It’s a time-honored ritual. A campaign’s supporters bring in hundreds of petitions with thousands of registered voters’ names asking a candidate be placed on the ballot for an important office.
After the petitions are turned in, the candidate, flanked by cheering supporters, tells the assembled media that another campaign milestone has been crossed.
That did NOT happen last week when petitions were turned in containing several thousand registered voters seeking to place Rev. Charles Harrison on the ballot as an independent candidate for mayor.
Harrison wasn’t there when those petitions were turned in and those who turned them in weren’t talking. No campaign staffer, spokesperson, volunteer or social media site came forward to say anything on Harrison’s behalf.
I’ve seen a lot in local politics in 40 years; including grassroots, insurgent political efforts. But Harrison’s “campaign” for mayor has been the weirdest.
Last December Harrison created an exploratory committee for mayor, but then did nothing to build upon that.
When Deputy Mayor Olgen William said on Dr. King’s Day he was running for mayor, Harrison publicly said he wouldn’t run.
When Williams dropped out 17 days later, Harrison remained non-committal. As of December 31, 2014, his committee had raised $50 in contributions. As of the April 20, 2015 pre-primary reporting deadline, Harrison’s campaign reported no new contributions; but he’d spent that $50 contribution.
When rumors began flying a few weeks ago that people were circulating petitions to get him on the ballot, Harrison said nothing on his Facebook or Twitter accounts. Issued no public statement. He was mute when a website went up called “RunRevRun.com” with his picture prominent and links to his church, Facebook site and Ten Point’s site. A website with no identification to its origin, sponsor or group connected with it.
Harrison was silent when the petitions were filed June 30.. In the silence, rumors flew.
Some say Republicans were doing it to siphon Black votes from Joe Hogsett and benefit Chuck Brewer. Others say an independent donor, dissatisfied with Hogsett and Brewer, was doing it to force an independent voice in the campaign.
Other rumors said those circulating the petitions were paid workers, hired by a professional signature gathering company.
If this was truly a spontaneous grassroots effort, why weren’t those behind it more vocal about their enthusiasm for a Harrison candidacy?
Harrison’s standoffish attitude toward the petitions raises questions of transparency and character.
Why would Harrison allow anyone to submit petitions without giving those folks assurances that if successful he would run?
If Harrison was ambivalent about running, at the first rumors of the petitions, Harrison should’ve gone public and stated ambivilence and demand to know who was behind the petition drive and why?
If some folks circulating the petitions were paid for their work, or a company hired, that amounts to an in-kind donation to Harrison’s campaign and must be declared under Indiana’s campaign finance laws.
The issue comes down to Harrison’s intentions.
It’s time Harrison levels with Indianapolis! Is he really running for mayor? If so, say so!
What I’m Hearing in the Streets
July 3rd was a holiday for government offices and agencies. But of course that didn’t stop our clueless IPS School Board which scheduled the first meeting of their committee to develop recommendations for autonomy; a plan to give IPS school principals more power and authority to do their own thing without micro-management by the central administration.
The committee’s meeting was public and nearly 80 folks showed up; especially IPS bus drivers who’re angry about a variety of injustices IPS administration and the board have inflicted on them.
The excuse for calling a meeting on a government holiday was scheduling issues among the committee members. But all but one work for IPS or are board members.
I personally believe the meeting was set for the holiday to keep the public and the media from attending. No media was present.
IPS Board and Administration are increasingly making key decisions about the district’s future by deliberately maneuvering those decisions as far away from public scrutiny, dialogue and input as possible.
It’s not about improving education for our kids; it’s about seizing power of our schools away from grassroots whites and minorities.
BlueIndy bigotry? The City, Indianapolis Power & Light and those BlueIndy electric car sharing folks are feverish installing charging stations so their car sharing service can start up later this year. When I interviewed a BlueIndy official two months ago, he said the service would appeal to African-Americans. Of the 25 initial charging stations being built, in a city that’s 42.1 percent minority, none are in minority-majority neighborhoods.
The departure of top Ballard Administration officials months before the end is unprecedented. Deputy Mayor for Education Jason Kloth left three weeks ago and Public Safety Director Troy Riggs leaves this month. The head of code enforcement and the city’s chief lawyer have also split.
Obviously no one of Riggs’ or Kloth’s stature will join Ballard for a temporary six month gig. And public safety is a critical position that must be filled with a quality individual.
Some think Deputy Director of Public Safety Valerie Washington is more than up to the task. But, she’s an African-American female.
Bizarrely, unlike Indianapolis’ past three mayors, Greg Ballard has never hired a Black woman for a top job as either a city department head or deputy mayor.
Ballard won’t pick a sistah. And I’m leery Riggs’ replacement could be someone without the guts to give Ballard frank advice.
See ‘ya next week at Black Expo!
You can email comment to Amos Brown at acbrown@aol.com.
