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Daniels preparing changes following stage collapse

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Gov. Mitch Daniels on Tuesday outlined a handful of changes Indiana is taking following last year's deadly state fair stage collapse.

Daniels said he ordered the state Department of Homeland Security to begin reviewing temporary outdoor structures like the stage rigging that collapsed Aug. 13.

He also said firings at the state fair commission could be a part of an overhaul he's considering. He did not say whether that included State Fair director Cindy Hoye.

Asked if anyone would be fired because of the collapse, Daniels said, "It may be that someone will. But this will all be part of the restructuring and the decisions that are about to start now."

Fair spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland did not respond Tuesday to an email seeking a response to Daniels' comments.

An independent investigation released last week found the fair had no clear chain of command for deciding when to evacuate fans. A separate investigation found that the rigging that killed seven people and injured close to 60 people was not built to withstand the 59-mph winds that knocked it down.

State Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy told investigators that Hoye initially offered her resignation but that he refused to accept it. Daniels said Tuesday that Lacy never offered to resign, but if he had, the governor says he would not have accepted it.

Daniels said he wants state investigators to begin reviewing temporary outdoor structures immediately. State lawmakers approved a plan to establish the state's first inspection guidelines for temporary structures and plan to study the issue before they return for their 2013 session.

"We want to make sure those are looked at even before we have new code in place," Daniels said.

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  1. If a television station wants to improve viewership, get rid of the local blackout. I was born by the brickyard, and have attended 15 or more races. I have children now, I won't attend unless circumstances are perfect. As those with growing families know, they never are. I'm always impressed that upwards of 250,000 people attend the 500. However, as a growing, or, more apt, sprawling city, Indianapolis and its immediate suburbs count almost 2.2 million. Show the race live, let the venue get a kick-back on revenues, and open-wheel racing might have a fighting chance to be relevant again. Just in time for those tax-payer lights to make sense.

  2. John Moore, I too have had the same issue recently. A property next to my house was on the Land Bank and I was interested in purchasing. When I tried to contact Reggie, I got back emails that had nothing to do with what I asked about. Actually my latest response from him was on this past Friday. I had asked about how to buy the property and if it was still available. His response to me was to contact the mayor's office to get the schedule of his appearances. (???) Hopefully the city is able to do something to fix what this guy has done, it would be nice if they would take the properties back and sell them properly so land owners like me and you mother would have a fair chance.

  3. I too work in the industry, with over 25 years of experience and your political spin has probably nothing to do with any rebranding. "Let's dress it up" would have nothing to do with the government "telling us how and what to eat." Give it a political rest. And being a producer for a radio show doesn't mean you've been involved in advertising and branding for 30 years.

  4. Ms. Morris did not understand the ways of the business world, otherwise, like the IMS, she could have petitioned the State Legislature for a handout of State Funds for her charity work. Ms. Morris should consider becoming a state lobbyist for Lemonade Stand Operators.

  5. David Copperfield!

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