Welcome New Visitors and Voters !!!

  Welcome to the Jeffersonville / Clark Co. Blog ...The BatBlog . There has been a significant amount of new visitors in the last couple of weeks in part because of the voting on the BatPoll. Just want to welcome those checking out the place to be for the latest, inside information and news with a focus on Jeffersonville and Clark Co. politics, government and elections.

   While the main writer of the BatBlog "Hoosiertaxpayer" is a lifelong Democrat there is no favoritism shown here ....the BatBlog tells it like it is with no holds barred discussions on the issues, controversies, and stories of the day. No sugar coating when there is wrongdoing, mismanagement or abuse by our government officials,  we look to get to the bottom of every story, no matter what party or office is involved...with cutting edge commentary and editorials.

  We also urge you to participate with your comments and tips on possible stories drop us an email at hoosiertaxpayer@outlook.com or leave a comment in the comments area. If you don't want your comment published just put  "do not publish" behind your comment. Anonymity is promised if you don't want to reveal who you are no problem.... See something wrong drop us a line we will check it out , we have sources but are always looking for more... Finally  "stay vigilant my friends" it is up to us to get to the bottom of any wrong doing in local politics and make it public ...be alert and we can end some of the BS that has gone on in the past here locally....The BatBlog is watching.....so can you...

*** Note *** If you are using the mobile version of the BatBlog you must go to the bottom of the page and click on FULL  WEB VERSION then the polls will show up on the right...

Coming tomorrow the BatBlog's look at the Clark Co. sheriff's race with analysis, predictions and the BatBlog's endorsement....

The BatBlog Asshole of The Month

  Congratulations to former Jeffersonville mayor and now Clark Co. Airport Authority president Tom Galligan for being the BatBlog's "Asshole of the Month." Galligan in his own special way disparaged local engineering firm Jacobi, Toombs and Lantz in a meeting of airport authority members. Threatening to quit his position (like a 3 year old) if the firm continued to do engineering work for the airport authority. Once again in his bull in a china shop way Galligam has made an ass of himself.

 The firm of Jacobi, Toombs and Lantz has an excellent reputation in doing engineering work for the last 30 odd years here locally, having done many fine projects for local government. It appears "Crybaby Tom" didn't get his way and threw one of his infamous tantrums and vented out on the local firm and in the process disparaged a local business and workers with a well respected reputation.

  We get it Tom your are my way or the highway jerk, but how about manning up and if you have a problem with someone's work , speak to them privately and maybe the problem can be resolved in a manly fashion. Instead as always you took the coward's route  and publicly tried to ruin their good name.... The thing is people see through your bullying tactics and have no respect for you are your opinions....The Clark Co. Airport will be nothing more than what it is a rinky dink, unprofessional operation with you at the helm. When you threatened to walk out the other members's showed how spineless they are...the should have told you good bye and don't let the door hit you in the ass...Instead they cowered to your childish demands.

 You did manage to join your cohort NHBSM as a chartered member of the BatBlog's "Asshole of the Month" club once again Congratulations !!!

The Sad, Shamed Legacy of Local Politicians

 
This might be the year where we see the final appearances publicly and on the ballot of some of our former prominent local politicians. Unfortunately they are leaving a sad , shamed legacy on their names and local politics in general. Two of them Sheriff Danny Rodden and GCC schoolboard memberTeresa Perkins have been arrested and charged with serious crimes. Recently defeated  Judge Jerry Jacobi while not charged with a crime (by law he has immunity) had his drug court operation shut down by state officials for allegedly violating the rights of several drug court participants, who have filed a class action suit against Clark Co. in federal court. Finally we have John Perkins  who will leave the legacy of being reviled by voters almost without exception, but still managing to someway finagle his way into important  positions of which he had no way of being elected to....

 
The BatBlog isn't sure what's more embarrassing to Clark Co. the actions and the shame of those mentioned above or the fact we keep electing or appointing candidates that put us in these embarrassing situations. What is the real shame is the lasting legacy to their own and family's names,  No matter the legal endings Rodden will always be remembered as the sheriff who allegedly cavorted with a prostitute giving her special privileges and lying to federal authorities. T. Perkins will be remembered for allegedly stealing jewelry, Jacobi for running a program that allegedly denying people their most basic of rights ...due process and John Perkins of being
a perennial loser...

   Whether it is a  sense of entitlement or whatever possessed these politicians to do what they did, we need to make sure we take this into consideration as we move forward. Being careful that we elect candidates without the sense of entitlement , or feeling of being above the law, because in a sense it  sadly someway reflects back on all of us ....

Election 2014 - Jeffersonville Township Advisory Board

     Today the BatBlog begins a series on the upcoming November election, we will highlight the individual races with commentary, predictions and recommendations.

While the Jeffersonville Township Advisory Board is a little known position it is very important. The trustees office has a strong influence in addressing poverty in the community among other responsibilities. Public policy and poverty  has been a special area of concern and study. The advisory board approves the trustees budget and advises the office.

Three members will be elected, the Democrats running are Shirley Bell, Michael "Mick"  Castleberry and Phil Ellis on the Republican side the candidates are Tony Singelton, Scottie Maples and Jamie Hudgins. Also on the ballot is Libertarian candidate Kelley Curran.

The Batblog highly regards Kelley Curran as the most qualified and capable candidate for this position, she currently serves on the board of directors of the Jeff Urban Enterprise Association and  a Homeless Task Force member that advises the city of Jeffersonville on the needs and treatment of the homeless population. Ms Curran along with Dem.s Phil Ellis and Mick Castleberry get the nod of approval for this important position....Be sure to check out this race on the ballot and be sure to vote....

Congratulations For Working Together !!!

Congratulations are in order for Jeff mayor Mike Moore and city councilman Ed Z. (Zastawny) for putting their collective heads together and coming up with a revision in the proposed riverfront marina project. Moore and Ed Z. came up with a plan that eliminated some of the proposed permanent docks in favor of transient docks and adding a fishing pier, as well as other cosmetic changes to the area. This collective cooperation is refreshing and an example how working together is possible and a necessary function of the different  elements of government. The fishing pier something the BatBlog has deemed as essential to the project is going to be a great asset to the Jeffersonville riverfront...

  Let's hope this cooperation and working together isn't an isolated incident and will become more the norm moving forward, in what has been a tenuous relationship in the past between the mayor and the council ...This is how the system should work ...two thumbs up from the BatBlog on progress and the cooperative effort of both parties involved....

Election 2014 Bat Poll Numbers Revised

Since some asshole with obviously not much to do hacked the Bat Poll we have had to calculate the votes with the hacking votes being discarded....with that in mind here are the results to this point....





Clark Co. Commissioner - David Abbot (D)                    28     36%
                                           Bryan Glover (R)                  49      64%

Clark Co. Sheriff                Brian Meyer (D)                     18     19%
                                            Jamie Noel  (R)                    41      44%
                                          Mac Spainhour(I)                   34       37%

Clark Co. Prosecutor         Robert Bottoroff (D)               30     36%
                                           Jeremy Mull  (R)                    54     64%

Clark Co. Auditor              William "Perry" McCall (D)      26     36%
                                            R. Monty Snelling (R)           46     64%

Clark Co, Assessor             Vicki Kent -Haire (D)             73     63%
                                            Martina Webster (R)              43     37%

Circuit Court Judge            Joe Weber (D)                        43     58%
                                            Kyle Williams (R)                   31     42%

Circuit Court Judge             Laura Harbison (D)                 39     48%
                                             Brad Jacobs (R)                     43     52%

Circuit Court Clerk              Susan Popp (D)                       46     67%
                                             Kelly Harrod (R)                     23     33%

Clark Co. Recorder               Lincoln Crum (D)                  37     45%
                                              Zach Payne (R)                    45     55%

Clark Co, Council                Barbara Hollis (D)                   49     67%
                                             Shawn Billups (R)                  24     33%

Clark Co. Council                Kelly Conn (D)                        24     37%
                                             Bryan Lenfert (R)                   41     73%

Clark Co. Council                Joe Hubbard (D)                     42     60%
                                             Danny Yost  (R)                     28     40%

U.S. Congress                       Bill Bailey (D)                         33     43%
                                              Todd Young (R)                      43     57%

State Senate                           Chuck Freiberger (D)             32     46%
                                               Ron Grooms (R)                     38     54%

Even though the voting was hacked we urge you to continue to vote and coming soon a look at the individual races and predictions...

Local Democratic Caucas

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Jacobi ..Cat Got His Tongue ??? What's He Got to Hide

   

There's been a lot of interest, judging by the volume of comments in the earlier post on the Judge Jacobi furniture move. At first I thought it was a non issue but moving forward it looks more and more like there may have been a cover up. Some questions....Why doesn't Jacobi talk to the press ??? Why does Jacobi need a lawyer ??? his attorney Larry Wilder (in the video) is always doing his talking for him. It's been my experience mostly guilty people "lawyer up " Why didn't the Jerry's Place residents move the furniture ??? Seems like common sense to just give them a call and have them pick it up... Why didn't Brian Meyer acting sheriff and Dem. candidate for the position not ask what the inmate was being released for ???  Seems like a logical, necessary question in his duties as Sheriff.

  The BatBlog has on numerous times posted about the problems in the Clark Co. justice system. Drug usage in the C.C. jail, employees being arrested, the probation dept., the Rodden arrest and the drug court fiasco....This latest controversy while not on a huge scope does appear to be a case of lack of supervisional control on several levels and the old adage "the monkeys are running the zoo" comes to mind. As the BatBlog has said before it's time for sweeping changes on all levels (judicial, corrections and probation departments.) The system is broken it's time to fix it....

Another Watergate ??? Republican Operatives Hacking the BatPoll ???

 

  It appears that even though the BatBlog has a tight security system in place, we may have been hacked...The BatBlog IT director and Security has uncovered some inconsistencies in voting in the recently posted BatPoll. An inordinate amount of votes came in at around 12:00 AM Monday morning mostly in favor of the Republican candidates, and with the GOP having a history of covert operations, example Watergate, this looks like just another dirty trick.  I actually think a lot of the GOP candidates would have done very well on their own and this hacking just tarnishes the whole thing....but this poll thing was just done for fun so no big deal I'll just make my call by readjusting the totals and allow for the hacking...obviously someone with not much of a life , to spend time hacking a blog poll....

The 2014 Election BatPoll

The highly accurate (over 90% correct) in the past BatPoll is up for the 2014 Election...Pass the word and be sure to vote for your favorite candidates, and stay tuned in to the award winning BatBlog for election and political coverage.....


Note*** for those who voted earlier there are some new races posted at the bottom of the list and may be some more added later on.....also if  I overlooked a race or you see a race you want posted just let us know....

The Jacobi Apartment Affair is it Really News Worthy ???

 The News/Tribune is reporting a Clark Co. jail inmate was removed from jail to help move a mattress and television from Judge Jerry Jacobi's rental property   CLICK HERE to be taken to a local halfway house. While this is probably a bad practice  to have inmates in this case a trustee doing favors for elected officials , it was a only two items and only took a short time to move them, and they were donated. The BatBlog will give Jacobi a pass on this one, according to Joe Renck who works for the probation office and supervised the inmate to assist him move the items, Jacobi was unaware the inmate was used and Renck did it as a personal favor for Jacobi.

If this was just an isolated incident and Mr. Renck is telling the complete truth about how it went down, this seems pretty much a non story. If there is more to the story and anyone knows about it please contact the BatBlog at hoosiertaxpayer@outlook.com. In the past several people have informed the BatBlog of alleged misconduct and inconsistencies in the probation dept. and if this is a case of that here we would like to hear about it.

Nice try News/Tribune but not much of a story here, though you have to wonder why Jacobi hung up on the reporter who wanted to ask him for a comment on the story.

*** Note to the N/T if you really want a story, push Clark Co. prosecutor Steve Stewart for comments and an explanation on the recent murder case where the defendants bond was reduced allowing him to go free...and kill again...

Why was This Man's Bond Reduced ??? We Need Answers

   A convicted killer Joseph Oberhansley was given a reduced bond allowing him to be set free and a local woman is dead apparently at his hands less than 2 months later. Oberhansley convicted of killing his girlfriend in Utah in 2000 has been charged with 2 violent  felonies here locally in the last 2 years. After the latest charge his bond was set at $25000 cash but for some unexplained reason was reduced  to $ 5000 which was posted less than two months ago and he was released.

 Deputy prosecutor Jeremy Mull said he wasn't aware that Oberhansley's bond had been reduced that someone else in the prosecutors office agreed to the reduction in Judge Joe Weber's court. Why would a man convicted of killing, and with two violent felonies pending here locally (one was strangulation) be allowed a reduced bond ???

The Clark Co. prosecutor's office has some big explaining to do as this appears to be another grievous incident of a lack of  institutional control and judgement in our justice system., by the prosecutorial and judicial departments  that is supposed to protect us citizens of Clark Co. There needs to be an immediate investigation and explanation why, who  and what steps were responsible for this terrible mistake and lack of good judgement that appears to have cost a woman her life.

Another sad day in Clark Co....We need answers now....


The WLKY news story and video below



Convicted killer charged with murder in Jeffersonville homicide | Local News - WLKY Home

The Fallacies/Lies of Hutt's Lawsuit

1. To label this as a "class action" lawsuit is an outright lie. This no way represents the consensus feelings of the public or the taxpayers of the city of Jeffersonville. The suit represents a personal vendetta of  Hutt and the other political enemies of Mayor Moore...period.

2. Hutt's comments "this is not about Mike Moore or myself, it is about following state statue and getting the best price for the land" Bull shit, another lie,  in the press release Hutt made a point of mentioning and calling out the mayor personally in his comments. It's all about him getting fired from the exact board he's suing(Redevelopment commission) and politics and everybody knows it but the Moore haters.

3. Hutt's remarks that Merkley's request for a 24 million dollar bond is a "scare tactic" ...another lie. This is a standard procedure and request in this type suit. This keeps any dumb ass like Hutt from filing a frivolous lawsuits and holding up million dollar projects. The amount might change but the bond should and will be put in place...then we will see how serious Hutt is, he can either  put up or shut up....

4. There is no end game in Hutt's suit, he ask's for the hotel "project to be ended" and asks for "appraisal of the 10 acres" "certification of the class and attorney fees". Well Hutt has already crowed the property is worth a 1/2 a million an acre... WHERE"S HIS APPRAISAL ???  he's the one saying what it's worth ,but in the same breath asking for an appraisal...There is no way in hell that land will appraise for $500,000 an acre this is Jeffersonville not Manhattan. You would think someone filing suit would come to the table with just a little bit of proof like an appraisal instead he comes up with HIS figures....The old adage comes to mind  "Figures don't lie, but liars figure."

5. Finally Jabba the Hutt is baiting city attorney Les Merkley over the internet on the CCC. Merkley asked for an impartial Supreme Court judge for the suit and as mentioned earlier asked for a 24 million dollar bond.  Hutt is muttering in public "why is he (Merkley) hiding behind a 24 million dollar bond"and not wanting a local judge. This shows how stupid Hutt is, this is common practice in these type lawsuits he's not hiding from anything...Hutt's trying to hold up a 24 million dollar investment on his frivolous and untrue claims which is exactly why these bond requirements are in place, to stop any swinging D--- from holding up progress with bogus lawsuits. As far as the judge what's Hutt afraid of  ??? he say's it's all about the law ...who better to decide the law than an impartial Supreme court judge with no political ties to this area in what is a obviously a politically motivated lawsuit.

 It's time for Jabba the Hutt to put up or STFU.....and quit crying over the internet...Put your big boy panties on and  man up....

The Ballad of Dumb and Dumber...It Gets Better and Better

 

 You see it every day in the newspaper, on television etc. where the parties of lawsuits, trials or any court proceeding say they can't comment because of the pending litigation. Any attorney worth his salt, actually almost every attorney will advise his client and rightfully so, not to comment on a current or upcoming trial, lawsuit or any of the details. Things said outside the courtroom can and will be used against you.

   Well in the case of NHBSM's (Dumb) suit against the city none of that holds true. NHBSM is busy blathering all over the internet on the CCC about his upcoming lawsuit. You have to realize that NHBSM isn't the sharpest tool in the shed but you have to wonder about his legal representation in the suit. Wasn't he warned to be quiet about the pending suit, especially knowing his client's penchant for shooting off at the mouth and playing loose with the truth... it kind of makes you wonder. NHBSM want's to be important he can't help himself, he's still basking in the limelight of being in the newspaper and on TV.


 This makes the BatBlog believes even more and more this is just a case political dirty trick and charade. It's not about the law, what's right or wrong it's about the negative publicity that is trying to be brought down upon the current administration and mayor. If this wasn't the case you would have to think that Wilder would tell NHBSM to :STFU 


Tomorrow the Fallacies (Lies) of Hutt's Suit

A Second More Serious Look at the Hutt Lawsuit....

 *******************************BREAKING**************************************************
City Attorney Les Merkley asks for plaintiff (Mike Hutt) to put up 24 million dollar bond...
**********************************************************************************************

 Taking a second more serious look at Hutt's lawsuit filed against the City of Jeffersonville and the Redevelopment Commission.  People need to realize this for what it is.... a cheap, dirty, underhanded political trick and nothing more. The lawsuit itself probably isn't worth the paper it's written on. The suit may very well delay the projected hotel development on the parcels of land in question but ultimately Hutt and Wilder are pissing in the wind with their chances of winning such a suit.

   Our laws rightly or wrongly leave a broad and somewhat vague interpretation of how government can spend our tax dollars. If not city, state, and federal governments would be flooded with frivolous lawsuits like the one filled by Dumb and Dumber. We're not going to get into the morality or whether it's right or wrong for government to have this power to control our money, but you can imagine the gridlock of our court system with out this authority.

  Another thing that makes Hutt's lawsuit pretty much useless is the fact that the appraisal's especially of vacant land is very subjective and can vary widely. It is more or less what use a prospective buyer might have for a certain property, and what it's worth for him personally to obtain it. Hutt's logic and theory that because Starbuck's paid $250,000 for a 1/2 acre makes every acre in the parcel worth  $500,000 just doesn't hold water. The questioned property was open to bid the higher bid was accepted...what is the city to do....ask the 1/2 million an acre and have it just sit there growing weeds ? ....because that's exactly what will happen at Hutt's price.... it'll just sit there....You can see the lunacy of this lawsuit...

 It's no secret Hutt's bitterness toward the Moore administration whether he's just a stooge for an anti- Moore coalition I don't know... the BatBlog doesn't think  Hutt is smart enough to think this on his own. The only thing we can say for sure this is just good ole Jeffersonville/ Clark Co. political dirty tricks... nothing more.

Dumb and Dumber ...Hutt Sues the City

*********************UPDATE*********************************************************************** 
The BatBlog has obtained  photos of the clandestine meeting between Dumb and Dumber....Dumb is the fat , ugly one...
*************************************************************************************

Closeup

NHBSM sues the City....:News Release

In an apparent attempt to make himself feel important and relative NH(Not Honest)  has announced he will sue the city of  Jeffersonville. Citing the city for allegedly not selling a piece of property for it's full value.  NH (Dumb) has retained the services of local attorney Larry (Ashcan) Wilder (Dumber). 

NH (Dumb) apparently has been smelling too many paint fumes of the wrecked cars he paints in order to peddle them on the citizens of Jeffersonville. He appears to have the delusional idea that because Starbucks paid  $ 250,000 for a 1/2 acre of property that every parcel of land in town is worth a 1/2 a million dollars an acre. NH (Dumb) must think he resides in Manhattan or Beverly Hills. 

It appears that under the guise of helping the taxpayers Dumb and Dumber have conspired up another dirty political trick in hope of making mayor M. Moore look bad and make things more difficult for progress and mayor Moore's reelection. Dumb has never gotten over being unceremoniously fired by mayor Moore years ago and has attempted to do everything and anything for revenge for Moore firing his ass.

It also appears to the BatBlog that Mr. Wilder (Dumber) has a short memory and forgotten how NH publically trashed (no pun intended) Mr. Wilder after his misadventure with a trash can and the local police department. Notice too NH wants the taxpayers to pay for his legal fees as he requests in his lawsuit.

The BatBlog has figured out NH (Dumb) a long time ago. In his never ending attempt to apparently cop a government job NH panders to all the local politicians only to turn on them when they figure NH out. It's easy to figure out NH's motive in this case but apparently Dumber hasn't figured it out yet or is playing along in this little, childish political game....

Election 2014 A Quick First Look

  With the 2014 election less than 2 months away the BatBlog will be providing the top local coverage. Including the highly accurate BatPoll which only missed one race (the Drew Adam's victory over Dan Moore) in the spring primary. Look for more in depth coverage, predictions and endorsements as we near Election day, today a quick summary on some of the key races.

 Probably the two main races here locally is the  Clark Co. sheriff and prosecutor's office.  Jeremy Mull( R) chief Deputy prosecutor looks solid and should win. The sheriff's race while still too close too call looks as if Mac Spainhour the independent may have the slightest of leads. In other races Judge Joe Weber(D) will win easily in his race and look for Brad Jacobs (R) to take the other contested Judge's seat. Susan Popp (D) will breeze into the County Clerk's office and the BatBlog predicts William "Perry" McCall (D) will have a good opportunity to knock off incumbent Co, Auditor R. Monty Snelling (R).

 In other races newcomer Martina "Tina" Webster (R) is up against a big challenge taking on incumbent Co. Assessor Vicki Kent -Haire (D). In the Co. Commissioner Dist.3 race Bryan Glover (R) seems to have a slight advantage in that race over David Abbott (D) at this time. Finally in the Clark Co. Council races look for all four incumbents to hold on to their seats Hollis (D) , Lenfert (R), Doherty (R) and Yost (R).

 Watch for more detailed analysis, predictions, and endorsements in the coming weeks on the individual races ,as well as the highly accurate Bat Poll...Good Luck to all the candidates and be sure to Vote !!!

How Jeremy Really Stands Hard on Child Molestation Cases

A recent case :THE STORY in the Clark Co. court system shows how Jeremy Mull REALLY stands on child molestation cases. Unlike how he was unfairly portrayed by former Clark Co. attorney Greg Fifer last week. Mr. Mull asked for 4 years prison time for the alleged molester inthe cited STORY only to have it reduced to probation by Judge Vicki Carmichael. Not knowing the circumstances the BatBlog won't go into detail about this particular case but Mr. Mull has proven time and time again he is a tough fair prosecutor who is NOT lenient on crime or punishment as Mr. Fifer insinuated by his recent comments on the CCC about another child molestation case....

The BatBlog thinks it would be wise for former Clark Co. attorney Greg Fifer to heed the words of Abraham Lincoln  " It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt"  As he continues to try and focus the blame of the other  recent, lenient, sexual abuse plea bargained case in Clark Co. on deputy prosecutor and Rep. candidate for Clark Co. prosecutor Jeremy Mull.


We will try to explain this very clearly and Mr. Fifer would be advised to read it very slowly in order to get the message to sink in...

1. Mr. Mull did NOT prosecute this case it was prosecuted by Jen Harmeyer....

2. Mr. Mull is NOT the current Clark Co. prosecutor it is Steve Stewart....who is a Democrat...

3. Mr. Stewart oversees the prosecutor's office and one would assume OK's all plea bargains by his deputy prosecutor's NOT Mr. Mull....

4. A plea agreement has to be agreed to by a judge it is NOT the sole call of the prosecutor and the judge in this case agreed to the plea bargain....

5. Mr. Fifer does NOT know the extenuating circumstances in this case of which there were many. He 's popping off on something he knows nothing about...

6. Mr. Fifer called for cleaning house in  the prosecutors office...the current prosecutor is a Dem. (so is Bottoroff who you are supporting) cleaning house would constitute removing the Dem. in favor of the Rep. The Rep. candidate is Mr. Mull who will be elected...so you'll get your wish on this one...

7. Mr. Fifer do you take the blame for every botched case in Clark Co. while you worked for the county ???  Was  it then your fault when the property owner got all that money on a recent botched land appraisal case for the Clark Co, airport???

8. Mr Mull is NOT lenient on crimes of any kind....

Mr. Mull will continue his tough stance on all crimes after he is elected Clark Co, Prosecutor this fall...