Comments on Advance Indiana™: Hypocritical Mahern Says Look Over Here

Anon 7:12 Let see, who could that possibly be....w...

2008-01-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

Anon 7:12 Let see, who could that possibly be....who has a dog in this whole fight...and is a part of that caucus? Maybe anon 9:39 is wrong.

Anon 12:16,Post your name please. So we all can j...

2008-01-04T07:12:00.000-05:00

Anon 12:16,

Post your name please. So we all can judge the veracity of your comments. And, if you are- as you say- a member of that caucus, your fellow members will know not to trust you. That is, if they trust you now.

Anon 11:56 in the private Demo caucus, the vote ...

2008-01-04T00:16:00.000-05:00

Anon 11:56 in the private Demo caucus, the vote was tied and Dane voted for Monroe over Steve Talley...I was there.....he did it.....of course, after the caucus vote, Talley withdrew and in public all dems voted for Gray...but the fact remains that Dane broke the tie in caucus.

Although it has not been mentioned here yet, it is...

2008-01-03T21:49:00.000-05:00

Although it has not been mentioned here yet, it is a well known fact that, despite closely working with his opponent on the human rights ordinance, Jackie was very supportive of her fellow Democrat Brian Mahern in his Council race. Jackie knows the long history the Maherns have of supporting her special issue of gay rights. She knows that Dane supported the human rights ordinance and that Brian has a strong stand on these issues as well. I believe that under previous Council district maps she previously represented parts of the district he now represents. In fact, I also believe that her support and sway in that race my have been a contributing factor in his very large margin of victory (close to 1,000 votes, compared to 4 votes last time around). (That may be why it came as a particular shock to her supporters that Louie Mahern didn't do the "political" thing and support her for the CEO). That said, there is simply no reason to believe that Jackie doesn't (or wouldn't) get along with the younger Maherns who serve with her on the Council. Also, I think *all* the people on here are making more to this wider Mahern thing than there is. In fact, I don't think there anything other than an apparent honest disagreement between Louie Mahern and Jackie about who would make the best Library CEO. I know that by making my post I am contributing to the continuation of this thread, but I personally think it is time to stop the name calling and move on.

I never advocated for Jackie's selection as the CE...

2008-01-03T20:56:00.000-05:00

I never advocated for Jackie's selection as the CEO. In fact, if you go back when she first emerged as one of the finalists, I was critical of a possible connection between her stewardship of the tax and budget issues for the Peterson administration and this job. My criticism is no different than my outing of Patrice Abduallah for not living in his district. Peter Pizarro moved out of state months ago and was no longer eligible to serve on the Board. Mahern and other board members knew this and allowed this fraud to occur--even to the point of thumbing their noses at the duly appointed member named by our elected county officials. What they did was illegal. The ends don't justify the means.

Here is a thought (re-read the op-ed), the politic...

2008-01-03T20:50:00.000-05:00

Here is a thought (re-read the op-ed), the political considerations were unimportant. The selection of the CEO should be based on professional qualifications. Unlike political elective office, the leader of the library should be chosen solely on the basis of professional qualifications. While Ms. Nytes appears to be qualified, she lost out to a more qualified candidate. It is interesting that people can't seem to grasp that this selection was clearly not about politics partisan or otherwise.
The political rules should apply to the selection of the CEO of the library. It looks like that happened in this case.

Gary, you are right about alot of things, but on this one you are dead wrong.

Jackie Nytes has more as much if not more professional experience than Ms. Bramble as well as more years experience near the top of the organization. This is not about who has more experience to lead the library - it is all about Louie Mahern controlling the process and the ultimate selection. Louie arrogantly ignored the committee structure of the board and announced the search without the chair of the search committee being notified, tried to initiate a vote for the director when the two board members (who have more experience on the board than anyone else serving and have consistently tried to bring accountability to the board) were planning to be out of town. One can only assume that Mahern did this for personal reasons. Don't know whether it is because he wanted someone he could control or wanted payback but the truth is this selection was made to install the person Louie Mahern wanted case closed. Regardless of the reason, the process stinks because Mahern's shit stinks. No the mayor doesn't have an appointment over this board but the council does and Mahern's term is up soon. Brizzi, are you out there?

Here's an excerpt from an old interview with the S...

2008-01-03T18:15:00.000-05:00

Here's an excerpt from an old interview with the Star that illustrates the arrogance that continues.

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR
Louis Mahern
Indianapolis Star, The (IN)
September 4, 2005

What do you mainly use the library for?

I have to be honest; I don't use the library very much. I use the library's Web site to do some research. I don't check books out because -- this is probably a character flaw on my part -- but I need to own the books I read.

In a year and a half on the board, what secrets have you learned about librarians?

I was really shocked, but you would be surprised how many librarians, after hours, dance on the checkout desk with a rose between their teeth.

'Nuff said.

This has become a really interesting discussion an...

2008-01-03T08:55:00.000-05:00

This has become a really interesting discussion and 8:20 managed to bring it full circle.

It will be interesting to see how nytes interacts with TWO maherns now on the council. One has to wonder if there will be any carryover. While it would be amusing to see some paybacks, it won't happen.

That being said, she is clearly politically savvy (making it all the more interesting that she did not get the CEO job) and works hard on the council. I generally disagree with her positions on revenue and spending matters but concede she is doing the job she was elected to do by her constituents.

Since she run unopposed, it is hard to blame her for the numbers voting in her district. She did what she could to keep interest up and even campaigned for the november election when she didn't have to. Part of her district suffered some of the harded blows on property taxes. I would imagine there were many who, in a normal year, would have voted dem but probably stayed home.

Now if she would just stop being so dang condescending . . .

Where was Jackie Nytes on the question of tax incr...

2008-01-03T08:20:00.000-05:00

Where was Jackie Nytes on the question of tax increase? Did that effect the outcome of the election? Publicly she supported it. But then again Jackie has never been in a close race. (She was bequeathed her Counsel seat; apparently not wisely I might add.) That is until recently. But now she has lost for CEO of the Library. Has she and her friends taken their lumps and moved on? No. Instead they continue to try to make this about the Maherns. Other Library board members failed to help in her cause, but they (and their relatives) are left alone. This is seen by the vast majority of the people for what it is. The selfish personal ambition of one person who tried unsuccessfully (thankfully) to politicize the selection the leader of the Library.

By the way what was the turnout in Jackie's heavily Democratic district? did that also help the Democratic cause?

11:56--here are some ideas for you to consider: (...

2008-01-03T07:19:00.000-05:00

11:56--here are some ideas for you to consider: (sorry for veering the blog off topic, Gary)

From several sources inside the caucus, the decision to choose Monroe Gray as president was close, perhaps one vote. So, Dane's vote was crucial.

And no, it's NOT a private matter within the caucus. That's an arrogant-as-hell attitude. All of us Democrats lost a great deal when that decision was made. It was reinforced throughout Monroe's tenure by arrogant and politically stupid decisions, fostered by the same few who thought they were "owed" something by the party and the city.

That attitude was prevalent in the caucus, but not everyone drank that Kool Aid. Throughout Monroe's tenture, from within the caucus, it was apparent there were multiple decisions that were controversial.

The attitude displayed by the majority within the 2007 Dem caucus, was so out of touch it was laughable. And if you don't think it cost us the mayor's office, you're dreaming. The margin wasn't that much, and people were looking for reasons to blame someone for increased taxes and government ineptness.

Monroe Gray was the willing poster child for that anger. The mayor caught some backwash because the Mayor, somewhat uncharacteristically, refused to distance himself from the inept and politically stupid moves Monroe championed.

The ultimate irony is that Monroe won his district, so he's back. The mayor's gone.

The city loses in that equation. Greg Ballard will be OK as mayor. He owes nobody anything, which is refreshing.

And, to veer back onto topic, if there's a God in heaven, Ballard will use whatever influence he can muster, to stop the Mahern madness whenever he can.

There were six offices to be elected in the last e...

2008-01-03T00:10:00.000-05:00

There were six offices to be elected in the last election. In council district 19 Dane Mahern received more votes than the Mayor. Dane also received more votes than any of the four at large candidates. I think you will find in District 16 Brian Mahern ran well ahead of the other dems. as well. You may not like it but in a bad Democrat year the Mahern's ran very well.

Can people just make stuff up and people will beli...

2008-01-02T23:56:00.001-05:00

Can people just make stuff up and people will belive it. Dane Mahern did not break a tie vote for Monroe Gray he did vote for Monroe just as did every democrat on the council did. I was not at the caucus so I don't know who Dane voted for this year or if he did but I think that should be a private matter within the caucus.

4:17, there is no acceptable dictionary, Strunk & ...

2008-01-02T23:56:00.000-05:00

4:17, there is no acceptable dictionary, Strunk & White, AP Stylebook or other scholarly entry for inquiring with an "e". Think before you type, huh?

11:29: aMEN! Plus, did you ever see Ch. 16 replays of the committee meetings Dane Mahern chaired? It was a train wreck every time. He's a functional illiterate, at best. And embarrassing.

Come to think of it, he'll fit in just fine in the House.

Dane Mahern...rock solid victory..less than 100 vo...

2008-01-02T23:29:00.000-05:00

Dane Mahern...rock solid victory..less than 100 votes!!

Dane Mahern broke the tie vote in the Demo caucus to give us Monroe Gray for council president.

Dane Mahern who refused to vote for Joanne Sanders as minority leader.

NO MORE DANE MAHERN

If it weren't for the fact that Dane was related t...

2008-01-02T22:52:00.000-05:00

If it weren't for the fact that Dane was related to someone, those that seek to oppose him would simply use some other equally flimsy pretext to attack his substantial candidacy. They fear him and rightfully so. He knows the people and their concerns, evidence his two rock solid victories in difficult races already under his belt. Since he has been in office he has worked tireless on behalf of his constituents. And they know it. The statehouse can certainly use his understanding of how average people's lives can be seriously impacted by the actions of the government. Attack him as you might, but be sure to not underestimate him. For if you do, you lucky will have kinship with two other unfortunate souls who have met that same electoral fate.

What does any of this have to do with Dane? It see...

2008-01-02T20:49:00.000-05:00

What does any of this have to do with Dane? It seems like some people take great joy by attacking people because they are related to someone. Why are the repubs so concerned about Dane?

The sooner we Democrats say no more MAHERNS ..the ...

2008-01-02T19:14:00.000-05:00

The sooner we Democrats say no more MAHERNS ..the better off we will be.....remember that when Dane runs for the 97th house district.

I happened to notice that the comments with the on...

2008-01-02T18:39:00.000-05:00

I happened to notice that the comments with the on-line version of Louis Mahern's Indianapolis Star letter to the editor has responses posted from him (or someone purporting to be him) on this topic.

I don't really care one way or another about this hullaballu, but I just thought people here would be curious to hear what additionally he has to say.

Gary, will you reveal your secret sources of information on this topic so we can gauge and weigh their credibility and motivations?

Andre Carson is a remarkable person if you know hi...

2008-01-02T17:44:00.000-05:00

Andre Carson is a remarkable person if you know him. You can say whatever you want but the people who meet him instantly recognize him to be humble, respectful, decent and thoughtful. All good traits in a Congressman.

I believe is wrong about the slating on Feb 16th. ...

2008-01-02T16:31:00.000-05:00

I believe is wrong about the slating on Feb 16th. According to my letter from the central committee " the Central Committee has determined that all ward chairs, vice ward chairs, precinct committeepeople and vice committeepeople elected or appointed under the existing (917) precinct map WILL BE allowed to vote at the primary convention" Jim better check your sources.

arnie

Wilson, "enquiring" is a perfectly acceptable alte...

2008-01-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

Wilson, "enquiring" is a perfectly acceptable alternative spelling for "inquiring". Ever heard of a book called a dictionary?

Gary...please take a look at Sheila's new blog ent...

2008-01-02T15:57:00.000-05:00

Gary...please take a look at Sheila's new blog entry:

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/link.asp?L=275650&nav=menu35_2_12_2

It's about Prince Andre...

It was quite intentional Wilson...a play on words....

2008-01-02T14:39:00.000-05:00

It was quite intentional Wilson...a play on words...with the National Enquirer.

BTW, speaking of politizing public works...Gary do you think it is any accident that Ms. Nytes, along with your favorite Monroe Gray, had more sidewalks installed of any Counselor. I will forward via link shortly the news story on this topic. Ms. Nytes is a great politican just a second rate CEO candidate that's all.

Maybe those same minds need to inquire about how t...

2008-01-02T14:15:00.000-05:00

Maybe those same minds need to inquire about how to spell "Inquiring"?

A little bird told me that the Library as a taxing...

2008-01-02T13:59:00.000-05:00

A little bird told me that the Library as a taxing authority is subject to audits by the state board of accounts for appropriate expeditures. On a day to day basis the person responsible for approving expeditures is the Chief Financial Officer. The public trust is no more important than on the review and approval of expediture of tax dollars. How has the Library fared in past audits is the question that comes to my mind? Who was the CFO during these audits? Enquiring minds want to know.