TERRE HAUTE — In a legal sense, Cousin Eddie just showed up to spend the holidays with Hauteans.
Surprised by Thursday’s Indiana Appeals Court ruling that — if it stands — would nullify the 2007 Terre Haute mayoral election? Well, as Clark Griswold once told Ed, “If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am now.”
Then again, why wouldn’t we expect to find our noggins cross-stitched to the beige Berber in the family room this morning? It’s only fitting that we’re about to spend those festive days from Thanksgiving to New Year’s revisiting that fun-filled campaign between Duke Bennett (most recently the current mayor) and Kevin Burke (currently the former mayor). Visions of the Democrats for Duke caroling through the neighborhoods may dance in our pleated heads.
On Thursday, Bennett sounded clear-minded. The mayor emphasized he’s instead focused on continuing the city’s business as usual, and hopes to see the dispute resolved in the final stages of a process that started a year ago, after the incumbent Burke lost to him by 110 votes. Following that bitter, divisive campaign, Burke filed a lawsuit, insisting that his opponent had been ineligible to run for mayor because Bennett’s job at a quasi-federally funded entity, Hamilton Center, put him in violation of the Little Hatch Act. Last December, a Vigo County judge ruled for Bennett, who then took office in January. Now the Appeals Court thinks Burke was right and ordered a special election. The Indiana Supreme Court could have the last word.
Yes, for Terre Haute, nothing is impossible in 2008.
Earthquake? Had one on April 18, registering 5.2 on the Richter scale.
Flood? The worst since 1913 hit June 7, causing record damage to homes, roads, bridges and crops.
Economic catastrophes? Well, one of Vigo County’s most lucrative employers, Pfizer, shut down its plant this year, erasing the jobs of nearly 800 people overall. Then last month, our investment and retirement accounts began evaporating as the U.S. economy imploded, triggering layoffs and accelerating home foreclosures.
Star gazing? The next president of the United States, Barack Obama, spoke in the 4-H barn at the Vigo County Fairgrounds, as well as a high school gym. The former first lady and Obama’s Democratic presidential opponent, Hillary Clinton, visited a local restaurant and another high school. The former president, Bill Clinton, stopped to see his wife’s burned out headquarters (yes, the city made national news for that, too) on his way to a nearby campaign rally. The Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea, came, and former Cabinet members, actors, policy advisers, governors of other states and ex-network TV anchors all signed the Wabash Valley’s visitors’ guestbook this year, as well as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, NPR, CNN, the Washington Post, New York Times and other media from Australia to Italy.
Wayne Freakin’ Newton played a secret concert at the Indiana Theatre in August, for cryin’ out loud.
And when Thursday arrived, we got treated to even more surprise, surprise, surprise.
At one point, references to Indiana Code in the Appeals Court decision raised questions about whether Bennett would have to vacate his seat and be replaced by an interim. One passage in the law, referring to mayoral vacancies in a “second class city” (a label based on our population, not our prestige) states the job would fall to the deputy mayor. Terre Haute doesn’t have one, so the next in line is the city controller. Bennett said he didn’t discuss that possibility Thursday with city controller Leslie Ellis, whom he appointed in January.
But he admitted that, “Yeah, she’s anxious about that, because a lot of rumors have been running around about whether the City Council president [currently Todd Nation] takes that position, [or] the city controller. And, you know, there’s certain scenarios in those situations, and this one isn’t like that because this isn’t a final ruling. If it’s a final ruling, end of the day, you’ve got to figure out what you’re going to do. That’s not where we’re at.”
OK, then, to paraphrase the late James Stockdale — Ross Perot’s 1992 running mate — where are we?
We’ll have to follow the bouncing ball from one court to the other. Bennett’s legal team could immediately request the Indiana Supreme Court hear the case. Or they could ask the Appeals Court for a rehearing; if denied, they could request it be heard by the Indiana Supreme Court. The state’s high court could overturn the Appeals Court (in Bennett’s favor), affirm it (in Burke’s favor) or decline to hear the case (in Burke’s favor). A finalized ruling in support of Burke would trigger a special election, which the Appeals Court ordered.
All of that could happen within the next two months.
Ho, ho, ho.
What better way to end this crazy, tumultuous, exhausting, unpredictable year than with another — another — election.
“We’d have to go through that whole campaign process,” Bennett said, “dig out the signs and go through that whole thing.”
Gosh, that sounds like a great idea.
Bennett then reminded a room full of reporters at a news conference Thursday that the 2007 municipal election — albeit with a full slate of offices up for grabs — cost the city $580,000 to conduct.
“The city’s already in a situation where we really can’t afford to do that,” he said, “but, of course, we’ll do whatever the court rules. But my guess is it’ll get resolved at another level here prior to having an election.
“But, you know,” he added, “who knows? Anything’s possible.”
Holy [crap]. Where’s the Tylenol?
Mark Bennett can be reached at mark.bennett@tribstar.com or (812) 231-4377.
Mark Bennett B-Sides
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
B-Sides: For Terre Haute, nothing is impossible in 2008
- Mark Bennett B-Sides
-
-
MARK BENNETT: 500 history runs in her veins, but she’ll pass on the buttermilk
Katy Balch appreciates tradition. The 20-year-old from Terre Haute understands how neatly her role as one of 33 Indianapolis 500 princesses fits her family.
-
B-SIDES: Bloomington brain exhibit gives us something to think about
Most of us never think about our brain.
-
MARK BENNETT: Read me to sleep, mom
She read. They listened, staring at the pages.
-
MARK BENNETT: A lesson to be learned from Lugar’s loss
It can happen to one of the nation’s most revered, principled, effective, hard-working U.S. senators.
And, if it hasn’t already, it can happen to you. -
MARK BENNETT: Despite challenges, 2012 grads have youth, tenacity on their side
Let the doomsday crowd line up like a scene from “Animal House.”
-
MARK BENNETT: Political life imitates art
A movie plot typically touches the extremes of life.
-
MARK BENNETT: When it came to artwork, ‘Salty’ always kept it real
The depth of my visual art expertise mirrors that of Neil Young.
-
MARK BENNETT: Ongoing challenge: To keep Mother Nature from getting trashed
Soggy, mud-caked jeans and a formerly white T-shirt were my youngest son’s summertime uniform, as a kid.
-
Playing a legend: Broadway actor practiced hundreds of shots, visited Terre Haute to play Sycamore legend in 'Magic/Bird'
Until now, the words “Larry Bird” and “Broadway production” simply would not appear in the same sentence.
-
MARK BENNETT: How much of your spring break will be spent in the digital world?
It seems harsh to give folks a math assignment on the brink of spring break, but wisdom should never take a holiday, so here goes.
-
MARK BENNETT: Litter trashes scenery on first day of spring
A mop is an ironic piece of litter.
Someone once used it to keep floors spotless. When its utility ended, this cleaning device became trash on the edge of a road. -
MARK BENNETT: Food for thought
The finest hours in grocery shopping arrive after 10 p.m.
-
Need a tourney tip? Try the team that puts people to work
People filling out NCAA brackets and the Republican presidential candidates share the same problem.
-
MARK BENNETT: Manning leaves great memories for Colts fans
The emotion behind the words was obvious.
-
MARK BENNETT: Terre Haute native saw tornado bearing down on his school
Disaster drills often leave participants grumbling or wisecracking. Until, heaven forbid, they see what Tom Cullen saw Friday afternoon.
-
MARK BENNETT: Year of the River a common interest for diverse entities
Water can compel people to get better acquainted.
-
MARK BENNETT: Our greatest president had some help from an obscure relative
On this Presidents Day week, historians weigh the impact of Washington, Jefferson and the Roosevelts on Americans’ lives.
-
MARK BENNETT: Proposed trail would give river development momentum, reacquaint community with Wabash
Terre Haute and the Wabash River were like strangers living next door to each other.
-
MARK BENNETT: Super Bowl luck? His is mostly bad
I’ve learned to take a Seinfeld approach to Super Bowls.
In a flash of clairvoyance, Jerry excitedly reminded buddy George Costanza that “if every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.” -
MARK BENNETT: Not-so-casual observers
In the minds of many adults, the most upstanding generation of young people was, ironically, their own.
-
MARK BENNETT: On the banks of the Wabash, a sculpture
Paul Dresser remembered his hometown at its best. Terre Haute should remember him the same way.
-
MARK BENNETT: A reminder for electorate: You get what you vote for
In the rear-view mirror of our lives, some days loom larger than we expected.
For many Hoosiers, the date Nov. 2, 2010, probably fits that category. -
MARK BENNETT: Keys to the future
Steve Witt fielded a jarring phone call in October 2007.
-
MARK BENNETT: Hall-of-Famer Larkin delivered more than clutch hits
A logjam of kids swelled behind the first-base dugout in Riverfront Stadium.
-
MARK BENNETT: Polian, Colts and Terre Haute were good for one another
Sentimentality seems alien in a discussion of Bill Polian.
That emotion rarely influenced his decisions in 14 seasons as the day-to-day boss of the Indianapolis Colts. He surely felt it, but seldom submitted to it. The NFL is a business, after all, with winning as its bottom line. Polian knew how to make that happen, and did. Anyone or anything threatening to divert the Colts from title contention could not linger. When it came to that mission, Polian functioned with all of the sentimentality of Joe Friday. -
MARK BENNETT: In this day and age, pure quiet is hard to find
It’s hard to emulate JFK — this JFK, at least.
-
MARK BENNETT: Rose professor’s bit part in classic holiday movie leaves a major memory
Most of us see a bit of ourselves in “A Christmas Story.” Mike Kukral does so, literally. The 1983 movie grew into a holiday classic because so many of its poignant, awkward and hilarious moments seem to have been pulled straight from our childhood memories.
-
MARK BENNETT: Ferrell’s love of Old Milwaukee shines light on Old Terre Haute
Will Ferrell didn’t walk through traffic at Seventh and Wabash for nothing.
Well, actually it might have been for nothing. Apparently, the comedian just likes Old Milwaukee so much that he came to Terre Haute, unannounced, one morning last September to film wacky commercials for the beer. -
MARK BENNETT: Holiday season makes going to the mailbox fun again
Ants decided to set up a colony in our family’s mailbox last summer.
-
MARK BENNETT: First impressions: City benefits from hearing visitors’ views of community
The town should blush.
- More Mark Bennett B-Sides Headlines
-
MARK BENNETT: 500 history runs in her veins, but she’ll pass on the buttermilk
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Romney Campaigns Ahead of Claiming Nomination
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Panetta: Asia the 'Project' for New Navy Grads
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
White House: No Military Intervention in Syria
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Obama Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Police Probe Similarities in 2 Disappearances
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
Justin Bieber Wanted for Questioning for L.A. Scuffle
J.Lo and Marc's Friendly Reunion
Jet makes emergency landing after debris falls off
Cynthia Nixon Ties the Knot
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump
Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
