In Part 1, we described the delicate balance of municipal government finance – revenues, expenses and the tax base. We also discussed how any increase or decrease in one requires an offsetting increase or decrease in the others to keep thing in balance. Since first elected as mayor of Carmel in 1995 – nearly […]
Category: Index
PART 1: Just how does Carmel keep tax rates low while spending more and more each year?
A major talking point of Carmel mayor Jim Brainard and those councilors aligned within him on the City Council is how Carmel’s taxes have remained low, even as the city and demand for its services have both grown substantially. Even as they make this claim, the city budget — and spending — grows year after […]
$60 million courtesy of Clay Township: Carmel’s debt addiction keeps growing
“Where there is no accountability, there will also be no responsibility.” ― Sunday Adelaja The Carmel City Council has approved an interlocal agreement with Clay Township for the latter to fund $60 million in community projects. In the process, the agreement has raised several eyebrows and many questions. As reported on June 4, 2019 in […]
How Carmel’s elected incumbents can claim the lowest tax rate in the county, yet you end up paying more and more to the city each year
“There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him.” – Robert Heinlein As Carmel property owners across the city opened their 2019 property tax bills, they discovered sizable increases over amounts owed in 2018. With the […]
Did Jim Brainard fail to report Thousands of dollars in gifts on Statement of Economic Interest?
What happened to Barnes and Thornburg professional fees for Campaign Finance Report refilings in 2018? Brainard was still trying to iron out the following mess from where he donated in excess of $170,000 to his 5 Council Candidates and his chosen pick for Clerk-Treasurer. The charges did not appear on the Campaign Finance Report (CFR) […]
Rollo Tomasi is alive and well in Carmel, Indiana
Jack (Kevin Spacey): “Why in the world do you want to go digging any deeper into the Nite Owl Killings, Lieutenant?” Ed (Guy Pearce): “Rollo Tomasi.” Jack: “Is there more to that, or am I supposed to guess?” Ed: “Rollo… was a purse snatcher. My father ran into him off duty, and he shot my […]
Your vote: Your right. Your obligation. Your community’s need.
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” – Abraham Lincoln “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, […]
When the Messengers get in the way of the Message
As the campaign of Carmel’s incumbent mayor Jim Brainard begins a last-minute all-out media blitz in an increasingly desperate attempt to gain support, it is resorting to all manner of means in order to promote their candidate. The problem is that, in their zeal to do so, the tone and methods used are turning Carmel […]
Why does support for incumbents appear so weak outside of Carmel’s central core?
One week from today, those Carmel voters that have not already cast their votes via early or absentee ballot will do so at the polls. They will be choosing between two visions of leadership that will impact our one common future as a community. To be sure, a grassroots movement of voters has grown into […]
Mary Sue Rowland comments with application to Noblesville and Carmel
former Mayor of the City of Noblesville and served 3 terms on Noblesville Common Council A word to the voters of Noblesville Posted By: Mary Sue Rowland April 26, 2019 Guest Columnist Having spent nearly 20 years in public service, as Mayor of Noblesville for eight years and three terms on the Common Council, I […]