Indiana

100 DAYS AND COUNTING?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Now that we’ve marked the first 100 days of the Ballard administration it’s time to give the Mayor a grade. 

He gets high marks for taking back IMPD and putting it back under the Mayor’s office.  He also gets credit for getting the state to pick up the pre-1977 police pensions as well as some of the other levies.  He’s putting a plan together to tackle abandoned housing, ex-offender re-entry programs and is working to fix the financial disaster that is Indianapolis’ money situation. 

For those he gets a big thumbs up.  They’ve made a few missteps, luckily for them the only people who paid attention were the political class and regular people could care less.   

My only real criticism of the administration you might find odd.  I honestly don’t think they are political enough.  Ballard is more about getting the job done and tends to shy away from the “political” side of being Mayor.  That’s admirable but you can’t be Mayor of 12th largest city in America without having to play the game.  You need to do it to deal with your enemies and to occasionally keep your friends from straying off course.

For example, one draft of the Mayor’s speech had a laundry list of things done by the Peterson administration which would have turned your hair white and made your teeth itch.  Ballard chose not to use it but instead focus his goals and vision of the city.  

I will give him high marks for being a nice guy and above board, but he may want to to make sure he’s got enough political ammunition stockpiled for the remaining 1360 days of his term.  He wants to truly do the best for all citizens and genuinely wants to work with the loyal opposition.  He just has to remind himself that you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs along the way.

So for your first 100 days Mr. Mayor, you get a B+.  

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on April 10, 2008 (boomark / email).