Sunday, December 22, 2013

City Employee To (forced?) Retire

Sources have told me that a city department head is abruptly retiring and that a replacement has already been chosen.  My source indicated to me that the retirement may have been a leave or be thrown out type situation.  I'll have more information as it becomes available.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Tornado Watch Till Midnight

We are under a Tornado Watch until midnight tonight.  While there is a threat for tornadoes, the biggest threat from these storms will be very strong straight line winds and torrential downpours causing flash flooding.

Monday, December 9, 2013

A DECLARATION OF NEUTRALITY

With the recent declaration of war by the giant Goliath on the CCC it became apparent that the JAML blog make it stance clear.  And that stance is one of neutrality. 

While the JAML Blog may have a rooting interest on one side, the simple matter of the fact is that this will remain neutral ground. 

The truth of the situation is that the JAML Blog has friends on both sides as well as enemies on both sides.  So to declare for one side or the other is neither in our interests or our desire.  At this time.

Furthermore, the JAML Blog will accept a limited number of refugees.  The likes of Grumpy Granny, Jules, Leah and others will be allowed to pass into our boarders for safety until the conflict is resolved.

However, do not let our neutrality be misinterpreted to mean that we will standing by idly waiting to see who wins.  We will also be monitoring the combatants boarders to ensure that there are no outsiders trying to influence the outcome for one side or the other.  Or worse, arming both sides hoping for double annihilation.  We realize that there are other blogs out there that would like a long draining war for both sides so that they can use the opportunity to rise up and try to assume control.   Abbysnanna and j-pol, we will be watching.

We have sent delegates to the Oracle to discuss their current position as well.

To both parties: We are neutral at this time.  But make no mistake.  Any attempt to involve us without our permission will be met with severe sanctions.  And any act of hostility or aggression towards the JAML Blog will be met with a severe and immediate response from both us and our allies. We will use any and all force to defend our boarders.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Early (TOO EARLY) Friday Morning Update

The National Weather Service has updated their forecast.  Expect between a .25 to .5 of ice before it transitions to sleet and snow.  Sleet and snow amounts are now expected at 3-5 inches.  This put power outage in play.  Keep updated as ice is already accumulating.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Be Prepared For Everything

This will be my only post this evening.  I have to get up early for work tomorrow.   Turned out that the office manager at The JAML Corporate HQ heard about the storm and jumped on the first flight to the Bahamas.   SOB.

As it stands right now we just in the middle of the transition zone.  Just a few miles north they are expecting a hefty snow storm.  Just a few miles to our west and southwest they are expecting a pretty decent icing event.  Just to our south and southeast they are expecting heavy rain finishing up as a brief period of snow. 

And here we are expecting primarily a sleet and snow event.  As it stands right now the forecast is for a period of freezing rain followed by an extended period of sleet and snow (which could be heavy at times tomorrow) and finishing up as all snow tomorrow night. 

A accumulation of snow and sleet of 2-3 inches is expected at this time with a thin layer of ice underneath that.  But given our close proximity to the other zones, do not rule anything out.

With the cold air moving in quicker than expected it is becoming very unlikely that this will remain mostly rain, however.  (At 6pm, Paoli was already at freezing.)  Quite frankly at this time it is more likely that this will be a bust than mostly rain.  And that is still a remote possibility.

Keep an eye and ear on the weather and proceed cautiously if you are traveling tonight and tomorrow.

It's On Its Way

It will take its time getting here but it is getting stronger and heading this way.

WINTER STORM WARNING

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT CST/ SATURDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOUISVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT CST/ SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. * TIMING: THE INITIAL CHANGE OVER TO A WINTRY MIX OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN LOOKS TO OCCUR ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA LATER THIS EVENING. IT SHOULD TRANSITION AGAIN TO JUST SNOW DURING THE MORNING HOURS...WITH THE INTENSITY FORECAST TO PICK UP DURING THE AFTERNOON. * MAIN IMPACT: SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 4 TO 8 INCHES ACROSS THE WARNING AREA...WITH THE HEAVIEST INTENSITY OF SNOW EXPECTED TO FALL FRIDAY AFTERNOON. * OTHER IMPACTS: THERE WILL BE A BRIEF PERIOD DURING THE LATE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS WHERE FREEZING RAIN WILL MAKE DRIVING DANGEROUS. TEMPERATURES WILL RAPIDLY FALL ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA ON FRIDAY NIGHT. ANY PRE-EXISTING WET SURFACES COULD QUICKLY FREEZE CREATING MORE HAZARDOUS DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

A Quick Weather Update

Here's what we know is going to happen:

-Rain will spread over the area Thursday.

-At times the rain will be heavy.  Flash flooding is possible.

-At some point cold air will drop into the area changing the rain to wintry precipitation.

-This should all wrap up sometime Friday night.

Here is what is unclear at this time:

-How soon does the cold air get here?

-How quickly does the air above us cool?

Right now the computer models are just now starting to come together after being all over the place the last few days.  And right now they are showing a good amount of snow for us.  But these forecasting models have trouble with sleet.  And just a couple of hours of sleet mixing in with the snow would greatly reduce the snow amounts.

It looks as though the models are going away from freezing rain, which is good.  But the last time I saw the Weather Channel forecast they were forecasting an ice storm here.  But overall the rest of the thinking is going away from that.

Here's my thoughts at this time.  As long as this stays away from being an ice storm, this will just be a pain in the rear end.  You may want to stay home Friday or you may want to head home early.  But if you wanted or needed to get out and about it would be very manageable. 

By this time tomorrow night we should know what is on its way.

WHAT I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH IS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE STORM FOR SUNDAY.

If we get any type of snow and/ice cover we may have big problems on Sunday.  Right now a lot of things have to come together so it is a watch and see situation at this time.

More updates tomorrow.

Let's Talk About The Marina

Let's discuss the marina.

-First, I think it's a fine little idea.  It doesn't blow my skirt up, but I think it will be a nice little addition to downtown.

-Will it help downtown business?  A little.  But it won't help bring in new business.  I did the math back when the idea was first introduced and put them on the chatter and they were very underwhelming.  Especially when it will mainly take place on weekends and only for part of the year.

-Is it cheaper than the canal?  Yes.

-Is it better than the canal?  No and it is not even close.

-I find it highly hypocritical that people who were screaming at the top of their lungs against the "beautification" aspect of the canal did so because beauty was subjective so you can't say that it would beautify.  But now they say the marina will beautify.

I agree it will. 

I also say those people are hypocrites who will throw what ever they can against the wall to see what sticks.

-It must have been said a million times that we aren't San Antonio/Oklahoma City so that won't work here.  Now Hoosiertaxpayer is comparing us to Florida.  

See the above bullet point.

- Anyone who uses the "sewer effluent" is disgusting against the canal and then talks about swimming in the river is at best uneducated on the matter and at worst bold face lying. 

Sewer effluent is cleaner than the river is and as clear as a glass of tap water. I know this for a fact.

It's sad that what a grade school field trip taught me allows me to speak more informed than people who went to the capital to speak are.  I hope our elected officials take that into account when weighing their views.

-Again it is a nice little plan that will look nice.   But that is about it.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

THE TRUTH ABOUT 10TH STREET


There is a lot of talk about tenth street these days.  Actually it's been going on for quite some time.  What has changed though is that some are trying to make it seem as though the council is not interested in making improvements to tenth street.  Simply put, this is not true.  More so this merely an attempt by most to protect their mayor and portray Dennis Julius as the bad guy in light of the up coming election.  They are some what desperate to do this because of the sad political situation  that Mike Moore has put himself in over the last year plus. 

Don't listen to them.

Here is the truth on Tenth Street.

The council is fully in favor of making improvements to 10th St.  Its actually been on their list of things to do for quite some time.  Long before Julius announced he would run for mayor.  Actually before the last election.  And that has not changed one bit.

What the council has always been waiting on is matching funds from the state.  Something that would save the city of Jeffersonville quite of bit of money.  I believe (if memory serves) that those funds would become available after the next election.  That's has always been the case by the way. 

But see, that won't help Moore out in the election.  So he has decided to try and move forward with the project early and use the cities TIF funds for the project.  Thus breaking one of his campaign promises to "do more with less." 

The city council, it seems, wants no part of spending extra funds on a project when a little patience would save the city quite a bit of money.  Something Moore's core supporters pointed to during the last election.  But now they are forced to look the other way for fear that Moore's dwindling support will not be enough to win him a second term. 

And the truth also needs to be said about the productivity of such improvements.  During rush hours, 10th street is always going to be busy.  Whether you add a turning lane or not.  While I don't drive tenth street much, I've driven it enough to know that it is light on off hours and heavy, but steady during peak travel times.  That won't change with a turning lane.  It won't even make turning easier.  It will just make it easier for traffic going through to go around vehicle's that are turning.  So this is not the answer to all the problems.  There probably isn't one.

The most ironic part of all of this is that whenever Walnut Ridge is awarded a contract with the lowest bid, those same supporters seem cry foul and scream favoritism.  Now that Moore is willing to use funds to try and improve 10th street, where many of the businesses supported him, they are looking the other way.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Flash Flood Watch

If you haven't heard,  the whole day and night now look to be a washout.  Several inches of rain is expected.  Plan accordingly and be careful driving.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

CCC DOWN

Looks like somebody forgot the bill was due.   My biggest concern is what is Tina going to do with all her free time now that she can't save the entire county.

In all seriousness let's hope this is very temporary and that it is back up and running soon.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

SEVERE STORMS HEADING TOWARDS JEFFERSONVILLE

Severe storms are heading towards Jeffersonville and should arrive in the next hour.  The main threat high straight line winds and torrential rain.   Hail and small tornadoes are possible, however unlikely.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Line Of Storms Approaching

Should be here in the next hour and have a lot of wind to work with so there is a chance they could go severe.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Severe Weather?

It's possible that we could have severe storms overnight into the early morning hours.  While the chances have diminished some it is still a good idea to keep an eye on the weather overnight.

Hmmm....

This was posted to the mayor's FB page.  Funny,  I thought jobs and entertainment with in the city that we live would lead to a higher quality of life.

Sounds like an excuse for having an administration that has lacked on development.

Feel free to comment below.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Rain Approaching; Storms Tonight

Moderate to heavy rain is approaching the area and will linger for several hours this morning.

Then this evening or later tonight strong storms will approach the area again.   While they won't be as strong as what happened in Oklahoma last night,  they will still be capable of producing high winds,  hail,  and tornadoes.   Also flash flooding will be a risk.   Keep an eye and ear out for the weather today and tonight.

Friday, May 31, 2013

What Jeffersonville Can Learn From Louisville & WHAS

So as the city of Jefferonville begins to take bids on developmental plans for the old canal district and citizens mourn the loss of "Third Base" and the yawn over the opening of the city's newest restaurant (another Taco Bell) it all got my mind wondering. 

Where does Jeffersoville go wrong? 

As I pondered this question I heard a story about the history WHAS Radio and a decision they made many many moons ago.  And repercussions that their decision had on the city of Louisville and another city in the region were quite interesting.  The reasoning for WHAS's decision draws an interesting similarity to Jeffersonville's current mindset that has lead to many of the problems city faces when it comes to development. 

-THE 840 WHAS STORY

So last week the story was told on 840 WHAS that in its early days on the air in the first half of last century that WHAS was presented with an offer to broadcast a company's country music show over its air waives.  WHAS took the offer under consideration but ultimately decided that the stations current show slated at the time of broadcast was a safer programming choice.

The program they chose to stick with you was farm and crop report show.

So they passed on a country music show to broadcast a farm and crop report show.  It was a safer bet for the station as there were many farmers in the area could/would use the show for information on farming.  They chose the safe route of an existing clientele than to take a risk to broaden their listening base and risk upsetting some farmers.

Ultimately the company found a station and a home in another city in the region and did fine for itself.  You may have even heard them before:

Yes that's right.  It was the Grand Ole Opry.

They passed on the Grand Ole Opry for a crop report show.  As time went on Nashville (where they got their show on the air at) went on to be what is many people refer to as "The Capital Of Country Music".  While Louisville went on to become "Possibility City"? 

Oh and by the way, I listen to WHAS a lot and I don't believe that they still run a farm and crop report show.

-WHAT ELSE WE CAN LEARN FROM LOUISVILLE

At one point Louisville was ahead of Nashville and Indianapolis in both population and business.  Not the case any longer.  Those two cities have long since past Louisville.  Probably to the point where Louisville will never catch up. 

Why did this happen?

Well for many years Louisville never had a plan and wasn't concerned with having one either.  They were just content to roll along and let whatever happened, happen.  While Indy was building structures such as the Hoosier Dome to attract major events and a NFL team Louisville was just trying to get by with what they had.  They couldn't even coordinate an effort to pay the NBA to include their ABA Kentucky Colonels.

The result was Indianapolis getting the Colts along with keeping the Pacers (also an ABA team) and attracting major events to Hoosier Dome that not only kept the visitors rolling into the city but kept them visible to the international community.  That has lead to a great commercial and corporate growth.  All because the city invested in itself.  And thus its future.

Mean while Louisville just sat stagnant.  Stagnant with no identity I might add. 

There was U of L in the middle.  There were corporate businesses in the downtown area.  Bars in the highland areas and homes in the south and west parts of town.  Unless you wanted to go to a club in the highlands or once a year to the State Fair, there wasn't much reason to visit the city.

That all changed a decade or so ago when Louisville decided to get a plan. 

What was the plan?

The plan was to make downtown Louisville the place to be.  To make it so more visitors would venture into their downtown for entertainment.  Or so that when visitors were there on conventions to get them to spend more money downtown and make their visit more enjoyable so that their convention, or just the individuals themselves, would want to come back.

How did they do this?

Well lets see here...

  




They added attractions to lure visitors while at the same time eliminated eyesores that harmed the city's image. 

Both the "Yum Center" and "Louisville Slugger Field" attract people downtown for events and entertainment.  While "4th Street Live" gives them a reason to stay downtown after the events are over.  Heck Louisville Slugger Field gives out of towners something to do as well.  And the Yum Center has already hosted several NCAA events and concerts that have brought out of towners to Louisville for over night stays and 4th Street Live has given those people an entertainment option that they have taken advantage of. 

While doing this, the city of Louisville took old eyesores out and made the city a more beautiful and inviting place to be.

A strip of road seldom used filled with vacant store fronts became 4th Street Live.  An old deteriorating factory became the wonderful looking Louisville Slugger Field.  And a rusty looking power sub-station was removed to make room for the Yum Center.  All became much more visually pleasing.  And thus, more inviting.

Now I won't pretend that there haven't been negatives.  Because there has been. 

The Highlands took a hit with the opening of 4th Street Live.  And the Yum Center signed a horrible deal with U of L that has hindered its financial possibilities. 

But the first is just a result of business competition and the second is a correctable error.  But make no mistake.  They do not out weigh the positives these projects have generated for the downtown area of Louisville.  The scale definitely leans towards the positives and that is what is most important in all of this.  And it all occurred because the city decided on a plan and invested in itself and its future.

-HOW THIS RELATES TO JEFFERSONVILLE

Now I'm not saying that Jeffersonville needs to build a stadium, arena, or dome downtown.  Not at all.  And here's the neat part in all of this.  We don't have to.  Louisville already has provided us with an arena that is merely a short drive or walk away.  And Jeffersonville has already seen the benefits from the arena.  Anyone who drove into downtown Louisville during the NCAA tournament held in the Yum center will tell you that the sidewalks of the Second Street Bridge were filled with people walking from Jeffersonville to Louisville for the big event.  So this means A) they were either locals who decided to park for less money in Jeffersonville and walk or B) stayed the night in a Jeffersonville hotel and decided to walk.  Either way, it attracted people to Jeffersonville.  And I would venture to say that, to a lesser extent, the concerts do the same for Jeffersonville.

But what do you think the odds are that many if any decided to spend extra money in Jeffersonville?  My guess is not a lot.  How about the people in Louisville?  I'd venture that their percentage of return was much greater than that of Jeffersonville.

Why? 

Because the had a plan in place to take advantage of people visiting their city by investing in their city.  They had an attraction in 4th Street Live that was busy from before noon well until after midnight that first day of the tourney.  I should know.  I was there.

-THE CONNECTION BETWEEN JEFFERSONVILLE AND THE WHAS STORY

So why doesn't Jeffersonville have a plan to take advantage of things like this and to make downtown an inviting place for visitors or a regular stop for locals? 

Well that would be because of small minded people with visions like this:

Yes.  Why would you want to have something that is a business known for its popularity and repeat customers when you can have a museum that half the people who do visit it will only do so once.  (And she's probably still trying to figure out why she wasn't elected)

But sadly that is the mindset of a great deal of people in Jeffersonville.  They have know desire to have anything that could attract people to downtown.  They want no part of anything new or exciting that could lead people to say: "hey, lets go check that out."  No instead they want to stick with what they have been doing. 

Look no further than the pedestrian bridge lighting for another example.  The original plan was for the lighting to be uniform from one side to other.  For Jeffersonville it would have relayed a simple message of "hey, we're not so different over here.  Come on over and give us a try."

Instead what we got was a nixing of that plan and going with light features that supposedly convey an image of what Jeffersonville currently is.  Whatever that is.  All I know whatever that is, isn't working. 

Oh, Jeffersonville had a plan for its downtown.  They had a marvelous plan at that. 

It was a plan for a canal district.  Something that would create excitement and buzz for locals and visitors.  Something that would say "Hey, come out and check out these great places of entertainment here in Jeffersonville!"  Or "While you're staying at our hotels, you don't have to drive to Louisville to spend your entertainment or dining dollars at 4th Street.  You can do it here at our place which is right in walking distance of your hotel!"  It would have created a buzz that would have attracted people from the cities bordering Louisville on the Southern Indiana side as well as people who travel from our hotels to Louisville.

And imagine the visual as people crossed the pedestrian bridge.  A beautiful water feature with a vibrant section of shops and eateries.  Heck, it would have given a people to cross the pedestrian bridge.  Something to say, "Hey, lets go check that out."

And for those small minded people who say that we already have a water feature with the river, I give you this:

This is the water feature at River Front Park.  You know, the park in Louisville that sits right on the river.  This is just a small section of it, but it is very nice and and was quite popular with people that I saw while we visited the Chow Wagon. 

Yes that's right.  Even with the Chow Wagon going on people were taking time to go over and enjoy the scene.  And by the way, I saw no graffiti or homeless people bathing in it as some have claimed would happen with the canal.  Those are just baseless theories that were thrown out by people who were just concerned with personal agendas and not the greater good of the city.

You see, the sad part about Jeffersonville is that many of the voting public are concerned with only two things.  Whether their street is going to be repaved soon and making taxes lower than is possible in reality.  There is not a concern with the city as a whole.  Just a concern for the individual.  Which is a shame.  Just like WHAS all those years ago the city could be passing up on the possibility of a lifetime just because some have a narrow view of how things should be.

And this is not an anti Moore rant.  Yes he has some ideas for Jeffersonville.  I don't know that I would call it a plan or that I think they are good ideas, but at least he knows that you have to have a plan.  Just recently he unveiled his plans to spend $2 million on a marina.  That's not that much for a city project at all.  Yet if you go the story on the News and Tribune website, you'll find that there are already people claiming he is going to bankrupt the city.  Just "leave it be" they say.

The problem is, "leaving it be" isn't working.  Times change.  And while people continually look back at what used to be, they fail to realize why it isn't any longer.  Things and people change.  While they may have had fun at the neighborhood bowling alley 30 years ago, there is a reason the alley closed up and no one replaced it with another one.  It just wasn't popular anymore.  And if you don't think that this is a common mindset among people around here, I'll just redirect you to Kelley's statement above. 

When you develop your plan, or whether you will support a proposed plan, you have to look around and see whats working other places.  Not what was working 30 plus years ago. 

Or perhaps you look to try something that is cutting edge that will create a "wow" factor that will draw interest.  You don't want to be like WHAS and pass on the chance to expand your clientele and thus The  Grand Ole Opry.  And you certainly don't want to be Louisville and just let things be.  That will get you nothing but empty store fronts.


But just like the both Louisville and WHAS, some people in Jeffersonville seem content to not only restrict Jeffersonville's growth potential, but to hinder it as well.  That is a shame. 

We should not be minimizing our customer base potential, but instead expanding it.  For some its purely selfish reasons.  Just hoping to save $25 bucks year on taxes. 

And for others its just about sticking to ideals or visions of years long past.  Hanging on to what doesn't work any longer.  Not willing to evolve and change with times.  Trying to tell people that they are wrong for liking different things now. 

But it is time for these people to wake up and smell the coffee.  Realize what works and what doesn't.  Times do change. 

Heck, WHAS doesn't even have a farm and crop report anymore.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Thoughts & Prayers For The Julius Family

The JAML Family would like to step away from politics for a minute (and hope that everyone else could add well) to send our thoughts and prayer to Dennis Julius and his family.   Dennis's mother has suffered a stroke.  

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and strength for the entire family during this tough time.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

The Best Post You'll Read All Year

So over on the chatter (yes I'm back, at least part time, and at least for now, more on that later), but over on the chatter is a thread about the wheel tax.  And in general a lot of bitching and moaning is on the thread which you can read here.  But it has provided some great post.  One by Grumpy Granny telling Tina that little old ladies can afford $25 a year and can speak for themselves thank you very much!  (I know, it's hard to believe that Tina was involved in a thread over there but stick with me here.)  Now that was awesome.  But the post by "stewartfan14" today may be the most honest and well thought out post you'll ever read.  A big thumbs up to you Stewartfan14!



stewartfan14
stewartfan14
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    Posted Today, 12:47 PM
    When people get to the point where you have no idea what you're cutting, but you want it cut anyway, then you're far from an informed taxpayer. That's all I'm reading here.  Cut the expense, cut my taxes, but you have no clue what you're asking our leaders to cut.   This is more of the "people are cheap, and they love to whine" thing, not an informed electorate. You may think you're informed, but I guarantee you are not.  I don't agree with every decision county government makes, but I will stand up for Kevin as he chose to wade into this pig sty and work to fix it.  Where are the rest of you? Right.  You're doing nothing and whining about what the guy who did decide to serve is doing.  If you don't like it, then YOU run. Otherwise cut a bit of slack and let these people do their jobs to the best of their ability.

    Listen, I don't like paying taxes any more than the rest of you do. But I also realize that if you cut county expenses much more, the same bunch of you that think any tax is a bad tax are going to start carping and whining that the very services you've come to expect, you aren't getting anymore.  In other words, it's fine to be conservative, but this whole tea party thing has been driven off in the ditch with lunacy. You are no different than your garden variety liberal, in that you want something for nothing. No difference whatsoever, you just can't (or choose not to) see it. Try coupling conservatism with reality and then we can talk, and I'll guarantee you I'm just as conservative as those who are bitching the most on here.  The only difference is, I get it. I get the reality of maintaining what everybody, you and I included, have come to expect.

    Friday, March 29, 2013

    BREAKING NEWS!

    Skeletal remains found behind Faith Lutheran Church on Allison Ln.  WAVE 3 has the story here.

    Sunday, March 24, 2013

    WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

    From the NWS:

    ..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM EDT /4 PM CDT/ THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ MONDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOUISVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM EDT /4 PM CDT/ THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ MONDAY. * TIMING: RAIN THIS AFTERNOON WILL MIX WITH AND TURN TO ALL SNOW BY THIS EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL OCCUR FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...WITH ADDITIONAL SNOW SHOWERS CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. * MAIN IMPACT: SNOWFALL TOTALS BY THE END OF THE DAY MONDAY WILL RANGE FROM 2 TO 4 INCHES. WHILE ROADS INITIALLY WILL BE TOO WARM FOR ACCUMULATIONS...THE STEADIER SNOWFALL WILL COOL ROAD SURFACES ENOUGH TO ALLOW FOR A SLUSHY ACCUMULATION. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

    Friday, March 22, 2013

    NWS Statement

    Special Weather Statement

    SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 353 PM EDT FRI MAR 22 2013 INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ030>043-230900- ORANGE IN-WASHINGTON IN-SCOTT IN-JEFFERSON IN-DUBOIS IN- CRAWFORD IN-PERRY IN-HARRISON IN-FLOYD IN-CLARK IN-JEFFERSON KY- OLDHAM KY-TRIMBLE KY-HENRY KY-SHELBY KY-FRANKLIN KY-SCOTT KY- HARRISON KY-SPENCER KY-ANDERSON KY-WOODFORD KY-FAYETTE KY- BOURBON KY-NICHOLAS KY- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...SALEM...SCOTTSBURG...MADISON... JASPER...MARENGO...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY... JEFFERSONVILLE...LOUISVILLE...LA GRANGE...BEDFORD...NEW CASTLE... SHELBYVILLE...FRANKFORT...GEORGETOWN...CYNTHIANA...TAYLORSVILLE... LAWRENCEBURG...VERSAILLES...LEXINGTON...PARIS...CARLISLE 353 PM EDT FRI MAR 22 2013 /253 PM CDT FRI MAR 22 2013/ ...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY... A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS CENTRAL KENTUCKY SUNDAY AND OFF TO THE NORTHEAST THROUGH MONDAY. A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW OR ALL RAIN WILL FALL THROUGH THE MORNING AND MUCH OF THE AFTERNOON ON SUNDAY. AS COLD AIR FILTERS IN DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING THIS WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE TO FOUR INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS SYSTEM ALONG AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 64. THE HIGHEST SNOW TOTALS CURRENTLY LOOK TO BE FROM ORANGE TO JEFFERSON COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN INDIANA. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH THE TRACK OF THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM. ANY DEVIATION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON SNOW ACCUMULATION TOTALS. BE SURE AND CHECK BACK FOR FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS SYSTEM.

    Thursday, March 21, 2013

    Keep An Eye On This Weekend's Weather

    There is a chance of a accumulating snow this weekend.   Below is one (and I emphasize ONLY ONE) computer model for snow accumulations.   I don't it will any where near this much but it does give you an idea of strong this storm could be.  So just keep an eye on it.

    The good news is that this time of year the roads will clear up very quickly with the high angle of the sun. But again, just something to keep an eye on.

    The Laugh Is On Jeffersonville... AGAIN!



    So, as I'm driving to work this morning listening to 840 WHAS, the top story of one of their newscast was another delay in the Jeffersonville ramp of the Big Four Bridge.  It started off with "the bridge to no where will continue longer than expected." 

    Ahh, yes.  Just another joke on Jeffersonville.  We should be getting used to it by now. 

    In addition to numerous news stories recently involving the mayor that has lead to a great deal of embarrassment for the city, we can now throw this on the pile.  The city that only had to complete it's own ramp while Louisville took care of their ramp and the deck of the bridge itself.   People on the other side of the river are getting a great kick out of us over here.

    So what's the problem now?

    According to the city, it's the lighting of the ramp that is holding up construction.  When the city chose to change the lighting plan for our side (originally it was supposed to uniform lighting across from the end of one ramp to the end of the other) it set the project back.

    And who's idea was it to change the lighting plan?

    You guessed it.  Mayor Mike Moore. 

    Back when everything was going to be presented to the citizens so that he could receive their input on projects he decided that from the feedback he got that he should change the lighting. 

    Well, first, the lighting was just fine the way it was.  It presented a sign of unity and continuity that we should be hoping for.  Just a few weeks ago someone mentioned either on the chatter or another local site that people in Louisville think it's a different world over here and that's why many don't travel over here.  God forbid that even the lights on the bridge do anything to dispel that myth.

    Second, you don't change the plan if it's going to delay the project this much.  Not when the reason for changing the lights is only taste in lights.  They weren't ugly by any means.  I see them most morning's on my commute to work.  They look quite nice.

    Now some have said that people were worried about the lights shining into homes.  Have these people ever heard of blinds and curtains?  There is a bright light that begins to shine into our bedroom every morning about 6-7 a.m. and they work quite well on keeping that light out.  And I assure you that the original lights are no where near as bright.

    So what we have here is not thinking through a plan properly.  Now the bridge will take even longer.  And now we are once again the laughing stock.  Thanks mikey!

    Perhaps when the bridge is finally complete, the mayor can lure a comedy club to Jeffersonville.  Louisville likes laughing at Jeffersonville.  Perhaps the will like to laugh in Jeffersonville.

    Monday, March 18, 2013

    Flood Advisory

    From the NWS:
    FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...
    PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY

    * UNTIL 1100 AM EDT/1000 AM CDT/

    * AT 759 AM EDT/659 AM CDT/...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS AND NWS
    EMPLOYEES HAVE REPORTED MINOR FLOODING FROM THUNDERSTORMS TRAINING
    OVER THE SAME LOCATIONS AND SNOW MELTING OVER THE ADVISORY AREA.

    ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF APPROXIMATELY A HALF AN INCH TO AN
    INCH ARE POSSIBLE IN THE ADVISORY AREA.

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

    HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LINE OF STORMS MAY PRODUCE PONDING OF
    WATER ON ROADWAYS. MOTORISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SLOW DOWN...LEAVE
    PLENTY OF SPACE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU...AND
    USE EXTRA CAUTION WHILE TRAVELING.

    EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL AND SNOW MELTING WILL CAUSE
    ELEVATED LEVELS ON SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...AND PONDING OF WATER ON
    ROADWAYS...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS...AND
    DRAINAGE DITCHES.

    A FLOOD ADVISORY MEANS RIVER OR STREAM FLOWS ARE ELEVATED OR PONDING
    OF WATER IN URBAN OR OTHER AREAS IS OCCURRING OR IS IMMINENT.

    Sunday, March 17, 2013

    How About That!

    Maybe a little more snow than expected.  But still not much.  Get a picture while you can.  60 degrees and thunderstorms tomorrow.   Who's sick?

    Saturday, March 16, 2013

    WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR JEFFERSONVILLE. YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT.

    Yes we have snow in the forecast for tomorrow.   This should mainly be a rain event for Jeff.  The advisory is more for northern Clark County.  But snow could fall heavy in spurts tomorrow that would reduce visibility and could coat the grass and cars briefly.   The ground temperatures are very warm so roads should be fine.  I'll update you if anything changes.  

    Here's the statement from the National Weather Service:

    Winter Weather Advisory

    URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 345 PM EDT SAT MAR 16 2013 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY SUNDAY... .A SURFACE LOW WILL MOVE INTO THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY LATE TONIGHT ALONG WITH AMPLE AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE. MEANWHILE...TEMPERATURES WILL FALL TOWARD THE LOW AND MID 30S. PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN IN THE FORM OF RAIN...SNOW...AND SLEET ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA AND EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY AROUND DAWN ON SUNDAY. AS WE MOVE INTO THE MORNING HOURS PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA WHERE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION WILL BE POSSIBLE INTO THE EVENING HOURS. SURFACE TEMPERATURES WILL LIKELY REMAIN JUST ABOVE FREEZING ALONG WITH ALREADY WARM GROUND AND ROAD TEMPERATURES. HOWEVER...ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT WILL SNOW HARD ENOUGH AND LONG ENOUGH FOR SNOW TO ACCUMULATE... ESPECIALLY ON GRASSY AND UNTREATED SURFACES. INZ076>079-083-084-089>092-KYZ031>033-037-170300- /O.NEW.KLMK.WW.Y.0009.130317T0900Z-130317T2300Z/ ORANGE IN-WASHINGTON IN-SCOTT IN-JEFFERSON IN-DUBOIS IN- CRAWFORD IN-PERRY IN-HARRISON IN-FLOYD IN-CLARK IN-OLDHAM KY- TRIMBLE KY-HENRY KY-HARRISON KY- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PAOLI...SALEM...SCOTTSBURG...MADISON... JASPER...MARENGO...TELL CITY...CORYDON...NEW ALBANY... JEFFERSONVILLE...LA GRANGE...BEDFORD...NEW CASTLE...CYNTHIANA 345 PM EDT SAT MAR 16 2013 /245 PM CDT SAT MAR 16 2013/ ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM EDT /4 AM CDT/ TO 7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ SUNDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOUISVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM EDT /4 AM CDT/ TO 7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ SUNDAY. * TIMING: SNOW AND SLEET ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN AROUND DAWN ON SUNDAY LASTING INTO THE EVENING. * MAIN IMPACT: 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED TO ACCUMULATE MAINLY ON GRASSY AND ELEVATED SURFACES. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT WILL SNOW LONG ENOUGH AND HARD ENOUGH DESPITE SURFACE AND GROUND TEMPERATURES JUST ABOVE FREEZING. SLEET ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MINIMAL ALONG THE I-64 CORRIDOR. * OTHER IMPACTS: HEAVILY TRAVELLED ROADWAYS MAY NOT BE IMPACTED THROUGH THIS EVENT...HOWEVER UNTREATED SIDE ROADS WILL LIKELY BE AFFECTED IN SPOTS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

    Tuesday, March 12, 2013

    BREAKING NEWS: ANOTHER ONE GONE

    Apparently they are dropping like flies at Citt Hall.  Amy Adams has been let according to Gaw.

    Friday, March 8, 2013

    An Update On My Post From Last Night

    Okay, so just to let everyone know, where I stand on what happened last night:

    -First, let me say that Quasar did offer me a chance to open my own "Bad Things Mike Moore Has Done" thread.  Looking at the times of my post and his offer, I was already in the middle of writing my post when he made his.

    -Second, I have no desire to open such a thread.  The only reason I made my statement (on the CCC) at all was because he said there was no drama to someone who said that this was just another in a line of drama filled things that have occurred under Moore.  That was my first post in the whole thread.  I wasn't there to "pile on".  Only made my comment to refute his claim that there has been no drama. 

    -Third, my post was not to "call out" or bash the CCC.  I understand that written words are harder to grasp the emotion behind them.  But if I was trying to "call them out" I would have said something along the lines of "you gots some splaining to do".  Instead politely encouraged them to chime in as my post was merely to ask the readers of this blog if they thought I had done anything wrong.  And I only posted the relevant posts from the CCC to here for that conversation.

    -Fourth, I never considered deleting Quasar's comment or banning him for his choice of words.  While he has those rules on the CCC, I do not here, and thus to serve any banning or editing would have been very hypocritical on my part.  I have no intention of doing that and try to avoid such behavior.  They have their rules (and I understand as they have a lot more posters than I do) and I have mine.  I'll follow their rules while I'm there and they can follow mine here.  And both should expect to be allowed to operate with in confines of those rules at the respective sites.

    -Fifth, I contacted Quasar via Private Messenger today and gave an example of what I thought was a double standard.  I'm not above saying that I was wrong and was hoping to be able to discuss the situation.  At the very least, I had hoped to maybe (while not agreeing with him) at least understanding where he was coming from or his thinking.

    What I got was being told that I was not owed an explanation and having the PM closed. 

    That's fair enough.  It's his site.  But it should be stated that the PM was actually opened a few weeks back when Quasar had some questions about the way I was running my blog.  Needless to say I was much more courteous to his request than he was to mine.

    I've gotten the feeling lately that Quasar was not happy with the way I've been posting on his site or on my own blog.  Now at no point has Quasar tried to censor me here or there.  Lets be very clear about this.  And he stated in the opening of that PM that this is my blog was of course free to run it as I chose.  That being said I gave his concerns thought and gave him both a thoughtful response and even asked for his input.  I have no desire to be at "war" with anyone.  But I get the feeling that he may have already been unhappy with me prior to last night and that it just boiled over when he read my post.  That's his right also and he is still encouraged to post any thoughts here (pro or con).  That's the way my site runs.

    -Sixth, as far as I know, I'm still a member in good standing at the CCC, so I don't want anyone to think I have received any punishment from his site regarding any of the actions from any previous posts.  And at this point I consider the deal water under the bridge.  Or over the dam.  Which ever you prefer.

    -Finally, to ensure fairness, next week I will be asking if people think that Goliath has an unhealthy relationship with his chickens.

    Feel free to comment below.

    The Weekly JAML

    All the news you wont see on the news:

    -So in an attempt to clear his wrestling team from any distractions prior to their state tournament, Kasson-Mantorville's (Minnesota) head coach told them no cell phones.  Good idea right?  What could possibly go wrong?  Well 14 members of the team got stuck on an elevator!  Unable to call anyone, they were stuck there for over an hour and a half! 

    Want more one of the players openned the door with "his bare hands and belly"!  It gets even better when you find out the they won the state tournament. 

    So, I guess good job coach!

    -So you eat right.  You execise.  Do everything you can and then this happens to you:


    Well, I'm going on an eating and drinking binge this weekend.

    -Finally, you've probably seen it already, but if you haven't here is this.  Enjoy!

    New Poll!


    This weeks poll ask whether you believe Mike Moore tried get Tom Galligan removed from Airport Board.

    Thursday, March 7, 2013

    I Pose A Question To My Readers

    The following were post on the CCC:

    But I have to pose this question to the "Powers that be"...why does there always have to be drama and turmoil with this administration? -cubette

    What drama and turmoil? The Mayor or someone in his administration terminated an employee. It happens in organizations all over our city, state and country every day. The only drama I've seen so far has been what we have created here...-Quasar

    I'll start with the physical altercation he had with his wife for starters.-Me

    bs... we are discussing today's topic on this thread. So far the only drama that I'm seeing is being created by people that are intent on creating drama. Some people feed off of it... the choice is yours...-Quasar

    So what do you think?  Was this appropriate response?   The original post was that this just another incident in a line of them.

    I'll tell you this I went to work in Louisville the day after that incident and there was plenty of laughing going on at Jeffersonville expense.

    I encourage everyone's thoughts below.   Including Quasar and GG who I know stop by from time to time.

    (Note: This NOT a bash the CCC thread for the sake of bashing people with opposing political views.  If have a thought on this as being a running theme in protecting someone, leave it at that)

    BREAKING NEWS!

    City controller fired.  You can read the story here.

    Mike Moore is either firing people for petty reasons or he is absolutely terrible at making appointments.

    Tuesday, March 5, 2013

    What To Expect Tonight/Tomorrow Morning

    Snow will continue to fall throughout the night until mid-morning.  There could be periods of heavy snow as well.Winds will continue to be strong.   The high winds combined with any heavy burst of snow could greatly reduce visibility for periods of time.  Also, power outages are possible as they already being reported around the area. Two to three inches of snow will fall by the time the storm moves out tomorrow. 

    I'll post again later if anything changes.

    Winter Weather Advisory

    URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY 426 AM EST TUE MAR 5 2013 ...ACCUMULATING SNOW LIKELY TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING... .A SURFACE LOW PRESSURE WILL COMBINE WITH A POTENT UPPER LOW OVER THE OHIO VALLEY TO PRODUCE ACCUMULATING SNOW OVER SOUTHERN INDIANA AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL KENTUCKY TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. AS COLD AIR RUSHES INTO THE REGION THIS EVENING...A CHANGE OVER FROM RAIN TO SNOW WILL OCCUR WITH SNOW CONTINUING THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS AND INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING. SOME BANDS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW MAY DEVELOP TONIGHT OR EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF BY LATE MORNING OR EARLY AFTERNOON WEDNESDAY.

    Monday, March 4, 2013

    Statement From The National Weather Service

    ..LIGHT ACCUMULATING SNOW EXPECTED LATE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING... LOW PRESSURE COMBINED WITH AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL BRING LIGHT SNOW TO THE REGION LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. FROM SOUTHERN INDIANA TO THE KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS ONE TO AS MUCH AS TWO INCHES OF SNOW MAY PILE UP. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL WILL LIKELY OCCUR BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND MID MORNING WEDNESDAY...SO THE WEDNESDAY MORNING COMMUTE WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THIS LIGHT SNOW. STAY TUNED TO NOAA ALL HAZARDS WEATHER RADIO AND YOUR LOCAL MEDIA

    Sunday, March 3, 2013

    The Henryville Tornado's Weekend Wrap Up


    A person on the radio that I listen to has a little saying.  It goes like this:  "you don't want to look out your window and see Jim Cantore standing on your front lawn."  Well on March 2nd of last year, that's exactly what we all got.  Storm chasers and meteorologist from all across the country converged on our area for what was expected to be one of the worst tornado outbreaks in history.  Not only was there a great certainty that there would be many tornadoes, but they would be the large and most powerful ones. 

    I'll spare you the nerd terms and just say that there were winds at different heights blowing very fast in different directions.  And unusually warm weather was going to form storms that would tap into that wind.  The result was probably one of the scariest days we've been through.

    It was a day I think most of us just wanted to be home.  We all knew something bad was going to happen.  And it did. 

    Henryville was hit by two tornadoes.  The first was a powerful EF-4 tornado.  So strong that didn't just move a school bus.  But picked up a school bus and threw it with enough force to crash it through a building.  Marysville was wiped off the map.  And a pay stub ended up on a journey that took it to Cincinnati.

    The second was a weaker tornado, but with damage done by the first, it had many projectiles to toss about leading to more damage.

    It was a day we all feared.  We knew something bad was going to happen.  We held out hope against hope that at the end of the day we would all get to say "well the weathermen were wrong again."  But they weren't.  And things will never be the same because of it.





    -Now onto the Wrap Up:

    -The biggest story of the week occurred Friday (don't they know you're supposed to release "bad" news on Friday) when the city and county reached a tentative agreement on payment from the county to the city for use of the Ogle Animal Shelter.  The county will pay the city $150,000 and waive a rental fee on a storage space the city uses in the county building.  And Tom Galligan gets to keep his job on the air board.  It's WIN WIN!

    In all seriousness I understand the commissioners feeling some bitterness over a debt to the city that the current mayor helped bring on.  But the simple matter of the fact is that the shelter could really use that money and it is good for all involved that a deal has been reached.


    -Going back for just a second, I do have a question regarding a story on the disagreement that was in the N&T here.  In it is the following quote:
    "Merkley pointed to a provision that Stephenson said existed regarding the removal of former Mayor Tom Galligan from his position as president of the Clark County Board of Aviation Commissioners as part of the previous deal regarding county payments for the shelter.

    Moore denied it was ever part of any of the previous negotiations with the commissioners.

    “I have no issue with your appointments to the Clark County Airport Board and frankly, [I] have no desire to do the county’s business,” he wrote in the letter.

    With that provision no longer in play, Merkley said Stephenson had claimed he was OK with everything else in the agreement to pay the county $125,000. Stephenson said he was OK with the payment, if the $125,000 would include the money owed for this year."

    Okay, now either Merkley to the N&T or the N&T itself seems to indicate that there was at one point a provision that included Galligan's ouster.  If that is the case, then what we have here is someone in Moore's own administration admitting that Moore lied to the whole city by way of the media about the Galligan provision. 

    As I've stated before, I believe Rick Stephenson and am glad Galligan will remain on the air board.  And I find it highly unethical and petty that Moore would use a debt he helped create to further try and bury a former political adversary.  But at no point did I say that would surprise me.

    -The mayor and redevelopment commission are trying to give 50 year leases for $1 year to some arts museum people.  These are taking place in the proposed canal area.

    Oh, where do I start with this.

    First, these things will not draw much more than diddly squat to downtown.  It would be a waste of space and possible taxes. 

    Oh sure, they would be nice supplementary attractions that would be great to along with or in addition to a big attraction.  The primary problem being here is that we don't have a big attraction yet.  And I've heard of nothing that is in the works that would remotely qualify as a big attraction.  Until that has been found and identified, we should not be adding any of these small  attractions unless we know that they will compliment the main attraction.

    Second, I don't think that Moore or Waiz personally care about how either of these perform.  It is my belief that the 50 year $1 leases are just a way to make sure that no future administration can pursue the canal.  Again this is petty.  If you two stooges do a good enough job then you wont have to worry about another administration until most people have forgotten that a canal idea even existed.  And what does it say that you are willing to throw this property and the potential tax revenue away for nothing but pay for the full amount of the tenth street project?  It says that your priorities are completely out of whack and the only clear vision of the future you have presented for Jeffersonville is your attempt to try and erase the memory of the previous administration.

    -Keep an eye on the weather for Tuesday and Wednesday.  There is a possibility of some light snow (might be our last chance of the season).  At this point it appears to be very light.  But there still remains a slim chance that we could get a few inches.  I'll keep an eye on it and post any information right here on the blog.

    -Finally, I said my heart felt condolences to Kelley and her family. 

    I won't even pretend that the two of us are even cordial to one another any longer, but the hurt they all must be feeling right now is more than I can imagine and something that no one should have to go through.  You and your family are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

    -That should do it for tonight.  As always feel free to comment below and to like the Facebook Page.  I'll be back later in the week with another blog post and a new poll.  Until then, have a good week everyone!

    Friday, March 1, 2013

    Rick Stephenson Says We Have A Deal!

    Here's the link.

    The Weekly JAML

    The news you wont see on the news...

    -We start with our neighbors to the north in Canada:

    Nothing like having a loser coaching your kids.  And is America the only country that stresses good dental hygiene.

    -In our next story, we find out that America may be the only country that stresses beef actually be BEEF!:

    As if we needed another reason not to buy food from a furniture store.

    -Finally, speaking of things going bad with Italian food, here's this:

    Apparently it happened while the guy under the costume was going to the restroom at a promotion.  Someone put the costume on while the man was using the restroom (he had to take it off to go) and then just walked out of the business in the costume.  That takes some big spicy meatballs.  And how great is that ethnically insensitive name.  Nobody likes throwing that PC crap out the window more than me.

    Thursday, February 28, 2013

    Ed's Letter From The News & Tribune

    The Mike Moore administration should rethink its $1-a-year, 50-year lease plans for some downtown properties. In recent years, the city of Jeffersonville forced businesses to close and residents to leave downtown all for the promise that this land would be put to a better use.In theory, this canal district plan — promoted under former Mayor Tom Galligan — would have eliminated flooding, increased assessed property values, private investment, job creation, revenues to the tax increment financing district and created a downtown amenity that would draw people to visit. Over time, all these factors would result in a downtown we could be proud of and one full of economic activity.We all know Mayor Moore was not a supporter of the canal plan. He believes this plan was way too expensive and over-hyped. That’s fine; now as mayor we see that he continued the downtown property purchases and continued to push for borrowing and bonding $11 million to improve this area. I worry that now that we have this property, there isn’t a proper plan to develop it, grow jobs and grow the tax base.I was taught don’t complain unless you have some suggestions to improve the situation. I’ll limit mine to three:1. Put out an request for proposal to large, deep-pocket developers for a majority of the property. Have this RFP reach out beyond Metro Louisville and make sure they are seen in big metro areas. Let experienced, well-funded entrepreneurs/developers suggest ideas on what they would do with this prime property located near downtown Louisville. If they come up with a good idea, go for it. And remember they will also have to offer a drainage plan to do something with all the water.[Editor’s note: On Tuesday evening, after this letter was submitted, the Jeffersonville Redevelopment Commission discussed moving forward on seeking RFPs for the properties and area, and a more detailed RFP is expected to be presented at that board’s next meeting].2. Create an art district plan and model it after other successful plans like Paducah, Ky.’s Art Relocation Program (http://www.paducahalliance. org/lowertown-arts-district). Some key aspects are that this district should not be in a prime location, should have a defined location, defined criteria and defined goals. Without a plan you are arbitrarily picking winners and losers and discriminating on what you think is worthy and/or artsy, which is a bad idea. 3. If the big RFP does not go well, try to get a big local entity to be an anchor/draw to the area. Just look at New Albany and how the YMCA helped downtown or how Indiana University Southeast and the Purdue University in New Albany helped the Charlestown Road area. How about we call Ball State University or Notre Dame University and ask if they want a branch location in downtown Jeffersonville? I personally think Notre Dame South has a good ring to it. We can do much better then the current haphazard lease giveaway plan that is  being proposed by the Moore administration. As taxpayers who financed the purchase of all this land, we should demand more and to those we forcibly displaced, we owe much more.— Ed Zastawny, Jeffersonville city councilman, District 2 

    Wednesday, February 27, 2013

    Sports Complex Offers Great Opportunity


    The Jeffersonville Parks Department has announced that it is planning to construct the above sports complex.  It is expected to be complete in August of next year.  Several soccer fields and football fields will be on the grounds as well as an indoor facility. 

    As luck would have it, I recently had the opportunity to see first hand a multi-purpose/multi-court facility.  It had drawn several traveling teams from around the region for that weekend.  The thought that such an event could take place in Jeffersonville is a very attractive one.  Just think of 8 soccer teams descending on Jeffersonville for a weekend.  If each team brings 15 families of four people, that's nearly 500 hundred people eating, shopping and sleeping in Jeffersonville.  Think about what that could do for local restaurants and hotels. 

    And while some people have worried about the location, let me say it's fine.  The complex that I had a chance to visit was in a similar location off of the interstate.  And there were no hotels off of that exit either.  Yet they were still able to attract the event.  I see no reason why Jeffersonville would be any different.

    Now as far as traffic goes, let me say this:  I'm not the least bit worried about it.  And guess what, I would be directly affected by the traffic.  Most weeks would just be a normal schedule which wouldn't result in too many cars.  The few weeks that they were to have a big event, it's not like families would be just driving back and forth from the complex creating a constant flow of traffic.  They would drive there.  Perhaps leave for lunch if it was all day event and then return and leave when the event is complete.  Maybe at most you would have two times (the very beginning and end) when you could have a large amount of traffic in the area.  So what, it might take me a few moments longer to get in and out of my neighborhood during those few times.  I think I'll live. 

    And no, my neighborhood wasn't contacted to attend the meeting.  But unlike some in this city, I don't feel the need to feel bitter over nothing.  Especially when the end result has huge possibilities for the city and its business owners. 

    But as usual, I'm more interested in the progress and growth of our city than any personal petty issue.  And this is a great opportunity toward that goal. 

    Sunday, February 24, 2013

    The Lousy Weather's Weekend Wrap Up

    I'm short on time and have a lot to touch on so I'm just going to give a look at the lousy week's forecast.  A weather system moves in late Monday and will spread rain across the area.  Then that system is just going to sit here and it will have no intention of moving.  Just like a mother-in-law during a visit.  Rain will switch back and forth to snow before going to snow showers by the end of the week.  While there doesn't look to be much in the way of accumulations, any snow showers that fall at night could cause a few slick spots.  And it's just going to get cooler and cooler as the week goes on.  If you have a chance to enjoy the weather tonight or tomorrow during the day, take the time.  It's going to be crummy after that for a while.

    Now, on to the Wrap Up:

    -Well the big story of the week was the back and forth between mayor Mike Moore and county commissioner Rick Stephenson.  What started as communication to try and come to an agreement on a payment deal on past due money owed to the animal shelter.  What it turned into was a he said/he said where Stephenson claims that Moore offered the county a deal, but only if Tom Galligan was removed from airboard.  Moore of course denied it.  You can see WHAS 11's story here.  And for those of you who are playing the at home game, this would be the third time that Moore has been on the news recently and the third time its been embarrassing to the city.

    First let me say that if two weeks ago I felt like I was bashing my head into the wall, then when this story came out I was down right giddy.  And what made it even better is, that while most of little mikey's supporters knew just to keep quiet and hope that it blows over quickly, Tina was not that smart.  Can't say that I'm surprised.  And she just kept letting me hammer her because she was too stupid to just shut up.  (I know, you're shocked too!)  I tell you it was like shooting fish in a barrel.  Really stupid fish that think the gun is a camera and keep swimming to the top of the barrel to say "cheese".  She didn't want to say anything bad about either candidate so she just kept saying nothing and looking really stupid and petty trying to play word games to defend little mikey.

    Okay, now that that is out of the way, lets get to the heart of this matter.  Given the two options, I believe Mr. Stephenson.  I don't know him, but I have to say that I have no reason to not like him.  No, I didn't vote for him, but that doesn't mean that I still can't like him.  And I may vote for him next time.  I have made it no secret that I'm not a one party guy.  And the fact he is indeed interested the progress and growth of our area to cross party lines to do what is best for the county is a great sign for us all.  The fact that he also will call out Moore for his petty and unethical act is even better.  It seems that, much like his fellow Republicans on the city council, Stephenson will not be bullied by Moore. 

    Then there is the reality of the situation.  Mike Moore used a debt owed to the city, one that he started while a commissioner, as bargaining chip to try and oust a former political rival.  Childish.  Petty.  And unethical.

    And let's do the math real quick.  Democrats, city council republicans, and now a republican commissioner have all battled with Moore.  To me that adds up to Moore being the problem.  But I think everyone already knew that.  The only ones who wont admit that are the ones who don't have the city future as a priority. 

    Let me again say thank you to Commissioner Stephenson for standing up for what is right and crossing party lines.  Both sides could use more people like you.

    -Haven't gotten enough Moore yet?  Well then there is this.  Apparently little mikey said this week that he will listen to any body who wants to come in and build a canal.  Really?  Didn't that already happen.  Didn't you run them off or ignore them?   Hey mikey, we aint fallin for it.

    -Want Moore?  Too bad.  Your getting it for desert too.  So the council was again trying to decide on whether or not to approve a bond for the pump at Cane Run.  And Mike Moore was there to give them the information.  So he says.  Have a look see:

    Start at about 13:45.  You'll see that Moore more or less demands that they ask him those questions right now.  Very forcefully I might add.  And then he quickly leaves.  What mikey?  Couldn't find a few minutes to give the council the information they needed regarding this very expensive project?  If you ask me, little mikey just felt like playing games all week. 

    -I will be back on Tuesday to get to all the non-Moore-on stuff.  Try and enjoy tomorrow.  Until later, feel free to comment below and have a great week!