Comments on: Your Chance To Make Some Change

By: Melyssa

Melyssa — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:56:07 +0000

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.
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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!
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So dig into your pantry and donate some items.
Go to Aldi and buy some canned food by the case. It’s inexpensive.

By: Pine Rider

Pine Rider — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:41:30 +0000

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.

By: Daw-g

Daw-g — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:32:48 +0000

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.

By: Taxpayer 834512

Taxpayer 834512 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:23:38 +0000

Just listed what came to mind. Not listing “bike paths” as major evidence of realization of “change”.

By: David Myers

David Myers — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:49:53 +0000

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.

By: John Doe

John Doe — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:53:17 +0000

“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.

By: John Doe

John Doe — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:49:21 +0000

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.

By: Think Again

Think Again — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:06:59 +0000

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.

By: Taxpayer 834512

Taxpayer 834512 — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:25:18 +0000

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?

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:39:25 +0000

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.