Indianapolis Business Journal articles from December 2007

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from December 2007

Tough love: IPS Superintendent White doesn't shy away from challenges.(Indianapolis Public Schools)(Eugene White )
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene White isn't subtle. After wrapping up his second year as head of the state's largest school district last summer, he adopted the Buffalo Springfield classic with the...

Park lands huge lease: logistics company takes 1.2M sq. ft. in AllPoints Midwest.
December 3, 2007... The massive new AllPoints Midwest industrial park in Plainfield has landed its first tenant in a mega deal that likely will be the area's biggest industrial lease in 2007. Local logistics firm Prime Distribution Services Inc. has signed a...

Regulators seek mortgage reforms: real estate interests wary of overreaction to housing crisis.
December 3, 2007... State regulators want more firepower to fight mortgage crimes. But a month before the General Assembly convenes, real estate interests are uneasy, fearing lawmakers may go overboard. The Securities Division of the Indiana Secretary of...

WFYI adds digital channels: public television broadcaster plans more local programming; one lineup similar to C-Span's.
December 3, 2007... aschoettle@ibj.com WFYI-TV Channel 20 has quietly launched two public television channels, but a third station that's about to launch should pack the biggest punch. The Indiana Channel will feature an all-local lineup, including...

Tenacious about toys: Kits & Kaboodle founder back at it with Mass Ave store.(Natalie Canull )(Occupation overview)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Toys are one of the most bruising sectors in retail, and local toy store owner Natalie Canull has the scars to prove it. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s, she ran the premier independent toy store in...

WellPoint broadens health push: insurer's efforts boost image while improving bottom line.(WellPoint Inc.)
December 3, 2007... Shortly after Dr. Judith Monroe moved into the commissioner's office of the Indiana State Health Department in March 2005, her phone began to ring with calls from WellPoint Inc.'s offices less than two blocks away. WellPoint, Indiana's...

Steak n Shake troubles may cut chance of sale.(BEHIND THE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... Here's a silver lining to The Steak n Shake Co.'s deepening woes: They might scare off potential buyers, keeping the locally based diner chain independent for the foreseeable future. "While Steak n Shake continues to look at alternatives to...

Gatorade inventor's death recalls local links: Stokely-Van Camp launched sports drink here in 1960s.(Obituary)
December 3, 2007... Gatorade's inventor, Dr. J. Robert Cade, who died Nov. 27 in Gainesville, Fla., left a legacy in Indianapolis that stretches back four decades to the birth of the multibillion-dollar sports drink industry. The invention became a...

'Voluntourism' pioneer wants to go corporate: once province of colleges, Ambassadors branches into business.(Ambassadors for Children)
December 3, 2007... Companies wanting to build camaraderie and teamwork often send their employees on the all-too-predictable retreat. A couple of hours down the road, in a restful setting, they'll do role-playing games and problem-solving exercises. These...

Local hospitality market continues expanding: last year's numbers are in; this year looking strong.
December 3, 2007... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] More visitors are coming to Indianapolis and spending more money, leading to more jobs in the local hospitality industry, a soon-to-be-released report from the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association shows. ...

Public schools can't stand still: all city's districts must succeed.(EDITORIAL)
December 3, 2007... In central Indiana, Indianapolis Public Schools is the poster child for challenged urban school districts. Its problems, some of which are discussed in this week's front-page story about Superintendent Eugene White, are far worse than most...

There's an upside to this fiasco.(Commentary)(Finish Line Inc. announces plans to acquire Genesco Inc.)
December 3, 2007... Psst. Come closer. Want to double your money? I've got a deal for you. No guts? Turn the page now. OK, you didn't turn the page--Finish Line Inc. stock closed Nov. 26 at $2.94 a share. It's time to buy. Finish Line is a leader in the...

Corrections.(EDITORIAL)(Correction notice)
December 3, 2007... * The Indianapolis Art Center has no authority to book programming for a seminar space about to open in the Stutz Business Center. A story on page 8A last week implied the Art Center and Stutz Artists Association had already agreed to jointly...

[Cartoon].(EDITORIAL)(Cartoon)
December 3, 2007... "And then Susie's dad raised his deductible to $30,000. It was the scariest health insurance policy anyone had ever seen." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Privatization of lottery is a winning ticket.(EYE ON THE PIE)(Hoosier Lottery)
December 3, 2007... It happened on the day that does not exist. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is not a good news day. This year, we got an extra serving of admonitions about obesity from the Centers for Disease Control. Beyond that, we heard the usual...

All the signs of an upset were there.(Commentary)(Viewpoint essay)
December 3, 2007... I recently had a post-election conversation with a good friend who is a staunch supporter of Mayor Bart Peterson. We were talking about the two-term incumbent's loss to the little-known challenger, Greg Ballard. My friend told me, "Abdul,...

Digital billboards are a bad idea.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
December 3, 2007... Having read the column on digital billboards in the Nov. 12 issue, I would like to add several comments. I find it interesting that the owner of the digital billboard on Interstate 65 and U.S. 31 lives in Columbus. Is this a case of "not...

We need Hoosiers like Scott Jones.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
December 3, 2007... I found it disturbing to read [in a Nov. 26 story] that there is speculation that Scott Jones may have a conflicted relationship between the Indiana Economic Development Corp. 21st Century Fund and his political leanings. Knowing Scott...

Let's hope Ballard improves planning.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
December 3, 2007... [Tom Harton's Oct. 1 commentary discussed] how badly Indianapolis planning and zoning needs to be shaken up and taken in a different direction. For those of us who have to deal with Indy's planning and zoning on a daily basis, just knowing...

A setback for new radio ratings system.(ON THE BEAT)
December 3, 2007... New York-based Arbitron inc. will delay the launch of a radio station rating system that locally based Emmis Communications Corp. says could win back advertisers that have abandoned radio. While the new system was tested this year and is in...

Former CEO sues firm.(ARCHITECTURE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... A former longtime CEO of The Odle McGuire & Shook Corp. is suing the architectural firm his son now leads to recover wages and other expenses exceeding $265,000. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] R. Duane Odle spent 32 years at the locally based...

Lauding artists with great ideas.(ARTS)(Arts Council of Indianapolis hosts reception for finalists in its Great Ideas Competition)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... The Arts Council of Indianapolis will host a reception Dec. 6 for the seven finalists in its Great Ideas Competition. The competition gives Indiana artists a chance at a public art project commission. This is the second round of awards for...

IndyPartnership's new chief focused on finding connections.(ECONOMY)(appointment of Ron Gifford)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... The IndyPartnership's new CEO, Ron Gifford, has been on the job only a few weeks. But he's already prioritized a focus: networking. "In the short term, a lot of my time will be spent on these budding relationships, getting them working as...

Locally led trial targets early stage breast cancer.(HEALTH CARE)
December 3, 2007... An Indianapolis cancer doctor thinks she may have what would essentially be a cure for some forms of early-stage breast cancer. Dr. Kathy Miller, a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, will act as the principal...

Lottery hires local ad agency.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Hoosier Lottery advertising contracts with Well Done Marketing)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Two weeks after Hoosier Lottery officials rejected all six bids for the creative portion of their advertising account, they began farming out work on smaller projects. Locally based Well Done Marketing was hired to handle work on...

Not-for-profits rake in grants.(PHILANTHROPY)(Young Men's Christian Associations)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] United Way of Central Indiana is better known for program funding, but a recent round of grants has put it in the HVAC and construction businesses. The organization has awarded $288,203 to 10 member agencies,...

Florist decides to stay downtown.(RETAIL)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Locally based Berkshire Florist is moving its downtown store rather than closing it permanently. Berkshire owner Robert Behning closed the store at 7 E. Market St. on Nov. 30 and will reopen it in City Market in mid-December. Behning had...

Blue Chip recipients named.(SMALL BUSINESS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Ten area companies that have overcome serious challenges were honored with the 2007 Blue Chip Business Award from Indianapolis-based WestPoint Financial Group. The local winners, selected by a panel of judges from the Ball State School of...

IEDC provides guidance for federal grant applicants.(TECHNOLOGY)(Indiana Economic Development Corp)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is staging a series of workshops to help small businesses that are developing new technologies secure federal funding. The seminars will offer information about the availability of federal grant...

Natural gas rates to rise.(UTILITIES)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Vectren Energy Delivery and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor have reached a settlement that would boost an average customer's natural gas bill $3.50 a month. The agreement, which would allow Vectren to collect an extra $28...

Crowe Chizek and Co. LLC.(ACCOUNTING)
December 3, 2007... Chris Mitchell has been named to the tax services group at Crowe Chizek and Co. LLC.

Trace Communications.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)(appointments)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Trace Communications has added the following: *Heather Jacobsen, * Katherine Lim and * Krista Jacobs, customer service representatives; and * Jamie Willis, trace estimator. * Christine Scott has been promoted to...

Amanda McAdams has joined Valpak of Indianapolis.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Amanda McAdams has joined Valpak of Indianapolis as account executive.

Tri-Auto Enterprises.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)(appointments )(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tri-Auto Enterprises has added the following: *Lori Grass, vice president of sales and marketing; *Audrea Ford, marketing coordinator; and *Ryan Sawrie, client services associate.

Ronda Crist has joined JFM Concepts as a senior project manager.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ronda Crist has joined JFM Concepts as a senior project manager, and *Brian Thomas has joined as an ASP.NET programmer.

Kevin Nelson and Mary Hayes have joined Hetrick Communications.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)
December 3, 2007... Kevin Nelson and Mary Hayes have joined Hetrick Communications as co-creative directors. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Regan Norton has joined Dean Johnson Design.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)
December 3, 2007... Regan Norton has joined Dean Johnson Design as a Web designer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Chris Hoyt has joined Plan B Marketing Inc.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Chris Hoyt has joined Plan B Marketing Inc. as a Web designer. Jim Smith has joined as content management system Web site builder.

Learfield Sports.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS)
December 3, 2007... Kearsten Huddleston has been named account executive for BCA properties at Learfield Sports. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BSA LifeStructures.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ ENGINEERING)(appointments)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... BSA LifeStructures has added the following associates: * Kyle Owens, computer-aided design for MEP engineering; * Timothy Conley, contract management in the construction administration department; * Sandy VanOrshoven, associate in the...

Kevin Sumner has joined Civil Site Group Inc.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
December 3, 2007... Kevin Sumner has joined Civil Site Group Inc. as a project manager.

Bill Stinson has joined Cripe Architects + Engineers.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
December 3, 2007... Bill Stinson has joined Cripe Architects + Engineers as new business development director.

Gary L. Walker has joined Union Savings Bank.(BANKING)
December 3, 2007... Gary L. Walker has joined Union Savings Bank as vice president of sales. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Irwin Union Bank and Trust.(BANKING)
December 3, 2007... David Phares II has been promoted to market manager at Irwin Union Bank and Trust, Shelbyville branch.

Minorities, women turn to franchises: proven business systems offer more opportunities.(Focus: RETAILING & FRANCHISES)
December 3, 2007... Betsy Knoke's northeast-side business is the latest addition for Colorado-based 10 til 2, a franchised staffing service that places college-educated individuals in part-time employment. On a grander scale, the...

Retailers hope to buck holiday predictions: optimism found in online sales, busy Black Friday.(Focus: RETAILING & FRANCHISES)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] High oil prices and a continuing credit crunch have many retailers bracing for a blue Christmas. Holiday sales this year are expected to grow a modest 4 percent, according to some retail experts, which would be...

Community's socio-demographics drive retail decisions.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
December 3, 2007... In a perfect world, developers and retail brokers would poll community residents to find out which stores, restaurants and services they want. And, then we'd send nice letters to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, or the Cheesecake Factory and Steak...

Largest Indianapolis-area shopping centers.(Focus: RETAILING & FRANCHISES)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... Largest Indianapolis-Area Shopping Centers (Ranked by square footage) RANK SQUARE FOOTAGE PERCENT 2006 SHOPPING CENTER ACREAGE OCCUPIED rank LOCATION ...

Investors shrugging off home-mortgage turmoil.(INVESTING)
December 3, 2007... Nov. 20 was one of the stranger days in the stock market that I have seen for some time. On the surface, it came and went like any other business day, with the Dow Jones industrial average ending up a decent 50 points. However, if you had told...

Hoosier stocks rally after volatile stretch.(STOCKS)
December 3, 2007... Indiana stocks roared back Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, allowing battered issues to make up some of the ground they've lost in recent weeks. Investors remain jittery amid fears that mortgage weakness could pull the nation's economy into recession....

Why eliminating property taxes is a bad idea.(ECONOMIC ANALYSIS)
December 3, 2007... Judging from the many yard signs I've seen, a repeal of property taxes is a popular sentiment in the state. Too bad, because that would be an uncommon departure from Hoosier practicality and wisdom. Like most states, Indiana taxes income,...

Horizon Bancorp Indiana.(PROXY CORNER)(Financial report)
December 3, 2007... Horizon Bancorp Indiana, 515 Franklin Square, Michigan City, Ind., 46360 (www.accesshorizon.com) is a bank holding company. The bank and its subsidiaries are engaged in commercial and retail banking, investment management services and...

Junior League of Indianapolis.(NOT-FOR-PROFIT OF NOTE)(Company overview)
December 3, 2007... 3050 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis 46208 Phone: (317) 925-4600 Fax: (317) 926-7658 Web site: www.JLIndy.org Founded: 1922 Paid employees: three Highest-paid staff member: Sue Wilds, administrative coordinator,...

Clarian abandons Muncie-area medical-park project.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Wed., Nov. 21-Wed., Nov. 28)(Clarian Health Partners)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Clarian Health has decided not to follow through on a medical park it planned near Muncie because, among other reasons, it couldn't sign enough doctors. The president of the Delaware County commissioners, John Brooke, said Nov. 29 that a...

Genesco shares slide after federal subpoena.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Wed., Nov. 21-Wed., Nov. 28)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Stock in Tennessee-based Genesco Inc. fell 6.2 percent as of Nov. 29 after the mall retailer revealed two days earlier that federal prosecutors had issued it a subpoena. The move by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of...

OneAmerica signs deal with Japanese insurer.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Wed., Nov. 21-Wed., Nov. 28)(OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. said Nov. 27 it had reached an agreement to provide administration and marketing for a big Japanese insurer that's entering the medical stop-loss market in the United States. Locally based OneAmerica's...

WXIN to simulcast morning news on WTTV.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Wed., Nov. 21-Wed., Nov. 28)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Starting Jan. 2, the morning newscast on WXIN-TV Channel 59 will be simulcast on its sister station, WTTV-TV Channel 4. While other central Indiana affiliates offer a blended local and national morning newscast, WXIN is the only station to...

Telamon wins BKD honor.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Carmel-based Telamon Corp., the area's largest minority-owned business, is the winner of the 2007 BKD Indiana Excellence Award. In its 12th year, the awards program rewards organizations that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence...

Largest North Meridian Corridor office complexes (1).(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... Largest North Meridian Corridor Office Complexes (1) (Ranked by rentable square feet of office space) RENTABLE SQ. RANK FT. OF OFFICE BUILDINGS IN 2006 COMPLEX...

Calendar.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
December 3, 2007... Business-related calendar items should be submitted two weeks before event date. Contact bmaurer@ibj.com. Dec. 3, 7 a.m.: Business & Professional Exchange, Career Networking, North chapter, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Fellowship...

Holiday wish list.(Directory)
December 3, 2007... The following is a list of Indianapolis-area not-for-profit organizations and the five things each needs most. This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals to make tax-deductible gifts in the spirit of the season. Anyone who wishes...

Conventions.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
December 3, 2007... Dec. 5-6, Kids Count in Indiana Conference, Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. Estimated attendance: 1,000 Dec. 7-9, DECA-An Association of Marketing Students, Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. Estimated attendance: 3,000 Dec....

Fund raising.(RECORDS)
December 3, 2007... The Wellness Community-Central Indiana to benefit from the Crate & Barrel (Keystone at the Crossing) holiday shopping benefit on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets $50 each, which include a $25 donation and a $25 gift card to spend in the store while...

Consultant helps clients navigate tech jungle: Silverback looks to diversify health care, bank business.(SMALL BIL PROFILE: Silverback Consulting Group)(Company overview)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the jungle that is today's business world, businesses can't survive without information systems. And if they need help finding their way through all the technological underbrush, a local consulting firm wants to...

Community Web sites win awards.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Indianapolis-based Community Health Network garnered accolades in November for its use of the Internet to give health care information to consumers. The Forum for Healthcare Strategies, based in Chicago, recognized Community's Web site,...

Fountain Square properties up for sale.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... A prime block of Fountain Square real estate is now for sale. Businessman Don Swayze is asking $1.2 million for two buildings and a used-car lot he owns along Virginia Avenue. Jesse Snyder with ReMax has the listing. The buildings are home...

A&E goes on a road trip: 'Wicked' in the Windy City.(A&E)(musical performance)
December 3, 2007... This week, a trip to Chicago to catch two of the hottest destination shows in years Musical-theater buffs in Indianapolis know that an occasional trip to Chicago is a must. Savvy ticket buyers willing to schlep up Interstate 65 have gotten...

As mall dining newcomer, 'Stir' no great shakes.(DINING: STIR CRAZY)
December 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This month, like you, we're hitting the malls. But while you are undoubtedly searching for gifts for loved ones, we're looking for new restaurants where you can stop to refuel. First stop, Stir Crazy (1251 U.S....

Custom cards: a gift that has you written all over it.(SURF THIS)(Starbucks Corp.'s marketing strategy)(Viewpoint essay)
December 3, 2007... I was in Texas a couple of weeks ago addressing a marketing conference organized by Strategic Fulfillment Group. The room was full of smart, progressive marketing minds, all sharing ideas about how to best address their respective customers....

A greedy impasse makes radio relevant again.(SPORTS)(passing evening time listening to radio and watching television)(Viewpoint essay)
December 3, 2007... Of this, that and the other: A fond childhood memory is of summertime evenings spent with my father on the screened-in back porch of our farmhouse. While my dad enjoyed a cigar and a frosty libation after a hard day's work, we would...

IMS may host airplane race; major event could lure international crowds.(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
December 10, 2007... A new kind of motorsport soon could be flying into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Speedway officials are in discussions with the Red Bull Air Race World Series, a 5-year-old airplane race circuit that combines the intrigue of a high-wire...

Road gets bumpy for ethanol plants; Indiana's lengthy list of proposed distilleries could grow shorter if market doesn't improve.
December 10, 2007... The list of potential Hoosier ethanol plants is nothing short of astounding for a state that had just one ethanol-fuel distillery as recently as 2005. Beyond the six ethanol plants now operating and six others under construction, Purdue...

Will reform starve Marion County? Critics fear tax fixes will favor suburbs.
December 10, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As legislators prepare to overhaul the state s property-tax system, Marion County's future hangs in the balance. Indianapolis residents--particularly in the city's older, urban core already pay far higher taxes...

Putting the pieces together: Fundex mixes tradition with high-tech pursuits in evolving game biz.(Fundex Games )(Company overview)
December 10, 2007... Fundex Games released a cell-phone version of its top-selling Phase 10 card game this fall and then did the next logical thing--it bought a puzzle company. The Indianapolis-based game and toy company's Oct. 10 acquisition of the Great...

Clarian startups perk up; hospitals in Avon, Carmel turn corner after big losses.(Clarian Health Partners)
December 10, 2007... Clarian health officials say the only way they can keep operating their medical centers downtown is to support them with profitable suburban hospitals. So far, it seems Clarian is on the right track. As Clarian moves forward with a new,...

Historical society ready for new era; $24m makeover emphasizes ever-changing, visitor-friendly attractions that bring past to life.(Indiana Historical Society )
December 10, 2007... Before building its Indianapolis headquarters in the late 1990s, the Indiana Historical Society shared space in the state library, its impressive collection of photos and documents crammed onto shelves lining the walls. It's come a long...

Cash infusion propels pioneering battery firm into future.(BEHIND THE NEWS)
December 10, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EnerDel, an Indianapolis company pioneering a new kind of battery for hybrid vehicles, has just received a badly needed jolt of juice. EnerDel's parent, Florida-based alternative-energy firm Enerl Inc., late last...

Six teams in running for public art award: commission will choose two winners in January.
December 10, 2007... Six finalists have pitched their visions for public art projects as part of the Arts Council of Indianapolis' second "Great Ideas" competition, aiming to inspire and educate area residents--and encourage them to slow down and contemplate life....

Knall accepts suspension in unusual SEC case: star broker made trade before sale announcement.(Securities and Exchange Commission and David Knall in insider-trading case)
December 10, 2007... Newly public records suggest that securities investigators had far from an airtight insider-trading case against David Knall, the star Indianapolis investment broker who nonetheless agreed to settle the 3-year-old inquiry by agreeing to a...

Businesses, educators teaming up for education; two sides join forces with Common Goal initiative, which aims to reduce Marion County's dropout rate.
December 10, 2007... Business and education leaders are hanging up their boxing gloves in favor of working together to stem the local high school dropout rate. "We've typically been at odds with the education community," said Roland Dorson, president of the...

'Tis the season to help others: don't forget charities when giving.(Editorial)
December 10, 2007... If our early December snowfall didn't get central Indiana's bells jingling, the overflowing mall parking lots should make it clear: Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's bringing plenty of credit-card-toting elves with him. The...

New library ready for digital age.(Commentary)
December 10, 2007... Dec. 9 was slated to be the Big Day for Indianapolis' new Central Library. After five years and more than $150 million, the project--which seemed preposterous from the start--has finally come to fruition and sits ready for a grand opening....

Are unions really that important?(EYE ON THE PIE)
December 10, 2007... Uncle Uriah Marcus visited us on Thanksgiving. It took over a week to recover. He blames "the @#%$# unions" for most of our state's woes. Uncle Uriah asserts "them big unions scares businesses away from Indiannie." A sample of his views:...

A foreign investment that is sure to pay off.(Commentary)
December 10, 2007... As the year draws to a close, the business community remains focused on taxes and the health of the economy. The governor's privatization of the Indiana Toll Road generated a windfall of $3 billion. If managed properly, that money should fund...