Published: October 14, 2008 06:25 pm            

TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Oct. 15, 2008

Some people just need a little more praise. Some just need to be called to the carpet. In an effort to do both, The Tribune is bringing you a weekly Cheers & Jeers column in this space to do just that.

If you have an idea for a cheer or jeer, e-mail it to Tribune Publisher Steve Kozarovich at Steve.Kozarovich@

newsandtribune.com or mail it to 303 Scribner Drive, New Albany, 47150. We can’t guarantee we’ll use it, but cheers to you for trying.

So to kick things off, we’ll start with a Harvest Homecoming edition.



CHEERS

...... to Mother Nature for providing beautiful weather for Harvest Homecoming. Several organizers said they had record turnouts for events such as the Baby Crawl, thanks to the near perfect conditions.



..... to downtown businesses (and a few outside downtown such as Equinox Gardens) that have really helped make a difference in the aesthetics of the festival area. The donated blooms by Equinox complemented many recently renovated exteriors that showcase the fantastic amount of architecture that comprise New Albany’s downtown business district. It’s great to see that despite a tough economy nationally, New Albany is moving forward. Now, let’s hope we see some of those new welcome signs before the city’s bicentennial!



..... to New Albany’s cleanup crews for being on the ball and getting things straightened up Sunday night. The downtown streets were in reasonable shape considering the massive crowds all weekend. They did a stellar job overall getting things back to normal for business Monday.



JEERS

..... to city and festival leaders for still not figuring out a way to have a decent-sized public park near the riverfront where a large group of people can gather. Something on a side street near one of the main thoroughfares such as State or Spring similar to Warder Park in Jeffersonville would provide green space and adequate room to host several hundred people for a concert, fundraiser or seasonal celebration. We have the Riverfront Amphitheatre, but it’s out of the way for many walkers during a celebration such as Harvest.



..... to the organizers of the annual business luncheon and its continued allowance of raunchy and perverted skits to distract what could be a nice affair for the city. The luncheon is — and was — a popular event that didn’t need to stray into the gutter for bigger crowds. We at The Tribune know plenty of nonprudish New Albanians that are embarrassed by the shenanigans seemingly inspired by a fraternity-house hazing. Even a congressman got up and left last year because of the performances.

This is not intended to denigrate all low-brow hijinks for fun. But there’s a place and a time. Is a business luncheon bringing together local leaders and workers to honor heroes really the same place for a proctologist-flashlight skit?

Next year, how about we show our better side and bring back a more inclusive fashion show like in years past or recruit an interesting comedian or emcee? It won’t be dull. Half the fun is mingling with other working folks as we get away from the office.

        

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