MORNING MUSINGS
There are a few things to report to you this morning.
A lawsuit has been filed by inmates at the Marion County Jail II over it’s conditions. They say they didn’t get proper medical care, safety conditions at the jail and the grievance procedure. I’m willing to bet that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I have heard plenty of stories like this. Last year a man reportedly did not get his heart attack medicine and one death at the jail in January, my sources tell me, was a suicide. This is only going to get worse, trust me.
If Indianapolis is going to do something about the downtown panhandler problem, the sooner the better. I visited with a number of merchants yesterday and each had a story about panhandlers accosting their customers and even walking into their establishments and asking patrons for money; some while trying to eat. They are out of control.
Keep an eye out for news concerning State Representative and Congressional candidate Carolene Mays. The word on the street there is some bad press coming that could put a major roadblock in her campaign. Speaking of Congress, Dr. Woody Meyers has unveiled a new blog.
If you want to fill the City-County Council vacancy left by Andre Carson’s election to Congress, you have until Monday to file. I’m waiting to see if former Peterson Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell puts his name in the hat.
My colleague, Norm Cox, has some questions about Jill Long Thompson’s plan to suspend the gas tax after it hits $2.75 a gallon.
Expect something a little extra when you go vote in the May primary. Marion County Clerk Beth White says exit pollsters will be stationed outside some polling places taking information who you voted for and why. White says will be credentialed and voters don’t have to respond if they don’t want to.
And my condolences to the family of John Okeson. The former Clerk of the Supreme Court and aide to Governor Mitch Daniels died this week. John was a really good guy and a wealth of knowledge on Indiana government and politics. I enjoyed talking to him and learned a lot from him. He will be missed.
