This is a controversial project which has been litigated for seven years. It was the developer’s fourth application. McANA joined other concerned neighborhood and environmental groups including the Hoosier Environmental Council, to urge the DNR to reject the application. As a result of last year’s two major floods, Indianapolis incurred losses to public infrastructure of $3.4 million and private property losses of at least $8.1 million. Significant losses also occurred upstream. Nevertheless, the developer persists in seeking to eliminate our increasingly crucial floodways. He recently filed an appeal of DNR’s denial decision.

At the end of the last City County Council term, over 300 citizens were shut down from voicing their opinion about the Septic Ordinance proposed by outgoing Councilor, Beulah Coughenour. A number of returning Councilors promised then that the Ordinance would be re-introduced and given a fair, open hearing before the Metropolitan Development committee. To date, the assurances have not been fulfilled, and it has been difficult to get any comment on preparations for these hearings.

In two different venues recently, McANA members and directors expressed their concern about the effects of Mayor Bart Peterson’s re-appointment of Ed Treacy to the Metropolitan Development Commission. Mr. Treacy is a principle in the lobbying firm of BoseTreacy and chairman of the Marion County Democratic Central Committee.

At its February 14th Land Use committee meeting, neighborhood leaders from all over the County engaged in a conversation about the wisdom of having any head of a county or state political organization sitting on the MDC or the BZA’s.  It was called ‘unseemly’, characterized as fostering conjecture among the public of influence peddling, and injures the reputation of the MDC as an impartial body.  It was unanimously decided that McANA should write a letter to Mayor Peterson asking him to decline to reappoint Ed Treacy to the Commission.  That letter was sent, but the Mayor decided to re-seat Mr. Treacy.

Councilor Steve Talley visited at McANA’s March 3rd Board meeting to discuss other matters, but got an earful about this situation. In addition to reiterating the opinions mentioned above, Mr. Treacy’s conduct at the MDC meetings was discussed.  In particular, Mr. Treacy’s proclivity to take phone calls during hearings, even after the public in attendance has been admonished to refrain from doing so.

Just signed by Governor Kernan is a law to roll the MDC number back to 9 members.  Although he did not make all appointments he could, the law that expires on June 30th, allowed Mayor Peterson to name 5 members, no more than 3 from one political party. The Mayor appointed 3 Democrats and 1 Republican.  The new law only allows for 4 appointees, 2 from each party.  Therefore, soon, the Mayor’s appointments will need to be adjusted.