Indiana

WEEKEND UPDATE

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I was out last night and picked up quite a few tidbits of information that I think are worth sharing so here they are.

There may be an issue in Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson serving on the Merit Board as part of the deal to turn over IMPD to the Mayor. The word is the Merit Board is supposed to be composed of civilians and Anderson is a merit officer, thus creating a conflict of interest so he may not be able to take the seat offered to him by the Mayor’s office.

Speaking of Mayor, Greg Ballard, when he goes to testify Monday before the House Ways and Means Committee on the affect of the Governor’s tax caps, he’s expected to tell the committee that Indianapolis will survive if it can get the tools it needs to reform local government.

By the way, it also looks like Ballard raised quite a bit of cash at his inaugural ball. My sources tell me it was more than $1 million.

Speaking of cash, Lawrence Mayor Paul Ricketts won’t be accepting a proposed $15,000 raise for taking over the Water Company. Ricketts says the law doesn’t allow an elected official to change his or her salary during their term in office. He says he’ll still assume the duties of controlling the water company, but the money should go to the employees.

There is also word this morning that State Senator Mike Delph has a hearing this morning with the military. The Army Reserves is investigating Delph and Lt. Colonel Ray Meija, who appeared in uniform while advocating Delph’s illegal immigration bill that would crack down on employers who hire illegals. It is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to engage in political activity while in uniform or on military duty. Delph is a reserve Captain.

And Andre Carson has unveiled the first television ad in the race for the 7th Congressional District.

Hope your weekend is just as interesting.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on February 09, 2008 (boomark / email).