Wow!! What a great idea for a fundraiser. I would sure like to think we could do something like this over here in Indiana. Maybe even for a little less money to keep it affordable for the average traveler..
Check out the web site http://www.bluegrass1000.com/ Links are not up and running yet but mark it. As a member of the British Sports Car Club I can see the fun to be gained. 1000 miles around the state of Kentucky. Included in the price; security, meals, lodging, wrecker, auto techs, luggage vans, medical staff, even an extra car if yours breaks. Funds donated to a good cause and tax deductable. I would go on this trip but already going to Daytona 500 in a couple of weeks and an Alaskan Cruise in July. I am fun money tapped for this year.
Maybe we can get our local curmudgeon to arrange micro- brewery stops, although the drinking and driving part may not be very popular. It was just a thought to throw out there. I have made winery trips where we hit 5 wineries a day. With lunch and dinner in the mix the tasting throughout the day didn’t have an effect on the driving.
Have any creative ideas out there New Albany? (Southern Indiana)
Sorry I missed the Council meeting and haven’t posted but that stomach virus nailed the whole family by weeks end. Then spent the weekend at French Lick, West Baden. Neither hotel looks the same inside and for the much better. The casino however will not be drawing a lot from very far. However on that note my wife and I did win enough to pay for our room!! Free stay, I am for all that!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Gaming and Smoking
Good for Southern Indiana Bad for Louisville.
With the smoking ban back in Louisville, what would be the purpose of pursuing expanded gaming? Without smoking will Churchill’s attendance go up or down?
Will gamblers leave their machines to go outside and smoke? Leave it up to Kentucky politicians to push for expanded gaming at a huge cost to tax payers then, find it a losing proposition because people won’t sit and gamble where they can’t light up.
With Caesars, French Lick ( which I will visit for a weekend next weekend) and hopefully a Colgate casino, Louisville is in a gaming black hole. Churchill is unique with their thoroughbreds and will continue on regardless.
No smoking = no or limited gambling.
If you’re looking to take in more revenue, gaming is a proven. If you want to lose gaming pass a no smoking law.
New Albany is not going to get gaming and will not get a smoking ban. So why write this post? I don’t know, just thinking about our neighbors.
With the smoking ban back in Louisville, what would be the purpose of pursuing expanded gaming? Without smoking will Churchill’s attendance go up or down?
Will gamblers leave their machines to go outside and smoke? Leave it up to Kentucky politicians to push for expanded gaming at a huge cost to tax payers then, find it a losing proposition because people won’t sit and gamble where they can’t light up.
With Caesars, French Lick ( which I will visit for a weekend next weekend) and hopefully a Colgate casino, Louisville is in a gaming black hole. Churchill is unique with their thoroughbreds and will continue on regardless.
No smoking = no or limited gambling.
If you’re looking to take in more revenue, gaming is a proven. If you want to lose gaming pass a no smoking law.
New Albany is not going to get gaming and will not get a smoking ban. So why write this post? I don’t know, just thinking about our neighbors.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Benedetti-Recuse?
Concerning the vote on Gary McCartin's Charlestown Rd developement.
Just got off the phone with Ms Benedetti. She was very direct and to the point. She states she does not have to recuse if there is no capital gain for her.
She did not abstain because she said she was well informed, done her homework, had her facts straight and made an informed decision.
She insists her decisions will be made for the interest of New Albany not for any developer.
I have to agree with her statement legally, but personally for ethical reasons I would absatain, because I would not even be addressing a close relatives issues with my council. The last thing I would want is for someone to have reason to be investigating if there are capital gains to be made by my vote.
There are going to be several people watching her votes very close concerning developement issues. I guess I'll wait and see about her integrity as I will do with all new members of council and the re-new mayor.
Just got off the phone with Ms Benedetti. She was very direct and to the point. She states she does not have to recuse if there is no capital gain for her.
She did not abstain because she said she was well informed, done her homework, had her facts straight and made an informed decision.
She insists her decisions will be made for the interest of New Albany not for any developer.
I have to agree with her statement legally, but personally for ethical reasons I would absatain, because I would not even be addressing a close relatives issues with my council. The last thing I would want is for someone to have reason to be investigating if there are capital gains to be made by my vote.
There are going to be several people watching her votes very close concerning developement issues. I guess I'll wait and see about her integrity as I will do with all new members of council and the re-new mayor.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Council Meeting Jan 7th, Some comments to revisit?
It was a full house, with standing room only. All members present.
Dan Coffey thinks they have a good group that can accomplish good things.
Jeff Gahan is elected president with 6 of 9 votes. Gahan allows a vote for vice president, (unlike his predecessor) that finds Coffee picking up 5 of 9 votes.
About 16 residents from the Charlestown Rd / Mt Tabor area got their wishes as the McCartin development was shot down. Getting to know the new council members got a shot in the arm as Mr. Caesar folded like a lawn chair on the issue. Just moments after stating “This needs to proceed” he voted no to help defeat it. He did take a substantial pause before casting his vote. Even though he did get it right, I still would admire a man who follows up his words with action. I am sure after he gets a couple of meetings under his belt he will grow a couple of rocks and vote what he thinks. As for Mr. Price, when confronted with tough decisions he will vote and side with the residents involved and concerned with the issue. How much do you want to bet we will be revisiting that comment before the year is over?
On the comments from officials, Mr. Price again played a popularity card and addressed the fact that New Albany is ranked #1 in Indiana. The re-new Mayor introduced his staff and appointees, forgetting a few names in the process and allowing the fire chief to introduce his self and comrades. Since the mayor is rooting for Ohio State tonight that will end my criticism. After all I have lost the names of my family members during introductions at times.
The Mayor’s address to council was aimed more at the residents in attendance. He is going to listen, learn and cooperate. There was a strong emphasis on “LISTEN” from the mayor tonight. He also stated he would cooperate with council as hard as he can and he “SWEARS”!! Even though that leaves a big loop hole I think we will be revisiting that one also. I will stop there again, after all how can I criticize anything else when the mayor asks the president to end the meeting soon because the national championship game is on tonight?
How many additional attorneys on city payroll? How many deputy mayors? How many more employees? Ooops, sorry no more criticism, the mayor did say go Buckeyes!!
Some side notes; Mr. Gahan did a good job of noticing the members who wanted to speak and getting them time. He sure knows how to use that gavel also. Did John Gonder look like he was mad at the world?
Of course there was more but, I am sure the coverage will be good at other blog sites. I have stopped the DVR enough, now it’s time to watch the rest of the game.
Dan Coffey thinks they have a good group that can accomplish good things.
Jeff Gahan is elected president with 6 of 9 votes. Gahan allows a vote for vice president, (unlike his predecessor) that finds Coffee picking up 5 of 9 votes.
About 16 residents from the Charlestown Rd / Mt Tabor area got their wishes as the McCartin development was shot down. Getting to know the new council members got a shot in the arm as Mr. Caesar folded like a lawn chair on the issue. Just moments after stating “This needs to proceed” he voted no to help defeat it. He did take a substantial pause before casting his vote. Even though he did get it right, I still would admire a man who follows up his words with action. I am sure after he gets a couple of meetings under his belt he will grow a couple of rocks and vote what he thinks. As for Mr. Price, when confronted with tough decisions he will vote and side with the residents involved and concerned with the issue. How much do you want to bet we will be revisiting that comment before the year is over?
On the comments from officials, Mr. Price again played a popularity card and addressed the fact that New Albany is ranked #1 in Indiana. The re-new Mayor introduced his staff and appointees, forgetting a few names in the process and allowing the fire chief to introduce his self and comrades. Since the mayor is rooting for Ohio State tonight that will end my criticism. After all I have lost the names of my family members during introductions at times.
The Mayor’s address to council was aimed more at the residents in attendance. He is going to listen, learn and cooperate. There was a strong emphasis on “LISTEN” from the mayor tonight. He also stated he would cooperate with council as hard as he can and he “SWEARS”!! Even though that leaves a big loop hole I think we will be revisiting that one also. I will stop there again, after all how can I criticize anything else when the mayor asks the president to end the meeting soon because the national championship game is on tonight?
How many additional attorneys on city payroll? How many deputy mayors? How many more employees? Ooops, sorry no more criticism, the mayor did say go Buckeyes!!
Some side notes; Mr. Gahan did a good job of noticing the members who wanted to speak and getting them time. He sure knows how to use that gavel also. Did John Gonder look like he was mad at the world?
Of course there was more but, I am sure the coverage will be good at other blog sites. I have stopped the DVR enough, now it’s time to watch the rest of the game.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Coop Is Back
Free at last!!
Well maybe not completely free, but the 600 gal pond/water garden has been hand dug, landscaped, filled with water and gold fish. The fire pit area has been leveled and now in full family hot dog cooking condition. The tree swing for grandsons is working fine. The twin 8 person walk-in picnic tables are built and positioned between the pond and fire pit. House has new siding, gutters and downspouts. The daughters Honda Accord is road ready.
So, that is just a few of reasons I left the blogging sit for a few months.
Looking forward to the new city council and the meetings to come. I will be at the meeting Monday night. I cast my vote for Jeff Gahan for pres., though it doesn't count for anything.
I should be around more the next few months. The Christmas lights and deco are down and in storage. I have a speaking engagement Feb 9th and will be in Daytona for the Nascar race for 4 days. That is all I have on the plate for a while. People are calling asking about plans for Thunder '08 already. We will be there and in our usual spot but, I will be in Nashville, TN until at least noon that Saturday so I don't know how much partying I'll get in.
2008 will be the year Coop gets even more involved. Cleaning up New Albany of the Street Spam will be a priority. Look for this to be an issue before the new council and Mayor real soon.
After all, I believe cleaning up New Albany was a hot topic for the last elections.
That's it for now bloggers, see you late Monday night.
Well maybe not completely free, but the 600 gal pond/water garden has been hand dug, landscaped, filled with water and gold fish. The fire pit area has been leveled and now in full family hot dog cooking condition. The tree swing for grandsons is working fine. The twin 8 person walk-in picnic tables are built and positioned between the pond and fire pit. House has new siding, gutters and downspouts. The daughters Honda Accord is road ready.
So, that is just a few of reasons I left the blogging sit for a few months.
Looking forward to the new city council and the meetings to come. I will be at the meeting Monday night. I cast my vote for Jeff Gahan for pres., though it doesn't count for anything.
I should be around more the next few months. The Christmas lights and deco are down and in storage. I have a speaking engagement Feb 9th and will be in Daytona for the Nascar race for 4 days. That is all I have on the plate for a while. People are calling asking about plans for Thunder '08 already. We will be there and in our usual spot but, I will be in Nashville, TN until at least noon that Saturday so I don't know how much partying I'll get in.
2008 will be the year Coop gets even more involved. Cleaning up New Albany of the Street Spam will be a priority. Look for this to be an issue before the new council and Mayor real soon.
After all, I believe cleaning up New Albany was a hot topic for the last elections.
That's it for now bloggers, see you late Monday night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
