Forbes magazine released its list of the 400 richest people in America. Four Hoosiers made the list, including:
No. 68. William Cook, 76, worth $4.5 billion accumulated through the medical devices business.
No. 130. Melvin Simon, 80, $2.9 billion from real estate.
No. 286. Dean White, 84, worth $1.7 billion from the billboard and hotel business.
No. 317. Herbert Simon, 72, $1.5 billion from real estate
Only one of these men goes about his business without asking for government subsidies. Can you guess which one it is?
UPDATE: The sad truth is that none of these men can say they've gone about their business without government subsidies. I thought Bill Cook qualified for that distinction, but upon reviewing evidence of subsidies for the French Lick casino, it looks like he too has accepted directed subsidies from the government.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Peterson Stumbles At HobNob Appearance With Ballard
Mayor Bart Peterson appeared anything but confident and reassuring at one of the rare joint appearances he has made this election year with his lesser-known GOP opponent, Greg Ballard. Tonight, Peterson and Ballard had the opportunity to address a gathering of more than five hundred at the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce's Hobnob With The Candidates at the Indiana State Museum.
Peterson spoke first. He immediately launched into his standard stump speech and appeared dazed and confused when the event moderator, WISH-TV's Jim Shella, interrupted him to tell him he was going to have to answer a few questions. None of the questions were tough and Peterson gave his predictable, canned responses to each of the questions. The most telling moment was when Shella asked Peterson why he was running for a third term. The Mayor's answer was quite weak and offered those present very little reason to give him another four years in office.
Expectations for Ballard were obviously much lower going into tonight's event. For many people present at tonight's event, it was the first time they heard Ballard speak before a large crowd. Ballard won't win any awards for oratory, but he gave a solid performance, exceeding most people's expectations. Shella pressed Ballard on when his campaign intends to air its own ads on radio and TV. Ballard assured the audience they would come in due course. He definitely proved tonight he can hold his own on the same stage with Peterson in the coming weeks when the two face off in debates. Jim Shella conceded to me afterwards that Ballard didn't stumble or make any mistakes, but he thought he needed to come out with something bold. Shella felt he failed to do that.
Many candidates for the City-County Council were on hand tonight, along with many other office-holders and candidates. I spoke to 5th District GOP candidate Dr. John McGoff, who is very upbeat about his campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (R). Burton seems to be offering voters many reasons not to re-elect him to another term these days. Newly-appointed Councilor Andre Carson was on hand with many of his new-found colleagues at Cripe, one of the sponsors of tonight's event. Carson was being stalked the entire evening by frequent blog commenter Wilson Allen and his camera. It was hard not to miss Allen in his tattered "I ♥ Julia" T-shirt.
By the way, Peterson's favorite color is blue, while Ballard's is red. Just a silly question Shella threw out to each of the candidates tonight.
Former Peterson Official Endorses Ballard
The former Public Safety Director for Mayor Bart Peterson, Robert Turner, endorsed GOP mayoral candidate Greg Ballard over his former boss. In a stinging rebuke of Peterson, Turner urged law enforcement and public servants to support Ballard with contributions of time and money. "We still live in America, although there are times when it appears that we are in a third world nation where we become targets for retaliation and punitive job actions when we exercise our constitutional rights, exercise our freedom of speech, dare to disagree with the current administration or support a candidate other than our current administration," Turner said. "I reserve the right to support the candidate of my choice and will freely and openly do so notwithstanding the childish personal attacks as has become the custom of the current city and police administrations!," Turner added.
Reacting to today's announcement, Ballard said, "Mr. Turner served this city with distinction." "I am humbled that such a dedicated public servant would put his name next to mine, I am honored to accept his support and advice," Ballard said. He added, "Robert is well respected among his colleagues and will be invaluable to this campaign now and in the future." "With both the Fraternal Order of Police and Robert Turner's support I hope to work with the Police and Fire Departments not against them."
Some of you may recall that Turner left the Peterson administration frustrated with its lack of commitment to public safety insofar as it was ceding control of law enforcement in the city and county to Sheriff Frank Anderson's office under the law enforcement consolidation ordinance. You may recall at the time Turner told the public Mayor Peterson tried to buy off his dissent with a six-figure job offer to run security for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. Being a man of integrity, Turner rejected the Mayor's offer. Instead, he returned to the ranks of IMPD.
Reacting to today's announcement, Ballard said, "Mr. Turner served this city with distinction." "I am humbled that such a dedicated public servant would put his name next to mine, I am honored to accept his support and advice," Ballard said. He added, "Robert is well respected among his colleagues and will be invaluable to this campaign now and in the future." "With both the Fraternal Order of Police and Robert Turner's support I hope to work with the Police and Fire Departments not against them."
Some of you may recall that Turner left the Peterson administration frustrated with its lack of commitment to public safety insofar as it was ceding control of law enforcement in the city and county to Sheriff Frank Anderson's office under the law enforcement consolidation ordinance. You may recall at the time Turner told the public Mayor Peterson tried to buy off his dissent with a six-figure job offer to run security for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. Being a man of integrity, Turner rejected the Mayor's offer. Instead, he returned to the ranks of IMPD.
Dvorak Investigating Roseland Council Arrest
It was the decision of St. Joseph Co. Prosecutor Michael Dvorak's office to drop felony battery charges against Roseland town council member David Snyder after his forceful removal by Town Marshal Jack Tiller from last Friday's council meeting. Dvorak won't say whether his office is investigating allegations Tiller used excessive force against Snyder, who sustained a concussion during the arrest, but the incident remains under "investigation and consideration" Dvorak tells the South Bend Tribune. A WNDU video of the incident shows Tiller shoving Snyder before moving outside the camera's view followed by an audible commotion. When the television camera catches sight of the two again, Tiller was on top of Snyder while he was laying face down, and he can be seen repeatedly striking Snyder in the head.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Police Bust Pea Shake House, Again
IMPD raided a pea shake house known as The Shack at 37th & Keystone for the third time this year. The Star's Vic Ryckaert writes:
Do you see something wrong with this picture? Why are police having to return time and time again to raid these same illegal gambling establishments? Is the City powerless to permanently shut down these establishments?
Compare what's happening with the pea shake houses to the City's stance on Melyssa Donaghy's dominatrix business. On the forced settlement of the City's lawsuit against her business, corporation counsel Kobi Wright "said the suit achieved the city's aim of shutting down Donaghy's business in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood" according to the Star's Jon Murray. "She lost that argument," Wright said, "because now she's enjoined from doing this." If you're such a tough guy when it comes to enforcing our zoning laws, Mr. Wright, why can't you figure out a way to permanently shut down The Shack and all these other illegal gambling establishments known as pea shake houses? "Police say the pea-shake operations, poker clubs and other illegal gambling operations are magnets for drug dealers, thieves and criminal activity," Ryckaert writes. Think about that, Mr. Wright.
Police today arrested 10 people on charges of illegal gambling during a raid on the Northside. Officers cited another seven people on charges of playing illegal games in a house in the 3700 block of North Keystone Avenue, said Lt. Jeff Duhamell, a spokesman for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
The 11 a.m. raid was not the first at the red two-story house known as The Shack. Today, police seized video equipment, a pull-tab machine, tickets and more than $2,500 from the alleged "pea-shake house," Duhamell said.
Pea-shake houses typically offer illegal neighborhood games that are similar to the Hoosier Lottery's Pick Three or Pick Four games.
Duhamell said today's raid at The Shack was the third since March.
In March and April this year at various locations in the city, police arrested at least 20 people and cited about 30 others for gambling or visiting a common nuisance.
On March 28, three men were arrested and three patrons were cited after SWAT team officers forced their way into The Shack.
Do you see something wrong with this picture? Why are police having to return time and time again to raid these same illegal gambling establishments? Is the City powerless to permanently shut down these establishments?
Compare what's happening with the pea shake houses to the City's stance on Melyssa Donaghy's dominatrix business. On the forced settlement of the City's lawsuit against her business, corporation counsel Kobi Wright "said the suit achieved the city's aim of shutting down Donaghy's business in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood" according to the Star's Jon Murray. "She lost that argument," Wright said, "because now she's enjoined from doing this." If you're such a tough guy when it comes to enforcing our zoning laws, Mr. Wright, why can't you figure out a way to permanently shut down The Shack and all these other illegal gambling establishments known as pea shake houses? "Police say the pea-shake operations, poker clubs and other illegal gambling operations are magnets for drug dealers, thieves and criminal activity," Ryckaert writes. Think about that, Mr. Wright.
Daniels Vulnerable A Year Out From Election
There's no way to sugarcoat the numbers in WISH-TV's latest poll for Governor Mitch Daniels. He has the support of less than 40% of the electorate, and the front-runner for the Democratic nomination is nipping at his heels. It's still more than a year to the 2008 general election, but Gov. Daniels will need that much time to improve his standing with the electorate.
According to the poll, only 39% of the voters in Indiana believe Daniels deserves to be re-elected, while nearly as many, 37%, want him replaced. The remaining quarter of the voters are taking a wait-and-see approach. Those numbers are even worse for him in his home county of Marion where 39% favor replacing Daniels to only 36% who favor his re-election.
When Daniels is matched against the Democratic front-runner, former U.S. Rep. Jill Long Thompson, he holds an eight-point, 46%-38% lead over her. Daniels is running strongest among 30-40 year-old voters, who favor him by a 50%-34% margin over Thompson. His support is weakest among the youngest voters between 18 and 29. Thompson edges him among those voters by a 43%-40% margin.
The big fundraising advantage Jim Schellinger has over his Democratic gubernatorial opponents has had little impact on his progress to date. Jill Long Thompson holds a wide lead over both Schellinger and Senate Democratic Leader Richard Young. Thompson is favored by 41% of Democratic voters. Young has the support of 16% of Democratic voters, and Schellinger comes in dead last with the support of only 10% of Democratic voters.
According to the poll, only 39% of the voters in Indiana believe Daniels deserves to be re-elected, while nearly as many, 37%, want him replaced. The remaining quarter of the voters are taking a wait-and-see approach. Those numbers are even worse for him in his home county of Marion where 39% favor replacing Daniels to only 36% who favor his re-election.
When Daniels is matched against the Democratic front-runner, former U.S. Rep. Jill Long Thompson, he holds an eight-point, 46%-38% lead over her. Daniels is running strongest among 30-40 year-old voters, who favor him by a 50%-34% margin over Thompson. His support is weakest among the youngest voters between 18 and 29. Thompson edges him among those voters by a 43%-40% margin.
The big fundraising advantage Jim Schellinger has over his Democratic gubernatorial opponents has had little impact on his progress to date. Jill Long Thompson holds a wide lead over both Schellinger and Senate Democratic Leader Richard Young. Thompson is favored by 41% of Democratic voters. Young has the support of 16% of Democratic voters, and Schellinger comes in dead last with the support of only 10% of Democratic voters.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
City Offers Sweetheart Deal For Nightclub In Union Station
Remember a few years back how Mayor Peterson's administration did everything it could to break a lease in Union Station with the Ugly Monkey? The Ugly Monkey eventually moved out of Union Station after beating back the city's attempt to terminate its lease. Now, the IBJ is reporting on a deal the city has reached with the owners of the 6 Lounge to open up a new, 12,600 square feet night club in the struggling facility. The City's even going to throw in $300,000 in improvements to sweeten the deal. The IBJ reports:
Two years ago, the ATC fined The Arantee Group for four violations at the 6 Lounge related to impermissible alcohol sales and violating restaurant/food services requirements. Dare I ask who owns The Arantee Group? And isn't it about time the City unloaded Union Station and sold it to a private developer?
UPDATE: The Star is reporting that The Arantee Group wants to operate a "private bar and restaurant" in this publicly-owned building. Sound familiar? Jeff Swiatek writes:
The city has reached a preliminary agreement to lease 12,600 square feet in the basement of Union Station for a new restaurant and nightclub. The lease is with The Arantee Group, one of the owners of 6 Lounge & Restaurant on Meridian Street. The new club would take space in the basement of Union Station along Illinois Street. The space, last occupied by Iron Horse, has been vacant 12 years, said Mary Hauser, an asset manager with Browning Investments. Browning is the listing agent and property manager for the 231,000-square-foot Union Station, which is now 95 percent occupied. The preliminary deal calls for up to $300,000 in landlord improvements and a 10-year lease that averages $10.30 per square foot.
Two years ago, the ATC fined The Arantee Group for four violations at the 6 Lounge related to impermissible alcohol sales and violating restaurant/food services requirements. Dare I ask who owns The Arantee Group? And isn't it about time the City unloaded Union Station and sold it to a private developer?
UPDATE: The Star is reporting that The Arantee Group wants to operate a "private bar and restaurant" in this publicly-owned building. Sound familiar? Jeff Swiatek writes:
A private bar and restaurant may open in the basement of Indianapolis' Union Station.
Operators calling themselves Arantee Group propose to lease 12,600 square feet underneath the grand hall. The space has been vacant since the Iron Horse moved out 12 years ago.
"They want to use it as a private facility" that probably wouldn't open to the public, said Jo Lynn Garing, a spokeswoman for the Indianapolis Bond Bank, which handles leasing in the city-owned station complex.
The city Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled to vote today on authorizing the bond bank to spend up to $300,000 to renovate the basement space for the new use.Arantee Group's main partner is nightclub operator Ravi Arantee, said Garing.
The historic train station was converted into a festival marketplace in the mid-1980s and has experienced a series of ups and downs. Most of the former retail space is now leased for office use and a banquet hall. Events held this decade include the 2001 World Police and Fire Games.
Perry Township Fire Department Fiasco
Fiscal mismanagement of the Perry Township Fire Department has left it with more than a $1 million budgetary shortfall and the prospect of laying off 75% of the department's firefighters. Alas, with the able assistance of Township attorney Brian Bosma, the township will be able to borrow $2.9 million based on a recommendation from the state's tax control board WISH-TV reports and avoid the massive layoffs for now. The commissioner of the state's DLGF must still sign off on the loan.
It now looks like the township will go hat in hand to Mayor Peterson asking for his help in merging the near-bankrupt department into the Indianapolis Fire Department. Taxpayers, however, will have to foot the bill to pay for the township's fiscal incompetence, which it is trying to blame on a dwindling property tax base due to businesses moving out and rising foreclosures. WISH reports that fire departments in Pike, Lawrence and Decatur Townships all face similar financial woes and have relied on borrowing to shore up their budgets.
It now looks like the township will go hat in hand to Mayor Peterson asking for his help in merging the near-bankrupt department into the Indianapolis Fire Department. Taxpayers, however, will have to foot the bill to pay for the township's fiscal incompetence, which it is trying to blame on a dwindling property tax base due to businesses moving out and rising foreclosures. WISH reports that fire departments in Pike, Lawrence and Decatur Townships all face similar financial woes and have relied on borrowing to shore up their budgets.
Voters Favor Property Tax Repeal
WISH-TV's latest poll shows widespread popular support in the state of Indiana for repealing the property tax. By a margin of 55%-40%, Hoosiers agree property taxes should be repealed. They are undecided, however, about how to replace those revenues. The largest number, 38%, chose gaming revenues. Over a quarter favored the sales tax, while only 14% would reinstate the business inventory tax. Only 6% favored a local income tax to replace the property tax. About a tenth said services should be cut. Click here for the entire poll results.
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