Jeffersonville, Indiana's Canal Project Remains Uncertain

Jeffersonville, Indiana’s new Republican Mayor-elect Mike Moore says he plans on scrapping the city’s Canal Project.The project was introduced by current Mayor Tom Galligan as part of an EPA requirement to control sewage; but the plan also calls for development around the canal to attract businesses and economic development.Jeffersonville taxpayers can’t afford that burden, said Moore.“As for the EPA’s demands are concerned we’re going to do everything that we’re obligated to do, but we’re not going to spend another 60 some odd million dollars on a project that has got nothing to do with the EPA,” he said.Voters may agree. Moore topped his opponents with 50 percent of the vote. Galligan received 43 percent and Libertarian candidate Bob Isgrigg received 6 percent of votes. Moore has yet to announce how he plans to proceed with parts of the project, like properties the city purchased that are in the path of the proposed canal. But he did give a sneak preview into his agenda once he takes office.“We’re going to make sure River Ridge is busting at the seams. Four years from now you’re going to see good paying jobs being created out there. We’re going work on getting our side of Veterans Parkway developed. And you’re going to see us working with the local schools.”Moore said he would like to work with schools and possibly offer incentive programs for student achievement.