Indiana

Friday?s Follies

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I have to hit the road this weekend, but I couldn’t leave without dropping these tidbits of gossip, rumor and blatant innuendo.  Enjoy.

Super Bowl Shuffle

• The head of the Marion County Emergency Management Agency has managed to get on the bad side of the FBI.  As the City puts together its plan for security for the 2012 Super Bowl,  I’ve discovered that EMA Director Jim White has managed to annoy the “you-know-what” out of the FBI by overstepping his bounds and authority on several occasions.  Things have gotten so bad that the FBI has apparently told the city that they are no longer dealing with White and prefer to have someone else as their point person on security.

Water Works

• City-County Councilor Ben Hunter says it may be time or serious changes at the Indianapolis Water Company.  The Utility is planning to ask the State for an 11% rate increase for some capital improvement projects.  Hunter, who chairs the Public Works Committee, says while the Council can’t stop the Utility from asking the state for a rate increase, it can use some of its other power to reign in the board.   Hunter says the Water Company has been mismanaged in the past and it may be time to get rid of  the current board and get one more responsive to the taxpayers.

Melina’s Mayoral Run

• As Melina Kennedy moves forward with her run for Mayor in 2011, she may want to brush up on her economic development stats.   Kennedy touts her time as the head of economic development for former Mayor Bart Peterson.  However, I’ve been informed by some of her rivals that job creation in Indy was virtually stagnant during her tenure with Peterson.  Keep an eye on that issue.

CCC Redistricting

• Despite charges that the Indianapolis City-County Council would be breaking the law by redistricting prior to the completed census results in 2011, it turns out the Council actually can legally redraw the maps beforehand.   I’ll have a fully spelled out legal argument and rationale when I come back.  You’ll love it, Amos.

Klop’s Out

• Brad Klopfenstein is no longer Executive Director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association.  Klopfenstein and the Association parted ways a couple weeks ago.  This comes at a time when the Legislature is debating Sunday alcohol sales and a smoking ban may be returning to Indianapolis.   Someone made a mistake and I don’t think it was Brad.

Back on Monday.  Play nice.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on September 25, 2009 (boomark / email).