Published: May 31, 2009 12:54 am      

LETTERS: May 31, 2009

Reader: More fiction from Resources for Results committee



The New Albany-Floyd County School Corp. presented a PowerPoint presentation at all three of the Resources for Results committee’s so-called “public hearings” in April. Useless and outdated information was provided; however, the data presented from the demographic study known as the McKibben Report was interesting. The presentation stated the report found New Albany would suffer a decline in population, while the “hill” schools would experience an increase.

We obtained a copy of the complete report from the school corporation and realized it couldn’t have been presented to the committee for their review. Contrary to what was presented at the hearings, the McKibben Report forecasted New Albany’s downtown population numbers would remain stable, while populations on the hill would expect a decline in population.

Dr. Jerome McKibben, senior demographer of the firm that conducted the study, was recently contacted. He said he met with the committee and was told by certain committee members that hill populations would increase, which would necessitate building more space to accommodate growth, and New Albany’s population would decline, which contradicted his forecast.

Upon inspection of current corporation Web site data, McKibben was pleased to see his forecast was correct. He noted the corporation’s population as a whole is down, with most of the decline being experienced on the hill. He forecasted downhill migration as people downsize to smaller homes, while schools around starter homes, such as those in the Silver Street Elementary School boundary, are presently seeing growth.

Some in the corporation and/or committee may insist that McKibben’s forecast is incorrect; however, recent research data indicates Highland Hills Middle School’s boundary alone has experienced more than 100 foreclosures since the beginning of the recession. Local area Realtors confirm that large numbers of families are moving out of the Knobs due to foreclosures. McKibben’s findings are even truer now than before the recession began.

Carefully crafted fiction is being passed to the Resources for Results committee as facts and will get passed onto the school board as such. It is a waste of taxpayers’ money to hire a demographer and then misrepresent the findings because those findings don’t fit into the committee’s criteria for closing a school. I suggest committee and school board members read the full McKibben Report, contact Mr. McKibben directly, and carefully look at Department of Education data before making decisions on recommendations that would negatively impact students through school closure, as well as undermine the city’s plans for revitalization.

— Norma Condra, New Albany



Who steals plants and rose bushes?

For the past few years, concerned residents have worked hard and spent time and money to beautify the entrances of Blackiston Village and Blackiston Heights, only to have someone come by and vaandalize them by taking what they want that had been planted.

Shame on them. Do we not take any pride in our neighborhoods anymore?

— Darlene Andres, Clarksville



Reader: Do morals apply to today’s generation?



There is a fast food restaurant in Jeffersonville where the homeless come first. Example: If you walk up to the counter and order a shake, you will be put off to the side to wait awhile.

One of the homeless people who frequents the restaurant walks up to the counter and orders ice cream and is given his ice cream without having to wait. Why is this?

I have been one of the regular customers at this restaurant for some time, and yes, I have gotten loud with other people while in there because when placing an order to dine-in, the order isn’t completed correctly, the cashier doesn’t seem to care or no one pays attention.

I have been told that help is hard to find because they don’t pay well or the employee has an attitude to where it conflicts with other employee’s and the public. Do morals and responsibilities apply to today’s generation?

I recall when I was younger, morals and responsibility were important factors for life. For someone learning what life is about today, they should ask themselves, if they don’t care, why should anyone else?

— David M. LaTouche, Clarksville