Republican Council Leader Calls On Democratic Leader To Stop Cancelling Meetings

The Republican Minority Leader for the Indianapolis City-County Council, Mike McQuillen, put out an unusual press release this morning calling on the CCC President Maggie Lewis to stop cancelling council meetings. His press release identified 13 council meetings that have been cancelled since the start of the year. Today's move is likely in response to Republican-sponsored legislation at the State House, SB 621, which would strip power from the City-County Council and shift it to the Mayor. Democrats and some Republicans, including Councilor Christine Scales, have been highly critical of the legislation. A conference committee report may also add back into the bill a provision that would eliminate the four at-large council member seats, which are all currently held by Democrats. Here's the text of McQuillen's press release.

Council Minority Leader Mike McQuillen along with several Republican City-County Councillors are calling on Democrat Council members, including Council President Maggie Lewis, to stop cancelling necessary committee meetings and refusing to act on the duties they were elected to perform.  Since the Democrats took the majority on the City-County Council important committee meetings have been rescheduled and cancelled at an alarming rate.  The Democrat Council Caucus' repeatedly cancelling committee meetings leaves board appointments unapproved and proposals unheard.    

"This policy of ignoring responsibility and Council inactivity cannot continue. We as elected officials have a responsibility to our constituents to show up to work and carry out the business of the City," said McQuillen, District 12 representing parts of the Northeast side said. 

So far in 2013 four Parks and Recreation Committee meetings have been cancelled with only one being held. The Parks and Recreation Committee meeting scheduled for April 25 was cancelled Wednesday night.  Two Public Works Committee meetings have been cancelled with only meeting being held.  Councillor Marilyn Pfisterer said, "By canceling multiple committee meetings over the last several months, the Democrat Caucus is shutting the public out of decision making that benefits them and is impeding progress for us all." 

Janice McHenry, representing Wayne Township in District 6, added, "I ran for this office to make a difference in the City, I wanted to work and help our city to grow and become a better place for us to live, work and play. When Committees don't meet, we don't get our work done; we aren't allowed to make the improvements needed."

"The Democrats need to get their act together and carry out the people's business without delay," McQuillen said.  Republicans are urging citizens to call the Council office at (317) 327-4242 to voice concerns.
Public Works Committee

The press released identified the following meetings that have been cancelled so far this year. It doesn't include the Ethics Committee meeting that was suppose to hear Democratic Councilor Brian Mahern's financial disclosure form proposal for council members for which I can't find an archived video. It was scheduled to take place last Thursday. Mahern's proposal tightens gift reporting requirements for members, including free tickets members receive to sporting events. [Update]. Fellow blogger Pat Andews says she has learned the Ethics Committee met last Thursday. It's not clear why there is no recording of the meeting on WCTY's website. Mahern's proposal was tabled after a brief meeting in which he stated that he planned to offer a more comprehensive proposal at a later date that would cover other city officials, including the mayor. He cited the numerous junkets Mayor Ballard has been taking, which are paid for by DevelopIndy, a non-profit supported by city taxpayer dollars, as a reason for making his proposal more broad.

Parks and Recreation Committee - Scheduled for April 25 Cancelled April 18

Public Works Committee - Scheduled for April 11 Cancelled April 5
Municipal Corporations Committee - Scheduled for April 10 Cancelled April 4
Parks and Recreation Committee - Scheduled for March 28 Cancelled March 21
Public Works Committee - Scheduled for March 21 Cancelled March 14 
Municipal Corporations Committee - Scheduled for March 13 Cancelled March 7 
Rules and Public Policy Committee - Scheduled for March 12 Cancelled March 6
Parks and Recreation Committee - Scheduled for March 7 Cancelled February 28
Municipal Corporations Committee - Scheduled for February 20 Cancelled February 14 
Parks and Recreation Committee - Scheduled for February 7 Cancelled February 1
Rules and Public Policy Committee - Scheduled for January 29 Cancelled January 24
Public Works Committee - Scheduled for January 24 Cancelled January 22
Municipal Corporations Committee - Scheduled for January 23 Cancelled January 18