NEW ALBANY — Thanking the volunteers

We would like to extend sincere appreciation to two groups of individuals who mean a great deal to our organization.

The New Albany Police Department has in place two programs, the Civilian Volunteer Program and the Auxiliary Police Program, that are critical to the success of our overall strategy for the protection of our community. Both of these programs exist to provide important services to our city at no cost to its citizens while in turn being responsible for thousands of hours of donated service and over $100,000 in financial savings. This kind of selfless dedication only exists within few extraordinary people and we are blessed to have some on our staff.

We would like to personally thank each member of our volunteer staff which includes Bonnie Ryan, Joan Rose, Dennis Smith, Mary Bezy, Bob Oyler, Dianna Burton, James Lori, Donna Walter, Eric Stewart, Chris Morgan, Paul Williams, Karen Lehman, Mike Bowman, Randy Abney, Chris Johnson and John Coomer.

Additionally, we would like to express appreciation to all of our past volunteers who also served our city selflessly. Our community owes these fine women and men a debt of gratitude that words cannot repay.

— Chief of Police Greg Crabtree and the

New Albany Police Department Staff



Parent takes issue with Silver Street closing

  As we all know the New Albany-Floyd County School Corp has voted to close four schools — one of them being Silver Street Elementary. I have several issues with this decision along with the years I have devoted to the school and my attached neighborhood. There are two of them which I wish to cover today.

The first being, what are your plans for the Silver Street Elementary School building? I understand it is to be sold. To whom? Will it be available to New Albany’s fine assemblage of “SlumLords?” Any business who wants to plow it down and whip up an Instant Mart? I really want to know, do you have any feeling for the history of the building or the people surrounding it? If so I challenge you to hold fast to that property until proper arrangements can be made. I would like to point out to any community organization that has considered purchasing Silver Street for a community center that you will have my support and the support of many who wish to see this building continue to be a vessel of care and education for our local children. Consider the amount of efforts that went in to supporting this school. It will not stop here. We are in it for the long haul... and it’s not over yet.

The second issue I would like to address is the uprooting of my child. I hear from so many who do not have a child that will be affected by this transition that they will be fine, no harm done. Easy for you to say. Yes they will live, life will go on but do not tell me no harm done. My child will no longer be starting the day as a Silver Street Star, her school identity will change. She is likely to start each day for the first several months wondering what happened to the staff and friends she was close to. The BFF she has had in class with her for the last two years will not be coming with her. She will now be attending a different school. Walking with my child to school is no longer an option unless I want to stroll up Slate Run Road, half of it not having a side walk. Worse things could happen, I know this. But we have invested much time and money into our home and our school. We have stayed in one place if for no other reason, so that our children will have stability. And seven people, none of which live in downtown New Albany or in its surrounding neighborhoods have decided this was the best way to save funds.

There is one certainty that I can depend on. The NA-FC Corp. staff that I have worked with for the last two years have been professional and kind and have given my child wonderful instruction. Our counselors, secretaries, principals, teachers and staff throughout are already working overtime to smooth fears and build confidence in the changes ahead. For this they have my regard and my gratitude. Thank you for working with the children to ease these transitions. They will certainly need you.

— Michele Finn

Parent/former PTO Silver Street Elementary

Silver Grove Neighborhood Ambassador