Published: February 25, 2009 06:16 pm      

LETTERS: Feb. 26, 2009

Congress needs to live within a budget, too



President Obama’s announcement Monday that he will soon propose Congress returns to the days of adhering to mandatory pay-as-you-go, or PAYGO, budgeting did not make headline news. But, it did rank as the best news I’ve received in a long while. And here’s why:

Hoosier families have to live within a balanced budget and so too should Congress. That’s what

PAYGO means on the federal level — any new spending for programs or tax cuts must be offset so as not to add to our already massive deficit. This Congress — and the last — put into place PAYGO rules. However, as rules the budgetary enforcement tools lack teeth and do not have the force of law. That could all change soon and certainly for the better. Per the president’s proposal, Congress would have to make the tough budgeting decisions we were elected to do.

Yes, we are in a time of economic crisis that requires decisive and timely action. We stepped up to the plate and passed a recovery package aimed primarily at creating and saving roughly 75,000 jobs in our great state. But now, we must get back to dealing with the elephant in the room — our mounting federal deficit.

In a Feb. 23, 2009, Wall Street Journal piece, “Obama Pushes Firmer Budget Rules,” the reporter notes that, “Although Mr. Obama spoke on the campaign trail about pay-go rules, he didn’t pledge to implement a statutory change or mandatory cuts. But the fiscally conservative Blue Dogs have pressed him hard on the issue. They raised the need for statutory budget rules at a White House meeting ahead of passage of Mr. Obama’s $787 billion stimulus plan.”

As a leader of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and a representative of fiscally responsible constituents, I take real pride in this statement. While it may not be the hot-button issue of the day, it is the hot-button issue for our children and grandchildren. I agree wholeheartedly with Obama’s recent comments on this very issue — “I refuse to leave our children with a debt that we cannot repay.” (Washington Post, Feb. 23, “Obama Vows to Cut Federal Deficit in Half by End of First Term.”)

— Baron P. Hill, Indiana 9th District congressman





Suggestions regarding police, fire departments



I would like to offer some suggestions regarding the police and fire departments. Budgets need more of both, not less.

First, set up a true traffic court where all tickets would be paid to the city to help fund the police department. Speeding is out of control, as well as running traffic lights and careless driving while on cell phones. Buy more radar guns and change the law, so we can put cameras at all intersections. A lot of states do just that. I think we would see the police department become more self-supporting.

As to the fire department, let them start inspecting all the slum property and citing landowners, which would pay fines and inspection fees. Fifty-two percent of New Albany is rental property, as I understand it. This would also save lives.

We need ambulances at all fire stations. I will tell you from firsthand experience, Yellow ambulances are not too hot. The New Albany Fire Department ambulances and crews are much better. A fireman or woman has to train so much more and have more higher standards. The fire department only hires quality people.

Last week, I was down on the river and watched them train for fast water rescue. They are very brave.

We have the best police and fire Departments on this side of the river. We can find ways to fund them.

I would also like to see us go to a nonpaid city council and not have to pay for insurance for them for a part-time job. Half of the people in New Albany have no insurance.

I have written this without any input from anyone else. I think it is just common sense.

— Harold E. Bryant, New Albany



Let’s clean up the city



After reading several articles in The (New Albany) Tribune and The Evening News about Indianapolis applying for, receiving and using a grant to buy and refurbish foreclosed and abandoned homes around the city, I was impressed that this was funded by a $29 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The article, written by Carly Everson, says “Indianapolis officials plan to use a federal grant to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed and abandoned homes around the city.”

I’m sure everyone that read it thought how our area could use the money. I contacted Carl Malysz, as I’m sure many did. I suggested what a deal for New Albany and suggested a professional grant writing organization, too. What a surprise the next week when I saw that $5,000 had been appropriated. Cheers to Carl and the city planners.

I read in Sunday’s Tribune a letter to the editor from Ted Fulmore, president of S. Ellen Jones Neighborhood Association, with great interest. He alluded to the fact of trying to secure a grant for New Albany since December 2008. He and his group are making positive strides. They worked hard in a cleanup campaign throughout the spring and summer with the help of Ron Hartman and the city.

Our group, Interested Citizens, previously began as a way for investment property owners to protect their rights, especially concerning property taxes. We have seen the problems that our neighborhood associations face and always try to help them and invite them to our meetings. I applaud all of the neighborhood associations in New Albany unselfishly giving their time — sometimes a thankless position. New Albany is my town. In the ’60s and ’70s, it was an all-American city, and it will be again as we stay focused.

If anyone is interested in being a part of Interested Citizens Group of Southern Indiana, call me at 812-944-1111 or 812-989-4663.

— Pat Harrison, New Albany