Doug Marshall
The Long & Winding Road
The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I’ve seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to your door
We’re back. Not going to lie, it has been a journey the past few months. Life happens and we must travel the long, winding road at times. We’ve been watching the city, the elections, the candidates, the weather and it’s been interesting, to say the least.
Now that we have the niceties out of the way, let’s get down to business.
The City of Muncie is out of control. Shocking, we know. If it’s not Mayor Tyler’s city council giving him the nod for nearly eight years, it’s the board of public works approving the purchase of ambulances. Before the deal was even sealed, the city lined up an EMS director.
Dear people, don’t be fooled with Mayor Dennis Tyler’s feigned concern for the “underserved” of this city. He had ample time to address the “underserved” and did nothing much, in fact, he never even considered it until a few weeks ago. He held the position of state representative for six years. Again, where was his concern?
Tyler has never been one to be proactive, rather he would be considered reactive at least when it comes to serving his constituents. Do you know when he was proactive? When he was in the back room of 214 Walnut St. Also known as Democrat Headquarters. Talk about designing an elaborate scheme to funnel tax dollars into the pockets of the elite.
After the 4th of July, the campaign season will kick into high gear. You will hear promises, see plenty of smiles, handshakes. In fact, you may even see city council members actually looking as if they are working for you.
Here’s what we have, incumbents all have records. How did they vote? Did they spend the past seven years voting straight down 214 party lines? Suddenly, they are giving volume to your voice, or so it seems. Are they really? What will they be doing come January 1st, 2020? Will, there still be a place for them at the 214 dinner table? Probably.
You can be certain Tyler and Company had a plan in 2011 and it was executed fairly well. We believe all the things we are seeing today is also a plan. No, Mr. Tyler won’t be on the ballot but he and his cohorts will still be guarding their territory, make no mistake about it. They must have their own sitting on the council and in the top seat.
Voters! Wake-up and smell the stench.
Not an April Fool’s Day Joke
Do you all remember Hank the Dog? If not, here’s a synopsis. Once upon a time, there was a dog named Hank. Hank was notorious for being picked-up by city animal control. You might go as far as to say he was targeted. The owner was summoned to city court, and although the details are a little murky, one thing we do know, the City of Muncie violated their own animal control ordinances. You see, there was nothing about the number of times an animal could be picked up and nothing about an owner having to appear in court. Later they did change the ordinance after they violated it.
Funny, how the city’s attorney could find an ordinance that was decades old. Suddenly, the elected officials are concerned because they aren’t following this ordinance. City Code 32.33.
Sec. 32.33. Time and place for regular meetings.
The first regular meeting of the council shall beheld on the first Monday in January after thegeneral election of the members-elect of the council, at 7:30 p.m. as provided by IC 18-1-3-2. Allregular meetings shall be held on the first Monday evening of each month at 7:30 p.m. and maybe adjourned at the pleasure of the council. Adjourned meetings shall have all the force andeffect of regular meetings. Meetings shall be heldin the council chamber, unless otherwise determined by the president and designated on theagenda.(Code 1968, § 31.14; Ord. No. 620-80, 10-10-80)
The city council has been in violation of this for years. So, what’s to stop them from violating a 2013 Indiana State law? Or any law, for that matter? As you can see, absolutely nothing. Ah ha. Let’s have a meeting on January 1, 2018. Surely no one would show. And, and, and we’ll be following an ordinance we have never observed.
As the City-run EMS began to heat up, the elected officials, who are supposed to represent the people were hoping to find a something that would weaken the DCEMS supporters on council turnouts. Wrong on Muncie City Proper’s part.
Demolishing empty lots? No problem. We’ll change the addresses. Who said anything about bid rigging? Did you hear anything about bid rigging?
This has to be the most poorly run administration to date. Or at least it comes close. With all of the history and many of the old-timers would remember days gone by, there was quite a bit of action. Have talked with a few and the stories they would tell. Sadly, many have passed from this earth. Oral history is most effective.
So just for fun, and possibly to jog a few memories, here is a clipping from the local newspaper dated February 21, 1993. You would think the cost of corruption would be enough to throw these characters out on their ear. Nope. They are like a bad penny…just keep showing up again and again. Most have been replaced with the younger generation. Make no mistake they learn from their elders.
Pickles, the marshall, and the beach!
Well, it looks like Doug Marshall is finding himself in quite a pickle. The Indiana State Board of Accounts has levied the charge of “double-dipping”. Apparently, there is a law on the books which states you can’t hold a position of an elected official and a paid government position at the same time. Doug is contending the Muncie Sanitation District is not a city position. He has said he will resign from MSD. Either way, it’s a pickle. If he stays with MSD the salary and benefits would remain intact. However, if Republicans take control of the Mayor’s office he may lose that position. (Disclaimer: just surmising, not positive if it would be legal to dismiss him.)
He currently has a challenger for District 1 and that would be Ralph “Jigger” Smith. 
If Smith beats Marshall in November, then Marshall would be out. Doug has said he will resign from the MSD and continue as Muncie City Council representative. It’s a gamble either way. Certainly wouldn’t want to be in that pickle jar. Feeling some sympathy for Doug.
Councilman will have to choose jobs
Moving on. Here’s a sweet pickle. Sarah Beach is running At-Large. The funny thing is she is employed as the City of Muncie Human Resource Director and moonlighting as the spokesperson for Dennis Tyler, uh, City of Muncie.
Clearly, she won’t be able to hold both positions. The 214 Democrat Party didn’t know about the law? Yea, they did. You see, if there is a Republican mayor, she is out. Possibly, out if a Dem makes it in. The Democrat party headed up by the silent majority of Dennis Tyler and Phil Nichols need their people. They need someone who will do their bidding and take the fall, too. She votes the wrong way, Beach will be summoned to the interrogation room at Dem Headquarters.
A document filed by federal prosecutors in the Craig Nichols case reported that members of Tyler’s administration had been summoned to Democratic Headquarters in early 2016 to discuss – in groups that included the mayor and Phil Nichols – a response to allegations against the building commissioner. That document did not specify Stewart had attended those meetings.
Beach may be a plant, too. She’s at the beginning of the alphabet. Sure to gain at least 7% of the vote (statistically speaking). Some voters just vote for the first person on the ballot. No matter what, she’ll be governed by the hidden and quiet previous Democrat officials. Just because of Mayor Tyler saying he won’t run again doesn’t mean he is going away.
This is about as much political commentary we can provide today. Hope you enjoyed the humor.
And remember, a pickle a day keeps the State Board of Accounts away…
Tyler & Marshall: Let the politics begin (HB1315)
Muncie newspaper published an article today with reactions from Muncie City Council President Marshall. As well, Mayor Tyler voiced his concerns. We would like to highlight some of best quotes and respond.
City Council School Board Nominations
Marshall: “We haven’t really made any decisions yet.”
MP: House Bill 1315 passed on May 14, 2018. Council has done nothing in 15 calendar days. Although the same council was able to pass a 43% income tax in 14 days. The same council was able to fast track DCEMS. In other words, when the council wants to be expedient they will do so.
Marshall: “We want to make sure we do the best we can for this school board,” he said. “With our appointment, at least we will have a voice (on the board), a bigger voice.”
MP: Yet, they have sat on their collective rears and did nothing. Sounds like doing their best, right?
Marshall: “Nobody reached out to council from Ball State that I know of, not to me as president,” he said. “Nobody’s reached out to me and said this is on the fast track.”
MP: Timeline was published and as an elected body one should take steps to prepare If the council is ignorant on HB1315 that is of their own doing. It’s not like HB1315 has been hidden from the public eye. All of this has to be in place by July 1, 2018. Ignorance of this bill is not the fault of the bill. City Council is masters of fast-tracking when it benefits them. Lame excuse.
Marshall: “I’m just one person,” Marshall said.. “I have to bring this before council, and it has to be done publicly. We have been accused of not doing things correctly. As president, I’m following an open forum. Everybody has input.”
MP: Eight other members and the MCS appointments never discussed? Never? Again, this council was able to pass a 43% income tax in 14 days. They pulled together on the city-run EMS proposal. Collectively they worked to keep information from the public.
Star Press: Marshall is still bitter about how the state government trifecata (the Republican Party holds the governorship and supermajorities in the House and Senate) “rammed” House Bill 1315 into law.
MP: Like this administration and city council has done since 2012? Muncie City Council has been under Democrat majority for decades. There is a plethora of “rammed” ordinances, spending and taxes in their history.
“The way the Statehouse came in here and did what they did, it seems like they want to do away with public education,” Marshall said.
MP: Marshall making another ridicules political statement hoping to redeem the council from their obvious inactivity and direct the conversation away from the real issue. City Administration and Council have done nothing to prepare for this major legislation.
Tyler: When Tyler said he received information from the state, he meant Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, and his legal staff.
“There are still some areas not clear to us,” Tyler said. “It says we have the ability to nominate three, but it doesn’t say we couldn’t nominate just one or just two if we choose.”
MP: Mayor Dennis Tyler held the previous position of Indiana State Representative since 2006. He was appointed to the House after Rep. Tiny Adams died. He was elected in 2008 & 2010 until resigning to run for mayor in 2011. More than anyone he should have been on top of this bill. Playing political games again with something as nonsensical as the number of nominations? What legal staff is he referencing? Is it the Indianapolis legal staff or is the Quirk -Hunter legal staff?
When Mayor Tyler won in 2011 he was asked if he would appoint any Republicans. He laughed and said, “We have enough qualified Democrats.” (sic) . Has this changed?
NOTICE: EMS Committee Meeting!
Just received word from Dan Ridenour, Muncie City Council member the EMS Committee will be meeting on Thursday. Please pass it on. Sorry for the short notice.
What: EMS Committee Meeting
When: Thursday, January 4, 2018
Where: Muncie City Hall
Time: 6:00 PM
Official: Muncie city council meeting January 8, 2018
City Council meeting has been changed AGAIN and it will be held on January 8, 2018, at 7:30 PM Muncie City Hall.
The city-run EMS idea is one of the biggest screw-ups this council has had the pleasure to sponsor. And they have done numerous stupid acts.
Their only solution to the issues this city has created is to raise a tax or implement a costly ambulance service.
They will round up the usual suspects to speak in support of this ordinance…just wait and see.
FYI: Muncie City Council changes meeting dates
On December 8th, 2017 received information Muncie City Council changed the date of the January 2018 meeting. Originally scheduled for January 8th it will be held on January 1st New Year’s Day.
Muncie City Council has never held meetings on holidays. Councilperson Doug Marshall said he was informed by the city attorney (not sure which one) having the meeting on January 8 was in violation of City Code 32.33.
Sec. 32.33. Time and place for regular meetings.The first regular meeting of the council shall beheld on the first Monday in January after thegeneral election of the members-elect of the council,at 7:30 p.m. as provided by IC 18-1-3-2. Allregular meetings shall be held on the first Mondayevening of each month at 7:30 p.m. and maybe adjourned at the pleasure of the council. Adjournedmeetings shall have all the force andeffect of regular meetings. Meetings shall be heldin the council chamber, unless otherwise determinedby the president and designated on theagenda.(Code 1968, § 31.14; Ord. No. 620-80, 10-10-80)
You’ll recall in 2015 Mayor Tyler and City Council introduced and passed a 43% income tax in 14 days. It was needed to keep 16 firefighters on the payroll.As proposed by Tyler, the city would enact a public safety LOIT of 0.25 percent — generating more than $1.5 million a year — and an 0.2 EDIT increase, which would generate more than $1.5 million.
The revenue would go into the city’s general fund, where a portion of it would go to offset another funding loss: The federal SAFER grant, which has in recent years covered the cost of 32 Muncie firefighters, will be cut in half beginning next year, Tyler said. Source: Mayor seeks local income tax increase Star Press 9-1-15
The city was “just notified” that it will receive $2.1 million in SAFER grant funding for two years that begin in February 2016, Tyler said. That’s only enough to pay for 16 of 32 firefighters, he said.
“We have to cover the cost of 16 firefighters,” Tyler said. The department has 110 firefighters. Source: Muncie Star Press 8-31-15
