Day in the life of the mayor is a busy one 10.26.11

WTHR

INDIANAPOLIS - The November 5 election is fast approaching.

Eyewitness News was recently granted a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the candidates running for Indianapolis mayor. Citybeat reporter Mary Milz spent half a day with Republican incumbent Greg Ballard and Democratic challenger Melina Kennedy, not to talk issues, but to see how a typical day unfolds in the heat of a campaign.

Photographer Russ Govert and I arrived at the mayor's office just before 9 a.m. on a recent Wednesday. Just behind us? Mayor Greg Ballard and his wife, Winnie. As first lady, she too has an office on the 25th floor.

We follow the mayor into his corner office. Even on a rainy day, the view is spectacular, but there's little time to soak it in. Public Works Director David Sherman has arrived to brief the mayor on several Rebuild Indy projects.

No sooner does Sherman leave than Deputy Mayor Michael Huber arrives to update the mayor on economic development issues. Before things begin, the mayor steps out to make sure staff have arranged for tents at a ribbon cutting later that morning.

The mayor tells me his days are long. He's usually up by 6 a.m. and on the go until 8 or 9 at night.
"People like to see the mayor and I like to get out," he says. "We're empty nesters, so it helps with late nights. As long as I get some sleep, food and exercise, we're okay."

After finishing up with Huber, Ballard drops in on Chief of Staff Chris Cotterill, who's surprised to see a TV camera rolling.

"Are we doing something today?" he laughs.

"Oh, Mary Milz is following me for four hours," the mayor responds. "Just wanted to check if everything's okay."

With his security detail in tow, we take the freight elevator down to the first floor of the CCB. A political unknown four years ago, Greg Ballard and Winnie are stopped several times as they leave the building and head across the street to City Market. The mayor wants to see how progress is going on the west wing and talk to a couple of the new vendors.

One tells him, "the line is pretty strong at lunch time." Another says, "I'm serving up apple crisps today."
Asked what his favorite food is, the mayor says, "I'm kind of a meat and potatoes guy."

And desserts?

"I eat a little chocolate and ice cream, but nothing I'm craving," he says.

Life has changed dramatically since the retired Marine, who never ran for any office before, upset democrat Bart Peterson in 2007 with a grassroots campaign and shoestring budget.

"It has (changed)," he says. "It's more public with what we're doing."

The mayor never goes anywhere without an officer.

"It was hard initially, but not anymore. I'm used to it. Unfortunately, it's necessary as I've come to find out."

So is letting someone else do the driving. The mayor goes everywhere in the back seat of a city car. He does miss being in the driver's seat.

"Yeah, I love to drive. A long drive is really relaxing," he says. "The last time I drove, I think was to Nashville, Tennessee."

Winnie is often at the mayor's side. They've been married 28 years and have two adult children.
"We met in San Clemente, California. Winnie was working in a bank and I was a young Marine. I'd go to the bank a lot - you know how that goes."

The mayor wants to stop by the new bike hub in the east wing of City Market. It's a favorite topic, especially since he rides several times a week for fitness and stress relief.

"They always talk about when you're going up a hill and it hurts so much? So, you don't worry about the budget," he laughs.

Next up? A short drive to 10th Street adjacent to the White River, where Ballard will dedicate the Medal of Honor Bridge. Dozens of veterans attend, sharing in the ribbon cutting.

The mayor counts down using military lingo, "Ready on the firing line? One, two, three..."

We're soon on our way to a luncheon on the other side of town. I ask him what he does in his spare time, when he has it?

"I rest at home, I really do," he says.

The mayor is known as a very good golfer, but says, "I haven't played much at all."

When he does, "It's with the same group of guys I've played with since 2001 when I retired from the Marines and came back from Germany. They keep me laughing."
As for something that may surprise people about him?
"That I'm an introvert. I'm not seeking the spotlight really, I'm not looking for it. It's part of the job and you gotta do what you gotta do."
Four hours and several stops later, we leave the mayor at an east side restaurant, knowing his day isn't even close to being half over and also knowing he doesn't drink coffee.
"No, not at all. Never," he says.
Wednesday on Eyewitness News, Mary Milz will follow Democratic challenger Melina Kennedy for half a day.
http://www.wthr.com/story/15874221/day-in-the-life-of-the-mayor-is-a-busy-one