The Accidental Mayor Bobbles the Ball, Again

"Mayor Greg Ballard's handling (or actually, mishandling) of the Capital Improvement Board fiasco was just another sad example of the mayor's lack of leadership. Not only did he allow Gov. Mitch Daniels to get the drop on him, but he came away looking like a fool, essentially handing control of the CIB over to the governor."

So says the Indianapolis Times blogspot. Read more here.

Do You Have Roots in Pike Township?

The Pike Township Historical Society hosts an "Ice Cream Social" from 2:30 to 4 p.m. next Saturday, 13 June, in the Fellowship Hall of Salem Lutheran Church, 7200 Pollard Street, New Augusta.

If you'd like to attend, call 317:293-3548 or (after 6 p.m.) 317:299:8460.

Peterson Gets New Gig

Eli Lilly and Company reports that former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson will be joining Lilly as senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications, reporting directly to chairman, president and chief executive officer John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D. He will be a member of the company's executive and the operations committees.

Well, It's About Time!

According to John Ketzenberger's Commentary in today's Indianapolis Star, "It's time to break up the financially strapped Capital Improvements Board."

His prediction was right on. According to this morning's update, "The CIB also would no longer exist under the proposal and would be merged with the Marion County Building Authority to create a new entity, the Facilities Management Board of Marion County, which will operate 13 facilities within the city."

Kids Bicycle Safety Event

On Saturday (6 June), there's a bicycle safety event just for kids at Crown Hill Cemetery, 700 West 38th Street, Indianapolis.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and admission is free.

There'll be a "bounce house" and "balloon twister", a magic show at noon, a bicycle safety speaker and free hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and iced tea -- even a chance to win a free bike helmet or even a free bicycle. For more information, call 317:925-3800.

Just When You Think Things Can't Get Worse...

"It is an absolute outrage that the Ballard administration is proposing yet another multi-million dollar give-away to a politically-connected developer at a time the City is struggling so much financially."

Yep. The boys on the 25th Floor are at it again. Read it all here, courtesy of Advance Indiana.

This Indianapolis Observer is wondering: just what is Mayor Ballard thinking?

Secretary of Agriculture Comes to Indy

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be visiting Indiana tomorrow (2 June). Vilsack will make stops in Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Danville.

If you want to see him in Indy, head to the National FFA Center, 6060 FFA Drive (near West 86th Street and I-465 West) between 3 and 4 p.m.