CLARK COUNTY — Thank you, Mayor Galligan



I don't think people realize what all Mayor Tom Galligan has done for the city of Jeffersonville.

I go to the concerts at RiverStage — I try to go every week — and I am proud to be a resident of the city of Jeffersonville. It is great what the city has for the residents. It is so neat that we have these events down at our own RiverStage. And I have to say the bands are great.

Thank you, Mr. Galligan, for everything you do for the city. I hope more people can write in and tell him thank you also.

— Patti Smith, Jeffersonville



Hill responds on spending column



I understand and completely agree with John Krueger’s concern about the debt our country is amassing. His statements in a column this week regarding actions I have taken on fiscal reform measures like PAYGO, blocking the congressional pay raise and votes on spending bills, however, are inaccurate. I would like to take this opportunity to clear those up.

First, Congress did not receive a pay raise this year and will not receive one next year. This is only appropriate while our country works its way through these difficult times. The Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act included a provision — taken from a bill of which I am an original cosponsor — preventing members from receiving a pay adjustment in 2010. And, due to recent legislative action, pay in 2011 will remain at the 2009 and 2010 level.

My bill reinstating pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting rules was enacted early this year — unlike Mr. Krueger’s claims — after being allowed to expire in 2002. As the fine folks of Southern Indiana have heard me say on numerous occasions, PAYGO forces Congress to offset any new or increased spending and live within a budget, just as Hoosier families do every day. And, it has proven successful in the past, largely credited with attaining the budget surpluses we enjoyed in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Mr. Krueger also claims that I voted “in favor of all of the spending bills.” I actually voted against the majority of appropriations bills last year because they called for significant spending increases at a time when Hoosier families were tightening their belts.

This response addresses Mr. Krueger’s false claims directly. I would encourage anyone with questions about my voting record or policy stances to feel free to contact me at any time. It is my distinct honor and privilege to serve the people of Southern Indiana in Congress, and I can do my job best when I hear directly from you.

My office can be reached toll-free at 866-440-1321.

— Baron Hill, D-Ind., 9th District U.S. Representative, Seymour







C-Town resident covets a public pool



For the second year in a row, Charlestown kids have no swimming pool to enjoy during this long, hot summer.

You can thank Mayor Bob Hall for that. He let the Greater Clark County Schools system demolish our pool and take the land it was on. Charlestown has received nothing in return. Can you imagine the mayor of any other city allowing that to happen?

But a swimming pool for kids isn’t one of Mayor Hall’s priorities. He requested stimulus funds for many projects. A swimming pool wasn’t even on the list. His priorities are way out of sync with what the city really needs.

Bob Hall should be accountable for the loss of the city pool. He has never bothered to explain to the citizens why he allowed this to happen. When he runs for re-election, every voter — and especially every parent — should remember his gross mismanagement and his neglect of our kids’ need for a city pool.

— Karen S. Ison, Charlestown