A Bridge Too Far

Confidants to Zionsville Confidential have reported that Bridge 220 - Ford Road over Eagle Creek - has taken another turn.

Apparently, now the Zionsville Town Council and a County Councilor have a concern that the bridge won't hold the amount of traffic they have planned. The bridge served busy state highway 44 over a river in Shelby County, so one wonders - just what does the developer backed council have planned for traffic?

It isn't for future business traffic, since the Economic Development planning area is nowhere near this bridge.

A week ago, the Boone County Council delivered what could amount to a death blow to the bridge when it voted unanimously to hold back funding until all sides reach a consensus on how to proceed, which could come to the boiling point at the council's June meeting.

''All sides'' involve the county council, the Boone County Commissioners and the Zionsville Town Council.

The Gordian knot to untangle is because the law gives the county commissioners authority to build, replace, and maintain bridges, but the purse strings to fund bridges is the pervue of the county council, and that's where Bridge 220 is in limbo.

The commissioners have voted to proceed with the bridge, but the county council is on the fence. Zionsville, which has no authority over the bridge, wants a say because the bridge is on a thoroughfare in its transportation planning area.

One wonders why the commissioners don't bite the bullet and ask a judge to mandate the county council to cough up the funds, because as it stands, the current bridge is a public safety disaster waiting to happen.

Dating to 1994, the county has examined replacing the existing concrete two-lane span. In April 2004, the Greater Historic Traders Point organization proposed replacing the bridge with a 1940s-era steel truss structure from Shelby County on Indiana 44.

The state transportation department sold the bridge, which was dismantled, rehabed, painted, and awaited the reassembly over Eagle Creek.

At that time, it appeared all sides were on the same page about relocating the structure in Boone County.

But, with elections came a change of elected officials, some with strong opinions about the bridge.

And, one of those officials who has been leading the charge against relocating the steel span is Gene Thompson, of Zionsville, who is a member of the Boone County Council.


Thompson has succeeded in gaining traction for his opposition with several members of the new Zionsville Town Council, headed by Tim Haak. Just why Thompson has taken a Greek stand in all this has raised eyebrows: Is Thompson building a base from which to further himself politically? Whose dog does he have in this fight?

The irony in all this is the amount of money it will cost taxpayers.

Rejecting the steel truss structure, engineering and building a new concrete bridge, reconfiguring the curve at Ford Road at 96th Street will cost county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars more that using the existing, rehabiliated steel bridge.

Oh well, it's only money.

A Pittman Coup of the GOP

As forecast by Zionsville Confidential, sources close to Chad Pittman have revealed that the developer is orchestrating a coup of the Boone County Republican organization, and announcing his intentions to insiders.

And, Pittman did it from the ground up.

In the May 8 primary, Pittman's camp put up candidates for Republican precinct committee spots in all 20 of the Zionsville precincts and won 18 positions, defeating many longtime committee persons, such as Jim Holden.

That means of the 53 precincts in Boone County, Pittman now has allegiances with about one-third of the county GOP organization.

This is significant for all you non-politicos because the precinct committee persons elect the county chairperson, who currently is Debbie Ottinger, of Lebanon.

And, how willing will Lebanon be about having another Zionsville person head the party, after Tom Easterday, and Paul Green?

So, how did the boy wonder deliver the coup d'etat?

Zionsville Confidential was told of instances where certain Town Council members campaigned in their respective districts with Pittman's candidates for the precinct positions. Some of his minions even had yard signs asking voters to support their candidacy.

The groundwork for the takeover began several years ago with Michelle Barrett, former Zionsville Town Council member, Pittman, Ottinger, and Steve Jacob, of Zionsville. Jacob is currently president of the Boone County Council and county GOP vice-chair person.

So, what are the rewards of holding sway over county Repubs?

Ask Doug Rapp and Kate Swanson, two of Pittman's trusted lieutenants.

This week, both completed a two-day workshop in Washington, D.C. hosted by the Indiana Leadership Forum. The tariff to attend was $1,500. As a coincidence, a member of the leadership forum board is Jeff Papa, a Zionsville Town Council member.

In case you missed it, Swanson was the treasurer of the Citizens For A Better Zionsville political action committee, spawned by Pittman for an overthrow of the Zionsville Town Council in 2008. Rapp, also a Zionsville resident, was in Pittman's platoon during tours in the mid-East.

The rewards for Pittman is that as a result of the 2011 Town Council election, he now can ask for favors from a majority of the council. And, ''his'' council has the appointments to the Zionsville Plan Commission, which decides land use issues. And for a developer, that's a big tool in the tool box.

So, how will all this play in Peoria?

Stay tuned to Zionsville Confidential.

There's a New Boss in The Weeds

There's a new political boss looming in Zionsville, who wants his way without interference from the nattering naybobs of negativism.

For the past three years, certain elements have been at work behind the scenes, rounding up the players to control, and keep a tight leash on the Town Council.

The process involves control of the Republican precinct committee persons, which despite all the hoopla of the high profile campaigns in the May 8 primary, has a very significant impact for Zionsville and Eagle Township.

Why worry, or make a big deal of this?

When a vacancy occurs, say on the Town Council, or for a Mayor, it falls to the precinct committee folks to pick the successor. So, if certain elements didn't want any outsider to gain a foothold on a council seat, those powers would seek control of the precinct committee persons confident they would follow orders as who to elect on the Town Council.

As an example, when David Carr stepped down from the council three years ago, there were a few contenders for the opening, which went to Valerie Swack, who was not the anointed one, but a broad-minded thinker who subsequently became a fly in the ointment of Matt Price's administration.

And, as a lesson to anyone who dares fly in the face of the powers-that-be, here's what happened to Swack's most ardent supporter, Tim Bennett, who was the committeeman from precinct 9 in Zionsville. In the precinct caucus, which is the political name of the gathering of committee persons, Bennett passionately touted Swack's attributes as to why she should serve on the council, and Bennett was convincing, and the caucus elected Swack.

Guess what? Bennett is now on the outside looking in. He was dumped as the precinct committee person and replaced by Kevin Swan, a buddy of Chad Pittman and his henchman Doug Rapp.

Which gets us back to what's been going on for the past three years.

Pittman; then council person Michelle Barrett; and Steve Jacob, the Boone County Council president, began strategizing meetings to find people of like minds to run for precinct committee positions from Zionsville and Eagle Township.

When voters take a gander at the ballot in Tuesday's May 8 election, they will see there are 12 contests for precinct positions in Eagle Township, which encompasses Zionsville. And, in each of those 12 races there is a Pittman candidate. And Pittman himself is also running from the Eagle 4 precinct against his neighbor Bill Ferree.

If any of this causes anyone any angst, here are the candidates for precinct committee person that Zionsville Confidential believes voters should seriously consider voting for, and to the best of my knowledge are not beholden to Boss Pittman:

Eagle 2 - Tom Santelli

Eagle 3 - Guinn Doyle

Eagle 4 - Bill Ferree

Eagle 8 - Valerie Swack

Eagle 10 - Kyle McMillan

Eagle 11 - Ralph Stacy

Eagle 14 - Jim Holden

Eagle 15 - Amy Stehr

Eagle 16 - John Notarianni

Eagle 18 - Ron Beck

Eagle 19 - Pat Taylor

Eagle 20 - Steve Guillian

Vote your conscious.

A Rather Personal Poll

The race for Indiana House District 24 race between Steve Braun and Mindi McMillan has become personal.

Zionsville area residents have been receiving telephone calls, which begin with the caller announcing the poll is about the district race between the McMillan and Braun.

Fair enough, but that's where the civility ends.

The person called is then asked their religion, age, whether they are Evangelical or Born Again, how many times they attend church in a year, their household income, and if they were going to vote today, which candidate would they support.

When one person called inquired who was sponsoring the poll, the caller hung-up.

Most callers reached by Zionsville Confidential say they were so curious about the questions, they continued to listen rather than end the call.

Who, or which campaign is behind the poll has left callers wondering which camp - Braun or McMillan - is behind the calls.

Political strategists say it could be either one making veiled suggestions that their opponent is in back of the personal questions to damage the other candidate.

McMillan, who attends Zionsville Presbyterian Church, disavows any knowledge or participation in the poll. Efforts to reach the Braun campaign for a comment was unsuccessful.

And, the Braun forces, spearheaded by Chad ''The Man'' Pittman, have scheduled a ''special event'' hosted by Karen and Tom Wheeler at their manse on Turkey Foot Road Saturday, May 5.

The whingding is a fundraiser for the Mike Pence gubernatorial campaign, so bring the checkbooks.

Special guests include state biggies - Tony Bennett, state ditrector of education; Connie Lawson, Secretary of State, and Eric Holcomb, state GOP chairman.

And, if that's not enough, to swell the crowd almost everyone who is anyone is invited including all of the elected Republican officials from Zionsville, Lebanon and Boone County.

Wonder if that invite includes Zionsville Confidential?

Slightly Out of Focus

How independent is independent?

VS Engineering, Inc., of Indianapolis, has been retained by the town ''as an independent engineering firm to evaulate the proposed plans for adherence to normal design standards for road and bridge projects.''

Specifically, the firm was hired to discuss current plans to replace Boone County bridge 220 - the Ford Road bridge over Eagle Creek.

The plans to replace the bridge with an historic steel truss span has been ongoing for longer than the gestation period of an elephant.

In a memorandum to the Boone County Commissioners from Tim Haak, Zionsville Town Council president, dated April 12, in reference to the named bridge, it states:

''The Zionsville Town Council has reviewed the proposed design and has arrived at the following conclusion.

The Town Council objects to the project as a whole as currently presented. We are not comfortable with proposed treatment of several key design issues within minimum or less than minimum standards.''

The memo cites four ''main concerns.''

A committee composed of County Commissioner Mark Applegate, Robert Clutter, county attorney; Haak and Elizabeth Hopper, town councilors and VS Engineering. met March 22 to discuss plans to replace the bridge. There is no reference in Haak's memo who represented the engineering firm.

But Zionsville Confidential knows VS Engineering.

The president of VS Engineering is Sanjay Patel, who was a member of the group which assisted in developing the Zionsville Master Transportation Plan last year.

Mr. Patel, a resident of Zionsville, is also a member of the Zionsville Storm Water Board, and his firm has a contract for the redesign of First Street in Zionsville.

A real cozy relationship.

What also raised eyebrows is the question of when the Zionsville Town Council took this action, as stated in Haak's April 12 memo:

''The Zionsville Town Council has reviewed the proposed design and has arrived at the following conclusions.''

That sounds as though the council had a meeting and formulated a position, but there are questions about when a meeting was held, and was it public?

The folks who have been instrumental in bringing the historic span to Eagle Creek might do well to ask to see the minutes of the meeting when the Zionsville council made the decision on the bridge.

Hey Big Spender

Candidate Steve Braun, running for Republican state representative from the newly created 24th district, which includes Zionsville, says in his mailings he was an all-state wide receiver in high school.

Take a look at his campaign report and from the list of his contributions and there's no doubt he's still an all-state receiver - of cash - but not all his fat cats are from Indiana.

href="http://campaignfinance.in.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/FilingDetail.aspx?FilingID=44976">Just click here on the link below and take a gander at his list of big daddys and who they represent.

And, if you've been paying attention to the expensive mailers his campaign has been sending, there is a glaring omission - none mention what district he proposes to represent, and in the third and most recent mailing it even fails to mention he's a Republican.

http://campaignfinance.in.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/FilingDetail.aspx?FilingID=44976

Braun and his brain trust are betting that claiming to be a ''lifelong conservative'' will register with Democrats who will ask for a Republican ballot in the May 8 primary.

But, don't be fooled.

Though Braun's family has spent the last 10 or so years as Zionsville residents, he spent his time commuting to and from Chicago to work. Although he's running on the Republican ballot, he cast his last vote in a Boone County primary election as a Democrat.

But, Braun knew how to fix that - get a letter from the Boone County GOP chair who would attest that he was a Republican, and that's what good old Debbie Ottinger did.
Why? Ottinger knows how her political bread is buttered.

And, it's all legal.

But, the $64,000 question was when did Braun ask for Ottinger's blessings to run as a Republican - before he filed for office, or after he filed?

If he asked for her approval after he filed, then that's an issue for Boone County Election Board, but don't hold your breath for the GOP controlled courthouse mummy dummies to question Braun's legitimacy. There's too much cash at stake.

Consider this:

To make sure there were no speed bumps for his candidacy, he coughed up $15,000 of his own moola to the Indiana State Republican House of Representatives committee, basically gaining the party's favor to get him positioned against Mindy McMillan in the May primary.

And, guess who's one of Braun's fat cats? None other than master wheeler dealer Chad Pittman.

How can he lose?

Folks, it stinks.

Stay tuned.

Newspaper or Toilet Paper - The Times-Sentinel

This week readers of the Zionsville Times-Sentinel were subjected to a variety of slanted, misleading and biased stories, obviously edited by an employee there who has a vested interest in how these stories were presented to unsuspecting subscribers.

The headline story by Matt Weeney swallowed lock, stock and bagels the pap that the Zionsville Community School svengali Scott Robison has been dumping on taxpayers for years. ''Little Johnnie and Susie are going to lose their teachers if taxpayers don't give us more money.''

The second big story Weeney dribbled out was that the Zionsville Town Council endorsed the controversial school referendum. Is it any wonder the council puppets rolled over? Who dumped gadzillons of cash into their campaigns? None other than Jim Longest, a member of the Zionsville school board.

And just who does Longest represent? The taxpayers of Zionsville who cough-up almost 70% of their taxes to fund Robison's fiefdom, or Longest's company, Beam Longest & Neff, which has the town's contract for engineering services?

But, the most outlandish piece of ''reporting'' was Weeney's other front page story: REI Apartments aid Town, ZCS budgets.'' What is in the water Weeney has been drinking?

As one source wrote Zionsville Confidential:

''I think I am in a bad Alice in Wonderland dream where people can say or do anything they want and it is deemed to be true and people take any story and twist the reality out to some mutant-alter-nightmare. Hard to stomach the actual articles that don't tell the whole truth - hard to believe that the people who write them believe what they are saying, let alone the readers."

''How can anyone believe that an apartment complex, no matter the circumstances and numbers presented can be good for a school system?'' Hey, more students, more state aid, bigger schools, bigger budgets that Robison can manipulate.

Don't forget that Weeney's boss is Andrea Cline, whose spouse is an officer in MIBOR - the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors as public affairs director and also treasurer of MIBOR's political action committee.

And, in case you missed it, MIBOR made significant contributions to members of the current town council in the last election. And, MIBOR never met an apartment they didn't love, and which financing institutions love to bankroll.

It's time that Zionsville residents, tired of being subjected to one-sided and slanted writing by the Times-Sentinel send a letter of concerns to the paper's parent corporation, Community Newspapers Inc. Phone: 334-293-5800 Or online inquirey form.

Thank goodness there is a new news outlet in town. For now, the Times-Sentinel is only giving Charmin a run for its money.

Make way for Candace

As former Union Township trustee Candace Ulmer ascended the dias after been sworn in as a de-facto Zionsville Town Council member two years ago, she was heard to remark, ''Watch out Zionsville.''

Ulmer joined the Zionsville council by virtue of the consolidated government act, and then last May ran and won a seat on the council from Union Township. Ulmer ran opposed in the fall, and

bank rolled with a large infusion of cash, and despite opposition her campaign paid off and she won handily.

Ulmer takes her marching orders from many, including Elizabeth Mueller, a resident of Union Township. Mueller is a well known left-winger, who has moved many times, looking for greener pastures after getting into squabbles with locals.

When the Matt Price/Chad Pittman cabal took over the town council, Mueller, via Ulmer got Mueller's spouse, Steve, named to the Zionsville Park and Recreation Board. Follow? Ulmer is the force behind many of the important appointments, and "un"appointments. Former Park Board President Ellen Butz was unceremoniously dumped from the parks board for an unknown because Butz got cross-wise with Ulmer.

Elizabeth Mueller has been inserting her heft through her husband, Steve, into the business of the parks board. It was no secret to insiders that some parks board members were frustrated with Mueller, who was taking his marching orders from his frau.

And, Councilor Ulmer hasn't been reluctant about an earmark for her hubby, John, in his role on the Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance. Candace persuaded the council to pony-up some $28,000 a year for five years for a water gauging station on Eagle Creek.

But, with the creek's first high water last spring, the gauging station was swept downstream.

Well, to the point of all this - this has been in the works for a while. Town insiders report that within the last two years, Ulmer accompanied a group of the Boone EDC, and went to either North or South Dakota to investigate ''multi-purpose'' arenas, specifically built for ice hockey.

Ulmer turned in receipts for the trip to the town for reimbursement of several hundred dollars. But, know what? Ulmer never gave a report to the town council for spending taxpayers' funds, so as far as residents knew, the trip never existed.

Until now.

The council has approriated $53,000 for Crowe-Horwath to do a feasibility study for a 3,000 - 4,000 person multi-purpose arena (ice stadium) for Zionsville. Click on the preceeding link to read the letter of engagement with Town Council President Tim Haak.

It's hard to follow the dots, but stay with me - remember Allan Rachles - the current president of the Zionsville Plan Commission. Rachles was a former partner with Crowe. Rachles donated heavily to Haak's campaign in both 2007 and 2011.

And, don't miss this one.

The Indianapolis Ice hockey team will be out of a home for two years because the state plans to remodel the Indiana Coliseum. There are rumblings that a site on 421 for the ''multi-purpose'' stadium has already been selected,

So, how does this get back to Ms. Ulmer? Now, she is circulating a questionnaire asking Zionsville residents what strategy they would have the town pursue over the next four years. What variety of strategy isn't specified.

One open-ended question posed asks what sort of big expenses the town may have soon, and how should they be paid for. (Humm, how about a multi-purpose stadium?) No one is sure about the questionnaire's intended audience, nor is it readily accessible on the Town's website. It's invitation only perhaps?

Strange, didn't Zionsville residents weigh-in on their vision for the town in the questionnaire done for the pricey Economic Development Strategic Plan? And, of course Ulmer promises anonymity, which means she can pick and choose which responses fit her/council agenda.

''Watch out Zionsville,'' the Candace cometh.

The Leopard Shows Its Spots

Well it didn't take time for the leopard to show its spots.


Remember all that pablum the current Town Council administration spoon-fed the gullible voters during their mega bucks campaign last May - that it ''will work tirelessly to reduce waste and eliminate duplicate services?''

Within a month of being in office, the Town Council fired planning director Terry Jones, and the senior building inspector John Merritt for no reason other than, ''We want to go another direction,'' so said El Presidente Haak.

In the next breath, the council approved hiring an ''interim'' planner from American Structurepoint at $130,000 a year, according to our sources. The combined salaries of Jones and Merritt were never a whisker near $130,000. This particular hire was never reported in our local media.


Merritt was a hard-nosed and respected inspector, who at times ruffled builders' feathers making them toe the line on building codes. He obviously was targeted. So, the council decided to satisfy the complaints of disgruntled builders to make it easier for the contruction codes to cut corners.

And, remember American Structurepoint?

That firm has a $59,000 contract with the Zionsville Economic Development Commission to design an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the town. This is the same plan that is currently under intense scrutiny by several citizens groups who caution the plan will destroy Zionsville's character.

Talk about the appearance of impropriety and a possible conflict of interest.

No wonder one of the first acts the council considered was to waterdown the town's policy on conflict of interest. As originally written, it prohibited the town councilors from voting on anything involving a campaign contributor. As repealed, it tosses all restrictions aside.

So, voters, how can the town expect unbiased planning decisions from an ''interium'' planner, whose bread and butter comes with a company that has a vested interest in a strategic plan that many residents have called into question?
During their campaign, the tag team of Jeff Papa and Susana Suarez touted ''They are convinced that investing in new enterprise can be accomplished without compromising the integrity of our traditional values.'''

The ''new enterprise'' at this point appears to be American Structurepoint, whose principles dumped loads of contributions into the coffers of the campaigns of the Haak et al administration. (See last post.)

Talk about integrity?


The blog Advance Indiana had an interesting post on American Structurepoint.


Another curious matter is that of the longevity of the ''interim'' planning director. How long will the financially strapped town be paying top dollar for an "interim" planning director in an economic downturn?

Since the uncermoninous dumping of Jones and Merritt in January, the openings for those jobs have not been posted on professioinal job sites. Ask Ed Mitro, town manager, why.


Methinks Mitro knows how to count the leopard's spots, but the unfortunate man is wary. He may be the beast's next meal.

Who Gave The Candidates' Cash

As promised by Zionsville Confidential, here is the information on individual donations to the winning candidates in the 2011-2014 Zionsville Town Council race.


And, stay tuned for the detailed list of the donations that went into Political Action Committees, which dumped tons of cash into those candidates' coffers.

If you are going to printout the latest list of donations, better get our a ream of paper - there are a lot of donations from friends and neighbors, and some from far-flung places.

For the donations list, click here.





Or you can click this link:


http://www.docstoc.com/docs/115813432/Zionsville-Town-Council-Campaign-donations

Big Bucks Council

Zionsville residents should be proud of its' new council - it's one of the fattest cash cows in the town's history.

The Magnificant Seven took in $91,899.89 in campaign contributions for a $5,000 a year position - $91,899 - the tail is wagging the dog folks.


These figures come from campaign reports on file at the Boone County Clerk's office in Lebanon. And, who got the lion's share of the goodies?

Candace Ulmer, the former Union Township trustee, who collected $18,46l, following closely by incumbent Tim Haak, with $18,101. Mrs. Ulmer is going to be "The one to see.''

The balance went to:


Susana Suarez, $16,572
Elizabeth Hopper, $14,236
Tom Schuler, $13,966
Jeff Papa $10,561

The largest contributor to the campaigns was a political action committee, Civic Pride of Boone County, which dumped $24,502 into the seven coffers. Civic Pride's contributors are a mix of developers and their attorneys and those wonderful folks who bring you more apartments.

Civic Pride's largest contribution went to Mrs. Ulmer of $10,458, and close behind was the new council president Haak, who picked-up $6,858.

And following Civic Pride in contributions was the Metropolitan Board of Realtors PAC with $7,210, which doled out $1,000 plus goodies to the seven campaigns.

Wonder why our local newspaper hasn't followed the money?

Publisher Andrea Cline is the spouse of Pat Cline, an officer with MIBOR, whose bank is none other than the Bank of Indianapolis, which employes Tim Haak - just a coincidence.

One name missing as a contributor in any of the seven campaigns was Chad Pittman.

This is the same fellow who gave birth to the Citizens for a Better Zionsville, and in 2009 confided with former councilor Michelle Barrett:

''I appreciate your leadership of our town and the direction you are taking us. Who would have thought that we could have come this quickly to aligning our town planning area with the school district to make it easier to plan and control our own destiny.''

Zionsville Confidential has heard unofficially that lately Pittman has been having a case of the jitters seeing his name in print, closely aligned with bank-rolling the council candidates. This is also the same fellow that still has a Papa/Suarez sign up on his barn on the corner of 334 and Michigan.

Stay tuned. Zionsville Confidential is preparing a complete list of all the contributors.

The Town Council Circus

The baptism of the 2012 Zionsville Town Council was a dismal display of open government, which coincidentally the Pittman puppets hooted for during the May primary campaign.

Not only did this bizarre adventure into town government display a complete lack of understanding of the issues on the agenda, but it also showed the council's disregard of the public.

One would like to think that any questions about items on the agenda would have been answered at the council's agenda meeting weeks before the regular meeting.

Of the several contested items on Monday's agenda - a new tax for stormwater, softening the conflict of interest ordinance - the new nincompoops managed to find time to slip in an ordinance reversing the town's acceptance of the Ford Road Bridge over Eagle Creek - thanks to Beam Longest and Neff - remember who - Jim Longest and his brother Tom, dumped thousands of dollars into the councilors' campaigns.

One might hope someone on the council would know that the County Commissioners are responsible for bridges in Boone County, and this ordinance does nothing except chest pounding, and pave the road for the devastation of the tunnel of trees, thanks to Gene ''Oz'' Thompson.

So now to the open government part.

As the council was getting ready to pass the Ford Road bridge ordinance, a member of the public had the audacity to ask if the ordinance could be recited so that the public would know what was being voted on.

Humpty Dumpty Haak then proceeded to stumble through the ordinance. Shortly afterward, another citizen cited inaccuracies in the ordinance, and was told she had limited minutes and to sit down.

When pressed if the council knew what the cost would be of a new bridge would be, Humpty Dumpty promptly stated the public was out of time. Wouldn't you think the council would want to know what the costs were?

During the three-hour root canal, the newly-sworn would voice the rationale for their votes - after the vote was taken - no dummies, you express your position before the vote.

Would someone please give these do-gooders a course in parliamentary procedure and train Humpty Dumpty on how to treat the public with transparent government.

The Ides of March next.

The Structure of Structurepoint

This is the company that the Zionsville Economic Development Commission hired to devise a strategic master development plan for the town. It is also the firm that has been hired to design a ''gateway'' to Lebanon, which is projected to cost $8,765,500. To read more about this boondoggle go to the Watchdog Indiana at http://www.finplaneeducation.net/.

And, according to Watchdog Indiana, guess who the City of Lebanon hired to work three days a week to ferret out more federal money? Tom Kouns, the recently retired Boone County Highway Department manager, being paid $30,000.

Ogden on Politics

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” Haile Selassie

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

American Structurepoint Executives Pour Money Into Ballard Campaign; Company With Bribery Indictment Past is Rewarded With Lucrative City Contract

The Indianapolis Business Journal reports in part:

American Structurepoint has been tapped by the Indianapolis Department of Public Works as program manager for the city’s “RebuildIndy” infrastructure-improvement initiative.

RebuildIndy is the formal name of the massive infrastructure improvements Mayor Greg Ballard wants to make with $425 million in expected proceeds from selling the city’s water and sewer utilities to Citizens Energy Group.
...
Contract terms with American Structurepoint are still being negotiated, said DPW spokeswoman Molly Deuberry.

Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint was one of four companies to express interest in the city project, she said. The 44-year-old firm, which also has offices in South Bend and Columbus, Ohio, has worked on a number of high-profile projects, including design work on the Interstate 69 expansion.

Besides helping the city develop strategies on project selection and implementation, American Structurepoint also will work with the city to manage its stormwater capital-improvement program, DPW said.
...

What is not in the article, is the fact that American Structurepoint used to be known as American Consulting Engineers and its owners, executives James Wurster and Willis Conner, were indicted for bribery by former Marion County Prosecutor Scott Newman. The indictments had to do with ACE giving a $50,000 plus a year job to Indiana House Ways & Means Chairman Sam Turpin. The job was not disclosed and Turpin allegedly engaged in actions to favor Ace. Wurster and Conner took an appeal of the indictment and won on the basis that the allegation did not include a quid pro quo ("this for that") and without a specific allegation regarding what Wurster and Conner received for their money, the bribery allegation could not stand.

As a side note, the "quid pro quo" requirement remains one of the biggest obstacles to the enforcement of the state's bribery law. Rarely do those wanting favors hand over money with specific instructions to vote a certain way or engage in certain conduct favorable for the one offering the bribe. Rather Indiana's version of "Pay to Play" involves a wink and a nod which generally can't be prosecuted under Indiana law, but can be prosecuted under the federal Hobbs Act which has a lower standard.

While Wurster appears to be out, Conner is still with the company. During 2008 and 2009 (years when the Mayor wasn't even a candidate), Conner individually donated $22,500 to Mayor Ballard's Campaign. American Structurepoint executive Marlin A. Knowles, Jr. contributed $30,000. There are probably others from American Structurepoint who contributed to the Ballard campaign as well.

(Conner contributed $1,000 to Citizens for a Better Zionsville, and $500 to the campaign of Tim Haak.)

Blogger Gary Welsh calls it "Pay to Play the Ballard Way." (To find Gary's take on the story click here.) Indeed it is exactly that. While Ballard pledged to change how business was conducted on the 25th Floor, those of us who supported him never expected that the "change" was to take Indianapolis pay to play politics to a new and unprecedented level.

The Ties That Bind - The ZHS Class of '86

Ring out the old, and in with the new Town Council.

Well, maybe.

From where we sit it appears the Zionsville High School Class of '86 will still be in the cat bird's seat.

Matt (Powderpuff King) Price will be gone, but his shadow looms large. Don't forget, Price kicked in $11,000 to council candidates and PACs in the most recent election cycle.

Could Price, an attorney with the Indianapolis powerhouse law firm of Bingham McHale, be poised to bump Mike Andreoli as the go-to man when you want something done around town?

Don't forget, it's been Price who has done the heavy-lifting in the past four years as council president, and for that he certainly is due pay back.

Without doubt his title as Class of '86 Powderpuff King deserves something.

But, back to the babes-in-the woods - Susana Suarez, Tom Schuler and Elizabeth Hopper.

It's no surprise that the newly-elected council has already met in private and hashed out the council leadership positions.

So, when curtain rises at the inaugural 2012 council meeting look for Tim Haak to assume the presidency, with Jeff Papa as the vice-president.

How Papa slipped into this elite circle is somewhat a mystery because he's not a Class of '86 member.

If you want to know more about Papa go to his Facebook page or google all the things he's worked on at the state legislature.

Haak will have to watch how he votes to makes sure he doesn't step on his ying-yang because of a conflict with his employer, the National Bank of Indianapolis.

Papa also will have to be careful he doesn't stub his toes because of his position as chief counsel for Sen. David Long, R-Ft. Wayne, president pro-tem of the Indiana Senate.

But, how about the other members of the Class of '86 and their connections to town power?

There's Andy Pickell, whose employer is BLN, the engineering company which picked-up the town's account after HNTB, the town's long-time engineers, was bounced last year for no legitimate reasons - other than Class of '86 ties to BLN.

Pickell kicked in a whopping $2,000 to the Political Action Committee, Eagle Good Governance to pay for political attack ads in the last election.

And, speaking of BLN, there's Jim Longest of BLN - the L is for Longest. Longest, who is a member of the Zionsville School Board, also participated in the revision of the town's Master Transportation Plan this year. Longest donated over $6000 in the last election through his involvement in multiple Political Action Committees and direct donations.

Engineering firm and new roads . . . get it?

Other classmates are Charlie Edwards, who is chairman of the all-powerful Zionsville Economic Development Commission.

Edwards' committee was the entity that engaged Structurepoint to devise a ''new Zionsville'' strategic plan which has many residents fuming.

More about Structurepoint to come.

Hey Buddy, Wanna Buy a Town Council?

Well folks, not two, three, or four, but FIVE weeks have gone by with nary a mention by the Zionsville Times Sentinel about campaign finances raised by the new Town Council and supporting political action committees.

Reports of those funds raised from April 9 to October 14 were due October 21 in the Boone County Clerk's office.

Several readers have reported that when they've asked the Times Sentinel why there has been no story about this, the reply has been "That's not news." Really? Not news? You be the judge.

Is it news that over $160,000 was spent and raised to get the 2012 Town Council elected? Not according to the Times Sentinel. So that's why you have to read it here?

The Times Sentinel did see fit to report on some of the campaign finances on April 20, 2011 - just days before the primary. However, the T-S spent its ink on an "unbiased" report outlined in single paragraphs the amounts of money raised by Steve Schanke, Peter Hawyuk, Tom Santelli, Chris Brooke, and Wendy Brant, the anti-Pittman slate.

Nary a word about the tons of cash raised by their opponents and the PAC's which dumped thousands of dollars into their coffers.

Then, later the paper extolled the virtues of the Pittman slate of candidates being endorsed and funded by MIBOR (Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors.) That entire slate won in a landslide.

And, don't forget the managing editor of the Times-Sentinel, Andrea Cline is married to a MIBOR executive, Pat Cline. Mr. Cline as MIBOR's Political Affairs Liason is in charge of fundraising/donating and running candidate school to train candidates for political office.

Purely coincidence or a convenient conflict that you can't find that information in the Times-Sentinel?

Show Me Your Friends, and I'll Show You Your Future

Remember the advice during the pre-Watergate hearings, when the admonition was ''Follow the money?''

In this election for the Zionsville Town Council it was never more blatant than in the campaigns of the Seven Dwarfs - Papa, Mundy, Suarez, Hopper, Ulmer, Haak, and Schuler.

And, the Prince? It's none other Chad Pittman, who despite his appointed position at the state, is not permitted to openly campaign but he still can host an Ulmer fundraiser on his property. Are you listening Gov. Daniels?

Pittman, with his brothers, are mega developers in Hamilton County, and recently have run into financial doldrums there, but have their sights and pocketbooks set on Boone County.

Upset that he was never able to crack the Zionsville development ceiling, Pittman orchestrated the ''Citizens for a Better Zionsville'' in 2007, which fielded a winning ticket of Matt Price, Michelle Barrett and Tim Haak for a majority of the then five-member council.

The CBZ, a political action committee, raised thousands of bucks for the Pittman appointees. The lions share of its war chest came from individuals, attorneys, and firms representing development interests outside of Boone County.

The other two candidates elected were longtime members David Carr and Art Harris, who soon became a vocal minority.

Subsequently, Carr resigned and Valerie Swack took his place. Then, Barrett resigned for personal reasons and Steve Mundy assumed her place.

With a majority on the Town Council, Pittman pulled the strings and his puppets danced, appointing his dunces on the Zionsville Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

But, because of the vocal minority of Swack and Harris, the brothers Pittman did not always hold sway.

Pittman wanted a clean sweep - no voices crying in the wilderness. With Swack and Harris tired to tilting with windmills, the openings were there for a 100% Pittman coup this year.

And, along comes the Civic Pride of Boone County, LLC PAC with offices in Zionsville, and its bank none other than the National Bank of Indianapolis, where Tim Haak is a VP.

Stay with me folks, it only gets better.

Matt Price, current Town Council el presidente, is the chairperson of Civic Pride with board members Paul Kite, home builder; Tom Longest and Jim Longest, of the engineering firm of Beam Longest & Neff, and Bob Harris, all of Zionsville.

The BLN firm is currently the engineering firm hired this year by the Town Council, which tossed out HNTB, that had served as the town's engineers for over 20 years.

Harris is a substantial property owner along Zionsville Road, south of Eagle Creek, who has long eyed the extension of the Village Business District to connect with his holdings.

Civic Pride's latest report of campaign contributions and expenses filed with the Boone County Clerk Oct. 21 showed it has raised $33,000.

And, guess which Zionsville Town Council candidate's campaign benefited the mostest - Candace Ulmer, $7,100, followed by Haak's campaign, $6,500.

The deep pockets came from Harris, no relation to Art Harris, and his family interests, which kicked-in $11,000, one-third of the contributions.

Others contributors were:

Robert Fisher, Carmel, $1,500
David and Peggy Matson, New Palestine, $1,500
Thomas C. and Darci Longest, Zionsville, $1,000 (loan)
James B. and Annie L. McIntosh, Zionsville, $1,000 (loan)
Matthew and Beth Price, Zionsville, $3,000 (loan)
John Demaree, Zionsville, $100
Matthew M. Price, Zionsville, $6,000
Mark and Kathy Downey, Avon, $500
Teachers Tutoring Inc., Indianapolis, $1,000
Committee to Elect Matt Price, Zionsville, $2,343.97
AMECO, LLC, Greenwood, $1,000
Midwest Financial Company LLC, Indianapolis, $1,000
Harris FLP, Zionsville, $3,000
Barbara Harris FLP, Zionsville, $3,000
Harris FL?, Zionsville, $1,000
Harris Capital Investments LLC, Zionsville, $4,000 (loan)

Civic Pride made the following contributions:

Elizabeth Hopper for Town Council, $3,250
Candace Ulmer for Town Council, $7,100
Committee to Elect Tim Haak, $6,500
Tony Cotton, Lagrange, Ky., $3,500 (drafting)

The campaigns of Tom Schuler, Susan Suarez, and Jeff Papa, each received $358.83.

$ivic Pride indeed.

The Oz's New Queen

It's election season, and Town Council candidate Candace Ulmer is on stage playing the charade behind the curtain as the Wizard of Oz.

You know the poseur, pretending to be what he's not?

Unfortunately for Zionsville's citizens, she's hiding from what she is; a flip flopper to end all flip floppers, backed by deep-pocket developers. But, outwardly, on her blog and in expensive newspaper ads, she's all innocence and good governess.

Hogwash.

She's wagering that voters on Nov. 8 won't do their homework and realize just how dependent her campaign is on the cash dished out by big-time developers with designs on their own shovel-ready projects in Zionsville

Take a look behind the facade.

For her to triumph in the May primary, Ulmer raised $17,000. Most notable contributions came from MIBOR (Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors) - $1,121.80. Council woman elect Susana Suarez Campaign Fund gave $1,000. Council President Matt Price's, Civic Pride of Boone County Political Action Committee gave $7,100. Keith Burks of Naples, FL contributed $1000 (who's he?). Plan Commission President Allan Rachles gave $200, as did Councilman Jeff Papa.

And remember, annual pay for a council member is $5,000.

Ulmer is opposed next week by an Independent candidate from Union Township, Constance Brye. Ms. Brye is running with no ties to any development interests or political group. Brye's campaign report show a paltry $1,050 raised in total, $600 from herself.

Only those voters residing in District 1 are allowed to decide the Brye vs. Ulmer race. But with David and Goliath fund raising differences, don't expect big fancy mailers from Brye.

A little background music please.

Two years ago, when the consolidated government proposition was before the voters, Ulmer was serving as the elected Union Township trustee. She was the majordomo tub-thumping for the movement, campaigning for everyone in Union Township to vote for it, and they did, and it passed.

Ulmer promised Union residents that taxes would not go up. (And, by virtue of the consolidation, she ascended to the stage of the Zionsville Town Council.)

She stated, ''Union residents will see a tax rate increase of 0.6% - Hummm

But taxes did go up for Union in 2010.

Residents there saw an increase of approximately 25 percent in their 2010 property tax bills. Union taxpayer's rate jumped from $1.54 to $2.04 per $100 of assessed property value. And, according to Ulmer's own blog dated Oct. 21, 2010, for the 2011 budget it says, "Yes, taxes are increasing," and goes on, "Union residents will see a tax rate increase of .06%" No increase in taxes? Blarney.

Let's review: 2009 - ''Taxes won't increase.'' Then in 2010 - taxes increase. Taxes increase again in 2011.

Great record.

Flip-flops abound. Her blog states she is for diversifying the tax base. "We need more business," she states. However, she recently voted to allow high density apartments that pay less in taxes than business, in an area zoned for business. Brilliant.

Another Ulmer flip-flop came this year, when the Stormwater Utility was proposed for all of the newly-consolidated Zionsville, including Union Township. Ulmer endorsed and voted for it. Taxes won't go up for Union? Hardly, this is a new added tax.

But, now Ulmer is against the Stormwater Utility because of the tax that will be imposed on residents to fund the utility, which Ulmer contends will only benefit Zionsville's infrastructure.

One of the backroom deals Ulmer was behind, but failed to deliver this year was allowing a private Westfield utility, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) access into Union Township for the benefit the Indianapolis Executive Airport and developers along U.S. 421.

And oh, probably just a coincidence, but the operators of the airport (formerly Terry Airport) are major contributors to Ulmer's election campaign.

It's time for voters to unmask the Wizard of Oooze Tuesday. Nov. 8.

Where There's Smoke

Wonder what the flap over an e-mail sent by four Zionsville town council members to the Boone County Commissioners is all about?

Maybe nothing, but again maybe there's smoke, and where there's smoke there's fire.

At the June 6 council meeting when it came time to allow the public an opportunity to address the council, Wendy Brant came forward and claimed the four councilors had violated the Indiana Open Door law.

Ms. Brant, a former Boone County commissioner, is no stranger to the issue of transparency in government. She was president of the Indiana Coalition for Open Government, and testified at the state legislature for the Public Access Counselor.

Basically, the Open Door Law forbids appointed or elected members of municipalities from conducting business privately, outside of the public view.

The e-mail Brant questioned was sent by Tim Haak, council vice-president, to the Boone County Commissioners on Friday, June 3.

It stated: As members of the Zionsville Town Council we are formerly requesting that you table the Ford Road bridge agenda item from your meeting Monday, June 6th. Zionsville is currently updating our Transportation Plan and the proposed bridge replacement plays an integral role in this update. We feel that the item warrants more discussion between the Zionsville Town Council and the Boone County Commissioners and we would like to formally meet to discuss further.
It was signed by Haak, Steve Mundy, Jeff Papa, and Candace Ulmer.
Zionsville Town Council

Ironically, it was Ulmer who on June 1 asked the commissioners to be on the June 6 meeting agenda to express her opinion about the Ford Road bridge, and request that the commissioners delay signing an agreement to proceed with construction of a new structure.

As reported in the Zionsville Star June 9 edition of the Indianapolis Star, "Brant said the four council members made a decision as a majority of the seven-member council outside the public view, challenging them otherwise to identify what public meeting or where in meeting records the issue was discussed and decided. Official action, under the law, includes to 'make decisions or take final action.' ''

Council president Matt Price, and council members Art Harris and Valerie Swack were not copied on the e-mail. Harris and Swack said they were unaware of the correspondence. Unlike the other four councilors, Price, Harris and Swack are not seeking election in November.

Haak, Mundy and Papa defended their action, Papa the most testily during an exchange with Brant. Papa argued that because the county commissioners did not take any action concerning the bridge there was no violation of the law.

But, the commissioners did take an action about the bridge, delaying further discussion until the July meeting. That action came about when Jeff Wolfe, president of the Board of Commissioners, asked for the delay.

What the four councilors seem to avoid here, is that the four of them formally requested the commissioners to take an action, and the violation is because they did not decide this in a public forum, and consequently there was no record of what they did.

Papa can huff and puff all he wants about the timing of the e-mail, and the urgency of contacting the commissioners, but Ulmer was already on the commissioners' agenda, so why didn't the four amigos let her carry the message from Garcia?

Who Is Flip-Flop Mundy ?

Will the real Steve Mundy stand up?

Maybe he'll figure that out when he grows up.

At the Town Council meeting in April, a vote was taken on the Zionsville Transportation Plan, which had been forwarded to the council by the Plan Commission.

Included in that plan from the Plan Commission was a proposal to include the proposed I-865 interchange with Cooper Road, which was highly-contested by hundreds of property owners of the area.

The council voted 6-1 to reject the Plan Commission's recommendation to include the interchange in the proposed Zionsville Transportation Plan. Candace Ulmer was the lone dissenting vote.

According to state statute in cases such as these, when the Town Council makes a ruling, it is sent back to the Plan Commission for #1 approval, and or #2 rejection, or #3 recommendations to the Plan Commission..

So, now the Town Council its June 6 meeting has to either, #1 accept the Plan Commission action to add the Cooper Road/interchange, or #2, reject the Plan Commission vote to include the Cooper Road project and take it out of the Transportation Plan, or #3, wait for 60 days when the action of the Plan Commission becomes law, i.e. the Cooper Road/I-865 interchange is back.

At the May meeting of the Town Council, its' members voted to reject the Plan Commission's recommendation to include the Cooper Road/I=865 interchange in the proposed Transportation Plan.

Now, here's where the rubber meets the road for Flip-Flop Mundy.

At the April meeting of the Town Council, Mundy voted with the majority to remove the Cooper Road/I-865 interchange from the Zionsville Transportation Plan.

But, suddenly Mundy had an epiphany, or a call from the Pittmans, and in May, as an appointed Town Council member of the Plan Commission, he voted with the plan commission mummy-dummies to put the Cooper Road/I-865 interchange back in the Zionsville Transportation Plan.

Mundy's gave his Flip-Flop reason to The Indianapolis Star's Zionsville edition on May 19.

``Commission member Steve Mundy - who is also a council member who voted for the changes as a councilman - said his vote as a commission member to now reject the council's action, including council removal of the proposed interchange, does not mean support at this time for the interchange.''

Huh?

The story continued:

``He said more investigation needs to be done. . . '' blah, blah.''

If there is any investigation to be done, it should be ab0ut ``Flip-Flop" and what caused his about face.

The Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

Threatened by a possible victory for at-large candidate Wendy Brant, the ''Move Zionsville'' mafia has resorted to new suppositories this week, assisted by their development cronies.

After recent telephone polling showed an overwhelming support for the former county commissioner, the ''Move Zionsville'' hatchet men went to work on widow Brant with a vicious misleading mailing focused on school issues, issues the Town Council has no power over.

And, to dress the wolves in sheeps' clothing, the ''Pay to Play'' crowd mailed out a bogus ''primary election guide'' under the name of ''Civic Pride of Boone County'' which endorsed their seven nebbishes - Eeenie, Meanie, Miney, Moe and more of the same.

So, who or what is doing the "endorsing?''

Another cash guzzling committee - the Civic Pride of Boone County Political Action Committee, and guess who was listed as chairman of that PAC?

None other than Town Council president Matt Price, who has been orchestrating the three-ring Pay to Play circus since 2008 despite some bumps in the road. His name appears in very, very small print at the bottom of the back page.

And, listed as ''board'' members of this new political action committee are none other than Paul Kite, builder; Tom and Jim Longest, principals in the engineering firm of Beam Longest & Neff (town engineers), and Bob Harris, an erstwhile developer and local business property owner.

Price, for whatever reasons, decided against running for re-election after being swept into office with Michelle Barrett and Tim Haak in 2007 with the machinations of Chad Pittman, developer.

Kite, who resides in Irishman's Run, is a major residential home builder. Just think of the building possibilities of the wide-open spaces in the newly reorganized Zionsville of 52 square miles.

And, who can forget the Longest brothers, Class of '86 with Matt Price and Tim Haak. With the help of Price and his lock-step councilors, the town's longtime engineering firm of HNTB was tossed out this year.

And guess which firm got the six figure contract? Bingo!!!! Beam Longest & Neff. The Longest clan also dumped cash into the 2007 campaigns of the Price crowd.

And, lastly Bob ''Love'' Harris, who had been trying for years to extend the town's business district south to where he owns property.

Harris was also the deep pockets behind the short-lived Boone County Sun, the Lebanon-based weekly newspaper.

And, guess which bank is getting the contributions to the ''Civic Pride of Boone County?'' Yup, you guessed it, the National Bank of Indianapolis where Councilor Tim Haak is a vice-president.

The ''Civic Pride'' tabloid features the five district candidates and two at-large, all of whom have been endorsed and financially supported by MIBOR - the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors, which has dumped $10,000 so far into the campaigns. "Civic Pride" neglects to mention any other candidate options though there are many.

The Zionsville primary has been targeted by MIBOR, which is the only election among the donut counties singled out for special attention.

Get the picture yet? There's not much time.

In spirit of the royal wedding, God Save The Queen.