Muncie Politics

Doug Masson of Masson's Blog asked this question:

And what the hell is going on in Delaware County? Seems like violence or threats of violence are frequently part of the political equation.

All I can say is that Delaware County politics have points of interest not usually seen outside of Lake County. Muncie mayor, prosecutor go toe-to-toe over DTF appearing in today's Muncie Star-Press captures a lot of the flavor of Muncie politics:

Once she appointed a new police chief, the mayor wanted changes at DTF, including new leadership.

The chief replaced both the DTF head and the next most senior officer, losing some 28 years of experience.

The county prosecutor was aghast at the moves, especially replacing the guy who ran DTF operations, who is a personal friend of his and -- I'm not sure where this fits in -- his political campaign manager. McKinney, a Democrat, also employs him part-time in the prosecutor's office.

So McKinney went to bat for his friend, urging the mayor to keep DTF intact. She refused. Voices, from my understanding, were more than raised in several meetings and tempers flared.

Okay, prosecutors and the police are usually tight with one another but a police officer as the prosecutor's campaign manager is something I have not heard of elsewhere. Then there is the money issue:

Last February, for example, DTF arrested one alleged dealer in a house on Nebo Road and confiscated an astonishing $148,545 in cash. A lot of money floating around.

McShurley's concerned about how that's accounted for, and, indeed, the State Board of Accounts for years has annually faulted the city for failing to receipt monies forfeited in drug cases into the municipality's general fund as required by law.

DTF once had its own banking account, but that's since been closed.

The money now goes into DTF's own municipal account, and DTF decides how to spend that money, paying for many operational costs, but also for charitable contributions, exercise equipment for police and other purchases SBA questions.

All this is leading to this:

On May 5, the city administration will ask city council to create a new DTF account in Muncie's general fund to appease the State Board of Accounts.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor has another idea: a proposed ordinance to establish a county account for all drug forfeiture money, taking the funds away from the city completely, an account McKinney would have complete control over.

County commissioners were to introduce the ordinance last week, but declined, wanting time to study the proposal.