This tidbit appeared on page B3 on Sunday's Star. This Article is incorrect. Only Kimberly of Station 59 was visible to cover Monday night's Council and was one of the most poorly media attended events to date; a sad commentary when it comes to broadcasting concerns of the people.
--Paul Wheeler

I was there too. I saw Abdul, Kim King of Fox 59, and Brendan O'Shaunessey from the Indy Star. What I did see that was shameful was 3 arts administrators in very expensive clothes with laptops look on while the parade of poor children, the handicapped, and minorities testified to the council and did the dirty work for them. Asante was one of the groups that testified that they needed funding. I offered to volunteer for them and their director said no to me. Meanwhile these poor ignorant people have no clue how they are being deceived and they don't want to know.
--Melyssa

Call the media

Mayor Greg Ballard's people think they can't get a break from the media recently.

A budget hearing Monday brought all the TV stations out to cover a conflict between a few dozen arts supporters and taxpayer activists. The dispute was over $500,000 in arts funding that Ballard proposes to cut from the $1.1 billion budget.

The next day, Ballard announced a commitment from Rebuilding Together Indianapolis to provide $4 million in materials and volunteer labor to renovate low-income housing over the next five years.

The national nonprofit will celebrate its 10th year in Indianapolis in 2009 and has grown to more than 750 volunteers, who have revitalized 200 homes in the Riley Development Corp. Neighborhood.

Only one radio station showed up to cover the event.

"This was about people coming together to help their community," said Ballard's spokesman, Marcus Barlow. "All you guys (the media) cover is conflict."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809140352