Shakeup in the Probation Office ???

The BatBlog has learned that Steve Mason is out as Director of  Community Corrections in Clark Co.. What happened ...was he fired ??? retired ???. I guess we'll never know, the word on the street is he signed a confidentiality agreement that won't let him discuss his employment or non - employment status. It seems like a cover up of transparency that someone payed with our tax dollars is let go, fired or retired and we aren't give a reason why or what happened. If he was fired...
why ?? and by whom ???

Answers anyone ??? It seems peculiar because Mr. Mason hasn't discussed retirement plans before hand which is  usually the norm....Who will be the new director ??? and how will they be chosen ???

Savile Row's Solution....

The wise and savvy Saville Row has posted to the BatBlog a solution to the Park's Authority/Jeffersonville City council's determined effort to waste over 3 million dollars on a soccer complex that is neither wanted or needed by Jeffersonville taxpayers....




Saville Row is probably as well versed on City and state statutes and the local political scene as anyone. He's forgotten more than NHBSM pretends to know, as Not Honest has a tendency to play loose with the TRUTH...

Savile Row said...

A solution:
The current council can begin to assist in taking substantial steps toward solving
the soccer filed complex
spending mess:

1.) The current council members resign from the parks authority.,
2.) "A recreation board is established" (under IC 36-10-5-2 subsection (b)(2)(B), )
..."consisting of five resident freeholders (citizens) appointed by the
City Executive".

 The BatBlog agrees with Saville's Row "solution", it is needed and would be wise to implement. The city council has no business making executive branch decisions, their function is to operate as the fiscal and legislative side of government business and nothing more....

 While Savile Row's idea would be a prudent move, this is Jeffersonville and there is to much behind the scenes political posturing, too many fragile egos and jealousy for this too happen. Unfortunately for Jeffersonville taxpayers and voters these things happen to the detriment of any opportunity for an efficient government that works with and for the people.

 The only thing the people can do is remember the foolish wasteful decisions by this inept City council at the ballot box this year....and as always.... Remain Vigilant My Friends....

Update**** On the Joe Renck story...

Clark County Councilman Kevin Vissing has informed the BatBlog that Joe Renck's request for a  $10,000 raise was denied by the council....Thanks Kevin for the information...

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Common Sense And Or Shrewd Political Move....Or Both ???

   

Vetoed 3 mil ordinance

Whether it is just good ole common sense or a shrewd political move or both Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore vetoed the ordinance by the city council intended to earmark 3 million dollars for expansion of the Woehrle soccer complex. The ordinance which is highly unpopular with the general public and whose necessity and priority highly questioned passed unanimously at the last council meeting.

  Once again like her colleague Ed (Moe) Zastawny council president and spokesperson Lisa Gill became defensive and evasive about the true nature of the "non reverting" fund.  Zastawny has talked out of both sides of his mouth on this issue, denying at times it was for a "soccer" complex but he was just playing the political semantics game..... admitting later that an "indoor facility was in the plans all along".....

Council Pres. Gill

  The BatBlog applauds and supports Mayor Moore and his decision to veto this ordinance. It might be a shrewd political move eyeing the city's upcoming election and there is a good chance Moore's veto will be over ridden, but Moore is listening to the voice of the people. The voters and citizen's of Jeffersonville have spoken openly and strongly against this ordinance and the one abolishing the Jeffersonville City court earlier this year. The public's voice has been mostly fallen on the deaf ears of a City council that is moving forward for their own self interests and politics, while ignoring the very constituents that elected them.

 These are the reasons the BatBlog supports "cleaning house" of  the current City Council and electing those who can listen to the voters and listen to their wishes...

  Remain Vigilant My Friends.....

*** Note*** As always the BatBlog welcomes any opposing response... we are well aware that the BatBlog is read by many city and county officials...and they are most welcome to come on here and post their side of any story....but beware unlike years past, the people .... Are and will remain Vigilant !!!

Exciting New City Council Candidates

Only head stooge "Moe" is seeking reelection 

   The BatBlog is excited and pleased over some fresh new faces that will be on the ballot for the Jefferesonville City Council...The current council will be for ever remembered as not the brightest crayons in the box. Their reckless spending on a soccer complex in a poor location that hardly anyone wants or feels necessary and the asinine decision to abolish the Jeffersonville City Court after over 50 years of stellar service are two of the most stupid moves by office holders in recent memory.  The childish political bickering with the mayor by primarily the "Three Stooges " on the council (Zastawny, Sellers and Smith) along with aforementioned mentioned decisions  have pretty much rendered this past term  by the council virtually useless.

Becka C. Dist. 1

   Thank goodness two of the three "stooges" (Sellers and Smith) are retiring and for progress sake lets hope we can remove the remaining seven and start from scratch. The BatBlog doesn't know a lot about some of the NEW candidates but there are several we know of and feel will make fine councilpersons.  They include Becka Christiansen (D) in the 1st Dist. who was an outstanding GCCS schoolboard member until unseated by Teresa (Fingers) Perkins. Dawn Elston (D) attorney and former FBI agent in the 6th Dist. will make an outstanding councilperson as well, her knowledge and experience will be invaluable on the council.

  We will touch on all the races in more detail as the election nears but here is an overview of the Districts....Like we stated Becka will be solid in Dist. 1. In Dist.2 the Democrats so far have no entry against Ed (Moe) Zastawny(R) the Dem.'s need to get in gear a put a good candidate up against Moe, he's been in there too long, is the daddy of the unwanted overpriced soccer complex , and plays childish political games...

In Dist. 3 (D) Kevin Vissing faces (R) Callie Jahn . Kevin is nice in parades with his Shelby but we need someone with a little more savvy on the council . Dist. 4 has sheriff's deputy Scottie Maples (R) and two Dem.s  Albert Frazier and Ray Wilkey will face off in May's primary to go up against Maples. In Dist. 5 incumbent Lisa Gill(R) will face former councilman Keith Fetz(D).... Gill has been a disappointment in her 1st term but she's better than Fetz whose public, childish rants against current Mayor Moore are an embarrassing example of why he has no business in any kind of position, plus he was a Galligan puppet.

   There is a big list of candidates both Dem. and Rep. for the at large berths (3). Incumbent Owen (R) needs to go, he won on a gimmick (his youth) last election but has shown little promise and is in over his head. He introduced the ordinance to eliminate City Court and is basically Jamey Noel's lapdog...

Nathan Samuel (D) is probably the only incumbent the BatBlog would even consider endorsing but he goes along with the crowd too much and Julius has shown by his term on the council that he has no business running for mayor....He's right where he needs to be in the planting flowers business...

If you have any comments or endorsements for other candidates please don't be afraid to share them. There are some candidates the BatBlog knows little or nothing about and would like to hear about them and the candidates themselves are always welcome to post on the Jeffersonville - Clark Co. blog   the "award winning" BatBlog....

Most Important Issue Facing Mike Moore's Re- Election....

 

 The next few months is critical in Mike Moore's re-election bid. The savvy, educated voter  is concerned about progress,  taxes, sewer bills and the canal project. The average voter could care less about those things he's  more concerned with the pothole issue far more than anything else.

  That's right Joe the plumber (average voter) doesn't follow politics and could actually care less and could give a rat's ass who his city councilman or even mayor is,....but let him hit one of the thousands of deep potholes that are everywhere after winter then lookout. He's on the warpath and want's to know why they haven't been fixed and who's in charge of fixing them.

  Nothing pisses off a driver and voter more than to hit one of those gargantuan potholes and knock your front end out of line,,,,flatten a tire....and rattle your teeth....

   So a word of advice MM... get your street dept. in gear, work some overtime or hire extra help , but get them damn potholes filled as quickly as possible. Your opportunity to be reelected might depend upon it....this may be the most important issue you'll face...

UPDATE on Joe Renck's Parking Space........

The BatBlog has been informed that the new parking sign for the Community service director Joe Renck has already been removed and replaced with a  Handicap parking sign in the former no parking zone. We don't know what came down , but obviously the BatBlog's story got someone's attention. As a couple of reader's mentioned, how could a  private parking place be marked off on a public street anyway....Question is now  "Where will Joe park ???

Remain vigilant my friends....

Drug Court Controversy....Is There a Cover Up ???

 As predicted by the BatBlog when the news first broke on the Clark Co. drug court controversy last year....no one was criminally charged from Judge Jerry Jacobi's staff and Jacobi himself got merely a slap on the wrist for his involvement in last year's drug court fiasco.

  In exchange for Jacobi agreeing to never be a judge again, the judicial commission assigned to the case agreed to stop any further investigation into the incidents that spawned a federal lawsuit against Clark Co. by nearly 40 drug court defendants who have claimed rights violations.

  Is there a cover up here ??? Damn right there is... Every voter, taxpayer and citizen in Clark Co. should be outraged about this curious decision to let Jacobi off the hook with out even following up on the allegations, These were serious allegations of false arrests, denying citizens of due process and their rights to an attorney. Several defendants were held in jail for months past their release time.

  So we are left with basically no personal punishment evoked for denying these people their constitutional rights by a judge whose duty and oath was  to uphold and apply law. By no charges being filed against the two fired employees the public will never know the complete story and facts that would have come forth in a trial of law. While we can guess that the two employees were simply following Jacobi's orders, we are left with questions instead of answers on the curious and convenient decision of investigators and the judicial commission NOT to charge or punish ANYONE in these disturbing actions.

  The punishment will be dealt instead to the innocent taxpayers of Clark Co. who will more than likely have to pony up huge dollar amounts to the drug court defendants in their civil suit. The only thing Jacobi gets out of this whole mess is a legacy of being a "crooked" judge who may have been more guilty and a worse person than many of those he passed judgement on  all those years he sat on the bench.  And sadly there is not a damn thing we can do about it.....

Update on the "Disgruntled County Workers" Story

Update on the recent story on the letter sent to the Clark Co. Commissioners .Among other things in the letter, the writer mentioned how Judge Joe Weber's alleged lapdog Joe Renck parked illegally  on Watt St. Thus alluding to the special treatment and benefits the writer believed workers who worked under judges (Weber and Carmichael) received.... especially Renck.

  Well the anonymous letter and the BatBlog story must have got some immediate attention, because lo and behold overnight Renck's illegal parking  became (apparently) legal as a shiny brand new sign (in picture) sprouted up. The picture sent to the BatBlog  shows the new sign and the still remaining yellow lines from the former no parking zone.

    Frankly the BatBlog could give a rat's ass where Renck parks his truck, but is does appear to validate the concerns of the writer and his letter  to the Commissioner, and it would be interesting to find out who requested and authorized the new sign on the taxpayer's dime...."Stay Vigilant My Friends"

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Chatter Chicks and HT

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Disgruntled County Workers.....Letter to the County Commissioners

 

Posted in the letter ... from the Oct. 29 , 2014  edition of the BatBlog

The BatBlog has obtained from a very reliable source a letter recently sent to the Clark Co. commissioners. These are some very interesting comments from some obviously disgruntled county worker(s), painting a picture of what they feel is unfairness and possibly a double standard between the county's judicial and sheriff's department workers and the rest of the county workforce. The Batblog has touched on this subject before and agrees and feels this may be the prevailing mood of the county workers. We thought this should be brought to the attention of the taxpayers of Clark Co.

  The Jeffersonville - Clark Co. Blog (The BatBlog) would like to thank the person who leaked the letter to us. If they want to remain anonymous that is up to them, but it is a very reliable source and well respected person here locally.

The BatBlog would also like  to thank ALL county workers for the job they do, no matter what department they work for. As for the letter writer we agree with you, It shouldn't matter what dept. you work under, all county workers should be treated equally and fairly with the same benefits and considerations.

The BatBlog is on high alert on Judge Joe Weber as we have now received several reports on alleged preferential treatment of his alleged lapdog Joe Renck. Treating all employees with an equal amount of respect, gratitude and benefits is essential for a cohesive, effective work force....Joe and Joe we will be watching you....

* On a side note the writer(s) of the  letter (posted below) used a caption (shown above) from the "award winning" BatBlog in the contents of their letter Thank You for the plug and reading ....and as always .....Stay Vigilant My Friends...


Here is the Letter in it's entirety 
*****************************************************************************************


Fairness to Employees that is what this is all about


We see another budget cut coming. We know Mr Stepehenson is always barking
"transparency' so if the shoe fits the commissioners should wear it. The commissioners keep approving everything for the Sheriff and Judges. Not much for the rest of us who work in other
offices and come in to WORK  every day.

In the first snowstorm we came in to work. Judge gave all employees and probation a day off to play in the snow. One of them lives in walking distance and could have walked over. She didn't. Ridiculous . and they claim they need more help with another magistrate. Here we go again.
Instead of that new expense how about having judges and courts work after 2:30 like the of us . Or have Joe Weber walk down the hall to help Carmichael for all the work she claims to have . Sure would beat seeing him walk around other parts of this building acting like a big shot. Maybe Carmichael could be at work more and take less travel time .

Not even a full 3 months into the year and they want a magistrate and other expenses. Move the juvenile center too ? The routine of Rodden and Carmichael showing up for EVERY MEETING asking for more money has went on and on to nodding heads of "yes" Still going on in 2015.
Now Mr Coffman, Ms Hollis and a couple others were responsible for this budget mess when they cut our annual money delivery from the state. When will they fix it ?

Carmichael says she also wants to move the juvenile center or there are traffic jams in the juvenile hall Welcome to our world. First floor backups are heavy on tax payment days, tax sale days and close to elections. We live with it as public servants. How about that long line on 1-65 Traffic days that could move faster . Maybe we could get a judge to come in and work early to help out ? Those first floor crowds are a reality we all live with. Now we have to hire another magistrate too ? Can the current Judges just be at work more often.

There should not be one penny spent for Carmichael and the courts-until Joe Rink has to work 5 full days of assigned work like Ole rest of it. he still parks on the yellow curb on Watt St. and on the courthouse apron by the jail too. Commissioners don't say a peep and this is obnoxious
anymore. Add it to the snow day off and ask if they really are all so overworked ? keep on approving those claims for that stuff commissioners ? it is just not right.

Don't ask for votes and support at election time if you expect the other office workers to work hard and watch this free wheeling waste of money to continue , Public vehicles should be for public work and not to haul judges and pals to meals. If that is the "transparency" one of you is way off the mark. How about raises and help for long time hard working non-court employees for a change ?

Be fair to the rest of your workforce for a change .

Heeees Baaaccckkk !!!

   Love him or hate him you have to give ole "Toxic" John Perkins his due. I'm sure he's got a big shit eating grin a mile wide tonight like the cat that ate the canary. With everybody except the BatBlog  crying about his candidacy for a City council seat in the May Dem. primary ole John done hoodwinked them again...He's on the ballot by a judge's ruling today...

  Like a cat with nine lives and one of those green flies you can't swat away, brother John is back in the political arena he loves. Unfortunately for John, even though he'll be on the ballot he doesn't stand a snowball in hell's chance of winning... even the primary. He's been "toxic" to voters around Jeff for a long time but you can't beat him out of the  political scene with a stick.

  John is probably more qualified to hold office than anyone in the city....his knowledge of city and local government is beyond reproach, but his condescending attitude along with a fair amount of narcissism make him a political pariah, but it actually doesn't matter...

  If you come right down to it I don't believe John gives a rat's ass one way or another what the electorate thinks of him or his candidacy. He thinks he's relevant in his own mind and that's all that matters to him. So cheers and hats off to "Toxic" John Perkins, just like you hoodwinked the Dem. caucus into placing you in the County commissioner's position ....you got them again....

Will Noel Step Down as GOP Chair ??? If Not Why ???

 

King Jamey I ???

The BatBlog believes Clark Co. sheriff elect Jamey Noel said he would step down from the chairmanship of the Republican party after being elected last November. Here it is March and still no word if Noel will keep his word and step down or continue on as the GOP chair. The BatBlog wants to know reasons Noel might hang on to his position. We here have our opinions but first we have to give Noel a thumbs up for his attacking the drug problem in the Clark Co. jail.

   So far there have been a couple of arrests made and changes that are a great start at at least minimizing what was a huge problem at the jail. Something the previous sheriff apparently didn't even attempt to correct...He may have been to busy passing out Clark Co. sheriff's gear to "ladies of the evening" or eating breakfast with NHBSM (Not Honest But Stupid Mike) who knows...but anyway here's the "TOP 10 list of why Noel might not step down.

10. He heard Tom Galligan was switching parties and wants to be GOP chair. Galligan has taken Dem.'s to the dumpster so in the party's best interest Noel will stay on.

9. His wife won't let him

8. King Jamey I has a nice ring to it..

7. He's looked around at other possible GOP candidates and just shook his head Ed Z. , Matt Owen,       Connie Sellers                 * note Sellers and Ed Z. are RINO's (Republican in name only).

6. Stepping down ... "It doesn't pass the smell test"

5, His sister won't let him.

4. He heard that NHBSM (Not Honest But Stupid Mike) was looking for a new breakfast partner since his current partner ex- sheriff  Rodden may be gone for the next 1-3 years.

3. He actually thinks the party or any of the other  GOP candidates can't win a race without him as chairman.

2, Mike  Pence won't let him...

1. His lap dog Matt Owen isn't ready to take over the reins, sometimes Owen tries to think on his own..

Interesting Post From Yesterday's Story....

 I received an interesting comment from yesterday's story on the Jeffersonville city council. The BatBlog receives many anonymous comments mainly because Google has set it up as the easiest way to submit a comment. Many times the anonymous poster will let me know mainly through e-mail who they are, Yesterday's comment posted anonymously, and I have no idea who it is, but they are apparently privy to and aware of some very pertinent information about the council, canal and sewer problems here in Jeffersonville. I will recreate the the comment (below) and ask that the person responsible to contact The BatBlog and give his name....  if at all possible E-mail at hoosiertaxpayer@outlook.com .

If he wishes to remain anonymous I will understand, but I would like to have a conversation with him thru e-mail about his apparent knowledge of the subject ....also if he wants to contact me but not publish his name I will honor his request. The BatBlog is all about the truth but anonymity is also respected and honored as well...The main thing as always "Stay Vigilant My Friends"

The comment from yesterday:

 Anonymous said...

The plan to resolve the sewer issue is ongoing and all Federal mandates must be met by 2025. Part of the Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) submitted by the city to, and approved by, IDEM and EPA includes a large underground interceptor pipe to collect Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO.) This pipe will run under Chestnut St. from Graham or Main to Pearl. The cost of this project is roughly $20 million. The sewer funding is capped at $10 million unless drainage fee revenues can be included in the bond payments. The current council has nixed the usage of drainage fees for the interceptor line bonding agreement thus nixing the project. You see, the current council won't be around in 2025 when the Fed's whip comes down. These assholes will have you believe that a canal is the answer to all the EPA mandates. NOT TRUE. I know for a fact that the canal does nothing to alleviate CSO' (dumping raw sewage into the Ohio River violating The Clean Water Act) which is all the EPA cares about. In fact, if the canal is built for $50 to $120 million dollars the interceptor line still has to be constructed.

March 5, 2015 at 1:01 PM

 

Jeffersonville's Band of Thieves.....Brother Can You Spare 3 Mil...

 

 Like gypsies in the night the Jeffersonville city council moved forward with their plan to relieve hard working taxpayers of 3 million dollars of THEIR tax dollars Monday night. Never mind that this is an unpopular project in a poor location that will benefit a very low percentage of their constituents. ....these "Thieves in the Night" for some unexplained reason have it in their small minds what is best for us. Even though we are stuck with a poor highway and road infrastructure, totally outrageous sewer charges, bloated taxes and by one of the thieves own admission poorly maintained parks we will have a shiny new soccer facility out in the middle of nowhere ....that practically no one wants, needs or will use...Go figure ??

Mark down and remember the faces as election time is upon us. Candidates opposing the "Band of Thieves" get your message out about this blatant waste of taxpayer's money. Let's try and remove ourselves of these thieves in the night come election night  and as always "Stay Vigilant my Friends"

North Korea Hacks Award Winning BatBlog

Dad blasted North Koreans have done gone and hacked the "Award Winning" BatBlog's  mayoral poll. Appears to be a conspiracy as N. Koreans cast about 700 votes for Mike Moore. Well Mike was ahead anyway so we'll make it official and declare him the winner. What will Not Honest Mike say ???