Nov. 8, 2007
Peterson project in jeopardy?
Charter schools, arts await Ballard's actions

By Andy Gammill, Dan McFeely and Meagan Ingerson
Indianapolis Star

The defeat of Mayor Bart Peterson had more than just rank-and-file Democrats in the dumps Wednesday.

A number of groups and initiatives that had prospered under Peterson for the past four years were scrambling to find out what the election of Republican Greg Ballard might mean for them.

Peterson was an unabashed champion for charter schools, the arts and greenways. Here's a quick look at what supporters of those initiatives are saying.

Charter schools

Ballard has spoken little of what he would do with such schools, but those involved in running them are optimistic that the new mayor will adopt their cause.

"My hope would be that we not lose the very strong selection process and the accountability," said Lynne Weisenbach, dean of education at the University of Indianapolis.

Weisenbach and other supporters suspect that Ballard will embrace charter schools, which have usually been proposed by Republicans in other states.

Peterson's rigorous application requirements and annual accountability reports have drawn national praise. He is the only mayor in the country with the authority to launch charter schools, which are free of many of the regulations public schools must meet to encourage innovation.

Kevin Teasley, who runs two charter schools and a charter school support center, said he's betting Ballard expands upon Peterson's foundation and launches more charter schools.

The arts

Indy's local arts community -- which had grown accustomed to a $1.5 million yearly shot in the arm from the city's parks budget -- is nervous in the wake of Ballard's victory.

"I think so few people in the arts community have met the mayor-elect . . . and from what we have read, he intends to cut the budget and not support our funding," said Greg Charleston, president of the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Peterson has been a big booster of the local arts scene. Heartland Film Festival President Jeffrey L. Sparks called the Democrat "our champion" when he sent letters out Nov. 1 to arts supporters, urging them to vote for Peterson.

Prior to the election, Ballard called funding the arts "nonessential."

"Indianapolis has a vibrant culture and wonderful arts community. But in a fiscal crisis, we must focus on providing essential government services," he wrote in a candidate questionnaire.

Supporters of the arts say the local arts community generates $468 million in local economic activity as a result of the many events offered in the city, according to an arts and economic prosperity study.

"The arts are critical to the city," said Charleston. "I believe it will be a huge learning curve for the mayor-elect and some of the new councilors."

Greenways

With a supportive mayor on the way out, the future of county greenways and trails projects is "up in the air," officials said.

When introducing Ballard on election night, Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Ballard's election would mean "no more time spent on greenway projects, lights and cameras while the people of this community suffer from crime."

The city's greenway system grew dramatically during Peterson's time in office, including completion of the Monon Trail and construction of the Eagle Creek and Fall Creek trails.

The expansion of the White River Trail could be affected "for better or worse" by the change, said Ron Carter, executive director of the Greenways Foundation, which lobbies for greenways and trails across the state.

The trail is set to be expanded this spring from the Indianapolis Zoo south along White River.

"We really don't know what (Ballard's) priorities might be," Carter said.

As for the in-progress Cultural Trail linking cultural attractions across Downtown, organizers said they didn't expect the change at the mayor's office to affect the $50 million project.

The majority of the Cultural Trail's funding, $35 million, comes from private donors. The remaining $15 million is from federal grants.

Ballard insists he has nothing against greenways or the arts, but whether he will support either will depend on the city's fiscal shape.

"I know there are some people saying, 'Well, there's this Marine coming in, and he'll do this and he'll do that.' I don't know why people think that," the new mayor said. "I have no problem with the greenways. I have no problems with the arts. But we're going to have to balance all that next to what's best for the taxpayer."