I can always tell when we’re getting down to the wire in an election season. Weird things happen much more frequently. Don’t believe me, well try these on for size.

Brian Howey of the Howey Political Report is reporting today that Republican Congressman, John Hostettler is all but giving up his bid for re-election in the 8th Congressional District.

Former Marion County Public Safety Director Robert Turner is endorsing Republican Carl Brizzi for Prosecutor over Democrat and former co-worker Melina Kennedy. Turner says Kennedy is a good person, but Brizzi is more qualified for the job.

Republican City-County Councilmember Ike Randolph’s proposal for a fee on event tickets to pay for public safety is up for a hearing.

All that and just 21 days to go before Election Day.

The Special Prosecutor investigating reported corruption at the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says there will be no charges filed against former Director Heather Bolejack for her conduct at the ICJI. Apparently her deeds rose to the level of mismanagement but not malfeasance. I reported this would likely happen back in May. Here’s the link. I’m interested in your thoughts. So much for the plot against Black officials.

Indianapolis Police have made an arrest in the beating of a local man on Monon Trail. According to the Indianapolis Star, three teens were arrested and the cops are looking for a fourth one in connection of a beating and robbery of 54-year old Darrell Arthur. Arthur was found beaten on October 8,near 28th Street on the Monon. Police made the arrests after receiving a tip.

I, for one, am glad an arrest was made in this. What happened to Arthur was horrible and the suspects should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But if you look at the incident in the broader perspective, it’s part of a much bigger problem.

We’re already experiencing a homicide rate of about 122, the worst the city has seen since 1998. Add the fact that our extra jail space goes away at the end of the year and all the criminals we have locked up potentially get to walk the streets again. And residential burglaries are becoming common in places like Geist.

It just makes me wonder whether we are at the start of another crime wave. Back in January and February of this year, I saw data showing double-digit increases in the city’s crime rate. Everyone told me I was blowing everything out of proportion. 100 homicides later, it turns out I was right. I hope someone is paying more attention this time.

I’m working on an article regarding the city’s recent crime problems and asking voters if it matters? Feel free to post your thoughts. Thanks. Have a great weekend.

Lawrence Cop Controversy
City of Lawrence police Chief Jack Bailey has apparently fallen out of favor with the officers on his force. The Lawrence FOP voted to kick the chief out of the union last night. There’s something funny going on up there and I plan to find out.

Gray v. Randolph (Round One)
There was a rather “lively” exchange between Democratic City-County Council President Monroe Gray and Republican Councilmember Ike Randolph. The two clashed last night over the “Second Chance” ordinance for ex-offenders. The ordinance would require companies who do business with the city to hire a certain number of ex-offenders. Democrats say they wanted more details. Randolph told them they should have had that attitude when they passed the city’s budget with unfilled line items.

Hursts throw “Beanefit” for Libertarian
Score one for Libertarian Secretary of State Candidate Mike Kole. Jim Hurst of the NK Hurst Bean Company is hosting a fundraiser for Kole. The Mike Kole “Beanefit” will take place on October 19 in Indianapolis. In a news release, Kole reminds voters that he stood with NK Hurst when government officials tried to force them off their land to make way for a new Colts Stadium. On a side note, Melina Kennedy, the Democratic Candidate for Marion County Prosecutor asked the Hursts for money some months. The Hursts also say Kennedy’s co-worker Deputy Mayor John Dillion told them from the start “the city was going to file eminent domain aginst NK Hurst because that’s how business was done.”

See, nothing earth shattering, but definitely news worth noting.

The nice thing about the Saturday papers is that’s where the more interesting news lies. It’s also where you’ll find stories that some folks might not want you to know about because you have busier things to do.

For example, in Saturday’s Indianapolis Star, both the city and Colts owner Jim Irsay agreed the team should not be asked to help fund the $10 million shortfall in day-to-day operations.

In this weekend’s edition Indianapolis Business Journal, the Indiana Pacers failing revenue may lead the team to seek a new deal with the City over Conseco Fieldhouse.

And speaking of Pacers, several players decided to get into a fight in a strip club late Thursday/early Friday and there was gunfire and marijuana involved.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of wealthy people coming to me asking for more money because they’re not making enough.

I’m also not a big fan of wealthy people who can’t stay out of trouble and not getting arrested for something that would have easily landed me in jail.

I don’t know about you but I honestly think the citizens of Indiana in general, and the taxpayers, specifically, deserve better treatment.

What do you think?

Okay let’s see how this weekend is shaping up.

Some Indiana Pacers get into a fight at a strip club and guns and marijuana are at the scene.

Jim Irsay and the city agree the Colts shouldn’t have to fork over any money to cover the extra $10 million overrun costs in the day to day operation of the stadium. And since the state won’t kick in anything, you, the taxpayers, will have to foot the bill.

Someone who just doesn’t get it may have held a party this weekend at the controversial 300 East, known to you as the bar in the Government building.

And Julia shows up on the House Floor in sweats.

Let the silliness continue.

I’ve sent invitations out to the Brizzi and Kennedy campaigns to have their candidate host my morning radio show in Indianapolis. They get the whole four hours from 6-10 a.m. The ground rules are simple, do good radio and be entertaining. They can use the time to talk about their candidacies, interview other candidates, etc. etc.

The Brizzi people have said “yes.” Still waiting to hear from Melina’s folks.

I’ll be sure to provide you with an update.

The Indianapolis City-County Council is going to take up the issue of dangerous dogs next week. You might recall the recent rash of dog attacks, which facilitated the ordinance. I read through the ordinance and at first glance it seems like a good idea. It increases the fines and penalties for the owners of dangerous animals. It is not breed specific. And there are provisions to protect owners when their dog attacks someone who may be committing a crime or is teasing the dog. Like I said, good ideas all around. But then there are a couple other provisions.

Included in the ordinance are two provisions regarding pet identification and spading and neutering. The ordinance requires most pets in Marion County to be spaded and neutered, as well as microchipped. There are some exceptions, but unless you’re a dog breeder this rule applies to you. So your dog Max and your cat Mittens will have to get snipped and fixed.

I like animals, dogs in particular. And if I owned a dog I’d be a responsible pet owner and spay and neuter my dog. And I would also microchip him so if he got lost or stolen, I could find him. That’s called being a responsible pet owner. And I’m willing to bet money many other responsible pet owners are doing that already. So why a government rule or regulation? This will do nothing to stop the irresponsible pet owners. They won’t spade. They won’t neuter. They won’t microchip, although maybe they should be, the owners as well as the pets.

Spaying and neutering pets are overall good ideas. Microchipping your pet makes sense. What I don’t agree with is when the government mandates it.

My good friend RiShawn Biddle has an excellent post today on his Indy Star Expresso blog regarding the state of Downtown Indianapolis. Click here to read it.