The Latest: Town halls & Lawn Signs
Sunday March 19, 2023
Over the last few weeks, we have been taking our message on the road and meeting with constituents. Last Sunday, most mayoral candidates met with Aleanya Moore and her group, Ladies Under Construction, an amazing mentoring group for young women. For many of these young ladies, it was the first time to meet with and participated in our system of choosing a new government. I commend all the candidates that showed up, as we cannot function as a democracy when people ignore the public. Democratic and Republican candidates spoke to the crowd except for two that ‘could not attend.’
Indianapolis Recorder:
https://indianapolisrecorder.com/7-mayoral-candidates-discuss-key-issues-in-campaign-forum/
According to Marsiglio, he is a “doer” and currently visits the community daily to speak with people on topics such as public safety, drug overdose and violence.
“I’m here trying to figure out what the best policy is that we can do to make this a better city for all of you,” Marsiglio said as he looked at the crowd. “I love this city. I want people in the city to see the same city that I do. This is not a city to be ashamed of, this is a city to celebrate.”
Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis Business Journal
https://www.ibj.com/articles/indy-mayoral-candidates-clash-in-first-forum
Shabazz said the enhanced penalties would be optional, and he compared the policy to enhanced sentences for crimes near a school or against an elderly person.
Later in the forum, attendee Crystal Delaine, 41, interjected to express her concerns about the policy.
“It kind of feels like it’s an attack on the more poor side of the town,” she said.
Marsiglio poked fun at the idea.
“I want to thank Abdul so I can commit twice as many crimes as everyone else. I love the fact that I get a discount on my sentencing. This sounds great for me,” he said as audience members laughed.
In his own crime pitch, Marsiglio said that the city expects too much out of police officers and proposed that 200 unarmed civilians should be hired to help with mental health issues, homelessness and substance abuse.
“No one suffering from any of those should ever have to see an officer show up with a gun,” he said.
WFYI - Radio
In Review
I want to thank each and every one of you that came out to support me at the town hall. We all had a chance to discuss our vision of Indianapolis.
As always, I focus on rebuilding our community with a focus on the most vulnerable. The saying that a rising tide lifts all boats is only true when we first focus on those that need it the most. We often forget the unhomed, the folks suffering from addiction, or those suffering from mental illness. From here, we forget about the impoverished struggling but finding a way to survive. A rising tide lifts all boats only if the ships are all watertight. And when they are not, these folks cling to the sides of our own and often pull us all under. We can and we must serve all.
In the last two weeks, I have been fulfilling my duties as a director for the Near East Side Community Organization (NESCO) by representing us at the Neighbor Power Indy organization, this year with seminars all over town throughout the week, culminating with a final stop at my alma matta, Martin University. I learned a lot about new initiatives around the city and met many old friends. I want to specifically shout out Sonia Cody, who I hadn’t seen since our last NPI in-person event, as she represented her neighborhood of Crown Hill on the city’s west side. I love seeing friends do good.
Videos and Presentations located at the NPI site (link)
Upcoming
Veterans Association of African Descendants (VAAD) Townhall
VAAD represents those that served, and this population has never received the support that has been due to them. Speaking to my advisor, Cory James, a disabled vet, we failed on job placement, we failed in distributing information to these men and women that could potentially change their lives. For instance, knowing that our bus system fails vets regularly getting them to the VA Hospital on 10th Street, the DAV will provide transportation to any vet that requests their service. Our non-profits succeed when our government doesn’t.
Our city’s goal is to achieve 3% of our contracted budget on Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE) services. Of almost a thousand “XBEs,” 266 are classified as VBEs. 3% should be possible in any year. We should be looking at at least 5% when services are available.
Beyond this, we need a true ‘one-stop-shop’ where our vets can find all the information they need without being set from one agency to another and often back again without any agency speaking with any other.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 2023, 7-9 p.m., hosted by Amazing Grace Christian Church, 8100 E. 16th St. (16th and Franklin Rd.) This is a non-partisan event to which all candidates for Mayor, and Indianapolis/Marion County Veterans are invited.
Yard Signs
Our yard signs should be here this week! If you would like one, email info@clifmars.com with your address and how many you’d like! We are asking for a $5 donation for each sign, but this is not required! We will get you one, regardless! Also, if you know of any locations you feel are appropriate to place one, please let us know!
If you have already donated, I greatly appreciate it! If you want to donate, or even DONATE AGAIN (my fundraising team required me to say this!), you can go to:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/clif-for-indy
It is fast, secure, and helps us to get the word out! Again, I appreciate you all!
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BTW — if you can, send this newsletter to just one friend and ask them to subscribe. It would mean a lot to me!