HJR-3 doomed before any vote

“Many Michigan residents have religious convictions whose principles govern the conduct of their daily lives and inform their own viewpoints about marriage,” this was written by U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman, on March 21, 2014, in his decision as he struck down Michigan’s Gay-Marriage ban. Change one word in this statement – Michigan to Indiana and this is exactly what is going to happen here after the tax payers of this state waste millions of dollars to defend the state’s gay-marriage ban and its maybe new constitutional amendment. 

If the amendment were put to a vote I am fairly certain it would pass in this conservative state. But it would not survive any challenge in the courts. It fly’s directly into the equal protection clause under the law. It comes down too that the views of one group of people cannot be applied to all. It is a religious view and we are a nation of religious freedom, no religion can apply its conviction on everyone.

Indiana lawmakers knew full well the constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage will be struck down. They passed it for one reason too look good for the voters at home. Shame on them for not doing the right thing. Shame on them for not explaining to their voters what is the law of the land and how it protects them to have religious views and how those views cannot become law.

Federal judges have struck down marriage bans in Utah, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee and now Michigan. Indiana will soon be added to this list.

Noblesville vs Fishers on Development

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Noblesville just won the March madness of development with bagging Cabelas versus Fishers building an apartment building and office building in the “downtown.”  Shows the lack of forward thinking on the part of the town’s manager and the council. They are so busy trying to cause more traffic jams on 113^th street they can’t see what they should be going after. The wide-open space between Wal-Mart and Sallie Mae would have been perfect for this store, especially when considering the proposal for an exit off the interstate at 104^th street. That would have been right at the store. But I am certain Cabelas still has a bad taste from the last time they approach Fishers six years ago. Maybe Mr. Easley would like to fill in the citizens of the town on how he and the then Council stopped that development. But then again he is running for re-election and maybe he would rather not talk about it.

 

Maybe the current Town Manager and candidate would like to fill us in on how the new City of Fishers missed out on this one. Hint to the town development people who seems to be asleep or work deals only with their buddies. Have you ever heard of a store called Ikea, maybe they would like the wide-open space between Walmart and Sallie Mae since it is still available. Ikea’s phone number is +31 (0)15 215 3815. Remember you will need someone who speaks Swedish.

 

I also have to wonder about light bulbs. We heard a lot about a new company coming to town to make high tech light bulbs and fill the old Diamond nut factory. Well a friend went to apply for a job and was told they were not hiring, were not going to make light bulbs and instead were a sign company. Now not sure my friend walk into the correct door, but is certain he did, so is VoxLumen another false start up within Fishers. Maybe we need someone to shed some light on this subject.

New Fishers Town Council, same as old.

I am so glad to see the new Fishers Town Council is the exact same as the old Fishers Town Council with a few new members. The behind the doors deals continued, the non-bid contracts continue.

I worked for the Federal Government for 30 years, I learned a long time ago sometimes you have to do things to be on the up and up even if it takes a little longer. Even when I knew what the outcome was going to be I would not side step the procedure to get to the answer faster. It just was not right.

Lets look at the crazy downtown development. Lets look at the misleading statements and misguided approach by the Town Council and the Town Manager.

The overall downtown development was shown to the public. When at 8 am on a weekday and once. Why wasn’t it taken to the people? Instead of at Town Hall only, why wasn’t it truly explained. What expect the public to understand?

How come the Town has given away land for these developments and tax dollars to the developers. Then make statements that the land is so valuable. If the land was so valuable why was it given away.

Fishers Council makes a big deal about open space and parks, so they put these monster apartment buildings in front of Town Hall on the only green space in the downtown. Oh excuse me “luxury apartments with retail” while at the same time on the other side of  116^th street we have a beautiful used car lot. Of course the owner of the beautiful used car lot comes out in support of the apartments and he lives in the unincorporated area. Not even a citizen of the town. He just wants the value of the land of his car lot to increase. Can’t blame him, but the Town Council could change the zoning and have forced the sale for apartments.

Have you been in front of Town Hall between 5 and 6 pm in the extended parking lot called a street. Between these apartments and the other big complex being built at Cumberland and 116^th traffic will be wonderful. Just think of all the time you will have in your car going home.

BTW- this is the same Town Council members and City Manager who did not want all of you from voting for a real city. So they have to get all this done before a Mayor and a real city come into being. Maybe that is why we having all the secret closed door deals. Maybe we need to elect new people who believe in an open door and real public input.

So I am glad to see nothing has changed, the government of Fishers still could care less about the people, only their developer friends.