Indianapolis Catholic Schools Seek Charter Status

Two Roman Catholic schools in Indianapolis are applying to become mayor-sponsored charter schools, reports Inside INdiana Business. St. Andrew & St. Rita and St. Anthony are operated by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and are struggling financially. They are among six schools that operate within the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies, which has a combined annual budget shortfall of more than $2 million.

Lilly Endowment to Help Upgrade Indy Parks

Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded the Indianapolis Parks Foundation a grant of $7.3 million, reports Inside INdiana Business. The funds will be used for critically needed capital projects in parks that serve primarily low-income residents.

Patterson and Coffey Lose on Appeal

Two former editorial writers at Indiana’s largest newspaper failed to prove they were the victims of religious discrimination, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday (8 December), reports the Indianapolis Business Journal

James Patterson and Lisa M. Coffey claimed their former employer, The Indianapolis Star, engaged in systematic discrimination against “traditional Christians” who believe homosexual conduct is a sin. The Circuit Court affirmed summary judgment for the Star, finding the two failed to make cases of religious discrimination. In addition, the court ruled, neither former employee could prove they were meeting the Star’s legitimate performance expectations – Coffey repeatedly violated the overtime policy and Patterson continually made factual errors within his writing.

Kudos to Paul K. Ogden

Paul K. Ogden, an attorney with the Indianapolis law firm Roberts & Bishop announced today that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of defendants who have appeared, or will appear, before the Marion County Traffic Court and Traffic Violations Court.

In the Complaint, three identified plaintiffs, Toshinao Ishii, Matthew Stone, and Adam Lenkowsky, allege that the courts violate the United States and Indiana Constitutions by punishing defendants who choose to have their day in court rather than simply pay the traffic or parking ticket they receive.

The Complaint alleges that Judge William E. Young of the Marion County Traffic Court fines defendants up to an additional $500 if they litigate their case and lose.

The Traffic Court website, according to lawsuit, threatens $10,000 fines. The complaint also cites a press release that City intends to authorize the new Parking Violations Court to fine defendants up to $2,500 if they challenge their parking tickets.

The lawsuit also notes that the Traffic Court’s additional practice of closing its courtroom to the public is unconstitutional.

$2,500 for a Parking Ticket?

"On December 1st, the City of Indianapolis will pilot a parking citation court in an effort to improve the way the city collects revenue from parking citations," reads the press release from the mayor's office.

And, just what is this way to "improve" collection? "If citations are not paid prior to their scheduled hearing, the City may request a fine of up to $2,500 per citation. Upon receiving a judgment for an unpaid citation, individuals responsible could be subject to collections actions or having their vehicle registration suspended."

Hearings, of course, are inconveniently scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Guardian Home,5751 University Avenue, Indianapolis. Gee, thanks, Mayor Ballard! This Indianapolis Observer is in shock!

Next Shoe: Brizzi?

"For the sake of the integrity of our criminal justice system in this county, Carl Brizzi needs to resign his office immediately. Brizzi is knee deep in the Durham Ponzi scheme madness. He's not just a friend as he would like to describe him. He is a business partner and beneficiary of the largesse Durham acquired through his alleged Ponzi scheme." Thus writes Advance Indiana today.

Blogger Paul K. Ogden also chimed in, with "serious doubts that the apparent income of Prosecutor Brizzi can be explained without his being knee-deep in the Durham mess. Additionally, I have to wonder about whether the Internal Revenue Service may be paying a visit to Brizzi sometime in the near future."

ToxDrop Reopens on Lafayette Road

The ToxDrop Trader’s Point Collection Facility, 7550 North Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, will resume its usual hours of operation on the first and third Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Upcoming dates are 5 and 19 December. For a list of accepted materials and additional collection sites, go online.