Soccergate

More Indy residents need to pay attention to soccergate. Mayor Hogsett has backed himself into a corner and his chief bully Dan Parker is working to bully their way out of it. As Councilor Andy Nielsen pointed out at a recent Rules and Public Policy Committee, "… we should be bringing the same level of commitment, energy, and focus to quality-of-life issues, like chronic homelessness, as we are to soccer."

Hogsett wants a legacy. I understand that. His legacy could be ending chronic homelessness before the end of his last term. It would take less money and less effort than bringing MLS soccer to Indianapolis. The long-term ramifications of implementing a true Housing First initiative are stunning. As the data shows from other cities like Houston, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Columbus, the downstream affects are dramatic. And yet, Hogsett is unwilling to take the actions necessary to make it happen. This requires true leadership - stepping up and declaring we WILL do this and all the stakeholders - civic, nonprofit, philanthropy, business - will get in line to support one effort. It will make people mad at first. And we’ve seen that once implemented, even the naysayers agree it’s the best thing. I’m often asked, “Why won’t Hogsett do this?” My answer is, ask him, I don’t get it.