Just received a heads-up from the events coordinator at Destinations Booksellers. It looks like they are reviving their once well-received public issues gatherings.
On Thursday, January 10, at 6 p.m., the store will be hosting a contingent from the F.O.P., calling the event "A Night With the F.O.P." Store owner Randy Smith will be the moderator (a first I think. Randy was never part of the program during the old symposiums).
The panel will consist of line officers selected by the lodge and its leaders, addressing a "proposition" put forward for the event. Questions from the audience may be permitted during the main event, but a formal Q&A will conclude it.
The proposition, still being drafted, will pose a hypothetical, still being drafted, but based on comments gathered during the past three and one-half years. We'll post the formal proposition later, but we understand that it will challenge the officers to declare what they would be able to do for public safety in New Albany if they got everything they were asking for. I'm sure it will be put more diplomatically than that, but we'll see.
If you've got an interest in government, safety, hygiene, enforcement, streets and traffic, and police/community relations, plan to attend this get-together.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Speaking of Appointments
Does anyone have a unified list of all the positions, paid or volunteer, that the mayor is entitled to appoint? We all have a vague sense that the number of people he can hire or appoint is sizable, but it sure would be nice to see the list in black and white. Or in pixels.
The Man on the Hot Seat
While the sound of tiny brains exploding was heard all over New Albany on Saturday with the news of the England/Malysz/Wilcox triumvirate's ascendancy, there is at least one other appointee that faces a very public challenge and who is most likely to feel the heat first.
That man is Mickey Thompson, the new head of the streets department. Thompson, whose work as the AFSCME local steward can only be described as aggressive and uncompromising, has now successfully climbed the ladder to department head. We have no particular insight into the reasons why Mayor England appointed Thompson, though we'd love to hear them. There is little doubt that Thompson knows the problems in that department. Our doubts arise when contemplating whether he has the necessary skills and competencies to direct the activities of his union brothers.
While we are most assuredly not wishing for failure, we predict that Thompson will come under increasing scrutiny in this most public of city positions. The old ad that talks about "rubber" hitting the road comes to mind, with no pun intended.
How much of our currently dire street flooding problems stems from the evident work slowdown undertaken by streets department employees since the May primary? It seems that under Mr. Simon's management, the workers took the position that with a separate stormwater staff and a drainage department in place, they didn't need to police or report the horrendously overburdened curbs and gutters.
I find fault with the whole lame-duck administration, but the street department certainly hasn't distinguished itself in the last six months. And Thompson was right there, the whole time.
Let's hope that Mickey Thompson will be able to doff his union hat and take on the city's headgear. The interests of the workers and the union shouldn't be in conflict with the interests of the city as a whole. Thompson faces great opportunities to prove that. He also faces great risk.
From what we hear, Mr. England will be demanding accountability from his department heads. That means perform or else. One correspondent reports that Mr. England has no intention of taking the blame for shortcomings within the departments. It is said he believes he has appointed capable people and that he believes his job as mayor is to appoint, and de-appoint, according to performance.
Given that we don't expect the police and fire chiefs, nor the operations director, nor the deputy mayor to be de-appointed, Mr. Thompson is a prime candidate to be the first to be made the sacrificial scapegoat. The Mickey Thompson Watch starts Tuesday.
That man is Mickey Thompson, the new head of the streets department. Thompson, whose work as the AFSCME local steward can only be described as aggressive and uncompromising, has now successfully climbed the ladder to department head. We have no particular insight into the reasons why Mayor England appointed Thompson, though we'd love to hear them. There is little doubt that Thompson knows the problems in that department. Our doubts arise when contemplating whether he has the necessary skills and competencies to direct the activities of his union brothers.
While we are most assuredly not wishing for failure, we predict that Thompson will come under increasing scrutiny in this most public of city positions. The old ad that talks about "rubber" hitting the road comes to mind, with no pun intended.
How much of our currently dire street flooding problems stems from the evident work slowdown undertaken by streets department employees since the May primary? It seems that under Mr. Simon's management, the workers took the position that with a separate stormwater staff and a drainage department in place, they didn't need to police or report the horrendously overburdened curbs and gutters.
I find fault with the whole lame-duck administration, but the street department certainly hasn't distinguished itself in the last six months. And Thompson was right there, the whole time.
Let's hope that Mickey Thompson will be able to doff his union hat and take on the city's headgear. The interests of the workers and the union shouldn't be in conflict with the interests of the city as a whole. Thompson faces great opportunities to prove that. He also faces great risk.
From what we hear, Mr. England will be demanding accountability from his department heads. That means perform or else. One correspondent reports that Mr. England has no intention of taking the blame for shortcomings within the departments. It is said he believes he has appointed capable people and that he believes his job as mayor is to appoint, and de-appoint, according to performance.
Given that we don't expect the police and fire chiefs, nor the operations director, nor the deputy mayor to be de-appointed, Mr. Thompson is a prime candidate to be the first to be made the sacrificial scapegoat. The Mickey Thompson Watch starts Tuesday.
The England Restoration
Although it was far from completely unexpected, the announcement in today's rags that Mr. Carl Malysz will assume the post of deputy mayor provoked immediate and pointed commentary in the community, if the calls, visits, and e-mails that followed have any weight.
Malysz, in absentia since the Overton administration, was able to see his reputation acquire a gloss in the intervening years. To this observer it almost seemed that every mention of the man was preceded with an emphatic, but silent, "the legendary..." As in, "the legendary Carl Malysz."
A few months ago, one wag was heard to ask, "If Carl Malysz was such a miracle worker, how did the city get into this mess?" If not a fair question, it is a good one.
All I can say is that the council had better be ready to hit the ground running because it certainly appears that Mayor England and his cohort are ready to govern. And after 8 years in the wilderness, they're going to be loaded for bear.
By the time the kiddies get out of school, we should have a fairly good measure of the new administration and the dramatically revised council. Initiatives that have been floated by England's operatives may or may not have a reality behind them. I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say that some of those initiatives were a form of disinformation designed to ferret out friends and foes.
But with today's announcement of the recreation of the post of deputy mayor with broad oversight of key city functions, the foes are certainly going to be easy to identify.
Next up: The key appointment most likely to feel the heat.
Malysz, in absentia since the Overton administration, was able to see his reputation acquire a gloss in the intervening years. To this observer it almost seemed that every mention of the man was preceded with an emphatic, but silent, "the legendary..." As in, "the legendary Carl Malysz."
A few months ago, one wag was heard to ask, "If Carl Malysz was such a miracle worker, how did the city get into this mess?" If not a fair question, it is a good one.
All I can say is that the council had better be ready to hit the ground running because it certainly appears that Mayor England and his cohort are ready to govern. And after 8 years in the wilderness, they're going to be loaded for bear.
By the time the kiddies get out of school, we should have a fairly good measure of the new administration and the dramatically revised council. Initiatives that have been floated by England's operatives may or may not have a reality behind them. I'd be willing to go out on a limb and say that some of those initiatives were a form of disinformation designed to ferret out friends and foes.
But with today's announcement of the recreation of the post of deputy mayor with broad oversight of key city functions, the foes are certainly going to be easy to identify.
Next up: The key appointment most likely to feel the heat.
Friday, December 28, 2007
A Blueprint? or Just a List?
At least a "rump" segment of the incoming council has pledged to seek the following goal:
The document making this declaration is making the rounds, at least in the progressive community, and is the result of numerous pre-term discussions among the incumbent and newly elected council members. It comes with a list of concerns to be addressed in the next few months and in the next four years. From what I've been told, it's not intended to be exclusive, but the council members want to start the discussion forthwith and are actively seeking public comment and assistance in addressing them.
Without further ado, here it is:
Accountability
City Beautification
Enforcement/Laws
Education/City Off
Image/City
Sewers
Communication
Re-organization/Dept
Traffic Flow
Environment
Public Involvement
Parks
Service
Size of Gov
Industrial
Leadership
Business
Revenue
Constituents
Spring St. Hill
Housing
Streets
Drugs/Crime
Manpower
Budget
Empty Spac
Railroad
Teamwork
Dept. Heads
Infrastructur
Downtown
City Hall
Rental Prop
The people (your representatives) who generated this list want YOU to rank these concerns and start the conversation. Do it here, do it there, do it anywhere. Call your council member, post on this or another blog, attend the Jan. 7 organizational meeting of the new council. But DO participate in this. I think it's admirable that the council is already at work on a new vision for New Albany.
Over the coming weeks, we'll give you our thoughts. If you find the "concerns" list a little cryptic or if you never knew these were concerns, we'll try to edify you, "to the best of our ability."
To help make New Albany a more productive and progressive city.
The document making this declaration is making the rounds, at least in the progressive community, and is the result of numerous pre-term discussions among the incumbent and newly elected council members. It comes with a list of concerns to be addressed in the next few months and in the next four years. From what I've been told, it's not intended to be exclusive, but the council members want to start the discussion forthwith and are actively seeking public comment and assistance in addressing them.
Without further ado, here it is:
Accountability
City Beautification
Enforcement/Laws
Education/City Off
Image/City
Sewers
Communication
Re-organization/Dept
Traffic Flow
Environment
Public Involvement
Parks
Service
Size of Gov
Industrial
Leadership
Business
Revenue
Constituents
Spring St. Hill
Housing
Streets
Drugs/Crime
Manpower
Budget
Empty Spac
Railroad
Teamwork
Dept. Heads
Infrastructur
Downtown
City Hall
Rental Prop
The people (your representatives) who generated this list want YOU to rank these concerns and start the conversation. Do it here, do it there, do it anywhere. Call your council member, post on this or another blog, attend the Jan. 7 organizational meeting of the new council. But DO participate in this. I think it's admirable that the council is already at work on a new vision for New Albany.
Over the coming weeks, we'll give you our thoughts. If you find the "concerns" list a little cryptic or if you never knew these were concerns, we'll try to edify you, "to the best of our ability."
A Democratic Inaugural
This afternoon, the 10 Democrats elected to serve the city for the next four years took their oaths of office in a ceremony that was emotional and stirring. It was a party function, not particularly a city event, but since the relevant officiants (our judges and magistrate) and the certifying officer (the county clerk) are Democrats too, the event went smoothly and with dignity.
For the record (cut and paste this for future reference), here are the eight Democrats sworn to serve on the city council, effective at midnight, Jan. 1, 2008.
District 1 - Dan Coffey (returning to office)
District 2 - Bob Caesar
District 3 - Steve Price (returning to office)
District 4 - Pat McLaughlin (pronounced Muk-loch-lun, by the way)
District 5 - Diane Benedetti
District 6 - Jeff Gahan (returning to office)
At-Large - Jack Messer (returning to office)
At-Large - John Gonder
This observer can now testify that each of these eight swore or affirmed to support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Indiana. One wonders what the consequences are for violating that part of the oath. At least now, no member of the council can call the suit to redraw legislative boundaries "frivolous." Since the Constitution is clear about equal representation, I will expect to see this council move rapidly to settle the pending lawsuit regarding those districts. Anything else would be a violation of that still-echoing oath, now wouldn't it.
Returning City Clerk Marcey Wisman was sworn in following the individual oath-taking.
Mayor-elect Doug England took a solemn oath and affirmation different in scale and scope from the oath taken by the others.
The audience of family members, party regulars, and interested observers like me were enthusiastic in their congratulations and good wishes. Party chairman Randy Stumler was all smiles, and all retired from the court to partake in refreshments which probably still haven't run out.
For the record, Magistrate Daniel Burke joined judges Terrence Cody, Susan Orth, and Glenn Hancock in administering these oaths.
(Ed. Note: We've included the original context of the post which stirred the disagreement that shows up in the comments below. NA Shadow Council concedes the the judge's given name is "Terrence." We always believed that to be correct, but had seen so many official documents containing the alternate (wrong) spelling that we took erroneous note. Our apologies, and thanks to the eagle-eyed reader who noted it.)We'll note that the senior judge, Mr. Cody, had to once again suffer the indignity of seeing his name misspelled in the official program. The lone Republican elected to council, Kevin Zurschmiede, can sympathize with his honor.
Interestingly enough, Mr. Coffey was the only elected official who did not raise his right hand to take the oath. Wonder if that makes the oath invalid?
For the record (cut and paste this for future reference), here are the eight Democrats sworn to serve on the city council, effective at midnight, Jan. 1, 2008.
District 1 - Dan Coffey (returning to office)
District 2 - Bob Caesar
District 3 - Steve Price (returning to office)
District 4 - Pat McLaughlin (pronounced Muk-loch-lun, by the way)
District 5 - Diane Benedetti
District 6 - Jeff Gahan (returning to office)
At-Large - Jack Messer (returning to office)
At-Large - John Gonder
This observer can now testify that each of these eight swore or affirmed to support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Indiana. One wonders what the consequences are for violating that part of the oath. At least now, no member of the council can call the suit to redraw legislative boundaries "frivolous." Since the Constitution is clear about equal representation, I will expect to see this council move rapidly to settle the pending lawsuit regarding those districts. Anything else would be a violation of that still-echoing oath, now wouldn't it.
Returning City Clerk Marcey Wisman was sworn in following the individual oath-taking.
Mayor-elect Doug England took a solemn oath and affirmation different in scale and scope from the oath taken by the others.
The audience of family members, party regulars, and interested observers like me were enthusiastic in their congratulations and good wishes. Party chairman Randy Stumler was all smiles, and all retired from the court to partake in refreshments which probably still haven't run out.
For the record, Magistrate Daniel Burke joined judges Terrence Cody, Susan Orth, and Glenn Hancock in administering these oaths.
(Ed. Note: We've included the original context of the post which stirred the disagreement that shows up in the comments below. NA Shadow Council concedes the the judge's given name is "Terrence." We always believed that to be correct, but had seen so many official documents containing the alternate (wrong) spelling that we took erroneous note. Our apologies, and thanks to the eagle-eyed reader who noted it.)We'll note that the senior judge, Mr. Cody, had to once again suffer the indignity of seeing his name misspelled in the official program. The lone Republican elected to council, Kevin Zurschmiede, can sympathize with his honor.
Interestingly enough, Mr. Coffey was the only elected official who did not raise his right hand to take the oath. Wonder if that makes the oath invalid?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
For the next six months (seven?)
Shadowna5 declares as an "England" supporter.
Gullible? Perhaps. Skeptical? Indeed.
But given the representations given (and I'll admit to an affinity for the higher angels) to this blogger, we'll "sign on" until at least June 1, 2008.
The smackdown handed to D1 council member Daniel (J.) Coffey at Monday's council meeting was classic, with the possible exception of the the inexplicable Gahan-Coffey twinship in creating the remarkably novel sewer jurisdiction. Against all counsel, that pair risk all to rein in an unaccountable sewer board by putting forward an incredibly risky power play. What, we ask, is the hurry? Are lame-duck votes so unattainable in the 2008 iteration of an 8-1 Democratic Party hegemony?
Granted, anyone who opposes King Larry earns, at least, my first-blush approval. But Mr. Gahan's votes and public statements indicate to this writer that a deal has been cut. I've yet to find anyone who can adequately explain the adhesive effect between D1 and D6. Did Gahan cut a deal with the least accomplished member of council?
I'm told that a remarkable victory was achieved in Federal District Court on Tuesday afternoon by the plaintiffs in the litigation to protect the Constitutional rights of NA's residents. I, for one, am eager to see how Eric Scott Campbell (The Tribune) and Dick Kaukus (the Courier-Journal) report this long-running story.
We note with amusement, in this season of NCAA football courtships, the ongoing recruitment of that worthy who styles him/herself as iamhoosier on the "Internets." Yours truly claims first bid in the war to acquire I AM (portentously heretical, if you ask me) as a contributor, but apparently the bidding has escalated, given the traditionally fence-straddling blog denizen's flirtation with blogs of all persuasions - progressive and insane.
May we insist that all who follow the legislative branch of the Scribner Brothers' dream metropolis consult http://highwayview.blogspot.com for coverage of December's "first of many" council meetings. Thanks, Highwayman, for preserving the record of discovery.
And while we're online, whaddayathink about that National Intelligence Estimate that indicates that the Bush-Cheney crime syndicate has been playing us all for suckers?
I'll report that we've been severely diminished by acute, but not chronic, health problems, which I hope explains our recent absence from the blogosphere.
News that emerged from 121 East Spring Street late on Tuesday, December 4th, in the YOOL 2007 is most heartening. Congratulations to the citizens and their counsel who finally petitioned for justice to be done. From all reports, that ideal was achieved in the ruling of the presiding judge for the Southern District of Indiana.
Will the defendants in Vogt v. City of New Albany dare to come back in 60 days with the very same boundary-drawing? Is Anna Schmidt that compelling an authority that the legislative body of this city would risk even more expense in trying to defend a patently unlawful apportionment?
Who, in fact, has made the greatest effort to save the taxpayers of New Albany greater expense? The Coward Karry Ling, or the selfless plaintiffs in the referenced case?
Finally, shadowna5 asks, for the second time in two days, why Mr. Kochert, the ever-diminishing presiding officer of the the "Common Council for the second-class city of New Albany," continues to blame Floyd County Circuit Court Clerk Linda Moeller for the despicably irresponsible stewardship of Mr. Kochert's body during the past six years?
Larry-boy, why do you continue to hide behind Linda's skirts? shadowna5 counts Mrs. Moeller as one of the heroes in this saga. Linda and her closest associates have tried to avoid this showdown since over the past five years. Where were you and your cohort? Why were 20 admirable citizens required to file a suit at law to enforce long-established constitutional principles of equal representation?
In shadowna5's view, LK and his confederates are fully responsible for the unnecessary expenses of the extant lawsuit. No one other than Mr. Kochert is more to blame for the irresponsible squandering of the common purse. Is there any more established principle than equal representaion? Why, then, does Mr. Kochert continue, in his vastly-diminished and diminishing legislative authority continue to perjure himself to protect a discredited regime?
No less an authority than the Federal District Court rejected Mr. Kochert's stance on Tuesday. Equal protection was, again, reaffirmed as a Constitutional principle. Mr. Vogt and his co-plaintiffs deserve our commendation. Discerning readers (like IAH) and contributors (ditto) would be well-advised to expand their approbation and approval to a greater audience (i.e. the readership of The Tribune) and to broadcast their agreement with the principals in Vogt by means of a letter to the editor.
King Larry and your court, quit hiding behind the skirts of Linda Moeller. Shadowna5 counts the estimable Mrs. Moeller among its greatest friends. Mrs. Moeller has, for more than five years, advocated an equitable redistricting within the boundaries of New Albany. There is no more cowardly an act than to pretend that Mrs. Moeller is your supporter. Mrs. Moeller and her associates have tried for more than five years to induce the council to correct its un-Constitutional act. Don't pretend that she is the reason that you continue to express contempt for the Constitution of the United States.
Gullible? Perhaps. Skeptical? Indeed.
But given the representations given (and I'll admit to an affinity for the higher angels) to this blogger, we'll "sign on" until at least June 1, 2008.
The smackdown handed to D1 council member Daniel (J.) Coffey at Monday's council meeting was classic, with the possible exception of the the inexplicable Gahan-Coffey twinship in creating the remarkably novel sewer jurisdiction. Against all counsel, that pair risk all to rein in an unaccountable sewer board by putting forward an incredibly risky power play. What, we ask, is the hurry? Are lame-duck votes so unattainable in the 2008 iteration of an 8-1 Democratic Party hegemony?
Granted, anyone who opposes King Larry earns, at least, my first-blush approval. But Mr. Gahan's votes and public statements indicate to this writer that a deal has been cut. I've yet to find anyone who can adequately explain the adhesive effect between D1 and D6. Did Gahan cut a deal with the least accomplished member of council?
I'm told that a remarkable victory was achieved in Federal District Court on Tuesday afternoon by the plaintiffs in the litigation to protect the Constitutional rights of NA's residents. I, for one, am eager to see how Eric Scott Campbell (The Tribune) and Dick Kaukus (the Courier-Journal) report this long-running story.
We note with amusement, in this season of NCAA football courtships, the ongoing recruitment of that worthy who styles him/herself as iamhoosier on the "Internets." Yours truly claims first bid in the war to acquire I AM (portentously heretical, if you ask me) as a contributor, but apparently the bidding has escalated, given the traditionally fence-straddling blog denizen's flirtation with blogs of all persuasions - progressive and insane.
May we insist that all who follow the legislative branch of the Scribner Brothers' dream metropolis consult http://highwayview.blogspot.com for coverage of December's "first of many" council meetings. Thanks, Highwayman, for preserving the record of discovery.
And while we're online, whaddayathink about that National Intelligence Estimate that indicates that the Bush-Cheney crime syndicate has been playing us all for suckers?
I'll report that we've been severely diminished by acute, but not chronic, health problems, which I hope explains our recent absence from the blogosphere.
News that emerged from 121 East Spring Street late on Tuesday, December 4th, in the YOOL 2007 is most heartening. Congratulations to the citizens and their counsel who finally petitioned for justice to be done. From all reports, that ideal was achieved in the ruling of the presiding judge for the Southern District of Indiana.
Will the defendants in Vogt v. City of New Albany dare to come back in 60 days with the very same boundary-drawing? Is Anna Schmidt that compelling an authority that the legislative body of this city would risk even more expense in trying to defend a patently unlawful apportionment?
Who, in fact, has made the greatest effort to save the taxpayers of New Albany greater expense? The Coward Karry Ling, or the selfless plaintiffs in the referenced case?
Finally, shadowna5 asks, for the second time in two days, why Mr. Kochert, the ever-diminishing presiding officer of the the "Common Council for the second-class city of New Albany," continues to blame Floyd County Circuit Court Clerk Linda Moeller for the despicably irresponsible stewardship of Mr. Kochert's body during the past six years?
Larry-boy, why do you continue to hide behind Linda's skirts? shadowna5 counts Mrs. Moeller as one of the heroes in this saga. Linda and her closest associates have tried to avoid this showdown since over the past five years. Where were you and your cohort? Why were 20 admirable citizens required to file a suit at law to enforce long-established constitutional principles of equal representation?
In shadowna5's view, LK and his confederates are fully responsible for the unnecessary expenses of the extant lawsuit. No one other than Mr. Kochert is more to blame for the irresponsible squandering of the common purse. Is there any more established principle than equal representaion? Why, then, does Mr. Kochert continue, in his vastly-diminished and diminishing legislative authority continue to perjure himself to protect a discredited regime?
No less an authority than the Federal District Court rejected Mr. Kochert's stance on Tuesday. Equal protection was, again, reaffirmed as a Constitutional principle. Mr. Vogt and his co-plaintiffs deserve our commendation. Discerning readers (like IAH) and contributors (ditto) would be well-advised to expand their approbation and approval to a greater audience (i.e. the readership of The Tribune) and to broadcast their agreement with the principals in Vogt by means of a letter to the editor.
King Larry and your court, quit hiding behind the skirts of Linda Moeller. Shadowna5 counts the estimable Mrs. Moeller among its greatest friends. Mrs. Moeller has, for more than five years, advocated an equitable redistricting within the boundaries of New Albany. There is no more cowardly an act than to pretend that Mrs. Moeller is your supporter. Mrs. Moeller and her associates have tried for more than five years to induce the council to correct its un-Constitutional act. Don't pretend that she is the reason that you continue to express contempt for the Constitution of the United States.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)