Calling it Quits
The fallout continues from Monday night’s controversial City-County Council meeting where lawmakers approved a 65-percent increase in the county option income tax to pay for public safety. Former City-comptroller Jim Steele, who was hired by the city to help pass the tax increase and help solve its financial problems, has turned in his resignation. Steele says he was appalled when Council President Monroe Gray tried to force Councilmember Ike Randolph to vote. Randolph abstained because he felt he had a conflict of interest because he would be voting on his pay raise as a firefighter. Steele also quit because Gray cut off debate without allowing amendments. Steele was comptroller for former Republican Mayor Steve Goldmsith. So much for bi-partisan solutions.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Another public person standing up and saying, ENOUGH! Good for him.
Bart, it is our money, SHOW US THE BUDGET.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:31 am
I was at that meeting and was utterly appalled at the lack of respect from certain members of the council to the public they are appointed to serve. We don’t serve them, they serve (obey) us.
Monroe Gray, for instance, completely IGNORED his constituents in District #8. We were there in force, took time away from our lives to attend, and make our wishes known. It was insulting to be treated with no regard whatsoever from our elected representative. Worse, we were subjected to silencing by Aaron Haith, who as far as the lawyers I’ve consulted thus far, has no jurisdiction to serve as a Sargent of Arms at Council meetings.
Not only that, but residents in Monroe Gray’s district call and write only to get no response from Monroe Gray.
It is SHAMEFUL that our elected councilperson voted in direct opposition to the wishes of the people in district #8, most of whom are far more educated than he.
Monroe Gray will be the first councilperson to be publicly humiliated in my Yard of Shame.
I am not having this.
July 25th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Looks like Monroe Gray was fully aware of his ethical conflict and didn’t want Randolph’s actions to highlight that fact. Randolph’s actions were couragious!
Monroe Gray, Lance Langsford, Vernon Brown and some of the others lack the ethical standards required of city officials.
July 25th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
So Jim Steele resigned over partisan issues, not over financial and fiscal matters? Everybody has opinions but Steele wasn’t hired as a political consultant in the first place, was he now?
July 25th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
It doesn’t take a Ph.D to be a professional dominatrix. Sheepskins aren’t the leather used in that business.
July 25th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
The Council once again violated our Indiana Constitution:
Article 1, Section 31. No law shall restrain any of the inhabitants of the State from assembling together in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good; nor from instructing their representatives; nor from applying to the General Assembly for redress of grievances.
July 25th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Ah, I see the dems are ouit! (Anon 12:10 pm) It is obvious because rather than speak of ISSUES, we attack people.
Just to remind you, the TOPIC is Steele resigning.
July 25th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Abdul, I doubt the man would resign his job just over a kindergarten brawl of a CCC meeting.
Steele’s had his nose real close to all the books and the numbers they contain.
The real story will soon emerge and could a scandal be far behind when it does?
This resignation has far deeper implications for our fine Mayor other than simply filling a vacancy at the comptroller’s spot.
Steele knew something was smelling rotten and removed himself from it.
Louis Shumway, Capone’s accountant, remember him?
July 25th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
it is time for Monroe Gary to loose his present position