2007 Indianapolis Elections (Gary, Lawrence, Marion: rental car, sales, rental)

[CHICAGOLAND92]

With election season coming near, I think this is an appropriate thread.

Peterson vs. Ballard.

If you take a look over at the IndyStar forums, there's no suprise that many disapprove of Bart Peterson and his leadership. While I do not live in Indy, and only get information about whats going on via websites and blogs, I may not know the WHOLE story of corruption around the city. But here's what I do know as a fact:

1) Crime has excessively increased over the past couple years.
2) Property taxes have, or are/were supposed to, go up, yet crime remains the same.
3) Indianapolis has barely grown the first half of this decade, compared to the last decade where the city grew by almost 63,000.

Who will you be voting for, if you vote at all? Since Indy is my hometown, and Bart's leadership doesn't seem to be helping the city, I encourage you to vote for Ballard, who seems to be the better candidate. I don't want my hometown to end up in despair like Gary, or Detroit.

[MainStreet]

I was a city employee for over a decade. I don't live in Marion County, so can't vote. I'm asking my friends to consider Ballard. I'm crossing my fingers.

Indy residents deserve better.

[sedie80]

Bart Peterson has squandered this city's resources as well as sacrificed public safety for the sake of catering to a sports team that only recently has brought in significant money to the city. IMO, the best thing Indy constituents could do would be to vote that ne'er do well out of office before he can drive Indianapolis even further into the ground. I'm disgusted by his political commercials touting "tough on crime" stances--it's all pure B.S.

Signed,
"Wish I could help vote him out, but daggone if I don't live out of county"

[MainStreet]

I couldn't read the entire thing with out getting a bit queasy. What was it titled...something like "Peterson best candidate to meet Indy's challenges." In my personal opinion, how about acknowledging that Peterson is the reason Indy has the challenges it has.

[IndyCarrie]

What do you guys know about Ballard? I want Peterson out badly, but I would like to know where to go for resources about what Ballard is all about. I don't want someone else in office that is equally as bad or worse. The whole sports stadium crap just makes my blood boil!!

[domergurl]

try here:

Home

[escapeartist]

I don't like Peterson, but I don't see any evidence that Ballard would do any better. I honestly don't know who I will vote for (if I vote). Both parties have a record of only promoting and supporting policies that favor businesses and a handful of wealthy locals and sports teams.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by escapeartist

I don't like Peterson, but I don't see any evidence that Ballard would do any better. I honestly don't know who I will vote for (if I vote). Both parties have a record of only promoting and supporting policies that favor businesses and a handful of wealthy locals and sports teams.

Please vote. There's a 3rd party candidate too ... Fred Peterson ... is that his name. He's spent a total of 6 bucks on his campaign.

[IndyCarrie]

Escapeartist,

That's my point exactly. I feel like anyone can step up to the plate and tell us what we want to hear because they know we are so fed up with the state of affairs right now. Peterson told us he would do and not do a lot of things when he ran for re-election and look where that got us. I want to believe in some of the policies that Ballard says he will instigate, but I am weary, of course.

I do think Peterson needs to go and be sent a message that we won't tolerate his fiscal irresponsibility.

Just yesterday, I had to pay a 10% sales tax on a rental car which ended up being $30 because of the increase for the Colts stadium. I will never go to a game, never watch them play, but it comes right out of my pocket along with increased property taxes, and an increase in my income tax when I don't even have any children reaping the supposed benefits of a Lawrence Township school system (if there even is a benefit).

I'm tired of getting taxed to death, yet one benefit I would enjoy (reduced crime) is worse than before I had to turn over so much of my money.

[domergurl]

Doesn't Lawrence have their own Mayor???