Oops? Ballard Goof: Illegal or Merely Unethical?

According to Advance Indiana, it seems that Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has crossed an ethical line in a recent email:

"Should Mayor Greg Ballard be using a taxpayer asset to lean on city-county workers to support the November 3 Wishard referendum? An e-mail a commenter passed on to me that Mayor Ballard sent to all government workers on Thursday sure makes it look that way. The e-mail purports to solicit city-county workers to volunteer as poll workers on election day, but it throws in what looks an awful lot like a pitch to support the passage of the referendum with an extremely misleading statement."

The statement in Ballard's email? This: "In less than 30 days, Marion County voters will go to the polls to participate in a countywide referendum election to vote on whether the Health and Hospital Corporation should improve Wishard at no cost to tax payers."

This Indianapolis Observer wonders who's advising Ballard these days. Obviously not someone versed in the law or that "improve Wishard at no cost to tax payers" statement wouldn't have passed muster on an email sent to all city employees!

As Gary Welsh says, "I have no problem with Mayor Ballard asking city workers to help out as election workers, but I have a serious problem with him using the city-county e-mail system to promote passage of the referendum."

Indy Hosts Bicycle Summit

The first-ever bicycle summit for Indiana will be held 17 October by Bicycle Indiana, an organization of Indiana cyclists formerly known as the Indiana Bicycle Coalition. The objective is to address ways to make the state more bicycle-friendly.

A fully-supported morning bicycle ride (9 a.m. to noon) is open to all free of charge. Cost for the luncheon and afternoon sessions is $30 for non-members. It all happens at the Indiana Government Center in downtown Indianapolis. For more information, check the website, send an email or call 317:466-9701.

Complaint for Disciplinary Action Against Brizzi

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is facing state disciplinary charges over comments he made about two high-profile murder cases, including the infamous Hamilton Street slayings, according to the Indianapolis Times blog.

IMA Receives Award

The Indianapolis Museum of Art has been named one of 10 recipients of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries.

The annual award, made by the Institute of Museum and Library Services since 1994, recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities. The Indianapolis Museum of Art will receive the National Medal at a ceremony held later in Washington, D.C., and a $10,000 award.

Couldn't say it better myself

"After barely ten months on the job, Mayor Greg Ballard has fired Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Director Doug Rae. Essentially, the administration is miffed that Rae moved two dog catchers to work at the animal shelter and accuses him of making it too easy for people to adopt pets from the shelter. It's disappointing that the administration is not as exacting in its expectations of the people who run the Capital Improvement Board and the Indianapolis Water Company. Mismanagement of those public bodies have resulted in higher taxes and higher water rates. The IACC runs on a shoe-string budget."

From Advance Indiana.

Irsay on Forbes 400 List

"Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has joined the ranks of the richest Americans, earning a spot on this year’s Forbes 400 list of the nation’s wealthiest people," reports Indianapolis Business Journal.

"Irsay, 50, ranked 347th with an estimated net worth of about $1.1 billion, according to the list released Wednesday.

"Other Hoosiers on the list include Cook Group patriarch Bill Cook, at No. 85 with $3.5 billion; White Lodging chief Dean White, No. 202 with $1.75 billion; and Simon Property Group co-founder Herb Simon, No. 317 with $1.25 billion."

Of those four, this Indianapolis Observer notes that three have received taxpayer-paid subsidies. Guess we all have a stake in their prosperity!

Founder of C-SPAN Speaks in Indy

Brian Lamb, Founder and CEO of C-SPAN Networks, will speak at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis on Thursday (1 October) as part of the Mary Tucker Jasper Speaker Series sponsored by the President Benjamin Harrison Memorial Home, 1230 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis. This year is the 30th anniversary of C-SPAN.

A reception will be held at the Harrison Home at 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. at the Columbia Club by his presentation, which will include a preview of his new feature series, "Supreme Court Week".

Reservations are required; call 317:631-1888.