FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2008
Contact: Amber Bacavis at 317 504 0204 or e-mail her at amber@johnbarnes.us
Barnes proposes ballot priority for certain local races
Change in state law would put Beech Grove candidates first
INDIANAPOLIS - John Barnes, candidate for State Representative in House District 89, announced a legislative plan today that would reinforce the independence of the City of Beech Grove by changing the ballot order in municipal elections to make sure that city offices for the City of Beech Grove would be placed above city-county offices for the City of Indianapolis.
Barnes said his proposal, which would allow an "excluded city" like Beech Grove to appear first on the ballot, would promote the independence and individuality of the Beech Grove community.
"As I've gotten to know the residents of Beech Grove over the last few years, I've learned that this is a very distinct community with its own personality," Barnes said. "All politics is local, and while Beech Grove is part of Marion County, and most of Marion County is unified with the city of Indianapolis, there is a strong sentiment that these local elections should take priority on the ballot."
Barnes noted that ever since the inception of Uni-Gov and the consolidation of city and county government in the early 1970s, Beech Grove residents have voted for two mayors and two different councils. Although state law mandates a ballot order when there are combined Federal, State and County elections, it is silent as to whether overlapping city offices that appear on the same ballot must appear in a particular order.
"It makes sense to me that we should put the government that is closest to the people it represents first on the ballot," Barnes said. "At a time when local governments are consolidating many of their offices and services, I'm hearing from many Beech Grove residents who are afraid of losing their community voice. This simple change would reassure those residents that the most local offices would have priority on the ballot."
John Barnes is the Democratic Candidate for State Representative in House District 89. District #89 is located on the east and southeast sides of Marion County and includes parts of Warren, Perry and Franklin Townships. The community of Irvington and part of the City of Beech Grove are included in the district. Barnes is a lifelong eastsider and has been a public school teacher for the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township for 25 years. He lives in southern Warren Township with his wife Leslie and their two children.
