CCC Evening Update
It’s 11:23 p.m.
We’re in the final stretch. The CCC is debating the removal of several security cameras from across the city to the Monon Trail. A lot of CCC’s are furious that cameras are being moved from high-crime areas to the Monon. While I think there is some legitimacy to the argument, maybe if this city didn’t just vote to spend almost half a million dollars to pay people not to work, they could afford to spend money on more security cameras. Ah, the irony of it all. No one has postured on hybrids, so I will do it for them and close up. BUY AMERICAN! See you in the morning.
It’s 11:00 p.m.
Although they are out of a job, Marion County’s Township Assessors will each get a golden parachute as they walk out the door. The CCC voted tonight to reduce the pay of the assessors from their current levels to $27,000 annually until the end of their terms. The CCC beat back an amendment by Republican Ryan Vaughn which would have be reduced the salaries to 1980 levels. The assessors will also continue to get all their county employee benefits like health insurance and pensions. Supporters of giving the assessors a flat salary said the $27,000 would show the assessors compassion and the CCC needed to honor the social contract. In addition, some Councilors said some of the assessors had been in their positions for 20 years and were entitled to a severance package and despite the across the board $27,000 salary, the taxpayers will save more than $400,000. And for the record it was a bi-partisan golden parachute. The measure passed 23-2. But to be fair one Councilor, told me had the amendment not passed the Assessors would have been paid their current salaries, averaging $60,000 a year. Regardless, their no-time job probably pays more than your part-time job, and for some, their full-time jobs.
Still to come, hybrid vehicles.
It’s 10:30 p.m.
The CCC voted to censure former Council President Monroe Gray for past alleged ethics violations. The vote was 15-7. Originally the vote was 14-8, but Democratic CCC member Paul Bateman changed his “no” vote to a “yes” saying he wanted to put the matter to rest. Several Democrats who were not on the Council at the time (Brian Mahern, Jose Evans, Maggie Lewis) chose to abstain from voting. Gray was accused of being unethical for voting on a matter to prevent a special committee from being formed to investigate past alleged wrongdoing.
It’s 10:00 p.m.
The CCC just approved the Mayor’s plan to reduce the COIT. The vote was 20-6 with Councilors Bateman, Gray, Mansfield, Nytes, Oliver and Sanders voting “no”. The CCC is now taking up the censure of Monroe Gray.
It’s now 9:24 p.m. Here’s what I’m hearing…
- The COIT decrease will probably pass with all Republicans voting yes maybe up half a dozen Democrats getting on board.
- The Monroe Gray censure vote will likely fail for lack of a majority and come back next year, but not without some fireworks.
- The clock is still ticking on grandstanding, Joanne Sanders has filed a Freedom of Information request with the Mayor’s Office asking for any and all documents and correspondence regarding the purchase of the 85 hybrids.
More to follow. My guess is we will get out of here by 11:30 p.m.
