WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and challenger Greg Ballard will meet tonight at 7:15 p.m. on RTV 6. In order to fully appreciate the debate pay attention to the following.
1. Property taxes. Peterson will talk about spending cuts. Ballard will say spending has gone up. For a solution the Mayor will look to the state. Ballard will go for one of the tax elimination plans being circulated.
2. Crime. Peterson will point to more police, including 100 new cops. Ballard will say the math doesn’t add up. Both will talk community involvement.
3. Economic Development. Peterson will point to new jobs. Ballard will go after tax abatements.
4. The Council. Peterson will not talk about Monroe Gray, but will point out the hard work the Council has done. Ballard will point out corruption.
5. Neighborhoods. Peterson will talk about his Indy Neighborhood initiatives. Ballard will say bring back the Front Porch Alliance.
6. The environment. Both men will agree here on cleaning up the city.
The big challenge will be if Ballard can come across looking “mayoral” and not like an amateur. For Peterson it will be to smile and talk to the audience and not come across looking like a used car salesman.
I’ll be interested in your thoughts.
