The unions are coming!
Earlier this year, Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock gained national headlines by trying to block Chrysler’s emergence from bankruptcy.
Mourdock maintained secured creditors, such as the Indiana pension funds he administers, were not being treated fairly and bankruptcy laws were not being followed.
If Mourdock had succeeded in his expensive legal battle, it would have meant Chrysler’s liquidation and, ironically, a smaller settlement for the state investment funds.
In a fundraising letter mailed this week, Mourdock said his actions have been seen as a direct challenge to the “union bosses” and the administration of President Barack Obama.
He said he expects a re-election challenge from a union-funded, Democratic candidate in 2010.
“I’m not backing down,” Mourdock wrote. “I have no regret in taking the actions I’ve taken, but I know that to counter these Democrat attacks, I must fund my re-election campaign to meet their challenge.”
Do the math
Businesses have come and businesses have died over the years in downtown Kokomo.
And in our age of Wal-Mart and vast, strip-mall parking lots, our automotive society doesn’t like trying to find open parking spaces downtown.
Getting parking spaces to open up won’t be as easy as chalk-marking tires either. By some estimates, Howard County government has 320 employees working downtown on a daily basis. But the county lots only hold 260 vehicles.
So why hasn’t the county purchased additional off-street parking? Probably because there isn’t any left available within a block of the Courthouse. Support for building a parking garage is non-existent.
Until a way is found to keep government workers out of public parking spaces, we don’t expect any new businesses downtown.
Messer rounds out staff
Luke Messer, who is beginning to look the likeliest of the candidates seeking to defeat 14-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, has hired some well-known staffers.
Megan Robertson was announced as campaign manager. She has served as the Indiana Victory Director for the Republican National Committee during the 2008 presidential campaign, as well as deputy regional campaign manager for John McCain in the Great Lakes Region, campaign manager for State Rep. Mike Murphy for Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett.
Ashley Gutwein, a life-long Hoosier, will serve as finance coordinator and will coordinate all campaign fundraising. And Jennifer Hallowell, a well-known player in Hoosier Republican politics for the past decade, will continue in her role as general consultant for the campaign.
Messer, Brose McVey, State Rep. Mike Murphy and 2008 primary candidate John McGoff are all looking to challenge Burton.
Stutzman tags Bayh
The oddsmakers may not favor Tea Party/Republican candidate Marlin Stutzman’s chances of beating U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh this year, but Stutzman tried to make a splash this week with a limited television ad buy.
The message was rather entertaining.
“Senator Bayh is the definition of an ‘empty suit,’ Stutzman’s campaign said. “Indiana’s junior senator is a Washington Millionaire who has proven incapable of making tough decisions. Senator Bayh is simply more interested in the idea of being senator and enjoying the lifestyle ....”
The good news for Bayh is that Stutzman attacks him mainly for doing next-to-nothing. Next year, however, Bayh may actually be forced to take a stand on health-care reform.
Local News
Public eye - Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009
- Local News
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Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
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Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
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County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
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KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
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Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
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Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
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Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
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Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
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Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
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Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
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Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
