TIP LINE

If you have any news tips, gossip or rumors you would like to share or any ideas for future post. Please send an email to: 6vwts@notsharingmy.info or contact us on Twitter: @IndyRepublicanX

You do not have to leave your name. We appreciate greatly your support.


Showing posts with label Andrew Clark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew Clark. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Indianapolis Star covering Carmel residents fight against taxpayer-funding of a Carousel



Last week we had covered the story of a petition by Tim Hannon and other Carmel residents to oppose Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard's scheme to fund a carousel. Indy Republican is thrilled to report that today Andrew Clark over at INDYSTAR is covering Carmel residents fight.

Writing in today's Indianapolis Star Andrew Clark reports

A petition aiming to stop Carmel from buying an antique carousel is gaining steam online.

Tim Hannon, a longtime resident, started the petition Thursday and will send it to the Carmel City Council. It had almost 150 signatures by midday Monday.

Hannon told IndyStar he is concerned about Carmel using taxpayer money to pay for the carousel. He suggested the City Council look for companies or individuals who would want to donate money toward the carousel and perhaps receive a plaque in exchange.

He also opposes the city taking out bonds to pay for luring a luxury hotel. He said if the free market doesn't support a luxury hotel, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard should seek a midrange quality hotel.

"These projects in particular just seem unnecessary, given the readily available alternatives," Hannon said.

The carousel and hotel are part of two bond packages the Carmel City Council will likely vote on in August.

Carmel City Councilor Ron Carter said an agreement for the city to purchase the carousel is in place, contingent upon the council voting to pass the bonds. It would likely be installed in the Arts & Design District, Midtown or City Center.

We have been curious about what Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard thinks of Tim Hannon's petition. Andrew Clark was kind enough to think of that as well. Our good friend Clark writes:

Brainard, who has seen the petition, responded in an email: "It is always good to listen to criticism but still apply judgment based on years of study, planning and experience." Brainard also said 4 percent of Carmel's debt is paid by residential property taxes and that the city's credit ratings are very high.

Carmel City Councilor Ron Carter put in his two cents as well:

Carter said the complaints that have been raised against the carousel remind him of the complaints that were raised when Carmel was building its City Hall in the 1980s.

"As you go through the history of the community, there have been bold moves by not just the mayor, but by the City Council, and the mayor and Council in combination," Carter said. "I look at this as another situation of that nature." 

You can see the petition on change.org

Well Mayor Brainard and Councilor Carter nice to see that you think taking other people's money to finance your personal tastes in buildings is a "bold move"! 

We want to share with all of you, but especially with Jim Brainard and Ron Carter a response to them from the Indy Republican mailbag:

"Mayor Brainard & Carmel City Council are not representing the whole of Carmel in the wasteful spending of the taxpayer's money.
Why not finance this carousel out of your own pocket, Mr. Mayor?

Well? What do you have to say Mayor Brainard? Why don't you finance the carousel out of your own pocket? Our readers would love to hear your response?