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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. So the Mayor adds another non value added layer to having a vehicle towed? Whereby the City Government RECIEVES AN ILLEGAL KICKBACK FROM A LGOISTICS COMPANY THAT SUBS THE WORK TO LOCAL TOW COMPANIES? What is the service the City performs for receiving the "tribute"? This is RICO!!!!! What a corrupt and unnecessary layer. What a dirtbag Mayor and his cronies.

  2. Owner occupied housing. Clear enough?

  3. So people think I am paranoid. It's from experience in dealing with puds requested by developers who make major donations themselves to representatives, have nice fund raisers for those running for office and hide through pac's. then there are the public relation firms. You will note some pr comments below. You there Clyde Lee? My opinion. Commercial along 421, great. Multifamily housing, terrible idea that will change the town. Senior condos or zero lot line homes west, great. I suggest keeping all entries to commercial areas at 421. All entries to owner occupied on sycamore. Will keep the traffic on sycamore down some. Two other things. You can't trust what will be there in 10 years. Steve builds quality stuff, but areas change over time. Look at the changes at the wall mart center at 86th and 421 over the last 10 years. Look at the apartments and neighborhoods behind St Vincent's. Raintree properties WILL decrease in value if commercial and multifamily goes in near. It has already been happening around the bridges area. The houses that have been sold recently are way below market. Several deals not closed due to the Illinois construction and the whole unsurety of the bridges. It's pretty simple, Zionsville will approve the whole thing because the city council has been groomed over a LONG period of time for this. I might even suggest some are in their position as a result of this.

  4. Esta, do you have a dog in this fight? You seem to really want to knock anyone against this project. No, I didn't move to Indiana for the architecture. I moved here for that red barn in the field. The horses and fields of corn. A place that is NOT overdeveloped. There are plenty of nearby places in Indianapolis that could be REDEVELOPED instead.

  5. RKW - OK, we get it, you're paranoid. The question is, are you paranoid enough? Greg - Yes, Pittman(s) is (are) at it again. They are developers, they build things. It's what they do. So when you go to work tomorrow, Greg, you're at it again too. Cliff - Really? You moved to Indiana for its progressive architecture? That's like moving to England for the cuisine. Zionsvillain - The house you moved to was once a field or woods. I'm willing to bet folks were upset when that ground was plowed under and a house was built. But I guess now that you are in, everything should stop? "My house was OK, but the next one is sprawl." SE Guy - Please don't paint us with such a wide brush. Most reasonable Zionsville residents welcome planned, measured development.

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