OCTOBER 11-17, 2010
This week, see how The Finish Line is trying to meet customers' demands and find out who won IBJ's Michael A. Carroll Award for public service. In Focus, read about the inroads IPL CEO Ann Murtlow has made in a male-dominated field. And in A&E, find out which screenings are worth catching at this year's Heartland Film Festival—and watch some trailers.
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Central Indiana real estate auction activity heats up
A recent wave of foreclosure auctions suggests banks and other underwater real estate owners finally are poised to let go of a glut of properties.
Read MoreAiling library eyes new funding source
A state lawmaker is pushing for a law that would allow Indianapolis’ public library system to get a share of local income taxes. But some already are balking at the concept, saying it would divert money from other agencies that need it.
Read MoreDowntown praised for ‘livability’ but needs more residents
The past decade has seen roughly 5,000 more residents living downtown than in 2000, wooed by new condos and apartments within walking distance of growing retail and cultural attractions. There are now 25,000 downtown residents—but still a long way from the 40,000 city leaders want by the end of the next decade.
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Health care reform boosts business for consultants
John Gause has grown the size of his benefits brokerage and consulting firm by more than half this year for one big reason: health care reform. He needs more hands on deck because his clients–employers–are facing a raft of new regulations with which they must comply.
Read MoreFinish Line introduces in-store kiosks to make custom T-shirts
Finish Line is testing touch-screen customization kiosks at its Greenwood Park Mall store. The kiosks, which look like oversize iPads, produce an individualized Nike T-shirt in about 15 minutes.
Read MoreAward winner Boehm defines public service
Although Ted Boehm, who clerked for U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren and served 14 years on the Indiana Supreme Court, has collected a lifetime of recognition, winning the Michael A. Carroll Award for his public service to Indianapolis is “something special” to him because Carroll was an admired friend.
Read MoreOneAmerica dodged crisis, now reaps rewards
The Indianapolis-based life insurer's investment portfolio held up through the recession, and the company reported record revenue and profit in 2009.
Read MoreCreating smart-phone apps becomes big business for IUPUI students
Used to be a college student would work in the dining hall to make ends meet. For IUPUI students Gagan Dhillon, 18, and Sarb “S.J.” Singh, 21, the future is now.
Read MoreEstridge scales back Symphony development in Westfield
The Estridge Cos. said it is reducing Symphony from a planned 1,400 acres to a size that will closer rival the Carmel-based home builder’s 436-acre Centennial development, also in Westfield.
Read MoreElection could give GOP control of state policy decisions
With a Republican tide predicted to wash over the country in next month’s election, there is a very real chance that the Indiana House will be dominated by the GOP for the first time since 2005-06, putting virtually all policy-setting responsibilities in Indiana in one party’s hands.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
IPL chief Ann Murtlow is ‘personable’ power
Ann Murtlow's ability to connect with employees and the community has helped her thrive in a male-dominated field. She is one of a only a handful of women in the country to lead utilities.
Local MBA programs score with women
Female enrollment in Indianapolis master’s programs surpasses the national average. Telamon Vice President Sunny Lu said her MBA has helped her grow business.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
EDITORIAL: Time to change utility regulation
Conflicts of interest shouldn’t happen, but one that made news this month should inspire legislation to slow the revolving door between the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and the utilities it is supposed to watch.
Read MoreCOMMENTARY: Dear IPS, parents are not the enemy
Indianapolis Public Schools needs a top-down, system-wide mandate to treat parents as valuable partners.
Read MoreMARCUS: Dirty toilets signal mismanagement
Most people take toilets seriously. A dirty toilet is an affront to people who care about themselves, their families and their fellow citizens. Management can always blame the users of the toilets for persistent filth and disarray, but ultimately it’s management’s responsibility.
Read MoreWILLIAMS: Rebuilding a sustainable Indianapolis
Rather than simply building and repairing streets, sidewalks, bridges and parks, ratepayers and taxpayers should demand that these projects set standards for construction in Indianapolis by reusing or recycling materials, using environmentally friendly products, and designing public spaces to encourage physical activity.
Read MoreHICKS: Getting a driver’s license in five not-so-easy steps
He had been previously licensed to drive an M1 Tank and various smaller-tracked and -wheeled vehicles. Obtaining an Indiana license, he thought, would be easy. It was not.
Read MoreHAUKE: A prediction amid gloom: Dow 20,000 by 2020
All this doom and gloom—it’s too much. The negativity and bearishness are way overdone.
Read MoreALTOM: Office defibrillators are worth the expense
Few pieces of business technology can lay claim to saving lives. One gadget can, but odds are you don’t have one. It’s called an “automated external defibrillator,” or AED.
Read MoreSome examples of gutlessness
Morton Marcus is right when he says [in the Sept. 13 issue], “Gutless government avoids political risk.” I just differ with him on which items on the list of government activities, or lack thereof, constitute such “gutlessness.”
Read MoreOnline shopping isn’t the problem
It is disingenuous of Indiana lawmakers to claim low Internet taxation puts some firms at a competitive disadvantage when their goal is likely just to bring in more tax revenue, not level the playing field.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Georgia Street reconstruction project starts underground
Work is under way on the $12.5 million transformation of a three-block stretch between Pennsylvania Street and Capitol Avenue into a pedestrian-friendly corridor.
Read MoreConsultants: Pharma industry facing huge changes
To date, most analysts say health reform turned out pretty well for the pharmaceutical industry. But a detailed analysis by Deloitte Consulting says the indirect effects of reform will deliver a gut punch to the industry that will lead to full-scale transformation akin to what the telecommunications world has seen over the past three decades.
United Way steps in to help Morgan County’s flood repair
The grant came from a $45 million pool created by Lilly Endowment Inc. in 2008.
Read MoreCity not impressed with fixes proposed by Di Rimini developer
Developer Jeff Sparks met with city planners Oct. 1 to propose fixes to the apartment project at Capitol Avenue and St. Clair Street.
Read MoreNewsweek notes safety record of Carmel’s roundabouts
Carmel leads the nation in revamping intersections and has seen an 80-percent drop in injury accidents as a result, the magazine noted.
Read MoreFunding about to expire for IndyGo’s north-suburban routes
The luxury coach routes from downtown to Fishers and Carmel were launched three years ago and have been popular among suburban commuters.
Read MoreNFP of Note: YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis puts Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
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