President Obama's weekly address: Traveling Abroad for Our Economy at Home

In an address recorded in Seoul, South Korea, the President discusses his trip to Asia. He talks about his push to stop nuclear proliferation in North Korea, Iran, and around the world. He talks about promoting America's principles for an open society in China while making progress on joint efforts to combat climate change. And talks in-depth about the primary objective of his trip: engaging in new markets that hold tremendous potential to spur job creation here at home.

Campaign Insider: The next U.S. attorney and more action on the mayoral front

Here's a few political tidbits to ease you into the weekend:

-- With the news that Indianapolis attorney Linda Pence has pulled her name out of consideration for U.S. Attorney, the big question now is who will Sen. Evan Bayh and President Barack Obama choose to fill the post?

So far, we're hearing the names of three possible candidates (in no particular order): Former Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett, Ice Miller attorney Brian Crist and Marion County Commissioner Jeff Marchal, who worked for former Marion County Superior Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson who's now a federal magistrate judge. So what are you hearing?

-- Democratic mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy has received another labor endorse. This time it's from AFSCME Local 1887, which represents Indy Parks employees. AFSCME Local 1887 President Shane Brinkman discussed the union’s unanimous endorsement and released the following statement:

“AFSCME Local 1887 Indy Parks has voted unanimously to endorse Melina Kennedy for the office of Mayor of Indianapolis. Melina Kennedy has been a friend of this union for over ten years, and everyday has worked hard for all the citizens of Indianapolis. We cannot think of any person to whom we would rather entrust the future of the parks in our community than Melina Kennedy. We look forward to working with [her] before and after the election.”

-- Speaking of the mayoral race, Democratic candidate Brian Williams is back on YouTube with another video. This one dealing with city parks. Take a look:



-- We're hearing that there's a 50/50 chance that Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi could make an announcement about his political future before Thanksgiving. Will he run or won't he? We're hearing that Brizzi was pretty juiced by his recent court appearances at two high-profile trials, but we also hear that he's been talking with the boys at Barnes & Thornburg LLP about a private sector job.

Ballard should think twice about privatizing city's water system

With Mayor Greg Ballard in such a rush to sell-off city assets to the highest bidder, you have to wonder whether he's looking at the big picture?

Case in point: The mayor's push to sell-off and privatize the city's water system. If the mayor did a little research, he'd discover that cities across the country, including Fort Wayne, are now having serious doubts about the wisdom of privatizing their water system. The reasons? Huge rate increases and shoddy service.

This from a recent Chicago Tribune, which evens mentions Mayor Ballard's hair-brained scheme::

...if (Mayor Richard Daley) is tempted to dangle Chicago's vast water system as his next lease deal, he might want to first consult Atlanta, which is still smarting from a botched experiment with privatizing a big-city water supply.

Or the mayor could look someplace closer to home, like Bolingbrook, one of dozens of suburbs and downstate communities furious about steep rate increases imposed by a private water operator.

If Chicago tried to sell off its water department to a private company, it would be the largest U.S. city to do so. Such a deal also would run counter to movements in dozens of smaller towns across the suburbs and the rest of the nation, where local officials are having second thoughts about private control of public water.

Mayors from Homer Glen to Urbana are threatening municipal takeovers of their local water systems, moved by complaints about skyrocketing rates and lackluster service from corporate operators. Fort Wayne, Ind., already wrested away part of its water system and is seeking to buy back the rest after accusing a private operator of putting shareholder interests before those of customers.

Backers of privatizing government services suffered a bigger setback in Atlanta, where city leaders tried during the late 1990s to turn over management of the water system to a corporate operator. In 2003, less than four years into a 20-year deal, Atlanta regained public control in response to cost overruns, service problems and breakdowns.

Similar concerns forced Milwaukee this year to scuttle a bid to lease its water system. Even the idea of studying a deal prompted such a fierce outcry that city leaders backed off, at least for now.

"Water is critical to a city's future management and growth," said Rob Hunter, Atlanta's commissioner of watershed management. "It's not something you want to turn over to somebody else."

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has solicited bids from two dozen companies to lease his city's water and sewer systems. Most of the proposals pledge to cut costs by combining billing and service fleets and by promising to lower the price of needed improvements.

Customers remain skeptical, if not hostile, to privatizing water. Last year, voters overwhelmingly rejected Akron's sewer lease. In Indianapolis, residents have filed a lawsuit accusing the company that already operates the city's water system of routinely overcharging 250,000 households.

Moreover, some cities that have experimented with privatization figured out that municipal bonds still are a cheaper way to finance improvements than turning over their water systems to companies.

"The pitch is that privatization will lead to lower rates," said Hunter, the Atlanta water commissioner. "That isn't necessarily true."

Joe Kernan heading back to Vietnam

Former Gov. Joe Kernan is returning to Vietnam for the first time since being released from a North Vietnamese POW camp in 1973.

Here's some of Jack Colwell's story from the South Bend Tribune:

Joe Kernan will fly into Hanoi in February. Hasn't Joe flown into Hanoi before?

"I have," the former governor says. "I flew into the neighborhood."

Actually, Kernan floated by parachute, unconscious, into a city south of Hanoi after his Navy reconnaissance plane was shot down during the war in Vietnam. He was captured, beaten and taken for an extended stay in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

Kernan anticipates a smoother landing and a friendlier greeting when he returns to Hanoi in February for his first visit there since he was held for nearly 11 months as a prisoner of war.

While Kernan long has wanted to return to Vietnam -- and was ready as lieutenant governor to lead a trade delegation there, until state legislative business forced cancellation -- he just didn't find the right opportunity, until now. Kernan and his wife, Maggie, will be hosts for an "Innovative Immersions" travel tour organized by Mike Cloonan of Granger, who has been involved in trips to Vietnam in connection with the University of Notre Dame. Tour stops will include the site where Kernan's plane was shot down and the preserved portion of the prison referred to by Americans held there, including Sen. John McCain, as the Hanoi Hilton.

What does Kernan expect his reaction to be as he walks into the portion of the prison now turned into a museum?

"Well, I don't know," he says. "It's been a long time."

His plane was shot down on May 7, 1972, and he was held prisoner until March 27, 1973.

Ballard blows it again. So what else is new?

It looks like Mayor Greg Ballard has blown it again (and so much for that allegedly balanced budget which was nothing but smoke and mirrors in the first place).

You have to wonder who in the Ballard administration has his eye on the ball? It's obviously not the mayor who seems blissfully ignorant of what's going on in his own administration.

Maybe he was just too busy day dreaming about his European junket. Hope he's having fun.

This from Fox59 News:

Fox59 News has learned IMPD has been rejected for a $1.7 million dollar grant to buy 50 new police cars. And, it appears more advance discussion with Indiana Criminal Justice Institute officials about restrictions for equipment would have let city leaders learn months ago they never had a chance to get grant money for cars.

"The equipment grants we give out are typically for $10,000 or less," said Neil Moore, executive director of the Justice Institute. "If you look at what we funded in the past you will see we don't fund cars for large police agencies."

IMPD was requesting $1.3 million for cars. The total request was $1.7 million dollars. The money is needed to match Federal money the city's taking to cover salaries for 50 new police officers in 2010. By taking the federal money the city has to guarantee it can buy equipment for the new police and cover their salaries after three years.

"We were a little surprised, we were counting on it," said Valerie Washington, CFO for public safety.

Grant papers obtained by Fox59 News say the city is in a current "tax crisis" and is 18 months behind in collecting taxes.

The city also asked for line items including $70,000 for 50 new police uniforms, $179,000 for 50 handheld radios, $140,00 for firearm training, $10,000 for training material, and $3,950 for 50 pagers for recruits. The entire grant was rejected about three weeks ago.

"Since then we've been working with the controller's office, the grant unit to find alternative funding sources," said Washington.

She also said the grant writers had consulted with someone at the ICJI about the requests for equipment. City officials say the federal grant description did cover allotments for cars. But Moore says local police agencies like IMPD know the Institute's history and rejection of funding for police cars.

"We only provide one or two cars for very small police departments in need," said Moore.

Valerie Washington with the city says they've already interviewed police candidates and are in the process of making job offers. She says the city is doing a final screening for the class of 50 that will start next year.

"We're not really scrambling, I think we have plenty of time to come up with a solution. The good thing is the recruits don't need cars until November of next year. We're working with the Office of Finance Management and the bond bank to find other finance options to help purchase additional vehicles."

Whoops.

Ballard continues to break his campaign promise on city smoking ban

A few items concerning the proposed expansion of the city's smoking ban ordinance:

-- According to some council sources, it appears there are enough votes in place to amend the smoking ban ordinance to exclude private clubs, something Mayor Greg Ballard insisted upon when he threatened to veto the measure. (The exclusion of private clubs was not something Ballard mentioned during the campaign when he promised to support a stricter smoking ban. Yet another campaign promise broken.)

-- Want to voice you opinion to the mayor about expanding the city's smoking ban? Here's the form letter you're likely to receive in response, which certainly doesn't sound like the mayor supports a stricter ban:

Dear Mrs. Jones:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me on this topic, and for your interest in making Indianapolis a healthy community. I agree that we need to take steps to make our city safe and healthy for all citizens, which is why I support our current smoking ban.

Indianapolis is virtually smoke-free now. Estimates are that 98-99 percent of businesses are smoke-free. I believe the scope of the current ban has been very successful and widely accepted as a way to promote a healthier Indianapolis without taking away the rights of individuals, including local business owners. The ordinance passed in 2005 struck the right balance.

Additionally, the market approach to the current smoking ban is working. Since the ban was put in place, businesses have opened in this city that are smoke-free, and businesses have opened that allow smoking. People are free to choose whether to work in or visit either type of place.

Reducing crime, saving and creating jobs, and improving infrastructure are my highest priorities. In my many visits with neighborhood groups, in talking to citizens every day, and during my frequent Mayor's Nights Out, the topic of expanding our current smoking ban is rarely mentioned. I appreciate and respect the views of citizens who support an expansion of the current ban, but it is my view that our current ban is sufficient.

Thank you for your concern.

Best regards,

Gregory A. Ballard

Mayor

City of Indianapolis

Senate poised to act on Hamilton nomination

After a considerable delay, the U.S. Senate is expected to act today on President Barack Obama's nomination of Hoosier David Hamilton to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

However, at least one Republican lawmaker is threatening to stand in the way.

This from Politico:

The top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee will try to block the Obama administration’s first nominee to the federal bench, a retaliation for Democratic filibusters to Bush’s choices for federal bench in the previous eight years.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said Monday he would vote against a procedural motion that would end debate on the nomination of David Hamilton of Indiana for the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Conservatives have been split over whether to filibuster the nomination.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to move forward with approving Hamilton Tuesday. Sessions’ tactic is likely to fail, as Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) has expressed his support for the nominee.

Sessions underscored that this tactic was not standard. It was long an unwritten rule in the Senate that lawmakers would not filibuster judicial nominees, but would rather simply vote against their appointment. Sessions, however, said the “rule has changed” – referring to when Democrats held up a number of Bush’s picks. Sessions called the Senate’s climate “a sad state of affairs, or good state of affairs, depending how you believe.”

Despite support from both Lugar and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Sessions implied that Hamilton is not “committed to the law.”

If Hamilton's nomination is approved by the Senate, we're hearing that it could clear the way for the Obama administration to nominate Marion County Superior Court Judge Tanya Walton to the federal bench here in Indianapolis.

Melina Kennedy receives another labor endorsement

Democratic mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy is ready to announce another endorsement, campaign sources confirm.

This time, Kennedy is receiving the support of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 18.

This latest labor endorsement comes on the heels of an endorsement in late September from Laborers International Union of North America Local 120.

So what's up with Carl?

Okay, it's time for a little idle speculation.

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi has been pretty visable as of late -- actually showing up in the courtroom for some high-profile, made-for-TV trials.

Brizzi not only showed up in court for the Desmond Turner murder trial, but he also traveled all the way to Porter County to appear before the TV cameras at the Brian Reese trial.

That begs the question: Is Brizzi prepping himself for a re-election bid or his he trying to raise his profile in hopes of impressing a future employer? So far, Brizzi has been mum about his decision to seek re-election, but we've heard that he's been shopping himself around to local law firms for several months now. Unfortunately for Brizzi, none of the law firms have expressed much interest.

So what's the over/under on Brizzi running for re-election?

President Obama's weekly address

The President looks back at a week where we honored those who serve on Veterans Day, and mourned those we lost at Fort Hood. He discusses the review he has ordered into the Fort Hood incident, and pledges to stand by our servicemen and women, as well as our veterans, as his most profound responsibility.

Mayor Ballard will break campaign promise and veto smoking ban ordinance

Mayor Greg Ballard spent most of yesterday morning making the rounds of local TV and radio stations to make it clear that he planned to veto a proposed measure to expand the city's smoking ban.

So much for keeping campaign promises, Mr. Mayor.

Here's a report from WTHR (unfortunately, I can't embed their video):

Marion County - The Indianapolis mayor is now taking a stand against a new smoking ban.

Mayor Greg Ballard appeared on Eyewitness News Sunrise saying he'll veto a ban if it's passed by the City-County Council.

When asked if he would veto the ban, Ballard responded, "Depending on what the version is, but any version that I think they're currently contemplating right now, yes."

Ballard says he's concerned an expanded smoking ban could hurt some small businesses. He says he doesn't like any of the current proposals.

The City-County Council did not have the votes to pass an expanded smoking ban last month. The expanded ban would have prohibited smoking in bowling alleys, bars and private clubs. The proposal sparked a fiery debate from both sides.

The council voted to table the ban. Two councilors abstained from voting, citing conflicts of interest.

The ban could be brought up for a vote again or sent back to committee.

On another note, I ran across an interesting Twitter conversation between PR executive Bruce Hetrick, who supports the tougher smoking ban, and radio host/comedian/lawyer Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, who opposes a stricter ban. It's the first time that I've seen Abdul left speechless. Here's the give and take:

AttyAbdul: Ballard tells news media he would veto current versions of proposed Indy smoking ban. Should CCC still take a vote on Nov 30?

BruceHetrick@AttyAbdul Yes, the council should vote on smokefree workplace bill. This isn't a dictatorship in which one person gets to be the decider.

AttyAbdul@BruceHetrick but if you can't override a veto, what's the point?

BruceHetrick@AttyAbdul I didn't realize we determine the outcome of override votes in advance. My bad.

AttyAbdul@BruceHetrick I've been a politics long enough when you're fighting a losing battle and need to retreat for a while.

AttyAbdul@BruceHetrick It's easy when you cover a legislative body for 5 years.

BruceHetrick@AttyAbdul It's harder when your wife is dead and you're trying to save others from the preventable evil that likely killed her.

Bruce, I couldn't have said it any better myself.

IMPD trying to cover mayor's tracks

It looks like IMPD is trying to cover Mayor Greg Ballard's tracks in the wake of an pending ethics investigation.

Where's a report from WTHR:

Indianapolis - An effort by Indianapolis Metro Police meant to prevent crime is being met with some criticism.

Officers are being asked to start parking certain patrol cars at high-theft locations across Marion County. But the timing of this policy is raising some questions.

IMPD is using several unmanned squad cars parked across the county to essentially scare away potential thieves.

"It creates an opportunity to allow more visible presence," explained IMPD Deputy Chief John Conley.

The cars, Conley says, will be moved to different locations daily.

The vehicles have been identified as ready to be taken out of the fleet.

"Because of mechanical issues, high mileage. These are cars that are getting ready to go to auction or to be scrapped," Conley said.

An IMPD memo obtained by Eyewitness News outlines the policy, stating that each district is to start deploying cars to hot spots where they've had high reports of theft.

The email directs supervisors to start the program immediately.

But some question the timing of this policy. Just a few weeks ago, the Marion County Democratic Party filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Greg Ballard about the use of an IMPD squad car at the Maple Creek Golf and Country Club to deter theft.

In that incident, the club's owner was given keys to the squad car.

That owner is also a friend of the mayor who contributes to his political campaign.

"It seems to me a little ironic that they now suddenly choose to adopt this procedure after they've been caught with their hand in the cookie jar," said Marion County Democratic Party Chair, Ed Treacy. "It's clear that they're trying to diffuse something that is a political mistake on the Mayor's part and now they're trying to cover their tracks."

IMPD says there is no connection between the crime-fighting strategy and the incident at Maple Creek.

Despite Wednesday's memo, they maintain parking unmanned police cars is nothing new to the department.

"This is a strategy that we have used for years," Conley said.

Deputy Chief Conley says it's only being stepped-up now because of the holiday season, to prevent holiday-related theft.

"We can't back off of something we're doing for the taxpayer, and what's right to fight crime, and right in what we do just because of criticism," Conley said.

Other communities use similar strategies to deter crime.

Greenwood, for example, uses squad cars at banks in hopes of preventing robberies.

Will Mayor Ballard break another promise?

Mayor Greg Ballard has been coming under increasingly pressure in the last week or so from community, business and civic leaders over his decision to nix a proposal for a tougher smoking ban in Indianapolis.

With the City-County Council's decision to resurrect the measure, Ballard finds himself in a corner. So what's the over-under on Ballard signing a tougher smoking ban ordinance or going back on his campaign promise and vetoing the measure?

Here's some of what The Indianapolis Star had to say:

Greg Ballard is only halfway through his first term as mayor of Indianapolis, but it's not too early to think about his legacy. Does he want to be remembered as a leader who helped protect the good health of some of the city's hardest-working residents? Or does he want to go down in history as the politician who sacrificed workers' well-being in a misguided effort to allay bar owners' unwarranted fears?

So far Ballard has sided with the bar owners. In doing so, he's relegated their employees to toiling in smoke-filled environments that heighten their risk of succumbing to heart disease, emphysema or cancer.

On Nov. 30, the City-County Council is scheduled to vote for a second time on a workplace smoking ban that would cover most bars in the city. This time, proponents appear ready to exclude private clubs and tobacco shops in an attempt to pick up votes. The tobacco shop exemption is logical, and the concession on clubs may be a political necessity given some council members' squeamishness about protecting workers' health and safety.

Yet, Ballard remains as the biggest obstacle to passage of the revived proposal.

Here's a little more perspective from WRTV:

A renewed effort to toughen Indianapolis' anti-smoking ordinance could put Mayor Greg Ballard in a tough position.

The City-County Council voted Monday night to put the ban, which would add bars, bowling alleys and private clubs to the current ban passed in 2005, back under consideration.

Two weeks ago, it was tabled when it didn't get the 15 votes needed to either pass or fail.

Shortly before the vote, Ballard urged Republican council members to vote no on expanding the ban to save him from issuing a veto, despite the fact that he pledged support for smoke-free work places during his election campaign, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

Ballard, in a rare interview on the topic Tuesday, denied that he's showing a lack of leadership, but won't say what he plans to do next.

"This is a balance between public health and civil liberties," he said. "My take on this is that most of the people in Indianapolis are going to fall on the civil liberties side of this."

Councilors could vote on the ban again on Nov. 30.

Tew expected to endorse Kennedy for mayor

Later today, former state and county Democratic Party Chairman Kip Tew is expected to throw his support behind Democratic mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy, sources in the Kennedy campaign confirm.

Tew, a partner at the Indianapolis law firm of Krieg, DeVault, seriously weighed his own run for mayor, but opted not to get into the race. In 2008, Tew served as state chairman of Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

Indianapolis loses out on 800 jobs

So much for Mayor Greg Ballard's alleged ability to attract jobs and busineses to Indianapolis.

Here's the bad news:

Indianapolis, the headquarters city of Republic Airways, will miss out on 800 jobs the company is shifting from Colorado and New Mexico to Milwaukee.

But Indiana economic development officials say they are hoping the state will gain other jobs from Republic as it continues to realign operations following its purchase earlier this year of Denver-based Frontier Airlines and Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines.

On Tuesday, Republic said it will shift as many as 800 full-time jobs to Milwaukee and pledged to retain 700 more jobs there. The jobs will beef up flight crews, heavy aircraft maintenance and technical support, and call center reservations in Milwaukee. Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Denver all had made bids for the jobs.

IMPD storing more than 1,300 rape kits, but can't say how many have been tested

So has Mayor Greg Ballard really made public safety job #1?

According to a CBS News report, 1,356 rape kits are sitting in storage in the IMPD's crime lab "but the department does not know which kits are tested and which are untested." Some have have been in storage for months if not years.

Sergeant Paul Thompson of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told CBS in an email, “The kits would not be tested if the victim did not report the incident or chose not to pursue prosecution or cooperate in the investigation.” Kits are destroyed if the responsible officer says they can be destroyed.

So are you feeling any safer?

Here's the WISH-TV story:

Linda Pence withdraws as candidate for U.S. attorney

Indianapolis attorney Linda Pence had decided to withdraw her name from consideration for the post as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

The decision, Pence told the Indianapolis Times, came after months of careful thought and consideration.

"This was a difficult decision, but I have to say that I'm grateful and honored to have been considered for the job as U.S. attorney," Pence said. "I've put my life on hold for the past two years -- first to run for (Indiana) attorney general and then for this -- and I finally decided that I just needed to move on. It's time to get back to work."

Pence, who lost a close race for Indiana attorney general in 2008, is a partner with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. Pence has been a practicing trial attorney for 34 years, beginning her legal career with the U.S. Department of Justice in 1974.

Earlier this year, Pence was named to the 2009 Indiana Super Lawyers list complied by Law & Politics Magazine.

Despite Ballard's spin, crime grabs headlines

Mayor Greg Ballard ran on a promise that he would make public safety job #1. In fact, the mayor even boasted last week about Indianapolis being one of the safest cities in the U.S., but unfortunately he was wrong.

So how good a job is the mayor doing at making our streets safer?

Here's a few headlines that have appeared in the Indianapolis Star in just the last couple of days and a story or two courtesy of our local TV news.

Three men detained after Westside robberies (Indy Star, 11.9.09)

Man robbed and shot while walking dog (WISH-TV, 11.09.09)



Accused of shooting Indianapolis cop, Reese takes stand in trial (Indy Star, 11.9.09)

Two arrested in violent home invasion (Indy Star, 11.9.09)

Police: Robbers shoot dog walker (Indy Star 11.9.09)

Robbers terrorize SW side neighborhood
(WISH-TV, 11.9.09)

Police search for suspects in robbery of blind man (WTHR, 11.0.09)

Man shot in leg on city's Northside (Indy Star, 11.8.09)

Neighbors help police nab slaying suspect (Indy Star, 11.6.09)

Police investigate assault, robbery of elderly Indianapolis couple on Northwestside (Indy Star, 11.5.09)

So do you feel any safer?

Ballard denies violating city ethics rules

Mayor Greg Ballard is offering a tepid defense to allegations raised in an ethics complaint that he gave favorable treatment to a campaign donor.

The mayor is insisting that whole thing is a "political stunt." I guess if you don't have a legitimate defense, you just chalk it all up to politics.

As you recall, Ballard was slapped with an ethics complaint about two weeks charging that the mayor violated the city's ethics policy by giving a friend and campaign contributor possession of an IMPD squad car.

As the Indianapolis Times first reported, Ballard helped out a political contributor by sending an IMPD squad car (pictured above) to stand watch at a private country club on the Eastside which just happens to be owned by the mayoral friend. The car sat in the country club's parking lot for nearly a month.

The ethics complaint, which is now in the hands of corporation counsel Chris Cotterill, charges that Ballard acted outside the proper channels for city-county government for the private gain of a contributor.

According to FOX 59, here's what the mayor had to say a few days ago about the allegations of ethical wrongdoing:

Mayor Greg Ballard is firing back against allegations that he gave favor to a campaign donor.

The Mayor went on WIBC to answer his critics, calling the move a quote 'cheap political stunt.'

'You try to do the right thing and bring crime down, trying to get people help who need it and then this kind of things happens, and it's really disgusting."

Mayor Ballard did admit the golf course employee should not have had the keys, but he firmly claims and no special favors were given.

So what's the over/under on when Cotterill tosses out the complaint?

Ballard fails to deal with city's growing problem of abandoned homes

If I remember correctly, didn't Mayor Greg Ballard claim he had a plan to deal with the city's abandoned homes?

Apparently it's just another broken promise, and a glaring example of Ballard's failed leadership and vision.

In fact, here's what Ballard had to say on July 14, 2009 in a press release issued by his office:

“With some of the new laws that took effect on July 1 now at our disposal as we tackle this tough issue, and with our strategy that we’ve worked to refine during the past year, we’re better-positioned to help Indianapolis return blighted streets – block by block – to their once-vibrant status.”

Unfortuately, things haven't quite worked out.

This from Sunday's Indianapolis Star:

Jan Williams sits on his front porch in the 900 block of North Concord Street and waves at a real-life ghost town.

Nobody waves back.

All but three of the houses across the street are empty. Same for the two-story house next door and the one-story home south of that. Twelve of the 22 houses on Williams' street are boarded up.

"They need to tear up all that," said Williams, a mechanic on disability who's lived on the block for years. "Nobody in 'em."

Williams' neighborhood reflects a growing housing vacancy problem in Indianapolis -- one that has reached a level never before seen here, according to an Indianapolis Star analysis of the latest vacant housing data from the U.S. Postal Service.

About 9 percent of houses in Marion County are vacant. That's about 5,000 houses, most of them five minutes from Downtown.

President Obama's Weekly Address

The President condemns the "despicable" attacks at Fort Hood, honoring those who were killed and injured. He also commends those who stood up to help and console those affected: "even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display, we also saw the best of America."

DeLaney discusses vicious weekend attack

In case you missed it, WISH-TV's Jim Shella conducted an interview this week with State Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, who talked at length and with plenty of emotion about being attacked by a gun-wielding assailant last weekend.

Ballard's spin on crime in Indianapolis

If you listen to Mayor Greg Ballard, you'd think that Indianapolis doesn't have a crime problem. The mayor has even boasted about the city being one of the safest in the U.S when, in fact, it ranks near the bottom. (The mayor office insisted the it wasn't spinning the fact, but that it simply misinterpreted the crime ranking.)

Anyway, let's do a little fiction (the mayor's version fo things) and fact (what's really happening on the street.

Fiction: "Indianapolis ranks among the top 40 safest cities in the nation." Twitter message from Mayor Greg Ballard.

Fact: Here are just some of the recent headlines in the Indianapolis Star.

Woman held in Indy man's shooting death
Nov. 4, 2009

Jury chosen for trial in shooting of Indy officer
Nov 3, 2009

4 held in Northwestside burglary, chase
Nov 2, 2009

Indictment of honored officer latest of IMPD's legal woes
Oct 29, 2009

Gang problem growing, IMPD official says
Oct. 28, 2009

Charges filed against suspect in 2 robberies
Oct 28, 2009

1 dead after shooting, robbery at food stand
Oct 24, 2009

1 slain, 1 injured during robbery; man is arrested
Oct 22, 2009

Suspect charged with firing at IMPD officer
Oct 20, 2009

Robbery suspect who prayed with victim surrenders
Oct 20, 2009

15-year-old gets 55 years for robbing and killing man
Oct 16, 2009

You get the idea.

A message from President Obama

One year ago today, we made history.

We all knew that electing Barack Obama President was only the opportunity to bring about change; that we would all have to keep working to fulfill the promise our victory offered.

And you've come through -- by making hundreds of thousands of calls to Congress to push health reform forward, by pouring your effort into seemingly insurmountable challenges time and again, and, since January, by building on the power of our campaign to create Organizing for America.

And now, with the finish line on health reform in sight, we need your voice more than ever before.

Ballard rejects City Market revitalization plan; top Republican quits

Some more interesting developments (apparently looking to sell off more city assets) involving Mayor Greg Ballard courtesy of the Indianapolis Business Journal:

The Indianapolis City Market’s board recommended closing the historic downtown landmark until 2013 and ousting all its tenants before Mayor Greg Ballard settled on a less aggressive turnaround plan.

Ballard’s decision prompted the resignation last month of former City Market Board President Bob Whitt, IBJ learned Tuesday morning.

Whitt is the executive director of the White River State Park Development Commission. He said he’s been replaced at the head of the City Market’s board by its former vice president, Wayne Schmidt, a principal with locally based architectural firm Schmidt Associates.

“They were going in a different direction from what I thought was the way to go,” Whitt said. “It’s currently a food court, made up of local mom-and-pop prepared food vendors. We wanted to totally reinvent it as a true public market, emphasizing local produce, meat, baked goods that are baked on site, coffee that is roasted on site, a vibrant area to draw people and celebrate all the great locally produced and artismal foods.”

Mayor Ballard breaks yet another campaign promise

Last week, we revealed Mayor Greg Ballard's role in killing a proposal before the City-County Council to strengthen the city's existing smoking ban.

To make a long story short, Ballard met with council Republicans and threatened to veto the measure unless the council killed the ordinance. In the end, the council couldn't muster enough votes to either pass ordinance or kill it, so the smoking ban proposal eventually was tabled. It was another glaring example of Ballard's lack of leadership and vision for our city. (It's also was an example of Ballard lying about a campaign promise to support a tougher smoking ban.)

Here's what the Indianapolis Star had to say about Ballard's political shenanigans:

When the proposed ban on smoking in Indianapolis is revived -- and it almost certainly will be in time -- let's hope the air will be clear of some of the lamer arguments, as well as the behind-closed-doors politics, that helped block the initiative this week...

...Then there's the spectacle of Mayor Greg Ballard, the most disappointing figure in this entire debate.

Opponents of the ban may be misguided, but at least they had the courage to take a public stand on a contentious issue. Ballard, as a candidate for office, promised that he "would support any legislation to limit the impact of secondhand smoke.'' He also promised to champion transparency in government. He struck out -- and badly -- on both counts this week.

Ballard not only opposed the ban but also waited until two hours before the City-County Council's vote to deliver a veto threat to the Republican caucus in a closed-door meeting.

The latest information concerning State Rep. Ed DeLaney

Here's an update from various media sources on the vicious attack that occurred over the weekend involving State Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis.



Indianapolis Star:

A Hamilton County magistrate today (Monday) set a $3 million bond for the attorney accused of beating a state legislator Saturday in Carmel.

August J. Mendenhall, 38 -- jail officials said his official address is Avon, but he told the court he has no fixed address -- was cited as a flight risk during a hearing this afternoon in the judicial center in downtown Noblesville.

A deputy prosecutor said Mendenhall was indigent and carrying debt of about $30,000, which made him a risk for fleeing if he were released from the county jail, where he participated in the hearing via a closed-circuit TV system.

WISH-TV

Mendenhall started with a statement in which he admitted that the alleged attack was revenge for litigation involving his father and Ed DeLaney, an attorney at the time.

Back in 1986 Mendenhall's father faced litigation regarding property he owned and a potential tenant that included an adult bookstore.

Augustus Mendenhall claims the litigation bankrupted his family forcing his mother to work 12 to 15 hour days "just to feed" his little brother and sister.

Mendenhall said he joined the U.S. Air Force to help financially support his family.

He said it was because of DeLaney and the litigation that his family lost their home in Carmel.

Mendenhall admits that he lured DeLaney under false pretenses even disguising himself and using a fake name to eventually get DeLaney to meet him on Saturday.

Mendenhall also admitted taking a gun to the scene and said he just wanted to scare DeLaney. He claims he did not mean to physically harm DeLaney.

Ann DeLaney's statement:

“We want to thank everyone for their huge outpouring of support for Ed, including Senator Bayh, Congressman Carson, Speaker Bauer, Senator Simpson, Mayor Ballard, and people around the state. We are so grateful for the strong support and expressions of love and prayer.

Ed is doing quite well considering the circumstances. Ed and I would like to thank the doctors and medical staff at Methodist hospital for their excellent care. He has five broken ribs and broken bones around his eye socket that will require surgery at a later date. He also has several abrasions and bruises.

“He is in a lot of pain, but his spirits are good. We are taking comfort in the prayers and expressions of our friends, family and well-wishers.”

Ballard misleds, spins on crime stats

It looks like Mayor Greg Ballard got tangled up in his own spin.

As we mentioned last week, Forbes.com came out with a list of the the safest cities in the U.S. and Indianapolis ranked near the bottom. The facts, however, didn't get in the way of Ballard trying to claim that the ranking showed that his so-called crime fighting efforts were paying off. The administration even went so far as to issue a press release with the headline: "Indianapolis Ranks Among Top 40 Safest Cities in the U.S." Think again.

Now, the boys on the 25th floor admit that they misinterpreted the rankings. Oops. It seems Indianapolis isn't nearly as safe as the mayor wants you to believe.

The Star's Tom Spalding clears up the confusion:

What Forbes.com did was rank the safety of the 40 largest metropolitan areas. And Indianapolis -- technically the Indianapolis-Carmel area, which includes all the suburbs -- ranked, gulp, 36th.

So, put another way . . .

Indianapolis Ranks as 5th Most Dangerous Large City in the U.S.

Not exactly fodder for the next Chamber of Commerce brochures.

Robert Vane, Ballard's press secretary, said the staff just misinterpreted what Forbes put out.

An even closer examination of the ranking showed:

Forbes' ranking wasn't especially kind to Indy when it comes specifically to violent crime: It ranked Indianapolis No. 30 -- worse than Chicago (26) and Philadelphia (28).

Forbes actually factored in four categories to achieve its "safest city" rankings: violent crime, workplace fatality rates, traffic deaths and natural disaster risks.

Indianapolis scored dead last -- No. 40 -- in workplace fatality rates and No. 26 in traffic deaths. Its best ranking was in the area the city is least able to control: the wrath of Mother Nature. It ranked No. 19 in natural disaster risk.

So, you could say . . .

Indianapolis Ranked Large City Where You Most Likely Will Be Killed on the Job

Maybe Ballard should consider using that "headline" on his first re-election piece.

Rep. Ed DeLaney attacked

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ed and his family.

This from Jim Shella at WISH-TV:

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - State Representative Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) is being treated at Methodist Hospital after an apparent murder attempt.

Carmel Police Lt. Jeff Horner said that at approximately 10:15 Saturday officers responded to a welfare check on Catherine Dr. A witness called the police stating that she saw someone she knew that appeared to be in trouble. The witness stated that the subject was in a black PT Cruiser.

When the Carmel Officers arrived on Catherine Dr. they saw a male subject, later identified as Augustus J. Mendenhall, on top of another male subject. Mendenhall was punching the other subject in the head. Mendenhall ran when he saw the police approaching. After a short foot chase Mendenhall was tased and taken into custody.

Ed’s wife Ann reports that he was lured to the meeting in Carmel under false pretenses. She said the mn pulled a gun on 66-year-old DeLaney. When the gun jammed, the attacker used it to beat DeLaney.

The suspect, 38 year old Augustus J. Mendenhall from Indianapolis, was transported to Carmel Saint Vincent’s Hospital where he was checked out and released. He was then transported to the Hamilton County Jail where he is being held without bond.

Mendenhall is facing charges of Attempted Murder, Robbery, Aggravated Battery, Resisting Law Enforcement and Criminal Confinement.

President Obama's weekly address

While there is nothing to celebrate until job numbers turn around, the President cites the recent dramatic turnaround in gross domestic product as a sign of better things to come. He also applauds the fact that the Recovery Act has now created or saved more than a million jobs.

Indy ranks near bottom of safest U.S. cities

Earlier this week, Forbes magazine come out with a list of the safest cities in America. So where did Indianapolis rank? You guessed it, near the bottom. In fact, Indianapolis ranked 36th out of 40, just four spots out of last place. According to Forbes, Indianapolis is even more violent than New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Just think about it.

So much for Mayor Greg Ballard's promise to make public safety job #1. (Unless, of course, you consider parking an IMPD squad car at a private country club owned by a friend and campaign contributor an innovative crime fighting technique.)

Despite the dismal ranking, Ballard tried to put the best spin possible on a bad situation saying in a Twitter post, "Indianapolis ranks among the top 40 safest cities in the nation." What the mayor conveniently forgot to say was that Indianapolis was at the bottom of that list. You have to wonder what report was he reading?

If you find yourself buying into the mayor's spin take a look at what Fox 59 had to say:



Text of the Fox 50 story:

Indianapolis certainly isn't an unsafe city, but if you ask the editors at Forbes magazine, it comes in pretty low on the list of the nation's biggest cities.

James Clark has called Indianapolis home forever. It's a town he knows like the back of his hand, and one he'd recommend to others.

"I love this city, you know. I feel safe here."

Earlier this month, James found himself the victim of an armed robbery at a neighborhood ATM. Instantly, that one incident put James Clark on a list of data compiled by the city and the FBI. That list helped rank Indianapolis number 36 out of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the country in terms of safety according to Forbes.

Although homicides are down from 2008 to 2009, as are rapes and car-jackings, crimes like those that happened to James Clark - armed robbery and assault - are up. According to Forbes Indianapolis has more violent crime per capita than New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Forbes also considered incidents other than crime when compiling its list, taking into account workplace fatalities, traffic deaths and natural disasters into its total tally.

Those are surprising results for one Hoosier who has lived in Indianapolis for 52 years incident free.

"Ya, it's changed, but I ain't scared to live in Indy either."

The top 5 safest cities according to Forbes are Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Portand and tying for 4th Boston and Seattle. Miami came in at number 40.

Mayor Greg Ballard's lack of political courage and leadership

As we reported earlier this week, Mayor Greg Ballard worked behind the scenes to kill an ordinance that would have expanded the city's existing smoking ban.

So why did he do it? Because the mayor wanted the City-Council Council to do his dirty work for him so he wouldn't be forced to veto the message.

In the words of The Star's Matt Tully:

"...it appears we're also dealing with a serious lack of political courage and a sad example of backpedaling on a promise... Ballard could have been a leader. He could have played a key role in the debate. He could have stood up for the men and women who work in the city's smoke-filled bars. Instead, he played politics."

Here's Tully's entire column from Wednesday's paper:

Why did the city's proposed workplace smoking ban fail?

A particularly crushing blow fell a couple of hours before the City-County Council's vote Monday night. That's when Mayor Greg Ballard walked into a closed-door meeting with council Republicans and made clear he didn't want the ordinance to land on his desk.

Until that point, the mayor had been missing in action from the monthslong debate about the smoking ordinance. He hadn't shared his views with his constituents or the media. He hadn't held a news conference or issued a statement on one of the biggest council debates of the year. He hadn't even met with the ordinance's authors.

Instead, he played the role of squishy politician, avoiding a stand on the issue as long as he could. Then, in another political move, he tried to influence the outcome in a private meeting -- a meeting the mayor's office confirmed only after sources leaked the news.

John Cochran, one of Ballard's top advisers, confirmed that the mayor met with fellow Republicans on the 25th floor of the City-County Building just before Monday's council meeting. The ordinance would have strengthened the existing smoking ban to include bars and the vast majority of workplaces. Ballard told his GOP allies he sensed a political headache.

"He told (council Republicans) he had concerns with the way the ordinance was written, and he would have problems signing it if it got to his desk with the language that was in the proposal," Cochran said.

To clarify that political-speak, I asked Cochran if Ballard's words amounted to a veto threat.

Yes, they did, he said.

So why didn't Ballard say that publicly? Probably because he wants to be seen as a friend of the public health -- the guy talking about bike trails and walking trails and a greener city -- rather than a cigarette vendor's best buddy. Plus, by rallying Republican opposition to the ordinance, he saved himself the chore of having to deal with the matter.

Ballard isn't the first mayor to struggle with the smoking ban. It's no coincidence that we're sitting here in 2009 without an adequate anti-smoking law. It's a tough issue for city leaders; opponents of such bans are vocal, passionate and often politically connected.

But it appears we're also dealing with a serious lack of political courage and a sad example of backpedaling on a promise.

In 2007, as a candidate for mayor, Ballard said this: "I can assure you that I am a supporter of the smoke-free workplace. Secondhand smoke is a proven health hazard, and I would support any legislation to limit the impact of secondhand smoke."

He wrote those words in an e-mail to Bruce Hetrick, a local businessman and smoke-free workplace advocate. Back then, when asked about the issue, Ballard was straightforward.

These days, however, we're learning about the mayor's thoughts on big issues by investigating the secretive words he delivers at closed-door political meetings. Leaders take a stand, even on controversial measures. The old Greg Ballard, the one who campaigned as the regular guy next door, would have understood that.

How times change.

Cochran said Ballard worries about the ramifications of the ordinance. He said the mayor wanted an exemption for private clubs and a guarantee that the ban would not include private residences.

Private residences?

Now the mayor is just being silly. What's next? A complaint that the ordinance would create death panels?

As for the exemption for private clubs, that could have been worked out if Ballard had taken a leadership role in the debate. As the vote approached Monday evening, ordinance supporters were ready to accept narrow exemptions -- mainly for tobacco stores and private clubs -- in order to push the measure into law. An assist from the city's boss would have made the difference.

Ballard could have been a leader. He could have played a key role in the debate. He could have stood up for the men and women who work in the city's smoke-filled bars.

Instead, he played politics.

Campaign Insider: Jacobs expected to endorse Kennedy for mayor

Former Congressman Andy Jacobs, Jr. is expected to endorse Democratic mayoral hopeful Melina Kennedy sometime in a next day or so, a source close to the campaign has told the Indianapolis Times. Late last month, Kennedy, a former deputy mayor under Bart Peterson, received an early endorsement from the Laborers International Union of North America Local 120 even though the mayoral race isn't until 2001. So far, Kennedy and businessman Brian Williams are the only announced Democratic candidates for mayor.

Lawrence Township Trustee Russell Brown has opened a campaign committee as he prepares to seek a full four-year term on the job in 2010. Since taking office, Brown has wasted little time in attacking the township's fiscal problems.

“Following my election, I began to review the department’s fiscal situation – and what I found was startling. In addition to years of borrowing money to pay operating costs, this year’s proposed budget contained an operating budget deficit that nearly doubled from last year’s deficit. Obviously, that type of on-going, rapid debt growth is not sustainable and it must be addressed immediately," Brown said. “I requested the help of district representatives of International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 416, the fire chief and fire fighters to put Lawrence Township on a path towards fiscal sustainability."

Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy has announced the hiring of Jasmin Shaheed-Young as the Finance Director at the Marion County Democratic Party. Jasmin starts on the job immediately.

“Jasmin will be a really bright spot as the Marion County Democratic Party moves into the 2010 election season,” Treacy said. “She’s been on the job for a few days now, and already is a valuable member of my team.”

After working in New York in public relations and purchasing, Jasmin returned to Indianapolis to work for The Impact Group. She also worked on a volunteer basis as a fundraiser for her brother-in-law, Congressman André Carson.

Ballard ethics probe prompts denial of any wrongdoing

As the Indianapolis Times reported, Mayor Greg Ballard has been named in an ethics complaint charging that Hizzoner violated the city's ethics code by giving a friend and campaign contributor possession of an IMPD squad car.

Here's Fox 59's report (followed by the video) on the situation:

Marion County Democrats, citing a Fox 59 News investigation, have filed an ethics complaint against Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.

Fox 59 News reported that when Ballard informed IMPD that a political campaign supporter was the victim of car break-ins at an eastside golf course, the police department parked a police car on that parking lot for 30 days and even provided keys to the golf course staff to drive the car and park inside a pole barn at night.

"How many other private citizens have we heard of that for thirty days are given a police car around their property," asked Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy. "I have not heard of one other person who has been given the keys to move that car around for thirty days."

The car was parked at the Maple Creek Golf Course and Country Club on East 21st Street. The club is owned by David Bego who is listed as a contributor to the Ballard election campaign in 2007. An internal IMPD memo obtained by Fox 59 News cites the mayor's contact with Bego as impetus for the essentially free 24/7 security.

"Whoever owns property, public or private, has a right to be protected," said Ballard spokesman Robert Vane. "This is a legitimate policy and we stand behind it."

The car was removed, its keys retrieved from the golf course staff, the day Fox 59 News begin asking questions.

 

GOP having money trouble; Ballard abandons the party

The Marion County Republican Party appears to be in some financial trouble.

According to sources, the county GOP recently has bounced checks totaling more than $8,000 on its National Bank of Indianapolis account. (We also hear that the party is living rent free because of its money problems.)

If memory serves, it wasn't that long ago county Republicans had more than $300,000 in the bank, but obviously times have changed. So what's happened?

Given the party's financial struggles, it looks like Mayor Greg Ballard has either cut the party loose to focus on his own fundraising efforts or that the mayor's fundraising prowess on behalf of the GOP is virtually non-existent. Either way, it's bad new for the county GOP.

Mayor Ballard charged in ethics complaint

Mayor Greg Ballard today was slapped with an ethics complaint charging that Hizzoner violated the city's ethics code by giving a friend and campaign contributor possession of an IMPD squad car.

As the Indianapolis Times first reported (contrary to the claims from Fox 59 News), Ballard helped out a friend by sending an IMPD squad car (pictured above) to stand watch at a private golf course on the Eastside for nearly a month.

The fully functional IMPD squad car showed up at Maple Creek Golf and Country Club after Ballard and the boys on the 25th floor decided to extent some favorable treatment to a mayoral friend who just happens to own the private country club.

As we've said before, while there's nothing wrong with helping out a friend, how can the mayor justify putting a road worthy squad car out at a golf course for nearly a month when IMPD lacks enough squad cars for its own patrol officers?

The ethics complaint against the mayor was filed today by Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy, who held a press conference outside Ballard's 25th floor office. Here's the MCDP press release:

INDIANAPOLIS – Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy today filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Greg Ballard alleging that Ballard allowed “a campaign contributor to exercise exclusive possession and control of the marked IMPD police cruiser…” contrary to the city’s ethics ordinance.

The complaint cites a recent Fox-59 story that revealed that an IMPD cruiser had been idled at Maple Creek for approximately one month. The complaint states that Ballard violated the letter of the ethics ordinance as well as its spirit, in that Ballard acted outside the proper channels for city-county government for the private gain of a contributor.

“I’ve watched as Mayor Greg Ballard drags politics to where it doesn’t belong—the Metro Police Department,” Treacy said. “This is truly outlandish. Apparently contributors to the Mayor’s campaign are rewarded with a police rental car. Public safety should be for all—not just the politically connected, high-rolling, donor buddies of the Mayor.”

The complaint was filed the same day that Metro Police Chief Michael Spears was appearing at a Republican Party Fundraiser. Treacy said that he wasn’t filing an ethics complaint on that appearance, but that the perception bothered him.

“It’s unprecedented to have the chief law enforcement office spending time raising money for political purposes,” Treacy said. “It may not be illegal, but it’s improper. The mayor has claimed all along that ‘public safety is job one,’ but unfortunately, it appears that for public safety, job one is politics.”

Treacy quoted an Indianapolis Star editorial addressing police ethics, “There are times when it is not enough to be technically legal and not exactly unethical.”

“This evening you have another instance of the Mayor of using his police force for a political operation—his chief of police will appear at a Republican Party fundraiser,” Treacy said. “I wonder how many donors will qualify for a police car after tonight.”

Here's the actual complaint:

COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATION OF
STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

I. THE PARTIES

A. Mayor Gregory A. Ballard

1. Gregory A. Ballard (“Ballard”) is Mayor of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County (“City”), an official for purposes of the Ethics Code of the Consolidated City and County, Revised Code Section 293-101 et seq. (“Ethics Code”).
2. As Mayor, Ballard appoints the director of the department of public safety “Director”). Revised Code of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County
(“Revised Code”), Section 251-211.
3. In turn, the Director appoints the Chief (“Chief”) of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (“IMPD”).
4. Because of his appointment power, Ballard exercises authority and control over the affairs of IMPD.

B. Dave Bego

5. Dave Bego, of 8071 Knue Road, Indianapolis, Indiana (“Bego”), is owner of
Maple Creek Golf and Country Club, Inc., located at 10501 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46250 (“Golf Club”). See “City of Indianapolis/ Marion County Property Information & Tax Payment System” report, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

II. THE ETHICS COMMISSION

6. The Ethics Code establishes the city-county ethics commission (“Ethics
Commission”) to promptly resolve matters within its jurisdiction. Revised Code Sec. 293-331.
7. This matter, a violation of the Ethics Code within the prior two years by an
official, Gregory A. Ballard, is within the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction. Revised Code Sec. 293-334.
8. A violation of the Ethics Code “shall be subject to the enforcement procedures
and penalties” set forth by Revised Code Section 103-3. Revised Code Sec. 293-402(c).
9. A person who has violated the Ethics Code “shall be fined, by way of a penalty
therefore, an amount not exceeding any limitation under IC 36-1-3-8 for each such violation, act or omission,” and may be subject to an injunction by the city. Revised Code Sec. 103-3

III. FACTS

10. On October 8, 2007, Dave Bego donated Nine Hundred Ninety Dollars ($990) to
Ballard’s campaign committee, the Greg Ballard for Mayor Committee (“Political Action
Committee”). See CFA-4 Schedule A-1, filed with Marion County Circuit Court Clerk on
October 19, 2007, attached hereto as Exhibit B.
11. Bego recently told Ballard that the Golf Club is a frequent victim of car break-ins.
12. Within a short period thereafter, Ballard caused IMPD to provide Bego and the
Golf Club a marked IMPD police cruiser to park and operate at the Golf Club as a security measure.
13. For about a month during September and October 2009, Bego and his Golf Club
maintained exclusive possession and control of the marked IMPD police cruiser.
14. Only after a news report by reporter Russ McQuaid was aired by Fox59
Indianapolis did IMPD recall its marked police cruiser. News report available online at
http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-police-car-controversy-102209,0,7304522.story (last visited October 27, 2009).

III. VIOLATION OF STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

15. The goals of the Ethics Code are expressly stated:
(1) Duties should be carried out impartially;
(2) Decisions and policy should not be made outside of proper
channels of city and county government;
(3) Public office should not be used for private gain; and
(4) Actions, transactions, or involvements should not be
performed or engaged in which have the potential to become a
conflict of interest.
Revised Code Section 293-101(c).
16. Article II of the Ethics Code sets forth specific standards of ethical conduct.
Revised Code Section 293-201 et seq.
17. Revised Code Section 293-213 states, “An official . . . shall not use city or county
property or personnel for any purpose other than for official city or county business.”
18. By allowing Mr. Bego, a campaign contributor, to exercise exclusive possession
and control of the marked IMPD police cruiser for about a month and simultaneously preventing the marked IMPD police cruiser from being used for official police business or maintenance and repair, Ballard used city property for private business in violation of Revised Code Section 293-213.
19. Ballard’s use of the marked IMPD police cruiser for private business also violates the goals of the Ethics Code.
a) Ballard’s use reveals a lack of impartiality in carrying out his duties. Of all of the victims of crime within the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County, only one – a campaign contributor – was allowed exclusive possession and
control of a marked IMPD police cruiser.
(b) Ballard’s decision to use the marked IMPD police cruiser was made outside the proper channels of city and county government, and barred its use for official police business.
(c) Ballard’s decision to use the marked IMPD police cruiser allowed the office of the Mayor to be used for the private gain of a campaign contributor.
(d) Ballard’s interests are conflicted by allowing a campaign contributor to maintain exclusive possession and control over property of the city and county, purchased from public funds,instead of committing such property to its intended purpose of preventing crime.

WHEREFORE, the undersigned respectfully requests that the Ethics Commission
determine that Respondent, Gregory A. Ballard, violated the Ethics Code and subject him to the enforcement procedures and penalties prescribed by the Ethics Code, including a fine and an injunction under Revised Code Section 103-3.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Edward Treacy

Mayor Greg Ballard kills smoking ban

You've probably heard by now that the City-County Council tabled the proposed smoking ban because there weren't enough votes to either pass it or defeat it. For all practical purposes, the smoking ban might be dead.

So who's responsible for killing the measure? You don't have to look any further than Mayor Greg Ballard.

Prior to the council meeting, Ballard huddled with the GOP caucus to voice his concern about the ordinance. Ballard reportedly told Republican council members to kill the smoking ban ordinance so he wouldn't put in the position of having to veto the measure and looking like the bad guy.

The mayor's lack of political will allegedly led to a heated exchange with Councilman Ben Hunter, the Republican sponsor of the smoking ban. Let's just say that it wasn't one big, happy GOP family behind those closed caucus doors.

In essence, Ballard asked council Republicans to do his dirty work for him. Talk about a lack of leadership and vision. Apparently when it comes to making tough decisions, Hizzoner vanishes in a puff of smoke.

Ballard goes on a $500,000 spending spree to save his job and the GOP council

You don't need to be a Nobel Prize winning economist to realize that the city is facing a financial crisis. All you have to do is look around -- our city parks are deteriorating, our streets and sidewalks are a mess, crime continues to plaque many of our neighborhoods and tax revenues are plummeting.

Meantime, up on the 25th floor, Mayor Greg Ballad is raising taxes and scrambling to sell off city assets to the highest bidder in a desperate attempt to raise more cash.

But despite the city's growing financial woes, Mayor Ballard didn't hesitate to slip $500,000 in taxpayer money into the budget (yes, this is the mayor's budget, so don't forget that fact)to play a little politics. In this case, a little preemptive council redistricting.

Even though the law calls for redistricting to occur after new census data is released (something that won't happen until 2011), the mayor wants to spend $500,000 to redraw the council boundaries a little early by relying on census data that's nearly a decade old.

So what's the rush? Apparently Ballard and his Republican cronies fear a bloodbath in the 2011 City-County Council and mayoral elections so they're trying to game the system to their advantage. It's politics at the most blatant.

As Republican Council President Bob Cockrum so bluntly put it: "That's the name of the game. It's the same thing (Democrats) did last time.''

Clearly, Cockrum has a faulty (or selective) memory. The last time that council districts were redrawn, it wasn't council Democrats who came up with the maps, it was the Indiana Supreme Court. True, Democrats seized control of the council in 2003 under the new maps, but four years later it was Republicans who took captured the majority.

So why are Ballard and his council flunkies trying to rig the system? Politics pure and simple. Republicans know they're in trouble in 2011 (that's what happens when you have a mayor who isn't up to the job because he lacks leadership and vision) so they're going to waste $500,000 in taxpayer money in an attempt to save their jobs.

Maybe Ballard needs to rethink is priorities, start doing his job, fill a few potholes and stop wasting taxpayer money.

Here's what The Indianapolis Star had to say about Ballard's costly and self-serving political ploy.

Republicans on the City-County Council appear ready to waste $500,000 in taxpayers' money for purely political purposes at the same time the city has been forced to cut funding for basic services.

The council, controlled by its GOP members, included a half-million dollars in the 2010 city budget to redraw maps of political districts. Redistricting normally takes place after a Census is completed so that new maps better reflect population shifts. That can't happen next year, however, because new Census data won't be released until 2011.

Which means council Republicans are preparing to draw maps based on information collected in the 2000 Census.

Why the rush? State law blocks redistricting between November 2010 and November 2011, when the next election for council seats takes place. Republicans clearly are trying to push through district maps that are more favorable to them ahead of the 2011 election.

And they're not even shy about it.

"That's the name of the game,'' Council President Bob Cockrum told The Star's Francesca Jarosz. "It's the same thing (Democrats) did last time.''

Well, Democrats certainly aren't above resorting to rigging district maps to keep themselves in power. (Just look at the political games played in the Indiana Statehouse to understand that point.) But Cockrum is trying to rewrite the history of the most recent redistricting fight in Marion County.

In 2003, the Republican majority approved new district boundaries. After the plan was rejected by Democratic Mayor Bart Peterson, the dispute landed in the Indiana Supreme Court, which declared the Republican map to be too partisan. The court then drew its own map, which is still in effect.

The 2003 election featured closely contested races among well-qualified candidates in several districts. Democrats gained control of the council for the first time. The next election, in 2007, brought a reversal -- with Republicans regaining the majority.

Two elections. Two close results. Two parties alternating power. The system it would seem has worked as intended.

Council Republicans, however, are now trying to protect their turf through power politics. If they proceed, it would be not only a cynical waste of taxpayers' money but also an abuse of voters' trust.

Brizzi's buddy comes under scrutiny

Here's an interesting story from the Indianapolis Business Journal about Tim Durham, a close buddy and political benefactor of Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi. Is Brizzi rethinking this friendship? What could this all mean if Brizzi runs for re-election in 2010? This could get really messy.

Indianapolis businessman Tim Durham has treated Ohio-based Fair Finance Co. almost like a personal bank since buying it seven years ago, and now Durham, partners and related firms owe it more than $168 million, records show.

Fair, a consumer-loan company, listed no insider loans under prior ownership. The extensive borrowing—which represents 70 percent of Fair’s assets—worries some investment-industry observers at a time parts of Durham’s financial empire are strained.

They note that if the borrowers fail to pay off the loans, Ohioans who have provided capital to Fair for decades by buying short-term investment certificates may not get their money back.

Fair continues to raise money from those investors, offering interest rates on 24-month notes as high as 9 percent, more than triple what banks are offering for certificates of deposit of similar length. Unlike CDs, Fair’s securities carry no government guarantee. The amount of investment certificates outstanding has swelled to $197 million, five times the amount on the books when Durham and partner Jim Cochran bought the business.
Durham

A securities attorney who reviewed the offering circular for the certificates at IBJ’s request said that—because of the related-party loans, the lack of audited financials, a confusing presentation of financial information, and other problems—the Ohio Division of Securities shouldn’t be permitting their sale.

President Obama's weekly address

The President restates his commitment to small business as key to economic recovery -- from the Recovery Act to Financial Stability to Health Reform -- and pledges more to come.

Ballard comes under fire for lending IMPD squad car to a friend

On Monday, the Indianapolis Times broke the story (sorry Fox 59) about Mayor Greg Ballard helping out a friend by sending an empty IMPD squad car (pictured above) to stand watch at a private golf course on the Eastside for nearly a month.

Apparently the IMPD squad car showed up at Maple Creek Golf and Country Club after Ballard and the boys on the 25th floor decided to extent a favor to a mayoral friend who was having some problems with wrongdoers.

As we pointed out, while there's nothing wrong with helping out a friend, how can the mayor justify putting a road worthy squad car out at a golf course for nearly a month when IMPD lacks enough squad cars for its own patrol officers? How is that in keeping with the mayor's pledge to make Public Safety Job #1?

Making matters worse, IMPD handed over the keys to the squad car to the folks at the golf course so they could move it around from time to time.

Here's the follow up to the Times story from Fox 59 News:

 

Pence defends Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck

Our favorite Republican, U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, is sticking up for his buddies Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.

Here's what he told Politico:

The chairman of the House Republican Conference says it’s “hogwash” that GOP leaders are worried about what Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and the Tea Party movement are doing to their party’s image.

In a story headlined “Conservatives Roar; Republicans Tremble,” POLITICO reported Thursday that “many top Republicans are growing worried that the party’s chances for reversing its electoral routs of 2006 and 2008 are being wounded by the flamboyant rhetoric and angry tone of conservative activists and media personalities.”

But House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) says it’s not so.

“You know, the American people cherish their freedom of speech and a free and independent press. That's why I found this morning's headlines so troubling,” Pence said Thursday. “Goaded on by a White House increasingly intolerant of criticism, lately the national media has taken aim at conservative commentators in radio and television. Suggesting that they only speak for a small group of activists and even suggesting in one report today that Republicans in Washington are ‘worried about their electoral effect.’

“Well, that's hogwash.

“To suggest that men and women that are taking a stand for fiscal discipline and traditional values in the national debate today only speak for ‘grassroots activists’ is absurd. As evidenced by the hundreds of thousands that filled town hall meetings this summer and the nearly a million Americans who gathered here in Washington in September. Millions of Americans, Republicans, Democrats and Independents are worried about liberal social policies and runaway federal spending, deficit and debt.

“So to my friends in the so-called ‘mainstream media’ I say, ‘conservative talk show hosts may not speak for everybody but they speak for more Americans than you do.’”

Yeah, right Mike. We believe you. Now go back to sleep.

Judge named in Brizzi disciplinary case

As you first read in the Indianapolis Times, Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is facing state disciplinary charges for comments he made in two high-profile murder cases.

The Indiana Supreme Court has now appointed a Shelby County judge to preside over Brizzi's disciplinary case.

Here's a report from WIBC:

Indiana Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathryn Dolan says Shelby Circuit Court Judge Charles O'Connor was appointed to hear the case by the Supreme Court.

Dolan says O'Connor will manage the entire case and will also set the hearing schedule. O'Connor will ultimately submit a fact finding and recommendation to the Supreme Court, who has the final authority over any disciplinary matter.

Dolan says the two sides can avoid a hearing altogether if they agree on what's called a "conditional agreement." In that case, the Supreme Court could either accept or deny the agreement.

Brizzi is accused of making comments in a 2006 news release and during a 2008 news conference that went beyond informing the public of his decisions to file charges in two cases.

The complaint cites several comments by Brizzi that condemn the two defendants accused of killing seven people on Hamilton Avenue in 2006.

Brizzi also made comments in the case of accused serial killer Bruce Mendenhall.

Mayor Ballard looking for the fast buck

As we mentioned yesterday, Mayor Greg Ballard and the boys on the 25th floor are poised to once again sell off city property in an effort to make a fast buck.

This time, the mayor wants to privatize CIB operations, including the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. If I'm not mistaken, isn't Conseco Field house already privately managed and its operator, Pacers Sports and Entertainment, is losing so much money that it needs a $15 million taxpayer-funded bailout?

So much for the privatization experiment.

Anyway, the city has issued an RFI asking for privatization proposals. You can read the RFI here.

In the meantime, here's what The Star has to say:

The city of Indianapolis is shopping for a firm that might be able to run the city's professional sports and convention centers more cheaply than the Capital Improvement Board.

Paul Okeson, chief of staff to Mayor Greg Ballard, said the city has issued a "request for information and qualifications" seeking to identify efficiencies and cost savings for the Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.

The deadline for responses is Nov. 24. Okeson said that based on what the city hears back from this request, it may issue a formal request for proposals on Dec. 7.

The Capital Improvement Board has struggled financially, and Okeson said that this request for information could mean privatizing the management of the stadium and convention center and possibly Conseco Fieldhouse, which currently is operated by the Indiana Pacers. But, he said, at this point he does not know what the outcome might be.

"We issued the RFI for the sincere and honest purpose of maybe there's something out there we're not thinking of that someone could present to us that would save us a significant amount of money in operating these facilities," Okeson said.

The result, he said, could be private management of the facilities; private-management assistance to continued CIB management; or no change at all.

"It could be anything," he said. "Some companies are big enough to where they could say if you just merge with us by the sheer size we have we might be able to buy down your insurance costs enough to save you a bunch of money. I have no idea, but I want to find out. We're obligated on behalf of the taxpayer to see if there's a way to do this and create some efficiencies or gain a significant amount of savings."

The nation now knows about our Hoosier embarrassment: Steve Buyer

In Indiana, we've always known that U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer was something of an embarrassment. Now, his reputation has gone national.

Here's what Rachel Maddow at MSNBC had to say about our lettuce smoking congressman and his controversial "scholarship" fund.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Ballard, city look to privatize CIB operations

Isn't this what we talked about a few weeks ago? You knew it was only a matter of time before Mayor Greg Ballard and the boys on the 25th floor decided to privatize CIB operations.

Maybe IBM would be interested in taking on this project.

This from the IBJ:

The city of Indianapolis is considering ways to get out of the professional sports stadium and convention center management business.

This afternoon, the city's Office of Enterprise Development released a Request for Information and Qualifications in conjunction with the Capital Improvement Board, soliciting proposals for private-sector operation and management of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and Conseco Fieldhouse.

The CIB, which manages the city's professional sports facilities and the convention center, has struggled much of the past year to close a projected $47 million deficit for 2010. Last week, it said its financial situation has been improving, but still needs much work.

The RFI requires respondents to provide specifics about how their proposals to operate the three venues would affect major city events, such as Indianapolis Colts games, national swimming competitions, the Circle City Classic, events sponsored by Indiana Black Expo, NCAA events, events of the Indiana High School Athletic Association and various marching band events.

Kennedy mayoral website up and running

After several weeks of work, the Melina Kennedy mayoral campaign is poised to launch its official website today.

The website, which the uses the slogans "Building the future of Indianapolis" and "Experienced, Passionate, Visionary Leadership," includes bios of Kennedy and her family, a volunteer link, a Facebook link and, of course, a donation link. There's also a brief video from WISH-TV shot on the day that Kennedy opened her exploratory committee.

If you want to check it out, go to www.melinakennedy.com.

Barnes: Reopen Children's Guardian Home

In case you missed it, here's a column by State Rep. John Barnes making the case for Marion County Children's Guardian Home. This appeared in Monday's Indianapolis Star.

Recently, neighborhood activists spoke out loudly against moving the city's traffic court and probation facilities into an empty Target store on the Westside. It is difficult to find a place for these operations because people are concerned about negative impact.

In the case of the Marion County Children's Guardian Home, there is a very different attitude. The home has been an integral part of Irvington's landscape and a treasure of the Eastside community for 120 years. If you tried to start such a facility in a new neighborhood today, locals would be concerned about the type of children who would be housed there. Concern in Irvington, to the contrary, is rooted in whether a community cornerstones will lock its doors for good.

Historically, Irvington residents have had a bond with the home and an understanding that life is not made up of what we get, but what we give. Residents believe that service to others, especially children in trouble, is a worthy cause. As I often like to say of my experience, "If you grew up in Irvington, went to school in Irvington or went to church in Irvington, you probably spent time volunteering at the home."

When the home underwent renovation 10 years ago, there were doubts whether administrators could cover the nearly $12 million in costs. Through government, community, corporate and charitable giving, the funds were raised.

Today an "Angel Wall" in the home's new atrium displays plaques with the names of corporate and private donors. It reads like a "Who's Who" of Greater Indianapolis' business and charitable communities.

While I am very impressed and thankful that so many people and organizations stepped up, I worry how the home's closure will impact the future of charitable giving. What will happen to these partnerships when it becomes apparent that donor money was invested in a losing interest? Will these generous donors be as likely to give to similar causes when they see this institution abandoned after 10 years and $12 million? I don't believe we should take that risk.

I am hopeful that Department of Child Services Director James Payne will consider reopening the home, either as a 68-bed facility (as it was before it closed) or as a more economical 24-bed emergency shelter subsidized by federal funds. Neither proposal can succeed if Payne is unwilling to send kids there. The home's Re-Use Committee will examine these two options and others during its open meetings. Comments from the community will be passed on to the county commissioners, mayor's office, and full City-County Council in December.

I am also hopeful that, if all parties approve the 24-bed model, the community will embrace it as they did the original home. There are rumors that the 24-bed model would be a juvenile detention center for serious offenders. There is no intention for this to be anything other than a smaller version of the original, a haven for abused, neglected and abandoned children.

The Guardian Home is built on a unique foundation of community partnership that has benefited children for 120 years. For the sake of these children, we must insist on continuing the home's tradition for the next generation.

Kip Tew decides against mayoral run

Democrat Kip Tew, a former state and Marion County Democratic Party chairman, has decided not to seek the party's mayoral nomination in 2011.

In a call with the Indianapolis Times, Tew said that after months of consideration he decided over the weekend not to run.

"It just wasn't in the cards for me," Tew said. "I have so many other things pulling at me that it would have been difficult to give it (a mayoral race) the full attention that it really deserves."

"We have some excellent candidates" already pursuing the nomination, he added.

Tew's decision clears another large hurdle for former Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy's mayoral effort. The only other declared Democratic candidate so far is little-known businessman Brian Williams.

Councilman's son arrested in knife incident

This from WTHR:

Indianapolis - A teenager was arrested Monday morning for bringing a large knife to his school. It happened at Fall Creek Academy Charter School on the city's near north side.

Demetrius Smith, 18, is the son of City-County Council member Kent Smith. He's described as a good student who made a poor choice.

According to police reports, the principal of Fall Creek Academy received an email Sunday night from a parent. She was told a student would be bringing a weapon to school Monday.

As the students arrived Monday morning, they were all taken to an assembly while police and school administrators searched the backpacks.

"When the students arrived this morning, we did ask them to all gather together in an assembly and they worked on some other things while our administration took the opportunity to search a backpack and indeed they did find a butterfly knife," said Dana Johnson, school administrator.

Smith was arrested on a Class B misdemeanor and taken to the Marion County Jail's adult processing center. His initial hearing is set for Monday night.

The school says they have a zero tolerance policy and that Smith will face expulsion.

A question for the mayor: What's with the squad car at Maple Creek Golf Course?

Here's a question for Mayor Greg "Public Safety is Job #1" Ballard and the boys on the 25th floor: So what's with the lonely IMPD squad car parked at Maple Creek Golf and Country Club out on East 21st Street?

Apparently the IMPD squad car showed up at the golf course last week after Ballard and the 25th floor gang decided to do a favor for a mayoral friend who was having some problems with wrongdoers.

We even hear some of the folks at the golf course have been spotted moving the car around from time to time.

Now, there's nothing wrong with helping out a friend Bob Grand being the exception), but we also understand that the empty IMPD cruiser is sitting out at the golf course while IMPD lacks enough squad cars for its patrol officers. So while this empty squad car sits at the golf course, IMPD patrol officers do without and it's one less car patrolling city streets.

Doesn't sound like a real smart use of scare resources. But then again, friendship sometimes gets in the way of common sense.

Vote "yes" for Wishard Hospital referendum

We don't often agree with the editorial positions taken by The Indianapolis Star, but we can agree with the editorial that appeared on Sunday: Vote "yes" for Wishard Hospital on Nov. 3.

As one of the state's top critical-care facilities and safety-net hospitals, the city can ill afford to lose Wishard or the services it provides to the the most vulnerable in our community.

Supporting the Wishard referendum is simply the right thing to do.

Dennis Fishburn, the father of wounded IMPD officer Jason Fishburn, may have said it best when asked why he supported the Wishard referendum:

"Wishard Hospital absolutely saved my son's life. We want to pay it forward."

On Nov. 3, we all have the opportunity pay it forward for our community by supporting the Wishard referendum.

Here's what The Star had to say:

In City Hall, at the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and throughout the Indiana health-care community, there is clear consensus that Wishard Hospital needs to replace its out-of-date, overworked facilities.

Those supporters will get no quarrel from the Wishard staff, who long to perform their yeomanly work in a setting worthy of the large, diverse population they serve and the economy to which they contribute $1.2 billion a year.

That staff commands the loyalty of countless patients, none more than police officer Jason Fishburn, whose life was saved by the Westside institution last year after he was shot in the line of duty. He and his father, Dennis, are co-chairs of Citizens for Wishard.

All in all, it is an impressive vote of confidence.

But it is not unanimous.

There are skeptics among the voters who will decide Nov. 3 whether Wishard can issue bonds to build a $754 million state-of-the-art home.

The coolness is understandable. Wishard is a government entity -- nuff said in these distrustful times. Moreover, it follows a couple of nine-figure acts, Central Library and Lucas Oil Stadium, that cost taxpayers more than was projected and did not offer the opportunity of an up-or-down vote. Lucas, ironically enough, carried roughly the same price tag as the proposed new Wishard; even a true-blue Colts fan feels some of that chronic pain.

So, questions dog the effort to drum up support for the crucial referendum:

Can we afford it? In sharp contrast to the stadium deal, which left taxpayers with the lion's share of the cost, Wishard officials maintain that they can cover the bonds without a property tax increase.

To obtain the lowest possible interest rate, they chose general obligation bonds, which would require taxes as a worst case. However, hospital leaders pledge that their $150 million cash reserve, along with charitable donations and cash flow from federal reimbursement, patient payments and other sources, will make this project self-sustaining.

If the worst does happen, and some tax increase is necessary, then the community must ask itself what priority to give the state's pre-eminent safety-net hospital and one of its top trauma, emergency and teaching centers. How does health care compare in value to, say, sports?

Isn't it still a ton of money? Not for this century. Modernization means 20 percent more patients can be served in one-third less space using 45 percent less energy with up to $48 million a year lower cost.

We've waited all these years; why not hold off till the general election in 2010 instead of laying out $1 million for a special event? Wishard joins four school districts with referendum bids. All five parties will pay the freight, with Wishard picking up 95 percent.

Why now? The recession means lower interest on the bonds and lower wages. And every year of construction delay adds an estimated $50 million plus to the bill.

Finally:

Could the wording of this ballot question be any more vague? Might they have graced us with a cost figure? To answer the second query first, there's no way the money wasn't going to be common knowledge early on in an election with nowhere to hide.

As for the stated purpose of the expenditure -- to enable Wishard to continue to train future healers, care for patients suffering severe trauma and burns, and serve as a refuge for those who are "seniors, poor, uninsured or vulnerable, regardless of their ability to pay" -- there is a certain precision there that goes beyond account sheets.

Good and necessary questions have been thrust at those who would ask permission to spend three quarters of a billion dollars. Wishard and its people have answered them, in their work more than in their words. The question they pose to the voters calls for a "yes."

President Obama's weekly address

As the health insurance reform debate enters into its final stages in Congress, the President denounces the desperate and deceptive last-ditch efforts of the health insurance companies to derail it.