At the most recent meeting of the Mooresville Town Council, Libertarian Danny Lundy was appointed to the BZA, effective immediately. According to Warthen, Lundy was selected by the council to fill the BZA vacancy because he had shown a willingness ...Read More
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In the race for the three seats on the Brown Township Advisory Board, Libertarian challenger Danny Lundy, took 17.52 percent (1399 votes)Read More
“Someone had to step up and do something to stem the tide in this country,” Libertarian Senate candidate Lucy Brenton said. “Every day, our taxes go up, and our freedoms go down. Everyone complains, and then does nothing. So I decided to put my money where my mouth is.”
In 2016, Lucy Brenton first ran for the U.S. Senate against Todd Young and Evan Bayh. Now she is back to oppose Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly.
In the wake of a presidential election and two U.S. Supreme Court confirmations, parties are more desperate than ever to have a Senate majority. The case is evident in the constant bickering between Donnelly and Republican challenger Mike Braun, and the stream of political ads to go with it.
On her impression of the Oct. 8 debate, Brenton said, “I’m the only one that answered the questions. It is typical of the old parties, who have tens of millions of dollars invested in their campaign messaging, to simply use the debates as a circus to throw those messages at each other and sling mud.”
Besides this, Lucy Brenton made clear her ultimate goal of protecting personal freedoms, whether it be in the form of lower income taxes, less government or general constitutional rights.
“(The Libertarian Party) is the only party that advocates for all your freedoms all the time,” she said. “It’s only party that says we should stick strictly to the Constitution. It’s the only party that actually makes moves towards reducing the size of government, and keeping people free.”
When asked about what she thought was the most important issue facing America, Brenton chose economics.
“The most pressing issue in America is economics … and that boils down to a number of things. First, we must follow the Constitution. Article 1 Section 8 Paragraph 5 says Congress is supposed to coin money and regulate the value thereof, so I would get rid of the Federal Reserve in favor of having Congress be its constitutional mandate. Second, I would look at the warfare system along with the welfare system, and I would make sure that we are not wasting lives and money waging wars against other countries that have done nothing to us. And on the economic front, I would end these stupid tariffs and put corporate income tax rates down to zero.”
Her view on foreign affairs is particularly unique in the political climate of today, sticking with George Washington’s policy of neutrality described in his farewell address: “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements.”
Mooresville resident Frank Perkoski had a question regarding this issue.
“Do you think that the United States should remain in NATO?” he asked.
Brenton was decisive in her answer.
“Absolutely not. NATO was there to end the Cold War. That mission was accomplished, we should be out of NATO.”
So, why should someone vote for Lucy Brenton over classic, two-party politicians Mike Braun or Joe Donnelly?
“I’m the only one qualified to be United States Senator because I’m the only one that has never raised taxes on the American people,” Lucy says. “When I say that I won’t raise taxes, I mean it. When I say that we will bring our men and women home from overseas because we should not be the world’s policemen, I mean it. And I can follow through, because I am the only one who has not accepted money from corporate donors or lobbyists, so I have no strings attached to me. That is not true for my opponents.”
Still, there is a lot of apprehension involving voting for third parties. A common argument is the lesser of two evils view of voting.
Brenton challenges this by asking, “Why would you vote for evil at all?”
When it comes to someone who represents the individual, Lucy Brenton is the candidate to choose. There is nothing unprofessional or polarizing about her opinions or behavior, yet she doesn’t poll as much as the other candidates. Ultimately, it is the two-party system that makes it so difficult. But once Americans start voting based on merit instead of party lines, the absolute best candidates can be chosen, making way for a clearer and happier political system.
See more of the Senate candidates from their Oct. 30 debate, which can be found at indianadebatecommission.com
By Marissa Meador | Guest Column | Published Oct 31, 2018 in The Mooresville-Decatur Times
“You can make a difference,” said Lundy. “You don’t have to run for office or stage a massive protest. If you see something you’re able to fix, you can go fix that, and that will make a difference.”Read More
INDOT hosts open house for upcoming project
MOORESVILLE — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) held an open house Wednesday evening at the Mooresville Government Center to provide information and to hear public input on a construction project taking place on Ind. 42 (High St.) that is scheduled for 2021.
According to Nick Batta, project designer and manager with design company Crawford, Murphy and Tilly (CMT), the purpose of this project is to replace the pavement, curbs and sidewalks along Ind. 42.
“It’s, first and foremost, a pavement project,” said Batta. “The pavement, especially the base, is nearing the end of it’s useful life, so we’re gonna replace part of the pavement, make improvements to the base under the pavement, and then replace the curbs. By and large, we’re not widening the road or anything. It’ll operate, after this project, like it does today — one lane in each direction, parking lane on each side.”
Batta said that the project would also help update the town’s drainage infrastructure.
“We’re gonna make some drainage improvements, replace some of the pipes, clean out some of the ditches,” said Batta.
Batta also said that the town was considering adding a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians along the north side of Ind. 42.
Many Mooresville residents in attendance said that they were happy to see the project being undertaken and suggested changes that they would like to see made to the project for INDOT’s consideration.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Pamela Siddons, attorney and owner of Siddons Law Office LLC. “The road’s needed some repair for quite some time, and I’m glad they’re looking at a walking and biking path. I do think that some of the corner should be widened more than they’re looking at for safety’s sake. Overall, I think it’s good, and I think more people should comment to them as to what they would like to have.”
According to INDOT Project Manager Richard Gilyeat, INDOT wanted to partner with the town and get input from residents to ensure that the project went as smoothly and successfully as possible.
“This is a big project so we wanted to get people’s input,” said Gilyeat. “It’s nice to work with the town officials because they saw the benefit and they helped set this up. … We’re trying to make it a true partnership.”
Local government officials said that they were pleased that the town and INDOT were able to work together.
“I’m anxious to get it done,” said superintendent of Mooresville Public Works Dave Moore. “I think it’s been a long time coming. I’m really happy to see it on the horizon.”
“I think it’s a good opportunity for the town and the state to work together,” said town councilman, redevelopment commission member and planning commission member Joe Beikman. “I think the town is silly if they don’t do it.”
Mooresville Redevelopment Commission Consultant Chelsey Manns agreed with Beikman and Moore.
“I’m excited,” said Manns. “From the redevelopment commission standpoint, Ind. 42 is part of the gateway project, so it’s silly for us to not partner with them to save us some money and still implement a lot of what we intended to happen so it just makes sense. It’s a good opportunity for the town and the state.”
Mooresville Town Council President Tom Warthen shared a similar sentiment, noting that it was not often that local and state governments partner together.
“This is a clear cut case of the state wanting to partner with local government,” said Warthen. “We’re excited about them wanting to repair the infrastructure within the town of Mooresville and we’re also excited about the fact that they’ve asked us for our input and allowed us to partner.
“Usually when we see a state project, historically states, counties, local governments have never teamed up or worked well together… It gives us the opportunity to protect the infrastructure that we as taxpayers have paid for.”
According to information provided at the open house, INDOT anticipates having another public meeting January 2019, and those with questions can contact INDOT Customer Service at 855-463-6848.
By Anthony Woodside | Reporter | Published July 28, 2018 in The Mooresville-Decatur Times
in Brown Township, Libertarian Danny Lundy is running against Republicans Christopher Hester, Adam Johnson and Steven Oschman for three township advisory board positions.Read More
Why don’t we demand the highest level of customer service for our tax dollars?Read More
The Mooresville Gateway Project Report
The Mooresville Town Council members in 2014:
President Mark Mathis, Vice-President Virginia Perry, Jeff Cook, Tony Langley, and George Watkins
The Gateway Project was first presented to the Town Council on April 1st, 2014. On August 19th, 2014 the Mooresville Town Council voted 5-0 to pass “Resolution 11” which authorized the issuance of a $12,000,000 municipal bond for the purpose of the “Gateway Project”. A “Gateway Master Plan” was presented to the public in March of 2014. You can view that original plan here.
The bond was issued to “finance costs of the project and to pay all incidental expenses incurred in connection therewith, including the costs of issuance of bonds.” The interest rate was set not to exceed 8.00%. A portion of the bond proceeds may be applied to a reserve fund. The final maturity date of the bonds shall be no later than Jan 15, 2040.
As is normal for these kinds of large projects, concepts change along the way. You may notice Bicentennial Park looks quite different today than it appeared in the Gateway Master Plan. A new conceptual drawing was released in April 2017. You can view that here. It represents the final version we see downtown today.
The Gateway Project is a high profile one, gaining a lot of curiosity and attention from the general public. Lots of questions have surrounded it, especially regarding the cost. Our own Danny Lundy has been working with the Redevelopment Commission to put together a cost analysis of the Gateway Project through May 2018. He compiled the invoices into 3 categories or “phases” (the Gateway Monuments, Bicentennial Park, and Indiana Street Corridor). He also broke it down by vendor so we could see exactly where our tax dollars went. Below you can see two pie charts representing these break downs of cost. You can also view the full report here.
Disclaimer: This is a good faith estimate of expenditures. Any possible errors are unintentional and believed to be minor. This Report has not been reviewed or verified by the Mooresville Redevelopment Commission and is not an official record of the Mooresville Redevelopment Commission.
Groups team up to clean up Mooresville
MOORESVILLE
The northern part of Morgan County was busy with a flurry of activity over the weekend, from the Relay for Life Mooresville event taking place at the high school to the Foamtastic Fun/Run Walk at Neil Armstrong Elementary School and Touch-A-Truck event at Pioneer Park.
Slightly less noticeable were the eight teams of volunteers who took part of their Saturday morning to help make the area look a little better as part of the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce and Town of Mooresville’s joint-effort clean up day.
Teams included City Changers, team captain Jim Taylor; Town Center Church, team captain Kim Schuessler; Libertarians, team captain Danny Lundy; Team Warthen, team captain Tom Warthen; Ivy Tech, team captain Treg Hopkins; Troy the Plumber, team captain Nicole Remster; Team Williams, team captain Shane Williams; and Boy Scout Troop No. 203, team captain Sarah Cacciotti.
From up and down Indiana Street to all the way up County Line Road, the volunteers stuffed bags with the garbage they picked up, later filling the two dumpsters at Old Town Park with their collections.
According to Mooresville Town Councilman Joe Beikman, the town used to have annual cleanup days, but they eventually fell by the wayside.
Chamber president Susan Haynes said it had probably been at least 10 years since there was such an event.
“We’ve done this as a community before, but this is the first time in a few years,” Haynes said.
“We just want to get stuff cleaned up,” Beikman agreed.
Haynes said while it was a joint effort between the chamber and the town, chamber executive director Mindy Taylor was integral in organizing the event.
Despite the numerous conflicts and humid weather, Haynes said she was happy with the turnout, which came to roughly 30 volunteers.
Both Haynes and Beikman said they hope to see community cleanup days occur more frequently.
“We would like it to be an annual event, like it used to be,” Beikman said.
For more information on the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce and its events, visit its Facebook page.
By Alexis Fitzpatrick | Reporter | Published May 23, 2018 in The Mooresville-Decatur Times
Do not be dissuaded by the primary process. We will be on the ballot in November, and Hoosiers will have more choice as a result.Read More