Here is yet another example of how a bedroom community of a large city has made it work for its downtown area. Summerville,SC is 25 miles from Charleston,SC.
http://www.summervilletourism.com/
posted by edward parish at
8:56 AM
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27 Comments:
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By
The New Albanian, at 10:03 AM, June 06, 2005
Ed, I have an idea for an open air museum in New Albany ... a real tourist draw, although we may not be located far enough north for the impact to be sufficient.
Please contact me privately.
By
The New Albanian, at 10:05 AM, June 06, 2005
Ed, thanks for posting this. New Albany has so much potential, and it is frustrating to so many of us to see it wasted.
Our city has so much to offer and it is largely unexplored at this point.
Madison IN is a great example of a small town that really works to promote itself. I was told (so I don't state this as fact) that Madison receives more grant money than any other town in Indiana. They have several people on staff who do grantwriting only. When you visit their downtown, you don't see boarded up windows on office buildings. They enforce their codes and have historically protected their downtown and residential areas. Compared to New Albany, they are pretty far from a major city, yet they have a brisk tourist trade.
What New Albany lacks, and has lacked for years, is unified leadership and vision. We desperately need both of these. Any ideas on how we can "recruit" city leaders with these characteristics?
By
Ann, at 10:38 AM, June 06, 2005
I agree 100% with Annie, especially the final paragraph.
By
The New Albanian, at 11:00 AM, June 06, 2005
I agree with Annie, too.
I think the leadership question is a bit of a chicken and egg situation. In order to entertain any ideas of better leadership, we must have better citizens.
To attract better citizens, there has to be some sort of faith among them that the leadership will follow through on the maximization of New Albany's potential. (Please note that my definition of "better" does not include judgements based on income or education level, gender, race, etc. I simply mean those who will choose to take up responsibility for researching, communicating, and sometimes simply asking "Why not...?".)
It's again anecdotal, but everyone I know who's moved or is considering moving into New Albany recently has done so based on the potential of downtown redevelopment. These are people who'll fix up houses, patronize local businesses, and actively support the schools. If there's no follow through on at least some of what's been promised or hinted at though, those same people will move out or may never move in at all.
Anyone currently in or even outside government who pushes for that follow through (or offers any sense of vision outside the pitiful status quo), is immediately harangued by naysayers with baseless accusations, disinformation campaigns and raw anger, rather than by reasonable objections based on factual information. That alone, I think, may be why more visionary people don't run for office. Their ability to envision the future isn't limited only to positive outcomes.
We have to show, by writing, speaking, demonstrating, and voting, that there is in fact a large enough group of people who will support legitimate attempts at progress, even amidst the catcalls of the ignorant. When sticking your neck out in a positive direction leads to rewards rather than the axe, we may see better thinking from our current officials and an increased potential for other leaders to step forward.
Until then, we get to live with the government we've got and the behavior we've collectively taught them is correct.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 2:07 PM, June 06, 2005
Bluegill is taking this to another level. Bravo!
By
The New Albanian, at 2:29 PM, June 06, 2005
Bitch and moan if you want, but New Albany is by far the all-time champion for getting grants.
We are the envy of other Indiana cities.
Seems the creatures who inhabit this cave would rather carp than do the work to find this out. And if they ran the city, the rule would be let some other city have the money.
By
Anonymous, at 3:10 PM, June 06, 2005
hey disgusted with lies...
Then show us where the money is wisely appropriated.
By
Anonymous, at 9:43 PM, June 06, 2005
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By
The New Albanian, at 11:17 AM, June 07, 2005
"STOP" Trying to link us to your blog! We are all waiting for Laura comments on last night Council meeting? And quite a few of us have something to say! So laura: I say To You "MAKE YOUR GREAT COMMENTS"..AND OPEN IT UP TO THE TAXPAYERS- Comments and Views.
By
One voice, at 4:23 PM, June 07, 2005
If you have something to say, I think everyone would agree that you should say it. The worst that can happen is that someone disagrees. Isn't that the essence of free speech?
By
The New Albanian, at 8:58 PM, June 07, 2005
The following letter appeared in the Courier Journal in the fall of 2004 under the section called Readers Forum which is read by the public. This is typed from a newspaper clipping of that Courier Journal article of fall 2004. "New Albany needs a Mayor with Vision." In his meanering, illogical and semi-literate letter to the editor of The Courier-Journal, New Albany's Mayor James Garner achieved nothing so much as foolishly embarrassing himself and confirming the city's long held position as regional joke. Does Garner really believe that a newspaper's community obligation some how does not extend to scrutinizing his abysmal personnel record since taking office? Does Garner really believe that reducing an employee's hours and denying him benfits somehow does not constitute a demotion? Does Garner really believe that the citizens of New Albany will not stand for The C-J's "lack of common decency," but will somehow continue to tolerate a glacial learning curve that threatens to last for the duration of his mayoral administration? After decades of frustration, throughout which you'd have been better off looking for forward-thinking political leadership in North Korea than in New Albany City Hall, finally there are compelling reasons to believe that the goal of revitalizing New Albany's persistently mori-bund downtown area maybe within reach. A progressive articulate and charismatic mayor could do much to help this process along. Instead, we're rewarded with more of the same tired,petty political games, this time artlessly played by a thin-skinned amateur who has nothing better to do than whine about "Disrespect" from journalists doing their jobs. New Albany does not need yet another genial and well-meaning figurehead to pose at flag raisings and Little Leadue banguets. We need vision,agressiveness and chutzpah, Judging from Garner's pathetic letter,he's completely,utterly over-matched. (Signed) ROGER A. BAYLOR Many citizen's can not figure out where you stand on your view of the Garner Administration. We all have been reading this clipping of your article in the Courier Journal Readers forum in 2004. You Mr.Baylor were loud and clear in your opinion then. What has caused your "Turn Around"?
By
Anonymous, at 11:06 PM, June 07, 2005
Mr. Baylor- Please remove my comments I placed on SPEAK OUT LOUD NA.(From Laura's blog) onto your blog!!! In the pass you have deleted any and all comments I Have made. You choose to attack us. Because you do not agree with the many comments people express. Then you try to carry our words over to your blog! So since you also decided to attack (Again)-Ms.Valla Ann Bolovschak. Why don't you take what you wrote about her and stick it on "SPEAK OUT LOUD NA!" And let the real "Taxpayers" debate your comments. For or against her? You have a double standard. So because the people of New Albany is tired of you trying to control laura's blog, and playing your damn game. Again I say bring your article (topic) about Valla Ann Bolovschak here? Or even better let's all discuss Roger Baylor!!!! Let the people attack you!
By
One voice, at 11:35 PM, June 07, 2005
Sitting in the council meeting. It was very interesting to see who all was there. I did see the place packed with taxpayers. And I did listen to Ms. Bolovschak speak. Apparently she knows her laws and ordinances? And listening to Garner using "witch hunt" I truly believe this Administration does not want to take no blame for nothing. And that includes Mrs. Garry? Why doesn't this Mayor just tell the truth that the City is bankrupt!! I work in the C-C Building we hear it everyday....
By
Anonymous, at 12:08 AM, June 08, 2005
I will provide a link to NA Confidential on the right side of the Speak Out Loud NA front page. Since these are not the first complaints I've recieved regarding Mr. Baylor's use of this blog as a "step-over" to his blog, I am removing his "advertising".
By
East Ender, at 3:20 AM, June 08, 2005
Concern Taxpayer: You've asked before, and I've answered before, and I've even done so here, on this blog, on your home court.
Did I think the Mayor had a bad year in 2004? Emphatically, yes. Do I think that since then, he's taken stock and made an earnest effort to improve in the face of considerable adversity? Yes, again.
Do I believe he is perfect? No - humans aren't.
At any point in 2004, did I think he was venal, corrupt, or a criminal? No.
I'm a pragmatist, CT, and when I look around the room, I'm looking first to see if I'm "as one" politically with anyone else in the room.
There are a few, perhaps, but not many. I'm neither Democrat nor Republican, and in a two-party system, so I have experience weighing options.
The next question: Who's standing closest to me in terms of beliefs and values? And, the converse: Who's standing furthest away?
The Mayor may have bumbled, but he's not a crook, and what's more, he at least HAS formulated a coherent and positive viewpoint with respect to the future of the city.
Contrast this with his opposition, many of whom regularly come here to call him names and hide behind anonymity, and you'll see how my views have evolved according to the circumstances, and will continue to do so.
No one has paid me off, no one has influenced me, and no one will. If you persist in thinking otherwise, then you simply don't know me very well.
One more thing: From beginning to the present, the entire process is right there on the pages of my Blog, and each entry has my name signed to it - more than we can say for many others.
That's called accountability, folks.
By
The New Albanian, at 8:34 AM, June 08, 2005
New Albany Resident:
You wrote:
So since you also decided to attack (Again)-Ms.Valla Ann Bolovschak. Why don't you take what you wrote about her and stick it on "SPEAK OUT LOUD NA!" And let the real "Taxpayers" debate your comments.
I'd dearly love to do so, but after telling me initially that I could become a "team member" here, Laura decided that I'm a threat to you and cannot be trusted to post. So, NA Resident, I cannot do what you've asked me to do, but would if Laura permitted it. Perhaps you should discuss with her.
By
The New Albanian, at 8:44 AM, June 08, 2005
By the way, New Albany Resident, what is a "real" taxpayer, as opposed to an "unreal" taxpayer?
By
The New Albanian, at 8:45 AM, June 08, 2005
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By
The New Albanian, at 11:49 AM, June 08, 2005
Concerned Taxpayer: The letter of mine that you painstakingly retyped has been right there on NA Confidential since early November, 2004. You could have cut and pasted it here, or I could have provided you with the code to make a link to it.
Just trying to help.
By
The New Albanian, at 11:51 AM, June 08, 2005
This has once again turned from a logical discussion concerning the potential of Downtown New Albany, into non-productive personal attacks between 2 commentors. Although I should delete it all, I will leave it as an example of what NOT to do here.
Annie had a very vital point that shouldn't get lost here, we need vision and leadership.
Unfortunately, we have rose-colored glasses on our Mayor, and the leadership of some pretty unimpressive people.
Worse yet, it's all the same unimpressive people that comprise all the other Boards and Commissions in the city.
That usually means no checks and balances are in place.
We are letting the leaders police themsselves, and it's turned into some pretty bad decision making.
How can we put confidence in such huge decisions being made by people who have repeatedly made bad decisions?
By
East Ender, at 8:05 PM, June 08, 2005
Laura, I've pointed out to you that one of your own defenders wants me to be able to post, if only to attack me.
Pray tell, is reading comprehension anywhere within the repertoire here?
You demand answers, and yet you will not answer legitimate questions.
What gives?
By
The New Albanian, at 8:28 PM, June 08, 2005
the new albanian,
As I explained elsewhere, you will not be given posting priveleges here.
The reason is that you evidently abhore this blog, and the majority of the people on it.
You have pronounced most participants to be cowards, liars, and downright beneath you. Especially if they have commented anonymously.
Since you do not agree with the concept, the editorial decisions, the content, or the people...why in the world would you want to even be here?
By
East Ender, at 6:14 PM, June 09, 2005
Please reference the part where I implied that anyone here was "downright beneath me."
Or, if you can't, then withdraw your assertion.
That's only fair, right?
By
The New Albanian, at 8:30 PM, June 09, 2005
Legalbeagle just finished anonymously posting to the effect that he or she abhors everything about the current administration, and there is nothing that can be said or done that will change this.
You're saying that's okay, but it's okay to muzzle some one with whom you don't agree, namely, me.
Now, that's fine -- it's your site, you can be as inconsistent as you like, but how is it that you continue to use the phrase "free speech" when your actions are opposed to free speech?
By
The New Albanian, at 11:30 PM, June 09, 2005
Think what you like. Then, answer my question. If you are so disturbed by what goes on here, why do you persist in coming here? What is your motive?
Why do you want to continue to argue the same contentions over and over again, rather than just going somewhere else with your dialouge and opinions?
By
East Ender, at 2:48 AM, June 10, 2005
Of course, "think what you like" is not answering my question, and you still haven't answered my query above with respect to when I stated that people were "beneath me."
Opinions are not excluded from the realm of assertions that can be proven false. You're free to believe that if you jump from the top of the Elsby Building and flap your wings, you'll float over to 4th Street Live, but in practice, this opinion is likely to be proven demonstrably false within seconds. Same goes for any opinion here, or anywhere else. The entire nature of the dialogue is to sort through the opinions to uncover the facts. Your commitment to this dialogue is inconsistent, at best, because you begin from a position of accepting certain things as true without having examined them first.
Furthermore, the same rules of accountability that people demand of their elected leaders also apply to the opinions and accusations of the people, somtthing almost no one here seems to recognize.
Instead, we're told that being a taxpayer means that any opinion is true, whether or not it jibes with reality. However, the fact that "little people" pay taxes is not sufficient grounds in and of itself to excuse them from the rules of engagement when it comes to arguing a point.
As a business owner, I pay a greater number of taxes than I do as an individual, but this doesn't mean I should have greater influence. In fact, we're all taxpayers, even the detested Mayor, and this ongoing effort to advance the case that because someone pays property taxes, it gives he or she some bizarre "right" to slur people anonymously simply doesn't wash with me.
As long as you continue to urge a double standard in your treatment of people coming to a purportedly free and open forum, then I'll come here to enunciate a differing point of view, and to challenge those opinions that are otherwise unexamined.
That's what free speech is all about, and you have denied me "team member" privileges (ones that you promised before) for a very simple reason: You don't want an opposing viewpoint to be posted.
And that's not free speech.
By
The New Albanian, at 8:29 AM, June 10, 2005
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