The filing deadline for the May primary is noon today, so it's time to think about what some of the issues might be. An important one -- which the News-Sentinel editorial page will be concentrating on -- is what county candidates think about the consolidated government issue. It's no surprise that there is a split between city and county residents, with those in the city tending to favor consolidation more than those in the county. But an interesting development over the last few years is that county officials themselves are split on the issue. The joint city-county council meeting in April, at which better government efficiency will be the topic, should help keep the issue on the front burner.
Comments
Didn't the county lobbyist testify against the consolidation bill this week?
That's a tricky question. The way the bill is written now, most supporters of consolidation are against it. To consolidate, two governments would have to have a referendum in each jurisdiction. That means Fort Wayne residents would have to approve it, and county residents who live outside Fort Wayne also would have to in a separate vote. This requirement is seen as a consolidation killer; it gives the 27 percent of people who live outside the city veto power over the 73 percent who live inside it. Consolidation supporters would prefer one referendum of all the people who live in the county. The way the bill is now, people can seem to be for consolidation (by supporting the bill)when, in fact, they aren't.
There seem to be so many self-important donkey's behinds in both councils that I wonder if we aren't better off having the two groups to check each other's puffery.
Having lived in a truly big city for a couple of decades I cannot fathom what any elitist in Fort Wayne has to feel pompous about, but there it is. Legends in their own minds.
so why not start the process that Indianapolis is completing- that of ironing out the details, and acting on creating a "metro sheriffs department"
having an elected, county wide sheriff , coordinating law enforcement priorities with both constituents, and the criminal justice system makes more sense than having the city and new haven police fill the jail, and clog the courts with mickey mouse misdemenaors, rahtner than common sense law enforcement,a nd keeping the peace, and keeping our property secure.
the city police have laready proven they are incompentet/corrupt, concerning dherrymasters, and cherrymaster-gate( they're back everywhere...)
this addresses white collar felonies, political/police/judicial corruption, or negligence, or just plain ignorance. noe of which is good....
at worst, we have systemic corruption,where everyone is getting a slice of the pie, and turning a blind eye to flagrant racketeering, not only the operators, but makes the officials, and cops co-conspirators....
its time to clean up this city. enforce the laws, or change them, and keep the truly dangerous of the streets, but keep our cops and governemtns honest....