Speak Out Loud NA

Monday, June 12, 2006

Investigation Underway

Isn't it interesting the way some things work out?
Just as we were beginning to wonder if there was a sane mind left in New Albany, the EPA sends in the man from their Criminal Investigations Division.
We believe there must be probable cause at hand to have initiated questioning of Council Memebers, Sewer Board members, and the City Comptroller, Kay Gerry.
We believe they he is here to investigate the use of a State loan of Federal money that was used in the $44 million plant capacity expansion.
Because it was Federal dollars that were spent in order to "fix" the failing Sewage System, and the system wasn't fixed, it still doesn't work, they might be wanting to know what happened to that money.
Don't forget that the EPA has been 'negotiating' with the City of New Albany for about 12 years now. We've been given opportunity after opportunity to comply with signed agreed orders for specific repairs, yet one administration after another has chosen to ignore the real problems and instead spend massive amounts of money to simply expand the capacity of the plant.
Meanwhile, raw sewage was being dumped straight into the Ohio River, by the City of New Albany, at enormous rates. System overflows have caused enormous amounts of raw sewage to spill into the streets and pollute springs and groundwater.
Now, the sewers really do need fixed.
Perhaps now the EPA is going to come in and do it for them.
More importantly, the administration will be held accountable for the millions of dollars that have been used from the Sewer Utility funds to support, and in some instances outright pay for, other City services and associated costs.
The proposed rate increase will be halted, and the financials associated with more than 38 checking accounts will be examined.
We asked for an investigation into the audit. We asked many times.
Now, an investigation into the money is what the Federal authorities are here to do.
Does this little problem of ours now warrant the top of the priority list?

The citizen's advocates, often referred to as New Albany's Potty Police, who have worked diligently to follow the bouncing politicians who have had hold of this issue over the years, and who have tread where most of us would fear to tread, are due our sincere gratitude.

19 Comments:

  • You guys made the indystar
    http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060612/LOCAL/606120417

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:10 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • Good job Kersey and Johnson, now the city will have a 144 million dollar consent decree instead of 44 million, way to go keep calling the EPA in, you just killed new albany

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:31 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • James "Sewergate" should be very interesting. You just don't mismanage federal money. Let's see them wiggle out of this mess.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:42 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • In my opinion, they have just saved New Albany.
    This is not a problem that continue to get shoved under the rug.
    Remember a few months ago when we were warned that the bump under the carpet was going to trip some folks up?
    So far, among the things found under that rug, is the new Sanitation company, the Drainage Department, loans to the General fund, automobiles, and unreconciled bank accounts.
    Wonder what else they will find?

    By Blogger East Ender, at 6:58 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • Anon 5:31 is right: You're happy that your efforts have risked making it even worse.

    Why do you guys always root AGAINST New Albany? Never work for a solution, just complain when someone else's attempt falls short. Terrible, vindictive team players. Hope you like the next Mayor--for about 15 minutes--til you turn on that person, too!

    No wonder all the prosperity is flowing to Jeffersonville!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:25 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • 5:31
    Kersey & Johnson have contacted EPA several times in the last 10 years.
    I hate to bust your ego bubble but Susan informed me that EPA called them!

    lIKE SUSAN SAID..GIVE THE BLAME/ CREDIT TO SOMEONE ELSE.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:36 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • To anon 5:31 P.M., I think that is not playing fair -- these people did not make the decisions that are being looked into, others did. Why do you want to kill the messager? I personally think it is about time the sewers are fixed, fixed right and all property is hooked to the sewer system correctly. I am not sure that can even be accomplished.
    I can't believe EPA would not be more than concerned about that situation.

    To Concerned Citizen: I have posted a comment and a few more questions for you at 5:31 P.M. on the topic just before this one.

    Thank you for taking your time to explain some things. I appreciate it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:47 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • Anonymous 5:13PM. Don't worry about the nasty remark Kersey and Johnson. You did not start the fire -- it has been burning out of control for a very long time, nor did you kill New Albany. This town has been dying for years. The EPA needs to be in New Albany, no matter who invited them or how they got here. There is nothing more important in a town than a dependable sewer system and a clean water, far more important than anyone's ego.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:51 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • To Anon at 10:47: Posted my answer to you under the last posting. Thanks for asking!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:39 PM, June 12, 2006  

  • Wow. That was harsh and personal. I'm sure that person won't be back. Wonder what happened to listening to opposing viewpoints?

    And isn't "East Ender" the blogmaster of this place? Not very hospitable...

    Speak Out only if you agree?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:25 AM, June 13, 2006  

  • If you notice that EE only post during the hours of midnight to dawn, you might suspect she is a vampire or something. Or she is just suffering from insomnia.

    There is no rational thought or behavior on this blog!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:27 AM, June 13, 2006  

  • Maybe her blog setting have the wrong time.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:24 AM, June 13, 2006  

  • I too am glad the EPA is here. Now maybe we can get our sewers fixed. As Ann said on Diggin in the Dirt if you did not do anything wrong then you have nothing to hide.

    To anon 5:31 6/12--
    Why do you think calling in the EPA will kill New Albany? Don't you want to live in a town with a sewer system? Or would you rather go back 100 years when everybody had outhouses? Talk about blocking progress!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:29 AM, June 13, 2006  

  • Let me apologize now for the harsh remark I made last night to a commenter who made, in my opinion, a very thoughtless accusation.
    "Making things worse", in this person's opinion, is the outcome of the investigator's presence.
    I find that terribly ignorant.
    Furthermore, this person is assuming that the investigator was "called-in", which is not true.
    I know Yvonne & Susan have worked very hard, in nasty conditions, to try to keep up with the sewer problems so perhaps they could be fixed some day.
    Now that we possibly have the opportunity to correct a lot of mistakes concerning the Sewage works and the financials, we should all be thankful that we have had concerned citizens who care enough to try to protect the average citizen of New Albany.
    Saying that they have worked "against" New Albany is nothing less than short-sighted and truly unconcerned with the future of our City and its residents.

    By Blogger East Ender, at 12:49 PM, June 13, 2006  

  • I'll echo another poster: EastEnder, if this blog is just for people who agree with you to echo each other, it's worthless.

    Let's put aside for a minute the pie-in-the-sky ideal that you would just be the moderator for this forum. Obviously, you have your side, so those who comment are with you or against you. And that's fine; nobody should pretend to be neutral just for the sake of it.

    That said, if you have the facts on your side, why don't you just use them to refute the posters you disagree with? I have no quarrel with your crusade, but it's harder to trust your facts when they're dripping with personal bias against politicians. Frankly, the discourse on this blog is so juvenile that it almost makes me throw up in my mouth every time I read it. And that's both sides... "little people" and "PPs" or whatever. The whole kit and caboodle is much less than it could be, so please consider treating each other like adults.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:05 PM, June 13, 2006  

  • R they saying the parks where the pictures were taken and the schools and the shopping centers are all "sewer" properties (city properties)? We don't even understand what the PP's are trying to impart with their great wisdom and knowledge. If I was one of those people the EPA talked to, I would feel Baylor and Smith are trying a little bit of "witness intimidation" tactics. These individuals will stop at nothing. It is oh so aptly named cityofnewalbany.blogspot.com .

    We always felt this was the Mayor's blog, especially with the involvement of Destinations' guy, the one asked to leave Council last Monday. How can they think we are that stupid? Ignorance is bliss must really be a state of mind. Thank you, Lord, for not endowing me and mine with those attributes.

    Together, this being our 1st blog posting, and reading that other nasty thing, we will respectfully choose to remain anonymous. How can it be healthy, wealthy or wise to write about the Federal government or citizens or others, with such glee? Let the chips fall where they may.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:06 PM, June 13, 2006  

  • I would certainly suggest, if you are having the type of vile reactions you claim every time you read this blog, that you point that mouse somewhere else.
    I have my suspicions however, that you are not about to do such a thing.
    In a situation like this, we find there is only two possible positions: You're either part of the solution, or you're part of the problem.
    Thanks for letting us know which part you are.

    By Blogger East Ender, at 3:00 PM, June 13, 2006  

  • Oh, how nice.
    Do you always speak so eloquently, or was this a special day for you?
    Such original thinking and what a master with the language. Your mother must be proud...
    blah....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:20 AM, June 14, 2006  

  • It's all just so obvious, huh? Who do they think they are fooling?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:09 AM, June 14, 2006  

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