Ballard focuses on jobs in State of the City speech

Indianapolis Star 1.14.10

Indianapolis will strengthen its push to create new jobs this year as the city continues to feel the hit of the nationwide economic downturn.

That goal was part of the vision for Indianapolis that Mayor Greg Ballard tried to emphasize Wednesday during his third State of the City speech.

In an apparent response to critics who say Ballard has failed to lay out a long-term plan during his first two years in office, the mayor underscored a mission of accomplishing big-picture goals while executing the fundamentals of government. He used the word "vision" 12 times in his speech.

"My vision for a renewed Indianapolis landscape starts with the basics expected by the citizens of their government," Ballard said in the speech delivered at the Indianapolis Museum of Art's Tobias Theater. "A big city that can get the ordinary things done right can be an extraordinary place to live."

Key to that objective, Ballard said, is economic development. He pledged the city will increase money for the group Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. -- first with a one-time infusion of $3.5 million from recovered tax abatement dollars, and, starting in 2011, an additional $1 million each year from the city's budget.

The economic development group, which typically gets about $500,000 a year from the city, works to retain and create jobs in Indianapolis and attract new companies here.

"Never before has the city committed to invest so much year over year to create jobs," Ballard said.

Another $1.5 million from the recouped tax breaks will benefit the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, whose charge is to promote the city's tourism and convention business.

Also important to drawing businesses, Ballard said, is focusing on the fundamentals of government, such as public safety and government efficiency. He pointed to the city's efforts to use public-private partnerships and a 16-year low homicide rate as evidence of progress on those fronts.

But political opponents attacked those issues even before Ballard delivered his speech.
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In a response sent in advance of the address, Ed Treacy, the Marion County Democratic Party chairman, criticized a plan the city has discussed to merge its water and sewer operations.

And while homicides are down, Treacy said, other violent crimes are on the rise.

 

"I realize that crime statistics are complex," Treacy said in the remarks, "but to say all is well in Indianapolis is disingenuous at best."

In his speech, Ballard said reducing crime will remain a top focus and the city will continue to look for ways to control government spending.

There also will be some new priorities in 2010.

As part of an effort to eliminate township government, the city will move forward to consolidate the rest of the township fire departments into the Indianapolis Fire Department. City officials also have thrown their support toward a state proposal to transition township government into city-county government by 2013.

Mass transit also will be examined, Ballard said, with a plan that evaluates options for a feasible regional transportation system expected to come out early this year.

Northside resident Don Dewees, 65, said he was impressed with Ballard's speech and the focus on job creation.

"A lot of the (lost) jobs are not coming back," said Dewees, who was among about 200 people attending the speech. "The fact that we're bringing new people and new industries is key."

But Joanne Sanders, the City-County Council's Democratic minority leader, said even with his emphasis on vision in the speech, she remains uncertain about Ballard's long-term plan.

"I suppose if he tells them once, twice and a third time, people will believe that's the definition of a vision," Sanders said. "But I'm not convinced."