As we look behind us at the last few years of this city administration we can find mistakes made. But what about now, the new year and new elected people are among us.
I believe that we can not just disappear into the wood work. We must welcome the newly elected officials that We put in office. But yet we must stand firm as taxpayers of this city for our idea’s of what direction this city must take.
The only way this is possible is to let the new city government know our feelings, by attending meetings and sending our praises and complaints to those same people that we elected. We can do this by letter form or email or in person. (which I have already done). Let not one of us mislead, I am sure that there will be actions by the new city government that some of us may not agree with, but our voices as citizens and taxpayers should and will be heard.
http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/contactus.htm
Note: It seems that Bart has taken down the Mayor’s email address. I hope that Mayor Ballard puts up a place for our email.
http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Mayor/home.htm
Mayor's Action Center (317-327-4622) E-mail page
http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Mayor/mac.htm
12/31/2007
Bart Peterson accomplishments
I have been holding off on posting this one. But one of Bart Peterson’s accomplishments as the Indianapolis star reports is the deal that he made to keep the Colts in town. The contract is hard to find on the internet but its there. I have a copy of it saved and its 120 pages long and a lot of reading.
The one thing that stands out on this contract is a statement about the bond issue of $74,050,000 that the Colts borrowed and are suppose to pay to the city of Indianapolis. You will find that if the new stadium does not fly in this city, the Colts are not legally responsible for this money.
“The Colts have executed a promissory note requiring payments to the City in amounts and on dates with will enable the City to make payments due under city bonds. NO PORTION OF THE PROJECT NOR ANY PROPERTY OR REVENUES OF THE COLTS WILL BE MORTGAGED OR PLEDGED TO OR OTHERWISE SERVE AS SECURITY FOR THE COLTS NOTE, THE CITY BONDS OR THE SERIES 2007 C Bonds.” The next statement says that the City bond Bank expect the Colts to make all payments due, but if they cannot the Bond Bank will have to pay that payment, then try to collect the money from the Colts.
We had better hope and pray that the Colts succeeds well and are able to make these payments. If not the city and taxpayers will be liable for a total of $159,927,770,59 (principal and interest) that the Colts owes on this note.
This is what they call one of Bart’s accomplishments.
The one thing that stands out on this contract is a statement about the bond issue of $74,050,000 that the Colts borrowed and are suppose to pay to the city of Indianapolis. You will find that if the new stadium does not fly in this city, the Colts are not legally responsible for this money.
“The Colts have executed a promissory note requiring payments to the City in amounts and on dates with will enable the City to make payments due under city bonds. NO PORTION OF THE PROJECT NOR ANY PROPERTY OR REVENUES OF THE COLTS WILL BE MORTGAGED OR PLEDGED TO OR OTHERWISE SERVE AS SECURITY FOR THE COLTS NOTE, THE CITY BONDS OR THE SERIES 2007 C Bonds.” The next statement says that the City bond Bank expect the Colts to make all payments due, but if they cannot the Bond Bank will have to pay that payment, then try to collect the money from the Colts.
We had better hope and pray that the Colts succeeds well and are able to make these payments. If not the city and taxpayers will be liable for a total of $159,927,770,59 (principal and interest) that the Colts owes on this note.
This is what they call one of Bart’s accomplishments.
12/30/2007
Indiana ID law heads to the Supreme Court in January
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The dispute over Indiana's voter ID law that is headed to the Supreme Court in January is as much a partisan political drama as a legal tussle.
On one side are mainly Republican backers of the law, including the Bush administration, who say state-produced photo identification is a prudent measure intended to cut down on vote fraud. Yet there have been no Indiana prosecutions of in-person voter fraud - the kind the law is supposed to prevent.
On the other side are mainly Democratic opponents who call voter ID a modern-day poll tax that will disproportionately affect poor, minority and elderly voters - who tend to back Democrats. Yet, a federal judge found that opponents of the law were unable to produce evidence of a single, individual Indiana resident who had been barred from voting
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SCOTUS_VOTER_ID?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME
On one side are mainly Republican backers of the law, including the Bush administration, who say state-produced photo identification is a prudent measure intended to cut down on vote fraud. Yet there have been no Indiana prosecutions of in-person voter fraud - the kind the law is supposed to prevent.
On the other side are mainly Democratic opponents who call voter ID a modern-day poll tax that will disproportionately affect poor, minority and elderly voters - who tend to back Democrats. Yet, a federal judge found that opponents of the law were unable to produce evidence of a single, individual Indiana resident who had been barred from voting
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SCOTUS_VOTER_ID?SITE=ININS&SECTION=HOME
12/29/2007
New public safety director appointed by Ballard
At Volunteer Appreciation Event held at the firefighter’s union Hall on Massachusetts Ave, Mayor elect Greg Ballard appointed Scott Newman as the head of public safety. As you know Mr. Newman was our prosecutor of a past administration.
The tone of the people at this reception was mixed with the new Mayor’s appointment but was a surprise to most people in attendance.
Mayor elect Ballard again pointed out that his administration was the people administration. That everyone that worked for the city was working for the taxpayers of Indianapolis. He also stated again that the people that worked under him will be accountable for their action, including himself.
A question was asked if they plan to bring forth the plan to bring the public safety back under the Mayor’s office and when this would transpire. He answered with “soon”.
This is one thing I can say about Greg Ballard, he plans for the buck to stop at his office door, the Mayor’s door on the 25th floor
The tone of the people at this reception was mixed with the new Mayor’s appointment but was a surprise to most people in attendance.
Mayor elect Ballard again pointed out that his administration was the people administration. That everyone that worked for the city was working for the taxpayers of Indianapolis. He also stated again that the people that worked under him will be accountable for their action, including himself.
A question was asked if they plan to bring forth the plan to bring the public safety back under the Mayor’s office and when this would transpire. He answered with “soon”.
This is one thing I can say about Greg Ballard, he plans for the buck to stop at his office door, the Mayor’s door on the 25th floor
Police Department
Friday, Dec 28 I had the opportunity to ride on the west side of town with a patrol officer. I had no idea what to expect or what we would be doing. It was a interesting night but with the weather it turned out to be a slow night of crime. I did find out some interesting facts about police work in general.
They ARE to short handed to enforce the law. We had three cars in the distinct to back each other up and most of the time they were working in the same general area.
People in this city must not know what a fire lane is in this city because they wrote about ten tickets for this violation, then hearing every excuse you could think of. Even here a few had suspended driver licenses which they just wrote tickets for and sent them on their way. Why? Because being short handed it would tie these patrolmen up waiting on the tow trucks and so forth.
I loved the computer system in our police cars. Put in your license plate number and seconds later the information became visible.
On one arrest, I reminded the Sgt. that he work for the people of Indianapolis and should do as they asked. We had a drunk that decided to fight and after handcuff, he kept saying “just take me to jail”. They accommodated this citizen on his request.
They ARE to short handed to enforce the law. We had three cars in the distinct to back each other up and most of the time they were working in the same general area.
People in this city must not know what a fire lane is in this city because they wrote about ten tickets for this violation, then hearing every excuse you could think of. Even here a few had suspended driver licenses which they just wrote tickets for and sent them on their way. Why? Because being short handed it would tie these patrolmen up waiting on the tow trucks and so forth.
I loved the computer system in our police cars. Put in your license plate number and seconds later the information became visible.
On one arrest, I reminded the Sgt. that he work for the people of Indianapolis and should do as they asked. We had a drunk that decided to fight and after handcuff, he kept saying “just take me to jail”. They accommodated this citizen on his request.
12/27/2007
Work for the city to pay off your high property tax bill?
GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) - Audrey Davison lives alone, gets a $620 Social Security check each month and worries about the sharply rising taxes on her four-bedroom house. Davison, 76, raised her family there and after 43 years, she really doesn't want to leave Greenburgh.
Greenburgh doesn't want her to leave, either.
The town is pushing a program that would let seniors work part-time, for $7 an hour, to help pay off some of their property taxes.
"People shouldn't have to sell their house, move away to a place with less taxes, leave behind their family and friends," said Town Supervisor Paul Feiner
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071225/D8TOKT9G1.html
Greenburgh doesn't want her to leave, either.
The town is pushing a program that would let seniors work part-time, for $7 an hour, to help pay off some of their property taxes.
"People shouldn't have to sell their house, move away to a place with less taxes, leave behind their family and friends," said Town Supervisor Paul Feiner
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071225/D8TOKT9G1.html
New Deputy Mayor
Mayor-elect Greg Ballard will announce Olgen Williams as his deputy mayor for neighborhoods Friday at Christamore House, the Westside community center that Williams runs.
New people in goverment
Mayor-elect Greg Ballard says he’ll name nearly a dozen members of his cabinet this week. He says there will be a couple surprises in his choices, but the public should be happy with the picks. Ballard says some of the positions he’s filled are Chief of Staff, Corporation Counsel and Deputy Mayor of Neighborhoods. He adds the public shouldn’t expect wholesale firings, saying a number of individuals in city government have expertise in areas that can serve the public well.
Ballard says his priorities will be reducing the number of dropped calls to the Mayor’s Action Center line, putting the police department back under the Mayor, outlining a plan to deal with the abandoned housing issue and instituting an ex-offender work program.
http://www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2007/12/inaugural_preview.html#comment-5629
Ballard says his priorities will be reducing the number of dropped calls to the Mayor’s Action Center line, putting the police department back under the Mayor, outlining a plan to deal with the abandoned housing issue and instituting an ex-offender work program.
http://www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2007/12/inaugural_preview.html#comment-5629
12/25/2007
From Indyundercover:
Metro police are on the lookout for two men who robbed an Indianapolis grandmother. The masked men lured 80-year-old Ruth Reid to the door of her north side home holding a package, saying they worked for a delivery company. “When he came to the door, I just unhooked it and then he jerked it from me,” Reid said.
Once inside, they forced her to the floor in the front foyer. They ransacked every room of the house, demanded money, taped her mouth shut and then made some serious threats. “They said they were going to kill me if I didn’t give them money,” Reid said. “I said, then go ahead and kill me, because I don’t have any’.”
My question for our police department is what happen to the detours that use to be taken on the way to jail when such people are arrested? If you get my meaning.
http://indyundercover.wordpress.com/
Once inside, they forced her to the floor in the front foyer. They ransacked every room of the house, demanded money, taped her mouth shut and then made some serious threats. “They said they were going to kill me if I didn’t give them money,” Reid said. “I said, then go ahead and kill me, because I don’t have any’.”
My question for our police department is what happen to the detours that use to be taken on the way to jail when such people are arrested? If you get my meaning.
http://indyundercover.wordpress.com/
My intention for this site
I guess I should have posted this earlier. My intention for this site is not to point fingers but to report the feelings of the people of Indianapolis on our new government. I will put my own opinion when I feel it is necessary. I may even put question to the people who comes to this blog only to get the feelings of the people. This is not a site to bash or demean anyone. I will be posting news from current events that I attend. Some that people knows about but there are one or two that is not public and is not known.
There even may be some interesting news on the radio and newspapers in the coming weeks ahead of us in the new year.
David
There even may be some interesting news on the radio and newspapers in the coming weeks ahead of us in the new year.
David
12/24/2007
One hundred and sixty five reason why Ms. Carson did not resign here post.
It seems to be that J. Carson family gets $165,000 since she died in office. If she would have resigned before she died they would not have gotten this taxpayers money.
Read more at http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-carson-chose-to-die-in-office.html
Read more at http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-carson-chose-to-die-in-office.html
12/23/2007
Rumor
It seems that some of the people at the FOP is not happy of the way they have been treated since the election of our new Mayor.
What Ballard and the new city counsel needs to look at.
1. We need to take control of our city budget.
No more charges and services when a department wants money for the year. If its for uniforms, then list it as uniforms and how much each of them cost.
2. As Mayor Ballard said in running for this office, we need accountably in this city government. We, as taxpayers, need to know where and how our money is spent.
3. We need to look at the debt that this city has gotten into to the tune of 3.5 billion dollars and more to come. http://indychamber.com/dollarsNsense.asp
4. We need to look closer at the contract that this city signed with Irsay and the Colts. If you have not read that contract you will be surprised at what is really in it. Its in pfd format so I cannot post a link to it. Its very hard to find but try a yahoo search for it. I do have a copy.
5. Most important is that we as voters and taxpayers have to keep active by going to the city county meetings and committee meetings.
No more charges and services when a department wants money for the year. If its for uniforms, then list it as uniforms and how much each of them cost.
2. As Mayor Ballard said in running for this office, we need accountably in this city government. We, as taxpayers, need to know where and how our money is spent.
3. We need to look at the debt that this city has gotten into to the tune of 3.5 billion dollars and more to come. http://indychamber.com/dollarsNsense.asp
4. We need to look closer at the contract that this city signed with Irsay and the Colts. If you have not read that contract you will be surprised at what is really in it. Its in pfd format so I cannot post a link to it. Its very hard to find but try a yahoo search for it. I do have a copy.
5. Most important is that we as voters and taxpayers have to keep active by going to the city county meetings and committee meetings.
It seems that the grass root people are upset
It seems that the grass root people are a little upset by the new Mayor leaving our sides. With the new appointments made, none being the ones that helped in getting Ballard elected.
I to have felt a little left out of this area. I have sent my application into the city. The only reason I would be interested in serving in any office or job in Indianapolis government is to serve the people of Indianapolis. I am about to retire May 1st this year and am financial able to make it in retirement with only a need for a part-time job to pay for insurance needs.
So, what do the people of this grass root movement expect from Greg Ballard as the new Mayor of this city?
http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/2007/12/serveindycom-send-your-most-personal.html
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2007/12/ballard-explains-his-transition-team.html
I to have felt a little left out of this area. I have sent my application into the city. The only reason I would be interested in serving in any office or job in Indianapolis government is to serve the people of Indianapolis. I am about to retire May 1st this year and am financial able to make it in retirement with only a need for a part-time job to pay for insurance needs.
So, what do the people of this grass root movement expect from Greg Ballard as the new Mayor of this city?
http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/2007/12/serveindycom-send-your-most-personal.html
http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2007/12/ballard-explains-his-transition-team.html
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