I notice that this morning after the star story on property taxes there are already four pages of unhappy taxpayers. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/LOCAL18/803270474/1108/LOCAL1901#gslPageReturn
There is not much that I can add or that I have not already said about our new, improved assessment here in Marion County except that mine went up by almost 27%. As I understand it, Melyssa Donaghy, a Meridian-Kessler resident, her assessment went up some 30%.
There are ways to cut or completely eliminate property taxes.
The first step must be government spending at all levels of government. I support that idea of eliminating the office of Township Assessor in all townships in this state. I can see a lot of other positions that I would get rid of if I could, but I am not in office or nor do I have the power to do such.
I even disagree with Mayor Ballard appointment of the Hispanic liaison at, I believe $80,000 per year. On this I ask where is the black liaison or white liaison? And how much is the budget for this liaison office?
I will leave you with this post on the Star forum:
seeeya wrote:
Well, I have been a landlord for the past 12 years. It is my only income. It appears I am going to have to pay $126,000 in additional taxes over the next 3 years. If...I say if!!!, the caps stay in place then in 2010 my taxes will be back to the 2006 level. This is criminal what Indiana has done to real estate!! Shame on you legislatures for letting this happen. This will put me under. Get ready for all my properties to go back to the banks, and my houses to be vacant within 6 months. Marion county is the next Detroit. Sorry for your luck if you live in Marion County!!!3/27/2008 9:21:56 AM
3/30/2008
Big Beer Bust
On the lighter side:
WAUSAU, Wis. - Cars lining the street. A house full of young people. A keg and drinking games inside. Police thought they had an underage boozing party on their hands.But though they made dozens of teens take breath tests, none tested positive for alcohol. That's because the keg contained root beer.
The party was held by a high school student who wanted to show that teens don't always drink alcohol at their parties. It has gained fame on YouTube.com.Dustin Zebro, 18, said he staged the party after friends at D.C. Everest High School got suspended from sports because of pictures showing them drinking from red cups.The root-beer kegger was "to kind of make fun of the school," he said. "They assumed there was beer in the cups. We just wanted to have some root beer in red cups and just make it look like a party, but there actually wasn't any alcohol."Zebro purchased a quarter-barrel of 1919 Classic American Draft Root Beer, and by 10 p.m. Saturday, the scene outside his rural Wausau home had all the makings of a teen drinking party - cars, noise and kids.
Kronenwetter Police Chief Daniel Joling said an officer was dispatched to the home March 1 on a complaint of cars blocking the road.Juveniles began coming out of the house after the officer used his squad car's loudspeaker to warn that cars would soon be towed, Officer Jason Rasmussen wrote in his report.Nearly 90 breath tests were done, and officers even searched locked rooms for hiding teens."It was a tremendous waste of time and manpower, but we still had a job to do, and our officers did it," Joling said. "If one kid had come there, even hadn't drank there, but had come there and had been drinking and had left and crashed and burned, then what would the sentiment be? Why didn't the police check everybodyout?"D.C. Everest schools Superintendent Kris Gilmore did not immediately return a message Friday. http://www.therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=390&SubSectionID=918&ArticleID=118743
WAUSAU, Wis. - Cars lining the street. A house full of young people. A keg and drinking games inside. Police thought they had an underage boozing party on their hands.But though they made dozens of teens take breath tests, none tested positive for alcohol. That's because the keg contained root beer.
The party was held by a high school student who wanted to show that teens don't always drink alcohol at their parties. It has gained fame on YouTube.com.Dustin Zebro, 18, said he staged the party after friends at D.C. Everest High School got suspended from sports because of pictures showing them drinking from red cups.The root-beer kegger was "to kind of make fun of the school," he said. "They assumed there was beer in the cups. We just wanted to have some root beer in red cups and just make it look like a party, but there actually wasn't any alcohol."Zebro purchased a quarter-barrel of 1919 Classic American Draft Root Beer, and by 10 p.m. Saturday, the scene outside his rural Wausau home had all the makings of a teen drinking party - cars, noise and kids.
Kronenwetter Police Chief Daniel Joling said an officer was dispatched to the home March 1 on a complaint of cars blocking the road.Juveniles began coming out of the house after the officer used his squad car's loudspeaker to warn that cars would soon be towed, Officer Jason Rasmussen wrote in his report.Nearly 90 breath tests were done, and officers even searched locked rooms for hiding teens."It was a tremendous waste of time and manpower, but we still had a job to do, and our officers did it," Joling said. "If one kid had come there, even hadn't drank there, but had come there and had been drinking and had left and crashed and burned, then what would the sentiment be? Why didn't the police check everybodyout?"D.C. Everest schools Superintendent Kris Gilmore did not immediately return a message Friday. http://www.therepublic.com/main.asp?SectionID=390&SubSectionID=918&ArticleID=118743
You may have a slow drive Monday.
Facing mounting diesel fuel costs and shrinking profits, truckers nationwide plan to protest next week by parking their semis or clogging traffic by driving slowly.
Pennsylvania-based independent truckers say they will send a convoy to that state’s capital, Harrisburg, during rush hour Monday morning in protest of high fuel costs. They also are planning slowdowns during rush hour in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, and some are planning to park for a few hours early Tuesday to show solidarity for a movement that seems to have no central organizer.
The truckers say diesel gas prices, which in Indianapolis averaged $4.07 a gallon on Thursday, according to AAA Hoosier Motor Club, are forcing some drivers out of business.Independent trucker Bob Kuzniar, 60, Churubusco, who drives a 200-gallon semitrailer loaded with soda and other goods, said he’s heard truckers say they might call in sick Monday as their way of protesting. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880328001
I can not blame these truck drivers for trying to get thier views out to the public.
But I must warn them not to tie up the left lane on the interstates because the cops will be watching. They can get a left lane violation if do this. It will be interesting to see if enough truck drivers join this protest. Have a nice Monday.
Pennsylvania-based independent truckers say they will send a convoy to that state’s capital, Harrisburg, during rush hour Monday morning in protest of high fuel costs. They also are planning slowdowns during rush hour in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, and some are planning to park for a few hours early Tuesday to show solidarity for a movement that seems to have no central organizer.
The truckers say diesel gas prices, which in Indianapolis averaged $4.07 a gallon on Thursday, according to AAA Hoosier Motor Club, are forcing some drivers out of business.Independent trucker Bob Kuzniar, 60, Churubusco, who drives a 200-gallon semitrailer loaded with soda and other goods, said he’s heard truckers say they might call in sick Monday as their way of protesting. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880328001
I can not blame these truck drivers for trying to get thier views out to the public.
But I must warn them not to tie up the left lane on the interstates because the cops will be watching. They can get a left lane violation if do this. It will be interesting to see if enough truck drivers join this protest. Have a nice Monday.
3/29/2008
Lets take a look at 2002 property tax relief
State Sales and Excise Tax Increases
Increases the sales tax from 5% to 6%.
Increases the cigarette tax from $0.155 per pack to $0.555 per pack.
Increases the tobacco products tax from 15% to 18%.
Increases the gasoline tax by three cents per gallon (to eighteen cents per gallon
The sales tax and cigarette tax increases pay for the property tax relief and fill in part of the budget gap that developed during the 2001 recession. The gasoline tax increase will fund added road spending by state and local governments.
Increases the renter's deduction from $2,000 to $2,500.
Extends the earned income tax credit through 2005 and sets the credit at 6% of the federal earned income tax credit.
Eliminates the adjusted gross income tax exemption for lottery winnings that exceed $1,200.
Establishes procedures for withholding adjusted gross income taxes from riverboat gambling winnings and lottery winnings
On June 22, 2002, the Indiana General Assembly made sweeping changes in Indiana's tax structure. The Tax Restructuring bill, known as House Bill 1001, special session (HB1001ss), changed, among other things, the sales tax rate, the cigarette tax rate, the gasoline tax rate, the rules for property assessment, the amount of revenue raised by the property tax, several property tax breaks for homeowners, the corporate income tax structure, the limits on state and local budgets, and the rules under which riverboats operate.
Increases the sales tax from 5% to 6%.
Increases the cigarette tax from $0.155 per pack to $0.555 per pack.
Increases the tobacco products tax from 15% to 18%.
Increases the gasoline tax by three cents per gallon (to eighteen cents per gallon
The sales tax and cigarette tax increases pay for the property tax relief and fill in part of the budget gap that developed during the 2001 recession. The gasoline tax increase will fund added road spending by state and local governments.
Increases the renter's deduction from $2,000 to $2,500.
Extends the earned income tax credit through 2005 and sets the credit at 6% of the federal earned income tax credit.
Eliminates the adjusted gross income tax exemption for lottery winnings that exceed $1,200.
Establishes procedures for withholding adjusted gross income taxes from riverboat gambling winnings and lottery winnings
On June 22, 2002, the Indiana General Assembly made sweeping changes in Indiana's tax structure. The Tax Restructuring bill, known as House Bill 1001, special session (HB1001ss), changed, among other things, the sales tax rate, the cigarette tax rate, the gasoline tax rate, the rules for property assessment, the amount of revenue raised by the property tax, several property tax breaks for homeowners, the corporate income tax structure, the limits on state and local budgets, and the rules under which riverboats operate.
Property tax relief?
Indiana farmers are likely to find themselves in a tax crisis this year. I can remember when farm land sold for about $600 an acre in the middle 60’s. Now with the new assessments, this will increase farmland about 30%. And it is predicted by some that values will increase to $1,200 for 2009, $1,250 for 2010 and $1,380 for 2011. When farmers are working five hundred or more acres this will add up. (1)
This is not to mention April 1st those same farmers can start paying a additional one percent sales tax. This may not sound like much but amounts to $500 on a $50,000 tractor. As always the ones who will pay for these increases will be the consumer.
This will also affect the processing plants for grain and meat that these farmers produce.
Lets move on to the grocery store. With the new assessment on business and shopping centers, look for your grocery bill to go up in the near future. Let me assure you this will happen because the profit margin is very small at food stores.
Renters will be affected also, especially those with lower income, living in Center Township that was hardest hit. When they assess value of rentals raises, the rent is going to go up, especially with a two percent cap. Mobile home parks will also be hard hit with rent increase.
It looks as if the State has once again made a mess of the property tax issue. We can go back to 1973 to now and see that property tax relief to our government body here in Indiana is to lower property tax while raising other taxes. As before, in the end, we the tax payers will be putting out more money with the increase of the sales tax and increase cost of doing businesses in this State.
Don’t forget that these “caps” will not be phased unstil 2011 as I understand it. Also when you hear how much “savings” that they are giving you, that is based on the 2007 bills that you received that went up 30%, 50% to double or triple what they were in 2006.
Looking into the future, I can see a lot of changes in the personal in our State House.
(1) http://www.indems.org/news/purdue_professor_says_farmers_facing_higher_land_taxes
This is not to mention April 1st those same farmers can start paying a additional one percent sales tax. This may not sound like much but amounts to $500 on a $50,000 tractor. As always the ones who will pay for these increases will be the consumer.
This will also affect the processing plants for grain and meat that these farmers produce.
Lets move on to the grocery store. With the new assessment on business and shopping centers, look for your grocery bill to go up in the near future. Let me assure you this will happen because the profit margin is very small at food stores.
Renters will be affected also, especially those with lower income, living in Center Township that was hardest hit. When they assess value of rentals raises, the rent is going to go up, especially with a two percent cap. Mobile home parks will also be hard hit with rent increase.
It looks as if the State has once again made a mess of the property tax issue. We can go back to 1973 to now and see that property tax relief to our government body here in Indiana is to lower property tax while raising other taxes. As before, in the end, we the tax payers will be putting out more money with the increase of the sales tax and increase cost of doing businesses in this State.
Don’t forget that these “caps” will not be phased unstil 2011 as I understand it. Also when you hear how much “savings” that they are giving you, that is based on the 2007 bills that you received that went up 30%, 50% to double or triple what they were in 2006.
Looking into the future, I can see a lot of changes in the personal in our State House.
(1) http://www.indems.org/news/purdue_professor_says_farmers_facing_higher_land_taxes
3/28/2008
Will the people be out in protest again?
Good news or bad news about our brand new property tax assessments? The Indy star found assessments increased on more than 82 percent of business properties, but they said that residential values stayed the same or decreased for about 75 percent of the county's homes. (Mine went up by almost 27%). And how would you like to own the Pyramids? Their assessment went from $8.5 million to $27.3 million. It is also reported that one tax activist assessment went up by a whopping $30,000 on her house.
So in my case, I will be paying the 1% cap, about the same amount of dollars I did in 2006 plus paying a new 1% sales tax. Now I suggest that people that really want to protest not only come out for rallies, but do not buy any major items or anything that you can hold off on. Lets send our letters to the state and tell them what we think of the “new and improved tax packet”. More to come.
So in my case, I will be paying the 1% cap, about the same amount of dollars I did in 2006 plus paying a new 1% sales tax. Now I suggest that people that really want to protest not only come out for rallies, but do not buy any major items or anything that you can hold off on. Lets send our letters to the state and tell them what we think of the “new and improved tax packet”. More to come.
3/26/2008
assessment of property values in Marion County has resulted in an increase of $5.6 billion
A "re-do" assessment of property values in Marion County has resulted in an increase of $5.6 billion -- or about 10.8 percent -- in the county's total assessed value, state officials said today.
Taking the biggest hit were commercial and industrial properties, which increased by 32 and 35 percent, respectively.
Residential values dropped by less than 1 percent.Exactly how the new property values will affect 2007 tax bills is still not clear, because state and county officials now must recalculate tax rates before make-up bills are distributed later this year.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/LOCAL18/80326041/-1/ARCHIVE
Taking the biggest hit were commercial and industrial properties, which increased by 32 and 35 percent, respectively.
Residential values dropped by less than 1 percent.Exactly how the new property values will affect 2007 tax bills is still not clear, because state and county officials now must recalculate tax rates before make-up bills are distributed later this year.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/LOCAL18/80326041/-1/ARCHIVE
3/24/2008
reassessment for commercial and industrial properties.
Appropriates $1.85 million to cover the costs of contracting for the 2007 reassessment for commercial and industrial properties. Passed 17 to 10.
Well this is just great and they call it tax relief.
Well this is just great and they call it tax relief.
Council passes on expenses of Super Bowl on to taxpayers.
INTRODUCED: 03/24/2008REFERRED TO: Committee of the WholeSPONSOR: Councillor VaughnDIGEST: agrees to support and provide resources necessary for the City of Indianapolis to host the Super Bowl
Proposal 159, sponsored by Councilor Ryan Vaughn (R), unanimously by voice vote without any debate.
Proposal 159, sponsored by Councilor Ryan Vaughn (R), unanimously by voice vote without any debate.
The real story about Property Taxes.
Indiana Constitutional Amendment on Property Taxes
Passed by Indiana voters, November 2, 2004
The 112th and 113th General Assemblies agreed to a resolution to amend the Indiana
Constitution. It was put to a statewide vote in November, 2004, and passed, with 71% of
the vote.
Here is the text of the resolution (bold text is added; crossed-out text is removed):
ARTICLE 10, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA
IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
(a) The General Assembly shall provide, by law, for a uniform and equal rate of property
assessment and taxation and shall prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for
taxation of all property, both real and personal. The General Assembly may exempt from
property taxation any property in any of the following classes:
(1) Property being used for municipal, educational, literary, scientific, religious,
or charitable purposes.
(2) Tangible personal property
“other than property being held for sale in the
ordinary course of a trade or business, property being held used or consumed in
connection with the production of income” (crossed-out)
or property being held as an
investment.
(3) Intangible personal property.
(4) Tangible real property, including curtilage, used as a principal place of
residence by an:
(A) owner of the property;
(B) individual who is buying the tangible real property under a
contract; or
(C) individual who has a beneficial interest in the owner of the
tangible real property.
(b) The General Assembly may exempt any motor vehicles, mobile homes, airplanes,
boats, trailers, or similar property, provided that an excise tax in lieu of the property tax is
substituted therefor.
The crossed-out part of the amendment allows inventories to be exempt from
assessment. The bold part allows homes to be exempt, and makes the many homeowner
deductions and exemptions constitutional (including the $35,000 homestead
exemption). "Curtilage" means the land around a home.
Passed by Indiana voters, November 2, 2004
The 112th and 113th General Assemblies agreed to a resolution to amend the Indiana
Constitution. It was put to a statewide vote in November, 2004, and passed, with 71% of
the vote.
Here is the text of the resolution (bold text is added; crossed-out text is removed):
ARTICLE 10, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA
IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
(a) The General Assembly shall provide, by law, for a uniform and equal rate of property
assessment and taxation and shall prescribe regulations to secure a just valuation for
taxation of all property, both real and personal. The General Assembly may exempt from
property taxation any property in any of the following classes:
(1) Property being used for municipal, educational, literary, scientific, religious,
or charitable purposes.
(2) Tangible personal property
“other than property being held for sale in the
ordinary course of a trade or business, property being held used or consumed in
connection with the production of income” (crossed-out)
or property being held as an
investment.
(3) Intangible personal property.
(4) Tangible real property, including curtilage, used as a principal place of
residence by an:
(A) owner of the property;
(B) individual who is buying the tangible real property under a
contract; or
(C) individual who has a beneficial interest in the owner of the
tangible real property.
(b) The General Assembly may exempt any motor vehicles, mobile homes, airplanes,
boats, trailers, or similar property, provided that an excise tax in lieu of the property tax is
substituted therefor.
The crossed-out part of the amendment allows inventories to be exempt from
assessment. The bold part allows homes to be exempt, and makes the many homeowner
deductions and exemptions constitutional (including the $35,000 homestead
exemption). "Curtilage" means the land around a home.
3/22/2008
Bowl XLVI Gets free ride, Taxpayers will pay the bill.
INTRODUCED: 03/24/2008
REFERRED TO: Committee of the Whole
SPONSOR: Councillor Vaughn
DIGEST: agrees to support and provide resources necessary for the City of Indianapolis to host the Super Bowl
It seems that you and I as taxpayers will be paying for all that police overtime and other expenses that will come with the SuperBowl. Where will this money come from?
Form
PROPOSAL NO. 159, 2008
SECTION 2. Upon designation of Indianapolis as a site for Super Bowl XLVI, and at all times thereafter, the City of Indianapolis, Marion County, and their agencies, departments and personnel ("City"), agree to provide all governmental services and support reasonably necessary to the success of Super Bowl XLVI and related
Official Events within its jurisdiction (whether, recognizing the uniqueness and extraordinary scope of the Super Bowl, such services and support are below, equal to or beyond the normal level and range of governmental services usually provided for events held within the jurisdiction), all at no cost, expense or liability to the NFL or the two participating NFL Clubs (the “Teams”) and that neither the NFL, the Teams, nor any director, shareholder, officer, agent, employee or other representative of the NFL or the Teams shall be held accountable for or incur any financial responsibility or liability of any kind or nature whatsoever in
connection with the governmental services and support planned and/or provided by the City relating to Super Bowl XLVI and related Official Events, but in appropriate circumstances, Indianapolis 2012, Inc. or an organization designated by Indianapolis 2012, Inc. may be asked to pay those filing and/or permitting fees normally paid to the City by the general public.
SECTION 3. The City of Indianapolis will actively protect against unauthorized promotional activities during the two weeks prior to and through the week following Super Bowl XLVI which detract from, or interfere with, the promotional activities of the NFL in connection with the Super Bowl game.
REFERRED TO: Committee of the Whole
SPONSOR: Councillor Vaughn
DIGEST: agrees to support and provide resources necessary for the City of Indianapolis to host the Super Bowl
It seems that you and I as taxpayers will be paying for all that police overtime and other expenses that will come with the SuperBowl. Where will this money come from?
Form
PROPOSAL NO. 159, 2008
SECTION 2. Upon designation of Indianapolis as a site for Super Bowl XLVI, and at all times thereafter, the City of Indianapolis, Marion County, and their agencies, departments and personnel ("City"), agree to provide all governmental services and support reasonably necessary to the success of Super Bowl XLVI and related
Official Events within its jurisdiction (whether, recognizing the uniqueness and extraordinary scope of the Super Bowl, such services and support are below, equal to or beyond the normal level and range of governmental services usually provided for events held within the jurisdiction), all at no cost, expense or liability to the NFL or the two participating NFL Clubs (the “Teams”) and that neither the NFL, the Teams, nor any director, shareholder, officer, agent, employee or other representative of the NFL or the Teams shall be held accountable for or incur any financial responsibility or liability of any kind or nature whatsoever in
connection with the governmental services and support planned and/or provided by the City relating to Super Bowl XLVI and related Official Events, but in appropriate circumstances, Indianapolis 2012, Inc. or an organization designated by Indianapolis 2012, Inc. may be asked to pay those filing and/or permitting fees normally paid to the City by the general public.
SECTION 3. The City of Indianapolis will actively protect against unauthorized promotional activities during the two weeks prior to and through the week following Super Bowl XLVI which detract from, or interfere with, the promotional activities of the NFL in connection with the Super Bowl game.
Letter send to the ethic commitee.
March 22,2008
Let me start by saying I am glad that this committee held its first hearing on the Monroe Gary matter. And let me assure all committee members, it may not be front page news but the public is watching.
I decided not to speak at this committee meeting until I had more time to prepare of the subject matter at hand.
This email is going out to all members of the committee so I will address some issues that I have.
First of all I want you to know why I filed the complaint with the city council as to why this committee has never met. I go back to Councilman Philip Borst own words at the city council meeting of Oct,29 2007 “Will this issue be sitting in never, never land”?
Speaking of this city council meeting may I point out that this amendment was offered Sherron Franklin who is a democrat and passed the council of a vote of 28 to O. She asked for the council as a whole to come together to deal with this problem once and for all. It seem at the time, every member of the council agreed with her.
Mr. Oliver and Mr. Bateman, you did not bring up any discussion, or disagreement of this topic and you did vote for the amendment to proposal 182. It seemed that all people on the council was in full favor of this and wanted to get accountability back into this government body.
As we all know, this meeting of the city council was a few days before the election of November 6, 2007.
Now we are worried that this is going to be once again “a witch hunt“ of a certain member of the council. That we should not “revisit” old issues. Why was these concerns not brought up Oct, 29 2007?
I would urge all members of the committee to move forward with as much speed as possible to get this done, out of the way of the council business.
As a personal note about this issue. I am not on a witch hunt or have any personal vendetta against anyone on the city county council. If it was Bob Cockrum, Virginia Cain or Ben Hunter, I would still be doing the same thing I am doing now.
It is a issue of if someone from the council did or did not do the allegations made by the Indianapolis Star.
Lets stop the politics of democrat and republicans here and get the job done.
David Myers
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Let me start by saying I am glad that this committee held its first hearing on the Monroe Gary matter. And let me assure all committee members, it may not be front page news but the public is watching.
I decided not to speak at this committee meeting until I had more time to prepare of the subject matter at hand.
This email is going out to all members of the committee so I will address some issues that I have.
First of all I want you to know why I filed the complaint with the city council as to why this committee has never met. I go back to Councilman Philip Borst own words at the city council meeting of Oct,29 2007 “Will this issue be sitting in never, never land”?
Speaking of this city council meeting may I point out that this amendment was offered Sherron Franklin who is a democrat and passed the council of a vote of 28 to O. She asked for the council as a whole to come together to deal with this problem once and for all. It seem at the time, every member of the council agreed with her.
Mr. Oliver and Mr. Bateman, you did not bring up any discussion, or disagreement of this topic and you did vote for the amendment to proposal 182. It seemed that all people on the council was in full favor of this and wanted to get accountability back into this government body.
As we all know, this meeting of the city council was a few days before the election of November 6, 2007.
Now we are worried that this is going to be once again “a witch hunt“ of a certain member of the council. That we should not “revisit” old issues. Why was these concerns not brought up Oct, 29 2007?
I would urge all members of the committee to move forward with as much speed as possible to get this done, out of the way of the council business.
As a personal note about this issue. I am not on a witch hunt or have any personal vendetta against anyone on the city county council. If it was Bob Cockrum, Virginia Cain or Ben Hunter, I would still be doing the same thing I am doing now.
It is a issue of if someone from the council did or did not do the allegations made by the Indianapolis Star.
Lets stop the politics of democrat and republicans here and get the job done.
David Myers
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Party divisions mark probe of ex-council chief
An Indianapolis City-County Council panel investigating former council President Monroe Gray for possible ethics violations immediately ran into a partisan battle at its first meeting this week.
Co-chair Virginia Cain, a Republican, was stopped short by Democrats from reading a list of the violations Gray may have committed. William Oliver, a Democratic council member, said the discussion should be held in executive session.
"We just don't want to turn it into a witch hunt," said councilman Paul Bateman, the other Democrat on the evenly split four-person committee.
The committee was formed last fall to look into whether Gray failed to report a business relationship with a city contractor, as well as whether his role as a political liaison for the city's Fire Department was proper.
The panel decided to discuss the potential violations in executive session April 17 and to send letters to the county prosecutor, ethics board and state disciplinary commission to find out whether there are other investigations of Gray with which theirs might interfere. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803220445
This is not the only thing that councilman Oliver brought up, Again he brought race into the facter. It seems that Councilman Oliver can not speak with out making some kind of comment of race.
And My question is why would they want to be in executive session when the list of violations are heard? You can watch a this meeting at 9:00 pm, tonight on channel 16 or go to the city this web site http://indianapolis.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3 and click on Council Investigative Committee on Ethics
Co-chair Virginia Cain, a Republican, was stopped short by Democrats from reading a list of the violations Gray may have committed. William Oliver, a Democratic council member, said the discussion should be held in executive session.
"We just don't want to turn it into a witch hunt," said councilman Paul Bateman, the other Democrat on the evenly split four-person committee.
The committee was formed last fall to look into whether Gray failed to report a business relationship with a city contractor, as well as whether his role as a political liaison for the city's Fire Department was proper.
The panel decided to discuss the potential violations in executive session April 17 and to send letters to the county prosecutor, ethics board and state disciplinary commission to find out whether there are other investigations of Gray with which theirs might interfere. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803220445
This is not the only thing that councilman Oliver brought up, Again he brought race into the facter. It seems that Councilman Oliver can not speak with out making some kind of comment of race.
And My question is why would they want to be in executive session when the list of violations are heard? You can watch a this meeting at 9:00 pm, tonight on channel 16 or go to the city this web site http://indianapolis.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3 and click on Council Investigative Committee on Ethics
3/20/2008
First meeting on Monroe Gray.
To my surprise all committee members attended the first meeting of the investigate Monroe Gray. The members are Virginia Cain Co-Chair William Oliver Co-Chair Paul Bateman Marilyn Pfesterer. The only media person there was from the Indianapolis Star. I tried to find someone from the public but for the life of me all but two sits were empty.
This will also be shown on Channel 16 on Comcast. I urge everyone to watch it that can.
As expected this meeting was the start of the investigation and more or less on how to proceed in further meetings. I am not completely sure of the date but the second meeting will be held in April. This may be the councils meeting among themselves and not a public meeting. Lets see what the Star reports.
Now, some may wonder why I have pushed for this committee to meet. When we elected the new city council and also the Mayor, we did so to have an open government based on ethics. We need to take care of this issue that has hung over the city council for more then one year now. It not that it is Monroe Gray, it is not about his race nor is it about the fact that he was re-elected to his sit on the city council. But it is the fact these allegations are still hanging over him and the city council. Lets get this done and over with once and for all.
This will also be shown on Channel 16 on Comcast. I urge everyone to watch it that can.
As expected this meeting was the start of the investigation and more or less on how to proceed in further meetings. I am not completely sure of the date but the second meeting will be held in April. This may be the councils meeting among themselves and not a public meeting. Lets see what the Star reports.
Now, some may wonder why I have pushed for this committee to meet. When we elected the new city council and also the Mayor, we did so to have an open government based on ethics. We need to take care of this issue that has hung over the city council for more then one year now. It not that it is Monroe Gray, it is not about his race nor is it about the fact that he was re-elected to his sit on the city council. But it is the fact these allegations are still hanging over him and the city council. Lets get this done and over with once and for all.
3/18/2008
Ken Morgan throw his hat in the race.
The editor of Indiana Voters League will be running for Indiana Senate District 10.
"I am Ken Morgan, and I am running as a Republican for Indiana Senate district 30 now held by Teresa Lubbers, also a Republican. These pages will tell you about me and why I am running. If you share my concerns I hope you will join with me, and not just vote for me. Changing Indiana's direction is not something you can leave to politicians."
http://www.votekenmorgan.com/
"I am Ken Morgan, and I am running as a Republican for Indiana Senate district 30 now held by Teresa Lubbers, also a Republican. These pages will tell you about me and why I am running. If you share my concerns I hope you will join with me, and not just vote for me. Changing Indiana's direction is not something you can leave to politicians."
http://www.votekenmorgan.com/
What is your money worth today?
"More relief is expected Tuesday when the central bank is expected to cut a key interest rate by between one-half and a full percentage point."
Most local banks now are offering less then three per-cent on a bank CD
I just took out one for 3.7% offered thru my broker.
Why would this concern for most people? What about your retirement accounts? If the stock market and bank CD's hit rock bottem, so does your retirement money. To me this looks like some hard times hitting soon.
Most local banks now are offering less then three per-cent on a bank CD
I just took out one for 3.7% offered thru my broker.
Why would this concern for most people? What about your retirement accounts? If the stock market and bank CD's hit rock bottem, so does your retirement money. To me this looks like some hard times hitting soon.
3/17/2008
Monroe Gray matter.
Well folks it looks like my complaint to the city county council did some good. Council person Virgian Cain has called a meeting for this Thursday, March 20 to start this commitee invasigation. The meeting will be at 6 pm at the city county building and I plan to attend.
It will be interesting to see if anyone else in this matter shows up I heard that the two democrats plan on being sick. Stay tuned for a later post Thursday evening.
It will be interesting to see if anyone else in this matter shows up I heard that the two democrats plan on being sick. Stay tuned for a later post Thursday evening.
3/16/2008
Complaint filed with City County Council
Sent to the council March 16, 2008
With the new administrations concern about Ethic concerns within our city government I feel compelled to complain to the city council at this time.
With the last election base on two concern of the citizens of this city, the raise of the local income tax and the investigation of Monroe Gray, I am concerned that the voter concerns are not being carry out.
Here it is the end of March and no meeting has been held by the committee that was initiated by Council Resolution No. 80, 2007 to consider certain allegations against Councilor Monroe Gray. My question is why this committee has not been initiated. Are some parties refusing to initiate this committee meeting?
I, as a concern citizen of this city would also like for a committee of this type to have more people outside the city council to be involved. With the way that these committees are set up with only two members from each party, it can not be effective in getting such issue before the full council.
With the new administrations concern about Ethic concerns within our city government I feel compelled to complain to the city council at this time.
With the last election base on two concern of the citizens of this city, the raise of the local income tax and the investigation of Monroe Gray, I am concerned that the voter concerns are not being carry out.
Here it is the end of March and no meeting has been held by the committee that was initiated by Council Resolution No. 80, 2007 to consider certain allegations against Councilor Monroe Gray. My question is why this committee has not been initiated. Are some parties refusing to initiate this committee meeting?
I, as a concern citizen of this city would also like for a committee of this type to have more people outside the city council to be involved. With the way that these committees are set up with only two members from each party, it can not be effective in getting such issue before the full council.
Immigration bill
It seems that some of our General Assembly has decided to welcome all illegal immigrants into our state of Indiana.
They are afraid of the bill is carrying negative racial overtones to those people that are illegal, and will scare many Hispanics out of Indiana. Now I ask this question, why would it scare anyone out to our state if they were here legally? And why do we have to play out the race card in every issue. I don’t care what race you are, if you are here in this country illegally, then you are illegal no matter if you are Mexican, white, black, or of a different nationality. I for one and I think most people here are tired of hearing this excuse of race in every issue.
Of course we will always have some employers that are looking at cheap labor and will put all effort into lobbying against any bill of this sort. And then there is Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, said the time is now for the Latino community to get better organized. Do she mean that the illegal’s in state would have more to say about their illegal status in our state if they were better organized? As far as I know it is not legal for any of them to vote or even run for office in our state.
So for now, those same illegal’s will be drawing on our social services and other benefits that some think we owe these people while you and I struggle to make ends meet. I think it time for people to take action like they did last summer on property taxes.
They are afraid of the bill is carrying negative racial overtones to those people that are illegal, and will scare many Hispanics out of Indiana. Now I ask this question, why would it scare anyone out to our state if they were here legally? And why do we have to play out the race card in every issue. I don’t care what race you are, if you are here in this country illegally, then you are illegal no matter if you are Mexican, white, black, or of a different nationality. I for one and I think most people here are tired of hearing this excuse of race in every issue.
Of course we will always have some employers that are looking at cheap labor and will put all effort into lobbying against any bill of this sort. And then there is Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, said the time is now for the Latino community to get better organized. Do she mean that the illegal’s in state would have more to say about their illegal status in our state if they were better organized? As far as I know it is not legal for any of them to vote or even run for office in our state.
So for now, those same illegal’s will be drawing on our social services and other benefits that some think we owe these people while you and I struggle to make ends meet. I think it time for people to take action like they did last summer on property taxes.
3/15/2008
Our Economy, How long will it be.
It looks like the economy is going south, so what can we do in our lives to make it a little easier?
With raising gas prices, and I don’t expect the price to drop, it has hit many families hard. One we must learn to do as many of our parents did, stay at home. Cut out unnecessary trips.
How many phones does your family have? Each have a cell phone plus you have a land line in your home? Do we need this? How did people get by when their was no such things as cell phones?
How many of you that have cable TV click you 100 channels and then say, “Nothing is on” Unless you watch TV a lot, figure how much that cable TV is costing you an hour. You might just be surprised.
Stop eating out so much and cook at home. Do comparison shopping with the adds from your local stores on food. You can still pick up some good deals.
Most important is paying off your credit cards if you carry a balance each month. Look at how much you are paying in interest each year when all is totaled up. This money that could have been in your pocket. Save that money for items that you would be buying on credit. We live today like we have to have everything now instead of later when we can afford them.
Look what our government is doing, lowering interest rates so you will borrow. Well, there comes a payday with debt. Borrowing is not the answer to this economy. For those who has worked and put a little money back is taking the heat for this action. The best I can do on a bank CD right now is 3.7 percent. Then I have to pay taxes on this at the end of the year.
If the economy recovers with our governments actions, there will be the day that this same economy will hit bottom. I look for it in my lifetime so if I were you, I would be ready.
With raising gas prices, and I don’t expect the price to drop, it has hit many families hard. One we must learn to do as many of our parents did, stay at home. Cut out unnecessary trips.
How many phones does your family have? Each have a cell phone plus you have a land line in your home? Do we need this? How did people get by when their was no such things as cell phones?
How many of you that have cable TV click you 100 channels and then say, “Nothing is on” Unless you watch TV a lot, figure how much that cable TV is costing you an hour. You might just be surprised.
Stop eating out so much and cook at home. Do comparison shopping with the adds from your local stores on food. You can still pick up some good deals.
Most important is paying off your credit cards if you carry a balance each month. Look at how much you are paying in interest each year when all is totaled up. This money that could have been in your pocket. Save that money for items that you would be buying on credit. We live today like we have to have everything now instead of later when we can afford them.
Look what our government is doing, lowering interest rates so you will borrow. Well, there comes a payday with debt. Borrowing is not the answer to this economy. For those who has worked and put a little money back is taking the heat for this action. The best I can do on a bank CD right now is 3.7 percent. Then I have to pay taxes on this at the end of the year.
If the economy recovers with our governments actions, there will be the day that this same economy will hit bottom. I look for it in my lifetime so if I were you, I would be ready.
3/14/2008
More on Federal taxes.
In one of his first acts as U.S. Representative for the 7th District just a short time after being sworn in, Democrat Andre Carson sided with the tax and spend liberals in the House in favor of a massive, $683 billion tax increase on the American people. The AP reports:
Both houses of Congress endorsed the idea of tax increases for millions of Americans Thursday as Democrats pressed ahead with budget plans that would allow some or all of President Bush's reductions to die after he leaves office . . .As for the $3 trillion federal budget plans, the House version would provide generous increases to domestic programs but bring the government's ledger back into the black by letting all of Bush's tax cuts expire at the end of 2010 as scheduled. That five-year plan passed the House on a 212-207 vote, with Republicans unanimously opposing it over what they argued was $683 billion in tax increases.
http://www.advanceindiana.blogspot.com/
Both houses of Congress endorsed the idea of tax increases for millions of Americans Thursday as Democrats pressed ahead with budget plans that would allow some or all of President Bush's reductions to die after he leaves office . . .As for the $3 trillion federal budget plans, the House version would provide generous increases to domestic programs but bring the government's ledger back into the black by letting all of Bush's tax cuts expire at the end of 2010 as scheduled. That five-year plan passed the House on a 212-207 vote, with Republicans unanimously opposing it over what they argued was $683 billion in tax increases.
http://www.advanceindiana.blogspot.com/
So We have property tax relief folks
From a email from our man Mitch:
"The final legislature hurdle was cleared at 3:19 p.m. today when the Indiana Senate voted 41-6 to pass House Bill 1001, the sweeping property tax proposal that raises the sales tax and caps property tax bills in order to cut the average Hoosier homeowners' tax bill by about 30 percent this year."
" In addition, both the chambers also voted to put the property tax caps into the state constitution, starting in 2012. Those caps limit homeowners' bills to 1 percent of their homes' assessed valuation, with rental and farm property capped at 2 percent and business property limited to 3 percent."
"The legislation includes much of a framework proposed by Daniels in October, including immediate tax relief, a sales tax increase to 7 percent from the current 6 percent, caps on property taxes, the elimination of some township assessors, referendums on major building projects and spending controls for local government."
Sen. Luke Kenley, the Noblesville Republican who was a chief architect of the plan, said the package -- which raises the sales tax, shifts several levies off counties and to the state, and limits homeowners' bills from ever being more than 1 percent of their homes' assessed value -- resolves a taxing issue that has confounded states across the nation.
"It's going to put Indiana in the forefront," Kenley told his colleagues. "We will probably have the best property tax system in the United States of America when we get done.
"People's faith and confidence in the system has been shaken to the core," said Sen. Teresa Lubbers, R-Indianapolis. "It's time to do something bold. And I clearly believe that this was the year that we had our marching orders. We heard what people were saying. We've acted responsibly."
House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, told the House that, "I truly believe what we have before us is the strongest property-tax reform measure this state has seen in nearly two generations.
___________________________________________________________________
Now I have a few questions.
My house is appraised at $103,000 on my 2006 bill. My taxes were $1045.00 for the year. Opps, here comes the 2007 bills at $1509.00 for the year.
With the 1% cap on my property, I will be paying about $1003.00 or $42.00 less then I did in 2006 and or from the famous bills of 2007 $506.00 less. Now this is what I call a tax break. Oh wait, I will be paying another 1% on the new raise in the sale tax. That means I will be in the hole once again.
This may be less taxes in the future but I do not see any tax break in this for today. So I say to the people who are patting each other on their backs, Don’t get to comfortable because the public is not buying it.
"The final legislature hurdle was cleared at 3:19 p.m. today when the Indiana Senate voted 41-6 to pass House Bill 1001, the sweeping property tax proposal that raises the sales tax and caps property tax bills in order to cut the average Hoosier homeowners' tax bill by about 30 percent this year."
" In addition, both the chambers also voted to put the property tax caps into the state constitution, starting in 2012. Those caps limit homeowners' bills to 1 percent of their homes' assessed valuation, with rental and farm property capped at 2 percent and business property limited to 3 percent."
"The legislation includes much of a framework proposed by Daniels in October, including immediate tax relief, a sales tax increase to 7 percent from the current 6 percent, caps on property taxes, the elimination of some township assessors, referendums on major building projects and spending controls for local government."
Sen. Luke Kenley, the Noblesville Republican who was a chief architect of the plan, said the package -- which raises the sales tax, shifts several levies off counties and to the state, and limits homeowners' bills from ever being more than 1 percent of their homes' assessed value -- resolves a taxing issue that has confounded states across the nation.
"It's going to put Indiana in the forefront," Kenley told his colleagues. "We will probably have the best property tax system in the United States of America when we get done.
"People's faith and confidence in the system has been shaken to the core," said Sen. Teresa Lubbers, R-Indianapolis. "It's time to do something bold. And I clearly believe that this was the year that we had our marching orders. We heard what people were saying. We've acted responsibly."
House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, told the House that, "I truly believe what we have before us is the strongest property-tax reform measure this state has seen in nearly two generations.
___________________________________________________________________
Now I have a few questions.
My house is appraised at $103,000 on my 2006 bill. My taxes were $1045.00 for the year. Opps, here comes the 2007 bills at $1509.00 for the year.
With the 1% cap on my property, I will be paying about $1003.00 or $42.00 less then I did in 2006 and or from the famous bills of 2007 $506.00 less. Now this is what I call a tax break. Oh wait, I will be paying another 1% on the new raise in the sale tax. That means I will be in the hole once again.
This may be less taxes in the future but I do not see any tax break in this for today. So I say to the people who are patting each other on their backs, Don’t get to comfortable because the public is not buying it.
25000 people wanted in Marion County
Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson today announced a new warrants division that will go after the more than 25,000 people wanted for crimes including drug possession and theft or skipping court hearings.
“Most crime in our community is committed by criminals who have already committed other crimes,” Anderson said at a news conference. “MCSD’s Law Enforcement Division will specialize in tracking down criminals who have failed to appear in court, have violated home detention or who already have warrants out for their arrest.”Last month, the City-County Council transferred 13 individuals who worked for the Marion County Justice Agency to the sheriff as part of the measure that placed the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in the hands of Mayor Greg Ballard.The council also gave Anderson funding to hire seven new deputies for unit, bringing the total number of individuals in the division to 32.
This means that each individuals in the division must arrest 781.25 people. More interesting is the question, after the arrest where are you going to put the 25000 that you arrest?
“Most crime in our community is committed by criminals who have already committed other crimes,” Anderson said at a news conference. “MCSD’s Law Enforcement Division will specialize in tracking down criminals who have failed to appear in court, have violated home detention or who already have warrants out for their arrest.”Last month, the City-County Council transferred 13 individuals who worked for the Marion County Justice Agency to the sheriff as part of the measure that placed the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in the hands of Mayor Greg Ballard.The council also gave Anderson funding to hire seven new deputies for unit, bringing the total number of individuals in the division to 32.
This means that each individuals in the division must arrest 781.25 people. More interesting is the question, after the arrest where are you going to put the 25000 that you arrest?
Congress no help on Taxes
“WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected calls from both parties' presidential candidates to take an election-year break from pork-barrel spending as a Democratic-run Congress passed budget plans that would torpedo hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts won by President Bush.”
Now let’s take a look at what this will do to most Americans
Top tax rate of 39.6 percent drops to 35 percent by 2006
The 36 percent tax rate drops to 33 percent
The 31 percent tax rate drops to 28 percent
The 28 percent tax rate drops to 25 percent
Child tax credit doubles from $500 to $1000 per child by 2010
Federal tax on large estates is eliminated by 2010
Relief for the marriage penalty tax is provided
Contribution to education savings accounts raised from $500 to $2000
IRA contribution limit increases from $2,000 to $5,000 per year
401(k) plan contribution limit increases from $10,500 to $15,000 per year
Most of these will be taken away from us the taxpayer. If you pay 25% percent tax rate this year, you will pay 28%.
But more important is the lost of Child tax credit that will fall 50% hurting the middle and lower income taxpayers. Not to mention what effect this will have on the economy with high gas and food prices.
Now let’s take a look at what this will do to most Americans
Top tax rate of 39.6 percent drops to 35 percent by 2006
The 36 percent tax rate drops to 33 percent
The 31 percent tax rate drops to 28 percent
The 28 percent tax rate drops to 25 percent
Child tax credit doubles from $500 to $1000 per child by 2010
Federal tax on large estates is eliminated by 2010
Relief for the marriage penalty tax is provided
Contribution to education savings accounts raised from $500 to $2000
IRA contribution limit increases from $2,000 to $5,000 per year
401(k) plan contribution limit increases from $10,500 to $15,000 per year
Most of these will be taken away from us the taxpayer. If you pay 25% percent tax rate this year, you will pay 28%.
But more important is the lost of Child tax credit that will fall 50% hurting the middle and lower income taxpayers. Not to mention what effect this will have on the economy with high gas and food prices.
3/12/2008
Carson win no big suprise.
Well here we are one day after the election and the win by Andrew Carson for the seat of his grandmother. This win does not really surprise me because this seat has been held by the democrats for as long as I can remember. Sean got less then 3% of the vote I understand, this also does not come to any surprise.
What concerns me more is the fact that only about 18% of voters even took the time to vote in this special election. This is really sad when people do not think its important enough to exercise their right to vote.
Can the republicans beat the democrats in November? I really don’t think so. That is unless we can get enough people involved and some giving money to the republican candidate as we did for Mayor Ballard.
What concerns me more is the fact that only about 18% of voters even took the time to vote in this special election. This is really sad when people do not think its important enough to exercise their right to vote.
Can the republicans beat the democrats in November? I really don’t think so. That is unless we can get enough people involved and some giving money to the republican candidate as we did for Mayor Ballard.
3/11/2008
Melyssa leaving us?
Yes, thats right folks Melyssa said she is going to retire.
"As of March 12, I'm quitting my volunteer job with Hoosiers For Fair Taxation because I only help people who don't help themselves so long."
http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/
Melyssa has done a good job in the pass in getting the word out about our property taxes. She also did a good job for the election of our Mayor Greg Ballard.
As I commented early on this blog, I believe when you stray away from the issues of the majority of tax payers and start campaigning for your own issue you will lose support.
We must face a few facts that has happen in our political process so far this year. If it was not for the democrats from blocking the tax repeal of Governor Daniels, we would have in some part, property tax relief already pass. If it was not for the Democrats you would have the right to vote on a constitutional ban on gay marriage. And I must say that the only reason for those who do not want us to have that right is because they know that it would go to the voters with a yes on passage.
I must say that in my own personal opinion, I do not like either the republican or the democrat plan for property tax relief. But that does not mean that I am going to vote for someone who is only going to get a very small percentage of the total vote. If only we could get the libertarians to change there stand on issue, you could see more of a challenging election for the other parties.
"As of March 12, I'm quitting my volunteer job with Hoosiers For Fair Taxation because I only help people who don't help themselves so long."
http://hoosiersforfairtaxation.blogspot.com/
Melyssa has done a good job in the pass in getting the word out about our property taxes. She also did a good job for the election of our Mayor Greg Ballard.
As I commented early on this blog, I believe when you stray away from the issues of the majority of tax payers and start campaigning for your own issue you will lose support.
We must face a few facts that has happen in our political process so far this year. If it was not for the democrats from blocking the tax repeal of Governor Daniels, we would have in some part, property tax relief already pass. If it was not for the Democrats you would have the right to vote on a constitutional ban on gay marriage. And I must say that the only reason for those who do not want us to have that right is because they know that it would go to the voters with a yes on passage.
I must say that in my own personal opinion, I do not like either the republican or the democrat plan for property tax relief. But that does not mean that I am going to vote for someone who is only going to get a very small percentage of the total vote. If only we could get the libertarians to change there stand on issue, you could see more of a challenging election for the other parties.
3/09/2008
Louis Farrakhan Supports Andre Carson
I urge you to go to http://circlecitypundit.blogspot.com/ and watch what Louis Farrakhan has to say and also stating his views. Then come back and tell us why anyone would vote for Mr. Carson.
DavidM
DavidM
Campaign Etiquette
When is campaigning in the Indiana Legislature ok? Or, maybe the appropriate question is: what amounts to campaigning in the Indiana Legislature?
Several Democrats, including Rep. Bill Crawford, wore Barack Obama campaign buttons on the floor of the Indiana House this morning.
You may remember that Indiana Democrats recently videotaped state Representative and congressional candidate Jon Elrod doing campaign work in the House and accused him of ignoring his elected duty. No campaign rule applies to elected officials, but Elrod admitted making a mistake.
Maybe its ok to campaign for others but not yourself.
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/link.asp?L=275650
Several Democrats, including Rep. Bill Crawford, wore Barack Obama campaign buttons on the floor of the Indiana House this morning.
You may remember that Indiana Democrats recently videotaped state Representative and congressional candidate Jon Elrod doing campaign work in the House and accused him of ignoring his elected duty. No campaign rule applies to elected officials, but Elrod admitted making a mistake.
Maybe its ok to campaign for others but not yourself.
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/link.asp?L=275650
3/07/2008
The Wars of the Blogs
As I became interested in politics sometime last summer during the Mayors race in Indianapolis, I was glad to see many from different walks of life gathering for one cause. We were all against Bart Peterson income tax raise that he was so proud of and we stood together, united and we won the election for our now Mayor Greg Ballard.
Now today as I look around at the internet blogs, these same people seem to be at odd with each other. We have Advance America jumping on our talk radio personality Abdul Hakim-Shabazz for remaining silent as the entire Farrakhan controversy. I must say that there are two points I also disagree with Abdul on and that is the candidates religion does matter and may be a concern to most people. Also the person sexual orientation may be of concern for those who do not support that kind of lifestyle.
Then this brings us to our friend Melyssa and the Hoosiers for Fair Taxation. It seems that they are more concern with gay rights and bashing Mr. Miller then getting the job done with this election like they did with our November Mayor’s race. As you all know by now they are supporting the Libertarian candidate Sean Shepard. And I have seen Sean at many tax protest in the pass and thank him for it. But We live in Indiana folks. When you mix gay rights, gay marriage into the election in the state of Indiana I do not believe you will get that much done.
Then we have one called The Accidental Mayor. I can’t really understand why this site is even going. I understand that one of Bart Peterson supporters has this one to bash anything and everything that they can find on our new Mayor Ballard. And I do not think they have brought up anything that is of concern so far.
What these blogs need to do is focus more on the issue of taxes and property tax relief instead of bashing each other on where they stand on personal issues.
In my opinion and I will state here that I do not agree 100% with Jon Elrod, but I think he will be the best candidate represent us in the 7th district. That is if you don’t want more of Ms Carson.
Now today as I look around at the internet blogs, these same people seem to be at odd with each other. We have Advance America jumping on our talk radio personality Abdul Hakim-Shabazz for remaining silent as the entire Farrakhan controversy. I must say that there are two points I also disagree with Abdul on and that is the candidates religion does matter and may be a concern to most people. Also the person sexual orientation may be of concern for those who do not support that kind of lifestyle.
Then this brings us to our friend Melyssa and the Hoosiers for Fair Taxation. It seems that they are more concern with gay rights and bashing Mr. Miller then getting the job done with this election like they did with our November Mayor’s race. As you all know by now they are supporting the Libertarian candidate Sean Shepard. And I have seen Sean at many tax protest in the pass and thank him for it. But We live in Indiana folks. When you mix gay rights, gay marriage into the election in the state of Indiana I do not believe you will get that much done.
Then we have one called The Accidental Mayor. I can’t really understand why this site is even going. I understand that one of Bart Peterson supporters has this one to bash anything and everything that they can find on our new Mayor Ballard. And I do not think they have brought up anything that is of concern so far.
What these blogs need to do is focus more on the issue of taxes and property tax relief instead of bashing each other on where they stand on personal issues.
In my opinion and I will state here that I do not agree 100% with Jon Elrod, but I think he will be the best candidate represent us in the 7th district. That is if you don’t want more of Ms Carson.
3/06/2008
Home Forclosures hit record high
WASHINGTON -- Home foreclosures soared to an all-time high in the final quarter of last year, underscoring the suffering of distressed homeowners and the growing danger the housing meltdown poses for the economy.The Mortgage Bankers Association, in a quarterly snapshot of the mortgage market released Thursday, said the proportion of all mortgages nationwide that fell into foreclosure shot up to a record high of 0.83% in the October-to-December quarter. That surpassed the previous high of 0.78% set in the prior quarter."Clearly it's the worst it's been," chief association economist Doug Duncan said in an interview with The Associated Press.More homeowners -- at the same time -- fell behind on their monthly payments.The delinquency rate for all mortgages climbed to 5.82% in the fourth quarter. That was up from the 5.59% in the third quarter and was the highest since 1985. Payments are considered delinquent if they are 30 or more days past due.Homeowners with tarnished credit who have subprime adjustable-rate loans were the hardest hit. Foreclosures and late payments for these borrowers also swelled to all-time highs in the fourth quarter. http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/real-estate/article/home-foreclosures-hit-record-high-end-2007_509526_17.html
3/02/2008
Can Ballard do it on crime?
Well our Mayor got what he wanted, control of the our police department. So where do we go from this point? Can our Mayor solve our crime problem in Indy?
We have seen 19 murders here this year so far and we have seen some minor drug arrests. But the problem does not stop at the Mayor’s office. Unless we get courts and our Judges to hand out sentences that are base on the reality of the amount of time that these people are going to spend in prison, crime will continue to grow in our city.
I have read rap sheets where a person has been arrested and convicted time after time. They serve a few years, then they are back out on the streets only to commit more crimes.
We hear time after time that we should give these same people a chance to improve their lives thru programs and education. But as the old saying goes “you can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink” The same goes for what it seems to be the majority of these people we see go in and out of our prisons day after day, year after year.
We now have over 25,000 active warrants our for arrest of people for different types of situations. From child support to murder and including not showing up in court for their first appearance. If there was a swept of this city, door to door and we found all these people, where would we put them? Our jails would then be overcrowded again.
What is the answer to all this? You decide.
We have seen 19 murders here this year so far and we have seen some minor drug arrests. But the problem does not stop at the Mayor’s office. Unless we get courts and our Judges to hand out sentences that are base on the reality of the amount of time that these people are going to spend in prison, crime will continue to grow in our city.
I have read rap sheets where a person has been arrested and convicted time after time. They serve a few years, then they are back out on the streets only to commit more crimes.
We hear time after time that we should give these same people a chance to improve their lives thru programs and education. But as the old saying goes “you can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink” The same goes for what it seems to be the majority of these people we see go in and out of our prisons day after day, year after year.
We now have over 25,000 active warrants our for arrest of people for different types of situations. From child support to murder and including not showing up in court for their first appearance. If there was a swept of this city, door to door and we found all these people, where would we put them? Our jails would then be overcrowded again.
What is the answer to all this? You decide.
Winnie Ballard
"I wish there was a mayor's wife's handbook," she says.
http://www.indianapoliswoman.com/mainfeatures1.asp
http://www.indianapoliswoman.com/mainfeatures1.asp
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