Think About It...

To everyone who comments on this blog:
I have tried to create an open forum where everybody could speak their mind about city issues and the problems facing New Albany. I allowed anonymous comments because I wanted ALL people to be able to comment without fear of retaliation or retribution. I did so because a big part of the problem with New Albany is a lack of information getting to the people. I think that has become sorely obvious if you've read things on this blog with any regularity. There is a lot of mis-information out there, and misconceptions about the way things are done.
I had really hoped that this forum would become a way for more information to get to the general population from the people who are in a position to know. My reasoning was based on the inescapable fact that the people of this city are disgruntled and disgusted with the way things have become in New Albany.
With more and more people attending city meetings, it's apparent that change is wanted and, more importantly, city leadership is being held accountable. City Council meetings became the place where folks felt they could bring their questions, concerns, and comments to their elected officials and be heard.
However, people were soon told that comments at Council meetings would be limited to 5 minutes, and furthermore, our elected Council members were not the correct avenue to go through with concerns. Rather, the Board of Works was the place to take concerns to. However, the Board of Works meetings are held weekday mornings when most folks are unable to attend. This made people feel that no one really cared to hear their comments, answer their questions, or take their concerns into consideration.
Frustration and anger seemed to be growing at an alarming pace. Not only from members of the public, but between members of the Council as well as between the Council members and the Mayor. City Council meetings became a circus.
With these things in mind, I thought it would be good for people to have a place to "vent" their frustrations and ask questions that could be answered, anonymously, by city officials or other persons who might have the information. But, there has been only short bursts of discourse of such a nature before descending into nonsense that serves no purpose.
I have wrestled with people who have condemned my efforts because I decided to allow anonymous comments, and I have stood my ground in the face of utter disrespect and slanderous criticism, because I believed the people would use this opportunity to their advantage. Indeed, some do. Unfortunately, others do not. Instead they choose to insult, insinuate, and incite anger.
There are a particular few who have made it their personal mission to make a mockery out of this blog that was set up for the benefit of the people. I don't know if they are intimidated, or if they're just full of meanness. I truly don't understand why this one little blog has been so very upsetting to them. My personal opinion is that they are so full of themselves that they just can't stand to allow another blog to operate without revealing identities that would allow them to then pursue personal attacks to discredit people. After all, they have done just that with everyone who has revealed their true identity.
I have made real attempts to rid the blog of folks who only want to throw insults, make attacks, and be downright rude. I have set 1 rule: "Be nice, or be gone", but some persist. I cannot, and should not have to, babysit this blog deleting unnecessary ranting and ugly, slanderous remarks. I assume we are all adults here, and there is really no excuse for behaving childishly.
I am writing this to make a request. I want the people who genuinely want to use this blog for its intended purpose to make an effort to discuss city issues, and simply ignore the nasty remarks that are put here to entice folks into anger. They are coming from simple minded people.
To start this off, I suggest going to www.amlegal.com/new_albany_in/ and take a look at the City Ordinances. Choose one that you think is a particular problem in the city, and tell us how much of a difference you think it would make if that one ordinance was being enforced. Or, tell us about something you think deserves more attention, or suggest a topic that would be good for discussion at a "Town Hall" meeting. Then let's try to organize one.
If this blog is not going to serve its intended purpose, I will make the necessary changes. Although this will surely hurt my confidence in the people of New Albany who I thought were truly concerned, I am not here to be the punching bag for bloggers who don't appreciate the effort, or the fight I have put up to defend this forum.
To those who disparage this blog and find no use for it, please just refrain from visiting here if it upsets you so. Why expend so much time and energy on something you dislike so much? It makes no sense to me.
For the rest of the folks who just read, but don't comment, please consider writing a line or two to let me know what you think.
Thank You.