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1. The Cheat Sheet 2012
Your Complimentary Cheat Sheet
Some Rumor, Some Gossip, Some Innuendo, All Fun!!!
Although the Cheat Sheet is a subscriber-based publication, like a girl I used to date,
we don’t mind giving it away for free every once in a while. This is one of those
times. If you like what you read, subscribe. For the price of a martini and a good
cigar, it’s well worth it. Happy Reading!!!
Who Doesn’t Want to be Lt. Governor
Although Mike Pence has Sue Ellpersmann and John Gregg has Vi Simpson
The Cheat Sheet (TCS) hears there were some other candidates on both those
lists. We hear the Pence camp did some reaching out to current Lt. Governor
Becky Skillman as well as former State Senator, now Commissioner of Higher
Education, Teresa Lubbers who politely declined. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas
wasn’t interested either. Now before you get all excited, John Gregg wasn’t
having the best of luck either, Ft. Wayne Mayor Tom Henry apparently said
thanks, but no thanks. And we hear Marion County Clerk Beth White’s name had
surfaced, but rumor has it the Gregg folks didn’t want Indianapolis on the ticket,
per se.
Putting on the Ritz
We mentioned that Washington Township educator Glenda Ritz is the fan favorite
for Indiana Democrats to run against Dr. Tony Bennett for Superintendent of
Public Instruction. She’s apparently the head of the teacher’s union in
Washington Township and brings ISTA and about $1 million to the table. The
problem with all that apparently is a big ISTEP cheating scandal brewing in
Washington Township schools that WTHR-TV has been working on. TCS hears
some of the teachers are targets of a cheating scandal and Glitz, as the head of
the union, may be put in the uncomfortable position of defending them. Not a
good place to be when you are running for the job of educator in chief for the
State of Indiana. That guy from Martinsville doesn’t look too bad, does he?
1 | The Cheat Sheet. Brought to you by the Nicky Blaine’s Absolut, Cigars, Spirits &
Signing Party, Thursday, May 24. You don’t want to miss it. www.nickyblaines.com

2. The Cheat Sheet 2012
State Conventional Wisdom
Although state political conventions can be pretty boring at times, don't be
shocked if both the Republican and Democratic state conventions get really
interesting next month. TCS hears the Ron Paulbots are planning to use the rule
book and either disrupt or co-opt the GOP convention like they have done in
other states. See Nevada. In addition, TCS is also hearing the Marion County
Democratic Party (i.e. Ed Treacy) may be planning a coup against Chairman Dan
Parker as a way to get even after last December’s antics. Word is they expect
the convention in Ft. Wayne to be lightly attended and therefore they would have
most of the delegates present and then political pandemonium would ensue.
Meet Joe, Black
U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly is taking a page out of Republican Mike
Pence’s playbook and trying to meet with the group of independent Black
pastors, businessmen and community leaders in Indianapolis. This is the same
group that you could argue was responsible for delivering enough of the Black
vote to get Mayor Greg Ballard re-elected in a county where Democrats have a
10-point advantage. No word yet on whether Richard Mourdock or John Gregg
will be paying them a visit.
Support Your Local Sheriff
Republican State Senator Tom Wyss may be getting a primary opponent the next
go around. Allen County Sheriff Ken Fries is apparently looking at running for the
spot. We hear Fries is a pretty popular figure and could potentially beat Wyss in
a contested race.
Primary colors
Speaking of challengers, we hear Bob Morris (of girl scout cookie controversy) is
getting a Republican challenger. No word yet on who it officially is, but they may
be running as an independent.
2 | The Cheat Sheet. Brought to you by the Nicky Blaine’s Absolut, Cigars, Spirits &
Signing Party, Thursday, May 24. You don’t want to miss it. www.nickyblaines.com

3. The Cheat Sheet 2012
Ticking TIF Time Bomb
The City of Indianapolis is sitting on a ticking time bomb involving those tax
increment finance districts. The Council has been trying to exercise more control
over the TIF Districts, and in the process hasn’t approved any in some important
places like 10th Street. The TIFs have to be approved by a certain date so the
projects can be financed and construction can begin. If not, hundreds of millions
of dollars in new investment and hundreds of jobs are not going to materialize.
Watch for that one.
Layton v. Ballard
Also keep an eye out for a big fight about to begin between the Mayor and
Sheriff, John Layton. TCS hears MCSD owes City Fleet Services more than $1
million for vehicle repairs and they have no intention of paying that bill anytime
soon. We’re also trying to get our arms around the rumor that MCSD has been
providing security detail for some high ranking elected officials in town.
Out of the Mouth of Mahern
Speaking of Democrat Council, CCC Vice-President Brian Mahern has already
started running around telling people he’s going to run for Mayor in 2015. The
good news is that no one is taking him seriously.
Raucous Caucus
Some Council Democrats are not too happy about the nomination of Stephen
Clay to the Police Merit Board. They’re worried that Clay’s past is going to come
“out” sometime soon and politically bite them in the rear end. They’re right.
So that’s the Cheat Sheet. We hope you’ve enjoyed your complimentary edition. If you
like it, click here for a subscription. Right now, we’ve got a special deal, $25 for six
months. We also have corporate rates as well. What’s not to like? What’s not to love?
It comes out bi-weekly, unless the gossip is really good then we put it out weekly. It
comes to you e-mailed in the very easy PDF format.
3 | The Cheat Sheet. Brought to you by the Nicky Blaine’s Absolut, Cigars, Spirits &
Signing Party, Thursday, May 24. You don’t want to miss it. www.nickyblaines.com

4. The Cheat Sheet 2012
We also take gossip as well, you can e-mail it to abdul@indypolitics.org or drop it off in
an envelope at Nicky Blaine’s. (I’m not kidding). All this for the price of a good martini
and cigar. You can’t get this kind of gossip anywhere else! So do yourself a favor,
subscribe today and help a brotha out for the price of a Davidoff’s and Tanqueray.
And yes, we know we are peddling gossip, but apparently you liked it enough to read
this far.
4 | The Cheat Sheet. Brought to you by the Nicky Blaine’s Absolut, Cigars, Spirits &
Signing Party, Thursday, May 24. You don’t want to miss it. www.nickyblaines.com