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Republic Airways vulnerable to USAirways’ demise: But regional airline likely to grab biz from other carriers

The possible liquidation of US Airways, a fate perhaps sealed by an employee sickout last month that infuriated passengers, threatens to cause a financial fever at Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings. Twice-bankrupt US Airways is Republic’s largest customer, amounting to 43 percent of its operating revenue on Sept. 30. Regional carrier Republic flies Embraer jets for US Airways and three other carriers out of Indianapolis and other cities in the eastern United States. Industry observers say US Airways’ baggage handlers may…

SPORTS: Behind the scenes with the city’s sports machine

For more than 30 years, I arrived at sporting events focusing primarily on the outcome, searching for a good angle, collecting a few quotes, and hoping to beat deadline. The only times I ever really noticed the staging of an event was to complain about it. I had a bad seat at the press table … or the final box score was too slow in arriving … or there weren’t enough telephones … or, the sorriest gripe of all, the…

Services of local plastics recycler sought after: Butler-MacDonald builds foundation for growth

The company that recycles high-resin plastic like the kind found in computers was attractive to other cities, but the two decades it spent developing a skilled work force and market here made cutting its roots difficult. Instead of moving across state lines, Butler-MacDonald last month moved across Park 100. Though the 80,000-square-foot facility is only 1,000 square feet larger than its former home, the new configuration allowed for nearly $1 million worth of upgrades in machinery and infrastructure. “We were…

Wal-Mart nears deal on city’s northwest side: Neighbors hope retail behemoth will revive corridor

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is said to be getting closer to selecting a site in the Lafayette Square area for a SuperCenter, a move retail experts say would be a boost for the struggling commercial corridor. The world’s largest retailer has scouted the area around 38th Street and Lafayette Road for at least a year, but a decision on a site could happen in the next few months, according to several real estate sources. Unlike the situation surrounding a proposed SuperCenter…

Major sewer system renovations await federal approval: With waste pouring into White River almost every time it rains, Indianapolis is in dire need of sewage overhaul

The city’s long-term plan to prevent the flow of raw sewage into White River and its tributaries should receive federal approval soon, nearly five years after Mayor Bart Peterson introduced a proposal to fix the antiquated system. City officials expect to receive permission from the Environmental Protection Agency in April to proceed with a plan to construct tunnels, underground storage tanks and new sewers to capture raw sewage that would otherwise overflow into waterways during heavy rains. Peterson presented his…

Replicating race cars of the past: Westfield firm plans to sell Ford GT40 reproductions

An upstart Westfield company’s reproduction of the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk1 race car turns heads wherever it goes. Whether it’s on the highway or in a showroom, people can’t help but gaze at the sleek, retro roadster built to emulate the original that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans races nearly 40 years ago. It dethroned Italian automaker Ferrari at the 1966 event, finishing first, second and third, and went on to win the race four consecutive times. Executives…

MICKEY MAURER Commentary: Looking back at 2004 and beyond

MICKEY MAURER Commentary Looking back at 2004 and beyond Every January, I like to reflect on some of the prior year’s topics. This year, I am especially nostalgic. You may be reading my last column. I have accepted a two-year hitch with the Daniels administration as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and our editors at the Indianapolis Business Journal feel writing a column poses a conflict of interest with my new responsibilities. I agree. Last summer, I reviewed…

INVESTING: Dow constructed his averages to do technical analysis

As a technical analyst I am fascinated by history. I was a history major in college, so my interest here predates my addiction to financial markets. The predictive ability of technical analysis depends on people acting in ways similar to what they did in the past. Which means technicians spend a lot of time studying the past. Long before fundamental analysis became the standard by which investors attempt to figure out future prices, technical analysis was being used to give…

Code sharing may help ATA: But analysts say Southwest Airlines unlikely to favor chairman’s international destinations

During ATA Holdings Corp.’s annual meeting in 2003, George Mikelsons told shareholders low-fare carriers must strike up alliances to weather the industry storm. He proposed code sharing that would allow passengers buying a ticket on ATA or a partner airline to fly on both and connect to potentially hundreds more destinations. Airlines would share the revenue. “If we don’t act to regroup ourselves,” ATA’s chairman warned at the time, “we’re going to be the Jonahs of aviation, swallowed by the…

Readers say transportation should top city’s agenda: Growing traffic delays, struggling IndyGo system, possible rapid transit system among issues facing planners

The average Indianapolis motorist sits in traffic delays more than nine times longer than he or she did 20 years ago: 37 hours a year vs. just four hours in 1982, according to a recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute. Growing delays have not only brought inconvenience and lost productivity, but also have earned the metro area “nonattainment” with federal air-quality standards. That raises the specter of expensive vehicle-emissions testing. IBJ Daily readers ranked solving congestion/public transportation issues as…

Ivy Tech president secured: After 21 years in charge, Lamkin signs first job pact

Ivy Tech State College trustees last month approved a first-ever employment contract for longtime President Gerald Lamkin, giving him a 9-percent pay raise and relative job security until his intended retirement in mid-2007. Such deals are increasingly common in higher education, trustees said, and the timing was right for Ivy Tech as the school takes over control of the state’s community college system and expands it to all 23 of its campuses. Formalizing Lamkin’s future now-after 21 years in the…

BULLS & BEARS: Some New Year’s wisdom from uber-investor Buffett

With the new year and in a reflective mood, here is a collection of quotes I find convey useful investment wisdom. All the quotes, except the last by Peter Lynch, are extracted from the speeches or writings of Warren Buffett, some of which contain thoughts ascribed to his mentor Ben Graham. Enjoy. “I will tell you the secret of getting rich on Wall Street. You try to be greedy when others are fearful and you try to be very fearful…

SPORTS: Visions of trophies, titles and a new stadium in ’05

Back, by little demand, my annual list of wants and realities for the New Year (please do not clip and save). Want: Same as last year, and the year before, and the year before. That Peyton Manning leads the Colts to a Super Bowl victory and validates his MVP status (for those who still believe he’s not as good as he is). The euphoria over the Horseshoes’ Super Bowl triumph then forces the General Assembly’s hand, and the stadium-Convention Center-expansion…

Indians stock sale pushes price to record high: 16-percent increase comes on heels of strong financial year for AAA franchise

The Indianapolis Indians’ stock value is going up like a long ball off the cleanup hitter’s bat. On the heels of a year that saw strengthening profits for the AAA minor-league affiliate, six shares of Indians stock sold in December for $15,200 each as reported in pink sheet filings. That represents a 16-percent increase from the last sale 18 months ago. “This is significant because these shares don’t trade that much, and six shares comprises close to 1 percent of…

STATEHOUSE DISPATCH: It’ll be full speed ahead as legislators start term

Words once uttered by a man who certainly qualifies as an honorary Hoosier-Mario Andretti-will probably prove prophetic as we watch Indiana’s new governor and General Assembly over the next four months. “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough,” Mario once said. That may well be the mantra of Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels and the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives. While writing the initial column previewing the legislative session is always a daunting task, it…

SUSAN WILLIAMS Commentary: Simon redesign is something to celebrate

SUSAN WILLIAMS Commentary Simon redesign is something to celebrate What a nice way to start 2005, with a new, improved design of the Simon headquarters. At the start of a new year, it seems appropriate to reflect. The chain of events that led to the redesign of this important building marks a turning point in the “coming of age” of our city and its approach to the built environment. Urban design and design criteria for our downtown have been topics…

COBRA strikes with revised set of guidelines: Deferred compensation plans also subject to changes

Human resource workers may have little time to ease into the new year as they prepare for legal changes that erase some deferred-compensation loopholes and clarify COBRA notification. Last spring, the U.S. Department of Labor issued new guidelines for health care coverage obtained under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. In the fall, Congress took aim at deferred compensation. HR people not familiar with changes to both could stumble into problems, according to some Indianapolis attorneys. The Department of Labor…

BEHIND THE NEWS: Payoff from Guidant sale disappoints some analysts New Warsaw public company More big Conseco pay

Guidant Corp.’s sale to Johnson & Johnson is valued at an eye-popping $25.4 billion, the largest price tag ever for an India n a p o l i s – b a s e d company. Even so, for shareholders the merger doesn’t create the euphoria often associated with mega-deals. Guidant shares barely moved on the first day of trading after New Jersey-based J&J announced the $76-a-share pact. Analysts say part of that is because investors already had factored expectations…

ADESA pushes virtual business: Carmel firm expands Internet car auctions

As rituals go, bidders at wholesale auto auctions have a lot in common with scouts for baseball teams who troll the fields for prospects. These old salts of their trades often can be spotted in baseball caps that cast a shadow over droopy-but-keen eyes. A toothpick twitching in the corner of the mouth belies a mind focused intently on its prospect-whether it’s a pitcher on the diamond or a Pontiac puttering down an auction lane. “You pick up paint damage,…

Chronic underfunding frays public safety, penal systems: County faces big questions about jail overcrowding, lack of funds for police, prosecutors and public defenders

In 2005, the city of Indianapolis will spend $277 million on public safety. Marion County will lay out another $186 million. It’s not enough. While $463 million may sound like a lot of money, it has to pay for every aspect of local public safety. Every uniformed cop on the street. All the judges, public defenders and prosecutors in the courts. Jail guards and probation officers, not to mention forensic researchers, city firefighters-even dogcatchers. Decades of neglect have left the…