Your Chance To Make Some Change
I’m finishing up my Election analysis and will have it posted tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s an opportunity for you to help someone in need. If you voted for Obama because you wanted change for the better, here’s your chance. If you voted for McCain because you believe the answer to problems lie in individuals and not governments, here’s your chance.
MAYOR BALLARD URGES ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPANIES TO RESPOND TO CITY’S
GROWING NEED FOR FOOD DONATIONS
INDIANAPOLIS – (November 7, 2008) Today, Mayor Ballard made a call-to-action to local organizations and companies to urge them torespond to the City’s growing need for food donations.
Mayor Ballard was joined by representatives from local organizations and companies, including the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers, which have already committed to join in this effort.
“This year, it’s different. Our city, like the rest of the nation, is facing the challenges of an economic downturn,” said Mayor Ballard. “Our community food banks are beginning to see a drop in food donations at
the point when many of our neighbors are most in need. That’s why I’m calling on every business, every school, every church, every charitable organization, every agency of government, and every individual citizen
in Indianapolis to pack the pantries at our local food banks, beginning today.”
For more information on how you can help (including a full list of drop off locations and a ‘how-to’ kit, please call the Mayor’s Action Center at 327-4MAC or visit our Web site: www.indygov.org/mayor.
My election post will be here tomorrow.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I didn’t vote for the man, and I think he’s been a horrible mayor by any measure. But this is a class move, and it’s needed. Our food banks are at record-low levels.
Thanks to the Mayor for using his bully pulpit for something very good. It is a very welcome action and it won’t be forgotten.
November 8th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Here’s a novel idea: If you don’t have the money to buy food, then you shouldn’t have money to buy alcohol, tobacco, drugs, ect.
I know that there are truly needy folks out there (I work with them), but a lot of people utilize food banks to afford themselves other “luxuries”. And while I am at it, what about the tax refunds? How many people filled out a tax return with little to no income (as they are making money through alternative avenues, ie drug dealers), but still receive the refund?
November 8th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I did vote for him, and I am sorry today that I did. He is a leadership dolt. He was given a golden opportunity to change politics in Indianapolis but quickly allowed the entrenced political mafia to take over. Weak. I only mention this to say that it is very difficult to expect weak leaders to have a motivational impact on the citizens. Maybe he can reach out to our local law firms who came in with their GOP surrogates to replace their outgoing Dem surrogates in county politics. The ruling class (large law firms) have this country, this state and this county by the throat.
November 8th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
A horrible mayor by any measure?? He’s been in for one year after eight years of bad management. Give the man a chance!
November 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Just watch how the charitable donations nationwide drop dramatically due to Barry’s policies of taking our money and re-distributing it–another unintended consequence of socialism.
November 8th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Ballard has been a waste and a great disappointment, but I will give to the food banks!
November 9th, 2008 at 12:27 am
1)Greater reality & transparency in budget 2)Law enforcement realignment & tossing bad apples 3)State help for pension debt 4)Sherriff & Arts budget pruning 5)Unearthing & evaluating city-owned parcels 6)Bike Paths proposal
.
That’s just off the top of my head. If you’re unhappy w/ Ballard because he’s got some cronies of X law firm instead of Y- no disagreement. Would reap big brownie points from me in some ISC/CIB exposure of reality as well. But, if the local media won’t tackle, why would either political party & bite their respective law firm(s) of interest in the tail? Garrison & Abdul may be on different wavelengths Presidentially, but they’re harmonically balanced in CYA. In present economic reality, what vast improvement is to be made with Kennedy, Brizzi, or someone of the “political class” as mayor? I’m listening. If I have a topical strong point, city politics ain’t it.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I guess my only point is that he ran on a platform of change. He was totally out of the traditional local political mainstream. This made him an outstanding candidate to come in and upset the entrenched politicos. Chaos yes. But, from chaos comes real change. Granted, it might not have been better, but we will never know. This county is run by a select group of people (not sure how many, but probably around 50) who cover the political spectrum and will do everything to ensure that their financial fiefdom (Marion County) remains in their hands. An opportunity wasted.
They enjoy all the perks of power, and without having to send their money. They can do it on our dime. This is not something they are willing to share.
November 9th, 2008 at 1:25 am
When does “change” ever happen and how much of it really can? Abdul contends or contended, “What are you going to do, walk out on the street and find somebody to do this stuff?”. To at least some extent, I imagine he’s right. If you need a batch of lawyers vs plumbers, is there a batch to be had here for city work that are unaffiliated, untainted, uncorrupted, willing to do the “people’s work”? Perhaps, but sounds like a tall order. My next-door missionaries told me than in India, each party is inherently corrupt and they just routinely rotate them to avoid either becoming too entrenched and wretched. I had similar hopes that Ballard could be a clean slate, but perhaps the best to be hoped for it in the top-side & some of the corrupt batch that makes the trains run on time is unescapable. Aren’t see seeing similar “change” rolling-out with Senator Obama’s partisan pick for Chief of Staff and and FCC liason who’s a D.C. insider- either of these guys drastic agents of change? Maybe it starts with a Libertarian bank of lawyers?
November 9th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Greg has a solid point.
This Accidental Mayor surprised almost everyone. He owed no one. Yet, he appointed some ponderous dolts (Olgen Williams comes to mind)and blew outstanding opportunities to move in a different direction.
Bike paths? Seriously? Do you really wanna stick with that symbolic move, which was already on the planning books, as evidence of a reform mayor?
Please.
However, that aside, as I stated earlier, his request for food bank assistance is a classy move. He didn’t have to do it, and he did it on a Friday, which shows his press operation finally has it down: lazy media in this town allows Friday news to be weekend-long news.
November 9th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Sorry, but even though I am a conservative and believe individuals should donate, I have decided to follow the logic of the Obama supporters. This sort of stuff needs to be handled by the federal government. I can no longer afford to donate to charity because I will need to save now to help off-set the impact of the coming higher income taxes under the Obama Administration. It is time for all of us to just stop donating to charity. These things are the primary jobs of government, as the majority in this country said that loud and clear on election day.
November 9th, 2008 at 6:53 am
“This county is run by a select group of people (not sure how many, but probably around 50) who cover the political spectrum and will do everything to ensure that their financial fiefdom (Marion County) remains in their hands. An opportunity wasted.”
I don’t see this as an issue. There are many good places outside the People’s Republic of Marion County where one can live. While you might spend a little more in gas, in almost every case you will have lower property taxes and better public schools. While the “regional taxes” are going to be a problem in the future, they won’t amount to much in my opinion. The citizens and their elected representatives are not going to just hand over money to Marion Co. (and Hamilton Co. for the mass transit system) unless we are taken care of as well.
November 9th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Why should I donate money or food? Obama said he is going to take care of all of us lower and middle class people. Since I am in the lower end of the middle class money wise, where do I go to get my part. Don’t get me wrong, I will give a litte bit.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Just listed what came to mind. Not listing “bike paths” as major evidence of realization of “change”.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I didn’t vote for Barry.
I voted for Ballard who is still a better mayor than lyin’ Peterson.
Oh and I don’t need anyone to beg me to contribute to a food pantry.
We contribute to our Church’s pantry on a regular basis.
November 9th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Gents, for every Olgen Wms, there are remarkable individuals within the Ballard administration that are moving this City forward. Directors Newman (Public Safety), Sherman (Public Works) and Controller Reynolds come to mind. Watch to see how the Mayor handles the change in GOP chairman, if any. Regardless, the change from Petersno to Ballard brought more fiscal discipline, a balanced budget and a vanquished Monroe Gray lead Council.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Look, I’m not in favor of the government taking my money to fund not-for-profits at all. And I won’t be giving money to street beggars.
.
HOWEVER, we are a community. And right now things are bad for a lot of people with CHILDREN and, as I see it, we don’t let our own go hungry…even if we have a dysfunctional federal government. The children in this matter are innocents and I don’t care what you think about the government, we are decent people and will see to it that our kids are fed!
.
So dig into your pantry and donate some items.
Go to Aldi and buy some canned food by the case. It’s inexpensive.