Greenwood’s ‘Annie’ heads to Broadway

By Submission For The Southside Times

Kara Oates’ dream is coming true. The 10-year-old fifth grade student at Center Grove Elementary, who performed the title role in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Annie this summer, will soon be performing on Broadway. Kara will be one of the 12 ballerina girls in Billy Elliot, the musical about a the son of a coal miner. The boy dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, even though his father wants him to become a boxer. The role is appropriate. Kara started her performing career as a dancer, having competed for eight years of her young life. She was a PowerPak dancer at Disney World in 2005, 2006 ,2007 and 2008, and was Regional Mascot Dancer of the Year in 2006. She received a Fusion dance scholarship in 2007 and a NUVO dance scholarship in 2008. [ad#story-insert-336-x-280] Her career in theatre, however, began just two years ago. She performed in several regional shows before gaining her first professional role: Marta Von Trapp in Beef & Boards’ 2008 season production of The Sound of Music. Then, earlier this year, she performed the title role in Beef & Boards’ production of Annie. “I want to perform on Broadway someday,” she said at the time. Little did she know that, by the end of the year, her dream would come true. Through a connection made at Beef & Boards, Kara secured an agent and traveled with her mother to New York City in July to audition for the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Billy Elliot. She estimated there were a few hundred girls at the initial audition. First narrowing the field by dancing skills, Kara made it through several callbacks before being asked to sing as one of the final four last week. Appropriately, she’d auditioned with the song “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” from Annie. This week they got the call — and soon Kara will be smiling all the way to Broadway. “(That night) I had a dream about being on Broadway and learning the show — so I was excited,” she said. Billy Elliot, with music written by Sir Elton John, won 10 Tony Awards earlier this year, including Best Musical. Details are still being worked out for her Broadway debut, but Kara’s fans who want to see her before she leaves for the Big Apple may have the opportunity to do so this coming holiday season. If she is not yet required to be in New York, Kara is scheduled to return to the Beef & Boards stage for A Beef & Boards Christmas 2009. The show opens the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and continues through New Year’s Eve.

Sea worthy

By Mike Beas

Incorporating a little imagination and a lot of Legos, Joseph Leistner through the power of interlocking plastic blocks has come up with a mental blueprint on how to improve water quality in the Great Lakes and beyond. Leistner is 9 years old, which means plenty of time – no less than a decade, at least – remains for his ideas to play out. As for Keith Leistner, Joseph’s father, the time is now. Leistner, the surname in Whiteland-based Leistner Aquatics Services, Inc., recently returned from five days in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and, more specifically, the St. Mary’s River, the watery border that separates Canada and Michigan. The St. Mary’s River, which produces more parasitic sea lampreys than all the Great Lakes tributaries combined, would be where Leistner would attempt to introduce a more effective method of controlling sea lampreys with the help of his trusted sidekick, a 25-foot-long, 103-inch-wide custom-outfitted boat designed to apply granular product over the surface of the water. “Think of the way a farmer applies pesticides to a field,” explained Leistner. “And there is GPS guidance so you know exactly where you’re at in the field to apply the product in a very precise manner with basically 100-percent coverage.” [ad#single-post] For those unfamiliar with sea lampreys, they can grow to be as long as 36 inches and are known to prey on a variety of fish. Lampreys possess suction-cup mouths and sharp tongues and teeth that rasp through a fish’s scales and skin. The fish eventually dies due to excessive blood loss or infection. “Once they attach, they excrete some sort of liquid out of the fish and use that as the food source,” says Leistner. “Lampreys live 18 months and will destroy an average of 40 pounds of fish in that time.” Leistner, whose business specializes in Lake Maintenance Vehicles able to take the application of algaecide and herbicides to levels wider, faster and more-accurate than the norm, sought to brainstorm a better way to control the sea lamprey problem than the archaic manner used previously. “In August 2007, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission contacted us and said it was their turn to find new technologies to basically control the sea lamprey in the northern Great Lakes. Getting it to a manageable population, that’s kind of what they were looking for,” he said. But if Leistner’s answer to the sea lamprey problem turns out to be the right one, it will help Leistner Aquatic Services grow and hire more employees. Currently the business includes four full-time and two part-time workers. The aforementioned boat is now property of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and being utilized for application season, which typically runs from early June to the final days of August. Now and in the future, a whole lot of fish may have Keith Leistner and his co-horts to thank. “For me this has been a personal acomplishment, but I may not even see the results of this in my lifetime. The reason I say that is when it comes to water, we don’t consider the same things we do with land. In aquatics we’re way behind,” he says. “But then again, it could take off.”

England’s bringing new meaning to ‘sniffing out’ a problem

By Mike Redmond

Now here’s a news tidbit that made me laugh out loud: A theme park in England is telling visitors they must keep their arms down on the rides, on warm days — not for safety reasons, but olfactory ones. It seems the atmosphere gets pretty intense when a hot carload of sweaty Brits crests the hill of a roller coaster arms-up, so the park has enacted a rule it calls “Say No To B.O.” You know, you just can’t make up stuff this good. [ad#single-post] I can understand the reasoning behind the rule. We’ve all been there — behind the unshowered in a grocery store line, in an elevator with someone whose roll-on rolled off. I once found myself on an airplane behind a surfer who evidently believed his time in the ocean was sufficient for bathing purposes. He was wrong. All the way from Honolulu to Phoenix. And the further we went, the worse it got. I kept hoping for a sudden drop in cabin pressure so one of those little yellow oxygen masks would fall down from the ceiling. And while I’ve never had the experience of riding behind a stinker on a roller coaster, I did recently encounter the Anti-Deodorant Family on one of those hot days at the State Fair. They were looking at the Grand Champion Sow and Litter and had one whole side of the pen all to themselves. Wowsers. When you can outstink the Swine Barn, you are ripe. These are unpleasant experiences, so I can certainly sympathize with the people who came up with the rule, and the patrons who suffered before it went into effect. The problem — same problem I see with a lot of rules — is enforcement. Let’s start with identifying the miscreants. Simply put, how are you going to find them in an amusement park full of people? Say someone reports an olfactory malefactor on the Tilt-A-Whirl. How are you going to find the perpetrator? “All right, everybody! Hands up! This is a Pit Stop!” I can also see this turning into a personnel problem: “All right, people. The gates are about to open. Ferguson, you’ve got the merry-go-round today. Milford, you get the Wild Mouse. Snerdly, you’re on pit patrol.” “No! No! Anything but that! Give me one of those little brooms and dustpans instead! I’ll sweep up cigarette butts! Put me on barf duty! Make me wear the Marty Moose costume! I’ll do anything, anything, but not ... pit patrol!” Until they develop a B.O. screener like that wand they use at the airport to catch terrorists who forgot to take their keys out of their pockets, Amusement Park Pit Checker is not going to be a popular job. You know, the problem must be pretty bad when an amusement park has to make a rule against it. What happened? Did they run out of soap and water over there? Is there some sort of deodorant shortage? Did they just stop caring? Did they ever care at all? Oh, well. Just add it to the list of reasons I plan to stay out of amusement parks. Especially the ones in England. On hot days. It’s the same justification I use to stay out of airplanes with surfers coming back from Honolulu: Too pungent. Well, that plus I can’t afford another Hawaiian vacation. Which also stinks, but in a different way.

Top 10 least desired answers to the question, “What did you learn in school today, dear?”

By Torry Stiles

10. “I can load a Glock 9 faster than any other kid on the bus.” 9. “That you’re not going to be helping me with my math homework ever again. I brought you a note.” 8. “Teacher has two boyfriends and one girlfriend and none of them are allowed within 500 feet of the school.” 7. “That smoking is bad and dangerous to children, and the sheriff will be here tomorrow to talk to Dad.” 6. “I can fit both of Patty Larson’s flip-flops in my mouth at once.” 5. “They have rules against boys going into the girls’ bathrooms. I brought you a note.” 4. “I’m the best kisser on the football team.” 3. “Don’t eat the other kids’ paste, either.” 2. “Keep your clothes on. I brought you a note.” 1. “Billy Johnson showed us what head lice look like. Everyone got a note.”

The most evil place in cyberspace

By Kevin Kane

Halloween season is right around the corner. Soon, people will fork over their dollars to go through haunted houses and have people jump out in their faces and chase them with chainsaws. They do it in hopes of getting scared, to be put in the Halloween mood. Well, they can save their money. There are hundreds of places on the Web where evil lurks and normal people turn into real villains — not ones with cheap masks. Here, people come in just to socialize and, instead, find themselves being insulted, ridiculed and called the worst names in our vernacular. Given enough time in this atmosphere, the innocent people who entered these sites become corrupted as well, dishing out the same disses dealt by the evildoers. [ad#single-post] Welcome to the most evil place in cyberspace: Online forums. Visit any forum or comment board on the Web — sports, community news, even YouTube — and discover just how mean people can be when there are no repercussions. There are no real names, no pictures and no contact information. Behind a shield of anonymity, a mouse click away from getting out of trouble, people are free to say whatever they’d like, and comments that may normally be considered slander are merely comment board smack. Once strong differences in opinion emerge, the gloves come off and suddenly the conversation changes from the initial issue to the alleged idiocy of the other commenters. According to many forum frequenters, everyone else is wrong. Everyone else is ignorant. Suddenly the person who thinks Air Force One is Harrison Ford’s best movie is crowned by some other guy as the dumbest blanking person he’s never met. Web forums are where a discussion about Lindsay Lohan’s latest blooper can inspire an all-out war of misspelled words, where her defenders claim her “haters” are jealous trailer trash and Lohan’s critics call her much worse. I ventured into a discussion about the fly problem at a specific fast food restaurant in Virginia. But it wasn’t long before the comments quickly progressed from shared horror stories to hypotheses on which “nasty” employee was the cause of the flies. There are no limits in these rooms, no boundaries regarding which turn the conversations will take or which lengths people will use to put down their rival posters. You don’t provide your picture unless you’re ready to be called fat and ugly. You don’t give your race unless you want that to be used against you, and you’d better check your spelling before submitting if you want to keep any credibility. The language would offend the kids on South Park. If you were to censor all the comments on a given YouTube video, you’d be left with three complete sentences and more blanks than a Hollywood shootout. As I occasionally sift through the numerous examples of unjustified despise and childish name calling, I find myself, at times, drawn to participating. It’s like being inside a burning building. You know you’re in a bad spot, but after inhaling so much smoke, you just want to fall asleep. Given enough time in this environment, I find myself wanting to point out someone’s idiotic statement or criticize their horrendous spelling. But just as I’m about to be completely sucked in and engulfed by the flames, I regain consciousness midway through typing a post and flee to safety. Online forums and comment boards are the real deal. Similar to a prison, they are often where our society’s worst behaviors are put on display. The chatter’s more brainless than informative. It inspires a spectrum of emotions ranging from uncontrollable laughter to absolute rage, and this emotional overload is what sucks you in and chews you up. Those who have been there likely know what I’m talking about, but for those who don’t, it’s a unique experience that isn’t for everyone. But if you think you’re ready to explore online forums, this is perhaps the best time to do it — if there is one. You might be called an “ignorant moron” (or worse), but witnessing people suddenly transform from human to monster like they’re in a Michael Jackson video is the perfect precursor for Halloween.

They made me buy orthopedic shoes

By Sherri Coner-Eastburn

Last week, I underwent steroid injections. In the joints of my arthritic toes. It hurt so bad I couldn’t make one little peep. My scream hid behind my tonsils. I wore a sexy orthopedic boot back home, with my toe splinted. [ad#single-post] For a week, I limped around like Festus, honked off at the fact that every pair of high heels I’ve ever owned was on its way to a garage sale. I became obsessed with pretty, perky toes. The kind of pigs that don’t holler their little heads off when it rains. The kind of pigs that smile all the way into a cute pair of pumps or a pointy-toed boot with a five-inch heel. Then I dreamed that my toes fell off. I woke up, searching for all 10 of them. Now that my toes have apparently begun to rot off, I pay a lot more attention to their role in my life. It’s impossible to get your groove on when — out of nowhere — both feet feel like somebody stabbed them with a hot poker. When this pain occurs, I get barefoot. I can be in the middle of a meeting or in the middle of a restaurant. But I set the poor old pigs free, and I don’t care who freaks out about it, either. “You’ll need to purchase special shoes for people with arthritis,” the doctor said with a smile. OK. Well, we all know that “special shoes” is a way to avoid saying, “Now you’ll spend your life wearing butt-ugly shoes.” “Great,” I said to the farmer. “I have to drop 100 bucks on an ugly pair of dog clogs so I can look exactly like my Granny Heath.” My Granny Heath, by the way, looked 112 years old all of my life. Her hair was dyed a bright, unnerving pumpkin color. Her furniture was covered with plastic. A ceramic panther graced her coffee table. And she wore knee highs under her dresses with by a pair of butt-ugly, black, lace-up shoes. “I’ll go with you,” the farmer offered. I shook my head. “Save yourself,” I said. “I’ll go alone.” As it turned out, the designated orthopedic shoes aren’t really that ugly. The shoe fairies definitely blessed me on this one.

Get fresh with antioxidants

By Wendell Fowler

Hard-wired meat-and-potato groupies struggle to cuddle with fresh produce. Clearly, over decades of smart-bomb marketing, malleable Americans have became hard-wired to disdain fresh produce from God’s Apothecary. Peculiar, when one reflects humans were genetically designed to eat fresh produce. TV was invented to sell Tide. Face it; since its invention, powerfully influential TV advertisers circumvented food products that didn’t come from a cold, financially lubricated assembly line. Madison Avenue avoided promoting earthly delights simply because anyone could grow the nutritious gifts in their backyard. Instead, agribusiness preferred Americans become reliant on a cannery or frozen, bagged versions. My compliments to the scientist! [ad#single-post] There is a rumor that the 12th Commandment Moses dropped coming down the mountain top bespoke, “Thou shalt not alter my creations for earnings.” Renewable, sustainable organic produce is profitable to the small farmer who supports the local community — an unattractive concept to the Jolly Green Giant. Instead, with agribusiness, bankers and semantics buoyed American ideals to depend on diminished, albeit, lucrative versions of fresh. Today, grocers’ shelves groan from the mass of food stripped of the healing force of God’s Apothecary. It’s transparent why disease is pandemic. Americans are malnourished. Before the Industrial Revolution, Americans were hunters and gatherers. After the industrial revolution, fresh took a back seat to convenience. During this time, influential health authorities informed citizens these accumulating chronic diseases were simply a “natural” progression of aging. What a mound of steaming cow pies! The universe wishes its creations to flourish and be healthy well into advanced age. Fifty years ago the feds began the systematically dismantling of the family farm, the backbone of America. Over half the people living in America at that time were happily living rurally or on a farm providing local villagers with life-sustaining plant foods. It is no coincidence that incidence of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity were much lower before the birth of processed foods and agribusiness. Spanking fresh, antioxidant-redolent produce in its divine form supplies health-supportive phytochemicals needed to repair, rebuild, defend and support the temple. Antioxidants are nutrients in plant foods which prevent and slow oxidative damage to the temple. When cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radical by-products, which cause damage. Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” preventing and repairing their damage.  Health troubles such as macular degeneration, accelerated aging, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s are all worsened by oxidative damage. A recent study by researchers from London found that five servings of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. A serving is one-half cup. Antioxidants also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of H1N1 infection. If one were to eat raw, wild blueberries they’d be eating one of the most antioxidant-rich foods on the planet. Cooking them in a pie or eating them in a Pop-Tart destroys their magical antioxidant mojo. To obtain and preserve delicate, soft skin; thick, shiny hair; long, smooth fingernails; clear, bright eyes and a brilliant, gleaming smile, one needs to feed the temple from within with fresh, raw, unprocessed plant foods. By eating old or genetically altered foods, Americans are missing out on antioxidants. This charter member of the phytonutrients family is the No. 1 defense against chronic disease. Smell what I’m not cookin’?

At Play Calendar for the week of 08.27.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Douglas David · The Douglas David Paints Town & Country Exhibit will feature floral, landscape and Indy cityscape paintings. | When: Now through Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Friday | Where: University of Indianapolis’ Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Gallery | Cost: Free | Info: Call 788-3253 for more information. Franklin College Art Exhibits · Franklin College will host several art exhibits, including “Works on Paper” by Danilo Vuksanovic. | When: Sept. 9-25; viewing hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Where: The Johnson Center for Fine Arts at Franklin College | Cost: Free | Info: More exhibits will be added throughout the 2009-2010 school year. Call 738-8189 for more information. [ad#single-post] Riding For Memories · Franklin Meadows will be sponsoring this charity motorcycle ride to raise funds to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association for research and awareness. | When: Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. | Where: Tasty Shop Tavern, 501 West Main Cross Street, Edinburgh | Cost: $20 per bike/$30 per couple | Info: Call 736-9113 for more information. Kristi’s Games · This is the 8th year that Lutheran High School has held their Family Festival and this year will keep the excitement of the games going. Carnival games, concessions stands and a dunk tank are available all day. Funds will help support the athletic department of Lutheran High School, as well as, the Junior High, Middle and Elementary Schools. | When: Aug. 29, 2-7p.m. | Where: Lutheran High School of Indianapolis, 5555 South Arlington Ave. | Info: Call 787-5274 ext. 122 for more information. Koins 4 Kids · The Perry Township Educational Foundation and Perry Township public schools are holding a coin collection to raise money to fund teacher grants. Everyone is encouraged to donate. | When: Sept. 14-25 | Info: You can designate a school for your donation or the donation can be shared equally among the districts 18 schools. Call 789-2395 for information. Shakespeare in the Park · The Garfield Park Shakespeare Company is in their final production for the 2009 season. This play will tell the tale of mistaken identity and misplaced love. | When: Sept. 4, 5, 11, 12 at 7 p.m. | Where: MacAllister Center for the Performing Arts, 2524 Conservatory Drive | Cost: Free | Info: Call 327.7091 for more information. Hurricane Katrina Remembrance · Rev. E. L. Porter will serve as the Host Pastor of the upcoming Community Service of Remembrance and Hope ceremony concerning Hurricane Katrina. Porter is the Pastor of Greater Missionary Baptist Church and a Hurricane Katrina survivor himself. | When: Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. | Where: The Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 4375 N. Arlington, Indianapolis | Cost: Free | Info: Call 926-5371 for more information. Blood Drive · Southport High School’s student council is hosting the Colts Blood Drive. They are trying to win against six other schools to have the most blood donated and in return they will win the chance to receive a visit, the Colts Lombardi Trophy, their Superbowl Victory. | When: Aug. 27, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3-7 p.m. | Where: Southport High School | Cost: Free | Info: Log on to www.donorpoint.org to set up a donation time. Scrapbooking and Rubber Stamping Workshop · Tonya Minth will be holding the workshop, so you can bring your projects in on Friday and leave them out for Saturday to be finished. | When: Aug. 28, 3-10 p.m. and Aug. 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Where: The Beech Grove Public Library, 1102 Main Street, Beech Grove | Cost: $5 | Info: Call 788-4203 for more information. Preschool Storytime · Preschoolers ages 3-K and an adult are invited for stories, songs and rhymes at the Southport Public Library. | When: Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. | Where: The Southport Public Library, 2630 E. Stop 11 Rd. | Cost: Free | Info: Call 275-4510 for more information. ZZ Top · The bearded musicians are here for an one-night-only event sure to rock for every age group. | When: Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. | Where: The Murat Theatre | Cost: $24.75, $39.50, and $55 | Info: Call 231-0000 for more information. Mozingo Family Benefit Concert • Benefits Life Centers (formerly Central Indiana Crisis Pregnancy Center). | When: Saturday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. | Where: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3565 S. Keystone Ave. | Cost: Free (love offering will be taken). Alumni Golf Outing • The Perry Meridian High School baseball program is searching for any and all past Falcon baseball players for an upcoming golf outing. The program is using the event as one of its major fundraisers. Get together your own foursomes for the Florida Scramble style of play. All players (including fathers, brothers, fellow alumni) are welcome. | When: Sept. 27, shotgun start at 8 a.m. | Where: Coffin Golf Course. | Cost: $75 per man, $200 hole sponsorships still needed. Discounts for sponsorships with foursomes. Lunch, refreshments, prizes included. | Info: Call head coach John Carpenter at 789-4583 (school) or e-mail jcarpenter@msdpt.k12.in.us. Church Sale • Clothing, baked goods, etc. | When: Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Obituaries for the week of 08.27.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Ruth E. Campbell, 80, of Franklin, died Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Franklin United Methodist Community. Ruth was born Oct. 17, 1928, in Shelbyville to Walter and Lelia (McCormick) Crosby, who preceded her in death. She attended school in Franklin Township, then went to Indiana Central College, after which she pursued a teaching career and earned a graduate degree. After a break to raise her family, she was employed by Perry Township for several years, first as a substitute and then as a teacher’s aide. She was an active member of University Heights United Methodist for many years and also enjoyed working as a volunteer in the crafts room at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove. She is survived by three children, Diana (Tom) Maier, Brian (Kathy) Campbell, Jonathan (Karen) Campbell and five grandchildren. Her husband of 58 years, Eldon “Gene;” a daughter, Leslie; and a brother, Malcolm, preceded her in death. Memorial services will take place Sept. 12, at 10:30 a.m., at University Heights United Methodist Church, 4002 Otterbein Ave. Gifts may be made to the church in lieu of flowers. [ad#single-post] John McCulluch, 81, of Indianapolis, passed away Aug. 20. John served his country in the United States Air Force, and retired from the railroad after 41 years. John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie McCulluch. Services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday at G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Ave. Friends may call from noon until the time of service. John will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ghherrmann.com. Julia M. Wright, 81, of Beech Grove, died Aug. 24. She was born March 30, 1928, in New York, N.Y., to the late Frank and Mabel Mattox. Julia worked at Western Electric for 20 years until retiring in 1985. Julia is survived by her sons, Stephen, Gregory, Kevin, and Kenneth Wright; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Teresa Wright, preceded her in death. Funeral services are Thursday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m. at Little & Sons Beech Grove Chapel, with visitation there from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans.

Southport meeting thick with frustration

By Mike Alexander

About 80 subdued Southport residents were introduced to the new police chief, were presented rules of council engagement and learned of the city’s financial status Monday. However, the word “frustration” must have been repeated 30 times during the two-hour city council meeting. The mayor expressed frustration with previous unruly audiences, members of the audience expressed frustration with the mayor, and the council expressed frustration in not getting financial updates from the clerk-treasurer. Clerk-treasurer Cathy Hildebrand expressed frustration with an outdated city computer and software in trying to get up to speed to provide reports to the council. [ad#single-post] Not knowing the status of city funds seems to be the main cause of the council’s friction with the mayor. Mayor Rob Thoman said a financial report of city funds will be presented to council members 10 days before the next council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21. A new computer and software have been bought. That information seemed acceptable to agitated council member Jim Cooney, who said repeated requests for a fund report have gone unanswered. The mayor detailed how the council, as the legislative group, approves the budget. He cannot spend above the amount in any category of the council-approved budget. He can, however, ease spending or transfer money within a category of the budget. Davis, the new chief, was a member of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for 28 years, achieving the rank of major. He was also a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. As interim chief, Davis will serve three months, or until a permanent chief is found. He succeeds Duane E. Burgess, who resigned last month after 10 years on the job. Mayor Rob Thoman reported that some of the 15 officers who resigned last month have returned to duty. The meeting was, for the most part, civil. At the start of the meeting the mayor handed out rules for public comment that included enforcement by ejection of anyone being unruly or causing a disturbance. But frequently during the meeting, all council members, at one time or another, and buzz groups in the audience would get into discussion while Mayor Thoman was trying to explain the Anniston Drive improvement project and financial problems facing the city. The Anniston Drive project near Southport Elementary School will require about nine months to rebuild, widen and drain the street at an estimated cost of $1.3 million. Eighty percent of that amount will be through federal funding. But the city of Southport has to match 20 percent of the cost, or about $300,000. Thoman said that amount needs to be financed through general obligation bonds, and the Indianapolis law firm of Barnes & Thornburg are experts in such bonding. The mayor estimates an owner of a $100,000 house in Southport would pay about $200 over two years to pay off the bonds. He said the project is important to Southport’s future growth. The mayor later talked about late property tax revenues. He said the city just now is receiving 2007 tax revenues, and that is requiring cost-cutting measures to avoid borrowing large amounts to keep the city financially afloat. Which was ... another frustrating point of the meeting.