Consolidation Is A Pivotal Issue(posted Oct 2) Marion County Republican Chairman Thomas John was candid in his remarks to the Wayne Township GOP Club that his goal is to stay focused on winning the election and not to be derailed by party disagreements whether pursuing consolidation as part of the campaign issues is a right or wrong stance. John defended his actions as the county chairman that the party has to address consolidation because the Mayor has not implemented a good plan. He said the GOP has failed to get the message across that the Mayor's police merger plan cost taxpayers money, and the time is right to develop a plan so the party can "out reform the reformer"(The Mayor's Indy Works Plan) when it comes to consolidation. Consolidation needs to be part of the message beyond crime and taxes because it is the Governor driving the consolidation charge. He said consolidation is a matter of when it will happen. "Polls also indicate that a majority voters think consolidation is good." John cited Center Township as a good example of inefficiencies. He said it costs the township $2.43 for every dollar that goes out for poor relief. District 6 City County Councilor Lynn McWhirter noted that the police merger has proven to be less than successful with its reduced manpower. She did not want the fire departments to consolidate to further put township residents at risk with fire safety. She said consolidation effort is undermining the big base of Wayne Township voters. State Senator Mike Young noted that eliminating township governments through consolidation may not be the answer and that legislation could fix the particular problems. "If there are problems in the mayor's office you don't get rid of the mayor's office. You get rid of the mayor," he said. Speedway Town Councilor Lu Hillmer said the four excluded cities are chapter two of consolidation, and the cities are not much different than the townships. She requested the four excluded cities be exempt from consolidation because they are proud of their autonomy. John said that both parties are working to reduce the number of precincts in the county from 917 to 590. He said it costs about $1,000 per precinct to operate. He also encouraged Republicans to file for precinct committeeman in January and February for the May 2008 election. John thinks 2007 is the time Republicans have a chance to take the majority of the City County Council. Kent Smith, at-large city county councilor candidate, said he was dedicating his family car to take people to the polls. He said the Democratic Party is strong with offering voters rides to the polls on election day. He said they must have had a good subliminal message going on in the car pool because it seemed like the voters cast a straight Democratic ticket in 2006. John agreed that one of the GOP's weaknesses was not providing better transportation for people to get to the polls to vote. He forecasted tight races for about six to eight district races. He said that voters are so disenchanted with the current Mayor that mayoral challenger Greg Ballard may not have to use TV ads to win. He said U-Tube has several videos poking fun of the Mayor. He indicated these videos are an expression of voter emotions and frustrations. John expects the party to do well in the election since hiring a new communications director and grass roots coordinator to work with the City County Council candidates. He said that Wayne Township candidates are key to assist with picking up the majority seats in the city council. |
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