Street Talk

Submitted by
Name: Downtown Rez

Comments:
Rumor has it that Big Bob and Little Tony didn’t inform Rebar that they had to abide by our strict historic guidelines when constructing new buildings in downtown. That’s supposedly part of the reason Rebar is out! Imagine that. This administration not communicating thoroughly.

Added: August 27, 2025 09:01:13 AM

Submitted by
Name: Granny
From: The Neighborhood

Comments:
That is wonderful news! For all of us! NOW tjh you might want to update us old folks on what the Fairfield wants to do. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work!!!

Added: August 27, 2025 08:24:12 AM

Submitted by
Name: Urgent update

Comments:
When the mayor, plan commission and city council absolutely refused to openly engage with and listen to local citizens concerning a new riverfront district, citizens united and organized to stop Courtney’s push for a multilevel, apartment complex on the riverfront. A central team worked closely with numerous committees and persons willing lead on various projects. It’s been a massive endeavor that united the community as never before.

Part of the plan included reaching out to Rebar Development with personal letters and phone calls to their office asking them to visit our city and meet with citizens. But after more than 30 days of polite requests, Rebar refused to acknowledge citizens. The team then began tagging and posting Rebars name on social media , utilizing multiple Facebook pages and counting on Jeff’s - Forum News page for larger coverage across the state especially Indianapolis.

Additionally separate teams were working with Indiana Economic Development, the READI grant team, DNR, FEMA and of course attorneys involved behind the scenes. The goals of the riverfront defense effort had been to approach the problem from as many angles as possible - if city council, the plan commission and the mayor wouldn’t listen - then maybe Rebar Development would. Pressure was building at Rebar to respond and behind the scenes the mayor received feedback but never informed citizens and Rebar had never responded to any call, email, message, Facebook post or letter- until…

This past week those who were charged with continuing to inspire Rebar to either withdraw their proposal or to at least meet with citizens to address concerns - began to post public reviews of Rebars failure to communicate with local citizens about their project.

On August 26th Rebar finally responded to a citizen inquiry. Shortly before noon Tim Dickey, the new president and owner of Rebar Development finally responded to a citizen email. In that cordial correspondence he confirmed Rebar is no longer interested in a project in Madison Indiana.

Yesterday the mayor pushed hard to reschedule meetings to make sure the Riverfront District could still move forward without Rebar Development. He failed to inform all city council members why he was so urgently requesting a new calendar. What that means is while Rebar will not be building a multi level unit- someone else could if the mayor gets the district approved. It also means once the district is approved the Fairfield Hotel expansion will move forward unchecked - without public input or local oversight.

Rebars withdrawal is wonderful news - and certainly demonstrates how the power of the people is stronger than the people in power. BUT - the fight is not over . Citizens need to continue to stay in touch with their teams and reach out for information. Attend the citizens meeting this evening at 6pm , hosted by City councilman Thevenow. All city council, commission and the mayor are aware of the meeting and are encouraged to attend. I’ll have another important update later this evening. Have a wonderful day. Tjh

Added: August 27, 2025 04:12:19 AM

Submitted by
Name: Charlie Cardinal
From: Madison

Comments:
It sounds like the City Council members are not happy with there current predicament. They need to look deep into the next mirror they see. For starters, they have been following Courtney and doing whatever the man has asked them to do since they were sworn in. Why would you do that?
What does this guy bring to the table for you to sell your soul? Look at the year he has had. It started with the Frontier Kitchen guy. It has been one bad decision after another. So why listen to this guy? The second is you could have been like Thevenow and said you were against it from the start. Then you would have been celebrated instead of getting all this pressure. They can say they will not vote for it at anytime. The pressure will go away. Why would anyone allow themselves to be put in this position? Why would you put your reputation on the line for Courtney, Steinhardt, or even a Grote? For the record, for those that vote for this project. It will never be forgotten. They will have enemies for life. So why put yourself through it when you know this thing will be tied up in court for years? You might as well protect yourself and just say it today. "I'm not voting for Riverfront Apartment." Talk about self infliction and I don't feel sorry for these people one bit.

Added: August 26, 2025 08:36:08 PM

Submitted by
Name: This is Rich

Comments:
Isn't that just the way of it you're all set to vote him out and show him a lesson. And then they just run away so you can't even have the pleasure of doing that. And no Tony steinhart's not going to win anything here so he just will not run. I believe I'd have to get out and knock on some doors and call some friends in the city for that one just to make sure he got beat. The only ones that need to hang around is Thevenow. Maybe he'll run for mayor. He'd be a good one. He wouldn't be trying to Railroad things through that we do not want or need.

Added: August 26, 2025 06:56:42 PM

Submitted by
Name: No

Comments:
I just took a walk along the riverfront and through downtown. How can anyone ignore all the no zoning, save our riverfront signs.?They are everywhere. We don't need after the fact surveys so you can say you did your job. Where have you been???
The people are telling you no new zoning on the riverfront. LISTEN to them.
Truth is had Thevenow not shared the mayor's plans it would have long ago been a done deal.

Added: August 26, 2025 05:51:25 PM

Submitted by
Name: uncle carl

Comments:
The person that should be voted out is Courtney. He had no business doing a city tax knowing the county had to do one. He is not running again.

City council had to vote to approve the wheel tax and they will vote to approve food and beverage tax. So city council needs voted out too.

Admin reply: Courtney is NOT going to run again. City Council Krebs and Bartlett are not running again. Krebs is moving to Schafers district and Barlett is retiring with health issues . As usual Lyin Lucy Datillo may or may not run. Wilbur at one point wanted to be mayor but says no now. Everyone thinks his boss Grote told him to step aside for Steinhardt who will never be elected despite hiding in the dark corners of city hall while council and mayor take all the heat for the dirty riverfront development deal. Thevenow would beat them all without a single yard sign.

Added: August 26, 2025 05:13:07 PM

Submitted by
Name: uncle carl

Comments:
vote out city council

Added: August 26, 2025 04:13:34 PM

Submitted by
Name: Trash Trash

Comments:
For as much as we pay for trash pickup, you'd think the workers would know how to completely empty a can and not to block in cars with said cans. Get it together.

Added: August 26, 2025 03:52:01 PM

Submitted by
Name: @ike and Robin Henderson

Comments:
IKE staff and Robin Henderson - I need information about the massive crack in the ash “pond” that stores ash and is now leaking down into the ground, potentially threatening our aquifer that supplies City of Madison Water. I believe this occurred late over the weekend. IDEM may give IKE special permission but that’s unknown at this time. I’ll try to get photos of the damage for you. I would appreciate if you could share information with the public (in layman’s terms) as to impact and Governor Brauns recent decision to “forgive” violations and allow hazards to continue without fine or intervention which would protect the public and to the impact of ash contamination on our water supply. Thanks Tami

Added: August 26, 2025 01:53:48 PM