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Pfisterer Encourages Hiring Ex-offenders
(posted July 12)
City County Councilor Marilyn Pfisterer is reaching out to open doors for
ex-offenders and businesses that hire them by offering a August 4-5 job
fair at Ivy Tech. She said about 500 ex-offenders are released into Marion
County each month without jobs. She said without jobs it is likely they'll
return to a life of crime. She said one ex-offender has not found employment
since his release from prison eight years ago.
On August 4, the ex-offender will go through job interviewing and resume
training to prepare for the job fair. The ex-offenders are screened so
employers are not dealing with killers or other deviant criminal behavior.
The ex-offenders that will be at the job fair are more than likely to have
criminal backgrounds of dealing in forged checks or drug use.
She also said on July 21, the City County Council will vote on proposal 296 that includes language to provide "a preference" to businesses
bidding on contracts that have hired ex-offenders.
A discussion to repeal the county option income tax that increased last
year to fund public safety pensions will be debated at the July 22 Finance
Committee meeting. She contends it is doubtful that COIT can be repealed
this year because it is relied on in the 2008 budget to fund public safety.
She said a portion of COIT is also used to fund $25 million obligation
to cover fire and police pension.
Tom Glass of the 500 View Neighborhood Association requested the council
and mayor make appointments to the air pollution control board. Glass said
it is an important board, but it cannot meet due to a lack of a quorum.
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