Kelley receives endorsement
Kelley endorses fellow candidates
Letter in today’s News and Tribune endorsing Matt Owen and Lisa Gill. (scroll down)
Separate letters were sent for each candidate, but the editor chose to combine them.
-kfan
Have you checked out The Depot?
The Depot is a restaurant/visitors’ center located in a historic building just outside Jeffersonville City Hall. I’ve often thought about visiting when attending council meetings, but they aren’t open at that time. I finally got in there while they were open today.
It is the visitors’ center for the African American Heritage Trail, so there are exhibits about Indiana history and African American History. I was a little startled by an actual sign with arrows for segregated bathrooms. It’s not something I’ve seen given my age. I initially assumed it was a replica, but learning it was real was a little emotional.
The building also hosts food service with soul food and sandwhich shop offerings. I had chili and cappucino which was perfect considering the weather.
Hours are Monday – Friday 8-4, but I’m working on the manager to get them to stay open later on the nights of city council meetings, lol. Getting some good food on my stomach might make what is waiting for me inside city hall easier to take.
I also learned they don’t get much business from city hall now. What’s up with that? It’s like right outside the door. Put soup, coffee and educational materials a few yards from my front door and you wouldn’t be able to get rid of me!
Oh, yeah! And to order ahead, call 812-284-4453.
Update:
I’m posting comments made about The Depot visit here since they ended up on an unrelated post.
Kenny Martin: Just wanted to thank you again for supporting the Indiana African American Heritage Trail. You are a woman of your word. Lots of people say they are going to come over and visit, but that hasn’t happened . Thank you.
Kelley: I was glad to do it. As a political science major, I’m genuinely interested in the information and history. That, and I’m a sucker for soup and coffee on a cold rainy day.
Now to get you guys more traffic…
A story in today’s News and Tribune also discusses the trail. See: http://newsandtribune.com/local/x553404543/Trail-seeking-funds-Nonprofit-wants-to-make-African-American-history-trail-a-reality
Feeling neighborly
Campaigning within my district has been very enjoyable. I’ve better gotten to know pockets of my community that receive little attention from the city government and media. It’s been educational to hear from residents with aspirations and complaints that don’t always make it to the public marketplace of ideas. It’s easy to get angry on their behalf, and I often do, but I’m glad that I am well suited to help them have their voices heard.
While going door-to-door in my own neighborhood, I get to not only meet great people and get wonderful encouragement but also have my “housie” (I made that word up and stole it from “foodies”; they watch the food network, I like HGTV) tendencies indulged. Near-sighted, I walk and ride by many downtown homes, and, while I admire them, I don’t see much of the details while on my way somewhere else.
But as I stand on porches waiting for the occupants, I am treated to intricate moldings, leaded windows, elaborately carved doors, the handiwork of the green thumbs within and a wide range of fall and Halloween decorations.
The history, creativity and energy throughout District 1 is something to behold, and I am grateful to be getting such an up-close look this fall.
Voter registration deadline Tuesday Oct. 11
In order to participate in the upcoming municipal elections, voter registration applications must be received at the voter registration office by the end of the business day on Tuesday.
If you need assistance obtaining forms, filling them out or turning them in, please call me at 812-207-3416.
Thanks!
golf and women voters
Much of Monday was spent at the Elks Club as Jeffersonville Firefighters Local 558 held their inaugural golf scramble. The weather was perfect, and, though I didn’t golf, I enjoyed spending time with fellow candidate and fellow non-golfer Lisa Gill and hearing the concerns of our local firefighters.
Lisa once again wowed me with her knowledge on public safety issues, and I believe the men and women committed to protecting our persons and property know their voices will be heard and their professional needs will be met and respected when a new city council takes office.
The September meeting of the South Central Indiana League of Women Voters was held Monday night. Turnout was lighter than at previous meetings, but we were treated to a very informative presentation from Floyd County Clerk Linda Moeller on voter service including registering voters and rules regarding absentee voting.
Please be skeptical when assistance is offered with absentee voting. Someone can help with your application for an absentee ballot, but on no occasion should a candidate or campaign worker tell someone how to vote, assist with voting or handle an absentee ballot. Do not hand your completed ballot to a campaign worker to turn in, but mail it in the postage-paid envelope provided or take it to voter registration.
-kelley
Saturday in the community
The rain kept our family from participating in the Franklin Commons Neighborhood yard sale this morning, but couldn’t ruin all the events planned for the day.
The morning provided an opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones as I crashed Mike Moore’s meet-the-candidate event at Clark Arms.
Residents already working to organize themselves and address the problems in their immediate community had the opportunity to share their concerns with the mayoral candidate. This was very important as it is the mayor who appoints those on the housing authority board, and this particular population is very reliant on downtown infrastructure such as sidewalks.
I was glad to catch residents, some of whom I’ve known a decade or more, that missed last month’s meeting discussing the formation of a resident council. Though the housing authority appears to be dragging its heels a bit, several residents are ready to get to work making positive changes.
The rain couldn’t keep the crowds away from the Jeffersonville Italian Festival. We visited twice on Saturday enjoying tiramasu, pasta, hot coffee, music provided by the Sultans of Swing and watching neighbors enjoy themselves. Though we missed the display, rumor has it city council at-large candidate Matt Owen was a real contender in the cake eating contest, taking second place.
The RiverStage hosted the Hope Music and Art Festival featuring Addison Road. This benefit is organized by Clean Socks Hope and proceeds benefit organizations that serve the homeless including Exit 0.
I was especially pleased to visit the EDGE Outreach booth which exhibited its locally-developed water purifying system that had been reported about in local media as the system was provided in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake with the support of local churches.
I also picked up a very key endorsement for the campaign Saturday
