Loading ...
DEM GUBERNATORIAL RACE VEERS NEGATIVE: Indiana’s Democratic primary race for governor took a sharp, negative turn Thursday as the campaigns sparred over ethics. Jim Schellinger’s campaign slammed former U.S. Rep. Jill Long Thompson’s ethical record in Washington by highlighting her involvement in a 1992 House banking scandal (Indianapolis Star). Long Thompson’s campaign stressed she was cleared of any wrongdoing in the matter and accused Schellinger’s campaign of making dirty political attacks. With a little more than a month left before the May 6 primary, the move by Schellinger’s campaign .jpg)
Thursday served as the most noticeable jab in the race. The swipe came in response to a challenge from Long Thompson on Wednesday that Schellinger either release his positions on campaign finance and ethics or agree to her proposal, which would ban companies that donate to political campaigns from receiving state contracts, among other reforms. Schellinger’s campaign manager, Tim Jeffers, shot back with a news release Thursday saying Long Thompson’s challenge was akin to someone who lives in a glass house casting stones. "I’m surprised that someone with her record would be challenging anyone to come out with an ethics plan," Jeffers said. He cited a pair of 1992 newspaper articles he said illustrate that Long Thompson lied about the extent of her involvement in the 1992 House banking scandal, in which 329 then former or current members of Congress were found to have bounced checks from the now-defunct House Bank. Jeffers points to a 1992 Chicago Sun-Times article in which Long Thompson said she had only two small overdrafts, but which reported that the House ethics committee later found she bounced 17 checks for about $1,700. Jeff Harris, communications director for Long Thompson’s campaign, said she never bounced any checks and later was cleared of any wrongdoing by the U.S. Justice Department, because the bank had sloppy operations. Harris accused Schellinger of distorting the facts by citing the 16-year-old news accounts. "This is totally false, and he knows it," Harris said of Schellinger. "Jill Long Thompson did nothing wrong and was one of the first members of Congress to be vindicated by the Justice Department." Harris said the "nasty, misleading attack" is a sign that Schellinger’s campaign is in trouble, despite outspending Long Thompson. "This is obviously a clear sign of desperation by Mr. Schellinger," he said. "His campaign is imploding, he’s losing staff, he doesn’t have any ideas and, unfortunately for them, they’re finding the electorate can’t be bought."
DONNELLY REDEFINES LIFE: U.S. Rep, Joe Donnelly expanded on the meaning of "pro-life" to include supporting post-birth care - such as health care, insurance and school lunch programs - in his address to the Notre Dame Law School Wednesday (The Observer). Donnelly, the Democratic representative of Indiana’s second district said despite people’s impressions of the Democratic Party, the party is not inherently pro-choice. He told a story of a question he received during a candidate night in his 2006 campaign. A woman asked why it was his business if she and her pregnant daughter decided an abortion was the best option for the child and family. Donnelly responded that the issue became one of what is necessary to define human life. Since he defines an unborn baby as a human, he said, he is constitutionally required to protect it. "That was the end of questioning on that subject for the night," he said. "The point is to protect that child." A "working majority" of Congress, Donnelly said, is pro-life. That contingent is committed, he said, to more than just preventing abortion. Health care, education and nutrition also require attention. Stem cell research is another area where pro-life supporters can have an influence, he said. "Stem cells are tough because everybody wants good outcomes," he said. He said pro-life supporters need to convince families who have children with diabetes, and other diseases which may be helped by stem cells, that there are other options available. "We need to show them how we can achieve the same goal without going down that road," he said, referring to stem cell research.
BRIZZI WON’T RUN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL: Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, who earlier this week confirmed he was mulling a run for state attorney general, said Thursday that he instead will keep the job he has (Indianapolis Star). Two-term Attorney General Steve Carter announced last weekend that he would not seek a third term, setting off a flurry of speculation among surprised party insiders."While it’s flattering to have been approached about seeking such an important office," Brizzi said in a statement, "after thoughtful consideration I’ve decided that the best way for me to serve the citizens of Marion County is to remain as prosecutor. . . . There is still more that needs to be done, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to make our streets safer."
WAGNER LEAVING TDW, JOINING SCHELLINGER: Taking Down Words blogger Jennifer Wagner is joining the Jim Schellinger gubernatorial campaign (Howey Politics Indiana). "I have decided, after overcoming the general resistance to change that they beat into you in law school, to join Jim Schellinger’s gubernatorial campaign as Communications Director. This means that TDW as you know — and either love or hate — it will exist no more," Wagner said on her blog. "I will be making arrangements in the next few days either to hand it off or redirect it to someone else’s capable hands. (I’m giving some thought to turning it into a group blog. Let me know if you’re interested in helping out.) We’ve had a good run these past three years, but you can’t be the Nastiest Woman In Indiana Politics forever without some long-term effect on your soul. It was time for a change, and I’ll admit that motherhood has made it substantially more difficult to be mean. When a four-month-old cracks a legitimate, non-gassy smile and starts cooing at you, it’s hard not to smile back." Wagner added, "I’ve known Jim Schellinger for more than a year, and he and his wife, Laura, are two of the most caring, genuine people I’ve ever met. Jim’s commitment to the state and his life story impressed me from the get-go, but watching him interact with Hoosiers is what hooked me." She adds: "Whether you loved TDW or hated it, thanks for reading. I’ll try to post details about the future of the site over the weekend before starting my new job on Monday."
Presidential
OBAMA TV ADS BEGIN TODAY: Hoosier TV viewers will see a lot more of Barack Obama starting today, when his first broadcast ad runs on stations throughout the state (Smith, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). Standing in an abandoned steel mill in Chicago where weeds grow out of cracked concrete, Obama characterizes himself as a politician at arm’s length from lobbyists, whom he blames for costing American jobs. Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have recently focused their campaigns on trade issues. The next primaries – Pennsylvania on April 22 and Indiana and North Carolina on May 6 – are in states where manufacturing job losses have led to complaints about U.S. trade policies. Clinton has not yet started TV advertising in Indiana. In the 30-second commercial, Obama wears a windbreaker and a grim expression. As he walks toward the camera, Obama says: “I moved to Chicago to help workers whose lives were torn apart when steel plants like this one left town. For decades, politicians have talked about protecting jobs, but the power of Washington lobbyists stops anything from changing. “I’m Barack Obama. I’m the only candidate who doesn’t take their money, and they won’t run my White House. We’ll fix our trade laws, end tax breaks for companies who ship jobs overseas, and give them to those who create jobs here, in America.” Obama’s campaign would not say how much money is being spent to air the commercial or give details about how long it will run. Obama has spent nearly $44 million so far on broadcast commercials, including $6.8 million for 10,000 TV spots in the three-week run-up to Ohio’s primary March 4, according to an analysis by the University of Wisconsin Advertising Project, which is keeping tabs on the presidential candidates’ TV advertising patterns. Clinton has spent $35.5 million on TV ads, according to the most recent campaign spending reports. The University of Wisconsin Advertising Project calculated she spent $2.3 million in Ohio for 6,000 ads.
HILLARY COMING TO A FORT WAYNE DINER: Owner Nabi Faghihi realizes using his small diner on the city’s southwest side as a venue for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s visit to Fort Wayne today is somewhat odd (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). “The menu’s three times bigger than the restaurant,” Faghihi joked Thursday. Inside the front door of Sara’s Family Restaurant, a smiling picture of George W. Bush greets customers above a list of specials – the Reuben sandwich platter and French onion and vegetable beef soups Thursday. But Sara’s is nothing if not bipartisan, or even non-partisan: A portrait of a stone-faced George Washington, who denounced the political party system in his farewell address, flanks an old-fashioned stove next to Abraham Lincoln. Bill Clinton smiles out of a frame nearby. “In this business, we stay pretty neutral,” said Faghihi, an Iranian immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 35 years. Clinton is scheduled to hold a roundtable discussion on the economy at 5:45 p.m. in the restaurant, 5792 Coventry Lane. Seating at the public event will be limited, but live audio will be broadcast outside the restaurant.
CLINTON TO TALK STEEL AT HAMMOND: Hardship among Northwest Indiana industry and its workers will headline U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s talk in the region today, supporters of the Democratic presidential candidate said Thursday (Times of Northwest Indiana). Clinton’s town hall-style meeting at the Hammond Civic Center will help prove Clinton is "not taking any Hoosier vote for granted," former Indiana Secretary of State Joe Hogsett said. For the first time in 40 years, Indiana is a Democratic battlefield state. Clinton has been traveling the state to gather support ahead of Indiana’s May 6 primary, where she’ll fight U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for 72 delegates. "It’s the first time in 40 years that anyone cares what we think," former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan said. "Votes here will count." Kernan and Hogsett want those to be votes for Clinton, whom they praise for her understanding of economic troubles afflicting Hoosiers. "There is no question the importance of steel and the steel industry to the people of Northwest Indiana," Hogsett said. "She will tailor (her talk) very thoughtfully to the challenges to Northwest Indiana and speak to those issues." Hogsett said he did not expect Clinton to unveil any new policy proposals but that she would discuss the need for good trade relationships and changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. The United Steelworkers have not endorsed a candidate since their first choice, South Carolina Sen. John Edwards, dropped out of the race in January. United Steelworkers District 7 director Jim Robinson said his group is paying close attention. "We are encouraging both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to address the trade issues that have been so devastating to American workers," Robinson said. "We would like the candidates especially to address how they intend to deal with China." Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., a Clinton supporter, said he is honored to be hosting her meeting and that he lobbied hard to do so.
MISHAWAKA PREPARES FOR HILLARY: Gaelyn Kleeman remembers getting detention when she skipped class at Mishawaka High School (South Bend Tribune). Not really a big deal, in and of itself, but she remembers it because she got to shake hands with Sen. Robert Kennedy as he campaigned for president in the area. She also ripped the poster off his tour bus to keep as a souvenir. The poster is long gone — abandoned in the attic of a home her mother sold some 30-odd years ago, but the memories remain. So does a political spirit as vivid as her red hair. In fact, she still squeezes your arm and grimaces when she recalls that year. "I hated Nixon," she says through her teeth. On Thursday, 40 years later, she was crouched down on the floor of her alma mater’s gymnasium, painting new campaign signs for another New York senator — Hillary Clinton. Clinton, vying for the Democratic nomination for president, will bring her campaign to Mishawaka High School today, where she’ll host a town hall meeting on the economy. Her visit caps off a week of Clintons all over Michiana — former President Clinton at Dyngus Day, and two visits from former first daughter Chelsea Clinton. "I don’t know how much more excited I can get in one week," said Debbie Ladyga-Block, Mishawaka’s city clerk and vice chairwoman of the St. Joseph County Democratic Party. The event originally was planned for Washington High School in South Bend, but officials for the city’s school corporation nixed the idea. That meant some last-minute scrambling Wednesday night, Ladyga-Block said. She got a call around 9:15 p.m., she said, asking if Clinton could speak somewhere in Mishawaka. She called Gregg Hixenbaugh, a Mishawaka common councilman who also is the director of human resources and legal counsel for the School City of Mishawaka. By 10 p.m., the Secret Service was doing its initial security sweep of the high school, Ladyga-Block said.
…SO DOES MUNCIE: Anyone interested in seeing Hillary Clinton tonight at Central High School should arrive early and park on the north side of the school, according to Muncie Deputy Police Chief Roc Barrett (Muncie Star Press). "They should allow some extra time to get inside because there will be a process to go through," Barrett said. The event will be at the Central High School gym, not at the Fieldhouse as was previously announced by the Clinton Campaign. Barrett estimated the capacity of the gym at around 2,900. He said seating would be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission will not be based on tickets. The event is scheduled to begin at 8:45 p.m. with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. MOSES, GIAQUINTA UNDECIDED: “I’m going to vote for a Democrat,” quipped Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne. “I’m trying hard to get them both in Fort Wayne, so the citizens of Fort Wayne can see them both and make a choice” (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). Likewise, Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, believes both candidates have strengths, but he hasn’t decided whom to support. “We’ll see how it plays out and watch the debates and see where they stand on the issues,” he said.
ACTOR TO CAMPAIGN FOR OBAMA: Actor Kal Penn will headline several events with students and young professionals this weekend for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign. The stops will highlight Obama’s vision for fundamentally changing Washington to make progress on the toughest issues that face us and the pivotal role young people can play in helping to make that change. Penn currently appears in the FOX medical drama House, and last year he had a recurring role in 24. He is probably best known for his breakout role in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. This spring, Penn is serving as a visiting professor of Asian American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn will appear at an 11:45 a.m. Elliot Wagner Dining Hall at Ball State, the Bourbon Street Distillery (4 p.m. Saturday), and at IU’s Ballantine Hall (7:15 p.m.)
HOOSIER TO DINE WITH OBAMA: Bonnie Locchetta said a lot of people from her small farming community of Rushville, Ind., will be surprised to learn she’s having dinner with presidential candidate Barack Obama (Associated Press). Locchetta was selected to dine with the Democratic presidential contender after contributing $25 to the Illinois senator’s campaign. She describes herself as an independent voter living in a conservative community. The single mother said she has followed Obama since his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and was inspired to "put a little money where my mouth was" to support him. Kevin Griffis, a spokesman for Obama in Indiana, said the campaign wanted to invite at least two first-time donors to the dinner. Locchetta was selected, Griffis said, because of the note she submitted with her contribution and the fact that she lives in a state that hasn’t held its primary yet. Obama’s campaign is soliciting donations until Monday to fill three other seats at the dinner. A date and location for the event had not been decided. McCAIN-ROMNEY? - In a show of Republican unity, one-time bitter foes John McCain and Mitt Romney raised money and campaigned together Thursday for a single goal - getting McCain elected president (Associated Press). "We are united. Now our job is to energize our party," the Arizona senator said in an airport hangar, flanked by Romney and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., an early McCain supporter. Both have been mentioned as potential vice presidential picks, and McCain praised each. Romney lauded McCain and promised to do all he can to help, saying: "He is a man who is proven and tested" and without question the right man to be president. In February, Romney won 90 percent of the vote in Utah to McCain’s 5 percent. Romney’s ties to the state run deep, from his Mormon faith to his work overseeing the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City."Look, that wasn’t the only state I lost to Governor Romney in - it was just the largest loss,’ McCain said chuckling. He joked that it was abject humiliation but understandable given Romney’s Utah links. "I was at least hoping to break into double digits though!"
2008 Election
SCHELLINGER, JLT IN EVANSVILLE: The two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for governor both will be in Evansville today touting their economic plans and seeking support from organized labor (Evansville Courier & Press). At 11 a.m. today, Jill Long Thompson will attend and speak at a labor luncheon at the Labor Temple, 210 N. Fulton Ave., in Evansville. Long Thompson is scheduled to outline her "Reinvest in Indiana" economic plan at the luncheon, about an hour after she holds a news conference at Vanderburgh County Democratic headquarters. At 1 p.m. today, Jim Schellinger also will appear at the Labor Temple to discuss his proposal, called the "Pick Up Indiana Jobs Plan," at a news conference.
SCHELLINGER COMING TO RICHMOND: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Schellinger will speak at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Richmond Holiday Inn, 5501 National Road E. The event is open to the public (Richmond Palladium-Item). Schellinger, 47, a native of South Bend, will be in the city to speak to local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) workers and their families. He has never run for public office before. AFSCME endorsed Schellinger for governor in late 2007. Danny Sexton, president of the local AFSCME workers group that represents employees of Richmond’s street, sanitation and parks departments, said Schellinger’s visit is part of an effort the candidate has been making to meet members of the union throughout the state since he was endorsed by the organization. "It’s a chance to get to meet some of our members and speak to them, a good chance to get his name out in this portion of the state," Sexton said.
DANIELS HINTS AT MICHIGAN CITY JOBS: Gov. Mitch Daniels hinted Tuesday during a meeting with the Michigan City News-Dispatch Editorial Board that the city is in discussions with several businesses interested in relocating here. City officials are staying mum as a matter of policy. "We’re very optimistic on one, but I always say I’m not going to make an announcement that should be left up to the business itself," Mayor Chuck Oberlie said Wednesday. "If a business decides to come to Michigan City, it should have the right to make the announcement." On Tuesday, Daniels said he’s optimistic about "three businesses" that are interested in Michigan City. He wouldn’t name the businesses, but said the outlook was promising.
ROGERS HAS CAMEO IN DANIELS AD; SUPPORTS JLT: State Sen. Earline Rogers isn’t supporting Gov. Mitch Daniels’ bid for a second term, but the Gary Democrat also has no complaints about her cameo in the Republican governor’s latest re-election commercial (Times of Northwest Indiana). The 30-second television spot, which began airing statewide this week, pans in on a photo of Daniels, Rogers, Gary Mayor Rudy Clay and others wielding ceremonial shovels during an October 2006 groundbreaking for a runway expansion at Gary/Chicago International Airport. "I hadn’t been told that I was going to be in the commercial," Rogers said Thursday. "I have no problem with that. I think all of us in Northwest Indiana, Gary specifically, are appreciative of the fact that Governor Daniels recognized the potential of that airport and has been willing to put the dollars into that airport." But Rogers is backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson, a former congresswoman from northeast Indiana who faces Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger in the May 6 primary. The winner will take on Daniels in November.
Congress
SOUDER QUESTIONS VA REPORT: Rep. Mark Souder, R-3rd, talked strategy Thursday night with a stalwart group of about 15 veterans who had braved hard rain to see how they could fight for the VA Medical Center and keep inpatient care in Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). The hospital was the subject of a 78-page report – three-fourths of it withheld – that The Journal Gazette received last week after a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Details about whether hospital services should be expanded, dramatically reduced or transferred to other hospitals weren’t released in the heavily blacked-out report. Despite its being labeled a final report, Souder said it wasn’t the final word on the hospital – calling it an interim report. He added that information within the report likely didn’t tell the whole story. “If it’s false information, I’d just assume they study it more” before releasing it, he said. He thought that the results of a separate study to look at outpatient services offered by the VA Medical Center would also help the medical center’s case. He expected that report to be done within six months or less.
SOUDER VISITS WARSAW: Third District Congressman Mark Souder visited a couple of Warsaw businesses Wednesday to learn more about their operations (Warsaw Times-Union). He toured Little Crow Foods in the morning and Symmetry Medical Inc. in the afternoon. "In Kosciusko County, jobs are heavily related to agriculture and orthopedics, and I feel when I am not in session it is important to visit companies in my district to see what they make and do," Souder said. Souder spent Wednesday morning touring Little Crow Foods and meeting with employees. "We were honored to have Souder spend time touring our facility, and talked about the increased price in wheat and how that is affecting our business," said Denny Fuller, Little Crow Foods president. "The biggest thing I learned is that alternative energy is impacting more than just corn and soybeans," Souder said. He said he learned the cost of wheat has increased by 160 percent and the cost of corn has increased by 7 percent. Souder sat down with the Times-Union to discuss his candidacy in the May 6 primary. He faces Republican Scott Wise, Columbia City, in the primary. "Clearly, health care, energy prices and the housing crisis are concerns this year, but an election must not be focused on only the issues relevant this year, but a set of principles that will guide a person on issues that come up in the next few years," Souder said. Souder met with Mayor Ernie Wiggins for lunch at the Boathouse to discuss issues relevant to the city.
Indiana General Assembly
BOSMA, TURNER TOUR REFORMS IN NEW ALBANY: Part of the property tax reform package removes costs of four child-welfare levies, juvenile incarceration and health care for the indigent from the county level (News & Tribune). Two high-ranking GOP state representatives were in New Albany on Wednesday to discuss the newly passed property-tax reform package. House Republican Leader Brian Bosma joined Rep. Eric Turner in the third floor Assembly Room of the City/County Building as part of a state tour of cities that has included Terra Haute, Logansport and Lafayette. The two were in Evansville on Wednesday before making the drive to New Albany. Their message has been one of support for the property-tax relief package, which will include $620 million in aid for 2008. “The burden of property taxes was becoming unbearable for homeowners,” Turner said. Turner said the goal of legislators in favor of the package was to make taxes less formidable for property owners, while at the same time making the levies predictable. “Over and over, people said to us that they would go to their mailbox with sweaty palms, not knowing how much there property taxes were going to go up,” Turner said. Bosma called the reform historic, saying there had not been such an effort in Indiana since the 1973 tax freeze. He said homeowners will save an average of 25 percent this year on property taxes. Floyd County property owners will save nearly 31 percent on average, according to Bosma.
State
SALES TAX GOES UP NEXT WEEK: When Indiana’s sales tax increases by 1 percent Tuesday, all it will take for Evansville residents to find savings is a short drive across the Ohio River to Kentucky (Evansville Courier & Press). At 6 percent, Kentucky’s sales tax will be lower than Indiana’s, but several local business operators agree that’s probably not enough to hurt sales here, though. The state’s sales tax is being increased as a part of the property tax relief package passed by the Indiana General Assembly. Scott Ellison, owner of The Ellison Collection of Fine Jewelry, has been in business for 15 years. His store was open in 2002 when Indiana last raised its sales tax. "When (the tax) went from 5 to 6 percent, I didn’t see much change in sales. Actually sales were up at that time," Ellison said.
Cities
EAST ALLEN COMMUNITIES EYE MERGER: With less than a month before governments across east Allen County must approve creating a new government layer, Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters urged the group to proceed cautiously (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). The East Allen Communities group – which consists of 19 cities, towns and townships in the general area of East Allen County Schools – met Thursday evening to finalize plans for a November ballot vote on the creation of a hybrid governmental group. David Krohn, Milan Township board member, helped lead the meeting. He said his township has approved a resolution to create a new government across the eastern part of the county that would siphon tax revenue from Allen County to provide similar services in the area. The basic concern, he said, is tax money from eastern residents is being spent elsewhere in the county. “We want to reallocate the money to where it’s coming from,” he said. The group estimated it would get about $3.6 million annually in highway and income tax money to finance its operations. Krohn, however, said he wasn’t sure whether any of the other governmental groups had approved the resolution, which must be done by April 17 to comply with state law. During the meeting, attendees were encouraged to speed the process along so it would be ready for the November general election. Peters spoke to the group about asking questions before making the decision, such as how well the roads will be plowed, how zoning issues will be resolved and who will provide public safety, which are all services currently provided by county government. “I encourage you to proceed with some caution as you move forward,” he said.
NEW ALBANY SEWER SUIT ENDS: A lawsuit filed by the New Albany City Council challenging two contracts awarded last year without competitive bidding has been dismissed (Louisville Courier-Journal). The council has struggled with the no-bid issue, first authorizing the lawsuit and then voting to end it, but reversing itself again in February and deciding to pursue the case. Both contracts were awarded last summer to Environmental Management Corp. by the city’s sewer and storm-water boards to operate New Albany’s sewer and storm-water systems. In a decision issued Wednesday, Floyd Circuit Judge J. Terrence Cody wrote that he was granting motions asking that the complaint be thrown out. Cody said the contracts did not have to be bid under state law because they were for "professional and technical services," not for a "public work" project.
CLAY ANNOUNCES NEW GARY HOTEL: Executives from a "major hotel" will visit Gary within two weeks, Mayor Rudy Clay said Thursday, and they will announce a new downtown location for their company (Post-Tribune). It was one of several comments made by Clay at a town hall meeting at the Genesis Center. The mayor also called on residents to take personal responsibility for their city, and he told critics to keep quiet. "It’s easy to criticize, but it’s hard to find solutions," Clay said. "If you don’t have a solution, keep your mouth shut."
Counties
CASS TO USE VOTE CENTERS: Cass County will become the third Indiana county to participate in a pilot project exploring the use of vote centers — scattered polling sites where people can cast ballots regardless of their precincts (Indianapolis Star). Linda Crimmins, the county’s clerk of courts, said vote centers will save money while making voting more convenient. "It is exciting to my election staff and me to be making this progressive step in the voting process," Crimmins said. Under the vote center model, people could cast ballots at a church near their house, at a downtown building on their lunch break or at a supermarket before grocery shopping.
Corruption
DELWARE JUDGE RESIGNS: Judge Wayne Lennington has resigned from the Delaware Circuit Court 5 bench, effective May 15, in the wake of a probe by a state commission that oversees judicial conduct, and a criminal investigation by local and state authorities (Muncie Star Press). Lennington submitted his letter of resignation to Gov. Mitch Daniels — who will select his successor — on Tuesday. On Thursday, the 77-year-old judge said he was leaving the bench as a result of health problems. "It should not be suggested that I resigned because of the investigation," said Lennington, a Democrat appointed to the bench in 1998 by then-Gov. Frank O’Bannon. The Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission has been investigating alleged conflicts between Lennington’s business interests and judicial obligations, commission counsel Meg Babcock confirmed on Thursday. "The commission and judge reached an agreement that a prompt resignation was in the best interest of the judiciary," said Babcock.
No tag for this post.Related posts
This entry was written by and posted on March 28, 2008 at 9:06 am and filed under Daily Wire. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.
Post a comment(Latest is displayed first) or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.