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MCDP Updates

Over-Coached and Out of Touch, Ballard Continues to Falter
October 6, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS – Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy released today the following statement:

Despite Kyle Walker’s plaintive wailings, Mayor Greg Ballard isn’t cut out for the job of leading our city.  At each public appearance, he shows more of his blubbering ways.  35,000 jobs lost, and the out-of-touch Mayor continues to say jobs that may not materialize five years hence is enough.  Aggravated assaults are way up and Forbes Magazine has ranked Indianapolis among the most dangerous cities in the country.  But Ballard still withholds data from the FBI and, reminiscent of Chip Diller at the end of Animal House, says all is well.   Perhaps most troubling, though, is that Greg Ballard sat silently as $14 million dollars was taken from our kids’ classrooms, and Indianapolis’ schools continue to struggle.

Kyle Walker can continue to make outlandish claims about the Mayor’s successes, but like the failures of the last four years, 33 days from now, Greg Ballard will be an electoral failure.

 

Ballard Campaign Throwing Weight Around in City-County Building
October 5, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS - Distraught city employees have come forward with accusations that Mayor Ballard’s campaign made calls to offices in the City-County Building.  Recorded voicemails, obtained by the Marion County Democratic Party and available for the media, exaggerate the Mayor’s record and urge city officials to display yard signs in support of the Mayor.  A public records request is being submitted to evaluate the degree to which these infractions have occurred.

With just 34 days until the 2011 Municipal Election, Mayor Greg Ballard, the first Tea Party candidate, is quickly losing steam and getting sloppy.  Local headlines scream of Ballard’s limited understanding of policy, his numerous broken promises, and his propensity to ignore Marion County residents.   These, alongside the bold vision put forth by Melina Kennedy, have the Mayor now stooping to a new low as his campaign hopes to inappropriately coerce or compel city workers to support Ballard’s unhealthy reelection campaign.

“The Mayor recognizes that this race is one where he is clearly winded and falling behind, and he is desperate,” said Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy.  “These calls, done inappropriately into staff offices, are nothing short of veiled threats-either support the Mayor or suffer the consequences. This type of activity is unacceptable and highlights further why Greg Ballard has got to go.”

 

28th Annual Democratic Legal Reception
October 3, 2011



Making IPS Only Public School District in County Will Be Priority for Republican Council
September 29, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS - At the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum just days ago, incumbent Republican Councilor At-Large Barbara Malone announced the Republican Party’s support for the consolidation of all school districts in Marion County, including Speedway and Beech Grove. 

A Tea Party Republican, a leader within the conservative Republican caucus and the sole sponsor of the unpopular 50-year parking deal, Barbara Malone has exercised significant influence within the Republican ranks.  This newest proposal, which has no resistance from her fellow Republican candidates, continues to highlight the extraordinary disconnect between Tea Party Republicans and the educational challenges facing the city of Indianapolis and its students.

“We cannot continue to allow this type of reckless proposal to determine how we approach education in our city,” said At-Large Council Candidate and career educator Leroy Robinson. “These issues are far too complex.  Mayor Ballard, Barbara Malone, and their Republican Party have bashed our public schools, taken money from the classrooms that need it most, and now they want a one size fits all school district.  It’s absurd, and we can do better.”

Marion County Democratic Party Chairman also weighed in on Councilor Malone’s remarks.

“Even former Republican darling and then-mayor Dick Lugar refused to consolidate local school districts,” Treacy said. “But with the Tea Party takeover of the Republican Party, both nationally and locally, we are seeing the remnants of sound judgment all but vanish.”

You can view Malone’s comments here at approximately the 1h:15min mark.

 

Kennedy Dominates First Debate with Ballard
September 27, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS – Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy released today the following statement regarding the noontime mayoral debate between Democratic Nominee Melina Kennedy and Tea Party Mayor Greg Ballard:

In a Mayoral Debate sponsored by the Rotary Club of Indianapolis today, Democratic Mayoral Nominee Melina Kennedy offered an intelligent and bold vision for the future of Marion County.  The debate, held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and broadcast live on WFYI, highlighted Kennedy’s commanding grasp of the issues and her commitment to ensuring Indianapolis is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Kennedy’s forward-thinking message and clear plan stood in stark contrast to Greg Ballard’s defensive and often reactionary mumblings.  Like the Tea Party that elected and controls him, Ballard displayed out of control negativity and an apparent disconnect with a community yearning for better schools, safer streets, and real jobs.

Ballard’s performance today was defined by regurgitated 2007 talking points, complaints about the prior administration, and a clear disregard for the concerns facing our community.  While this Mayor is happy to thoughtlessly spew criticisms, we remember that the ribbons he has cut for Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Airport, and the Cultural Arts Center are all a direct result of the prior administration’s efforts.  In the shadow of the many outstanding Mayors before him, Ballard has been as lackluster as his performance today.      

We have a clear choice:  A leader who is ready to take this city to the next level, or a reactionary whiner who, despite crippling unemployment and dangerous streets, thinks we are doing just fine.

From the very beginning to her personal and impassioned closing statement, Melina Kennedy offered visionary solutions to the many challenges facing the families of Indianapolis.  In a time that demands action and competence, Mayor Greg Ballard’s failed leadership and broken promises continue to hold our city back.

 

Marion County Polling Results
September 23, 2011

S T R A T E G I C     M E M O R A N D U M

To:  Interested Parties

From:  Chairman Ed Treacy

Date:  September 22, 2011

Re:  Marion County Polling Results

Over the evenings of September 20-21, the Marion County Democratic Party conducted a survey of 403 likely voters in Marion County.  The research was conducted by Jim Riggs, Ph.D., of Riggs Research Services, a locally-based professional public opinion polling firm.  The sample was geographically and demographically representative.  The results came back this morning, and I wanted you to be the first to know the exciting news in the race for Indianapolis Mayor.

Forty-seven days before Election Day, Democratic nominee Melina Kennedy has overtaken Republican incumbent Greg Ballard.  Weeks before outside observers anticipated, Kennedy has taken the lead and is only picking up her pace.  Conventional wisdom dictates that an incumbent below fifty-percent is in trouble. 

We just got the results back and are still digesting them, but wanted to share with you the exciting news first.  Melina Kennedy now leads Greg Ballard 40-38.  The full results are as follows:

The candidates in the upcoming election for Mayor of Indianapolis are Melina Kennedy, the Democrat, and Greg Ballard, the Republican.  For whom would you vote if the election was held today – Kennedy or Greg Ballard?  [If “Not Sure,” ASK:]  Well, which way do you lean at this time – Lean Kennedy or Lean Ballard? (N=403)

Response

 N (Solid Support)

 Democrat, Melina Kennedy

 40 (38)

 Republican, Greg Ballard

 38 (36)

 Don't Know or Undecided

 21

I am as excited as anyone about Melina’s lead.  But our work isn’t done yet.  While it is tempting to use these results to sit back and wait for Election Day, it is now that we must redouble our efforts.  Twenty-one percent of voters are still undecided.  We need to continue to aggressively get our message out to voters.

Would you consider donating $ 50, $ 100 or $ 250 dollars today? Click here to donate to the Marion County Democratic Party.

Democratically Yours,

Edward T. Treacy

Chairman

 

Another Special Interest Controlling Mayor Ballard
September 20, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS - Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy released today the following statement in response to the proposed Georgia Street name change:

Under orders from his newest puppet masters, the downtown elite, Mayor Greg Ballard is backing an absurd plan to rename Georgia Street in the heart of Indianapolis.  While I’m sure the Mayor would prefer to change the street name to Keystone Construction Avenue, ACS Parking Lane, or a boulevard in honor of his mentor Steve Goldsmith, the historically significant road is rumored to include a variation of the words “hospitality” or “victory.”   This yearlong construction project has already cost some Georgia Street businesses as much as 80% of their profits, and the prospect of a name change is adding to the economic duress.  These concerns are all in addition to the Mayor’s absolute disregard for the history of our city.

Mayor Ballard: Get your priorities in line, stop trampling on our city’s history and local businesses, and start fighting for good paying jobs, safer streets, and stronger schools.  The only name change our city needs is on the placard outside your office.   

Ballard Out of Touch, Marion County Residents Out of Work
September 19, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS - Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy released today the following statement in response to Mayor Ballard’s recent interview with WRTV6:

Over the weekend, increasingly out of touch Mayor Greg Ballard said that Indianapolis has a “stable jobs climate.”  Perhaps everything seems great when the Mayor is enjoying expensive seats at Lucas Oil Stadium, taking taxpayer funded trips to exotic locations, or reaping the benefits of his free country club memberships, but for the rest of us, times aren’t so good.  Mayor Ballard has presided over the loss of 35,000 jobs in Indianapolis, and Marion County unemployment has risen to 9.2% - now passing the national average.  Talk of flimsy job commitments isn’t good enough.  We need actual jobs in Marion County, not more broken promises.

While Ballard continues to wear the mask of a folksy, non-political character and claims to be “just like the rest of us,” it is clear that the perks of public office have blinded him to the plight of our unemployed neighbors and friends.  The candidate who promised to end country club politics is now the Mayor who has forgotten about countless Marion County residents who struggle to make ends meet.   It is time Greg Ballard gets his pink slip, and we get Marion County residents back to work.

Another Day, Another Corrupt Republican
September 15, 2011

Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy released today the following statement in response to Republican Lincoln Plowman’s conviction on charges of bribery and extortion:

Lincoln Plowman, a former Republican City-County Councillor and senior leader of his caucus, was found guilty today on charges of extortion and bribery, further exposing the culture of corruption that has defined the Marion County Republican Party for years.  Plowman, who was ironically handpicked by Mayor Greg Ballard to run the IMPD Vice Unit, joins the likes of federally indicted Republican fundraiser Tim Durham, disgraced State Representative Phil Hinkle, the late Constable Roy Houchins, and discredited former prosecutor Carl Brizzi on the ever-growing list of corrupt politicians who have permeated the Republican establishment. 

We already know the Marion County Republican Party is crumbling, and it now leads us to question the integrity of its foundation.  With Mayor Ballard’s closest friends and political allies continuing to fall all around him, it is hard to tell who we can trust, if anyone, in the Republican Party.  Enough is enough.  We need to clean up our local government and Ballard should be the next to go.

 

What Else is Above Ballard’s Pay Grade?
September 14, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS – Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy released today this statement following reports from FOX59 that Mayor Ballard is benighted of substantial but unrevealed changes being made in the Public Safety Department.

Just a few days ago, visionless Mayor Greg Ballard took his orders from the Republican establishment and blocked satellite voting for the 2011 Municipal Election.  He made it clear that while he sits in a big chair, he is no more than an errand boy for the power players in the ultra-conservative Republican Party.  Last night, FOX59 showed it isn’t just Kyle Walker putting Mayor Ballard in his place.  Reckless and reactionary Public Safety Director Frank Straub has also made a whipping boy out of Mayor Ballard, announcing enormous and secret structural changes to the department while Mayor Ballard rides bicycles and poses for photo ops.  It leaves Indianapolis wondering who is really in charge of our city, because it is clearly not Greg Ballard.

Regardless of what his announcement may be today, Greg Ballard is simply the mouthpiece for innumerable individuals who he perceives to be smarter and better at making decisions.  When it comes to leading our city and our police force, he does as he’s told.  It is clear that actually being mayor is above Ballard’s pay grade.

 

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