Hogsett Turns To Usual Suspects For Capital Improvement Board Appointments

Mayor Joe Hogsett has quickly moved to replace five of the six board members his predecessor named to the Capital Improvement Board, which we know is really his number one priority like all mayors of Indianapolis under UniGov. They include a corporate executive, two big firm attorneys, a union boss and the wife of a best friend.

His appointees include: Melina Kennedy, former Democratic mayoral candidate and Cummins executive; David Corbitt, a partner of Krieg DeVault and son-in-law of the late Bill Mays; David Ruhmkorff, IBEW union vice president; Michael Terrell, a partner of Taft Stettinus and Hollister; and Mary Ann Fagan, who is identified as a long-time St. Margaret's Hospital Guild member.

If Fagan's appointment seems peculiar, let me share this with you. I'm pretty sure Fagan is the same Mary Ann Fagan married to Dan Fagan, a partner at Bingham Greenebaum Doll where Hogsett was formerly a law partner. Hogsett many years ago was roommates with Fagan when they were both still single. Dan's law firm, of course, has been the long-time general counsel for the Capital Improvement Board. I don't see any conflicts of interest there. Do you? Wouldn't it have been nice if Hogsett appointed at least one token member representing the public at large instead of the vested interests these conflicted appointees represent?

Hogsett retained Ballard appointee and General Hotels CEO James Dora, Jr., whose family business has a vested interest in the continued investment of our tax dollars in CIB facilities that directly benefit his hotel business. Doug Brown, a lobbyist with Hogsett's former law firm, Bose McKinney & Evans, remains on the board as the appointee of the Marion Co. Commissioners. City-County Council President Maggie Lewis represents the council on the board. Brenda Myers is the token appointee of the surrounding counties which were dumb enough to levy food and beverage taxes on their residents to pay for Lucas Oil Stadium and the expanded Indiana Convention Center. CIB President Earl Goode, Carolene Mays (niece of the late Bill Mays), David Shane and Milton Thompson, were replaced by today's appointees.