Greene County Daily World: Blog: Terre Haute Has No Mayor

Terre Haute Has No Mayor

Posted Thursday, November 13, 2008, at 3:12 PM
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Wow! Terre Haute is now without a Mayor!

One of my interests is keeping up with current court cases around the State of Indiana, and a truly interesting one was found, which I thought I'd share. In fact, the Court of Appeals opinion was just published earlier today.

It deals with the November 2007 mayoral election in Terre Haute. Duke Bennett beat incumbent Kevin Burke in that election, which Burke then challenged in court. Burke argued that Bennett was ineligible to run for mayor because of his employment as operations director at the Hamilton Center. Since the Hamilton Center receives federal funding for some of its programs, it limits the political activity of employees, his legal team argued.

The Court of Appeals agreed today.

To read the actual court opinion, here is the link:

http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf...

Comments
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as someone that was covered by the Hatch act when I was employed... you know going in that you cant run for any office that requires you declare a party affilliation--- most school boards dont--- and I couldnt post any political signs... and IF I told someone who I wanted elected I could lose the job.... and I just worked there 35days a year.... SO I know somewhere this Bennette GUY had to question himself.

I know it looks like sour grapes to question after the fact BUT if you dont STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT--- you cant stand for anything at all....

And if you go to the fact that the fliers one man spent $60,000 on that contained made up data--(yes he admitted he made up stuff) we wouldnt need to spend state money on this.

Right is Right.. whether late or not... thats why I dont mind when an official changes his mind or waits a second to make a call...

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Sat, Nov 15, 2008, at 11:03 PM

So what's the next step. Will Terre Haute be required to spend $100,000 for a special election? Will there be a primary and general election? Will either of these gentlemen be qualified to run? When will this all take place?

What a mess!! I'm all for justice and making this right but I believe both of these gentlmen share in the guilt of this costly judgement error.

-- Posted by #1LakerFan on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 1:33 PM

How can Mr. Burke be held accountable for another man running for a position in government "illegally"?

If the man isn't legally qualified to run, he shouldn't have run. Otherwise, why have rules, laws, regulations, and policies?

Some of you may believe that the law is dumb or unnecessary, but it is still the law....We can't pick and choose the laws we follow without consequences.

-- Posted by The End on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 4:39 PM

it is not a bad law.

the job I had I could have used to influence a lot of people with--- and at the governments expense...

I my self believe even our represntatives should be covered by the hatch act... LOL aka term limits

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Sun, Nov 16, 2008, at 9:17 PM

Actually....if you read it. Bennett cannot be removed from the office now that he is mayor.

-- Posted by Hoosierxheart71 on Tue, Nov 25, 2008, at 1:01 PM