Melina Kennedy Indianapolis Mayoral Announcement

Today, Melina Kennedy announced her candidacy for Mayor of Indianapolis, IN.  Kennedy promised that she will provide Public Safety Leadership for Indianapolis.  Kennedy said her administration will not accept Indianapolis' high crime rate.  Kennedy promises leadership that can restore the lost trust and confidence in public safety.

Kennedy denounced the corruption that has plagued the IMPD in the past year.  Kennedy promised to reject mediocrity and to take responsibility for solving Indianapolis' crime problem.  Kennedy said it was time to "stop the bureaucratic" finger-pointing and blame game for the inept functioning of the City's Public Safety leadership.

Kennedy actually used the term "take responsibility" in her speech.  Few politicians these days are willing to take responsibility for problems that confront them as public servants.  With Kennedy's remarkable willingness to even use the term "responsibility," we may be seeing a candidate who understands leadership.  After all, if Kennedy is willing to take responsibility, then Kennedy cannot very well blame others for the problems she will face as Mayor. 

While at her announcement, I received a text from a friend that read, "I knew the kid found dead.  He was very sweet.  My heart hurts."  The young man she was referring to had been found dead on Sunday in the vicinity of 86th Street and Zionsville Road, Indianapolis. http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/police-awaiting-autopsy-in-mans-death.  I called her as soon as I exited the Kennedy event.  She spoke to me as she tried to hold back tears.  My friend is a supervisor at UPS.  The twenty (20) year old man worked at UPS.  He was trying to be a good citizen, to earn his way in the world, at a very difficult job.  She knew his problem was that when he left UPS premises, he faced a difficult life and future.  Now, his life has ended.  He left this world cold, lonely and a long way from home.

We will soon find out what ended Donald Phillips' life.  But this is a disgraceful scene for Indianapolis, a City that want's to be considered World Class.  I believe Kennedy understands that for a successful future,  Indianapolis' Mayor must provide an environment free of crime, drugs, gangs and violence so that our children are not left out in the cold.