Indiana

Saturday Morning Posts

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Here are a few morning tidbits for you to play with today…

Although the transportation supervisor for  Franklin Township schools resigned Friday in the wake of the arrest of a bus driver who police said was drunk as he ran his route last week, there’s more to the story.  School officials said supervisor Susan Fields had received two prior reports that Phillip Leslie had come to work with an alcohol odor on his breath.  However sources in the district say there is no requirement that bus drivers check in when they arrive to work, but instead they are “encouraged to keep an eye on each other.”

Word is there may be some serious protests taking place at this Tuesday’s Indianapolis Public School Board meeting.  Teachers are not happy about going without a contract and having pay taken away from them only to be given back when they retire or leave the district.  It probably won’t help relations when they find out the district is getting nearly $29 million in extra Title I money because of the economic stimulus package.

City-County Council Republicans and the Mayor’s office are trying to bridge a divide on the issue of tax abatements.  Currently abatements are approved by the Metropolitan development commission, but some council want approval to be shifted to them.  Both sides are looking for a compromise, which may include adding more council appointments to the MDC.

Borders in downtown Indianapolis may be getting closer to closing up shop.  I’m told Borders has stopped ordering books and they will no longer pre-order books without payment; two signs that things are not looking good.  If Borders were to close, and Carson Pirie Scott were to shut down, the new anchor business at one of the busiest intersections in Indianapolis would be a Jimmy John’s sub shop.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 14, 2009 (boomark / email).