> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Why not bonds to reduce taxes?



Taxes are mandatory, savings bonds are voluntary — both can be used to fund government. Thus, through a continuous and constant buying of savings bonds, the coffers of government would be lifted, thereby keeping mandatory taxes lower.

And besides, the savings bond monies are redeemable with interest; on the other hand of the mandatory taxes a refund will be what the government decides you ought to receive. Excuse me for having an idea.

Many Americans believe America is on the downward spiral. One would have thought any idea, no matter how crazy sounding, would receive some recognition. Excuse me for having believed in a country like ours whose very foundation was built on ideas.

We Americans are a peculiar people with notions of freedom, liberty and justice for all — crazy ideas that have worked for 235 years. I believe in American excellence. We still have it, we just need strong leaders to help us find ourselves again. Excuse me for ever having thought at all.

— Leroy Heil, Jeffersonville





Harbours resident comments on article



I would like to clear up a statement that was made in a recent News and Tribune article saying the Harbours had issues with the prosecutor and the local police.

I would like to make it clear that myself and the board and management here realize that the Jeffersonville police are caught in the middle and when they are called they can only report a crime, they cannot prosecute it. My frustration is not with the police but that I would like to see more action taken against those who inflict so much needless anxiety and expense in our community here at the Harbours.

Everyone appreciates the police and their efforts, even when they are unsuccessful. I appreciate the opportunity to make myself clear on this statement.

— Kenneth W. Quiggins, The Harbours, Jeffersonville





It’s election time — think for yourself



For some of us who watch and listen to all the different sources of news, we cannot wait to once again hear why “you,” that would be all of us, are stupid, and “we,” those who feel they are not part of us, are somehow smarter than the rest. This is how we are seen and treated by those running for office for the most part.

In 2010, I took the chance to run as a write-in candidate for U.S. representative for the 9th congressional district to show that you did not have to buy votes or beg for money to follow in the footsteps of our founders. Now I know some are saying, “Yes you did, but you lost.” Well, that may be a very true fact, but at least I did not lose spending any of your money.

With the elections coming, please take the time to look around and read more about those who say they want to represent you. See if they are willing to do the job for which they have taken an oath to uphold for the good of all not just some or the few. Look to someone who wants to do the job because it needs to be done not because they want a title.

We have been entrusted with such a great power to pick those who will serve us but for some they choose not to pick at all. Is it really because you did not want to vote or is it because you feel as many others do that it really does not matter? The fact is it does matter because the only real freedom we have is that freedom we do not give away. By not voting, you will allow the many to be represented by the few.

So take the time to read, listen and understand those who want your vote more than your money. At the end of the day, if you do not see or hear what you want, take a chance and run yourself.

— Jerry R. Lucas, Deputy



Man supports Bagshaw for mayor



I have known Dale Bagshaw for 29 years and I’m not sure I’ve ever met a more honest man. Over the years, I’ve seen Dale face both good times and bad as a business owner, and his constant optimism always gave me hope that things would get better. That’s vision.

If I had a dollar for every time Dale told me “integrity and character matter,” I would have those folks on TV occupying my street. Dale believes in New Albany and he believes that its residents deserve more than the same old close-minded policies that have produced nothing but higher sewer and water rates.

We have an opportunity to step out of the “I vote Democrat because my Daddy did and his Daddy did” mentality and think for ourselves. If you vote for the guys that have sat on the council helping to create problems rather than solve them, then you will continue to get what you’ve always got.

I implore you to take a stand for an average man whose beliefs of what government should be echo the sentiments that founded this great nation. I ask you to cast your vote for Dale Bagshaw for mayor. If you do you will get to know him as I do, and you will never regret your decision.

 — Keith Foster, New Albany



Readers: We’re embarrassed and ashamed



All of our lives, we have been proud Democrats. Lately, however, we’re not so proud. We’re not proud of the actions of our local Democrats, specifically some members of the Clarksville Democrat Town Committee.

They hired Mike Marshall, a man with a known history of questionable absentee ballot election activities, in an effort to steal an election. Gathering absentee ballots seems to be the specialty of the Marshall organization. Marshall and his associates were recently indicted on 65 felony counts of voting fraud, perjury and forgery related to absentee ballots in last year’s election in Jennings County.

Elections in Clarksville have a history of not being fair and honest, but we think this is the first time any person or group has paid such a disreputable organization to go get votes. In our opinion, some members of our party appear to have sunk to new lows. All this seems to be an effort to save the position of one incumbent. How distasteful.

In Clarksville, Democrats outnumber Republicans, Libertarians and independents by a wide margin. That’s why we find it so incomprehensible that the Clarksville Democrat Town Committee would spend $15,000 to hire someone to dig up absentee votes. We can’t understand the win-at-all-costs mentality of those that made this decision. With Democrats making up the vast majority of voters in Clarksville, we wonder why they seem to feel threatened by a fair and honest election.  

There are many words that could be used to describe this group. The list probably would not include words such as ethical, truthful or moral.    

It’s our sincere hope that the good, honest Democrats of Clarksville will develop enough backbone to root out the bad apples. Perhaps then all the good Clarksville Democrats can get rid of these feelings of embarrassment and shame brought upon us by the acts of a few unprincipled people.  

— Tom and Donna DeArk, Clarksville



Jeffersonville resident calls for vote for Curran



The voters of District 1 in Jeffersonville have a terrific opportunity Nov. 8 to elect a city council person who will truly represent the residents of the district.

What a refreshing change it will be to finally have a council person who will seek out our opinions, our wants and our needs rather than just going along to get along with whatever ideas the current administration may be promulgating at any particular time.

Curran will bring to city government the opportunity for the residents to not only have a voice in the decision-making of the city council, but to have that voice heard and have it count. She not only will actively seek out our opinions but will carefully weigh and consider our input in every vote she makes as our representative on the Jeffersonville City Council.

She will insure that the residents will have adequate time to voice our opinions rather than rushing through votes before the residents have had their say. Imagine for a moment how things could have been different if the residents could have been made aware of the changes being considered at Vissing Park and had an opportunity to voice their opinion concerning those changes before work started.

If you’re sick and tired of things being done the same old way and feeling you have no voice in Jeffersonville city government, please be willing to step up and vote for a person that will guarantee that your voices will be heard loud and clear before decisions are made and before votes are taken.

Vote for a person who has no allegiance to any one person, any one group, any one association or any one political party. The only allegiance Curran has will be to the voters of Jeffersonville and she guarantees the voices of the voters will be heard.

Please vote for a change that will help take power away from the politicians and return it to the residents of Jeffersonville. Vote for Kelley Curran for council person of District 1 of Jeffersonville.

— Buddy Coats, Jeffersonville



We don’t back Jack



First, Jack Messer was elected as a Democrat, then he was going to become a Republican and now he’s running as an independent candidate for mayor.

My name is Vicki Denhart, president of Citizens for Accountability. You may have heard about our citizens’ watchdog group. I’ve been attending city council meetings since 2000. Our watchdog group is made up of Democrats, Republicans and independent citizens.

I am writing in response to the letter: “Reader says he’s backing Jack.”

I also am a lifelong Democrat and was a candidate in the 2011 primary. I am a Democrat and will always be a Democrat, unlike the author of the letter, Randy Smith.

Randy Smith spins things well for his friend, Messer. But he doesn’t have his facts right. Since most of you voters have not attended a council meeting, you may not know about Messer’s voting record.

We believe that you should be an informed voter with the facts. Jack voted for:

• An $11,000 salary increase for Doug England;

• Shane Gibson to be a full-time city attorney at a $150,000 salary;

• Health care for three part-time council members;

• Carl Malysz salary to be $83,000;

• Sponsored the bill to raise speeding tickets by $25;

• Increases sewer rates;

• Increased stormwater fees;

• Increased sanitation fees;

• Free sewer hookups for some developers;

• Overtime pay for New Albany Police Department officers;

• New police cars;

• Hiring of new police officers; and

• Purchasing new police equipment and computers for police cars.

At the September mayoral debate, Messer stated that if elected mayor he would support a new local option income tax and that he would raise our sewer rates to cover all of our current and future repairs. Well, Mr. Messer, you are talking about not only higher fees and taxes on all of us, but a financial burden on many residents of New Albany.

Mr. Smith, you call candidate Messer’s voting record a voice of reason? Unlike you, we believe city money is our money and not a private piggy bank for the New Albany Police Department and mayor. We weren’t the one who got caught on tape cutting grass while on a medical leave from the police department. That was Messer.

Your so called facts, Mr. Smith, about the 911 merger, is a lie and anyone who has sat in on those meetings knows it would have cost the residents of New Albany more.

Voters can verify the above voting record of candidate Jack Messer by visiting the city clerk’s office.

— Vicki Denhart, New Albany



Reader: Vote Owen At-large



Matt Owen deserves your vote for Jeffersonville City Council At-large. He takes the time to observe and ask questions before trying to give his opinion on an issue.

Matt showed his thoughtfulness in answering questions in stories appearing on CNN and MSNBC when he first announced he was running for mayor. Matt’s decision to change directions and run for city council is another example of what Buddy Coats said about Matt possessing “wisdom and a level of maturity that is far beyond his years.”

Remember, you can pick up to three people for Jeffersonville City Council At-large, and Matt Owen definitely deserves one of your votes.

— James Bonsall, New Albany



Reader urges vote for Rutherford



Tonye Rutherford is a conscientious, hard-working leader in our community. A strong family man, honest and dependable, he is just the kind of leader we need on the New Albany City Council.

He already works hard to improve his neighborhoods. We should put him to work fixing the city’s problems with streets and sewers, too. We need new leadership in District 5.

Tonye will make sure the budget meets New Albany’s needs and will always listen to his constituents. It is time for that kind of leadership in our city. Let’s elect Tonye Rutherford to the city council Nov. 8.

— Dana Fendley, New Albany



Absentee editorial hit the mark



I want to enthusiastically applaud the editorial from the News and Tribune staff published recently titled “Indiana’s absent-minded system.”

The tone of the editorial hit the problems with our election system right on the head. There is way too much room left in our procedures and practices that allow cheating. As a party chairman, I recognize the difference between honest mistakes and outright law-breaking. Way too often, it happens in both parties and we must do our best to make sure it is not a problem in Floyd County.

A news conference was held recently on the steps of the Clark County courthouse highlighting problems far more serious than we normally experience here in Floyd. On one occasion, 10 different absentee ballots were cast by individuals who listed their home address as what was found to be a pole barn used for auto maintenance. I used to feel safe from these kinds of abuses in Floyd County — until this year.

In this year alone, multiple absentee votes for Democrat candidates were returned via mail that contained signatures obviously signed by the same person. The security and storage of absentee ballots had to be argued to make the procedure comply with Indiana voting laws. One Democrat candidate actually purchased advertisements and distributed fliers without the required disclaimer required by law — a class A misdemeanor. Democrat yard signs were forced to be removed until they came into compliance with the same law. The list goes on and on — and next year’s presidential election could be even worse.

I know that one of the cliché slogans often used in political campaigns is “it’s time for a change.”  However, there has probably never been a better time for such a sentiment in New Albany for change than now. Democrats are offering you little more next week than a reshuffle of the players. Even the independent candidates are offering you just more Democrat options.

As Republicans, we are offering the voters some honest changes to the status quo. We took a chance by offering candidates who haven’t been in public office for many years that you would agree that these changes would be good for New Albany. We are offering you honest, hard-working, law abiding citizens who promise that they will work as hard in city office as they have on their campaigns.

I know. This is exactly what you expect to hear from the GOP chairman. I also know that many who read this paper will disagree with me no matter what I say. But I also know that there are a whole lot of voters in New Albany who are sick and tired of the same old politics year after year that just doesn’t get the job done. Every one of our Republican candidates is a good choice to bring about that change. I’d vote for them if I were you.

— Dave Matthews, chairman, Floyd County Republican Party