Hie Thee to The Tribune
Sanity rears its glorious head in the letters section of Saturday's editions of The Tribune, while just four pages later, on the back page of the front section, "Floyd County's newspaper since 1851" stumbles.
The Last Shall Be First
Decent content on the Saturday Technology page. I'm grateful they have it. But the lead illustration, provided by a syndicate, shows 4 seemingly identical iPods. Unfortunately for local readers, the illustration was intended to demonstrate the variety of colors the ubiquitous personal listening stations are offered in.
Even though Apple's iPod comes in a rainbow of colors, Los Angeles resident Jo Ann Villalobos gives them even more character by creating costumes for the gadgets, including Halloween masks, below, and complete western-style cowboy outfits.
Rainbow? Show it, don't tell it.
First Shall Be Last
Officer Todd Bailey, who works diligently as a neighborhood association liaison, takes the Gang of Four to task in a letter of frustration with their ongoing obstructionism.
Some City Councilmen just don't get it
Dear Editor:
For the past few years certain members of the New Albany City Council have felt it necessary to discuss at agonizing length gasoline consumption and use for the city's take home car fleet, particularly the police department's. This, of course, has sparked many related and unrelated debates within the council and the community in general.
Mayor James Garner and Chief of Police Merle Harl identified the problem and have implemented gas saving programs that have truly helped with this matter. It is no illusion that fuel prices have risen significantly. A conservative estimate would show the cost increase to be around 40 percent over the past few years. The mayor and chief identified this early on and understanding the need for fiscal responsibility and public safety, took several cost saving measures.
One, that police officers who live beyond the city limit contribute fuel in the amount of either 10 or 20 gallons per month. This move in itself more than covered the costs of officers taking their vehicles home. Two, that officers be restricted to driving the vehicles for work related tasks only and no private or "off duty" driving. These are ideas that most if not all police officers gladly support because they too want to help the community with any financial problems.
You may ask why we have vehicles assigned to individuals and why they take them home? The reason is for the same reason the mayor and chief implemented the money saving measure I mentioned previously, fiscal responsibility and public safety. It is simply less expensive to have a fleet of vehicles assigned to individuals rather than fleets of pool cars running 24 hours per day seven days per week. In fact, the savings are significant to that point that I doubt the city could afford to have a 24/7 non-assigned fleet. With regard to public safey, the more police cars on the street, the more visibility, the less crime.
Additionally, and even more confusing, officers providing traffic assistance for church traffic on Sunday mornings has been attacked by the same councilmen. This assistance costs the city nothing as the church pays completely for the service including the gasoline. Without these officers assistance on Sunday morning, traffic would be gridlocked on Charlestown Road.
So, Todd, you're making a lot of sense here. The command staff made the same compelling presentation to council months ago. Are you saying that the Gang of Four still doesn't get it? Aren't they paying attention? Isn't that what we pay them for? Why are hundreds of residents who aren't elected officials aware of these policies, but not the Gang? Most residents recognize them as one example of the leadership and fiscal responsibility shown by this new administration. Most residents see that, particularly in 2005, the Garner administration has guided the ship through mighty rough waters. Why is the Gang so opposed to reform and progress? Talk to us, Todd.
The councilmen who agonizingly debate the so-called "fuel problem" or "take home car issue" are the real failure. These are the same people who for years have stifled progress in this community.
I am ashamed and embarrassed for members of the New Albany City Council such as Larry Kochert (4th District) who have served for so long and have accomplished so little. Why are Kochert and other council members dwelling on this fuel matter that has already been solved? A personal agenda? Incompetence? Who knows. What is known is that Kochert is a large part of the problem. But with all problems, we have the ability to solve them. When it comes time to vote again, (2007) please exercise your right and vote Kochert back to a non-public life.
As you have probably suspected by now, yes, I'm a New Albany Police Officer.
I chose this career and city because I am genuinely concerned about the welfare of the people. I grew up in this city and proudly serve its citizens. It's time for council members to set aside their agendas and care about this community too.
For the record, there are members of the New Albany City Council who are doing positive things for the community. Councilmen Crump, Messer, Gahan and Blevins have all acted in a responsible manner throughout this matter.
Todd Bailey
New Albany
Note that we are aware that Mr. Kochert hasn't confined his demagoguery to the council chamber, but has taken his campaign against the administration and the police department on the road, too.
At Volunteer Hoosier, we support the cops. How about you?
The Last Shall Be First
Decent content on the Saturday Technology page. I'm grateful they have it. But the lead illustration, provided by a syndicate, shows 4 seemingly identical iPods. Unfortunately for local readers, the illustration was intended to demonstrate the variety of colors the ubiquitous personal listening stations are offered in.
Even though Apple's iPod comes in a rainbow of colors, Los Angeles resident Jo Ann Villalobos gives them even more character by creating costumes for the gadgets, including Halloween masks, below, and complete western-style cowboy outfits.
Rainbow? Show it, don't tell it.
First Shall Be Last
Officer Todd Bailey, who works diligently as a neighborhood association liaison, takes the Gang of Four to task in a letter of frustration with their ongoing obstructionism.
Some City Councilmen just don't get it
Dear Editor:
For the past few years certain members of the New Albany City Council have felt it necessary to discuss at agonizing length gasoline consumption and use for the city's take home car fleet, particularly the police department's. This, of course, has sparked many related and unrelated debates within the council and the community in general.
Mayor James Garner and Chief of Police Merle Harl identified the problem and have implemented gas saving programs that have truly helped with this matter. It is no illusion that fuel prices have risen significantly. A conservative estimate would show the cost increase to be around 40 percent over the past few years. The mayor and chief identified this early on and understanding the need for fiscal responsibility and public safety, took several cost saving measures.
One, that police officers who live beyond the city limit contribute fuel in the amount of either 10 or 20 gallons per month. This move in itself more than covered the costs of officers taking their vehicles home. Two, that officers be restricted to driving the vehicles for work related tasks only and no private or "off duty" driving. These are ideas that most if not all police officers gladly support because they too want to help the community with any financial problems.
You may ask why we have vehicles assigned to individuals and why they take them home? The reason is for the same reason the mayor and chief implemented the money saving measure I mentioned previously, fiscal responsibility and public safety. It is simply less expensive to have a fleet of vehicles assigned to individuals rather than fleets of pool cars running 24 hours per day seven days per week. In fact, the savings are significant to that point that I doubt the city could afford to have a 24/7 non-assigned fleet. With regard to public safey, the more police cars on the street, the more visibility, the less crime.
Additionally, and even more confusing, officers providing traffic assistance for church traffic on Sunday mornings has been attacked by the same councilmen. This assistance costs the city nothing as the church pays completely for the service including the gasoline. Without these officers assistance on Sunday morning, traffic would be gridlocked on Charlestown Road.
So, Todd, you're making a lot of sense here. The command staff made the same compelling presentation to council months ago. Are you saying that the Gang of Four still doesn't get it? Aren't they paying attention? Isn't that what we pay them for? Why are hundreds of residents who aren't elected officials aware of these policies, but not the Gang? Most residents recognize them as one example of the leadership and fiscal responsibility shown by this new administration. Most residents see that, particularly in 2005, the Garner administration has guided the ship through mighty rough waters. Why is the Gang so opposed to reform and progress? Talk to us, Todd.
The councilmen who agonizingly debate the so-called "fuel problem" or "take home car issue" are the real failure. These are the same people who for years have stifled progress in this community.
I am ashamed and embarrassed for members of the New Albany City Council such as Larry Kochert (4th District) who have served for so long and have accomplished so little. Why are Kochert and other council members dwelling on this fuel matter that has already been solved? A personal agenda? Incompetence? Who knows. What is known is that Kochert is a large part of the problem. But with all problems, we have the ability to solve them. When it comes time to vote again, (2007) please exercise your right and vote Kochert back to a non-public life.
As you have probably suspected by now, yes, I'm a New Albany Police Officer.
I chose this career and city because I am genuinely concerned about the welfare of the people. I grew up in this city and proudly serve its citizens. It's time for council members to set aside their agendas and care about this community too.
For the record, there are members of the New Albany City Council who are doing positive things for the community. Councilmen Crump, Messer, Gahan and Blevins have all acted in a responsible manner throughout this matter.
Todd Bailey
New Albany
Note that we are aware that Mr. Kochert hasn't confined his demagoguery to the council chamber, but has taken his campaign against the administration and the police department on the road, too.
At Volunteer Hoosier, we support the cops. How about you?
posted by All4Word at 9:36 AM
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