OCTOBER 5-11, 2009
This week, check out what's happening at the former Herron Art Institute now that plans for residential development has stalled--and take a narrated tour of the site through IBJ's audio slide show. Also, read all about a Carmel software developer's hot new iPhone app and find out what's on the horizon for local camera retailer Roberts. And A&E guru Lou Harry explores the popularity of the TV show "Glee," the latest buzz-worthy show from Indiana native Ryan Murphy.
Front PageBack to Top
Indianapolis Colts, other small-market NFL teams at risk if salary cap ends
The prospect of a 2010 National Football League season without a players’ salary cap could cause high-profile free
agents for the Colts and other small-market teams to gallop off for greener pastures.
Overhaul of teacher training threatens college budgets
Proposed changes to teacher licensing rules are a threat in the eyes of most deans of Indiana’s colleges of education—both
to the quality
of
teacher training and to the budgets of the colleges.
Stock-market rebound lifts hopes of Hoosier mutual funds
The economic downturn walloped all three of the mutual funds headquartered in Indiana. But they’ve each enjoyed significant
recoveries this year. And the smallest of the bunch has big plans to break away from the pack.
Top StoriesBack to Top
City receives host of sale, privatization ideas for water, sewer utilities
Officials grappling with a water utility deep in debt and a sewer infrastructure needing upwards of $2 billion in
upgrades were swamped with proposals about how to fix the mess.
Camera retailer Roberts adjusts to the times, plans new store
The home-grown retailer lately has sought to
supply cameras for government and law-enforcement entities as its once-reliable newspaper clientele scales back.
New Emmis exec Charlie Morgan faces big challenges as he re-enters radio
When local radio industry veteran Charlie Morgan stepped down as president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Productions last
month, it could’ve appeared he was trying to escape the daunting problems of open-wheel racing. Unless you considered
where he was going.
A pair of community banks see loan woes escalate
Community Bank of Noblesville and Blue River Bancshares Inc. of Shelbyville have seen loans sour
at a rate that might have seemed unimaginable before the housing market tanked and the recession set in.
Carmel man’s coupon app for iPhone grabbing Yowza response
A Carmel software developer’s app has gotten a lift from a Hollywood actor’s unrelenting promotion.
Read MoreCharter school may take over rest of former Herron Art Institute
Plans for residential development on the site stalled as the housing market plummeted and recession set in.
Read MoreCarmel performing arts center betting big on fund raising
Carmel’s $137 million performing arts center is still a year from completion, but Executive Director Steven Libman
already is pounding the pavement for donations.
FocusBack to Top
Banks work to protect electronic records from identity theft
Banks are fighting an ongoing battle with would-be identity thieves. Because banks are where the money is, the fight is
likely to go on a long time, with both thieves and banks growing in sophistication.
FDIC fee hitting small banks particularly hard
Fees imposed on U.S. banks to rebuild a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. fund nearly depleted by scores of bank failures is
expected to sap profits of small financial institutions. Community banks with less income than their larger counterparts are
particularly at risk of having their 2009 earnings erased by the charges after an emergency fee on banks took effect June
30.
OpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Program gives people a financial leg up
Nearly 80,000 people in the city are “unbanked” and therefore lack this basic building block to financial health. A new program called Bank on Indy aims to change that.
Read MoreMAURER: Teach your children to reject hate
God hates fags. That’s the declaration we heard Sept. 24 from the Westboro Baptist Church road show that appeared
at North Central High School and other Indianapolis venues throughout the day.
MARCUS: Madison on the river, future on the line
One recurring pleasure for me is learning how different communities in our state are making progress in economic development. This past week I learned how Madison (Jefferson County) is battling to sustain its heritage while improving opportunities
for its citizens.
HUDNUT: In appreciation of Mel Simon
I happened to be in Indianapolis the week before Mel Simon passed away on Sept. 16, and talked with his secretary about visiting him briefly, because I knew he was very ill. But he was too ill to see me.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Trading in failed firms really isn’t ‘investing’
Who is “investing” in these stocks and why? It is safe to say they are not
investors who have done the exhaustive work of valuing the assets and liabilities, who then reached a conclusion that they
were getting good value for their money.
HICKS: What a third-grader gets about economic policy
Business and people now, and in the future, will choose to locate
in places that have the right mix of taxes and public services.
Hotel water plan is wasteful
I would like to take exception to the topic and the quote in [Scott] Olson’s article in the Sept. 21 IBJ regarding
the de-watering system planned for the new Marriott Hotel.
Rights don’t come from government
Bruce Hetrick is wrong in asserting that “We pray and protest under the protection of government” and that
“We … freely publish columns … because of government.” His assertions reveal the progressive mind-set
and belief that we receive our rights from government, and thus man
Government does deserve some credit
Kudos to Bruce Hetrick’s comments in the [Sept. 28] edition. It shows rational thinking instead of fear mongering.
Read MoreMaurer column hit the mark
[Mickey Maurer’s Sept. 21] column was right on! Totally to the point and about time someone stated the obvious. When will this country begin once again to make people pay for their crime(s)?
Read MoreKudos for ‘off-the-wall’ Maurer column
I really enjoyed your column “Off-the-wall advice for unemployed.”
Read MoreMore offbeat advice for job-seekers
Mickey Maurer’s article on job openings had some excellent suggestions, but let me add the following:
Read MoreAre blue laws wrong or are we immoral?
When I was a kid growing up in Kentucky, no business was conducted on Sunday at all. On a rare occasion my dad would
load up the car and we would cross the river and shop in Indiana.
Simon embodied customer loyalty
I sat in Beth-El Zedeck Temple for the funeral services of Melvin Simon. The various speakers spoke of Mel’s desire
to create a real estate empire and his desire to give back to the community.
In BriefBack to Top
Health reform could swamp doctors
Health reform that would cover millions of uninsured Americans would theoretically send a flood of new
patients to physicians. Yet in Indiana and nationwide, there’s already a shortage of doctors.
Some U.S. charity executives shared the pain in 2008
Some—but not all—not-for-profit executives took pay cuts in 2008, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s
annual salary survey.
Exterior work on bank tower wraps up with Regions sign
The Regions Bank name and logo are joining the city’s skyline atop One Indiana Square, also known as Regions Bank
Tower.
American Water wants to raise rates
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is seeking public input on a proposed rate hike by American Water Inc.,
which has 283,000 customers in the state, including in Noblesville and Greenwood.
SEC fines former CFO of American Commercial Lines
Christopher A. Black, a former investment banker in Indianapolis and former chief financial officer of Jeffersonville-based
river barge transportation firm American Commercial Lines Inc., has agreed to pay a $25,000 fine to settle a Securities and
Exchange Commission investigation.
Local technology firm gets federal praise
Data management firm Perpetual Technologies was one of 15 firms nationwide to get Secretary of Defense award.
Read MorePROXY CORNER: Arcadia Resources Inc.
Arcadia Resources Inc. markets and sells surgical supplies, orthotic and prosthetic products, and durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and hospital beds and provides oxygen and other respiratory therapy services and equipment.
Read More