The Kochert Dilemma
Larry Kochert, the City Council member for the 4th District of New Albany, and now serving his final term on council, has an opportunity to burnish his legacy of service. But will he make the right choice?
On record as saying he's for Scribner Place but unwilling to proceed without the county paying what he calls "its share," Kochert has a decision to make.
The county is on board now. An official vote by the county executive triumvirate is a foregone conclusion. Those three worthies met with Mayor Garner and came out of the meeting unanimously supporting the idea of Floyd County participation in Scribner Place. County Council is likely to add its endorsement.
Will Mr. Kochert now create a new justification for blocking redevelopment downtown, or will he declare himself satisfied and join the majority vote in favor of Option 1 in the Phase I financing plan at the July 7 council meeting? Will his temporary alliance with the Schmidt-Coffey cabal dissipate? Or was Mr. Kochert's public statement just a tool of delay?
An overwhelming majority of New Albany's citizens are expecting the city to approve funding for the project. The popular majority is so large, in fact, that it is surprising that any council member is wavering on the issue. A great many people, in fact, have assumed all along that Scribner Place would be the city's signature commitment to revitalizing downtown and never imagined some of their representatives might try to block it.
Now that the decision has been subjected to so much sunlight, the writing on the wall is much clearer. The people want Scribner Place to go forward.
Now the fight moves to which financing option is best. This correspondent has provided ample support for approving Option 1. It is the choice that offers the lowest interest and the highest return. Any other option would constitute gross negligence. For more details, read this earlier posting.
Mr. Kochert, the seventh generation is calling.
To let Mr. Kochert know how you feel about the upcoming vote, may I suggest you call him at (812) 945-7652, or write him at 2236 Shelby St., New Albany, IN 47150. Mr. Kochert, unfortunately, does not publish his e-mail for constituents to contact him.
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Randy Smith, destinations@sbcglobal.net
On record as saying he's for Scribner Place but unwilling to proceed without the county paying what he calls "its share," Kochert has a decision to make.
The county is on board now. An official vote by the county executive triumvirate is a foregone conclusion. Those three worthies met with Mayor Garner and came out of the meeting unanimously supporting the idea of Floyd County participation in Scribner Place. County Council is likely to add its endorsement.
Will Mr. Kochert now create a new justification for blocking redevelopment downtown, or will he declare himself satisfied and join the majority vote in favor of Option 1 in the Phase I financing plan at the July 7 council meeting? Will his temporary alliance with the Schmidt-Coffey cabal dissipate? Or was Mr. Kochert's public statement just a tool of delay?
An overwhelming majority of New Albany's citizens are expecting the city to approve funding for the project. The popular majority is so large, in fact, that it is surprising that any council member is wavering on the issue. A great many people, in fact, have assumed all along that Scribner Place would be the city's signature commitment to revitalizing downtown and never imagined some of their representatives might try to block it.
Now that the decision has been subjected to so much sunlight, the writing on the wall is much clearer. The people want Scribner Place to go forward.
Now the fight moves to which financing option is best. This correspondent has provided ample support for approving Option 1. It is the choice that offers the lowest interest and the highest return. Any other option would constitute gross negligence. For more details, read this earlier posting.
Mr. Kochert, the seventh generation is calling.
To let Mr. Kochert know how you feel about the upcoming vote, may I suggest you call him at (812) 945-7652, or write him at 2236 Shelby St., New Albany, IN 47150. Mr. Kochert, unfortunately, does not publish his e-mail for constituents to contact him.
--------------------------------------
Randy Smith, destinations@sbcglobal.net
posted by All4Word at 1:15 PM
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