Polis Politics

Julia: Where art thou?

The mainstream media has begun to pick up on the fact that U.S. Rep. Julia Carson has been MIA from her congressional duties of late. She has missed 13% of her votes this year, and even then she has required some questionable assistance to participate. However, she will be running for re-election in 2008.

UPDATE: WTHR reports Carson has been hospitalized for an infection. We wish her well in her recovery.

Hovering Around

WISH-TV has a report on the City of Indianapolis purchasing a hovercraft. (Hat Tip: Frugal Hoosiers). Fire Chief Greeson defended the purchase:

"If we have a weather related incident in the winter time, whether it's snow or blizzard, where we cannot reach residents by normal means of transportation, a hovercraft can maneuver over the snow."

Or maybe they could just plow the streets.

Bart Untruths

Check out this link to Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson's "Crime Package Video." The video was produced to market Peterson's income tax hike passed earlier this summer.

If you can, go to the 4:30 mark when Bart says,

"I'm spending a lot of time over at the General Assembly trying to encourage them to give us the authority to be able to solve our own problems. Without their authorization, we aren't going to be able to get this done, and that's why this period of time is so critical between now and when the General Assembly finally finishes up their session."

The Peterson Crime Package was unveiled in late June. The General Assembly ended their session is late April. Why would Peterson be making such a statement on his crime package funding when it can't be true?

Beth White's Poll Locator is malfunctioning

Check out the Clerk's Polling Place Locator. This normally useful tools has begun experiencing malfunctions and cannot generate your polling location, We will wait and see how long it takes to become operational again.

Peterson yards signs pop up on public property

In the battle of yard signs in the Indianapolis Mayor's race, we have seen more Ballard signs along the thoroughfares than Bart Peterson signs. However, Peterson may have the best location, IPS School # 57 at 5435 East Washington Street. We have a feeling no one will find any registered voters living there, though.

Beth White: October Finance Reports due in September

Beth White was very courteous when she mailed candidates information regarding the upcoming finance report filings, which will contain data through early October. Yet in the mailer, White said the reports were due a month earlier, September 17th in fact.

Always proofread folks.

Become a Peterson Supporter for only $10 an hour!

Word is circulating through the political world that Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson is opening his campaign war chest to create an army of canvasser. Hizzoner is paying canvassers $10 an hour for as many hours as these folks want to knock doors and do other things to look like Peterson has grassroots support.

Joanne Sanders's Living in the Past

We've all heard of the dirty political trick of telling voters that Election Day is on the day after it really is. Yet, we've never heard of a candidate giving the wrong date earlier than it really is. That is, until we saw Joanne Sanders' (D-At Large) website.

While she has promoted her campaign website this 2007 election cycle, Sanders' homepage and voting information page (both captured below) tells voters they can vote for her on November 4th, 2003.

Also, as an aside, what are the rules on political campaigns having .org sites? Sanders' site is www.joannesanders.org.

Was the Hob Nob Newsworthy?

How big was the Indianapolis' Chamber of Commerce's 7th annual Hob Nob last night?

Not big enough to make the online edition of the Indianapolis Star.

While there is an article in this morning's print version, mostly focusing on Marilyn Pfisterer's cookies and the Indianapolis Mayoral Candidates' preferences on the color wheel, nor version can be found online (today's Marion County news listings can be found here).

I would recommend Advance Indiana's coverage for a recap if you are disappointed in the Star coverage.

Just So We're Clear

While the rest of the Indianapolis political community promotes for tonight's Hob Nob, we thought we would promote some public awareness of our own. The following is a list of items banned from the City-County Building, so don't bring these next time you go:

The Marion County Sheriff’s Department strives for its citizens to be in a safe environment while visiting the City-County Building. In an effort to control articles from being brought into this Building that would cause harm to others, the following articles are prohibited from passing beyond the security check points established at the entrances to this building.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

These are items that are not allowed into this building. Other items may, at the discretion of the Deputy assigned to the security check point, also not be allowed for security reasons.

PERSONAL ITEMS

Combs (those with a sharp point)
Pad Locks – Large Size
Forks
Drugs (unless in a prescription bottle)
Alcohol
Chains longer than 12 inches (decorative ones that are easily broken are allowed)
Cigar Cutters
Corkscrews
Cuticle Cutters
Eyeglass Repair Tools (including screwdrivers)
Knitting and Crochet Needles
Knives (any)
Nail Clippers
Nail Files
Aerosol Cans
Razors (including safety razors)
Scissors (including plastic or metal tips)
Toy Weapons (if realistic replicas)
Tweezers
Walking Canes (these need to be inspected) If true canes YES they are allowed

MEDICATION AND SPECIAL NEEDS DEVICES

Needles (are permitted once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed) They are allowed if used for insulin purposes. Insulin must be properly marked.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Camcorders (unless approved by Court or used by Television Stations require ID badge issued by MCSD @ CCB)
Cameras

SHARP OBJECTS

Any item with a knife blade
Handcuffs (Law Enforcement Only)
Handcuff keys (Law Enforcement Only)
Nails and Screws
Fishing Hooks
Can Openers
Safety Pins – Ex Large, Large and Medium

Box Cutters
Ice Picks
Axes
Knives
Meat Cleavers
Razor Type Blades
Sabers
Scissors
Swords

SPORTING GOODS

Baseball Bats
Bows and Arrows
Cricket Bats
Golf Clubs
Hockey Sticks
Lacrosse Sticks
Pool Cues
Ski Poles
Spear Guns

GUNS AND FIREARMS

Ammunition (unless Officer with proper credentials)
BB Guns
Compressed Air Guns
Firearms (unless Officer with proper credentials)
Flare Guns
Gun Lighters
Gun Powder
Parts of Guns and Firearms
Pellet Guns
Realistic Replicas of Firearms
Starter Pistols
Stun Guns
Tasers (unless an Officer with proper credentials)

TOOLS

Hammers
Drills and drill bits (including cordless portable power drills)
Saws (including portable power saws)
Tools (unless used by an approved contractor)
Tape Measurers
Axes and Hatchets
Cattle Prods
Crowbars
Screwdrivers
Wrenches and Pliers

MARTIAL ARTS/SELF DEFENSE ITEMS

Billy Clubs
Black Jacks
Brass Knuckles
Kubatons
Mace/Pepper Spray or Foam
Martial Arts Weapons
Night Sticks
Nunchakus
Stun Guns/Shocking Devices
Throwing Stars

EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS

Blasting Caps
Dynamite
Fireworks
Flares (in any form)
Hand Grenades
Plastic Explosives
Realistic Replicas of Explosives

FLAMMABLE ITEMS

Aerosol
Fuels
Gasoline
Gas Torches
Lighter Fluid
Turpentine and Paint Thinner
Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries

CHEMICAL AND OTHER DANGEROUS ITEMS

Chlorine (unless approved by Building Authority)
Compressed Gas Cylinders (including Fire Extinguishers unless Fire Personnel or approved by Building Authority)
Liquid Bleach
Spillable Batteries (except those in wheelchairs)
Spray Paint
Tear Gas