Loading ...Indy Works; Part III
First there was Indy Works, then came Indy Works, Part II; The Mayor Strikes Back. Now Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson is getting ready to go back to Indiana General Assembly and ask for Indy Works, Part III; Return of the Mayor. After two semi-unsuccessful bids to get his plan through the Mayor is heading back to the other end of Market Street.
Peterson told me in an interview on Wednesday that he plans to craft a new plan that calls not only for consolidation, but more home rule for the city of Indianapolis to look for revenue to solve its own problems.
The dynamics are somewhat different this time as the Mayor not only has the usual financial pressures over his head, but now he’s also got the added weight of the crime issue to deal with. A also with a record homicide rate on his hands, an angry Black clergy in the wings and a possible re-election bid against someone considered to be a credible challenger in the wings, the Mayor can ill-afford a loss in this area.
However, unlike last year where the Mayor had to deal with a Republican-Controlled General Assembly, this time he may have friends in the House of Representatives with Democrats in control. They could leverage the Mayor’s proposal when dealing with the Governor and the Republican-controlled Senate. It’s also a budget year which adds to the mix. And with Ft. Wayne Republican David Long (also a big believer in consolidation) looking more like the next Senate Pro Tempore, it could make things even more interesting.
The criticism against the Mayor will likely be he already has consolidation power if he were to go out and sell his proposal to the Marion County Township residents. This could be easier to lobby that criticism if the Mayor’s allies score victories in Warren, Lawrence and Perry Township.
Either way, we get another sequel. It can either be Star Wars, The Return of the Jedi or Superman III; Just for the record, Superman III was the worst film. Hopefully, the Mayor will have better luck because if he fails, the next sequel could be Indy Works IV; Randolph’s Rage.
October 30th, 2006 at 8:12 am
I love the right-wing attempt to make Ike a “credible” candidate. Peterson will beat Ike around city and send him crying back to the firehouse. It’s over.
October 30th, 2006 at 11:00 am
Hey, 8:12. Ya ever heard the phrase, “he doth protest too much?” You sound to me like an awfully defensive Democrat. Thanks for making my day! By the way, are you also one of the Indy Democrats who predicted that Melina would sweep into office?
October 30th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
No, I was one who said the GOP shouldn’t overlook her (which they did for too long), and that it would be close. We’ll see on elction day.
As for any GOP challenger to the Mayor? None that can beat him. (Although I’d love to watch Vince Huber try).
October 30th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
So how does this work? I don’t live in Indianapolis, but I do live in Marion County; and it isn’t one of the more well-known places like Speedway or Lawrence, we have no town government. I haven’t lived here long enough to know if I get to even vote for the Mayor of Indianapolis. So, is there a chance that chubby-cheeks can side-step the townships and do as he wishes?
This is certainly about consolidation, but only of power. He has two motives: 1) To show he can wave a big stick around which makes him credible for the office of governor, and 2) it gives him the ability to save his own hide. The guy couldn’t manage with what he had, so how is he going to manage with more?
Abdul included, nobody has given me a good argument why we need to get rid of township government. The argument has been that it is outdated. So, it was good back in the day when there were only 1000 residents in a a Marion County township, but now that there are 100000 residents in a Marion County township (when there is more need than ever) we should consolidate what few elected offices are out there? It doesn’t make sense. The point is, there are more residents than ever in Marion County, and since that number is increasing, why is fewer elected officials better than just letting the same number of elected officials handle the growing population. Other than trying to be fiscally conservative (which is a good reason), I see more of a reason to increase the number of elected officials in Marion County, especially with the crime issues (why not have separate police forces for each township?).
This all really seems like a move in the wrong direction. If this happens, what’s next, consolidating all school districts into IPS? There is no way I am letting that one go past without laying down in front of the tracks. IPS is among the most mismanaged school districts in the state, and Indianapolis is among the most mismanaged municipalities in the state… doesn’t seem like a big stretch.
October 31st, 2006 at 6:11 am
Is this blog flacking again for “Ike the Snake” ? When he ran for Council, he promised in writing to LGBT voters the moon, the stars and a real good time. He scored a phenomenal 100% gay approval. When the Human Rights Ordinance came up for a vote - he twice voted against it. He lied and pandered to get LGBT votes and then he screwed those voters completely. Flip-flop. He cant be trusted. That’s why he’s called “Ile the Snake”.
October 31st, 2006 at 7:09 am
Wilson,
We flack for no one but ourselves! :-)
Abdul