) City Council meeting, the first of the New Year, was preconceived to be a very interesting foretelling of what the rest of the 2006 year would be bringing. Boy, did we get painted an ugly picture.
There were no surprises as more strange voting occurred, but newly adopted admonishments for the public to just “Shut Up” (sound familiar?) were handed out immediately, and with fervor. Just makes us wonder what directions he recieved from Mayor Garner in attempts to "control" the public speaking portion of the meetings.
CM Gahan received the nod for the Presidency of the Council for the second year, in what we all thought would be, at least, a compromise for the sparring factions of the Council and public that pledged outright protests had Council “Appointee” Donnie Blevins actually been seated at the head of the table (Council “Member” infers working with the group).
However, we soon saw a very callous stripe of character in President CM Gahan that was outrageous, disheartening, and objectionable.
No citizen should ever be subjected to such brutal, obnoxious questioning as Mr. David Huckleberry was on that night. This man, and his family, have been harassed and ambushed by public officials, and the least the Council can do is to allow him his 5 minutes to talk about ANYTHING he wants that is concerning him. Mr. Gahan committed a despicable act, and he should be reprimanded for it.
What they are trying to accomplish, is to prevent the public from speaking about anything other than what’s on the agenda for the evening.
This would reduce the bi-monthly Council Sessions to nothing more than banter about agenda topics, which votes have most likely been decided prior to the actual meeting.
Such a move would also snatch away the opportunity for Citizens to address the Legislative body of our government with our concerns, and reduce the meetings to a stoic controlled atmosphere. This is exactly what they want.
There’s only one small problem for them. Indiana Code states the order of the agenda shall consist of the City Officials speaking BEFORE the public.
Thus, we can speak to any issue that is brought up, if the Council is going to comply with Indiana Code.
Although it is hard to find instances of any body of the administration that is actually playing by the rules, codes, ordinances, and in some cases even the law, in their feeble attempts to run this little town of ours.
There has been too much money misappropriated, so there is no money to do the repairs that we are under Federal orders to do. There can be no new economic development until we fix the inner-city sewer lines.
Example: A new Thornton's has been built in the West end, but cannot open for business because they are not being allowed to tap into the sewer lines.
There are problems with finding out just what our financial predicament is, because we still have not recieved the 2004 City Audit from the State, nor does the Council have a new budget in hand as they began operations for 2006. SOMETHING STINKS!
They are about to start billing for the Stormwater fee (watch your water bill), which is supposed to be paying the 8 salaries that are still being paid out of the sewer funds inappropriately. Council passed a resolution that this switch in payments would occur at the first of the new year. Who's paying those 8 salaries?
This fee has yet to be billed, and the people who's salaries were to come out of sewers, remain as a drain on the utility's resources. Also,this fee is going to be assessed inequitably, as I've explained before, because it will only be collected from property owners who are recieving a water bill.
It remains to be seen if the Mayors attempts to form an entirely new Stormwater board, that pays him another salary (that makes 3), will actually survive the objections.
There is much much more to talk about, but this posting is going up hurriedly, and we will continue discussions in the comments.
Please forgive the rambling style of thought, but there was no re-write on this one. I wanted to get it out there qwickly.

Let the Games Begin....

2006-01-07T15:53:00.000-05:00

As most folks are, I am as well, immersed in changes for the new year. Some are wrapped around resolutions made for 2006, others are just life as it progresses, and more come from changes in my environment. Still, the common thread is, the 2006 year will be one of changes. I think that's a good thing. I certainly feel good about it.
We are way past time for changes to occur in New Albany and, I think, no matter where you stand in this melting pot of ISSUES that are consuming our community, then you gotta be feeling good about changes too.
Of course, there are many, many, different ideas about just what the particular changes in New Albany need to be, ought to be, should be, or could be. Nothing very different than the same questions we ask of ourselves, and our individual lives, every time we have a legitimate offer for a "re-do", or a "start over", which is exactly what every new year brings to us.
That's probably why everybody traditionally gets drunk. It can be difficult to deal with changes. Making decisions and using our 'choices in life' to commit ourselves for the coming 12 months, -the next year, the next 5 years, the next 20 years-, to taking the steps necessary to keep up with the all the changes. It takes a commitment, or a resolve, to take our best shot at our chances of a 're-do'. So, we spend the first few days of this opportunity every year, and live in a haze, a thoughtful mood, a reflective contemplation, a re-assessment, of where we are, vs. where we need to be (or a hangover, depending on your inclinations).
Now, notice I didn't say "want to be". I said "need to be". Let me be very clear on that point. Lot's of us "want" a lot of stuff. Materialistic, or conceptually, we all "want" everything. Yet, how much do we really "need"?
I think the bottom line of what any individual "needs", is to be able to face themselves in the mirror every day, and be able to like the person who's looking back at them. The one question we ask ourselves, all the time... "Am I doing the right thing?" Making decisions and choices every day, with every opportunity, we need to believe in our hearts that we did the right thing, we did it the best way we could, and we are satisfied with the person in the mirror.
We need to look at our community in the same ways. Do we like what we see reflected back at us? I don't think so. I don't care who you are, or who you 'believe', about the ISSUES at hand, you can't legitimately look at New Albany in its current state of shambles, and say that you like what you see. We have a MESS!!!
Thank you Mayor Garner. (by the way, loved the pie in the face)
I can't imagine what you think about the guy in the mirror. Look around you! How do you stand up and say you're PROUD of what you've done, and think you've done a good job? (see "The Forum" by Jeff Rodenbush, Vol.III, Issue 2.)
Perhaps if the State of the City "Speech" had reflected him taking a little bit of the responsibility for the problems we are experiencing, some folks might have thought that at least he does have some 'character'. Not only is he not a reflection of any sort of 'character' in his quest for the "wants" in his life, having it come at us in print from Randy Smith in the Tribune, and on the "regressive" blogs that it's Garner's "Character that impresses [them]", was all just way too much for us to take.
Folks, it's a new year, and the changes are coming. Changes that are necessary and desired in order to facilitate changes that need to occur in the larger Community. So, as you go about your New Year, with all your Resolutions still firmly implanted in your mind, resolve to do one more thing. Resolve to demand changes that are "needed" for New Albany. We cannot continue down this same path and think we are going to come out of it in tact. We have a new year ahead of us and a new start at turning this town around to the right direction for revitalization and re-growth. For our own quality of life issues as well as the quality of the whole community, and every socio-economic class of that makes up this City, may we all have a better place to call home.
You will soon watch this blog make a few changes to make the experience here more reflective of even larger ideas about what makes a good community. We would like to start off in that direction by providing a link to a very good article regarding Community Networks. As soon as we receive permission from the original author to provide a link, we will post it for you.
In the future, these links and search tools will be available from the front page.
Meanwhile, back at the daily grind of things, we need to turn our immediate attention to the upcoming Monday evening Council Meeting (1/9/06 - 7:30PM), which is the first of our "re-do" opportunities. There is very little business listed on the agenda, as it stands now, so this will be a good time for citizens to address the ISSUES that they feel are most pertinent for future positive changes to occur in New Albany.
Just jot down a few things between now and Monday evening, that you think need to change in order for New Albany to present a better reflection of a good community.
Just remember, change doesn't always mean something has to OCCUR, sometimes it means something must CEASE. Call your Council Member, and let them know what you expect from them as a reflection of your district.
I would like to take this opportunity to say that I think CM Steve Price is doing a great job in being responsive to his constituents, and for NOT being a member of the "goon" squad. He has taken a lot of beatings from the R&R boys, but we think he has tried hard and learned a lot. I suggest Mayor Garner sit down with CM Price and take a good long look at the financials. CM Price knows where the "fluff" is. We think Garner ought to know that information for future reference.

Let the Truth Be Known!

2006-01-01T22:03:00.000-05:00

Now that really sums it all up!
New Albany Politics is C.R.A.P.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2006

2006-01-01T02:44:00.000-05:00

WE WISH EVERYONE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!

Especially our friends and neighbors of New Albany, who have endured a difficult 2005. We welcome 2006, and the chance to make positive changes.
Let's all resolve to make our community a better place to live, work, play, and most importantly...to raise our families and leave the future with a better way of life than we have known.

Just Remember....

"Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk"
--- Dalai Lama

More Overflow Photos

2005-12-30T19:34:00.000-05:00

The first photo shows a large overflow in the front yard of a house, which is a health hazard just to be that close. This swill seeps into the ground, except for the "solids" that will continue to contaminate the area. Not to mention the smell.
(They may need that boat)

Isn't it lovely? Our own little fountain of crap.

This bottom photo shows the aftermath of a blown manhole with dried toilet paper still hanging from the lid and all over the ground around it. Wonderful isn't it?

Nice to know we can build multi-million dollar swimming pools while some neighborhoods are swimming in raw sewage after very minimal rainfalls.
Priorities people! Priorities!!!

Proof of Sewer Overflows

2005-12-30T17:57:00.000-05:00

For the sake of making our points about the sewer problems in the inner city, we have just recieved the photos that were recently promised as PROOF that the "rumors" are true. Raw sewage spills into the streets, out of the manholes, and presents a serious health risk to anyone near the areas.
It is imperative that we get our sewer infrastructure repaired to stop these overflows and illicit discharges into streams, roadways, and the Ohio river.
As you can see in one photo, there is a sign posted that warns of potential health hazards when overflows are occurring. These signs are supposed to be posted at every overflow site, but of course, this mandate has not been adheared to.
Please folks, understand, there was raw sewage backing up in basements after this last rain of less than 1", and that is unacceptable.
We just believe that certain serious conditions that cause harm to the City, as in stalling economic development, and harm to the residents, as in being exposed to raw sewage, should be at the top of the list of priorities for this administration to address. Knowing this sort of situation exists in the City, and is not being fixed, makes it hard for me to believe the Mayor can actually say he thinks he's doing a good job. He put himself on the Sewer Board, with pay, so he I hold him entirely responsible for the mismanagement that has occurred over the last 2 years.
Soon, they will be forced to admit these problems, and fix the faulty lines that are causing these horrible conditions. Then, we'll get hit with the sewer rate increase that has already been openly discussed. Only, the fact that the sewer fund was used as the City Slush Fund for so long, is at least a part of the reason that they do not have the money for these repairs.
Once again, we will be forced to pay for bad decisions and misappropriations of funds. We just don't believe that's fair.
The least we should expect is to see an Investigative Audit of the Sewer Department, and all the money that was taken to pay other obligations.
We are entitled to have such an audit before us before they can assess rate increases. All they have now is a 5 month financial report.
We want answers.
We have more photos we will post later.

Happy (the) Holidays (are over)!

2005-12-26T17:49:00.000-05:00

For now, at least, we have a short break before the New Year rings in. Oh, what a year we expect it to be. A Grand starting bell will sound at First Council Session of the New Year. Should be very interesting.
Everyone should re-read the previous posting a second time, if they haven't already had to remind themselves of what the REAL issues started out to be, and give it some more thought time.
The Attorney General's report, in the "Dual Office Holding Guide", is very enlightening when it comes to re-assessing who holds what positions, and how many City salaries are legally allowed. The key term seems to be "lucrative offices".
I'm just sure the Attorney General's office also holds opinions on contracts entered into between Legal Counsel and the City. Especially when same Legal Counsel contracts with the opposing party. Hmmmmmmmmm
Re-read the Courier articles again too. If your Christmas was as exhusting as mine, your brain will require a refreasher "view" of the issues that currently face New Albany, and the circumstances that will soon lead to a "worse" life, fiscally and socio-economically, in New Albany than we have endured in quite some time.
Anyone who can say, with a straight face, that James Garner has had a successful first half as Mayor, better have some answers for "oldernewalbanian", at least!
I don't think she will mind identifying herself, for those who don't already know (and shame on you if you don't), and providing whatever documentation and evidence any reasonable person would consider adequate, if it would mean getting some answers and a little justice. THIS WOMAN LOST HER HOME OF 30+ YEARS, IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD, "LOST". I think you can e-mail her directly thru her profile.
C'mon All4Word, isn't this what you asked for? Specifics? I think your exact words were, "...see if we can get to the bottom of it." Well, here 'ya go. Get this Lady some answers, and some justice, and some compensation, for the conditions she was being forced to live with while living in the inner-city of New Albany.
Then try to make the rest of us believe that we don't have to be afraid of living in the same conditions, in certain parts of this Inner-City, as she did.
When you can explain what happened to her, and why, then "get to the bottom of it".
Also, give us some real answers about where the money went.
Where are the State Audits, and why do Council members have to ASK for a monthly report that they should be recieving automatically (Hint:make sure they match)?
Then convince us, and the EPA, that the sewers aren't going to implode, and the EPA is happy with us again. Make us believe we don't need the Potty Police anymore.
Then you can point to that "Ground Zero" hole in the Earth Downtown, tell me that Scribner Place is a "good investment", when every other building Downtown is sitting empty and neglected due to extreme costs, and I might agree with you.
Just three little questions there that I would like answered. That's all.
I just don't believe there are any good answers to those questions.
I don't believe for a minute they can be explained away.
Three little questions.
Nah, not in this little town, full of "little people", and even our own "little Timmy". Our "little" minds couldn't possibly wrap around those "little" problems.

Next Council Meeting - Jan. 9th, 2006

2005-12-22T14:50:00.000-05:00

The first City Council meeting of 2006 will most likely be the most important meeting of the entire year because of the issues that will be brought to the table, and the election of a new Council President & Vice-President.
Folks, unless you want another 2 years of bad decisions and shoving things through the Council (Scribner EDIT funds) too fast and too loose, you better get vocal with all the Council members you can, and insist that Dan Coffey be given the position in order to put some checks and balances on the runaway money train that's been plowing through New Albany.
Donnie Blevins has been embroiled in too much controversy already, and is obviously the Mayors favorite Council member given the way he's been taken care of. He's already nothing more than a puppet for Garner. He has no idea what any of the issues are really about. Trust me. I tried to converse with him about a couple and it was impossible. This suggestion is just ridiculous.
So, we figure they are really going to go for Jack Messer. However, there are many concerns about him, as he is already sitting on multiple boards, and commission, which I will list later, and he is a City police officer.

Let me point what I've learned from the office of the Indiana Attorney General, Steve Carter, concerning dual office holding. Did you know they actually have a printed report addressing this very issue? It's very enlightening.
Article 3, Section 1, separation of powers doctrine.
"No person holding a lucrative office or appointment under the United States or under this State is eligible to a seat in the General Assembly; and no person may hold more than one lucrative office at the same time, except as expressly permitted in this Constitution."
Lucrative Offices: (short list) City Council member, City Judge, City Sanitary district board member, City Mayor, Deputy Mayor, County Commissioner, Assessor, etc.
"The Indiana Constitutuon prohibits dual office holding. When a person violates the constitutional and statutory provisions that govern dual office holding, the person may, in some instances, lose his/her former official position, commit the Class D felony of conflict of interest, or be removed from his/her official position."

ALSO,
The two articles that appeared in today's Courier Journal are shedding some much needed 'sunlight' on the issues we have been trying to discuss recently on this blog.
We have wasted too much space and too much energy exchanging perspectives, and sharing experiences about why we are all doing the things we are doing..
It's time to return to the important issues facing the City right now, and discuss these situations, offer our opinions, and look at a few facts.
The Sewer article, by Ben Hershberg, points out that word from the EPA is that they are "...in active discussions with the city", and meanwhile our ability to allow credits for sewer expansions, so new development can occur, is still compromised until the EPA is satisfied that the legal agreement, made in 2002 between then Mayor Overton and the EPA, has been fulfilled.
Our agreement was to eliminate overflows of the system, and backups of raw sewage that cause harmful, untreated waste to flow into the streets, drain into groundwater, and discharge directly into the Ohio River.
We are assembling photos of many examples of these occurances, and will post them at the earliest opportunity.
Meanwhile you can visit a website, www.in.gov/idem/water/compbr/compeval/ssoreport and find New Albany's reports of overflows, the date the overflow occurred, and the site of the overflows. A reason is also required by this sytem of reporting, and you will notice the City indeed reported a "sabatoge" at the plant, that caused the system to blow for almost 16 hours before the problem was discovered.
We still question the City's ability to aquire the EPA's approval for the Scribner Place project to hook up to the system, and we expect to get that question answered when the EPA hands down its decision about the City correcting the problems per the 2002 agreement.
We have a lot of things to talk about regarding this article and the situations that surround the entire issue, but for now, we will allow you folks to leave your impressions about the matter, and we will return with more info soon.

The other article, regarding Garbage rate increases, is another hot topic, and the article raises some interesting questions. Why is Garner asking the Council to approves a raise in the rates for 2007, in the first meeting of the 2006 session? Think he's worried about his re-eviction, ...er, re-election campaign?
Didn't they say they already agreed to rate increases every year for the next 5 years of the privatization contract? Why does he now need the Council to approve a rate increase?

They have hit us with a lot of things to talk about, but we are holding the information that will pull all this together, and we can even tie it with a bow.
Have a good discussion, and we will return tonight.
Happy Christmas!!!

A New Year, A New Beginning

2005-12-16T13:09:00.000-05:00

Readers, it is vitally important that we all be aware of the business to be conducted at the next City Council meeting, on January 2nd, 2006, the first meeting of the new year. We MUST make sure our voices are heard before this meeting takes place. The public interests and perceptions must be considered in the process of naming a new City Council President.
The first meeting of every year includes the nomination and selection, by Council Members votes, of a new City Council President. This meeting is already raising great concern, as the names that are circulating as projected nominees are...(remove all sharp objects from within your reach), Donnie Blevins (they MUST be kidding), a City employee already embroiled in controversy, and Dan Coffey who has served 7 years on the City Council, and holds no position within City employment that could cause his vote to be compromised in order to protect his job.
Folks, there is one very simple concept to consider here...
Under NO circumstances should ANY City employee be handed the reins as President of the City Council. This would create a situation fraught with possibilities of unethical behavior due to the control that could be exerted by certain authority figures over the sustainability of the persons primary employment.
Furthermore, as it is, City employees sitting as general Council Members are practically inviting trouble, as their employment with the City will certainly carry some weight in their decision making and voting on matters that directly, or indiretly, impact the departments they are associated with.
Already, we've witnessed complications that arose from City employee and Council Member, Donnie Blevins who was curiously moved from the doomed Sanitation Department over to the Street Department without regard to proper procedures of senority based departmental transfers.
This move was percieved as nothing less than political favortism, and has resulted in growing tensions among Sanitation workers and Street Department workers alike. There is even talk of Union grievences being filed.
Indeed, it was recently published in the Courier; "...that [Garner] moved Blevins because of tensions within the (sanitation) department." As the article further explained, the situation that caused the debacle stemmed from two reprimands [Blevins] issued as assistant supervisor in the Sanitation Department, that caused bad feelings in the department.
As Ann posted on her blog, "Diggin' in the Dirt", concerning the situation:
"...it sticks in the craw of several people I have spoken with that Councilman/Sanitation Dept. Assistant Supervisor Donnie Blevins was transferred out of Sanitation shortly before the bid was awarded, thus avoiding the possibility of the aforementioned pay/benefit cut. There are other workers with greater seniority than Blevins."
Even Jack Messer, as a City Police Officer, is straddling the fence by holding a seat on the Council, because he is percieved as having too much influence in too many arenas of City business. This caused great concern when he was considered for the position of Code Enforcement Officer, and eventually led to a great deal of anomosity as tempers flared on both sides of the issue.
The City Council is the city's legislative and fiscal control body. According to the written rules of Indiana Association of Cities & Towns, "Council has the authority to fix salaries of all elected officials in the City. The Council also establishes the annual salaries of members of the City's Police and Fire Departments."
I ask you, does Jack Messer really even belong on the Council, as a matter of principle?
In contrast, CM Dan Coffey holds no position of City employment, and has seven years experience sitting on the City Council. He knows the condition of the City, and he knows no fear when it comes to bringing contentious issues to light, and asking pointed questions of the Mayor and other Council members.
Furthermore, the Council President has the authority to call for an audit, something the people of the City have been asking for, but the City has failed to provide. The Council President also has the authority to call for investigations into other matters, such as the sanitary sewer department, that no one seems to have the answers to. The public deserves to be provided with a Council that will act as the checks and balance system against an administration that has acted irresponsible in matters of financial responsibilities and political favortism appointments to positions that are filled with unqualified personel.
I have no doubt that CM Coffey will utilize these opportunities to finally provide a clear picture to the public, as well as to the administration, of where the City stands in regards to our fiscal health, along with the procedures of conducting City business in the proper fashion.
He may be brash, and he may indeed be guilty of a bit of grandstanding at times, but I would still rather put the the next year of this faltering City in the hands of a bold personality than I would those of a meek and unknowledgeable newcomer, just because he is NOT Dan Coffey.
It's time to step up and take the bull by the horns, and there is no one better for that job than Dan Coffey.
Don't get me wrong folks, I am not a Dan Coffey "fan", and we have had our share of differences along the way. However, I am willing to put aside those differences, and step back to look at what the City needs as a whole. This isn't about personality conflicts, this is business. It's time this City gets down to some serious business.
Finally, it only makes sense that the outgoing President step into the Vice President role, as CM Schmidt did last year, as it is their duty to conduct the business of the Council in the event of an absence of the President elect. Procedural matters would then be able to proceed without hesitation, and knowledge of conducting the business of the Council would be a given circumstance. This method would also provide a gradual course of blending back in with the other general Council members for the outgoing President. Jeff Gahan should, in my opinion, be given the Vice-President position.
Dan Coffey still has things to learn. Perhaps a teamwork approach can be beneficial to all parties concerned.

SANITATION HAS BEEN PRIVATIZED!

2005-12-13T11:25:00.000-05:00

In this mornings Board of Works meeting, the decision was reached to privatize Sanitation services with the Clark-Floyd Landfill. Their bid came in at $12.90 per unit, and $21 per ton for dumping.
Our Mayor, the new "Grinch" of the Holiday Season, did not attend the meeting, and instead, was sitting in his office (You're a mean one Mr. Grinch).
We will have more information soon.

Sanitation Saga

2005-12-11T15:27:00.000-05:00

We are coming very close to time for the decision to be made about what they are going to do with Sanitation. We are asserting our position that Sanitation be kept in-house, as a City service, with proper controls and oversight. We do hope the Mayor, along with the only voting members of the Board of Works members; Tony Toran, Steve LaDuke, and Chas Hunter, will make the proper decision, and allow the Sanitation Department at least one year to operate under the sub-committee recommendations.
The intent to privatize sanitation, sprung by Garner after campaign promises to correct the mismanagement and inefficiencies that caused the department to falter, is a huge disappointment that just adds to the accumulating list of disappointments our Mayor has developed for himself over the last two years. However, he still has an opportunity to redeem himself, if he will only give due credence to the findings and recommendations of the sub-committee selected to review the Sanitation Department’s fiscal condition, and to propose a plan for the department to recover, and even prosper, within a very short period of time. They have accomplished their task, and they are to be commended. Particular thanks goes out to Steve Price for his diligent examination of the numbers game.
More or less, they have done the job James Garner promised to do himself… if elected. Well, we (the voters) did out part, why hasn’t the Mayor done his part, and stood behind the promises he made in his campaign? Virtually all the rhetoric we heard concerning his aptitude for business has turned out to be nothing more than empty words of your typical Political bulls##t..
Indeed, it’s his lack of business savvy that led to the bumbled attempts to hand off a sanitation contract of privatization without following proper protocol.
We called his hand when a contract with Industrial Disposal (ID) was imminent, but was wrapped up in an illegal meeting. Suddenly, the ID contract “fell through”, according to official accounts. Although, I never heard exactly what the 'official' problems were that led to the fallout, I would venture a guess that there was a bit too much scrutiny of the processes that led up to the contract, and most likely the anticipation of scrutiny of its contents.
Suddenly, the privatization proposal then warranted the appointment of the aforementioned sub-committee, and a full out bidding contest was initiated and carried out. Hurray for small, sweet victories!
However, the problems, obviously, still didn’t stop there.
Due to the many mis-steps made thus far in Garner’s short tenure at the helm, it has been imperative for concerned citizens to keep close tabs on the business end of New Albany’s City operations. Especially given radical changes to city services, the financial irresponsibility, and the long-term ramifications, of Mayor Garner’s proposals, all atop his incredible knack for taking a bad situation in hand, and making things worse, we feel a compelling responsibility to closely monitor all activities.
Unfortunately, our eagerness to become involved and informed has not been met with enthusiasm or appreciation, but rather, with animosity and defiance.
Clearly, we have tread where previous citizens have dared not tread…into the realm of Governmental oversight. Something the ‘powers that be’ in New Albany are entirely unfamiliar with, and conspicuously uncomfortable with.
In return, we have been the recipient of much advise, and admonishment.
It never fails to amaze me who pops out of the woodwork, so-to-speak, when we have taken our inquests too close for comfort in examining the workings of the current administration. It also becomes very clear where the real power lies, and who the real decision makers are.
Obviously, they presumed that we had managed to blow a huge hole into some inner-sanctity of City operations when we produced our information concerning the Sanitation bids, FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES. The subsequent behavior of certain individuals, both from within and from without(proclaimed), the Garner administration has been deplorable.
Attempts to interrogate Council members, accusations of "felonious" behavior, pointing fingers at Council spouses, and proposing the intentional spreading of outright lies and unethical conduct, reasoning there must be some aim at personal aggrandizement, is all quite despicable.
We must have hit a very exposed nerve, as the entire Garner entourage simultaneously, blew a gasket. Stomping their feet, and insisting the information must be wrong, apparently because the Rumpke bid was the very last to arrive... within mere minutes of the deadline, it barely made it in!!! hmmmmmmmmm.
We applaud the cries for adoption of Ethical Behavior rules, but we strong suggest the fishing expedition be taken a little further upstream if you want to search for the slippery buggers. Without such codes to hold the entire administration, along with every Board member, and every Commission position, to some sort of code of ethical standars, many decisions and actions are apparently undertaken at free will.

Why We're Here (again)

2005-12-07T23:45:00.000-05:00

I hate feeling as though we've lost ground on the purposes we had in mind in creating this blog. But, apparently, there are still some folks out there who just cannot find it within themselves to believe in, or respect, those purposes.
So, I suppose we'll spend some time reiterating our purpose, and restating our goals. We will also throw in a few topics that are of particular concern, and ask some questions for folks to consider as they go about their lives, and work, here in New Albany.
Foremost in our minds, as we tackle issue after issue, and defend ourselves from unrelenting sophmoric attacks, is the fact that EVERYONE in New Albany deserves to know what is going on in the business of the City, the spending of their tax dollars, and the representation they recieve by their Council member elect.
It is our intent to provide information on issues relevant to the citizens of this town, and to provide as much insight, detail, and background circumstances on these issues as we can. This will continue despite any intimidation tactics that may, or may not, be applied by certain political factions.
Everyone also has a right to Speak Out Loud, about the things that concern them, the issues that confuse them, the problems that worry them, and the information that burdens them. We will continue to provide the forum for these discussions, despite the ire it generates from 'intellectuals' who find it more entertaining to ridicule grammer and spelling skills than to engage in useful discourse. Too bad.
People have these rights by virture of the fact that they are a citizen of New Albany. These citizens are also allowed to have differing opinions and alternate viewpoints, than other citizens might have. We will not belittle, bash, insult or otherwise be disrespectful to these citizens viewpoints. Slinging mud serves no purpose, and I mean this in respect to EVERY commentor.
Everyone also has the right to NOT put themselves, their jobs, or their families, in any kind of harms way, due to their viewpoint or opinions on issues discussed.
We will continue to allow anonymity, with all its inherent difficulties, because we are dedicated to giving EVERYONE a voice. We have made this policy clear from the get-go, and we will maintain this policy despite the hostility and frustration it generates from other bloggers. Names don't matter, opinions do.
Our goal is to empower the people with knowledge about what is happening to their Town. They have the right to know. We hope to encourage more citizens to get involved, to pay attention, to be concerned. As it has become so very obvious that what we are told, and what actually happens, often turn out to be two distinctly different episodes. We must hold people accountable to the jobs they are supposed to be doing.
From Redevelopment to Code Enforcement, to the Building Commissioner, to the Planning Commission. The Board of Works, the Sewer Board, the Drainage Committee, the new Stormwater plan(?), Downtown revitalization efforts, zoning and enforcement.
Issues that concern us, and by all reasoning, concern everyone in New Albany.
The bleak financial situation of the City, and the fiscal decisions that are made, often in spite of these financial difficulties.
The infrastructure in the City is literally crumbling. Buildings, gone too many years without care, are beginning to topple and destroy one major assest of our community, our architecture.
The sidewalks, in some parts of town virtually non-existant, in others, brand new. Who chooses?
The sewers. They still don't work. After $41 million in "repairs"? No. After $41 million in "expansion". The inner city sewer lines are a disaster. We can only hope the Federal agencies will step in and help us. This has become a health issue.
The multi-million dollar Scribner place. Proposed to be paid for with borrowed bond money, backed by property taxes, of a citizenry who doesn't even want the damn thing, and the City Attorney will pocket a cool $300 thousand. It belongs on a ballot, just like the Boat, and boy, did we ever miss the boat on that one.
Losing City services like Sanitation. Privatization is a sure road to escalating costs, and loss of control.
Rate hikes and new fees that most folks won't even know about until it hits their bills. Once again hitting New Albanian's where they can least take it, in the wallet.
I could go on and on, but I'm afraid I'll get carried away and say something I shouldn't. So, let's leave this where it is, and let's all get back to the one biggest mission of all... A Better New Albany.
There's enough to talk about without dragging Politics into it. 'Nuf said?

Now, in the interest of others who may wish to approach things in a different way, there is a new blog in town. The link is up on this front page to Freedom of Speech.
Check it out, but I don't think they are allowing comments.
I welcome new bloggers, and wish them success. We may even discuss some of the issues here that are posted on Freedom of Speech.
However, I must submit a disclaimer that the content of the postings on other blogs are the sole sentiments of the administrators that created it, and are not necessarily representative of the Speak Out Loud NA blog, as we will continue to assert our distaste for political campaigning or politically motivated content.
Best wishes to you all, and we welcome you to the wonderful world of blogging!

Sanitation Sub-Committee Findings (1)

2005-12-03T02:08:00.000-05:00

A Council Sub-Committee was set up to examine the sanitation department regarding costs and expenditures. They were to make recommendations to be considered before final determination was made to dismantle the department and put 25-30 New Albany citizens out of work.
Let me first say that the following scenario is possible because a small group of folks who care, sat down and took a long look at the way the sanitation department is functioning, or rather malfunctioning, and made some important discoveries that could lead to better, more efficient, operations.
It is a classic case of reorganization and restructuring that any business must undergo from time to time in order to remain effective and viable.
Rather than throwing up hands and succumbing to “bankruptcy”, or failure to succeed due to mismanagement, these recommendations set a new course for success by eliminating unnecessary costs, and streamlining efficiency with a sensible approach to fixing the things that have, with time, become an ineffective way of conducting business.
The results of their work are contained in a written report that recommends a two-year transition of core points of operations within the department. If these recommendations are followed, the results would entail;
The employment of 32-35 living wage jobs, collectable payroll taxes on approximately $1 million annually, preserving city control of sanitation services, and a 2006 department surplus of approximately $34,000 dollars. This is in stark contrast to a 2005 estimated department deficit of more than $550,000 dollars.
More importantly, if the sub-committee’s recommendations are followed, in 2007 the department could produce $687,000 in profit revenue.
I submit that there are still additional considerations and opportunities, which could substantially impact the surplus in a positive nature. We will discuss these other opportunities at a later time. For now, let’s take a closer look at what the sub-committee came up with.
Right now, we are trucking refuse to a company known as Bi-Co, which is located in Louisville off Fern Valley Road. The cost for this procedure is $31.50 per ton, which includes a fee for the “transfer station”.
The recommendation is that the City would run it’s own transfer station, and then take a 36-yard “roll-off” trailer to the Clark-Floyd landfill at a cost of only $21.00 per ton. This change would produce a savings of $207,267 per year in dumping charges alone. It appears to me that they may not have calculated the fuel savings that will accompany this change, which we can assume will be substantial due to the enormous change in mileage. The fuel costs for 2005 were estimated at $59,322 dollars.
Another reorganization recommendation, which is a sore spot for many residents, is the issue of recycling. Currently, we are spending about $18,000 annually to dispose of recycle materials. Plus, there is another $2,000 in directly related expenses with the method we are using. However, there is a local vendor that would PAY US for an estimated $10,000 annually for commingled recyclables. It is recommended that at least one “Big Red” truck, with the separate bins, be used exclusively to pick up recycled materials every other week. This would maximize the usability and reduce wear and tear on these awful monsters, that will be our free and clear after one more year of payments.
For the benefit of persons who are not up to speed on the costs and payments for the "Big Red" trucks and the 96 gallon monster cans, let me catch you up on this bumbling of funds.
When the previous administration, Mayor Overton, decided to make these purchases, the Council approved payments to be made for the trucks out of Riverboat funds, and the cans were to be paid from EDIT dollars. Contrary to the Council edicts, these costs have been attributed to the Sanitation budget, and are included in the "budget shortfall" that Mayor Garner continues to espouse. The cans alone had a total cost of $589,525 dollars, and will not be paid for in full until 2007 when we make the final $121,000 installment. By the fall of 2006, the trucks will be paid in full. I am searching for the total costs of the trucks and will provide this number in a following comment.
This information is only the beginning. Part 2 will be posted soon, so stay tuned.
Thoughts anyone?

SAVING SANITATION IS POSSIBLE

2005-12-01T21:07:00.000-05:00

THIS POSTING WILL BE ADDED ONTO OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, AS I HAVE TAKEN TODAY TO REVIEW A LOT OF PAPERWORK, AND A LOT OF NUMBERS, AND TALK TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE REAL KNOWLEDGE IT TAKES TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.
IF OUR "MAYOR", MR. GARNER, WANTS TO REDEEM HIMSELF, EVEN A LITTLE BIT, HE WILL LISTEN, AND GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO SAVING OUR SANITATION DEPARTMENT, AND THE WORKERS JOBS, ESPECIALLY AS WE APPROACH WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GIVING TIME OF YEAR. MERRY CHRISTMAS' DON'T COME WITH A PINK SLIP.
The Sanitation Union has submitted a bid to continue providing service to the City, and we would like to add some additional things to consider about the advantages of retaining our existing crews and how the department can function in the black by making some very basic changes in the way things have been done.
As we have been looking very closely at the sewer department situation lately, and hearing that a rate increase is "unavaoidable", the costs attributed to supporting sanitaition services have risen to the top. Looking closely at these costs, it has become evident that the mismanagement of several key decisions about procedure have obviously led to the exorbinate yearly budget that has been espoused by some of the Sewer Board members.
For example, we have been lugging loads of trash to a landfill over off Fern Valley Road, rather than using the landfill opportunities right here in town. Not only are there major differences in costs of dumping, but with gasoline prices at thier highest point very recently, this method is all but just plain stupid.
Secondly, we have been paying a company to take what bit of recycling material we manage to collect, yet there is a local company that would actually pay us for recyclables.

Coming, To a Town Near You (real near)

2005-11-27T02:33:00.000-05:00

The dinners are over, the families have all returned to their respective homes, belly's are full, and naps have been taken, so that must mean it's time to return to the reality of life and living in the City of New Albany.
Suddenly, my belly is churning, the comfort of my couch is calling, and the feelings of safety when surrounded by family, is tugging at my mind.
I wish we could just continue the Holiday, and go about our mundane little lives, without having to worry about what's coming down the pike next to collide with our collective well being.
Many activities have taken place over the last few days, while we've been stuffing our turkeys, and our stomachs, with good food and good cheer.
We've had a New Albany Police Captain arrested for drunk driving (Fox 41 TV News), the sanitation privatization contract has been selected (published in the Tribune), and we've gotten word of the impending sewer rate increase (Courier Journal).
Boy, the Garner administration sure knows how to mess up a perfectly good Holiday.
It's interesting that these contentious issues just happened to come into the spotlight over the days when most folks are busy with family and friends.
Even so, you can trust us when we say that every topic will recieve the attention it deserves in the coming days.
Indeed, we even have some more news to talk about that hasn't managed to make the media (yet). You'll understand why when you read the next posting.
It's been an interesting weekend, and there will be some lively discussions, I'm sure. So, rest up a little more, then put on your s*** waders, and rejoin us Sunday evening for full updates on the latest round of ineptness and mismanagement.
It's a viscious cycle that must be interrupted.
Remember the next City Council Meeting is December 5th. Mark your calanders. You won't want to miss this one.
Meanwhile, contact me personally if you have something you wish to discuss, or if you would like more information about things that will not be posted on the blog.
I hope everyone and their families have returned safely to their homes, and that your time together was special.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2005-11-24T13:59:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends that mean so much to you. This is a day for giving thanks for all we are blessed with in our lives. Take this opportunity to tell those around you that they are in your heart, and in your thoughts, even if the time together is brief.
Although we all face our own problems, and we all have burdens to bear, we must not forget that there are many reasons to be grateful for our blessing in life.
No matter your religion, or your beliefs, this is a day of reflection. Celebrate in the way that matters most to you and yours.
Just don't forget, to include in your thoughts today, the ones who are less fortunate, the ones who have endured fewer blessings, and vow to do what you can to create better lives and more blessings for everyone.
I recieved a heart wrenching reminder, from a good friend, of all I have to be thankful for, and a reason to remember those who have suffered, yet endure. I have created a link to this message, so you and your family can feel especially blessed this Holiday, and remember to say a prayer for those who have endured a living nightmare in New Orleans. Simply click on the last "Link" note at the bottom of this posting.
To the good soul who sent this to me, I thank you, and I admire your efforts to keep others in our thoughts and prayers.
To all of us: Be good in your heart, and gentle in your ways.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.
Laura

Dalai Lama wisdom: "Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon."

The Sewer Saga Continues

2005-11-20T00:02:00.000-05:00

We are indeed now seeing the beginnings of the predicted sewer rate increases.
It seems there is much more work that needs to be done, and there just isn't enough money (again) in the till to stop the massive overflows that are still occurring.
We have been talking about the areas of concern, and the existance of the New Albany "Potty Police", which is a team of hardy souls (God luv 'em) who go out and document each and every overflow and gushing giser of raw sewage that explodes into the streets and streams of our fair(?) city with more regularity than most of us can claim ourselves.
The system is apparently plauged with problems, not all of which are claimed to be related to the failings of the lines.
If you didn't catch it in the hard copy, read the Courier Journal article regarding the EPA investigation into allegations of "sabatoge" to the sewer computer system last month that resulted in an overflow of about 5 million gallons of raw sewage. Just click on the link at the bottom of this posting.
Meanwhile, we've assembled some thoughts and questions from readers who are quite concerned about just how and when, and how much, it will be before we finally get any relief from the frequent release of raw sewage from the failing system.

I'd like to know the answers to the following questions, as a sewer rate payer, since it seems they're talking about ANOTHER sewer rate hike.
The first $40 million just didn't seem to get it. Gee.
1. Why did the City (attorney Greg Fifer) give Georgetown an extension for repayment of the monies they owe; especially since they had it, and they have now lost their Riverboat money. Because they were saving it to pay us?
THIS $2 MILLION WILL FALL TO THE RATE PAYERS!

2. Is Georgetown going to build their own plant? Or, will Lanesville do it for them?

3. Are any of these big overflows the past few weeks related to Ruckman's lines coming into the Robert E. Lee station?
Testimony was given at the State level the Robert E. Lift and Corydon Pike and every other line would and could handle these new lines, without further construction. Is it coincidence that overflows have increased since the Ruckman line came on?

4. Rate payers testified at the State level, when we got the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) bonds, that this "plan" would not work (as did then Councilman Garner). We testified as to the Robert E. Lift, Corydon Pike, the inner City, etc., etc., all being left out of this "plan". Nothing was getting fixed, the system was only being expanded. This was the WRONG plan.

Now, who was correct, and do you really think anyone's going to give the City more bonds, based upon our track record of non-compliance?

5. Do you think they will do a formal rate study, as REQUIRED by law? We're not sure they did so the last time. We cannot allow them to continue skirting the laws.
I'm worried. Worried for the rate payers, because we STILL HAVE TO FIX THE SEWERS, AGAIN! Who's got the money? And this Administration wants salary raises?

6. The chronological order of events are this: Overton signed the new amended Consent Decree; she selected the "plan" in a matter we won't tackle right now; she sold the Bonds, and she started the construction, and demanded it be done before she left office. Garner is just finishing up her work and signing legal documents that we're just not sure he should be signong, because of the lack of certain things we also won't go into (like good legal advice, etc.).

7. How many of these individuals involved with the sewer "plan" actually read the Consent Decree with the EPA? It was required reading, per the agreement, for anyone touching our sewers. Hmmmmmm.
Mayor Garner, could you please give us the answer to this one?
Like the Potty Police say, how many more MILLIONS DO YOU WANT TO SPEND? I wonder?
You should wonder too.
I'm worried at the liability this City (US) may face due to some of the actions we have caused/undertaken because of the conflicts of interest between the Sewer Board Attorney and certain developers. How can one attorney represent both?

The EPA seems to have a handle on some issues (sabatoge?), and the State has to be involved in any negotiations, so we'll see. The press is now getting involved, and these are all good signs for tax and rate payers. We know the administration does not like the EPA. But, we the public, need to realize the city is in litigations, and therefore they cannot talk directly to each other. The EPA, however, can talk to us, as citizens, all day long, because they work for us. Right now, I'm banking on the EPA.
There was a prediction made when all of this originally went down, and that was:
The "Plan" would not work; there would be a cover-up; the cover-up would be exposed; and then the chips would fall where they may.
Which stage do you feel we are in now, seeing we still haven't started our 1 year test period by the EPA, nor have we gotten any credits, and we're having several mysterious overflows. There is a lawsuit going on with ADM (sewer contractors), etc. You tell me what you think.
It ain't heavy, it's my money! It's your money too.

Greenway Resident Input Meeting

2005-11-19T23:44:00.000-05:00

As we've been reading in the paper, funding to continue the progress of the Ohio River Greenway project is back on track, and work will soon begin anew.
To those who have followed the efforts of Mr. Al Goodman and the restoration of the Moser Tannery buildings, along with the Loop Island Wetlands Conservatory, you will recognize that the pending Greenway work is integrel to his project.
I urge everyone who is interested in seeing the Mr. Goodwin's efforts realized, as well as revitalization of our riverfront, and the opportunities it will present, to attend this meeting and voice your opinions.

A public forum to discuss the New Albany Greenway and gather input from residents will be held on on Tuesday, November 22nd, from 6-7:30pm at The Grand, 138 West Market Street, New Albany. Ms. Valla Ann Bolovschak, recently appointed to the Ohio River Greenway Commission by Governor Mitch Daniel, will host the meeting. Please bring your comments, suggestions and questions in writing for submission to the Army
Corp of Engineers and the Greenway Commission.

The Greenway Commission will be focusing on New Albany in 2006 so we encourage
Floyd County residents to attend, but all others are welcome. Drafts of the Greenway plans are now available for review at your local library.

For those who cannot attend, please mail your comments to Ms. Bolovschak,
600 East Main Street, New Albany IN 47150 or e-mail them to
info@admiralbicknell.com by November 25th, 2005.

Take A Look Around... (Part 2)

2005-11-15T18:36:00.000-05:00

To continue the saga of housing conditions in New Albany and the associated problems, I want to start by addressing the issue of upkeep of owner-occupied housing. Later, we'll move on to rental properties and the reasons we had to wait so long for an Ordinance Enforcement Officer.
As we've discussed here before, the economic health of many families in New Albany is poor. According to the 2000 Census data, in 1999 more than 11% of families were living in poverty. That's more than 1,140 families folks. Just less than 30% of families with children under 5 years old are below the povery line. A lot, huh?
Want to talk about single mothers? A staggering 58% with children under 5 years of age are poverty stricken.
Do you think things have gotten better in New Albany in the last 5-6 years? Or, do you think maybe we've lost a few good employers, and gained a few more low-income renters who have headed this way from Louisville, with drug labs in tow?
What about the upper income families you ask? How many do you suppose have stayed in the inner-city? How much new development has been occuring in the County in the last 5 years? C'mon folks, use your heads. The picture isn't getting any brighter. We've all noticed the increase in 'For Sale' signs and 'For Rent' signs. They're popping up all over the place. I would bet money (what little I have), that in a 10 minute trip through New Albany, a person could easily count 40-50 available housing units of one description or another.
There are approximately 16,000 households in the City of New Albany. The median household income is (listen closely Timmy) less than $35,000 in the City. More than a third of all households earn less then $25,000 per year. The median mortagage cost is $814 per month, and we still have to allow for taxes, insurance, utilities, car payments, childcare, groceries, clothing, and other miscelaneous costs.
To make things worse, it is maddening that the City exacerbates these situations by continuously throwing more fees and taxes on the citizens, especially property owners, to recover funds that were mis-appropriated, or to create funds for projects that citizens have no voice in. Backing bonds for non-optional recreational projects with property taxes, then telling us they cannot continue to fund garbage pickup, is enough to make a person want to go up to that third floor and smack somebody.
I would really like for someone to explain to me just what in the hell they mean by assessing a Stormwater "user fee" onto our water bills!? Along with multiple sewage rate increases for $41 million in repairs, and the system still isn't working right, the water bill is quickly becoming a major household expense. Now, we are hearing the rumblings of another impending sewer rate hike as raw sewage is still spewing into the streets at alarming rates with every measurable rainfall.
To top it all off, now they want to privatize sanitation, or at least convince us that a 50% raise in those rates will be necessary. Frankly, I think we'll wind up paying that no matter which way it goes. Only, maybe not for the first year. After all, we have to pay for those trucks they are going to GIVE AWAY. Furthermore, we have been paying a recycling fee for, how many years now? The problem is, we are not actually recycling. Where is that money going?
To add insult to injury, the Mayor has decided that they all deserve raises in the next budget! Meanwhile, for the common citizen, the gap between paychecks is widening with virtually every resolution that is pushed through Council.
Given these circumstances, I think it's safe to say that an average household in the City of New Albany is spending most, if not all, of their monthly income just keeping up with the bills. Let alone having lump sums of money left over for major housing repairs. Look around at what is happening.
This is a sad fact of life here people. We have a huge portion of our population that is not making it when it comes to large expenditures for acquiring a home, or the necessary maintenence of a home already acquired. There are people in need of a little help, a bit of understanding, and a better chance of improving their lot in life economically.
If the administration, or anyone else for that matter, cannot understand why the citizenry is going to continuously show up and ask the hard questions of every decision that is being made that affects the money that flows from household budgets into the dirty hands of the political machine in New Albany, then they are assuming we are complete idiots and easy marks for more money to finance their multiple City paychecks, their City vehicles, and their City cell phones.
When I hear certain people criticize the conditions of some homes, and simply assume that the owner is just lazy, or sloppy, or indifferent to standards of upkeep, it infuriates me. What I see is someone who is stuck in an impossible situation, and just needs a little help. It is callous and cold-hearted to simply suggest they should give up their homes if they cannot afford to keep things in as good condition as the neighbors would like to see. Most inner-city neighborhoods are mixed income neighborhoods. That means the very well off may live just down the street from the not so well off. We are all neighbors. What happens at my house effects your house.
One program I have always hoped to accomplish with Neighborhood Associations is to find ways to help our neighbors keep their homes in good repair by making arrangements with contractors to take on young apprentices, who will work at reduced rates, and get costs subsidized with grant dollars. Eligible residents could have repairs done at reduced costs, while youths are learning a lucrative trade. This would go a long way towards keeping up appearances in the neighborhood, creating new jobs, and reducing poverty. A very good investment if you ask me, as it would also help to stabilize property values, and keep everyone in safe and decent housing. A pretty good return for the dollars invested.
Could we dare think the City might utilize some of the funding it receives, such as EDIT, CDBG, TIF, or UEZ targets to accomplish something so integral to economic development as stable, well conditioned, housing and neighborhoods would be?
Obviously not.
Therefore, we must do all we can to stop the administration from squeezing every last drop of income out of the households of New Albany. Otherwise, we'll just keep on sliding down the slippery slope of poverty that is engulfing our City.

Take a Look Around... (Part 1)

2005-11-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone has had a nice relaxing weekend. If you're household is anything like mine, we have been taking advantage of this wonderful November weather to get some much needed work done around the house. After all, we can't spend ALL our time trying to right this listing ship called New Albany. It will wear a body out.
Every now and then, we need to step back, away from the flames, and take a new look at the surrounding landscape, take in the larger picture.
There are a lot of things to be thankful for, if we look hard enough for them. Even with all the issues we are facing, and all the work that must be done, we cannot lose sight of the things that keep us going, the things that keep us here.
I believe that most of the folks who participate in the discussions we have here, are folks who truly love New Albany, and feel a 'duty', so to speak, to repair the things that are no longer working well for the City, and to improve the things that can make our community a better place to live for EVERYONE who calls New Albany home. It matters not, whether a person is a home owner, or a renter. We all have a home in this city, and the functions of the administration that runs this city affects us all. So, take a look around at your neighborhood and ask yourself, "How much of the conditions of this neighborhood are accountable to the City and the services its supposed to supply to its residents?"
We are all conscious of our immediate everyday surroundings, and we just naturally do the things that make our little spaces nice for ourselves. For those who are fortunate enough to be home owners, the constant work sometimes seems overwhelming, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Not only the costs to our pocketbooks, but to our time, and to our energy. When you have invested in a home, you do all you can to make it nice, to make it a reflection of yourself, to make it something you can be proud of. The greater the sense of investment, the greater the efforts are to protect that investment. Thus, in the neighborhoods where owner-occupied housing is greater than renter-occupied, usually, the upkeep of the homes and the yards reflect those efforts, and those investments.
Now, this is not to say that anyone who rents is a lousy housekeeper. Indeed, it can be quite the contrary. My own mother, my sister, and many of my friends are renters, and their places are always very pleasant, and very beautiful, inside and out.
However, these are folks who have 'chosen' to rent, and have chosen who to rent from, due to some of the benefits that come along with renting from a responsible property owner. Benefits such as major housing upkeep expenses, as well as the costs of things like homeowners insurance and property taxes. These expenses make a huge impact on the household income, and can be the difference that allows for the discretionary income for things that make life a little nicer.
However, there is a huge number of folks who, unfortunately, have not chosen to rent, but rather, are 'stuck' in rental housing due to the ever growing cost of home-ownership, and the limited availability of safe, decent, affordable housing. The sad part is, because of this City's lack of effective housing standards, the availability of safe, decent, affordable rental housing is also limited.
So, what's the REAL choices? Scrimp and save for years only to have the minimal down payment necessary to purchase an "affordable" home, which means it will most likely be in need of $10-$15,000 worth of repairs, or rent some strangely configured apartment that's been carved out of a once single family residence, with a landlord who's obliged to doing nothing but collecting the rent check?
C'mon, what's YOUR choice?

Words of Wisdom

2005-11-09T01:38:00.000-05:00

I have decided to post a previous contribution to this blog that captured the precise problems and situational circumstances that plague our City today.
I believe that this interpretation of what is happening within the Political Administration of New Albany, and the inner workings of the decision making processes, is worth its words in gold.
To whoever wrote this, One Voice, you have hit many nails right on the head, and you have my admiration and thanks as you are a voice of reason and intelligence.

For the Speak Out Loud NA readers:
To those who value knowledge, truth, freedom, and the sanctity of life as their guiding ideas I hope I can help each of us decipher through the lying, deceit, and struggle that is New Albany politics.

I hope I can inform you about the biggest problems facing our city and my solutions to solve them.

First of all I doubt that Randy has yet to write a single column that has not been manipulated in some detail in order to help Mayor Garner communicate his message.

And you would think that by now the Baylor crowd would have learned some lessons about twisting facts to suit his ideology and punishing those who seek answers and to tell the truth. But he continues to behave like Cinderella's evil stepsisters who cut their feet in order to fit them into the glass slipper, while he is butchering reality to make the fairy tale come out his way.

I come from a very political family so I would like to start with Politics 101.

Why would a successful business person with a Masters Degree raise over $100,000.00 to campaign and get elected to a job that only pays $50,000.00 per year? Does this person have a hidden agenda? I question the additional amount of money
that a politician can earn in a four year term.

It seems that the first rule of thumb in politics is this. You say and do whatever it takes to get elected. You make campaign promises that are impossible to keep and you promise political favors and jobs to those who help you attain your goal.

For example, Shane Gibson, he was his treasurer and now is the City Attorney and stands to make several thousands of dollars connected to the Scribner bonds. Tony Toran worked on the campaign and is now the City Operations Manager, this position was one that Mayor Garner promised to eliminate in as one of his campaign promises, even though Mr. Toran lacks the education, experience, and knowledge for such a position.
I am sure there are many others that we could all name.

The first rule of Politics 101 is this. You need an "inner circle" of friends. These are the people who work behind the scenes and their identities are protected.

Secondly, you have your "money people". These are the bankers, attorneys, realtors and developers.
This is one of the more serious problems that I see.

For example:

Greg Fifer, New Albany Sewer Board Attorney who is also the attorney for the rural developers. And he also represents:

David Ruckman
Robert Lynn
David Blankenbaker
Kent Witten

Now my question is this. Which other developers does Mr. Fifer represent? Second question. Is this not a conflict of interest for us? Why should Mr. Fifer have it both ways?

My solution to the problem would be this. He should be the Sewer Board Attorney and not represent the developers. Or quit the Sewer Board, choose one.

I also want to raise awareness about these other issues, and give solutions.

I totally agree with what $$$$$$$$ said. But let's go a one step further. As I have always been taught, you start at the beginning. In my opinion this is the first thing that needs to be done. Have all accounts frozen. There should be no raises or additional spending. There should be a complete audit in order to discover exactly what we have to work with. We should demand a full investigation into the previous audits. We should focus in ensuring the police and fire department have all their necessities, everything we need to keep our city safe. No police cars should be allowed to be taken home outside of the City of New Albany. To help cut costs, the fire dept. should not go on ambulance runs. There should be no new hiring. All cellphones should be left in the offices after 4:00PM. All personal calls should be charged back to each employee. All city elected officials who are furnished vehicles and gas should park their cars at 4:00PM, including the Mayor. We need to start at the top with each department to sacrifice for all of us.

In my opinion, Scribner Place should be between the YMCA and Caesars. I agree that Scribner Place should be built but the city and the taxpayers should be left out of it. Look at how the $400,000.00 could benefit the city as a whole. So both sides win.

In my opinion, the Stormwater fee should be put, (even though it has been mandated), on the backs of the developers, and not the taxpayers of New Albany. i support the county plan. My question is this. If the Stormwater Project is so urgent, where has the Mayor and the Sewer Board been in the past two years?

In my opinion, each account should be used for it's designated purpose. The sewer account funds should not be used to cover sanitation or used as an emergency fund.

In my opinion, Mayor Garner has already made up his mind to privatize Sanitation. I do not agree with him. I would much rather see my water and sewer bill raised to keep these employees on the city payroll. Without the proper equipment it is impossible for anyone to do their job properly. This is a costly mistake made by the previous administration.

In my opinion, one of the major issues of which I have a serious problem, like many citizens of New Albany, is the same people sitting on the Council who are paid to be on other boards of which their votes can affect the decisions of the City Council.

Solution, an Ordinance stating that a City Council Member cannot sit on any board which could cause a conflict of interest.

In my opinion, one of the biggest problems I see is everyone not paying their fair share of sewer bills with over $170.000.00 of uncollected sewer bills that also means, even if collected, sanitation and recycling are not recovered.

I personally have been told that the Mayor's intention is to bring the billing and collection of sewer bills back in house. I think this is a waste of taxpayers dollars to spend at least $40,000.00 for software, not counting the additional expense to the taxpayer. The Administration should be honest and tell the taxpayers what the $800,000.00 is to be used for. What do they have to hide?

I am only one person with one opinion but I think that I have given the taxpayers a solution to some of our problems. The Administration needs to show a need for all of these expenditures.

We need to stop being so divided, no more labels. No more "haves and have not's", or progressives and little people, etc. We all have a stake in the future of our city.

I read this on this blog a few months ago, "Common sense is seeing things as they are and doing things as they ought to be".

Mr. Mayor, listen to voice of reason.

Come on, hit me with your best shot.

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Posted by ONEVOICE to Speak Out Loud NA at 10/18/2005 08:43:15 PM

IT'S JUST NOT FAIR....

2005-11-07T02:58:00.000-05:00

After watching the predictable outcome of last Friday’s Special meeting, and coming away with the sickening feeling that fairness in this town simply doesn’t matter, I began to contemplate what else will transpire during this reign of ineptness and greed. There was plenty of time to do this the right way. They simply chose not to.
The plan for a new Stormwater “user fee” has escalated into an $800,000 monster that is being assessed unfairly by tacking the fee onto the Indiana-American Water Co. (IAW) bills instead of placing the fee equitably on property taxes.
By billing through the water company, one thing we are assured of is that owners of empty lots will not be contributing, nor will any properties that are vacant and not receiving water service. Thus, this fee is being assessed in an unfair manner.
Why, you might ask, would such a method be approved if it is not fair nor equitable? Well, mostly because the sewer fund has been so misused and mismanaged, that they now need a large influx of money A.S.A.P., and thus, cannot wait for the fees to be drawn from the tax rolls.
To add insult to injury (yes, some pay while others don’t is financial injury), much debate was given during the meeting to lowering the 12 month residential INTERIM fee by a measly $1, which will result in a net savings of a whole $12 per water billed customer. This issue was given much more attention than it merited, as the INTERIM FEE is not the real issue. Any false sense that this $1 makes this ridiculous fee more friendly to the “little people”, as mentioned by one Council member, is an insult. They should have debated how many salaries this fee will pay.
The real issue is: How much is the PERMANENT stormwater “user fee” going to be, and why is it not being assessed fairly to every property holder?
Unless they can show me that some properties don’t get rained on during a storm while others do, I will continue to insist that this is an unfair, and inequitably applied fee. Every Council member who voted to allow this should be ashamed.
Still, in order for the City to compensate for this lost $1, the fee for commercial entities, such as Wal-Mart, Krogers, and every other business, was raised by a whopping $3, resulting in an $18 INTERIM stormwater fee.
This is neither fair nor equitable either, as every business, whether it be 1,000 square footage like a bakery or a hair salon, will be paying the same amount as a business of 100,000 square foot like the “Big Box” stores I’ve mentioned. The Home Depot will be paying the same fee as Ace Hardware. Does that seem fair?
Furthermore, the projected after-interim fee for commercial stores is $30, which is more than a 70% increase. No Council member managed to utter the projected after-interim fee for the chosen residential properties, but if the commercial increase is any indication, then we are in for another big hit.
Anyone who can truly look at this last-minute money grab as anything close to fair, and right, for the residents and small businesses of New Albany is just plain wrong. This is another Garner screw-up that we will be paying for out of our pockets because this administration did not do their job properly.
This fee could have been applied equitably among all residents by adding it to the property taxes, and fairly among commercial entities by basing it on square footage. However, they said there was no time to wait for the tax monies to come in, and no other way to comply with the Federal mandates in time unless it was done this way, even though they have known for years that this was coming. More proof of ineptness.
So, who didn’t do their job? Who are we supposed to blame for not staying on top of this? Why did they assemble a public committee to study the issue and make recommendations if all their work was simply going to be tossed aside as a useless formality? The Committee had a plan, the costs were only $200K by May of 2006, and it required no fees on residentials. But, that didn't satisfy the Administration.
Why didn’t the City work with the County, which has to follow the same mandates, to come up with a system for meeting the mandates requirements without strapping it on the backs of the residents and small business owners? It's because this is about more than meeting EPA Federal mandates. Much more.
My home is about 1200 square foot and sits on a 50-foot lot. Why am I paying the same as the guy down the street in a 4,000 square foot home on a double lot with a large driveway? How can they expect to get away with something so blatantly inequitable? Because they have been getting away with it, for decades. No more.
CM Schmidt's inquiry of using money available from $2.2 million in TIF funds was promtly thwarted by announcing in the paper, just days before the special meeting, that bids for a (surprise!) $2.2 million project (unknown at the time) would be accepted by the City's Redevelopment Commission, which is the authority of TIF spending. Director John Rosenbarger was asked at the meeting if TIF dollars could indeed be used for any portion of the stormwater mandate. He answered that TIF money, Tax Incremental Financing, is dedicated to funding improvements for those specifically designated areas of economic development, and this money is only available for "projects", not for administrative costs. Furthermore, any projects must, at the least, be related to serving the TIF district.
The County has managed to put a system in place for this stormwater mandate that will not add any extra burden to the residents. They are using EDIT funds and fees from private developers to cover the costs associated with the program.
How are they doing that you ask?
Well, they aren’t asking for an extra $200,000 to set up an entirely new “department” to handle the stormwater projects. They placed the program under the County’s Planning Commission. We could have done the same here, or put it under the sewer department, but due to mis-management and mis-appropriation of funds, we, the taxpayers, are having to bail out the sewer department by supplying money for the salaries of several employees who have been wrongly getting paid out of the sewer funds. Those salaries MUST NOT continue coming out of the Sewer funds.
Also, since we have obligated available EDIT funds to build a $17 million swimming pool, we have to cough up enough money to do any actual “projects” that may be necessary to control the quality of stormwater runoff.
The EPA still hasn’t notified the City as to the question of adding additional hookups to the sewage system, and we know that any measurable amount of rain causes huge overflows of the system, but our illustrious Mayor has deemed it more economically advantageous to have a swimming pool, than it is to have functioning sewers and the capability of handling stormwater, as a major selling point for economic development. Ahhhhh, you can smell it already, can't you?
All in all folks, we just got screwed again. Don’t look away… there’s more to come.
Those TIF funds I spoke of earlier, they are suddenly available for "other" uses. I have discovered our Mayor is going to request a $700,000 "loan" from the TIF funds to cover a cash shortfall in the General fund for the remainder of the year!!!
In my book, $700K is awfully close to the $800K the Mayor and his cronies said is needed for this stormwater runoff management project. If we had used the TIF dollars, there wouldn't be anything to "borrow" from, and he plans to pay it back with.... you guessed it! PROPERTY TAX REVENUE!
Is all this bumbling around beginning to gel together in your minds? It should be getting pretty obvious what is happening in our City.
Now, for the final curtain... next year's budget calls for all of them getting salary increases. Isn't this a wonderful time we live in?

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Seek the Truth

2005-11-01T20:29:00.000-05:00

Well, once again, the Mayor has pulled out all the stops, and is going to push his version of the Stormwater mandate through the Council, just like he has done with so many other issues. He will do it by silencing the public, the very souls that will have to cough up this money. The proper processes are once again being circumvented.
This issue in not about $3 per month, it's about $800,000 and the reasons for making this a much larger, much more expensive project than it needs to be. AGAIN!
Just like the Scribner project. We could have had a nice YMCA downtown without it costing the City a $17 million bond and obligating $400K out of EDIT funds for the next 17 years!!!
Could the YMCA itself not offer the impetus for downtown investment that they so often refer to? How much difference does that swimming pool really make?
What we are trying to do is move New Albany forward, out of the dark ages of the "good 'ol boy" political machine and into the information age where there are no hidden agendas, and everyone's voice is heard and RESPECTED.
We have not undertaken such an aggressive movement just because we like to fuss and spend all our free time at meetings. We have undertaken a venture to rid this town of fiscal irresponsibility and unfair political processes.
The goal is to PROGRESS this town towards sound financial footing, and cohesive efforts of revitalization in our neighborhoods and the downtown district. We are not looking for a fight. We are looking for cooperation.
Those who harass and ridicule are only thugs who want nothing more than to have their private interests served, regardless of the impacts on the less fortunate. Their brutish attacks are detrimental to any attempts that may be made towards a cooperative effort to better our City.
If you notice, they have very little to say in the way of addressing the issues. Rather, the rhetoric is only meant to humiliate and degrade. Why?
The people, who have come together with the intent of trying to making New Albany a better place to live, are concerned that it becomes a better place for EVERYONE. Not just a select few.
We are committed to serving the interests of every citizen who lives here.
I wish we could say the same for our elected officials.