Happy Valentine's Day to all our faithful readers!
Whether you have a special someone with whom to celebrate today or whether you just are a special someone, we wish you a Happy Valentine's Day.
Freedom Of Speech Staff
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
IS MAYOR ENGLAND BORROWING FROM OUR SEWER FUND?
Mayor England has stated he "does not borrow from our Sewer Fund!"
Well, that's not what John Skomp of Crowe Horthwath Report says:
Statement of Receipts and Disbursements of September 30, 2009:
New Albany Municipal Sewage works:
Tap-In and Drainage Fees...$244,210
EDIT (1) Transfer Required
by Ordinance.....................$1,645,000
EDIT (1) Transfer-
Additional.........................$----------
TIF (2) Reimbursement......$----------
Stormwater Collections and
Interest............................$1,183,686
General Fund Transfer
for Payroll........................$20,000
Proceeds from 2007 BAN...$1,183,686
Sanitation Interest............$----------
Debt Service Reserve
Receipts...........................$4,858
Escrow Release................$56,572
Interest Income...............$8,959
Total Other Receipts........$4,274,797
Other Disbursements:
Transfer to Stormwater
Fund..............................$1,052,479
*Loan to General Fund........$70,000
Right of Way.....................$98,067
Sewer Renovation.............$1,381,094
Capital Leases...................$---------
Transfer to Bank of
New York.........................$795,205
Transfer to Bond and
Interest Fund...................$5.00
Principal and Interest
Payments.........................$4,815,395
Registrar and Paying
Agent Fees.......................$7,677
Cost of Issuance on
Bonds.............................$--------
Interest Expense.............$105,729
Total Other
Disbursements...............$8,325,651
Net Receipts..................-$210,538
(1) Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT)
(2) Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Source: John Skomp, Crowe Horthwath
Freedom Of Speech would like to say: "You can't argue with the facts...Mayor England!"
Is this what he means, when he says: the sewer, police and fire is under funded?
Well, that's not what John Skomp of Crowe Horthwath Report says:
Statement of Receipts and Disbursements of September 30, 2009:
New Albany Municipal Sewage works:
Tap-In and Drainage Fees...$244,210
EDIT (1) Transfer Required
by Ordinance.....................$1,645,000
EDIT (1) Transfer-
Additional.........................$----------
TIF (2) Reimbursement......$----------
Stormwater Collections and
Interest............................$1,183,686
General Fund Transfer
for Payroll........................$20,000
Proceeds from 2007 BAN...$1,183,686
Sanitation Interest............$----------
Debt Service Reserve
Receipts...........................$4,858
Escrow Release................$56,572
Interest Income...............$8,959
Total Other Receipts........$4,274,797
Other Disbursements:
Transfer to Stormwater
Fund..............................$1,052,479
*Loan to General Fund........$70,000
Right of Way.....................$98,067
Sewer Renovation.............$1,381,094
Capital Leases...................$---------
Transfer to Bank of
New York.........................$795,205
Transfer to Bond and
Interest Fund...................$5.00
Principal and Interest
Payments.........................$4,815,395
Registrar and Paying
Agent Fees.......................$7,677
Cost of Issuance on
Bonds.............................$--------
Interest Expense.............$105,729
Total Other
Disbursements...............$8,325,651
Net Receipts..................-$210,538
(1) Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT)
(2) Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Source: John Skomp, Crowe Horthwath
Freedom Of Speech would like to say: "You can't argue with the facts...Mayor England!"
Is this what he means, when he says: the sewer, police and fire is under funded?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
"ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!"
Well, even though our Cowboys didn't make it. We are looking forward to the Super Bowl - for the commercials.
We are sure we are not alone in our excitement.
This year, a few of the reported purchasers of ad time include:
*Anheuser-Busch bought the most airtime and is the "exclusive beer brewer" for Super Bowl advertising
* CareerBuilder.com, who last year, in our opinion, had one of the best ads of all time.
* Dr. Pepper, a first-timer to the Super Bowl, whose commercial is reported to include the band KISS.
One of our picks for favorite commerical "E-Trade!"
"Go COLTS Go!"
Our prediction: 31-27
We are sure we are not alone in our excitement.
This year, a few of the reported purchasers of ad time include:
*Anheuser-Busch bought the most airtime and is the "exclusive beer brewer" for Super Bowl advertising
* CareerBuilder.com, who last year, in our opinion, had one of the best ads of all time.
* Dr. Pepper, a first-timer to the Super Bowl, whose commercial is reported to include the band KISS.
One of our picks for favorite commerical "E-Trade!"
"Go COLTS Go!"
Our prediction: 31-27
Thursday, February 4, 2010
HOW ABOUT FOUR BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ~ INSTEAD OF THREE...
There has been much discussion on THE GOVERNMENT and the separation of power, we submit that there is a fourth power of Government which is overlooked by most Americans.
We the people, is the fourth branch of Government, and it is more powerful than the other three!
The problem, and it is a great problem the American people have been duped, mesmerized, lied to, threatened, and killed when they have tried to evoke their rights on a Government that abuses it's privileges.
In the Declaration of Independence the Founding Fathers in their wisdom understood this, and they understood a weakness in the populous.
We present to you an excerpt from The Declaration of Independence:
Prudence, indeed, will dictate the Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government and to provide new guards for their security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies.
We add; Such has been the patient sufferance of these United States!
We need to heed these words! These words layed the ground work for establishing the Forth Power of Government.
We the People!
What say you?
We the people, is the fourth branch of Government, and it is more powerful than the other three!
The problem, and it is a great problem the American people have been duped, mesmerized, lied to, threatened, and killed when they have tried to evoke their rights on a Government that abuses it's privileges.
In the Declaration of Independence the Founding Fathers in their wisdom understood this, and they understood a weakness in the populous.
We present to you an excerpt from The Declaration of Independence:
Prudence, indeed, will dictate the Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government and to provide new guards for their security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies.
We add; Such has been the patient sufferance of these United States!
We need to heed these words! These words layed the ground work for establishing the Forth Power of Government.
We the People!
What say you?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
AIR PELOSI...
Politicians believe laws and rules [even the U.S. Constitution] applies to the rest of us but not to them.
Case in point: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her excessive and boorish demands for military travel.
Documents obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act show Pelosi incurred expenses of some $2.1 million for her use of Air Force jets for travel over the last two years and us taxpayer's pay $101,429.14 for Pelosi's in-flight "food and booze."
That's almost $1,000 per week.
Might we ask why the taxpayer is footing the bill for food and alcohol for members of Congress? Don't they already make enough that they can afford their own food and booze?
Pelosi travels back to San Francisco at least one weekend every month. How much is that costing our country in aircraft fuel, lodging/food for the air crew, pilot's salaries, maintenance on the aircraft, and etc?
Also we would like to know how many illegals her husband uses in his wineries and if they have health insurance paid for.
Why hasn't this made the national news. Talk about waste and she wants us to accept her health care plan that she does not have to be in. This goes to her retirement as well.
We don't understand how she keeps getting elected.
At least with Brown 41 being elected in a state that has been Democratic for over 50 years should have people thinking about what they are trying to ram down our throats.
We wonder if we taxpayers are paying for her "botox" injections?
Case in point: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her excessive and boorish demands for military travel.
Documents obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act show Pelosi incurred expenses of some $2.1 million for her use of Air Force jets for travel over the last two years and us taxpayer's pay $101,429.14 for Pelosi's in-flight "food and booze."
That's almost $1,000 per week.
Might we ask why the taxpayer is footing the bill for food and alcohol for members of Congress? Don't they already make enough that they can afford their own food and booze?
Pelosi travels back to San Francisco at least one weekend every month. How much is that costing our country in aircraft fuel, lodging/food for the air crew, pilot's salaries, maintenance on the aircraft, and etc?
Also we would like to know how many illegals her husband uses in his wineries and if they have health insurance paid for.
Why hasn't this made the national news. Talk about waste and she wants us to accept her health care plan that she does not have to be in. This goes to her retirement as well.
We don't understand how she keeps getting elected.
At least with Brown 41 being elected in a state that has been Democratic for over 50 years should have people thinking about what they are trying to ram down our throats.
We wonder if we taxpayers are paying for her "botox" injections?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
PART 2 ~ DOES NEW ALBANY HAVE A FLIM-FLAM MAN IN CHARGE?
We hope our readers had an opportunity to rent the movie the Flim-Flam Man.
Another exciting week in our City of New Albany.
It seems to us after reading this weeks Tribune and attending Thursday's Sewer Board meeting we are even more convinced we might have a Flim-Flam Man in charge of our city!
We guess you have all been reading on line about a 70% Sewer Rate increase.
First, we want to refresh you on what is going on and who said what first.
January 28, 2010 by Daniel Suddeath of the Tribune.
"The utility [sewer] is supposed to budget two month's worth of operating expenses, but currently has a $2.7 million deficit in its operating fund balance."
"That means the sewer board needs to pay $900,000 a year for the next three years to balance the operating fund."
"It also has to pay $700,000 each of the next two years to satisfy a bond anticipation note."
"Skomp said a payment of $960,000 will have to be made to the sewer bond and interest account by Match 1 to satisfy SRF agreements of the Indiana Wastewater Revolving Loan Program."
"Additionally, New Albany owed about $1.6 million in outstanding claims as of January 6. According to Skomp's report the utility has a $5 million in debt backed by what Skomp defined as junk bonds that lost their rating after being secured by the city. That basically means the sewer fund would have to come up with about $5 million to take on new loans, if the state agrees."
First we would like to say to Daniel Suddeath, we think you are an excellent reporter, but we found out you have been mislead...again!
The schedule of unpaid Sewer Claims being held as of January 6, 2010, is $1,669,419.55 not the about $1.6 million you were told.
"At this point Daniel we have to count our nickels and dimes!"
We also attended the Sewer Board meeting this past Thursday and were very shocked to not only hear this report by Skomp of Crowe Horwath, but to see Greg Fifer as the new Sewer Board Attorney.
What the hell were you thinking Mr. England, when you hired Greg Fifer?
Is he the one who cooked the books for Regina Overton?
It seems to us we all better get down on our knees and start praying for EPA to send a criminal investigator in and that EPA will take over our sewers!
January 29, 2010 by Daniel Suddeath the Tribune
"But Councilman Dan Coffey isn't interested in waiting. He said he doesn't trust the sewer board and wants a private review of the utility."
chant: "We want an audit, we want an audit, we want an audit!"
Mayor Doug England said "He didn't know why the payments had been missed, but expects the board will get to the root of the problem. "
"Talk about throwing your controller under the bus!"
* Why did the Sewer Board just now bring this issue to light?
* Why do we not have two council members sitting provide more public review?
* Why does the Mayor appoint all 3 Sewer Board Members?
Our theory is this:
This looks like it pertains to the "old" money. They mention the bond anticipation note [BAN], which should be for work already done, but we don't think this 70% even includes the Bonds that will be needed for the NEW Additional work needed for the NEW Capacity Assurance Plan!!!
The $1,669,419.55 claims not paid were carried over from 2009 to 2010 because this administration continues to mismanage our money and did not have the money to pay the bills.
Mr. England and Mrs. Garry know better than to mess with [SRF] State Revolving Funds. That's Federal and our understanding from EPA is that it is criminal to use the SRF funds improperly.
We have the 70% sewer rate analysis for our readers:
Typical Monthly Bill Analysis "Inside" City:
Cubic Feet....Proposed Charge..Difference
100................$17.14..................$7.06
200................$17.14..................$7.06
300................$25.71..................$10.59
400................$34.28.................$14.12
500................$42.85.................$17.65
600...............$51.42..................$21.18
700...............$59.99.................$24.71
800..............$68.56.................$28.24
900..............$77.13..................$31.77
1000............$85.70.................$35.30
1,100...........$94.27..................$38.83
1,200..........$102.84................$42.36
1,300..........$111.41.................$45.89
1,400..........$119.98................$49.42
1,500..........$128.55................$52.95
1,600..........$137.12................$56.48
1,700..........$145.69...............$60.01
1,800..........$154.26...............$63.54
1,900..........$162.83...............$67.07
2,000.........$171.40................$70.60
Typical Monthly Bill Analysis "Outside" City:
Cubic Feet...Proposed Charge...Difference
100..............$25.72...................$10.60
200.............$25.72....................$10.60
300.............$38.58...................$15.90
400.............$51.44...................$21.20
500.............$64.30...................$26.50
600.............$77.16....................$31.80
700.............$90.02...................$37.10
800.............$102.88.................$42.40
900.............$115.74..................$47.70
1,000..........$128.60.................$53.00
1,100...........$141.46.................$58.30
1,200...........$154.32.................$63.60
1,300...........$167.18.................$68.90
1,400...........$180.04................$74.20
1,500...........$192.90................$79.50
1,600...........$205.76................$84.80
1,700...........$218.62.................$90.10
1,800..........$231.48.................$95.40
1,900..........$244.34................$100.70
2,000..........$257.20................$106.00
Source: John Skomp of Crowe Horwath
Our final thoughts:
How long must we wait...how long should we sit back and permit Douglas B. England to rape our senior citizens, ratepayers of their hard earned money and bankrupt this city before we take action?
At the least, fire a shot across his bow...a shot that will be heard around our City and Floyd County and send Douglas B. England a clear and unmistakable message that he does not have the right or "carte blanche" to mismanage our $$$$$$$!
Contact: Mayor Douglas B. England
Phone: (812) 948-5333
email: mayor@cityofnewalbany.com
Email or Call our 9 Council members at:
John Gonder - jdgonder619@gmail.com
Dan Coffey - mcnain2@netzero.com
Patrick McLaughlin - pat4na@insightbb.com
Jack Messer - j.messer278@insightbb.com
Kevin Zurschmiede - zursch@msn.com
Robert Caesar - diamonds@endrisjewelers.com
Stephen Price - 941-9032
Diane Benedetti - 945-6240
Jeff Gahan - gan2020@insightbb.com
As the late former President Ronald Reagan once said, "If not us, then who, if not now, then when!"
Another exciting week in our City of New Albany.
It seems to us after reading this weeks Tribune and attending Thursday's Sewer Board meeting we are even more convinced we might have a Flim-Flam Man in charge of our city!
We guess you have all been reading on line about a 70% Sewer Rate increase.
First, we want to refresh you on what is going on and who said what first.
January 28, 2010 by Daniel Suddeath of the Tribune.
"The utility [sewer] is supposed to budget two month's worth of operating expenses, but currently has a $2.7 million deficit in its operating fund balance."
"That means the sewer board needs to pay $900,000 a year for the next three years to balance the operating fund."
"It also has to pay $700,000 each of the next two years to satisfy a bond anticipation note."
"Skomp said a payment of $960,000 will have to be made to the sewer bond and interest account by Match 1 to satisfy SRF agreements of the Indiana Wastewater Revolving Loan Program."
"Additionally, New Albany owed about $1.6 million in outstanding claims as of January 6. According to Skomp's report the utility has a $5 million in debt backed by what Skomp defined as junk bonds that lost their rating after being secured by the city. That basically means the sewer fund would have to come up with about $5 million to take on new loans, if the state agrees."
First we would like to say to Daniel Suddeath, we think you are an excellent reporter, but we found out you have been mislead...again!
The schedule of unpaid Sewer Claims being held as of January 6, 2010, is $1,669,419.55 not the about $1.6 million you were told.
"At this point Daniel we have to count our nickels and dimes!"
We also attended the Sewer Board meeting this past Thursday and were very shocked to not only hear this report by Skomp of Crowe Horwath, but to see Greg Fifer as the new Sewer Board Attorney.
What the hell were you thinking Mr. England, when you hired Greg Fifer?
Is he the one who cooked the books for Regina Overton?
It seems to us we all better get down on our knees and start praying for EPA to send a criminal investigator in and that EPA will take over our sewers!
January 29, 2010 by Daniel Suddeath the Tribune
"But Councilman Dan Coffey isn't interested in waiting. He said he doesn't trust the sewer board and wants a private review of the utility."
chant: "We want an audit, we want an audit, we want an audit!"
Mayor Doug England said "He didn't know why the payments had been missed, but expects the board will get to the root of the problem. "
"Talk about throwing your controller under the bus!"
Another word comes to mind is malfeasance. Just in case you forgot the meaning of malfeasance:
"Misconduct or wrong doing, by a public official." Those are grounds to remove an elected official from office!"
Our first question is:
* Where is the money?* Why did the Sewer Board just now bring this issue to light?
* Why do we not have two council members sitting provide more public review?
* Why does the Mayor appoint all 3 Sewer Board Members?
Our theory is this:
This looks like it pertains to the "old" money. They mention the bond anticipation note [BAN], which should be for work already done, but we don't think this 70% even includes the Bonds that will be needed for the NEW Additional work needed for the NEW Capacity Assurance Plan!!!
The $1,669,419.55 claims not paid were carried over from 2009 to 2010 because this administration continues to mismanage our money and did not have the money to pay the bills.
Mr. England and Mrs. Garry know better than to mess with [SRF] State Revolving Funds. That's Federal and our understanding from EPA is that it is criminal to use the SRF funds improperly.
We have the 70% sewer rate analysis for our readers:
Typical Monthly Bill Analysis "Inside" City:
Cubic Feet....Proposed Charge..Difference
100................$17.14..................$7.06
200................$17.14..................$7.06
300................$25.71..................$10.59
400................$34.28.................$14.12
500................$42.85.................$17.65
600...............$51.42..................$21.18
700...............$59.99.................$24.71
800..............$68.56.................$28.24
900..............$77.13..................$31.77
1000............$85.70.................$35.30
1,100...........$94.27..................$38.83
1,200..........$102.84................$42.36
1,300..........$111.41.................$45.89
1,400..........$119.98................$49.42
1,500..........$128.55................$52.95
1,600..........$137.12................$56.48
1,700..........$145.69...............$60.01
1,800..........$154.26...............$63.54
1,900..........$162.83...............$67.07
2,000.........$171.40................$70.60
Typical Monthly Bill Analysis "Outside" City:
Cubic Feet...Proposed Charge...Difference
100..............$25.72...................$10.60
200.............$25.72....................$10.60
300.............$38.58...................$15.90
400.............$51.44...................$21.20
500.............$64.30...................$26.50
600.............$77.16....................$31.80
700.............$90.02...................$37.10
800.............$102.88.................$42.40
900.............$115.74..................$47.70
1,000..........$128.60.................$53.00
1,100...........$141.46.................$58.30
1,200...........$154.32.................$63.60
1,300...........$167.18.................$68.90
1,400...........$180.04................$74.20
1,500...........$192.90................$79.50
1,600...........$205.76................$84.80
1,700...........$218.62.................$90.10
1,800..........$231.48.................$95.40
1,900..........$244.34................$100.70
2,000..........$257.20................$106.00
Source: John Skomp of Crowe Horwath
Our final thoughts:
How long must we wait...how long should we sit back and permit Douglas B. England to rape our senior citizens, ratepayers of their hard earned money and bankrupt this city before we take action?
At the least, fire a shot across his bow...a shot that will be heard around our City and Floyd County and send Douglas B. England a clear and unmistakable message that he does not have the right or "carte blanche" to mismanage our $$$$$$$!
Contact: Mayor Douglas B. England
Phone: (812) 948-5333
email: mayor@cityofnewalbany.com
Email or Call our 9 Council members at:
John Gonder - jdgonder619@gmail.com
Dan Coffey - mcnain2@netzero.com
Patrick McLaughlin - pat4na@insightbb.com
Jack Messer - j.messer278@insightbb.com
Kevin Zurschmiede - zursch@msn.com
Robert Caesar - diamonds@endrisjewelers.com
Stephen Price - 941-9032
Diane Benedetti - 945-6240
Jeff Gahan - gan2020@insightbb.com
As the late former President Ronald Reagan once said, "If not us, then who, if not now, then when!"
Friday, January 29, 2010
IS THIS GUY FOR REAL?
It was one of the worst State of the Union address in modern times. What made the speech a bit bizarre, and somewhat alarming, is how detached from reality the president is.
He wanted to cast himself as an idealist, an inspirational figure, Mr. Hope and Change!
Albert Einstein once gave the following definition of insanity: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result."
Obama is so out of touch with reality and the American people.
Can we really believe that Obama will lead the USA to it's former greatness?
It's very telling when during his State of the Union address, Obama used the "I" word 89 times and the word "WE" 36 times...he just doesn't get it!
This is not about him it's about the American people - you work for us!
It now appears after speech of meaningless words and no substance we are headed for "Romper Room 11."
1. Open government - FAILED - more pork and earmarks. Deals cut behind closed doors.
2. Bi-Partisan Government - FAILED - has Super majority (60 votes) and decided to ram whatever he wanted down everyone else's throat.
3. Open Health care Negotiations - Said he would broadcast this live on CSPAN. FAILED - all deals done behind close doors with no bipartisan support.
4. National Security - FAILED - been spending all his time on government takeover and forgot we are at war.
5. Jobs - FAILED - has done nothing. He's completely out of touch with small business and the real working world. Tried to buy union votes will healthcare deal.
6. Stimulus - failed - very little spent and no real impact.
7. Leadership - FAILED - Keeps campaigning instead of leading. Needs to focus on the real issues and get something accomplished.
8. Bank Bail Out - FAILED - banks used our $$ to buy other banks and make more risky investments. What he is not telling you is the reason the banks got in trouble in the first place is due to a push by government to make home loans to those that could not afford them.
Guess Mr. Obama is finding out the job he has now is more difficult than being a Senator.
He can't just vote "present" when a tough decision has to be made!
This "progressive BS" is about to come to a end. Change WE can BELIEVE in!!!!!
For all you morons that voted for his Hope & Change we really hope you are suffering just as the majority of America is!
footnote: Go to YouTube and watch "The Fall of a Republic." It's a real eye opener!
He wanted to cast himself as an idealist, an inspirational figure, Mr. Hope and Change!
Albert Einstein once gave the following definition of insanity: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result."
Obama is so out of touch with reality and the American people.
Can we really believe that Obama will lead the USA to it's former greatness?
It's very telling when during his State of the Union address, Obama used the "I" word 89 times and the word "WE" 36 times...he just doesn't get it!
This is not about him it's about the American people - you work for us!
It now appears after speech of meaningless words and no substance we are headed for "Romper Room 11."
1. Open government - FAILED - more pork and earmarks. Deals cut behind closed doors.
2. Bi-Partisan Government - FAILED - has Super majority (60 votes) and decided to ram whatever he wanted down everyone else's throat.
3. Open Health care Negotiations - Said he would broadcast this live on CSPAN. FAILED - all deals done behind close doors with no bipartisan support.
4. National Security - FAILED - been spending all his time on government takeover and forgot we are at war.
5. Jobs - FAILED - has done nothing. He's completely out of touch with small business and the real working world. Tried to buy union votes will healthcare deal.
6. Stimulus - failed - very little spent and no real impact.
7. Leadership - FAILED - Keeps campaigning instead of leading. Needs to focus on the real issues and get something accomplished.
8. Bank Bail Out - FAILED - banks used our $$ to buy other banks and make more risky investments. What he is not telling you is the reason the banks got in trouble in the first place is due to a push by government to make home loans to those that could not afford them.
Guess Mr. Obama is finding out the job he has now is more difficult than being a Senator.
He can't just vote "present" when a tough decision has to be made!
This "progressive BS" is about to come to a end. Change WE can BELIEVE in!!!!!
For all you morons that voted for his Hope & Change we really hope you are suffering just as the majority of America is!
footnote: Go to YouTube and watch "The Fall of a Republic." It's a real eye opener!
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