SOC, SOS, SOP

OK, no messing around. This is the week of the long-touted "State of the City" address, which against all hopes is destined to be, in most respects, an S.O.S. Which, unfortunately, is Standard Operating Procedure.

Mayor England would surely have hoped to make this much more than a cry for help, but frankly, things are looking grim. With the possible exceptions of our local legislators, both of whom are up for reelection, the weak-willed legislature is almost certain to succumb to the vocal pressures of the ideologically driven "repeal the property tax" loons. In one form or another, Mitch's cabal is determined to put the screws to local government. Superannuated timeservers like Larry McAllister will hide in the bushes while claiming they aren't affected by such draconian and unjustified measures as a cap on property taxes.

The "starve the government" types won't take any responsibility for the anarchy destined to ensue. And afterward? The odds are against rationality, putting courage at a premium.

If our information is correct, readers should marshal all their resources to support Mrs. Sipes re-election. Legislators like her are our only hope for the future.

But back to this week. ONE event will dominate the week. The mayor's S.O.C. Thursday, sometime after 7:30, the mayor will mount the podium at the city council meeting and lay out his vision for the next year. Campaign promises may or may not reappear.

This blogger hasn't started the clock on the mayor and his administration. It does start Thursday night, however.

We hope that Doug England will not be preoccupied with the negative ramifications of the General Assembly's incipient lunacy. This is an opportunity to outline a vision, not an occasion to complain about the limits of government.

We don't expect to see the mayor make any new bold announcements. We'll be satisfied if he renews his commitment to his previously documented promises. We don't expect to see any solutions, given the dynamic nature of pending legislation.

We've said it before. Mr. England has it in his hands to save the city and be remembered for decades. He also has the opportunity to surrender to the death-spiral that is the current political mood of New Albany.

The city council has not distinguished itself so far. It is then up to the mayor to lead. We pray that he will take the chance to establish a legacy that our children will honor.

See you Thursday at Hauss Square.