Published: March 19, 2009 06:25 pm      

LETTERS: March 20, 2009

Make your voices heard at Resource committee meetings



It comes as no surprise as we are all scrambling around — with stagnant pay, fear of job loss and the ever-present specter of “Will it happen to me?” — that our attention has turned to our pocketbooks both personal and the communal, taxpayer one.

Recent news has shown that people are rethinking what they truly need and are basing future purchases on that premise. An example of this is in education. Parents would love nothing more than to send their children to the best school in the area be it a parochial school or public. The difference, of course, is what one can pay.

Recently, Rock Creek Christian Academy was in the paper in regards to approaching the state to become a charter school. This would allow them to become a public school even though they would have to drop the religion requirement. It didn’t pass this time around, but they are applying again. Parents are finding it hard to make the tuition payments, and the scholarships are expended and this is true in all private schools. As a result, I feel that more children will be heading toward the public school system.

We are about to have three public forums in which the Resources for Results committee members will present to us, the public, ideas on how to best utilize those tax dollars in the communal purse. One of the suggestions that has been batted around has been to close one or two schools. With people downsizing into smaller homes in the older neighborhoods and more children leaving private schools for public, we need to let our voices be heard that we need to retool our ideas.

The committee has been active for three years — years before our current economic downfall and fuel jumping all over the chart. We have young families moving into neighborhoods based on the schools nearby, and Silver Street happens to be a big decision-maker for many of them. Come out to the school board and Resources for Results meetings and let your voice be heard.

— Vicky Nugent, New Albany





Residents enjoy greenery, Mr. McCartin



In a recent article in The Tribune, real estate mogul Gary McCartin criticized the citizens of New Albany for blocking some so-called redevelopment proposals in parts of the city. Apparently, Mr. McCartin can’t understand why the residents want to save the precious, remaining green-space parcels in their neighborhoods instead of replacing them with apartment complexes and fast-food restaurants.

If the real estate developers always had their way, New Albany would be all buildings, concrete, pavement and motor vehicles.

Remember, we can never fool Mother Nature.

— Marc Troutman, New Albany



Realtor enjoyed Baird letter



The “Let’s Love New Albany” letter to the editor on March 15 , 2009, from Shirley Baird was well received.

As President of Interested Citizens, we have 100 “I Love New Albany” yard signs, which can be picked up at Harrison Realty, 4209 Charlestown Road, New Albany, free of charge. The neighborhood associations are working hard to create a favorable climate for the families all over New Albany.

Clean Up Downtown is 9 a.m. Saturday, April 25. Everyone can participate. There are other specific “Neighborhood Association” clean up days and meeting times I will gladly share. Just call me at 812-989-4663.

The local Realtors and Interested Citizens have started a clean-up campaign called, “Adopt A Corner” — it simply involves stopping once a week, picking up trash, etc., on a corner you frequent on your way to and from work. Call if you would like to register your corner.

— Pat Harrison, New Albany