tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post725704787565425173..comments2024-03-25T13:42:25.771-05:00Comments on Advance Indianaâ„¢: Merritt In Government ReductionGary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-80020172891500938412007-10-16T19:07:00.000-05:002007-10-16T19:07:00.000-05:00Gary, the Indiana General Assembly, not the CCC, a...Gary, the Indiana General Assembly, not the CCC, approved the Hudnut forever bill. It was done to keep Hudnut from seeking another office. Republicans controlled both houses of the legislature at the time.<BR/><BR/>Oddly, Wilson is correct about this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-63640015017996835742007-10-16T17:08:00.000-05:002007-10-16T17:08:00.000-05:00Bill, We had the complete opposite outcome in Spri...Bill, We had the complete opposite outcome in Springfield, Illinois where the federal courts threw out at-large election of councilors back in the 1980s when I was a resident there. Marion County used to elect its state legislators at-large as well. I don't believe any council members should be elected at large. I think what you're saying now, Bill, is you were opposed to at large election of councilors when there was no hope of Democrats winning them, and now that Democrats are winning them, you want to maintain the status quo. I don't know what Merritt's motives are, but I agree as a matter of principle that councilors should only be elected from neighborhood districts and not at large.Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-37780584917159436672007-10-16T17:03:00.000-05:002007-10-16T17:03:00.000-05:00Gary:As far as your opinion that the four at-large...Gary:<BR/><BR/>As far as your opinion that the four at-large seats dilute the minority vote, been there, done that--and lost. Baird v. City of Indianapolis, 976 F.2d 357 (7th Cir. 1992). <BR/><BR/>It's pretty clear that Merritt's proposal is all about Repubs seeking political advantage by eliminating the at-large seats, not about remedying minority vote dilution. Also, if he was only concerned with saving public dollars, why didn't he propose reducing the size of the Council to, say, 15 seats, all elected by district. I'll answer my own question. Because his proposal to eliminate the at-large seats is really all about gaining a partisan edge, not about good government or fiscal responsibility. It's his party, after all, that has consistently opposed finishing the unfinished political consolidations envisioned by the Unigov.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-80434330395963098172007-10-16T16:57:00.000-05:002007-10-16T16:57:00.000-05:00There used to be term limits on Indianapolis Mayor...There used to be term limits on Indianapolis Mayor but during the lengthy GOP UniGov regime, this was removed by the Republicans in what was called at that time the "Hudnut-Forever Bill"...<BR/><BR/>Wilson, this shows that Bart supports what Hudnut did. If Bill was such a rotten mayor, Bart would have had his boys and girls on the CCC reverse this ordinance.<BR/>2 consecutive terms is enough. If the elected person did such a good job, they could go back after they sit out a term.<BR/>Lets see how well it works for Bart to sit out the next term....garyjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18141621101828080762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-89807912790090382442007-10-16T13:29:00.000-05:002007-10-16T13:29:00.000-05:00There used to be term limits on Indianapolis Mayor...There used to be term limits on Indianapolis Mayor but during the lengthy GOP UniGov regime, this was removed by the Republicans in what was called at that time the "Hudnut-Forever Bill"...Wilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-45186117001186581872007-10-16T12:36:00.000-05:002007-10-16T12:36:00.000-05:00I'm not a big fan of term limits, but I have becom...I'm not a big fan of term limits, but I have become a big fan of an independent redistricting commission, perhaps similar to what Iowa does. I don't really care how many terms a legislator or council member serves as long as its the voters that select the lawmakers instead of the lawmakers selecting their voters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-91323508614805549542007-10-16T12:29:00.000-05:002007-10-16T12:29:00.000-05:00Amen to legislative term limits. What a bunch of ...Amen to legislative term limits. What a bunch of hack fools.<BR/><BR/>Wave ba-bye to trustees, Wilson--they're going the way of gas lights. There isn't a more wasteful office in government.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-72218866279034979472007-10-16T09:22:00.000-05:002007-10-16T09:22:00.000-05:00Why not limit the terms of legislators Senator? I ...Why not limit the terms of legislators Senator? I see more entrenched political hacks there than in any Mayors office. How about limiting yourself Senator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-87014982695542390192007-10-16T07:33:00.000-05:002007-10-16T07:33:00.000-05:00I'm glad that after 17 years in office, Jim Merrit...I'm glad that after 17 years in office, Jim Merritt has decided to have an active voice in the future of our city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-31030439599523516622007-10-16T07:32:00.000-05:002007-10-16T07:32:00.000-05:00the term limits on the mayor is a WONDERFUL idea.the term limits on the mayor is a WONDERFUL idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-4191916436047020492007-10-16T06:53:00.000-05:002007-10-16T06:53:00.000-05:00The plan has _some_ good ideas, but is way too pol...The plan has _some_ good ideas, but is way too political. For starters, get rid of the constables. I have no idea what he would want to keep them. They make way too much money. Steamline the entire office just like he wants to streamline the township civil courts. Things need to go from township to countywide. Let the Sheriff deal with serving papers.<BR/><BR/>Then look at term limits for Indy mayor? Why not all mayors in the state? Last time I checked, the property tax issue affects the entire state, so these ideas need to be statewide. If they fail to pass, then let voters deal with sky high property taxes. Let them pay for what they want.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com