McDermott to seek another term as Hammond mayor
Attorney and Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. says he'll seek re-election to that post but still is considering a run for governor in 2016.
Local government
Articles
Absence of a plan foils development proposal
A plan commission did not overstep its authority when it turned down a proposal to build a 300-unit apartment complex, in part, because the developer did not submit a preliminary plan for the project.
Supreme Court affirms COA on issue in public-private contract
In a mere three sentences, the Indiana Supreme Court summarily affirmed the Indiana Court of Appeals opinion in the lawsuit involving Veolia Water and the city of Indianapolis and liability for damages resulting from a fire that destroyed a restaurant.
AG offers county clerks guidance on same-sex marriage questions
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s office issued a memo to county clerks July 1 attempting to clear the confusion lingering from the several days when same-sex marriage was legal in Indiana.
Judges divided over whether city attorney could participate in demolition decision
Two judges on the Indiana Court of Appeals Wednesday believed that a Hammond resident didn’t have the benefit of an impartial decision maker in the proceeding that ordered demolition of his property. They believed the city attorney, whose office prosecuted the case, couldn’t sit on the city board that conducted the hearing.
County treasurer says judge also mishandled money
A central Indiana county treasurer charged with mishandling public money wants the judge overseeing his case to step aside, arguing she did the same thing.
IMPD lawyer to be deposed in councilor’s wrongful arrest case
Lawyers for Indianapolis City-County Councilman Joseph Simpson may depose a city attorney about legal advice she gave in another case regarding a state statute at the heart of Simpson’s wrongful arrest case, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Judge upholds 2009 tax year exemption
The Indiana Tax Court rejected the Hamilton County assessor’s claim that a for-profit limited liability company created to purchase office space for its nonprofit tissue donation company should not qualify for a charitable purposes exemption for the 2009 tax year.
Tax Court affirms rejection of fire protection district
A faulty legal notice published to advertise a public hearing for the purpose of creating a fire protection district in northern Madison County was sufficient grounds for the state to deny creation of the district, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Friday.
Utica school preservationists win reversal, get day in court
Clark County residents who sued township officials over how a former school in the Ohio River community of Utica was being used will get to plead their case, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday, reversing a trial court order for the township.
Brokers fear criminal justice complex could harm downtown Indianapolis
Creating a new criminal justice complex outside of downtown Indianapolis will mean big changes for the Mile Square, and some real estate brokers think the transition will be painful.
Court upholds Plymouth pay policy challenged by reservist
The city of Plymouth’s policy on longevity pay withstood a challenge by a police officer who unsuccessfully claimed he was entitled to the full benefit rather than a prorated share for time he spent deployed as a U.S. Air Force Reservist.
City recommends GM site for Marion County justice complex
The former General Motors stamping plant west of downtown Indianapolis is Mayor Greg Ballard's preferred location for a new criminal justice complex.
Judge strikes Bloomington smoke-detector ordinance; similar measure pends in Indy
A judge’s recent ruling that struck a Bloomington ordinance requiring hard-wired smoke detectors in rental properties comes as the Indianapolis City-County Council considers raising the requirements for all dwellings in Marion County.
For-profit Veolia Water not entitled to common law sovereign immunity
The Indiana Supreme Court held Thursday that for-profit, private company Veolia Water is not entitled to common law sovereign immunity from liability for damages resulting from a fire that destroyed an Indianapolis Texas Roadhouse restaurant in 2010.
Marion County judges may tour other cities’ unified justice complexes
Marion Superior judges may soon visit cities having centralized justice centers to tour those facilities as Indianapolis and county officials move forward with plans for a Criminal Justice Complex.
Opinion affirms New Albany has zoning jurisdiction over fringe area of county
In a dispute between the city of New Albany and Floyd County concerning which entity has zoning jurisdiction over an unincorporated area outside city limits, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the city.
IU prof turns to ADR to encourage public participation in government
The laws designed to allow members of the public to have a voice in their government are actually stifling the conversation, according to an Indiana University Bloomington expert.
Torn Achilles tendon is not city’s fault, COA rules
A state statute providing immunity to municipalities for 20-year-old public work projects absolved a southern Indiana city from liability for an injury a man incurred when he stepped off a curb and into a sewer drain.
New Castle denied appellate legal fees in frivolous suit
A New Castle couple doesn’t have to pay the city’s appellate legal fees in its appeal of a frivolous litigation ruling, but they still must pay New Castle’s legal bills for the trial court filing.