Indiana

Thursday?s Thoughts

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Is it my imagination or has this week just been non-stop politically?!  Here’s the latest…

City-County Council Member Lincoln Plowman is on administrative leave from IMPD pending an internal investigation.  It’s unclear exactly what Plowman is under investigation for, but it appear its is related to his duties as a Council Member.   According published reports Plowman has hired attorney James Voyles, a clear indication of whatever this is, it’s serious.

Speaking of Council,  At-large Council member Kent Smith is stepping down.  Smith is taking a new active-duty position with the National Guard and according to new Department of  Defense rules, it would be difficult for Smith to serve in that position. According to county party rules a caucus must be called within 30 days to fill the vacancy.  So far the names mentioned include Aaron Williams, son of deputy Mayor Olgen Williams,  former Capitol Improvement Board member Dorothy Henry, local businessmen Chris Douglas and Angel Rivera.

Indianapolis Public School students will only get an hour off the Monday after the  the Super Bowl.   IPS officials tried to start school with a two-hour delay, but the Department of Education said two-hour delays are only good for emergencies and the Super Bowl is not an emergency and students would have to make up the day.  You would have thought someone would have checked first.

Expect an announcement soon about the Republicans’ choice for the Marion County Prosecutor.

5th District Congressional candidate Mike Murphy has put out a new poll showing only 28% of the Republican voters in the  district think incumbent Dan Burton should be re-elected.  When asked which candidate had the best chance at beating Burton, Murphy and John McGoff were tied at 16%.   Luke Messer comes in with 15% and Brose McVey with 11%.   The poll also shows 43% of the voters are undecided on who they want to replace Burton.

And there appears to be a backlash against a Dan Coats run for the U.S. Senate.  On his Facebook page, Conservative State Senator Mike Delph says while he respects Dan Coats, he says Coats’ opportunity to run against Evan Bayh was back in 1998 and he chose to walk away.  Delph also says the other candidates are working hard and the GOP nomination must be earned.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on February 04, 2010 (boomark / email).