Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Indiana AIDS Walk Reminder
The Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2007 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The walk and bicycle ride begins and ends at University Park after winding its way through downtown and the canal. The event is sponsored by the Indiana AIDS Fund to raise money for Hoosiers who live around the state who are impacted by HIV/AIDS and the agencies that serve them. These agencies provide their clients with direct care, financial assistance, housing, prevention, medications and more. This is the 17th year for the 5K AIDS Walk and the 4th year for the 10K bicycle ride. In 2006, over 1,000 people participated, raising a total of $180,000. For more information, please visit the AIDS Walk on the Web at http://www.indianaaidswalk.org/ or on Myspace at www.myspace.com/iafspotlight.
Minor Launches Bid To Unseat Donnelly
A 39-year-old, disabled Iraqi War veteran has thrown his hat into the ring to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly in Indiana's 2nd District. Chris Minor opened his campaign describing himself as a "very staunch conservative" who wanted to replace House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), who he described as "the pride and joy of the conservative movement." Pence "lives and breathes Christian values we all respect," Minor told James Wensits of the South Bend Tribune. Wensits describes Minor as "a retired U.S. Army captain who continues serving in Iraq as an intelligence analyst for the State Department."
Wensits challenged Minor on his push for more spending on the Iraqi War at the same time he was criticizing Congress for spending like drunken sailors. "Asked to reconcile the cost of the troop increase with his desire to reduce government spending, Minor said that the military is a necessary function of government," Wensits writes. "You find the means to pay for it," Minor said, whether that means borrowing or whether it means a reduction in other spending.
I don't suspect the war in Iraq is any more popular up in the 2nd District than it is anywhere else, unless you work for Hummer. It looks like Minor is going to have a tough sale against Donnelly. He's also going to have to raise a lot of money. Donnelly has managed to raised more money than all but a handful of incumbent members of Congress.
Wensits challenged Minor on his push for more spending on the Iraqi War at the same time he was criticizing Congress for spending like drunken sailors. "Asked to reconcile the cost of the troop increase with his desire to reduce government spending, Minor said that the military is a necessary function of government," Wensits writes. "You find the means to pay for it," Minor said, whether that means borrowing or whether it means a reduction in other spending.
I don't suspect the war in Iraq is any more popular up in the 2nd District than it is anywhere else, unless you work for Hummer. It looks like Minor is going to have a tough sale against Donnelly. He's also going to have to raise a lot of money. Donnelly has managed to raised more money than all but a handful of incumbent members of Congress.
Tully: It's Time For Carson To Retire
After heaping lots of praise on what a great public servant U.S. Rep. Julia Carson has been for Indianapolis, Star political columnist Matt Tully comes back down to earth and concludes it is time for her to retire. He writes in his column today:
A part of Tully's column with which I do not agree is his apology for criticizing her in a column earlier this year. "In a fit of anger in February, I wrote that Carson was an embarrassment to the city," he writes. "I've regretted that column ever since. There's nothing embarrassing about a woman who built a career by focusing on people who are so often forgotten." No, Matt, you were right on when you called her an embarrassment. In a moment when our city was feeling pride over the Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears, Carson brought shame to our city. She stood up in the House of Representatives and praised the victory as proof there is more than drive-by shootings in Indianapolis. We can't attribute the statement to a failing mind because her staff assures us she's as mentally alert as she's ever been. So we must attribute her statement to poor judgment. Right?
On the subject of her latest bout with her health problems, the Star's Maureen Groppe now reports that she has left Methodist Hospital and has been moved to a rehabilitation facility to get her walking. Now, she didn't get this information from Carson's staff. Instead, she got it from former U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, who is well known for exaggerating all things Julia to make her appear to be something she's not. “She’s improving,” Jacobs said. “We’re not talking really about something systemic.” Groppe was later able to confirm this from Carson's staff after Jacobs took upon himself to do their job. "Carson spokesman Chad Chitwood confirmed the move to the rehabilitation center and said he had no additional information on Carson’s condition to release."
Groppe reminds us Carson's absence will leave our voters unrepresented on major issues coming before Congress in the coming weeks. "Bills on tap in the House for the rest of the week include one aimed at assisting economically distressed and underdeveloped areas and a bill to help some struggling homeowners who have had to pay taxes on mortgage debt forgiven through foreclosure, sale or restructuring.Congress is in a crunch to finish some major bills before adjourning for the year," she writes. "They include the annual spending bills, a major energy package, trade agreements, a rewrite of patent laws and renewals of the No Child Left Behind education bill and farm programs."
Meanwhile, Mike Bowman has taken the occasion of Julia's latest absence from work to start up a new blog, Where is Julia. You can read his take on Carson's health problems and what it means to the 7th District voters here. Bowman assisted Carson's 2006 GOP opponent, Eric Dickerson in his campaign against her last year. He saw a lot of her during the campaign and became aware of just how much her health has declined in recent years.
This latest episode -- Carson quietly and belatedly taking a leave of absence to have an infection treated -- is another in a long line of troubling developments. A Capitol Hill newspaper recently wrote of Carson needing help just to cast votes. She often appears lost at public events. Even supporters will tell you privately that the spectacle has become depressing.
It is time for Carson to retire.
The city's streets are in need. Its social services are hurting. Crime is up. With Democrats running the U.S. House for the first time in 12 years, Indianapolis needs the benefit of a majority-party representative who can bring home every possible penny -- and then a few more.
It's time for a change.
Those who know Carson say she worries retirement will leave her lonely and forgotten. She needn't worry. The many people she has helped over the years will always remember her.
A part of Tully's column with which I do not agree is his apology for criticizing her in a column earlier this year. "In a fit of anger in February, I wrote that Carson was an embarrassment to the city," he writes. "I've regretted that column ever since. There's nothing embarrassing about a woman who built a career by focusing on people who are so often forgotten." No, Matt, you were right on when you called her an embarrassment. In a moment when our city was feeling pride over the Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears, Carson brought shame to our city. She stood up in the House of Representatives and praised the victory as proof there is more than drive-by shootings in Indianapolis. We can't attribute the statement to a failing mind because her staff assures us she's as mentally alert as she's ever been. So we must attribute her statement to poor judgment. Right?
On the subject of her latest bout with her health problems, the Star's Maureen Groppe now reports that she has left Methodist Hospital and has been moved to a rehabilitation facility to get her walking. Now, she didn't get this information from Carson's staff. Instead, she got it from former U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, who is well known for exaggerating all things Julia to make her appear to be something she's not. “She’s improving,” Jacobs said. “We’re not talking really about something systemic.” Groppe was later able to confirm this from Carson's staff after Jacobs took upon himself to do their job. "Carson spokesman Chad Chitwood confirmed the move to the rehabilitation center and said he had no additional information on Carson’s condition to release."
Groppe reminds us Carson's absence will leave our voters unrepresented on major issues coming before Congress in the coming weeks. "Bills on tap in the House for the rest of the week include one aimed at assisting economically distressed and underdeveloped areas and a bill to help some struggling homeowners who have had to pay taxes on mortgage debt forgiven through foreclosure, sale or restructuring.Congress is in a crunch to finish some major bills before adjourning for the year," she writes. "They include the annual spending bills, a major energy package, trade agreements, a rewrite of patent laws and renewals of the No Child Left Behind education bill and farm programs."
Meanwhile, Mike Bowman has taken the occasion of Julia's latest absence from work to start up a new blog, Where is Julia. You can read his take on Carson's health problems and what it means to the 7th District voters here. Bowman assisted Carson's 2006 GOP opponent, Eric Dickerson in his campaign against her last year. He saw a lot of her during the campaign and became aware of just how much her health has declined in recent years.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Shella Shows His Bias Again
Commenting on this year's Indianapolis municipal election on his blog today, Jim Shella can't help but show his bias in favor of Mayor Peterson's re-election. With five weeks to go before the election, Shella predicts "turnout will be low." He explains, "There are few exciting races, especially in Indianapolis where Republican Mayoral candidate Greg Ballard is still running a stealth campaign and few voters know who represents them on the City County Council." "Voters dislike incumbents, but one strategist tells me that polling indicates they don't like candidates, either." " The best protest vote for some will be no vote at all." Shella thinks the public has already forgotten about the property tax crisis, not to mention widespread discontent with government run amok.
Shella is scheduled to moderate a debate between Peterson and his GOP challenger this Thursday night. You can bet he has already figured out in advance what his spin on the two candidates will be following the joint appearance. It will go like this: Peterson didn't make any mistakes and Ballard failed to say anything that will make a difference with voters. Ergo, Peterson won and Ballard lost. Ballard needs to be alert. Rest assured Shella will make every attempt to trip Ballard up on some meaningless nuance during the debate, which he will immediately jump on as evidence Ballard isn't up to the job. If I were Ballard's campaign manager, I would have never agreed to a debate moderated solely by Shella. He is convinced Ballard is a loser, and he will do everything in his power as moderator to make sure voters come away with that opinion. Hopefully, Ballard has been well-prepped for this important televised appearance with Peterson.
Shella is scheduled to moderate a debate between Peterson and his GOP challenger this Thursday night. You can bet he has already figured out in advance what his spin on the two candidates will be following the joint appearance. It will go like this: Peterson didn't make any mistakes and Ballard failed to say anything that will make a difference with voters. Ergo, Peterson won and Ballard lost. Ballard needs to be alert. Rest assured Shella will make every attempt to trip Ballard up on some meaningless nuance during the debate, which he will immediately jump on as evidence Ballard isn't up to the job. If I were Ballard's campaign manager, I would have never agreed to a debate moderated solely by Shella. He is convinced Ballard is a loser, and he will do everything in his power as moderator to make sure voters come away with that opinion. Hopefully, Ballard has been well-prepped for this important televised appearance with Peterson.
Star Wants Peterson To Douse Gray Controversy
During his tenure as your distinguished CCC President, Monroe Gray has been caught at an illegal gambling establishment in his IFD-furnished take-home car; he's been caught lying on his statement of economic interest about contracts his concrete company had to perform work on city-county-financed projects; his wages have been garnished to pay unpaid debts; he's been caught claiming two homestead exemptions; his make-work job with IFD that allows him to walk away with $83,000 a year and no work to show for it has been brought to light; and not to mention the complete lack of decorum he displays while conducting CCC meetings. Yet, through it all, not one person in the Democratic Party has called for him to step down. The Star's editorial writers now think it's time for Mayor Peterson to take a position publicly on Gray. You can read the editorial here, but if you ask me, it is one of the most pointless editorials the paper has published recently.
In case the Star's editorial writers haven't figured it out, there is only one appropriate action in this case, and it's one which should have taken place more than a year ago, not a few weeks before a criticial election: Monroe Gray must resign now. I just don't get how any person of any integrity and honesty in the Democratic Party could sit by and allow Gray to continue his reign as CCC President. Perhaps the lamest excuse I hear from people defending Mayor Peterson and members of the council like Joanne Sanders, Angela Mansfield and Jackie Nytes for their do-nothing attitude about Gray is that there is nothing they can do about it. You have to understand it would cause a backlash with the African-American community if they spoke out about their true feelings about Gray so they must remain silent they explain. Well, that's fine, but don't complain when folks question the honesty and integrity of Mayor Peterson and these council members when they allow this public disgrace to continue to remain in power. Try leading by example for a change.
In case the Star's editorial writers haven't figured it out, there is only one appropriate action in this case, and it's one which should have taken place more than a year ago, not a few weeks before a criticial election: Monroe Gray must resign now. I just don't get how any person of any integrity and honesty in the Democratic Party could sit by and allow Gray to continue his reign as CCC President. Perhaps the lamest excuse I hear from people defending Mayor Peterson and members of the council like Joanne Sanders, Angela Mansfield and Jackie Nytes for their do-nothing attitude about Gray is that there is nothing they can do about it. You have to understand it would cause a backlash with the African-American community if they spoke out about their true feelings about Gray so they must remain silent they explain. Well, that's fine, but don't complain when folks question the honesty and integrity of Mayor Peterson and these council members when they allow this public disgrace to continue to remain in power. Try leading by example for a change.
Monday, October 01, 2007
On The Carson News Blackout
True to form our local news media has gone back to sleep after being briefly awakened last week at the prompting of D.C. reporters that something was amiss with U.S. Rep. Julia Carson (D). It took a news story in The Hill once again raising questions about the health of the wheel-chair-bound Carson and her inability to cast votes without the assistance of another member or staff person. That prompted the Star's D.C. reporter, Maureen Groppe, to start asking questions about Carson's whereabouts after she missed several busy legislative days this past week at which important legislative votes were taken. After the blogosphere lit up over the reports coming from our nation's capital, Carson's office released a short statement saying Carson had been hospitalized for more than a week with a leg infection. While that announcement naturally raised only more questions in the blogosphere, the local news media ended any further coverage. No further follow up stories have been done by the Star or any of the local TV stations. Why?
Think about this, folks. Congresswoman Carson's office clearly went out of its way to hide her latest medical problem and the fact that she was hospitalized. When they did release information, we were not provided any information about her current condition. Is she in critical condition? Is she in the intensive care unit? When does she expect to be released from the hospital? When does she expect to return to work? Is she lucid? Is she heavily medicated? Her staff claims to have spoken to Carson, but they have refused to grant any interviews to the media. Why hasn't Methodist Hospital been authorized to release any information about her condition or provide any updates on her health status as is typically the case with high profile public officials?
Democratic blogger Joh Padgett has called on Carson to retire based on the latest report of her medical problems. He suffered from a similar infection and knows from first hand experience what it means. "The kind of pain and suffering that Ms. Carson is dealing with at this time is nothing short of physical torture and in my opinion will severely limit her ability to make proper decisions for several months to come due to the heavy pain medication that she will be forced to take during her recovery," Padgett wrote. He added, "To put it simply, Julia Carson is going to be out of commission for MONTHS to come." "Not days, not weeks, but MONTHS." "This is too long of a time to have the people of Indianapolis unrepresented in Congress and her doctors know this, her people know this and Julia knows this, but no one is facing the reality here."
So would the Indianapolis media now please do its job? Too many times in the past you have allowed Rep. Carson to skate, and the people of the 7th District have wound up the loser. As her 2006 GOP opponent often repeated, "A congressional seat is a terrible thing to waste." This is an issue that matters to voters. Do your jobs and start digging for answers.
UPDATE: The Star's Maureen Groppe is reporting from D.C. that Carson's office has requested an additional two week leave of absence because of her hospitalization for a leg infection. Still no details on her condition from her congressional staff.
Think about this, folks. Congresswoman Carson's office clearly went out of its way to hide her latest medical problem and the fact that she was hospitalized. When they did release information, we were not provided any information about her current condition. Is she in critical condition? Is she in the intensive care unit? When does she expect to be released from the hospital? When does she expect to return to work? Is she lucid? Is she heavily medicated? Her staff claims to have spoken to Carson, but they have refused to grant any interviews to the media. Why hasn't Methodist Hospital been authorized to release any information about her condition or provide any updates on her health status as is typically the case with high profile public officials?
Democratic blogger Joh Padgett has called on Carson to retire based on the latest report of her medical problems. He suffered from a similar infection and knows from first hand experience what it means. "The kind of pain and suffering that Ms. Carson is dealing with at this time is nothing short of physical torture and in my opinion will severely limit her ability to make proper decisions for several months to come due to the heavy pain medication that she will be forced to take during her recovery," Padgett wrote. He added, "To put it simply, Julia Carson is going to be out of commission for MONTHS to come." "Not days, not weeks, but MONTHS." "This is too long of a time to have the people of Indianapolis unrepresented in Congress and her doctors know this, her people know this and Julia knows this, but no one is facing the reality here."
So would the Indianapolis media now please do its job? Too many times in the past you have allowed Rep. Carson to skate, and the people of the 7th District have wound up the loser. As her 2006 GOP opponent often repeated, "A congressional seat is a terrible thing to waste." This is an issue that matters to voters. Do your jobs and start digging for answers.
UPDATE: The Star's Maureen Groppe is reporting from D.C. that Carson's office has requested an additional two week leave of absence because of her hospitalization for a leg infection. Still no details on her condition from her congressional staff.
Will Peterson Reward Nytes With Library Post?
The three finalists for the vacant CEO position at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Board were announced today, and wouldn't you know it, up pops the name of Councilor Jackie Nytes (D). Nytes has been carrying a lot of water for the Peterson administration on the council lately, particularly with the passage of Peterson's 65%, $90 million increase in the local option income tax. Nytes previously worked as the CFO for the library board, even though she possessed no formal education in finance/management. Nytes left as CFO about the time the central library construction project blew up.
Nytes is currently seeking re-election to a third term on the council. She is running unopposed. Some may ask if Peterson is not planning to reward Nytes with the high-paying position in consideration for the political work she has been doing for him on the council. Printing Partners, a firm owned by Nytes' husband, has already been rewarded handsomely by the Peterson administration with printing contracts with the city and county. If she becomes the library's new CEO, will she resign as a city councilor? She found no conflict of interest in serving as the library's CFO and a member of the council so we can't assume she will resign. If she were to resign, it will mean yet another unelected person will be allowed to serve out a full term on the council.
The library also presents a conflict of interest for Republican Councilor Ryan Vaughn. He works for the law firm of Tabbert Hahn, which has come under heavy fire for its handling of the library board's legal matters, particularly the costly litigation surrounding the construction of the central library. The library has shelled out more than $5 million in legal fees on the litigation to date according to a story by Jon Murray in today's Star. Vaughn's firm has its own conflict problems. It was criticized after an earlier Star investigation uncovered the fact that the firm had contracted for the services of one of the Board's members, Gary Meyer, in an unrelated matter. The firm has now been admonished by a judge in the ongoing litigation for representing one of the contractors with whom the library once had a legal dispute in the proceeding adverse to other contractors. Murray writes of the conflict:
It looks to me like the self-dealing and general incompetence that has persisted with the management of the library will continue unabated for some time unless there is a change in the mayor's office this year. The library needs a completely new management team, a new board and new law firm to turn this mess around.
Nytes is currently seeking re-election to a third term on the council. She is running unopposed. Some may ask if Peterson is not planning to reward Nytes with the high-paying position in consideration for the political work she has been doing for him on the council. Printing Partners, a firm owned by Nytes' husband, has already been rewarded handsomely by the Peterson administration with printing contracts with the city and county. If she becomes the library's new CEO, will she resign as a city councilor? She found no conflict of interest in serving as the library's CFO and a member of the council so we can't assume she will resign. If she were to resign, it will mean yet another unelected person will be allowed to serve out a full term on the council.
The library also presents a conflict of interest for Republican Councilor Ryan Vaughn. He works for the law firm of Tabbert Hahn, which has come under heavy fire for its handling of the library board's legal matters, particularly the costly litigation surrounding the construction of the central library. The library has shelled out more than $5 million in legal fees on the litigation to date according to a story by Jon Murray in today's Star. Vaughn's firm has its own conflict problems. It was criticized after an earlier Star investigation uncovered the fact that the firm had contracted for the services of one of the Board's members, Gary Meyer, in an unrelated matter. The firm has now been admonished by a judge in the ongoing litigation for representing one of the contractors with whom the library once had a legal dispute in the proceeding adverse to other contractors. Murray writes of the conflict:
Charlier Clark & Linard, an inspector on the project, argued in filings that Tabbert Hahn Earnest & Weddle also was acting as the attorney for Woollen Molzan, a conflict of interest.
The Indianapolis architects reached a $580,000 settlement agreement with the library last year.
The law firm said it was pursuing interests assigned by Woollen Molzan's settlement -- including disputes with the architect's consultants -- but wasn't representing the company itself.
In an order Thursday, [Special Judge Matthew] Kincaid denied the inspector's motion. But he admonished the library's lawyers for going too far when they represented Woollen Molzan officials during a deposition. The judge urged the architects to hire their own lawyer.
It looks to me like the self-dealing and general incompetence that has persisted with the management of the library will continue unabated for some time unless there is a change in the mayor's office this year. The library needs a completely new management team, a new board and new law firm to turn this mess around.
Kennedy On New Day For Local GOP
Sheila Kennedy called herself a Republican for 35 because "Republicans were the 'live and let live' party she says. She says she left the party several years back "with many others after it was hijacked by moral scolds" and became obsessed with "imposing religion and making life miserable for gays and lesbians." But now she is starting to see something a little different--at least at the local level. "Is the tide beginning to turn?" she asks in a column in today's Star. She then goes on to describe the changes she's been seeing:
A number of local Republicans were highly critical of Kennedy after she left the party. She had, after all, been the beneficiary of several jobs and appointments by Republican administrations. Others, like Chris Douglas and myself, would have preferred she remained within the party and fight out those differences rather than throwing in the towel to the religious right. It is refreshing that she now acknowledges the difference those who stayed behind to fight are now making in returning the party back to its roots as the party of Lincoln.
On the local level, however, there is an unmistakable -- and welcome -- change in the air. It began with Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, who expanded his office's nondiscrimination policy to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and extended to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who has pointedly avoided anti-gay rhetoric. Indianapolis City-County Council member Scott Keller has championed equal rights for gays and lesbians.
At a recent fundraising dinner for Lambda Legal, a gay civil rights group, Republicans were well represented; among the 500 plus guests, I saw the GOP's county chairman, its candidate for mayor, a couple of ward chairs, and a number of others who have not previously attended.And when Indiana Equality sent a questionnaire to all candidates in the upcoming election for City-County Council, the responses from a number of Republican candidates were a pleasant surprise.
One Republican respondent wrote, "The role of government is not to promote distinctions; rather, to recognize the challenges facing each community and adopt a course of action that ensures that the civil liberties and personal freedoms of each are protected . . . understanding works to eliminate prejudice driven by fear and ignorance. When you eliminate prejudice, you eliminate a threat and the community is safer."
Another said, "I respect everyone's right to live without prejudice or discrimination, whatever their race, beliefs or sexual orientation. I live my life that way and my wife and I raise our children that way."
And in a response that hearkened back to the "old" GOP, one candidate wrote "(My district) is a diverse mix of people -- straight/gay, rich/poor, black/white and every shade in between -- but we all have one thing in common. All of us are finding it more difficult to provide for our families. And I mean family in the broadest sense of the word -- however you choose to define it. I have no private or political agenda to further. I just want local government to get back to the basics."I couldn't agree more.
A number of local Republicans were highly critical of Kennedy after she left the party. She had, after all, been the beneficiary of several jobs and appointments by Republican administrations. Others, like Chris Douglas and myself, would have preferred she remained within the party and fight out those differences rather than throwing in the towel to the religious right. It is refreshing that she now acknowledges the difference those who stayed behind to fight are now making in returning the party back to its roots as the party of Lincoln.
Happy Tax Day
If you live in Indianapolis/Marion County, today will mark the 17th time your taxes or user fees have been increased since Mayor Bart Peterson (D) took office. The local option income tax you pay rises 65% from 1.0% to 1.65%. This is from the same mayor who promised when he was first elected not to solve the city's budget problems by raising taxes.
For those of you watching the Colts victory over Denver last night, you may have seen a live shot of Mayor Peterson in his suite at the game with 110-year-old Gertrude Shindel, who was attending her first Colts game. That appearance by the Mayor has caused a stir in the blogosphere. It seems he excused himself early from a tax forum yesterday evening at which the mayoral candidates and other public officials were invited to speak. According to folks present at the forum, Peterson said he had to leave early to attend an inter-faith meeting. When he appeared a short time later live on national TV with Shindel, it immediately ignited a controversy with some suggesting Peterson lied to those in attendance at the tax forum.
UPDATE: It looks like Peterson recorded the shot with Shindel before heading over to the tax forum.
For those of you watching the Colts victory over Denver last night, you may have seen a live shot of Mayor Peterson in his suite at the game with 110-year-old Gertrude Shindel, who was attending her first Colts game. That appearance by the Mayor has caused a stir in the blogosphere. It seems he excused himself early from a tax forum yesterday evening at which the mayoral candidates and other public officials were invited to speak. According to folks present at the forum, Peterson said he had to leave early to attend an inter-faith meeting. When he appeared a short time later live on national TV with Shindel, it immediately ignited a controversy with some suggesting Peterson lied to those in attendance at the tax forum.
UPDATE: It looks like Peterson recorded the shot with Shindel before heading over to the tax forum.
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