authentic Profile: Greg phipps, New Albany City Councilman
New Albany is “a good place to live, work and play,” says Greg Phipps, city councilman and IU Southeast lecturer.
Phipps has lived in the New Albany area his entire life and is very involved in the community. Phipps said he believes everyone has a responsibility to be involved with their community in some way.
“It’s part of our civic duty,” Phipps said.
Serving as a city councilman since 2012, Phipps said he has been able to work on a few different projects that affect the New Albany area. He helped acquire funding for additional severe weather sirens throughout the city, and even proposed revisions to the New Albany Human Rights Commission, which extended anti-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
This made quite the splash as New Albany became arguably more progressive than many other parts of the state and region. According to an Insider Louisville report, this made New Albany the seventh city in Indiana to extend these such protections. The cities to extend protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity prior to New Albany were Evansville, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Lafayette, and West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County.
Phipps also played a role in various new developments in New Albany. These recent (and upcoming) developments in the downtown areas, along with the revitalization of the uptown neighborhoods, gives Phipps a sense of pride for the area. Some of that price comes from being involved in the creation of a new city parks department, as well as getting funding for new park facilities for the area.
Along with the newer developments going on, Phipps says New Albany is also a great place to live due to the smaller, more tight-knit communities and more affordable housing than that in Louisville.
“The smaller size fosters a greater sense of community,” he said. He also says that the developments in the neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown allow people to experience more of New Albany much more easily .
Phipps says his experience as an elected representative for the 3rd council district has “largely been a positive experience."
"It makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the community,” he said. Phipps also likes the opportunities City Council involvement provides him to participate in leadership outside of the university.
Making a difference in one’s community is not limited to those on the City Council. Phipps said he encourages everyone to get involved in their local communities.
“It’s the only way to make sure one’s concerns are heard,” he said.
Keeping up-to-date with local news, writing to local officials to express your concerns, and attending public meetings on issues you care about are easy ways Phipps says people can get involved in their communities.
“Find out where candidates stand on important issues prior to voting,” he said.
Phipps has lived in the New Albany area his entire life and is very involved in the community. Phipps said he believes everyone has a responsibility to be involved with their community in some way.
“It’s part of our civic duty,” Phipps said.
Serving as a city councilman since 2012, Phipps said he has been able to work on a few different projects that affect the New Albany area. He helped acquire funding for additional severe weather sirens throughout the city, and even proposed revisions to the New Albany Human Rights Commission, which extended anti-discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
This made quite the splash as New Albany became arguably more progressive than many other parts of the state and region. According to an Insider Louisville report, this made New Albany the seventh city in Indiana to extend these such protections. The cities to extend protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity prior to New Albany were Evansville, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Lafayette, and West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County.
Phipps also played a role in various new developments in New Albany. These recent (and upcoming) developments in the downtown areas, along with the revitalization of the uptown neighborhoods, gives Phipps a sense of pride for the area. Some of that price comes from being involved in the creation of a new city parks department, as well as getting funding for new park facilities for the area.
Along with the newer developments going on, Phipps says New Albany is also a great place to live due to the smaller, more tight-knit communities and more affordable housing than that in Louisville.
“The smaller size fosters a greater sense of community,” he said. He also says that the developments in the neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown allow people to experience more of New Albany much more easily .
Phipps says his experience as an elected representative for the 3rd council district has “largely been a positive experience."
"It makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the community,” he said. Phipps also likes the opportunities City Council involvement provides him to participate in leadership outside of the university.
Making a difference in one’s community is not limited to those on the City Council. Phipps said he encourages everyone to get involved in their local communities.
“It’s the only way to make sure one’s concerns are heard,” he said.
Keeping up-to-date with local news, writing to local officials to express your concerns, and attending public meetings on issues you care about are easy ways Phipps says people can get involved in their communities.
“Find out where candidates stand on important issues prior to voting,” he said.
