As if a $2 million hazing lawsuit wasn’t enough, Carmel schools and taxpayers are facing more litigation. This time from a parent who claims a Carmel school bus driver harassed and intimidated his daughters and the school district did nothing about it.
Ed Zimmer says in the November of 2008 his daughter made comments during a conversation with another student regarding same-sex marriage on a school bus that raised the ire of the bus driver. The bus driver did not say anything his daughter while she was on the bus, however after completing her route she returned to the Zimmer’s home that afternoon to confront their child.
Zimmer then says the bus driver forced his daughter and her sister to get on the empty school bus, without any parental consent or notification. Zimmer says the driver proceeded to chastise his daughter Rachel for allegedly saying gays and lesbians were going to hell. Zimmer says the driver belittled his daughter and tried to get other students to incriminate her as well, including asking them if she had made other racist remarks in the past. He also says the tapes show the bus driver using profanity in front of the students as well and calling his daughter a “stupid little bigot” as well as using other profanity.
Zimmer tells the district there are school bus video tapes which back up his claims. Zimmer say he got nowhere with the school district when he asked for the driver to be disciplined. He’s asking the school district to fire the bus driver and that he and his family be reimbursed for legal expenses.
One of the big problems facing the City of Indianapolis, as well as other major and minor cities, is abandoned houses. There are an estimated 8,000-10,000 abandoned homes in the city. Abandoned homes lower property values and are magnets for crime and urban blight.
The city has taken a number of steps to fight the problem, such as stiffer civil penalties and creating a database of abandoned properties. However, if local leaders really want to make a difference in abandoned homes, they should seriously look at adding criminal penalties to the mix.
That’s right, if you own abandoned property and let it fall into such disrepair that you cause a public safety hazard you should be charged criminally. Sound crazy, not to the Mayor of Indio, California. The town has altered its property laws so now the owner of the abandoned property, whether it be an individual or bank, can be on the hook and be arrested. The charge is a misdemeanor and is part of a comprehensive strategy of dealing with abandoned homes.
And this is not just a “left coast” idea. In Murray, Kentucky County officials have changed their abandoned property laws that allow for criminal charges to be filed as well, if a property owner doesn’t do his or her part and keep abandoned property in decent shape.
This is definitely something the City of Indianapolis should explore. For some abandoned property owners a fine is just the cost of doing business, however if there is a possibility of some jail time involved, I’m sure they’ll think twice about leaving property to sit and become a piece of blight and public safety hazard for neighborhoods.
Give it a try Indianapolis. What have you got to lose except for a few abandoned homes?
My brother and his wife were recently shopping in Wal-Mart and came across these Barbie dolls on display. Take a good look at the Black one and tell me if you see the same thing I do?
I attended an east side rally Saturday afternoon of citizens, primarily mothers, who were protesting the increase in violence in their community. It is always good to see people step up and take responsibility and actions in their own communities, however, the problem is always one abut staying in the fight for the long haul and getting more people out to take action. I’ve included some of their voices below for you to hear for yourselves.
I will also have to give credit to Democratic Mayoral candidate Ron Gibson for showing up and walking with the marchers. It’s one thing to call into a radio show and express outrage, it’s another thing to actually show up, and while I don’t agree with Ron philosophically, he gets points for making an appearance.
Note: I learned some new information over the weekend regarding Brandon Johnson; the boy who was injured during an altercation with police. For any of you thought he was a small 15-year old, think again. He’s listed as 5’11 and 200+ pounds. His own mother has complained about his behavior in the past. And two other people were arrested at the same time he was without incident. Just some facts to keep in perspective.
Today marks the day your favorite political blogger was born. In honor of that, I’m taking the day off to relax and reflect on how I netted the pretty sweet deal of getting paid to tell people what I think. Back tomorrow.
If any of you thought more highly of me after yesterday’s post involving the Carmel hazing, this one will probably put things back where they rightly should be.
This time I am talking about the alleged Indianapolis police “beating” of a 15-year old during an arrest last Sunday. According to the Indy Star, the beating occurred after Brandon Johnson tried to interfere with the arrest of his younger brother on suspicion of criminal mischief. I spent two hours Friday afternoon listening to some of most ridiculous “community outrage” it was ever my misfortune to hear. The police were bad guys and the boy and his brother were flowers of humanity.
Just so you know that “criminal mischief” was actually his younger brother trying to break into a house and was spotted by a neighbor who called the police. According to police Johnson began to interfere with the arrest and encouraged individuals nearby to stop them, thus the trying to incite a “riotous situation”.
According to my sources a struggle ensued as police tried to subdue Johnson, who they originally asked to leave or stand back and he fell on his face when he was wrestled to the ground. The officers involved in the altercation have been put on administrative leave, with pay, as this matter is worked out.
Now, let me see if I understand this. The police are responding to a report of a break-in, the get a suspect, his brother shows up, interfering with a lawful arrest, is told to stand back, encourages bystanders to attack the the police, gets wrestled to the ground and unfortunately gets hurt. And the “community” outrage is against the police?
Just checking.
Granted, we still need to know all the facts, but I really wish this same “community” would get this upset over the number of black on black homicides in this city; there have been at least 30 this year. It would at least make them consistent.
By the way, if none of this is clear, maybe Chris Rock can help.
After nearly 20 something years in the news/media related business there are rare occasions when my personal feelings about a matter really start to cloud my thinking and the way I approach a subject or story. Usually I will have some reaction to whatever I’m covering, but then I go back and put relatively objective-analytical hat and go from there. Unfortunately, I’m had a hard time doing that this week.
As I watched the story about the Carmel “hazing” incident unfold, I was extremely agitated at what we were learning. However, what really did it for me was watching the parents up close and personal at Wednesday’s news conference. Watching their pain, agony and suffering was a lot to bear. To see a grown man choke up and nearly come to tears over what happened to his son and to see a mother try to keep her composure after learning what she did was a lot to take in.
To be honest, for a lot of the initial interview all I could really think about was what I do if my wife and I were in that situation and how would we deal with it. The only thing I could tell myself was if someone did to my child what the Carmel teens are accused of doing, the perpetrator wouldn’t be the only one facing criminal charges.
As I drove back from the news conference to my office to review my notes, I slowly put my reporter/media analyst hat back on and wrote what I needed to write. It wasn’t easy and those parents have my deepest sympathy.
The parents of a former Carmel High School freshman who was the victim of alleged hazing say their son told school officials and nothing was done. They spoke with the media this afternoon.
Although they did not say exactly when the attacks began, the parents of the victim in the Carmel High school hazing attack say there were more incidents than what has been reported. They asked not to be identified in order to protect their son’s privacy, but their attorney Robert Turner says the 14-year old former student was physically grabbed, held down and anally penetrated.
They also say the son did inform a Carmel coach, but nothing was done. They also say their son is on an emotional roller coaster and is undergoing counseling due to the attack. He has also been taken out of school. Four former basketball players have been charged in the case with misdemeanor battery and criminal recklessness.
You can hear the entire news conference by clicking on the links below.
Outgoing Indiana Congressman Mark Souder is now a You Tube hit. Below is him promoting abstinence only education with the part-time staffer he had the affair. I can’t make this stuff up.
Indiana Congressman Mark Souder is resigning after admitting an affair with a part-time staffer. Souder came to office in 1994 after running on a family values platform. Here is a copy of his statement…
IT IS WITH GREAT REGRET I ANNOUNCE THAT I AM RESIGNING FROM THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS WELL AS RESIGNING AS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS IN THIS FALL’S ELECTION.I BELIEVE IT IS THE BEST DECISION FOR MY FAMILY, THE PEOPLE OF NORTHEAST INDIANA, AND OUR COUNTRY.
I WILL SUBMIT MY RESIGNATION TO SPEAKER PELOSI EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY. I CAN NEVER FULLY THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD, GIVEN SO MUCH AND SUPPORTED ME THROUGH EIGHT CONTESTED PRIMARIES AND EIGHT GENERAL ELECTIONS.ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT CAN YOU REALLY FEEL THE HUMBLING POWER OF SUCH GENEROSITY.
IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF THE BATTLE FOR FREEDOM AND THE VALUES WE SHARE.IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HONOR TO FIGHT FOR THE NEEDS, THE JOBS, AND THE FUTURE OF THIS REGION WHERE MY FAMILY HAS LIVED FOR OVER 160 YEARS. IT HAS BEEN ALL CONSUMING FOR ME TO DO THIS JOB WELL, ESPECIALLY IN A DISTRICT WITH COSTLY, COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS EVERY TWO YEARS I DO NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF “NORMAL” LIFE – FOR FAMILY, FOR FRIENDS, FOR CHURCH, FOR COMMUNITY.TO SERVE HAS BEEN A BLESSING AND A RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN FROM GOD.
I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER EXAMPLE. I SINNED AGAINST GOD, MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY BY HAVING A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A PART-TIME MEMBER OF MY STAFF.IN THE POISONOUS ENVIRONMENT OF WASHINGTON DC, ANY PERSONAL FAILING IS SEIZED UPON, OFTEN TWISTED, FOR POLITICAL GAIN. I AM RESIGNING RATHER THAN TO PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH THAT PAINFUL, DRAWN-OUT PROCESS.DIANE AND MY FAMILY WERE MORE THAN WILLING TO STAND HERE WITH ME. WE ARE A COMMITTED FAMILY. BUT THE ERROR IS MINE AND I SHOULD BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY, NOT ONLY AM I THANKFUL FOR A LOVING FAMILY BUT FOR A LOVING GOD.
MY COMFORT IS THAT GOD IS A GRACIOUS AND FORGIVING GOD TO THOSE WHO SINCERELY SEEK HIS FORGIVENESS AS I DO. BUT I AM SO ASHAMED TO HAVE HURT THOSE I LOVE.I AM SO SORRY TO HAVE LET SO MANY FRIENDS DOWN, PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD FOR ME. THE IDEAS WE ADVOCATE ARE STILL JUST AND RIGHT.AMERICA WILL SURVIVE AND THRIVE WHEN ANCHORED IN THOSE VALUES.HUMAN BEINGS, LIKE ME, WILL FAIL, BUT OUR CAUSE IS GREATER THAN INDIVIDUALS.IT IS BASED UPON ETERNAL TRUTHS.
BY STEPPING ASIDE, MY MISTAKE CANNOT BE USED AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL IN A PARTISAN ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE THE CAUSE FOR WHICH I HAVE LABORED ALL MY ADULT LIFE.I LOVE THIS AREA.THIS IS MY HOME.IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU.FOR SIXTEEN YEARS, MY FAMILY AND I HAVE GIVEN OUR ALL FOR THIS AREA. THE TOLL HAS BEEN HIGH.AS I LEAVE PUBLIC OFFICE, MY PLANS ARE FOCUSED UPON REPAIRING MY MARRIAGE, EARNING BACK THE TRUST OF MY FAMILY AND MY COMMUNITY, AND RENEWING MY WALK WITH MY LORD. I HUMBLY ASK YOU, FOR THE SAKE OF MY FAMILY THAT YOU RESPECT OUR PRIVACY IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
When will these people ever learn?
Possible replacements include Marlin Stutzman and Bob Thomas who lost to Souder in the primary.
