Saturday, March 08, 2014 IBJ Special Report: Former Business Associates Turn On Ozdemir, Accuse Him Of Corrupt Business Practices The IBJ’s Cory Schouten returns with another expose’ on the mysterious Turkish businessman, Ersal Ozdemir, who has seized control of the Marion County Republican Party and pretty much gets whatever he wants in the form of […]
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PART 2: Just how does Carmel keep tax rates low while spending more and more each year?
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 […]
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 […]
The Republican primary ballot: The one tool for change available to each Carmel voter
Tomorrow is Primary Election Day in Carmel. Polls will be open between the hours of 6:00AM – 6:00PM. Please remember to bring photo ID as required by state law. To confirm the location of your voting location, please go to https://indianavoters.in.gov and click on ‘Find Your Polling Place’ under VOTING LOCATION. This is a primary […]
Noblesville Levinson Building; Will it ‘create a Frankenstein of design that tries to please everyone’?
How high is it? – On February 12, 2019 Noblesville Common Council quietly passed Ordinance 07-01-19 allowing “The Levinson” to violate the existing Downtown District height ordinance restricting buildings of 4 stories or 50 feet. (Quietly, because nowhere in the Council Agenda or Minutes is the word “Levinson” used). The new Ordinance states: “the maximum […]
Misleading of Carmel Citizens; statement from Jeanne Book “I support Glynn for Mayor”
To my friends and members of the Carmel and Indianapolis Media: I wanted to comment on a mailer that was sent to thousands of Carmel households and Senior Voters last week from Mayor Brainard. The mailer, featured my photo on the front cover (please see attached), as well as former Mayor Jane Reiman’s. It is […]