Through a technicality, Dan Ridenour was able to appoint himself to the Muncie Land Bank Board. According to Ridenour’s assistant Shareen Wagley the MLB isn’t considered an official city board, and therefore Ridenour is within legality to appoint a former shell of a credit score coach. While somewhat surprising given the administrations lack of interest in working with the Muncie Land Bank, the position gives the mayor more authority to control the Muncie Redevelopment Commission.

Human thumb Ryan Webb, who was about to be at the cusp of a political exile after losing his primary, has some limited leeway thanks to Ridenour also appointing him to the same board. Although this editor should point out that it’s a setback from his last role as a county councilman, and gives the guy less of a chance to act out his culture war nonsense. Webb’s a numbskull, no doubt, but he wields less power under the board. Sort of like “taking the man out without taking the man out” as Mark Robinson used to say. Additionally, the appointment reveals that there is probably less factionalism in the local Republican party than we thought. Ridenour always wanted to present himself as that “civil” and “respectable” club of business leaders, and that veneer already expired years ago, but his appointment of Ryan Webb shows that there is virtually no difference between nice or vulgar conservatives.

Good news! Muncie City Council is planning to replace President Jerry Dishman. Both the most senior member and an Old Guard of his party, his resignation finally allows Robert’s Rules of Order to be followed once again. His replacement Harold Mason is something of a surprise, given that Nora Powell had led the Finance Committee meetings this past year. Mason is probably the quietest member (I mean hell I’ve never spoken a word to him) but it’s guaranteed he’s not a coward nor a member of 214.