Episode 701

#701 | Ridenour's Return & The Veto! | The Political Spotlight

July 14th, 2026

2 hrs 6 mins 24 secs

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political game play other stakeholders neighborhood residents affected property owners unanimous bipartisan vote passed ordinance muncie city council mckinley neighborhood overlay district "acting" mayor howe's veto of ordinance 13-26 000 payment questionable $66 howe's contractual procedural irregularities attempt to halt any investigation acting mayor george-jeffrey howe mayor's temporary absence court filings 43-day medical leave mayor dan ridenour's return to city hall city of muncie indiana muncie politics local politics

About this Episode

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour is returning to City Hall tomorrow (Wednesday, July 15, 2026) after a 43-day medical absence. Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey wonders whether his return was always planned for now or if he is coming back early, because from the outside looking in, things seem to be unraveling.

Bilbrey reviews the court filings that ended the Mayor's temporary absence and terminated George-Jeffrey Howe's role as "Acting Mayor." It is also important to examine what Howe's title(s) and responsibilities will be moving forward. Bilbrey also questions whether the timing of Ridenour's return is an attempt to halt any investigation into the procedural irregularities surrounding Howe's contracts and the nearly $66,000 in payments made to Howe under these questionable circumstances.

Then, Bilbrey shares his thoughts on "Acting" Mayor Howe's veto of Ordinance 13-26, which established the McKinley Neighborhood Overlay District. The Muncie City Council passed the ordinance on July 6, 2026, in three separate 8-0 votes (Councilor Brandon Garrett was absent). It received support from affected property owners, neighborhood residents, and other stakeholders.

Bilbrey explains why he believes the veto was nothing more than political game play and discusses what property owners, neighborhood residents, other stakeholders, and City Councilors can do to fix this situation.

Tune in to the very HOT 701st episode of The Political Spotlight as Bilbrey dives deep to give you the very best in political commentary!

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VIDEO version of Ep 701: https://youtube.com/live/QDkHBzdsS0A

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'The Political Spotlight'
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Hosted by: Kristopher H. Bilbrey & Brandon Rudd
Produced by: Kate Thornburg
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