Celebrating Black History Month

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements of African Americans and a time to recognize their central role in the history of the United States.  The City of New Albany encourages everyone to learn more about the history of African Americans in Southern Indiana and their contributions to our history. Here are a few links to help learn more:

1. A walking tour of historic sites of African American history in New Albany: https://publichistory.iupui.edu/tours/show/13
   
   This tour takes you to 9 prominent locations throughout New Albany that tell rich stories of our history.

2. The Carnegie Center for Art and History: https://www.carnegiecenter.org/
   
   This museum hosts multiple permanent installations that tell local stories of African American History, including the life of Lucy Higgs Nichols, an African American nurse who served with the Union army and later settled down right here in our River City.

3. The Town Clock Church of New Albany: http://www.townclockchurch.org/
   
   Completed in 1852, this church was an important stop in the Underground Railroad and served as a beacon of hope to freedom seekers across the Ohio River. This historic property helps tell the story of the people that worshipped there and helped those who passed through on their way to freedom by taking a stand against the evils of slavery.

Additionally, our marketing partners at GoSoIN Tourism have put together this article that tells about more people, locations, stories, and history: https://www.gosoin.com/blog/post/black-history-in-southern-indiana/

NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS MOVES FORWARD

NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS MOVES FORWARD
New building expected to be constructed with no new tax increases.

At tonight’s New Albany City Council meeting, the Council voted 6 to 2 on their final vote to move the new Police Headquarters forward. The measure was sponsored by Councilman Adam Dickey. Councilpersons Dickey, Collier, McLaughlin, Phipps, Applegate, and Aebersold voted in favor of the public safety initiative. Councilman Scott Blair and Councilman Josh “JT” Turner were the two “NO” votes on this public safety initiative.

“This new, stand-alone police station will save tax dollars from being thrown away on rent, will increase our ability to attract and retain new police officers, will improve our training and education capabilities, and will make New Albany even safer,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

The new police headquarters will be the first stand-alone police station constructed in the City’s history. For decades, the New Albany Police Department has rented space from Floyd County in the Criminal Justice Center located on Hauss Square. The current location is in dire need of facility upgrades, and is vastly too small for the needs of a modern police force. Floyd County officials announced in October of 2021 their intentions to renovate the Criminal Justice Center, and they have new plans for the space that the New Albany Police Department currently operates out of.

The City of New Albany’s new Police Headquarters will be completed with NO NEW TAXES OR INCREASES for the people of New Albany.

Chief Bailey has previously stated that the new location will allow for more and better training for NAPD officers, provide new services for the community, and increase New Albany’s mental health and crisis response teams, among other benefits.

SOUTH MONON FREEDOM TRAIL:

SOUTH MONON FREEDOM TRAIL:

After a lot of effort, a little luck, and some generous donors, Mayor Jeff Gahan is thrilled to announce that the South Monon Freedom Trail, the longest recreational trail in the state of Indiana, is coming to New Albany.

"It continues to be an exciting time to live in New Albany. The new Monon South Trail brings fresh connections to our river city and for our neighbors throughout the region,” stated New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan.  “When our state, regional, and local partners join together, great things can happen.”

In 2017 the city received word that CSX was considering abandoning its rail line between New Albany and Bedford, Indiana, and Mayor Gahan saw this as a wonderful opportunity promote economic development, enhance quality of life, and create the longest Rails to Trails conversion in the state of Indiana. The route is nearly 63.2 miles long, and connects five counties in Southern Indiana. The trail begins just north of the new Sazerac facility (at the former Pillsbury Plant) and ends near Bedford, Indiana.

In December 2017 the city filed the necessary paperwork securing the original right to negotiate and acquire the corridor under the Trails Act. The city then began developing a working relationship with Radius Indiana (an Economic Development Organization) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, both whom actively participated and supported this trail development.

Mayor Gahan at the governor’s state of the state address, Jan 10 2023

Last night Mayor Gahan was invited to Indianapolis by Governor Eric Holcomb for his State of the State Address, which included the announcement that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will award $29.5 million to acquire and begin development of the 62.3-mile Monon South Trail spanning five counties in Southern Indiana, which will be owned by Radius Indiana and the City of New Albany. Once fully constructed, the trail will be the longest contiguous recreational trail in Indiana. The Monon South Trail will follow the route of the historic Monon Railroad beginning in New Albany and running through the communities of Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans and Mitchell. This route includes portions of Floyd, Clark, Washington, Orange and Lawrence counties. To jumpstart the trail’s development, DNR will grant the partners an additional $24 million in Next Level Trails funding to begin design, engineering and construction of portions of the trail which have approximately 440,000 people living within 10 miles of the trail’s path.

More information can be found in the official DNR Press Release here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDNR/bulletins/341f466

FIGHTING ADDICTION: New Albany Commits to Facility Improvements with Token Club to Expand Services that Fight Substance Abuse

FIGHTING ADDICTION: New Albany Commits to Facility Improvements with Token Club to Expand Services that Fight Substance Abuse

The City of New Albany with the assistance of American Rescue Plan funds is partnering with the New Albany/Floyd County Token Club to combat the negative effects of addiction in our community with facility improvements and additional services. The New Albany Token Club is a local non-profit that serves hundreds of residents a week, providing drug and alcohol treatment programming that includes substance misuse treatment, education classes, and more to help combat the effects of drug and alcohol abuse in New Albany.

“New Albany has been at the forefront of the opioid crisis and fighting the negative effects of addiction, and this is just one more step that we are doing in helping those who have been impacted by this crisis,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “The Token Club is an exceptional group of local volunteers that help those in our community who are dealing with addiction, substance abuse, and other serious behavioral and mental health issues, and we are proud to be able to bring these dollars into service helping those most in need.”

In the first full year of the pandemic in the United States, through April 2021, the CDC states that more than 99,000 people died from drug overdoses. This represents an increase of nearly 30% from those who passed away in the previous 12 months. Factors related to the pandemic, such as social isolation, stress, and decreased access to substance use disorder treatment and emergency services made the problem worse. Nonprofits like the Token Club play an important role in helping people to get the treatment they need by increasing access to care, reducing hospitalizations, and decreasing expensive emergency room visits.

The Token Club operates at 506 Pearl Street, and their current building is in dire need of repairs. In early 2022, Mayor Gahan and administration staff toured the facility to learn more about the programs offered, as well as the current condition of the building. The club is run by an unpaid, volunteer staff who is dedicated to serving those in need in our community.

The United States Treasury dictated rules for utilizing American Rescue Plan funding, and this action meets criteria set by the federal guidelines. All uses of American Rescue Plan funds are reviewed by outside counsel to ensure that the City of New Albany is abiding by federal guidelines.

SUB-ZERO WEATHER FORECAST WARRANTS ADDITIONAL CREWS AND SAFETY MEASURES:

SUB-ZERO WEATHER FORECAST WARRANTS ADDITIONAL CREWS AND SAFETY MEASURES:

“Frigid weather is headed our way – everyone needs to be prepared, and that means looking out for your neighbors. Safety is a priority,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan.

The White Flag/Cold Weather shelter is operating at 1902 Corydon Pike. For more information, or to volunteer to help at the White Flag Shelter, please call 812-202-6589 or visit www.soinhomeless.org

The City of New Albany and AMR Medical Transport Service will begin staffing additional medical personnel and ambulances this afternoon during the predicted extreme winter weather. The ambulances have been thoroughly examined by fleet services to ensure they are ready for the cold temperatures, and additional winter weather supplies will be stocked in all ambulances. Additionally, the vehicles may serve as emergency transportation to white flag/cold weather shelters if needed.

Additional police personnel will also be moving throughout the city helping where needed. Street Crews have begun preparing roadways for expected winter weather. Please use caution while traveling during today and tomorrow’s winter storms. Current forecasts are calling for the snow to begin around 7pm or 8pm tonight.

Please be cautious when using space heaters in your home. To help prevent pipes freezing in your home, run a small drip of water on faucets and open cabinets.