Who Gets What?

Retired city planner Clarke Kahlo describes his volunteer activity intervening in the city planning process.  He identifies development proposals that are not appropriate, gathers information, organizes opposition, and appeals to decision-making government bodies. Morton argues that all proposed developments should be more widely publicized.  He then plays devils advocate suggesting he should have more freedom to build whatever he wants on his property. In our next program, Clarke talks about specific projects.  

Tom Battista has led an eclectic life.  Starting with development of bakeries, restaurants, and even a viewing area called Idle, Tom found time to stage manage for Maria Carey, David Bowie, and Jimmy Buffett. People management is his expertise, his way of being.  Sweeping up at the restaurant, finding homes for employees, identifying talent, respect for Mr. Buffett, and a supportive family, have made it all possible.  

Howard Kellman, "The Voice of the Indianapolis Indians," talks about broadcasting and exchanges memories with fellow Brooklyn-ite Morton Marcus.  

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are discussed with The President and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana, Jeff Mohler.  A highlight is a conversation about whether persons with intellectual disabilities may be "cured," concluding with the answer,"maybe not." However, with sensitivity and care, with new technologies, with modified infrastructures, new ways of viewing the personal health care of special Olympians, and their employment opportunities, significant progress is under way.  

GIPC, The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, is headed by our guest, Beth White, who describes the history of the committee, as well as of unified government in central Indiana.   Among its many activities is a summer jobs program for youth, and general coordination between government and the private sector.  Perhaps her most serious and personal interest is voting, which she considers "the civil rights issue of our time."  Related to that is her activities towards garnering a "complete count," a full and accurate census in 2020. (Beth recently served as Marion County Clerk.)  

Morton:  "At 80, I have fewer opinions." John:  "New activity, pickle ball." Morton: "Gerrymandering threatens our society." John:  "Board service expands horizons." Morton:  "Too many choices." John:  "New song: The Amazon Wagon is a comin."   And:   We like each other.    

The Indiana Forest Alliance wants to preserve these natural assets while gaining for our state the highest possible revenues from harvested trees. Rae Schnapp, Ph.D., a lifetime student of rivers, forests, and the outdoors in general, describes these efforts as well as how net profits of tree sales are overstated because costs of forest management, pest control, road maintenance, and administration, are not deducted from revenues, but are paid by line items in the state budget.  

Pete Dunn was a financial adviser before graduating from Hanover, having earned his Series 7 stock brokers license.  He made money day trading while entertaining as a stand up comedian. Pete's work, the best John has known. is syndicated in many Gannett newspapers, and through a personal blog, podcast, and You Tube episodes. Although we focused on his personal and professional life, we heard these gems:  "Hit The Match"  "I am a fixer."  "No, I am not anti debt, perhaps not even frugal."  "Earliest money is the best money."  "Drive your car into the ground."       

"Match Support Specialist" Rodney Ferguson (now known as "Senior Mentoring Relationship Specialist") has been creating and nurturing relationships since 2013. How does a volunteer "Big" meet a "Little?"  That topic plus other information about Big Brothers, Big Sisters, of Central Indiana, is well covered in Rodney's charming descriptions of his personal life and professional accomplishments, especially the story of one young man who went from tragedy to success in this fine mentoring program.    

Farmer, trade group leader, development expert, consultant about servant leadership, Phil Anderson reflects on opportunities found in small Indiana towns.  (He has visited all of them.  Yes.  All!) Phil's firm is Re Think, Doing Outside the Box.  "Constant persuasion mode," "followers chose leaders; we only can decide to serve," "small towns must be wired," "allow new ideas to ruminate," and tourism/community development in Metamora, are highlights of this conversation.    

Jeff Sparks, founder of the writer's camp called The New Harmony Project, founder of The Heartland International Film Festival, and recently a promoter/coordinator of a new criminal justice center, reflects on how stories affect culture. Jeff's Book, "Changing Culture Through Stories," is described.   

Creating a redistricting commission in Indiana is a goal of Common Cause Indiana, headed by Julia Vaughn, with whom John and Morton discuss negative effects of gerrymandered districts in the context of the 2018 midterm elections. Along the way we hear about the "guillotine of data," and Governor Holcomb's 2016 pledge to reform the system.

During a flurry of idle chatter, John and Morton exchange thoughts about Bingo, The Lottery (very bad for kids), amending the Indiana constitution (very bad, too much clutter), making ATMs into gambling machines, negotiating improvement in a private road, and wasteful spending by a neighborhood.  If that were not enough, the two old men then conclude that in Indiana, change is impossible.

Irena Goloschokin left Russia in 1989 with $90.  Now she is a successful, honored, Indianapolis businesswoman who supports her adopted community through public radio and The New World Youth Orchestra, among others.  Meanwhile, she helps to manage Copper Mountain Technologies and its award-winning product, the vector network analyzer (which tests radio frequency devices.)

Morton and John talk gerrymandering with former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Theodore Boehm.  Topics considered are term limits, early decisions about apportionment, inherited seats, how "fairness" may be measured, and how gerrymandered districts favor election of persons with radical (not centrist) points of view. During "Sound Off," John talks about the profound effects of The Heartland International Film Festival.

Mollianne Cameron, with her husband Russell, and their children Cavan and Clara, wrote, produced, edited, directed and distributed "Lakota Girls," an historical drama about Indian life, racial prejudice, and lasting friendship. The film will appear on major, national platforms. Subjects considered in this interview are family, learning to make a feature film, film festival submission criteria, the origin of story, The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and prospects for earning a return on investment.    

Long-time, retired, Marian University professor William Doherty talks about teaching, the significance of teaching humanities, whether any person who uses Facebook is a "fool," and whether The Kavanaugh nomination will be "historic." Answer:  depends on how long he serves, and future events. At the end, John reflects on the importance--the temporary importance--that people assign to an investment fad, to a current event, and to the risks of both investing and life.  

Kurt Vonnegut Library historian, William Briscoe, gives a concise biography of the novelist while describing the library in down town Indianapolis.   In "Sound Off" at the conclusion, Morton suggests that utilizing federal funds for local infrastructure projects does not reflect true local priorities and efficiencies.  

Adam Todd, Manager of The Nora Branch of The Indianapolis Public Library, talks about services, inter library loan, PLAC cards which allow persons to use libraries all over Indiana, and management challenges. In "Sound Off" at the end, John talks about the big lies.  

John and Morton interview Stan Soderstrom, Executive Director of Kiwanis International (and chair of The Heartland International Film Festival) about the history of service clubs and prescriptions for success. At the end, John tells about his experience taking a world class violinist to school groups.