As they do at this time every year, the Nielsen company has released their market rankings based on the number of TV households they estimate.  Indianapolis actually grew this year, up less than half a percent (4.790 households), holding its position at in the Top 25 TV markets (at number 25).  Indy now has 1,119,760 homes with TV sets.

But Raleigh-Durham is not far behind, having grown by more than 27,000 homes or 2.5%.  Look for Indy to get knocked out of the Top 25 unless something happens in the next year to spur growth locally.  Indy was pushed back for a while by Charlotte, NC which continues to grow at a two plus percent rate.

The growth for Indianapolis is a bit of a rarity for cities in the midwest and still dependent to some degree on manufacturing.  Detroit, while holding at number 11, lost near 37,000 TV households (about two percent of last year’s number). Also losing: St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Balitimore, Columbus, OH , Milwaukee and Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo.  And, based on what we’re hearing about foreclosures, it’s no surprise to see drops for Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Las Vegas.

In Indiana, South Bend and Terre Haute saw slight increases.  Evansville and Fort Wayne lost population.

Here’s the list:

I’m not the paranoid type, but I think the City of Carmel is plotting against me.  They certainly have motive.

I’ve been bugging them about everything from improperly signed and striped roundabouts to their crews tearing up my yard as they add even more roundabouts and divide the roadway.  I learned a lot about what right-of-way and easements mean.  Basically, utility crews can dig up the first 15 or so feet into your yard, tear out your sprinkler system and it’s your problem.  But that’s another subject for another rant.

My paranoia started when I was pulled over by a Carmel cop for improper lane change while in a roundabout.  It really wasn’t apparent how one should enter the circle but, upon studying it, he was right.  But, they’re are lots of others flagrantly misusing the traffic circles.  I think he was waiting for me.

More evidence.  Friday my wife was putting along in her little bluish gray Scion.  A cop tailing her ran her license and suspected foul play.  He pulled her over.  The crime?  The computer showed that license belonged on a gray Toyota. She calmly showed him the registration, explained that Scions are manufactured by Toyota and that the color on the registration matched the car.  Innocent?  Definitely, but still worth a warning complete with warning ticket.  I’m not sure what the warning was about.  Maybe to watch out for cops that have no clue.

Outstanding citizen that she is, she immediately ran  by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to make sure the paperwork was in order.  The opinion from the BMV?  Complete disbelief.  The paperwork’s in order and the Carmel cop was a bit overzealous.

Maybe so.  But I’m not taking any chances.  “Re-elect Jim Brainard” stickers for the back and front bumpers..all cars.