Unlike the current mayor who stiffed armed Black radio for 45 months, the individual who wants to be Indy’s next Republican mayor stepped up.
Chuck Brewer appeared on WTLC-AM (1310’s) “Afternoons with Amos” Friday. In his most extensive campaign media appearance so far, Brewer talked about his background, experience and what he’d do as mayor.
Brewer said he “moved to Indy five years ago” feeling he “could succeed in Indy (as a business owner).”
When asked why he’s running for mayor, Brewer said, “I got frustrated with the way things were happening in the city. Big projects getting stalled.”
Brewer feels he can add value, “People aren’t interested in politics as usual. They need a leader who can get things done.”
Brewer was born in New York City, living with his parents and two other siblings in a one-bedroom apartment. They moved to Connecticut in the 1970s “because of the schools at the time” in New York.
After college, Brewer joined Marine Officers Candidate School and became a 2nd Lieutenant. He served two tours in Iraq as a captain and major. Each time commanding some 500 Marines, in five different locations including Fallujah and was responsible for communications and intelligence. Brewer’s now a Marine reserve Lt. Colonel.
Recently, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Naval Reserve Lieutenant, was called up and was away from his city as mayor for seven months. I asked Brewer what he would do if elected and was called up like Buttigieg.
Brewer said he’s thought about that. His first priority would be the city, unless “there was a global crisis.” But Brewer said he could “say no” on deployment if he became mayor.
Between his tours in Iraq, Brewer worked at Sears’ corporate offices in a number of management positions. He left to become his own boss; securing a franchise for a Potbelly’s restaurant in Indianapolis on Monument Circle. Brewer also owns a soup shop around the corner, Supremacy.
The week before his interview, Brewer launched his education plan; part of his four pronged “Envision Indy” platform involving four broad areas: Neighborhood, livability, public safety and Opportunity.
One component would have Brewer convene a group of CEO’s to advise him on ways to better match the skills employers are looking for with existing worker skills.
The most controversial is Brewer’s desire to appoint two new members of the IPS School Board. Brewer feels because IPS has “Indianapolis” in its name, it’s important to improve the “brand” the district stands for.
Because Brewer’s a relative newcomer to Indy, a major concern is how well he understands the dynamics of Indianapolis’ African-American community – a full 30 percent of this city/county.
That concern was shown when I asked how Brewer would communicate with our Black community in event of a racial crisis.
Brewer stressed being “proactive rather than reactive.” Saying, “When I think about reaching the community, I think about the faith-based community, about getting the word out.”
I reminded Brewer that historically, Black Indy leadership isn’t just faith based, but includes political, business, civic, civil rights, fraternal, neighborhood and grassroots leadership.
Brewer’s response indicated he really hadn’t grasped that basic understanding of the broad base of any African-American community.
In that context, I told Brewer, on air, about Mayor Ballard’s repeated refusal to meet with Black civil rights leadership, Black local and state elected officials, key Black business, neighborhood and grassroots leaders and Ballard’s boycott of the Recorder.
Brewer was stunned a bit but responded, “The way I operate would guarantee that if I am elected, I would meet with Democrats or any other party and would have an open door policy. If someone has great or good ideas I will listen. It’s a no brainer.”
Brewer was most engaged and passionate on the issue employing ex-offenders, saying, “On any given day, 40 to 50 percent of my employees are part of re-entry programs.”
Brewer described those employees as, “Hard working, looking for second chances. They’re terrific, always on time, looking to prove to the system and employer they can do the job. It’s the best thing I’ve done.”
“I can’t tell you how hard I’m going to push this in the office of the mayor,” Brewer continued.
In the interview Brewer didn’t mention whether he’d continue Ballard’s current programs and policies. But I was surprised when I asked Brewer what he would do differently from the current Administration.
He paused and said, “If I were to focus on doing something differently, it would be taking hard looks at our existing budget. There are so many efficiencies we can find inside our billion-dollar budget. Talk about freeing up 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent? Which is not hard to do by the way. We’ve got millions of dollars we can work with.”
Brewer’s answer is remarkably similar to what candidate Ballard said in 2007 about the efficiencies he was convinced he’d find in the budget, but never did.
On jobs, as a retailer, Brewer believes in creating businesses in Indy neighborhoods saying, “I get excited about creating jobs in those neighborhoods.”
Brewer hedged and really didn’t answer my question of should, in fatal police action shootings, video evidence should be made public; if it exists.
But, unlike the Ballard Administration, Brewer would favor specifically breaking down the amount of city business going to Black, Hispanic and Asian-owned businesses. Brewer said, “I don’t see any problem with that.”
Brewer last week challenged his Democratic opponent to a series of debates, including four televised ones. I asked Brewer why he didn’t include minority media in his debate proposal. Brewer said he listened to the 2011 WTLC-AM (1310) mayor debate, but didn’t completely commit, to a minority debate this year.
The challenge for Brewer is to get out in front of our Black community far more than he’s done. Especially up against an individual seemingly everywhere in our community.
We’ll see what happens. See ‘ya next week!
You can email comments to Acbrown@aol.com.
