The various ideas of organizing teams to clean up New Albany and do beautification activities are interesting. However, I ask this...why can't the city join with us by providing something more than dumpsters placed in the neighborhoods so we can do the clean ups?
We have begged for a Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) for well over a year, yet what we got first was an Economic Development Director, at a $36K salary, who has been invisible thus far. The commenter who explained that we must pay higher salaries for higher quality, experienced employees did not answer my questions regarding what he has been doing. What are his qualifications? At 26 years old, I can hardly imagine that he has had any significant experience regarding enticing businesses to a particular area. What is his background?
I want to know more about him. What are his duties, and what are his experiences that make him worthy of such a salary?
Meanwhile, we are repeatedly told the city has no resources to assist the neighborhoods in clean up efforts other than providing the dumpster drop offs and pick ups. I find this hard to swallow. The city seems able to come up with funds when needed for other activities. They found $100K to fight the Adult Bookstore, giving them more free advertising than they could ever afford to get for themselves. If New Albany doesn't want such an establishment, it will not be patronized, and it will fail. Instead, we spent huge amounts of money on a losing battle. Did we spend the whole $100K? What fund did it come out of in the first place?
Also, what has happened to the salary & benefit funds left in the building commissioners office for employees that are no longer there? These are just a couple of examples.
Cleaning up New Albany is a high priority, not only for those who live here in the inner city, but for the city as well, to entice new businesses to the area. This should be a joint effort.
The amount of money we would use for some man-power to be provided, or extra runs of the garbage trucks, is minimal compared to many other expenditures the city undertakes.
After all, we do pay for garbage pick-up, we do pay for recycling, we do pay our taxes that are supposed to provide basic city services. Why can't the city contribute a little more assistance to the folks who are willing to roll up their sleeves and clean up trash and debris that makes this city look poor and neglected? There are some things we cannot do by ourselves. What about the elderly and the disabled, and the folks who don't have trucks to get their rubbish to a dumpster? We aren't talking about huge amounts of money needed for this, but rather a minor investment that could make major improvements in the aesthetics of the city.
Consider the landscape that introduces New Albany to people coming off the Sherman Minton bridge? That is going to require an investment from the city. A wise investment for the good of the city image. But this is an example of something that volunteer residents cannot undertake.
We must all work together towards the same goal.
posted by East Ender at
3:26 PM
39 Comments:
What does it take for people to understand "This City is Broke." They have used and abused the various funds. We pay for recycling. And they mix it all together. Laura you are asking the impossiable. When the 2006 Budget comes out it will be worse than this year. We will have less monies for the needs of this City. You all are not accepting or looking at the real picture here. Instead you should be looking at the numbers. If they pulled in vehicle of Donnie Blevins. Head of Sanitation. And cut back on Cell Phone bills. Their might be more money for City Beautification. These things happen when you put all your eggs in one basket. You all are banking on big revenue from Scribner Place. We did not even have the money to buy salt for our streets last winter..My information on Mr. Wheatley new Economic Development Director. Was an employee of Baron Hill. And as a favor was given this Position!Talk about the good ole boy bunch.
By
Anonymous, at 6:33 PM, July 14, 2005
I heard the same rumors about Mr. Wheatley. That's why I want to know what qualifications they are talking about when they say it takes a good salary to get experienced employees.
As for the money, I believe it's there somewhere. They are just very good at moving it around till they find something they want to use it for.
You can't tell me they cannot afford to pay for 1 days work per neighborhood for some clean up help. They could find a way if they really wanted to.
By
East Ender, at 6:43 PM, July 14, 2005
I totally agree Laura. They can find the money if it is something they want. When it is for the betterment of the people or for the City. NO MONEY! Have you heard they had to borrow money from the sewer fund to keep sanitation afloat? I am not surprised there has not been a class action suit filed over recyling. If I rember correctly it cost several thousands of dollars to tear down old structures. Can you imagine how much more money the City of New Albany would have if they collected all the late fees on sewers. Etc. This Adminstration should be finding ways to re-coup money. Instead of wasteing money. It use to be we help our names. And elderly. Now they just sue each other. The needs of this City should not have been put on the back burner. How are we ever going t get out of debt? They need to generate tax revenue. Who can pay the high price of property downtown? Regardless of what people say. Parking is a serious problem. Why do they not call for an audit? Do you really believe the County Council is going to come thru? Laura our generation concerns are debts. We both were brought up you can't spend money you do not have!. And don't borrow "MONEY" you can't pay back?
By
Anonymous, at 8:01 PM, July 14, 2005
Wait tell they start giving fines for tall grass. Wonder if they will have a guideline for height on tall grass? Many landlords are making millions on Shotty Properties. Zoning should be changed in alot of Areas.
By
Anonymous, at 8:14 PM, July 14, 2005
Hey, I saw that letter in the paper today from Joe Tanskely -- I tell you, I'veknown this guy for years, and he still can't figue it out, he thinks because Dan Coffey says yoiu can get something for nothing, that's good. I see that on tv, and I know it isn't good, but what can you do - Joe, are you here at this blog, and do you still rent that pace from Steve Price, or am I thinking bout someone else, maybe Steve?
By
Anonymous, at 12:11 AM, July 15, 2005
Wheatley is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, interned in the Jeffersonville redevelopment office, worked for GLI, and was field director for Baron Hill's campaign.
$36K is an entry level salary. With that, we got an obviously industrious entry level economic developer (with more qualifications than most his age) who's working to overcome decades of neglect and a chorus of naysayers who continue to insist that the city shouldn't invest its own economic develop money on economic development.
He's had the job for less than six months and has been very busy with a little downtown project. You know the one-- it's bringing in over $25 million in private investment to the city. He's also the only public official in New Albany to have been publicly quoted using the words "internet" and "economic development" within the same context.
Regardless of all that, he's already being harangued by those who should know better as "invisible".
One thing's for sure. Paul Wheatley is brave if nothing else.
The question is this:
If you want a well-connected, highly seasoned economic development official with a long list of past successes, how much are you willing to pay?
You can start by doubling Mr. Wheatley's salary and build from there. Any takers?
If not, an occasional word of encouragement may be in order.
Tell the truth mayor can't correctly complete a sentence and has nothing but negativity and a complete lack of faith in the city to share with the public but would probably work for less. Perhaps we should hire him/her as our public relations officer instead.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 12:28 AM, July 15, 2005
anonymous to anonymous: You really need to get a life. And be less concern what Valla Ann wears. Instead you need to wake up and drink a cup of reality. This women has brought business to this town. You need to have or get your facts right. She loves playing in the dirt. And does alot of planting and gardening. She can roll paint just like the rest of us. Put down tile,and swing a paint brush just like us. Nothing is too good for her to do. So cut the attack on her. You and others stand to learn alot from her. Get a life!
By
Anonymous, at 7:10 AM, July 15, 2005
Get ready fellow Bloggers. EPA coming to New Albany.
By
Anonymous, at 7:18 AM, July 15, 2005
Nothing has changed, and it was reported accurately.
There remains a bloc of county votes for a Scribner Place pledge, same as it was.
Becuase (among others) Kochert is a jerk, and also because (as others said) they have debts of their own, they're waiting.
The good news is that we don't need it and in fact never did, so on with the project.
By
Anonymous, at 7:32 AM, July 15, 2005
Anonynous People vote for the new albanian as "The Angry Attack King of New Albany"... Do you know your way home to your own blog. (Just point and click) Bye King Blogger
By
Anonymous, at 7:37 AM, July 15, 2005
Here we go again. You realize that the real Concern Taxpayer did not write that. When Concern Taxpayer writes, they deal with facts. Shame on you. I saw your sign before last weeks council meeting. "Another Concern Taxpayer." I hate to disappoint you. But there is only one real Concern Taxpayer you dislike. Again shame on you..
By
Anonymous, at 7:46 AM, July 15, 2005
Before I return to exile, please note that I'm happy to work with code enforcement people just like I'm happy to work with the health department, alcohol commission and everyone else like them.
And I'm NOT "concern taxpayer." That's bad grammar, and I'm against it.
Bye bye.
By
The New Albanian, at 7:49 AM, July 15, 2005
Regarding Paul and what he does, may I suggest anyone interested call 948-5333 and ask for Paul. I'm pretty sure he'd be happy to discuss current and future projects.
It's just a suggestion.
By
Anonymous, at 8:12 AM, July 15, 2005
I was there too, and I saw his sign.
What it meant was, there are any number of concerned taxpayers in New Albany, and one doesn't speak for all.
You people really need someone to hate, don't you? How does that help revitalize NA?
By
Anonymous, at 8:23 AM, July 15, 2005
Anonymous appreciate Laura blog. We can be informed. And inform others. Great job Laura.
By
Anonymous, at 8:44 AM, July 15, 2005
In some ways, it's a shame that I don't own rental property. I could really use the money to help offset the thousands of dollars I'm pouring into the revovation of the historic property I bought to live in.
I'd like to ask for your help, though, anonymous. Since you're the only one who seems to know the rental property exists, I'd be thrilled if you could volunteer to collect the rent for me. I may even share a percentage.
It'll go to a good cause. A friend has been gracious enough to provide me with the historic renovation guidelines but my career in non-profit work doesn't afford me the opportunity to do all the work at once. Occasionally, my lawn equipment even breaks down. I'm on my second mower this season.
Anything you could do to deliver that imaginary rent would be great. It would not only help me and my family but the neighborhood as well.
It shouldn't be too difficult for you. You seem to have plenty of time to tell lies and make false accusations while the rest of us are out earning money to invest in the city and doing the actual work to improve our neighborhoods.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 9:02 AM, July 15, 2005
Anonymous says that economic development on Main Street (in this case, opening a pub) is an "agenda."
Uh, yes, I guess it is.
So, you want the city's economic development director to earn his pay by developing the economy, but it's a threatening "agenda" if someone lets Wheatley persuade him into opening a business?
So tell me, how will he ever be able to do his job?
Which goes to show yet again that some people do not want the economy developed under any circumstances, or progress at any price ... just like the banned ones have pointed out.
Amazing.
By
Anonymous, at 9:30 AM, July 15, 2005
So why are we not using the inmates of the Floyd County jail to help clean up New Albany? Why not have the County work out a deal with Denny Andreas to do clean up on his property in the Knobs and then place a new jail on that land and drop the law suit against him. Common sense goes along way.
By
Anonymous, at 12:58 PM, July 15, 2005
Shirley,
Regardless of how you feel about Valla Ann or designer clothes, continued patronage of Wal-Mart will only damage the small, independent businesses in New Albany.
If you're serious about helping develop small business here and elsewhere, refusing to shop at Wal-Mart would be a positive step.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 1:58 PM, July 15, 2005
I'll stand up for Mr. Wheatley. I've never met the guy, but after this discussion, I had the head guy in my business development office give him a call. He wasn't in, so we left a voice mail, he called us back in less than an hour, and we have a meeting on Monday.
Now, that's service. So, all those with complaints on how he's doing or questions as to what he's doing, how many have asked the guy? I don't think he could possibly be more responsive.
By
TSOLfan, at 2:32 PM, July 15, 2005
Response to joe rudi comments.
Your comments on the Denny Andres Floyd Knobs junkyard were interesting.
Don't tell any of the City Officials,
but, Andres has moved his junkyard into DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY on State Street across from the grocery.
He is freely being allowed to dump his garbage on the land in back next to the old Farmer's Market.
These dump trucks are not the size of Hotwheel Toy Trucks. They are
pretty big, but, the City Officials fail to see them.
By
Anonymous, at 3:49 PM, July 15, 2005
Shirley,
There are other alternatives. You could shop at Goodwill, other thrift stores, and consignment shops like I do. You may even run across some of the Italian designer clothes you mentioned for less than what you would pay for sweatshop goods at Wal-Mart while helping to support a local person in need. You'd also be helping to conserve natural resources by recycling clothing.
The disappearance of affordable local clothing retailers is a result of big box stores. My grandmother put in 17 years at The White House and they closed the doors on her, too.
I'm far from wealthy myself but "I'm poor so I have to shop at Wal-Mart" is exactly the kind of response those big box stores depend on. After they drive smaller competitors out of business, they become the only consumer choice and one of few employment choices, allowing them to control product availability and prices and drive down wages. Amongst the big box retailers, Wal-Mart is the worst offender.
Even an occasional trip to Value City, who often has better quality goods and better prices than Wal-Mart, is more beneficial.
For more information about Wal-Mart's activities, check Wal Mart Watch.
I'm not trying to be harsh. Sometimes buying local and/or thwarting the big chains is difficult. You just have to decide that it's worth it and do as much as you can. Sometimes it means buying one product instead of two. Sometimes it just means doing without.
By
Jeff Gillenwater, at 3:57 PM, July 15, 2005
Shirley Baird
It is apparent that you do not understand what bluegill is saying. Click on my name (link)!
BTW, I do not understand why you have to refer to yourself as a "little person." I find that title demeaning to say the least. With that attitude and mentality, you or anybody else that adopts those values will never be anything more than what you already are.
By
Anonymous, at 4:03 PM, July 15, 2005
If someone wants to denigrate himself or herself by being a "little person", then that's fine.
It isn't self-identification that's the problem here, it's the notion that the "little people" will somehow stop the planet from moving simply because they can't keep up.
Call yourself what you will, but don't stand in the way of progress.
By
Anonymous, at 4:21 PM, July 15, 2005
Crocetti
I could not agree with you more about progress, but it all starts with the perception of ourselves.
If I cried like Shirley Baird about being a "poor working little person" how can I expect to be anything different. Moving that idea one step forward, if I consider myself to be a little person, of poor working stature nonetheless, how am I supposed to realize what progress truly is?
Apparently, progress, to the "poor working little person" comes in the form of big box stores. Again, this idea totally misses the point about revitalizing downtown NA.
By
Anonymous, at 4:57 PM, July 15, 2005
What are the qualifications of anyone on this blog to be the Economic Development Director? You all are quick to judge by age. Some of the most hard working people in the area are young people trying to fix up the messes that the generation before us left. We all want NA to be a better city. It can't be done by people not knowing the facts, but writing in to blogs like this to complain about everything. Call the so called "wiz kid" to find out what he has been doing for our messed up city. He is not even from here, but is working his tail off to make it better for you and everyone. He did work for Baron Hill, was an intern at Greater Louisville Inc. for 6 months, and worked for the Redevelopment Director of Jeffersonville. The position is a job requiring long hours for our city for very little pay. The City Council approved him and gave him a chance, and are for the most part happy with his performance. He is a very well spoken person who knows the issues at hand. He and the other economic development agencies in town are working hard to entice companies to bring themselves to this delapedated city, but the people who own land and buildings don't want that or they would not be price gouging the city and these companies. If we want jobs brought here, then we must help the people trying to bring them here, not hender them by high priced land and over priced delapedated buildings. Better yet, support Paul Wheatley and the other agencies so that something might get done. If you didn't get the job (you know who you are) then help by presenting your ideas to him and stop calling him names that are degrading because you are jealous of his work and potential. He is more qualified than you and that was why he was hired. Did anyone know that he wrote a grant that was filled by the Caesars Foundation for Studio 2000? He got $20,000 for this and you should be thankful for that. We have lost grants recently and he is starting to bring some of the money back to the city. I would be careful in saying that he was hired as a favor because you might very well need him on your side soon. Remember that age doesn't bring knowledge. Some of our best resources lie within our young people who are overworked and underpayed for the jobs they do. When you do the math Paul Wheatley probally makes about $8/hour for his "high paying" position. You might be surprised to see him in the City-County building long after everyone has gone home for the day trying to get things done for our city. Remember that you are not being offered the job so how about supporting it for once. If you are not careful he will be gone and we will be back to square one again. The companies that are in talks to come here will pull out because no one will work as hard to get them as he does. Don't forget this is NA in 2005 not 1950. It is not very appealing! Anyone going to do anything or just sit at the computer all day waiting for someone else to do it and then complain about how they did it. Call or email the Economic Development Director I am sure he would like to hear your concerns and ideas. Let's unite for once to get something that we all want, A BETTER CITY! Oh and by the way, anytime you would like to announce your job to everyone to be scrutinized that would be nice for a change. We are tired of hearing about the mayor and Economic Development Director.
By
Anonymous, at 9:41 PM, July 15, 2005
Bayard Stroud yell them guys need to talk among themself. cause nobody here listens. We got lots of little people. Hard working Taxpayers. People who really get tired of all the bull people are trying to feed us. Church going people.
By
Anonymous, at 9:45 PM, July 15, 2005
Come on now people! A lot of what is still on here is questionable for acceptable manners. Nobody needs to get nasty over these discussions.
I am glad to hear Mr. Wheatley is a busy guy. I asked, and I got answers. I never called the guy any names unless you want to count "Kid". Excuse me.
I want to know more about him because to anyone outside the building he's been pretty invisable, yet his position is becomiming more and more important for the COMMON GOAL of restoring downtown and moving forward.
I actually will give him a call and perhaps arrange a meet & greet for my neighborhood.
I want to know what's going on... that's all.
By
East Ender, at 1:22 AM, July 16, 2005
east ender Lot's of luck getting much info on Mr. Wheatley. Or other information in this town. So let's ask and see what this guy has done to bring in jobs and money for this town.
By
Anonymous, at 6:29 AM, July 16, 2005
The New Albany Tribune has been busy with many articles ths week. Lawsuit places Linden Subdivision in Limbo. Floyd County 4-H Fair. Ribbon Cutting For Sewer Plant. And EPA visit in August. The article that caught my eye was Madam President. As ICAA President her horizon is getting the state to transition to market value,instead of the current system of assessed value. Egge said Indiana is one of five remaining states on the assessed value system that list only about one-third of property's value. Would someone explain this to us. Sounds like to us Mrs. Egge does not feel were not paying our fair share. Who is this women?
By
Anonymous, at 6:55 AM, July 16, 2005
Mrs. Egge's other comments, she made bothered me just as much.
By
Anonymous, at 8:01 AM, July 16, 2005
n/a County resident------
You asked a good question. Why does
Assessor Egge want to change our property tax rates from one-third the value of our property to full value of the property?
They have messed with property tax too much. Each time they make changes it seems to be a sham to increase the tax bill. I heard that Mayor Garner wants to add a new property tax on to the property tax in New Albany for 2006.
Does Assessor Egge plan to have her
friends Rep. Cochran and Senator Sipes to push through this tax increase plan?
By
Anonymous, at 8:02 AM, July 16, 2005
Where did you hear that Mayor Garner wants to add another property tax on top of our already too high property tax bills?
What is this tax ?
I have not seen this tax mentioned in the newspaper.
They were talking about adding on a drainage fee. Is this new additional property tax in addition to the proposed drainage fee? WOW!
By
Anonymous, at 9:09 AM, July 16, 2005
Laura: Can you find out what this new additional property tax is that the Mayor wants to charge us?
By
Anonymous, at 9:17 AM, July 16, 2005
Tribune article said:
"Also on her (Egge) horizon is getting the state to transition to market value, instead of the current system of assessed value. Egge said Indiana is one of five remaining states on the assessed value system that lists only about one-third of a property's value."
Comments made by Ms. Egge in the article included her saying that because everyone pays taxes, everyone needs to be treated fairly, and that she seeks to be of help to 10 new people every week.
Somehow, helping people distrubs one of the anonymous posters here?
This article contained NOTHING about a new property tax, and did not mention the mayor's name, not even once.
She is the COUNTY assessor, after all, and the mayor is in charge of the CITY.
From all this, anonymous posters here have used innuendo (i.e., unsupported suggestions) to imply things that aren't close to being true and weren't even mentioned in the original article.
Tell us, Laura, how does intellectual dishonesty like this further your cause?
And couldn't you have phoned Paul Wheatley first with your questions before asking them, of course all the while knowing it would inspire your fans to ever further heights of intllectual dishonesty?
How do these artifices help, other than to create an atmosphere of suspicion and conspiracy, which you can then point to and say "Look! See! The Little People are upset and being conspired against!
Do you actually know better, and simply continue to perpetuate it all as some sort of bizarre experiment?
Look at the cold, hard facts. Your threads operate reasonably well and with a minimum of problems until someone anonymous, like concern taxpayer and NA resident, stir them up.
Then, someone with a real identity tries to respond, and you punish the responder, not the initiator, because you start from a position of defending the initiator no matter what he or she says.
That's backwards, and I suspect you know it.
How is any of this helping the people you claim to be helping, other than to encourage them in unsociable behavior?
By
Anonymous, at 10:30 AM, July 16, 2005
Could the " watching eye" please tell us which City-County Office you are employed in?
By
Anonymous, at 12:18 PM, July 16, 2005
This is a place where people can bring up their questions and concerns and, hopefully, entice a mature dialogue about the subject. The hope is to enlighten folks with answers and truth. If there are mis-conceptions regarding what is going on in New Albany, which there obviously are, doesn't this forum serve a purpose in trying to get to the real answers?
We now know more about Mr. Wheatley, and about contacting Mrs. Egge, just from this thread of comments.
Rather than responding with angry outbursts or degrading comments, if you have answers or information, please provide it for us. If you don't, then I suggest you simply avoid this blog if it upsets you.
For those of us who want to know more, and discuss city matters, this is an opportunity to do so.
We should be allowed to do so without being subjected to constant critisism.
By
East Ender, at 10:33 PM, July 16, 2005
Thank you, East Ender, for defending this open forum. As you said, if incorrect information is commented, then, someone is free to
offer answers to correct the incorrect
information. We sure can't depend on the local papers to give us all the news here in New Albany.
By
Anonymous, at 11:11 PM, July 16, 2005
Laura,
I think it is very lazy to just ask a question and wait for other people to use their time to find out the answers for you. And how do you know which answers are legitimate if you don't do the research yourself?
If you are going to make a real contribution you should give your readers some real information.
By
Anonymous, at 11:32 PM, July 16, 2005
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