Family gives list of reasons to vote, candidates to vote for

Are you as tired of increases eating away at your money as I am? Lets work together and do something about it.

This administration, under Tom Galligan and the current city council, has raised the city tax rate by 41 percent. Has your income increased by 41 percent? Our sewer bills have doubled and will triple in the next five years. Has your income doubled?

We pay an “EPA mandate” charge when the EPA never mandated a rate increase. And the word “canal” is not in the consent decree with the EPA, but we are told we must build the canal to satisfy the decree. The long-term control plan approved by this administration has a price tag of as much as $167 million and it must be repaid by the Jeffersonville city residents — you and me.

At a recent debate, Galligan proudly stated, “I don’t raise your taxes more than the laws allows,” or translated, he taxes us the maximum the law allows. Also, other fees have increased, such as the sewer tap-in fee going from $1,500 to $3,300. Ever wonder who pays for all the new city owned vehicles you see all over the city? We do.

The newest waste of out tax dollars is the median landscaping on 10th Street. Those plantings and maintenance came with a price tag of $618,000. When you add in the cost of city labor and materials, the price is close to $700,000. And Tom says this project will save us money because we don’t have to mow the grass. I hope he doesn’t try to save us any more money — we can’t afford any more savings.

All the above were approved by our mayor and city council. It is up to us, the voters of Jeffersonville, to put an end to wasting our hard-earned tax dollars. There is a solution, a quick fix, not taking more than 15 minutes of your time — go vote.

Jeffersonville residents are very fortunate to have a very good choice of candidates this year that, if elected, will put an end to Galligan’s dreams and our nightmares. They include:

• Mike Moore, Mayor, (R)

• Kelley Curran, District 1 council, (R)

• Ron Ellis, District 2 council, (D)

• Zach Payne (R) or Eric Hedrick (I) for District 3 council

• Beth Valentine, District 4 council (D)

• Lisa Gill, District 5 council, (R)

• Bryan Glover, District 6 council, (R)

• Matt Owen (R) and Dustin White (D) for Council At-large (two of three)

Please note, we have endorsed Democrats and Republicans and one independent. We believe these candidates will work hard to put the residents interests first and work together for a better Jeffersonville. Please take time to vote Tuesday.

— Michael and Sherrin Hutt, Jeffersonville



Reader endorses At-large candidates

During this election cycle in Clarksville, it is obvious that there are several of the incumbents that are working hard to keep their positions.

But there is a race for the At-Large slot that is very interesting. In this race you are allowed to vote for up to two candidates. However, the incumbents Greg Isgrigg and Vicky Appleby are not running for re-election. This leaves five candidates on the ballot, two of which will be our new members on the Town Council.

These five candidates are Paul Fetter, Rick Riggle, Bob Polston, Bob Liter and Gregory T. Hertzsch. Of these candidates, Polston and Liter have retired from the town of Clarksville — Polston from the Building Commissioners Office and Liter working for Donnie Hansford from the Street Department.

Riggle has never worked for the town, nor has Fetter. That is the reason that I am endorsing Riggle and Fetter for the council At-large positions.

Clarksville needs a true change, and I am afraid that if we elect retirees from the town, we will get more of the same thing that we have been getting. So if we want true change, don’t vote for the same type of candidates that we have in office now, vote for true change. Vote Rick Riggle and Paul Fetter.

— Ron Glover, Clarksville



Downtown resident puts support behind Moore, Curran

Following are the reasons I will vote for Mike Moore and Kelley Curran in Jeffersonville. After moving here in 1999, I decided to buy in The Harbours condominiums because of the proximity to the bridges, work and eateries.

As the area grew, I wanted a little more quiet. I then decided to move down Riverside Drive where I thought I would live forever. RiverStage was great in the beginning, but year after year it has now become a party and entertainment district with concerts every weekend, roads blocked causing residents to park blocks away, with one event in particular having pop-up trailers and barbecue smokers outside out our front doors, with one vendor staying in his home on wheels at my front door emptying his toilet on the street and sidewalk at my doorstep.

Now, Mayor Tom Galligan has a new RiverStage that’s triple in size. And it will have year-round events. Does this mean I have to lose my view of the river that I worked so hard to enjoy?

A bigger stage means larger speakers and noise. Why hasn’t the city asked us how we feel living in a historic, mostly residential district that is slowly being converted to an entertainment district? Do they even care? The relatively small historic area life is shrinking and will shrink at a much faster pace as the canal district ramps up into full steam.

Moore listens to residents’ concerns and so does Curran, who just so happens to live in the soon-to-be canal district overlay. Both candidates have the willingness to work with and for the residents they represent.

The city has a appeal to its residents, not mandate — otherwise the residents cease to exist by departure to more desirable locations to enjoy more freedom, representation and stewardship of the funds they that have worked so hard to earn. All I’m asking for is enjoyment from what I have worked so hard for and to live in my dream home instead of the nightmare I’m living in.

My voice will be loudest Nov. 8 when I say Mr. Mayor and councilpersons, you’re fired with my vote.

— Mark Scott, Jeffersonville



Resident supports Hodges for council

I am supporting Eddie Hodges in the District 1 council race. I would like to see a change in the district. I know from past experience with Hodges that he is an honest person that has integrity.

Hodges has conveyed to me he is the person for the change. Since I have had professional business with Hodges numerous times over the past eight years, I am confident that his statement to me that he wanted to be part of a more interactive council that builds better relations with the city departments and citizens of New Albany. He is telling the truth.

Hodges was in management in a Fortune 500 company prior to retiring in New Albany. He has had the responsibility to deal with budgets larger than the city of New Albany budget. Hodges will represent the residents of New Albany in a fiscally responsible manner while maintaining professionalism and consideration for the community.

That is why I am supporting Eddie Hodges in the Nov. 8 election.

— John Hall, New Albany



A vote for Moore urged

In the Jeffersonville mayoral election, are there any undecided voters left? How can anyone who knows the two men at all wonder which would be the better mayor?

You have an incumbent who has run roughshod over the residents to begin expensive, destructive projects and who promises not to raise taxes any higher than state law will allow. On the other hand, his opponent has always been available to give help to constituents whenever it's needed, has often been the lone dissenting pro-citizen vote as county commissioner and is exactly what Jeffersonville needs to break up the stranglehold that a few people have had on local politics.

If you’ve thought in the past there was no point voting in Jeffersonville (and I don't blame you), now is the time to do something good for your city and for yourself. Vote for integrity. Vote for Mike Moore for mayor.

— Teresa Fisher, New Albany



Reader: Gahan can keep city moving in right direction

As a lifelong resident of New Albany area, it makes me very happy to see where our city is headed. Although I have been devoted to both education and the arts in Floyd County for over 30 years, I have witnessed New Albany’s evolution over the past three decades through the eyes of a concerned resident.

To be honest, our fine city has had its ups and downs. But finally, I think our hometown is enjoying a virtual renaissance of hope, entrepreneurship and happy days that are soon to be here again.

Last Friday, my wife Ann and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner downtown at La Bocca after a theatre rehearsal at Floyd Central High School. She is already hooked on farmers’ markets visits to downtown every Wednesday and Saturday and I am a new convert.

But Friday night, after a fine relaxing meal, we decided to stroll through downtown taking a turn at the corner of Market Street and walking south on Pearl Street. Being a bit of a history buff, I pointed out that Bobby Kennedy spoke near the spot as we turned left. We reminisced about our memories of the White House, the Joy Shop, the Fashion, Stein Shoes and of course, The Grand. Two Hoosier kids could have done a lot worse than growing up in a historic little river town. Downtown New Albany still has a fascinating history and a load of charm.

New Albany is at a unique threshold. If can revitalize, or it can roll over and go back to sleep with the current growth being nothing more than a mid-autumn night’s dream.

On Tuesday, New Albany voters will have the chance to elect a young man for mayor who has an outstanding education, a love for this city and a clear vision to make the current renaissance of downtown a lasting one. And with his election, New Albany also gets an outstanding “first lady” in the persona of his wife, Susie, who is an award winning principal at Fairmont. I can think of no couple in Indiana who is more qualified to represent our fair city to the world.

Tuesday’s election isn’t just about politics. It’s about our love for a most unique hometown. It’s about bubbling in the ballot sheet to send New Albany on a definitive course into a new era in history. Jeff Gahan is the man to take us there.

— David K. Longest, New Albany



New Albany business owner backs Bagshaw

It’s time for a change. We have had the same individuals representing the city of New Albany for a long, long time.

You know what they say. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. I recommend we elect Dale Bagshaw for mayor. He is hard-working, honest and has the real interests of New Albany in his heart.

I know he isn’t part of the established political network of New Albany. But frankly, looking at our city and its problems, we need new leadership that isn’t bound by how we have done business for decades.

Dale is exactly that kind of leader. He will bring change that fixes old problems and ideas that improve the city and bring us into competition with our neighbors. I encourage all of my fellow New Albanians to vote for Dale Bagshaw on Nov. 8.

— Lana Aebersold, New Albany

Former council attorney endorses Zastawny

I have had the privilege of knowing Ed Zastawny (better known as Ed Z) for the past several years.

While serving as the attorney for the Jeffersonville City Council, I saw how dedicated Ed Z is to serving the residents of Jeffersonville and his constituents.  Ed’s knowledge and understanding of municipal finance has assisted in keeping the city in a good financial position for the next four years. He has listened to his constituents and has voiced his objections to many proposed projects. His voting record supports these positions and he stands as a strong leader on the council.

As the city continues to grow and face challenges, Ed Z’s knowledge, experience, and commitment will be an important asset to the residents of the city’s District 2, as well as to all of Jeffersonville’s residents. The city of Jeffersonville needs and deserves to have a person like Ed Z on the council.  

— Greg Clark, Indianapolis, former attorney for the Jeffersonville City Council