Freedom to Speak
After witnessing the debacle of Thursday night's City Council meeting, and attending the dedication ceremony of the historic Division Street School, I have arrived at the conclusion that this Blog site will now allow anonymous comments.
With the events that preceded the last council meeting (by weeks, days, or hours), and the affect these events had on the meeting, there should have been no surprise at the debacle that unfolded. Still, the frustration that churns within, knowing that so many are unable to speak, for fear of retaliation or retribution, is overwhelming.
Then, Saturday, as I stood and listened to the history of an oppressed population, the freedoms they were denied, and the societal processes they were omitted from, my outrage against bigotry was renewed.
Obviously, there is no equating the struggles of African Americans in history with the current state of politics in our city, but there was something tugging at my mind.
There are basic freedoms and rights that many have struggled and fought for, yet we can still be encumbered by circumstances. And, with the struggles that face our city today, freedom of speech must not be compromised.
Therefore, I am removing the demand for identities to be revealed in an attempt to offer a forum for ALL who wish to share ideas, concerns, information, and comments. Every voice will be heard, and every opportunity will be extended in order to ensure that this basic right is available for everyone.
posted by East Ender at
3:19 AM
36 Comments:
Thank you Laura for giving us a chance to get the real truth out. Unlike the other "BLOGS" in New Albany. One thing they need to realize is they are a "Small Minority" ...The theory they use- Well if we do not agree with you. Then let's attack-attack-attack. People of New Albany want to be informed. My 1ST question to everyone is, If the Sanitation Dept. is in debt to the Sewer Fund over $4 million dollars. Then how could anyone including Mr.Coffey even think of borrowing the $500,000 for the City General Fund?
By
Anonymous, at 7:42 AM, May 23, 2005
For anyone "anonymous" to rant and rave about "truth" is anti-social blather, pure and simple -- but don't believe the small minority of eggheads like myself.
Rather, take it from a member of the armed services. The following letter to the editor appeared in Stars and Stripes several years ago:
Anonymity is cowardly
"In reply to the July 18 letter 'Benefits of anonymity,' I must strongly disagree with the characterization of Stars and Stripes’ policy on anonymous letters as cowardly.
"Anonymity, on the other hand, is essentially a cowardly way to get one’s point across without having to actually put anything at risk. Honor and courage dictate that any just cause is worthy of risking something of value.
"How effective would the '95 Theses' have been if Martin Luther had nailed them up signed 'Anonymous?' And how about an anonymous 'Declaration of Independence?' Abraham Lincoln could have written an anonymous 'Emancipation Proclamation,' and maybe spared his own life at the hands of bigots.
"When you truly feel that you are right, even about small matters, don’t be too cowardly to put your name on it.
"I agree with the assessment of hypocrisy, and I despise the media — Stars and Stripes included — practice of quoting unnamed or unidentified sources. Most readers are educated, and quick to discount such spineless drivel.
"Anonymity is too often a shield for lies and exaggerations, and is widely recognized as such. As an American and a Marine, I am happy to have a forum that will print the voice of dissent, as long as it is not skulking in the shadows.
"The letter writer has sadly mistaken 'freedom of speech' for 'freedom from accountability.' The Stars and Stripes policy only censors those who are looking to whine without repercussion or who have no stomach for defending what they believe is right. People who will not identify themselves, censor themselves. They can pity themselves anonymously too, I don’t want to hear it.
"Please don’t complain 'out of respect … for those who serve today.' That’s me. I can complain for myself, and I’ll sign my name to it when I do.
Jerry M. Milton
By
The New Albanian, at 8:47 AM, May 23, 2005
DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE- I was at a meeting and they were discussing the costs of the Downtown Parking Garage. The Downtown Parking Garage is costing us (The Taxpayers)-$615,000 each year of our ERIT money to pay off the bonds issued to build the garage. Strangely so,the money coming in from new Downtown property taxes was supposed to pay off those bonds. But, those new downtown taxes "NEVER" came and they have to use $615,000 each year from our EDIT taxes to pay the bonds. That $615,000 EDIT money could be used to pave our streets and fix the drainage ditches that overflow on residents homes. Also I feel that $615,000 EDIT money could be used to help bail out our budget this year. Also, the City is paying the Electric Bills on the garage each month. It was reported that the cost for electric runs about $700.00 per month or about $8400.00 per year. The city also pays for elevator costs and repairs for the Downtown Parking Garage. This was all discussed at the S.Ellen Jones meeting. This money could help bail out our budget this year. The real kicker is that when you drive by,the gate is wide open and there is no body to collect tickets or money for the garage parking? (As a Taxpayer I ask why not?) They said that the City is paying a company to run the garage. Maybe,they are getting their money,but what about the city?....SUGGESTION: The Mayor should go to the Controller's office and get a copy of the Downtown Parking receipts and expenditures for the year. And You Downtown Business Guys should also look over that report and see what you all can do to make the Downtown Parking Garage less of a drain on the City Budget. So I say to you "Taxpayers of New Albany"- Is this what our tax dollars is being wasted on? No one there collecting Parking Garage money? Always rember this is "Our Tax Dollars at work"?
By
Anonymous, at 12:15 PM, May 24, 2005
LAURA- Thank you for "Freedom Of Speech". Maybe we will start hearing some truth? Would like to hear your imput of last thursday night Council Meeting? That Valla Ann Bolovschak lady sure got my attention. I was very impressed with her. Plan to visit your site daily for real Imformation.
By
Anonymous, at 12:30 PM, May 24, 2005
To the new albanian- You have a problem with being "Anonymous". I am a taxpayer too. I want to speak without fear of retaliation. You don't get the truth in the New Albany Tribune.(They won't print letters to the editor) Or c-j...They even stopped Council Meetings on WNAS. So let the people talk. everybody has opioions lets hear from all New Albany People. Especially the ones who work in the City County Building?
By
One voice, at 12:49 PM, May 24, 2005
Can we assume that all the "team members" endorse the anonymity policy? Not the policy of maintaining confidentiality of writers, but the unfettered ability to say anything without ever being held accountable? Can we draw conclusions about the team members from this policy? Were the team members polled on their thoughts - after all, they aren't anonymous, and such association with what will doubtless become a slanderblog might cause each of them embarrassment, if not retaliation?
By
Anonymous, at 12:53 PM, May 24, 2005
Several questions:
1. What kind of retaliation? From whom? Can anyone provide concrete evidence of what exactly is paralyzing these great minds with fear?
2. How are the parking garage and the current budget proposal related? Does thinking that a previous administration made a mistake automatically mean that any proposal ever offered by this or future administrations is bad? If so, why?
3. The EDIT money now spent on the parking garage comes back into play in a couple of years when the bond is paid off. How could that money be better spent to encourage economic development?
4. What exactly about Valla Ann's recent speech impressed you? Did she provide any evidence to support her accusations? How did you come to the conclusion that she was credible?
5. I, too, attended the S. Ellen Jones meeting. Mr. Price made it clear that he was against the Garry Plan, saying the difference was that the administration wanted to put off correcting financial problems and the city council wanted to "fix it now". When asked what he would do to fix it now, the only thing Price offered up was cell phones and SUVs, which he immediately admitted were "small potatoes" that wouldn't really have an impact. When questioned about it later, he didn't even know how many SUVs the city was leasing or how much they cost. How is having no plan and making constant pleas of ignorance better than what the Garry plan proposed? Is it advantageous to 3rd district residents or any New Albanians that their council representative continuously deflected questions about city finances and operations to members of the crowd (none of whom we get to vote for) instead of taking the responsibility to answer them himself?
6. Everyone, including Mr. Price at the S. Ellen Jones meeting, keeps talking about what the mayor should do. If the city council is really going be effective as the watchdog of the people that they portray themselves to be, what should they be doing to correct problems? Why have none of them stepped forward with any plans to better spend money or correct city problems? Shouldn't they be held accountable, too?
7. Mark Seabrook has now repeatedly stated that citizens don’t have all the information or at least the correct information. As an at-large council member, doesn’t Mr. Seabrook represent all of us? Doesn’t it seem reasonable that he has some responsibility to make sure we have the information? If not having the information is such a problem, why doesn’t he give it to us?
8. It's clear that New Albany has suffered for decades due to a lack of accountability in many areas of government representation. I think everyone can agree that we must demand accountability from our public officials. How can we ever demand accountability from others, though, when we aren't even willing be held accountable for our own words?
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 3:34 PM, May 24, 2005
Where is Concern Taxpayer?
By
Anonymous, at 7:25 PM, May 24, 2005
EDIT MONEY- Attention Downtown Guys: Give us a break. It is a fact that the Downtown Parking Garage bond payment is costing the EDIT fund $615,000 per year. The Scribner Place project is getting $400,000 per year from the EDIT fund now and that goes up to $700,000 in 2007. If you would please,do some simple math and you find the total EDIT money pledged to the Downtown is over $1,015,000 per year. That is over a "MILLION" per year! What about the rest of the town? Our streets are in a shambles with bumps and potholes. That EDIT money could be used to pave our streets. Good streets could be a good economic tool to invite business to locate in New Albany. The bumps and potholes are tearing up our cars.
By
Anonymous, at 7:38 PM, May 24, 2005
NEWS FLASH- For all Taxpayers. I heard our Mayor is getting ready to "Hit us with a 13 Million Dollar Bond" for Scribner Place. And back it with our "PROPERTY TAXES". Maybe we can all live at the YMCA? Cause if this happens were not going to be able to pay our Property Taxes?
By
Anonymous, at 7:55 PM, May 24, 2005
If you want to know what is really going on in New Albany? You need to work in the City County building? I do.. And I want total Anonmity. Thanks Laura I think it is great to protect the little people. Enjoy hearing the truth.
By
Anonymous, at 8:05 PM, May 24, 2005
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By
Anonymous, at 8:52 PM, May 24, 2005
Well anonymous- Don't you have Mayor Garner's cell phone number? Call him? Somebody sure doing alot of chattin- for "those big cell phone bills". My wife sure don't talk that much. Wonder which company there using for cell phones? Anyone know?
By
Anonymous, at 9:35 PM, May 24, 2005
It's fairly obvious after 10 postings by "anonymous" of various shapes and sizes that the "discussion" has descended into complete gibberish. It's like standing blindfolded in a steel room with bullets ricocheting off the walls. So, congratulations - now everyone gets to speak their "minds" and get it off their chests, and it leads to nothing whatsoever constructive.
By
The New Albanian, at 10:13 PM, May 24, 2005
Did someone mention that the Mayor wants to back the 13 million Dollar Scribner Bond WITH "Property Taxes"? How can we find out which Council Meeting date that the Mayor plans to bring this "request"-to the Council for approval? Anyone know?
By
Anonymous, at 10:20 PM, May 24, 2005
the new albanian-You say nothing what so ever constructive? You have been playing with to many "fancy beer bottles".At last we are being informed. I have to send Laura some flowers. Anyone got her address? She sure stood up to you on your "Rag Blog". She like others in New Albany believe in Freedom of Speech. Maybe you can make an appointment with her. And get some help? Glad you came to chat with us. But you need to go back to your blog? $615,000 for the parking garage? And no one there to collect the money? ( I Do Call That "CONSTRUCTIVE INFORMATION".) I think we need to call an Investigation on that one?
By
One voice, at 10:48 PM, May 24, 2005
I will be "Madder Than Hell" if my property taxes go up over Scribner place. Were on a Fixed Income. Lived in New Albany all our lives. My wife would shoot me if I spent money like this Adminstration.
By
Anonymous, at 10:56 PM, May 24, 2005
I saw a Bumper Sticker today. Jimmy You Work for ME. Cool!!! I want one for my truck. Anybody got any? What a cool blog.
By
Anonymous, at 11:03 PM, May 24, 2005
Nah, I'm not going away. This is too much fun.
Actually, Laura said she'd let me become one of the team members, so I can post on the main page.
Isn't it interesting that so many of you want to post without fear of retaliation, and yet to judge from the tone of your anonymous voices, it's probably me (the one who signs his name) who should be fearful?
Odd, but somehow this proves your point, though not in the way you intended.
By
The New Albanian, at 11:17 PM, May 24, 2005
You need to call your Buddy the Mayor.Just maybe he has more gloom and doom news for you to spread.. Still trying to figure out your agenda? You have no one to attack on your own blog? Now you think your going to play ball with us big guys? I believe the City is broke.I totally support New Albany Police and Fire Dept. And I feel very discussed in the handling of my tax dollars.
By
Anonymous, at 1:10 AM, May 25, 2005
Laura great reading on your blog. Been to a few Council meetings. But plan to attend more. Didn't realize my Tax Dollars was being so wasted. We need newer cars for our police department. and better equipment.
By
Anonymous, at 9:58 PM, May 25, 2005
What ever happen to Code Enforcement? We need this town cleaned up.In more ways than one. Biggest mistake was letting "The Boat" get away.
By
One voice, at 10:06 PM, May 25, 2005
SCRIBNER PLACE- Is it true clean up on the Land Contamination for Scribner Place is going to cost over $1,000,000.00 (Dollars). Again Taxpayers- "That's our Tax Dollars at work." Doesn't that bother any of you?
By
Anonymous, at 10:14 PM, May 25, 2005
It makes me mad. This Adminstration acts like. This City has an Unlimited Open Line Credit. I am totally against Scribner Place. This City does not blink an eye. Spending a Million here,and a Million there.
By
Anonymous, at 10:24 PM, May 25, 2005
I heard from an employee in the City County Building. The Mayor has already met with a Bonding Company. We don't have monies to build Scribner Place. We need drains. And Sewers fixed. This City is in One Big Mess.
By
Anonymous, at 10:40 PM, May 25, 2005
I find it interesting that, on a blog that’s dedicated itself to truth, nobody has mentioned the fact that the Caesars Foundation has committed $20 million dollars to the Scribner Place Project. It’s been public knowledge since 2002 and a large portion of it has been dedicated to paying off the city’s debt.
The YMCA has also committed several million dollars to the project.
It’s also a shame that people are steaming over the environmental cleanup of the land (which is necessary for any further development of it by anyone), especially since the EPA gave the city a $400,000 grant to do it.
Anybody else got any ideas about how to come up with over $25 million dollars worth of private, non-taxpayer investment in New Albany? That’s what the city will lose if Scribner Place doesn’t happen.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 11:21 PM, May 25, 2005
To Bluegill
This blog is commited to freedom of speach. The "truth" will have be unearthed out of whatever folks have to say here.
As for Scribner place, yes it's true that Caesars has promised $20 million to the project, but I have heard of nothing that purports to have any of this money dedicated to paying off any city debt.
The YMCA investment is welcomed, but for the city to invest $400K per year of EDIT funds that were initially (by city council ordinance) earmarked for inner-city neighborhood improvements, is extremely troublesome to me given the current financial state of affairs.
By the way, this investment of EDIT funds will jump to $700K in 2007. Money that could, and by all rights should, be going into improvements for inner-city infrastucture and clean ups.
It just doesn't make good sense to me that a city on the brink of a financial breakdown would sink this kind of money into a project to put a $20 million + mega structure in the heart of a downtowntown that is boarded up and sitting full of empty storefronts. Once again, we have the cart before the horse, and that just isn't going to get you anywhere.
The envirnmental cleanup would not be a necessity at this time if they had just left things undisturbed for the time being.
The EDIT (Econominc Development Income Taxes) Should be used for what they were meant to used for: Economic Development. Small business start-ups with subsidies for anyone willing to gamble on an overpriced downtown building renovation.
Any good reading from the Federal level to the State Governors office says economic revitalization success lies with small business start ups, not one shot mega investments.
By
East Ender, at 2:32 AM, May 26, 2005
Everyone seems to agree, whether or not they'll admit it, that they want the city to provide certain services, but they don't want the city taking any more money than necessary from them to do so.
At the same time, no one wants the city to make investments, as in Scribner Place, for the purpose of revitalizing downtown and consequently bringing more revenue into the city to help provide those services that the anti-Scribner Place crowd doesn't want to pay for.
The downtown is "boarded up" precisely because there is no incentive to do business there.
Yet, the recurring testimony of a wide variety of businessmen at all levels of the community -- these being people not in mistrusted government, who understand investments and the like because they handle money for a living, is that Scribner Place & the YMCA represents exactly the sort of investment in infrastructure that stands to provide incentive for businesses to open downtown, thus increasing wealth and broadening the tax base so that taxpayers don't have to spend more.
The city's proposed commitment is small compared with that of Caesar's and the YMCA, yet still this small amount is too much.
Funny how most of you choose not to respond when someone like Bluegill makes an excellent point that contradicts your own preconceived notions.
Equally funny how none of you offer an alternative.
The feds and the state are starving the cities. You say: We must live on less. I say: Yes, and we also must create more revenue.
Creating more revenue is what Caesars and the YMCA will be helping to do.
Alternatives, anyone?
By
The New Albanian, at 8:43 AM, May 26, 2005
What the New Albanian explained will be compounded by the fact that the immediate proximity of the ammenities offered by a rejuvenated downtown will make the neighborhoods surrounding it much more attractive in which to live.
As those neighborhoods begin to be seen as better places to invest in a home, raise a family and retire to, property values will go up. That rise in value will not only provide long term residents with a better return on their investment but will also make those neighborhoods less enticing to the slumlords who currently hold court there.
I don't think anyone needs an explanation as to why purely profit driven absentee landlords are bad for New Albany. A casual read of the local police blotter or, better yet, a look out the window should suffice.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 10:04 AM, May 26, 2005
Bravo-Bravo-Laura. Could have not said it any better. But I want to add additional Comments. So because the EPA Grant is $400,000.00(dollars). Who is going to pay for the rest?($600,000+) The taxpayers of New Albany. Then you state the YMCA Has also committed several Million Dollars to this Project. My question is this? How many Millions? Give us taxpayers a number. The Caesars Foundation will give $20 Million Dollars . And then there will also be Private Donations? RIGHT... So why put the "Burden on us Taxpayers" of New Albany. To build this YMCA. This Project will break the backs of the New Albany residence. We were never asked what the Taxpayers wanted.(YMCA)-Since it is our Tax Dollars. We ought to have a right to make our voices heard against this Project.. This was Overaton's Dream Project.
By
Anonymous, at 10:12 AM, May 26, 2005
Good Job Legalbeagle. And I totally agree with you Laura. Not when leaving The City Council Meeting the other night. Streets were blocked off. Water shooting out of man whole covers. That tells me we got bigger problems to fix. I have contacted Councilmen Schmidt about my concerns. Me and my neighbors will sign any petition, go door to door. Some people need to realize this is New Albany not Louisville.
By
One voice, at 10:27 AM, May 26, 2005
I am totally against Scribner Place. I live in the WestEnd of New Albany. We need a Fire house built here. We need better sidewalks.
By
Anonymous, at 10:35 AM, May 26, 2005
Scribner Place will not save our Town. The theory "IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME". Is only real in the movies. We need to cut out the fat in this budget. Tighten our belts. We are spending money we do not have. In business you have to have money to make money. And I believe Scribner Place is not the answer to our problems.
By
Anonymous, at 10:47 AM, May 26, 2005
legalbeagle,
The only mention of the $1 million dollar price tag came from an anonymous poster who asked if it was true. Is it?
What I know to be true is that Caesars has already given the city $1 million and the EPA contributed $400K as mentioned above.
The YMCA promised $8 million. The last public statement from the YMCA that I'm aware of mentioned that they had already raised a little over $5 miilion.
Hence, my total of over $25 million in private investment. I never suggested that there would any other private donations made so I'm not sure where you got that.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 10:58 AM, May 26, 2005
Among others, wethepeople said:
Scribner Place will not save our Town.
Save? Probably not. Help? Certainly will.
The theory "IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME". Is only real in the movies.
And in downtown Louisville, apparently, where investment in infrastructure has lured businesses and residents downtown, enhanced revenue and broadened the tax base.
We need to cut out the fat in this budget. Tighten our belts. We are spending money we do not have.
So, why not make more money? Why is making more money never considered by anyone who objects to fat in the budget? Why can't we do both - cut fat, and make more money? People insist on comparing city finance with household finance, which isn't a very good comparison, but I'll go with it just for the sake of discussion. I'm told that when times are tight, you cut back, and that's true, but what if you can't cut back enough to make up the difference? Maybe you work another job ... or do something to bring in more money. For a city, that's revenue to be gained from a healthy, functioning downtown.
In business you have to have money to make money.
That's true, but in business, what do you do to get started when you have no money? When my business needed to expand, we borrowed money to achieve the expansion, which helped to generate more revenue, which enables us to pay back the bank. When the money's paid back, the expansion will still be there, generating revenue. Why can't cities work in the same way?
And I believe Scribner Place is not the answer to our problems.
There isn't any one thing that's the answer to our problems, and no one to my knowledge has ever suggested there was such a miracle. But while there's no panacea on one side, the other side offers no hope whatsoever, just a neverending chorus of what we can't do. How did our ancestors build this city? Once again, I ask all of you: Anyone with an alternative?
By
The New Albanian, at 11:35 AM, May 26, 2005
I for one am not against using my taxes for projects that actually bring our city into the 21st century. Heck, take some more taxes if it gets things going quicker, I can't say my county taxes on my check are much of a hit when compared to state and federal.
The way I see it, if I moved into a neighborhood that had all of the neighborhood amenities, I probably couldn't have afforded it. Now, in downtown New Albany, with the plethora of abandoned buildings and random warehouses (like the old Fashion Shop), property values are slightly less, which makes many of the homes affordable. But, to get the surrounding area where it should be, it's going to take money, money I don't mind coming out of my check. I would have paid it up front on the purchase price of my home if everything was already here. But, I made an investment based on potential that downtown has.
It seems people don't want to pay for a house that has a neighborhood with everything, they rather move somewhere that doesn't and then demand that someone (aka the government) do something about the neighborhood, but it better not cost them a dime (aka more taxes). It's like buying a car. Buy a new car (city with everything), lower on maintenance. Buy a used car (city with potential for everything), higher on maintenance. It's a pay now or pay later society we live in, get used to it.
By
TSOLfan, at 4:57 PM, May 26, 2005
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
r << Home