The Political Spotlight - Episodes Tagged with “Deputy Mayor”

#740 | Sunday, September 27, 2026 | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey explores a bizarre and increasingly confusing situation in the City of Muncie, Indiana, involving Mayor Dan Ridenour, Parks Superintendent Carl Malone, contract employee Jeff Howe, and Tuhey Pool.

The issue arose during Parks Superintendent Carl Malone's appearance before the Finance Committee (comprising Muncie City Councilors Dale Basham, Jerry Dishman, and William McIntosh) on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

While discussing Tuhey Pool and the disastrous 2026 pool season, Parks Superintendent Carl Malone told the committee he was no longer in charge of the facility.

Malone explained that, because of his illness and absence, he could not speak in detail about much of what happened this year. That is understandable. However, Bilbrey believed that upon his return, Malone would have received a full debriefing on what took place so he could try to correct issues going forward.

That did not happen; Malone continued to offer little information about what went wrong, what would change, and how Tuhey Pool could improve for next year and beyond.

Then came the surprise.

Malone said control of Tuhey Pool had shifted to Jeff Howe—a city contract employee who serves as Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission. He has also been named Deputy Mayor and served as the "Acting Mayor" during Mayor Ridenour's medical leave. All of this, despite many still questioning the legality of his contracts with the city.

Malone also said Howe now has a team working on the pool.

That was news to Bilbrey. Honestly, it came as a shock!

Apparently, it was news to members of the Muncie Parks Board, too.

So Bilbrey started asking questions.

He emailed Mayor Ridenour and several others for clarification.

The Mayor responded quickly—and the answers directly contradicted what Malone told the Finance Committee.

According to Mayor Ridenour, nothing had changed. Tuhey Pool remained under the Parks Department and under the authority of Parks Superintendent Carl Malone.

So what the hell is going on?

Who is actually running Tuhey Pool?

Did responsibility shift to Jeff Howe?

Why did the Parks Superintendent tell the Finance Committee one thing while the mayor says something completely different?

Which story is the Finance Committee and the council as a whole supposed to use to build the Parks Department's budget?

How do they know who is telling the truth about this or anything else?

What do the other City Council members think?

What does the Parks Board know?

How can anyone responsibly budget, plan, or hold anyone accountable when city officials apparently cannot even agree on who is in charge?

Bilbrey walks through the backstory, the conflicting statements, the unanswered questions, and what he believes is really happening behind the scenes.

Then Bilbrey heads east toward Winchester, Indiana, where a controversy has been brewing for several days.

He examines what appears to be a political and social-media faux pas posted on Friday, September 25, 2026, that may involve Mayor Bob McCoy. Let's just say Winchester residents are NOT happy.

This episode covers the Muncie and Winchester governments, questions about city leadership, conflicting accounts, budgets, and the bigger question of who the hell is actually responsible for what.

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VIDEO version of Ep 740: https://youtube.com/live/_TNl-DBTIcE

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'The Political Spotlight'
LIVE Sunday - Thursday @ 9 p.m. (ET)
Hosted by: Kristopher H. Bilbrey
Produced by: Kate Thornburg & Brandon Rudd
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© 2026 Mud Creek Studio.
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#702 | The Ridenour Administration Looks Ahead! Current Questions Remain! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey follows up on Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour's first day back as Mayor! He's looking ahead, and the Administration is pushing the message that "all is well." However, Bilbrey just isn't buying it.

In the 702nd episode of The Political Spotlight, Bilbrey covers key developments from the Muncie Board of Works meeting, including the latest appointment to the board.

Next, Bilbrey reviews the Mayor's first community update, which includes additional commentary on the veto of Ordinance 13-26. Bilbrey offers further thoughts on the issue.

From there, Bilbrey shares the latest updates on the upcoming Public Services Committee meeting. This is the second attempt to obtain answers to questions about the financial aspects of the Muncie Fire Department's proposed Station 5.

Of course, questions still remain about the ongoing controversy surrounding George-Jeffrey Howe, his contracts, and his current titles and duties at the City of Muncie.

Join Bilbrey for another look at the decisions shaping the City of Muncie, Indiana.

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VIDEO version of Ep 702: https://youtube.com/live/ylGGOx8a6Es

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🚨🚨🚨
'The Political Spotlight'
LIVE Sunday - Thursday @ 9 p.m. (ET)
Hosted by: Kristopher H. Bilbrey & Brandon Rudd
Produced by: Kate Thornburg
https://www.youtube.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight
https://rumble.com/c/ThePoliticalSpotlight
https://ThePoliticalSpotlight.fireside.fm
https://www.facebook.com/Bilbrey318
https://www.facebook.com/PoliticalSpotlight318
https://www.tiktok.com/@ThePoliticalSpotlight
https://x.com/BilbreyLIVE
Email: tpsprogram@gmail.com
© 2026 Mud Creek Studio.
—

#700 | The City of Muncie Gets a Social Media Policy! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The city government in Muncie, Indiana, implemented a new "social media" policy as of today (Monday, July 13, 2026). Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey has been waiting for this policy to take effect for more than two years. But it might not be all it's cracked up to be.

Many are hopeful that this will change the attitudes of certain members of the Administration and how they interact with the public. But will it? Or will nothing change? Or will attitudes just get worse? Time will tell!

Plus, Bilbrey is concerned that this might be a way to target employees who attempt to speak out against wrongdoing within City Hall! This has to be considered!

Bilbrey discusses it all on this 700th episode of The Political Spotlight! It's about to get HOT!

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VIDEO version of Ep 700: https://youtube.com/live/BvEMo0UBVkA

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#697 | Put On Notice! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey attended the Muncie Board of Works meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where he raised procedural concerns about the Professional Services Contract and the first and second addenda to the contracts between the City of Muncie, under Mayor Dan Ridenour, and George-Jeffrey Howe.

As expected, the Board of Works members offered no response.

Newsman and author Rick Yencer then asked: "How much is Howe getting paid?" Once again, no answer was provided. Howe was not in attendance, and the meeting concluded just 10 minutes and 5 seconds after it began.

Combined with statements by Muncie City Councilor Sara Gullion during Monday's Muncie City Council meeting, today's Board of Works meeting raises even more questions about transparency and accountability within the Ridenour Administration.

Join Kristopher as he breaks down what happened, why it matters, and why this may be the moment the Ridenour Administration is officially put on notice.

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VIDEO version of Ep 697: https://youtube.com/live/R8rNbuRoRUc

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#686 | Attitudes Not Access! What’s Really Happening Here? | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey reviews the Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting held earlier today (Thursday, June 18, 2026). What unfolded was low-key, off the chain.

Redevelopment Commission Director George-Jeffrey Howe — who also currently serves as Muncie's "Acting" Mayor and was recently appointed Deputy Mayor of Muncie — provided yet another example of why Bilbrey believes he is unfit for those positions. From his dismissive attitude and rude behavior to the revelation that he apparently lacks access to Muncie City Hall's computer system, Bilbrey asks the obvious question: How can someone serve as "Acting" Mayor and Deputy Mayor without access to the City's computer system?

But Howe wasn't alone.

MRC Board President Isaac Miller once again displayed the behavior that has made him one of the City's biggest yet still nearly unknown assholes! Mayor Dan Ridenour's secretary, Shareen Wagley, also played her part in the drama.

Bilbrey breaks down the clash between city officials and citizens, highlighting the "large" number of McKinley neighborhood residents who attended the meeting to voice concerns about what is happening there. Those citizens held their ground even after Miller tried to limit what the public could say.

After hearing what transpired at the meeting, Bilbrey believes a turning point has been reached — and if this meeting is any indication, things are only going to get more interesting from here.

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VIDEO version of Ep 686: https://youtube.com/live/28gT9E8eSWw

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#685 | The Vulture Eats the Turtle! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey and producer Kate keep a close eye on severe weather in the Midwest, particularly in Illinois and Indiana. The team will be ready to cover and document what comes their way during the live broadcast! The main thing is for everyone to stay vigilant and safe!

Beyond that, Bilbrey has a few points to discuss regarding the current "Acting" Mayor of Muncie, Indiana, George-Jeffrey Howe. With last night's Park Board meeting (Tuesday, June 16, 2026), today's Board of Works meeting (Wednesday, June 17, 2026), and tomorrow's Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting (Thursday, June 18, 2026) in mind, Bilbrey thinks this is the BEST time to ask Howe a few questions that keep coming up, yet no one seems to want to answer them!

Bilbrey then brings up the situation involving the Dunreith Indiana Volunteer Fire Department (in Henry County, Indiana). There appear to be serious issues here, and The Political Spotlight WILL get it sorted!

Lastly, Bilbrey has BREAKING NEWS about the extremely heartbreaking "death of the 11-year-old child of the Delaware County Sheriff's Deputy who left her in his truck after school on August 14, 2025." You WILL NOT want to miss this information, especially if you have been unhappy with the recent decision.

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VIDEO version of Ep 685: https://youtube.com/live/zoVWxf1JuCw

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#682 | Howe Becomes the Acting Mayor of Muncie, Indiana — INDEFINITELY! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey shares and discusses the BREAKING NEWS of the day (Thursday, June 11, 2026). Current "Acting" Mayor of Muncie, Indiana, George-Jeffrey Howe, who was recently appointed "Deputy" Mayor and remains the Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, has filed legal documents along with Muncie City Council President Jeff Green to continue as "Acting" Mayor INDEFINITELY!

INDEFINITELY could mean anything longer than the original 15-day plan that Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour had discussed, and up to 6 months, as outlined in the Indiana Code.

Bilbrey examines the legal filings and shares his thoughts on what this could mean for Muncie in the long term.

You WILL NOT want to miss this episode!

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VIDEO version of Ep 682: https://youtube.com/live/ss2DZcmhw8I

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#681 | The Other Shoe Appears to Be Dropping! | The Political Spotlight

Kristopher H. Bilbrey, Kate Thornburg, & Brandon Rudd (The Political Spotlight) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

*BREAKING... right before going to air LIVE on this episode, a source provided Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey with the Special Prosecutor's Report to the Court in connection to the death of the child who was left in her father's truck on August 14, 2025. Bilbrey discussed this situation in episode 680. Bilbrey decided to cover the items already planned for this episode... but he does finish this episode by reading that report. For more details on that situation, please click the following link to episode 680: https://youtube.com/live/bEIMsKaGmS0 . . . *

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Host Kristopher H. Bilbrey is here to tell the world that the other shoe appears to be dropping!

That's right, the wait to find out whether John Coutinho, Director of the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), knew what his wife, Meagan Coutinho, was up to while she was stealing nearly $209,000 from the Delaware County government, where she also worked as the Office Manager for the Delaware County Emergency Medical Services (EMS)... IS ALMOST OVER!

Sources close to the Delaware County government reported to Bilbrey today, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, that John Coutinho's time as EMA Director, on "paid leave" since Monday, March 23, 2026, will end during the upcoming Delaware County Commissioners meeting, which will take place at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026.

But that's not it! Sources within the Indiana State Police have also stated that John's arrest could come at any time!

Needless to say, it feels as if the other shoe is dropping here!

Then Bilbrey turns his attention to the current "Acting" Mayor of Muncie, Mr. George-Jeff Howe. The recently appointed "Deputy" Mayor... and still the current Director of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission. The City of Muncie provided Bilbrey with the records he requested a couple of days ago... AND SOMETHING... JUST... DOES... NOT... FEEL... RIGHT!

Will this be the other shoe dropping here? Only time will tell!

This episode connects to episode 676. Click the following link to listen to that episode: https://youtube.com/live/oa9h375x6QM . . .

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VIDEO version of Ep 681: https://youtube.com/live/peN24gRaVfc

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