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Pence says he'll review school safety; no word on guns

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Gov.-elect Mike Pence announced plans Wednesday to conduct a thorough review of safety at Indiana schools in response to last week's school shootings in Connecticut.

"As we formulate our budget, we will be pursuing resources for a comprehensive evaluation of school security measures," Pence said.

Pence ducked questions about whether he would consider limits on gun ownership in Indiana in the wake of the shooting, although he hinted they would not get far with him. He declined to say if he would support limiting the number of bullets in a clip or if he would support arming select teachers to defend against any attacks.

"Hoosiers have rights, and we will see to protecting those rights. And we have responsibilities, especially to kids," he said. "This not about access to guns. This is about access to schools."

Pence talked about the review Wednesday as he announced new members of his growing administration. He said former Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Carter will become superintendent of the Indiana State Police.

Current state police Superintendent Paul Whitesell withdrew his name from consideration in the Pence administration after telling a legislative panel last month he supported legalizing and taxing marijuana.

"We had a good conversation with Dr. Whitesell. Before I made a final decision, he did indicate he was withdrawing his name for consideration and we respect his decision in that regard," Pence said. He did not say what reason Whitesell cited for pulling out.

Police spokesman Capt. Dave Bursten said Whitesell chose to pursue private employment elsewhere.

Pence has asked many members of Gov. Mitch Daniels' Cabinet to stay on through his term, and many have agreed. Daniels' Natural Resources Secretary Rob Carter added his name to that list Wednesday, saying he would serve with Pence.

Pence also announced other key appointments. Indianapolis City-County Councilman Jeff Cardwell is leaving his post with the city for a job as executive director of the Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.

Ryan Streeter, a Pence campaign adviser and former domestic policy aide to former President George W. Bush, will help write economic policy for Pence. And Kara Brooks is leaving a job with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works to become Pence's spokeswoman.

Zac Jackson will work with Office of Management and Budget Director Chris Atkins and Dax Norton will work in Lt. Gov.-elect Sue Ellspermann's office as the head of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

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  • I echo Sara
    Well stated, Sara. I couldn't agree more.
  • Coward
    Anyone - especially in a position of power and influence - who can arbitrarily decline to even discuss assault weapons as part of the cause of recent atrocities is either a coward worried about POTUS possibilities or an imbecile or both.
  • Get ready Indiana
    Sheesh, a real Profiles In Courage moment from Pence. Won't even talk about guns?!? Get ready Indiana, we will have four long years of this opportunistic nit wit in the Gov's office waiting for any opportunity to become relevant and make a run for the White House. BTW: never trust anyone who's greatest (and only) accomplishment in life is winning a popularity contest -- see Evan Bayh.
  • I need a table
    to keep track of who's in and who's out. Which agencies are still up in the air? INDOT, DNR, ISP are settled. Haven't seen anything about IDEM. Not sure what we're calling the various social agencies at the moment...

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  1. First, the Athenaeum is going to have to get past the hurdle with the Lockerbie residents and the agreement that the parcel would be residential. Second, and in my opinion, this prime piece of property should include parking, PLUS, a black box theater(s), some market rate and affordable artist housing and a plan to renovate and reconfigure the second story theater. I would negotiate to add the DeHaan property surface parking lot into the development mix, place a one story surface parking garage on the DeHaan lot on the street level (for the Dehaan tenants use during the daytime) and add a second story to the garage that would become an addition to the current second story theater and then change the direction of the theater by moving the stage across the alley and on top of the DeHaan lot parking. You can add all the stage elements that are currently missing from the Athenaeum stage to make it more attractive for use by Ballet, Opera and traveling productions. Plus, the theater changes would probably help solve some of the soundproofing issues. Alas,it does not seem to be a part of the strategic plan to conduct a study to determine best use of the property. Seems like the current plan is a quick and easy move that ignores the property best use/potential and any strategic property planning for the effect on future generations.

  2. I recall that MSA's pilings are still in the ground and hard to remove. It’s not likely any proposal will include significant underground construction/parking because of this. Start adding 2 floors of retail, 8 floors of parking and 5-10 floors of possible hotel, and/or 10-20 floors of residential, and you are at 30 floors already with possible expansion of all the uses. But then again I could be wrong.

  3. Accoriding to their website there is no deadline to the Do Not Call list. What is this article referring to??

  4. On what planet are they entitled to this largesse from the stockholders? These people make multi-million dollar salaries: Pay for your own personal travel.

  5. It matters because they're already paid enormously fat salaries: Pay for your own personal travel. Being "taxed on it" isn't a valid excuse--so what? They're still being gifted a raft of luxury perks from somebody else's money on top of an enormous, lavish salary.

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