http://www.theheraldbulletin.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:41:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_328114309.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_328114309.html ANDERSON, Ind. -- Thomas Jackson, a longtime youth mentor who started the group Youth Need Prime Time and harbored political ambitions, has died. Jackson was a youth pastor at Resurrection Temple Church and a General Motors Corp. retiree. In recent years, he also served as a Republican recount commissioner on local elections. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:07:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_327210820.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_327210820.html The Madison County Government Center, or courthouse, is closing for two days over the next few weeks in response to the County Council’s decision to force employees to take unpaid time off. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:47:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_326184839.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_326184839.html Community newspapers have the responsibility of exploring public policy and pushing for reform. That was the impetus of our Sunday articles about the practice of family members being hired into Anderson city government.Reader complaints about the issue intensified over the past several weeks as the city laid off employees to adjust for falling tax revenues. These complaints spurred our efforts. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:54:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324145206.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324145206.html ANDERSON — When it comes to hiring relatives, the City of Anderson has no limitations. The City Council has not passed an ordinance dealing with the practice, and a state government ethics policy that discourages nepotism does not extend to local governments. Few localities in Indiana have passed such ordinances. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:48:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324145917.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324145917.html ANDERSON — Among city workers hired since Mayor Kris Ockomon took office in January 2008 are some who worked on his mayoral campaign in 2007. Ockomon maintained the appointments were not political payback. Fire department receptionist Kristie Binda worked on Ockomon’s campaign before she was hired in January 2008, and police department analyst Regina Leonard was given a $16,000 raise after Ockomon took office. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:47:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324145645.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324145645.html ANDERSON — Anderson Fire Department leaders have hired two of their own family members since 2008 and say they followed a carefully planned hiring process that ensured their hiring decisions could not be construed as nepotism. Relatives in the fire department include Fire Chief Dave Clendenen’s son, Ben Clendenen, and Deputy Chief Dave Cravens’ brother Gregory Cravens. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:04:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324144634.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_324144634.html ANDERSON — In an effort to meet a projected budget shortfall of $4.9 million by 2010, Anderson City government has eliminated 45 positions since January 2008. Because of the layoffs, city employment practices, including the hiring of relatives, are being scrutinized closely by the community, as reflected in comments at public meetings and phone calls to The Herald Bulletin. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:31:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_323212613.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_323212613.html NOBLESVILLE — A damp afternoon did little to deter the hundreds who lined up outside Borders bookstore for Sarah Palin’s book signing Thursday. Palin arrived at 5:40 p.m. Thursday to cheers and chants of her name, and addressed the crowd briefly before entering the bookstore to sign about 1,000 copies of her book, “Going Rogue: An American Life.” Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:59:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322223010.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322223010.html ANDERSON­ — To hear state Sen. Luke Kenley tell it, his free tickets to the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby — and the free meals that came with it — were all a misunderstanding. Kenley, R-Noblesville, accepted more than $1,000 worth of tickets and entertainment including meals from a lobbyist working on behalf of Centaur Inc., the parent company of Hoosier Park Racing and Casino. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:59:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322220817.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322220817.html ALEXANDRIA, Ind. — Rick Wood says he’s a proud American, and that’s why he’s flying the American flag outside his home upside down. About two months ago, Wood decide to flip the flag, displaying what’s traditionally seen as a military distress signal. His point? Wood believes the country is in distress. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:09:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322221317.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322221317.html NOBLESVILLE -- Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will do a book-signing at the Borders bookstore in the Hamilton Town Center at 6 p.m. Thursday. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:17:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322102022.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322102022.html CHESTERFIELD — Town officials have hired two part-time workers to fill vacancies left when town employees were allegedly discovered stealing from town coffers during a state audit. Maintenance workers James Walters and Chris Walters were fired along with Town Marshall Jamie Kimm and part-time police officer Joseph Brown after the five men were implicated in the theft of more than $259,000 from the town of Chesterfield. Earlier this year, Clerk-treasurer Chris Parrish resigned. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:26:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322092737.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_322092737.html ANDERSON­ — Area lawmakers say that the coming short session of the Indiana General Assembly won’t be short on big issues. “First and foremost is jobs and the economy,” said Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson. “People want to work and we need to find a way to spur job creation in communities that have been hit extremely hard.” Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:24:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_316223002.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_316223002.html ANDERSON — The Anderson Fire Department will give up part of its ambulance user fee collections, set aside to maintain equipment and fire stations, to help pay for its salaries in the midst of a city budget crisis. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:11:00 +0000 http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_316201359.html http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/politics/local_story_316201359.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Senate Republicans want to make changes in the way legislative district maps are drawn to lessen political factors used in redistricting.