dunnuck
Saturday rambling: Filing for election
The deadline for filing ended on Friday. One surprise, Democrat James King filed on the Republican ticket. He switched parties and the Republican chair, Will Statom, gave the blessing. Last year, Stephen Smith with a record of Democrat voting, asked to be placed on the Republican ballot for mayor. Will Statom said no.
Not surprising is a candidate, Traci Allbee, who has been a fixture in past elections. She has no intention of campaigning or even serving the public. Her sole purpose is to garner votes in hopes to keep a candidate the party despises from making it through the primaries.
Every election, it’s the same old song and dance. Most are what we call “ringers” or “ghost candidates”. To keep things interesting, the tactics are changed slightly. Like the 2010 primaries when the Democrats filled the Republican spots with their very own candidates.
Delaware County Voting Polls Are Haunted! (click here)
The Republicans beat the Democrats at their own game by filling nearly every spot with their candidates. “Foul!” the DHQ cried. That’s funny, I don’t care who you are.
In 2011, Nora Powell filed with her maiden name and showed on the ballot as Nora “Evans” Powell. Again in 2015, she pulled out her maiden name to be listed at the top of the ballot, reverting back to Powell after the elections.
So, you say?
2011 saw another candidate who filed with her maiden name. Unfortunately, not being chosen by the DHQ elite, she was subjected to all manner of scrutinization. Nora was not held to the same standard.
Of course, Powell is not a “ringer” candidate by any means. Just one who hopes to cash in on the 7% of voters known to select the first name on the ballot. 2015 saw “ghost” candidates in an unsuccessful effort to unseat the popular Linda Gregory.
Let’s go back to 2008 when the Democrats were successful in removing an elected official by placing a “ringer” on the ballot. Bilbrey comes before Brooke. Bilbrey received 6,000 votes and never campaigned. DHQ was successful in getting Brooke out and their man Dunnuck in by employing the “ghost candidate” ungolden rule. Sidenote: Bilbrey later sued Mayor Dennis Tyler. Don’t know the outcome.
In addition, just a few months prior to the November ’08 election, the Democrat Headquarters went on a campaign to get Vote Centers instituted. The Republicans were not against Vote Centers. Just the timing and the implementation was close to the election date.
Democrats, of course, making it a political football claiming it was an effort to suppress the vote. Funny thing, after the election, with a Democrat Clerk and a Democrat-controlled election board, they never made any move to implement Vote Centers again.
Democrats as well as Republican are successful in inciting emotional outrage where none exists as well as claiming the Voter ID law limits voters. You need an ID to cash a check. Surely an election should fall under the same scrutiny. Based on unknown candidate Bilbrey’s 6,000 votes, not sure elections and its process all that important.
Simply put, placing fake candidates on the ballot is a covert manipulation of your vote. Sincerely hope people recognize it as such and just say no.
Gotta go…see you all when I see you all…
Saturday Rambling – A few days Late
The rumor has finally been put to rest. Did the City of Muncie Building Commissioner, Craig Nichols, get the remodeling contracts for the City of Muncie’s City Hall? This very rumor had been circulating for months, and finally a rumor that has truth attached. Yep, folks, he got it. In fact, other city projects, you know, the ones that have received city as well as State tax dollars may have his company written all over it.
Unfortunately, we won’t know how much his company made. That’s private.
Mr. Nichols signed a conflict of interest disclosure, so everything is O.K. I wonder, the person responsible for the construction code, as in the position of Building Commissioner, will cite his own company for violations? Or will it just be disguised as a change order, and payment submitted so the Advanced Walls & Ceilings won’t lose any money? I don’t believe the Board of Public Works will even consider questioning any bills from Mr. Nichols, the Building Commissioner a/k/a owner of Advanced Walls & Ceilings.
Advanced Walls and Ceilings Indiana Secretary of State information
Just last year, the attorney for Muncie Sanitary District, Mike Quirk, started a business and began collecting payment for services rendered. His business was filed with the State of Indiana several months later. As with Mr. Nichols, we have no idea if this is saving us money or costing us money. SOS
However, there is a bit of history which can help you determine if this is beneficial.
The County purchased a truck from a county’s highway employee’s son. Cash for Clunkers, Delaware County Style. I’m glad as a taxpayer, we could help a poor fella out of his upside down truck loan.
The county dog catcher resigned after the County animal control truck was stolen by a drunk neighbor. The ex-dog catcher later received a contract to roof a county building. The contract was rescinded and he threatened to sue the county. But, never fear, the City of Muncie, saved the day. How, you ask? Simple. Fire a company that did building debris clean-up and hire the ex-dog catcher. Problem solved.
Remember the rumor the previous mayor would fire anyone that disagreed with her? MITS board member, Karl Kizer, felt it first hand. 25 years on the board, well-respected and knowledgeable had the audacity to question the mayor. Out he went. Oh, this was done by the current mayor.
Does anyone remember Culpepper insurance? If you don’t, being a big Democrat party supporter, the commissioners hired the company to take care of the county’s insurance. Boy did he, as costs skyrocketed out of control. 2003 mayoral candidate Dennis Tyler said there was no place for Culpepper in his administration. Tyler won in 2011 and take a guess who showed up to offer us insurance? No word if he saved us money on our liability policy.
We take care of our own here. We’re loyal like that.
What a fiasco when the commissioners tried to pass an ordinance limiting the area that Center Township Fire could service. Kind of like if your house is located in Muncie but closer to CTFD station, they were not allowed to go put the fire out. Oops, some 911 calls got misrouted, too.
Friendships and loyalty run deep here. In fact, it is the backbone of our very existence. Take for example, when the Democrat Chair was being indicted for forging papers to remove a candidate from the ballot. The chair, Phil Nichols, resigned and appointed Dennis Tyler, the now current mayor. Mr Tyler then appointed Phil Nichols to the election board. Let nothing like an indictment stand in the way of a friendship.
Time doesn’t allow for everything in complete detail, as that would really take a book. But consider these things:
The Fair Board ordinance requires an even number of members from both parties. This didn’t happen so solving the problem was simply rewrite the ordinances to match the appointments.
The Justice Center which was filled to the brim with party favorites, made national news and cost a pretty penny for the taxpayers.
Royerton Sewer, again a board filled with wives of party members, cost the taxpayers some dough. And it hasn’t stopped costing the residents.
Sigh….
Dis-FUNctional – Are we having fun in Delaware County or what!
Delaware County is so political, it takes the fun out of being dis-FUNctional. It doesn’t matter what the topic, or flavor of the day, it’s political. Payback can be good or a detriment, depending on what side of the “dis-FUNction” you sit, stand or walk on. Sometimes you get a job, or your truck paid off or even a construction contract.
Case in point. The Muncie Sanitary District and Mayor Dennis Tyler. Mayor Tyler claimed at the mayoral debate, he was able to work across party lines, he just can’t seem to do it. Supporters of the mayor never said a word about Economic Development Income Tax funds going to pay for a law firm just so Mayor Tyler can gain the last bit of control over the $168 million dollar storm-water project. So, the political games continue and the taxpayers and citizens will be forking over more money. That’s the way it has always worked.
First we had the Justice Center, talk about the political football!
With the political appointments made to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) was filled to over-flowing with party supporters. By the time it was all said and done, Delaware County was on the hook for additional bonds (covering the cost overruns), purchased a boat-load of Bull computers…and even got to pay for storage of the dis-FUNctional pieces of modern technology and a lawsuit in which one attorney lost his license to practice. The County Commissioners, even gave the poor unemployed attorney a pass on his fines. Later he won his appeal on a technicality getting his license reinstated. Witnesses for the prosecution were placed in the same room…that’s a no-no. He was good to go.
We made national news on that one. Along with the lady who shot her toe off because she had a corn. No, I’m not making this stuff up.
Are we having fun yet? Read the rest of this entry »
Somewhere over the rainbow…
Coming up Wednesday May 30, 2012, there will be a special meeting of Delaware County Council. Some of the topics and decisions to be had will be, returning the pay and hours back for the county workers, bond issues and amending the salary ordinance.
Some of you may remember last fall when Delaware County voted to close the County Building on Friday and decrease the pay by three hours as a cost saving measure. I haven’t heard the savings and one wonders if the county has suddenly found itself solvent since last year. Read the rest of this entry »
Muncie Indiana – What’s happening in our city?
O.K. I’ll make this brief. Just how much has the spending or wish list amounted to so far?
April the estimated spending (based upon newspaper articles) according to the figures was $1,490,450.00. Included in that figure was the cost of Mock Station, Downtown Development, Community organizations, Roberts Hotel, etc. Well, I was off a few bucks.
Mayor Dennis Tyler released his EDIT spending and the figure came in at $1,536,507.00 a difference of $46,057. 00. The spending plan differed slightly from the earlier newspaper articles, but really, who cares?
Next on the agenda is the purchase of a fire truck at $879,647 pending approval of City Council. We purchased new trucks less than three years ago and acquired Center Township’s well-oiled and maintained fleet.
It’s only money…Delaware County, Indiana
For those of us which have been following Delaware County finances and government for the past few years, it has been one financial disaster after another.
At the end of 2009, Delaware County Treasurer, John Dorer, stood before County Council unable to borrow $10.5 million dollars to stay out of the red. Eventually, the county found three separate institutions to loan us the money. This same year Delaware County received a windfall of $8 million dollars from the Welfare levy. The bond rating for our county dropped resulting in a higher interest rate on borrowing.
In 2009, Larry Bledsoe , County Commissioner, contacted Jake Dunnuck, Drainage Board attorney, requesting Dunnuck obtain a ruling from the State of Indiana on then current surveyor’s practice of awarding contracts without bids, formal quotes or plans. Contracts were awarded to the surveyor’s stepson who was the deputy chief in the surveyor’s office.
No response from Jake Dunnuck.
Bledsoe brought to the attention of commissioner Todd Donati the county watershed funds were depleted and running in the red. Bledsoe wanted a resolution and said he would not sign off on any future spending. Commissioner Todd Donati turning his back on Bledsoe promised he would sign off if Bledsoe didn’t. A complaint was filed with the Attorney General by Bledsoe. Greg Zoeller responded the matter needed to go before the county attorney, Mike Quirk. Read the rest of this entry »
Will Old Acquaintances Be Forgotten….
Happy Old Year, Delaware County! Behold, all things new are now all things old.
Most of us have read George Orwell’s famous novel 1984. A fictional and futuristic book full of manipulation, one party control and from where the term Big Brother became a household name. The story’s main character, Winston, holds a position in the Ministry of History and his duty is to rewrite according to the Party. Winston decides to keep a diary of historical fact.
Another key character is O’Brien, a powerful Party member.
Winston is summoned to O’Brien’s beautiful apartment where Winston is convinced by O’Brien he is part of the Brotherhood and is working to overthrow the Party.
Unfortunately, Winston is arrested by the Thought Police and O’Brien spends months brainwashing the poor guy.
Winston is separated from his true love, Julia, and while he is being indoctrinated into the Party he finally snaps and gives her over to O’Brien. This was goal of O’Brien and the Party all along. When Winston is finally reunited with Julia he is void of feeling for her. He has completely given his life, mind, soul to Big Brother and the Party.
As is characteristic of all great novels written circa 1934, there is always a moral to the story.
So, you may be wondering what Mr. Orwell’s novel has to do with 2012 and the progress of our Nation, State, County and City. Although George’s ideas seemed a little extreme, all extremists have a measure of truth.
Let’s take a look at Delaware County for example.
Of course, we aren’t actually living in Big Brotherville, for now, we still have the First Amendment and I would suggest you read it again if you have forgotten it.
A progressive move that makes Mr. Orwell’s Party characterization similar in nature to Delaware County, is the appointing of board members. Appointments to the county fair board was required to be evenly distributed among the parties. Since this didn’t happen, the next best thing is to just change the ordinance to fit the appointments.
This is progressive thinking, folks. (Sorry there is no link. The county link takes you to the EDIT fund ordinance.)
In the city of Muncie, we’re clipping right along. How can you not vote for someone who worked so hard to get screens and bulletin boards in his work place? The assurance Mayor Elect Tyler was able to work across party lines can’t be any more clear than this:
Asked if he expected to name any Republican department heads, Tyler laughed a little and said, “I doubt it. We have more than enough qualified Democrats.”
SP 11-28-11
For District 34 State Representative, the Party precinct committee members chose Mike White over Lewis Coulter. The only surprise was that Mike White was even considered for the position. Mike believes his work as a ’60’s activist will serve Delaware county well in Indianapolis. He certainly has the look for it.
The City and County elected officials have their own consolidation going on.
Can’t find qualified Democrats in the city to fill administration’s slots? Let’s branch out to the county and pull from their pool of employees. If the best of the best is being recruited to work for the city, where does that leave the county?
As we live precariously in the past, a letter to the editor imploring Mayor Elect Dennis Tyler to bring back Ron Bonham. Certainly, the city can afford to pay an additional $140,000 to keep Prairie Creek reservoir open. And why stop there, as soon as possible, let’s get Mr. Bonham back into the Commissioner’s seat. We can always use a new sewer system.
The position has been filled, and it wasn’t with Ron Bonham. Maybe now, he can finally retire in peace.
Of course, I hope most of you understand this is written in jest. Nevertheless, we are totally represented by one party sect in the City, most of the County and State. I hope you realize that every person appointed to positions of power and to boards are deeply vested in this same party. Come January 1st, they own the good, the bad and the ugly.
If Mr. Orwell was alive today, perhaps he could write a sequel to 1984. The perfect title? 2012.
Delaware County Fair Grandstands~Part Two
Funny how some things work out. Just the other day I was looking for something of interest which had nothing to do with the Delaware County Fair and the grandstands proposed expenditure. Out of nowhere pops an article from the Muncie Star Press written in July 2007. Yep, the headlines grabbed my attention.
Facilities improved in time for this year’s county fair
During 2006 and 2007 nearly $200,000.00 worth of repairs were made to the grandstands. The roof was on the list of improvements. County Engineer Michael Denton said it would cost less to repair the roof than to take it down.
Other improvements included new chain link fence, new seats, new walks, new stand for the judges, structural repairs and safety additions. A couple of years prior, according to the article, new lights and ticket office was added.
I’m not sure what has changed from 2007 to 2011, but volunteers provided earth moving equipment to tear down the motorcross track back then. I wonder if volunteers could assist in the removal of the dilapidated grandstands. Sure would save some money.
It’s hard to say how much it would have cost the County if bulldozers and other like equipment had a price tag attached to the Delaware County Fair budget in 2007.
“The grandstand is safe and the roof has been repaired” said Jane Lasater. “Now the grandstand needs to be painted to make it look nicer. It’s rusty.”
There is some rumblings the stands could be repaired for $90,000.00 but I think they’re toying with a $900,000.00 bond. Since 2006 and including the current estimated price tag, the county will have invested over $1 million dollars in the grandstand area. That is if the $900,000.00 financing comes through.
2011 wasn’t that great of a year for generating money. First the Band Day and then the Antique Tractors. Sure, they filled it with other “attractions” but didn’t make very much money.
You would think 21 people could come up with better ideas to expand the exhibits to draw more people. As 2012 comes in, let’s hope we see some innovative and progressive ways to increase attendance and interest.
Perhaps the move to change from admission fee to parking fee wasn’t so hot of an idea after all.
A Tale of Three Districts ~ Delaware County, Indiana
Imagine leaving the country on an economic junket to Germany. When you left you were Delaware County Commissioner for District 1. When you return you find your district is gone.
There was no catastrophic event, no nuclear incident, nothing like that. Instead, it was Commissioner Todd Donati’s Sharpie which drew the lines that eliminated Commissioner Don Dunnuck’s district.
No biggie for Dunnuck. He has indicated he won’t run for commissioner in 2012. Mr. Dunnuck has his eyes on a county judge seat.
Which brings up another question.
Why would Don Dunnuck be chosen to seek out economic development when his goal is to be a Delaware County judge? I will never understand how Delaware County operates, thinks or works. It’s foreign to me. (Pardon the pun.)
But, I digress.
In case you may be wondering where District 1 went, have no fear. It’s still there. Now, Dunnuck’s kingdom is Larry Bledsoe’s. Go figure.
The new and improved District 1, which includes Daleville, is as far away from Dunnuck’s residence as you can get. What Democrat county council member lives in the new district?
Hmmm….Intrigue and suspense right here in Delaware County. Who would have thunk it?
District 2, which is Todd Donati’s district hasn’t changed all that much.
Mr. Donati who revealed he wants a second term ended the speculation with this confirmation “at this point in time” In other words, he needs four more years to continue his reign of spending. Donati in the county and Tyler in the city. It just doesn’t get any better than this, folks.
Larry Bledsoe, District 3, was “suspiciously” left out of the redistricting planning.. He may have put a chink in the new districts and we couldn’t have that, could we? What do you expect from a man who was against the County Plaza building project ($700,000.00+), closing the county building on Fridays and had the audacity to call the Delaware County Building “The people’s building”.
Mr. Dunnuck has a lot on his plate. He doesn’t have a district and the Democrat party chair announced his sister will be running for District 2 judge, same seat Dunnuck wants.
That’s about it for a Saturday night in Delaware County, Indiana. So, I will leave you to ponder this quote from the Star Press:
“You take from one and give to another and it affects everything,” Quirk said. “We’ll see how everything shakes out here shortly.” Mike Quirk, Democrat chairperson SP 12-10-11.
WALKER/ROYSDON REPORT: Dunnuck no longer has district of his own
Muncie Politics 