Northwest Indiana Comical Politics

Who Is Destroying NWI?

There is no question that the three major cities of NWI, specifically Lake County, are in dire straits and are sinking lower and lower economically over the past thirty years.  Anyone who questions this, please email me because I have some underwater Florida land I am trying to "pass on" to some one else.

There are several reasons for this state of development.  Some of these reasons are more obvious than others.  Many of the obvious reasons, such as the drop in employment by the steel mills, is well known by the public, the citizens of NWI.  Some of the reasons are not so well known.  Some of these less well known reasons have had a greater consequence for the economic demise of NWI than is recognized.

I have argued in other writings and on my radio program that one of the problems that has limited NWI's economic development is the institutional racism and overall bias against NWI by the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Officers of Indiana's two major universities, Purdue and Indiana University.

Historically, this has manifested itself by the under funding of the NWI campuses to the tune of over $50 million a year compared to what Purdue and Indiana Universities get for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.  (These funding figures do not include the medical and law schools that are at IUPUI.  This is solely concerning general educational funding from Hoosier taxpayers that can only be used for educational needs -- no parking garages, dormitories, or intercollegiate sports.) 

That $50 million per year in returning tax dollars to NWI would have solved all of our property tax and economic development problems years ago.  This is not even taking into account how these new universities would radically change the face and self perception of NWI.  Just think of how Gary would be viewing itself if it had a campus with 20,000 students with a comprehensive law school and a medical school.  Why is the State considering a law school at Indiana State University in Terre Haute but not at IUN in Gary?

It is because of what I have previously called institutional racism.  This is an historical denial of higher education to the highest concentration of Hoosier African-American and Hispanic students in Indiana.  They are all being denied by West Lafayette, Bloomington, and local Administrative officials access to equal education compared to their white counter parts in West Lafayette, Bloomington, or even Indianapolis.  This is not only damaging to the individual students, it is a disaster for the econonomic possibilities for NWI.

We now find that all these "responsible" individuals seem to have been in collusion to break or at best ignore the laws of the State of Indiana.  Since at least 1970, the laws, Code 20-12-16, of the State of Indiana have called for the creation of an Indiana University-Purdue University Calumet region campus advisory board.  To the best of my knowledge or anyone else's this has never been implemented and has been ignored by these administrators.  Not being a lawyer, I nonetheless suspect that this could even be a breach of the State's RICO statute for public officials.  It certainly indicates a pattern. 

Especially when this law specifically calls for the budget for Purdue University Calumet and Indiana University Northwest to be developed exclusively locally beginning in the year 1971.  That is thirty five years ago.

The budget for these campuses can only be developed by this board, which is appointed by the Governor and consists of individuals exclusively from NWI.  If the West Lafayette or Bloomington Boards of Trustees do not agree, they nonetheless have to present the NWI Board's recommendation to the State.  Those of you who want to see the actual law as maintained by the State Legislature the link is below:

Indiana_code_201216.htm

Is anyone going to convince me that since 1970, all these lawyers, mayors, administrators and newspaper reporters did not know of this?  Or unlike myself, they did not care, or maybe even cooperated, in selling NWI's future down the drain.

These are serious questions and I sincerely believe that it is time for the U.S. Attorney to look into this for civil rights violations and for the State's Attorney to look into this for possible RICO charges against the current University administrators for breaking State law repeatedly.  This is a definite pattern, since it happened each year since 1971.

By the way when I met with the Indiana Commission of Higher Education this past fall, I specifically told them that the budget request they have for Purdue University Calumet and Indiana University Northwest was illegal because it did not come from the proper authority as the State law required.  The Presidents of Purdue and Indiana State University were listening as well as all the Commissioners; but, still nothing was done.

By the way I have pointed out this problem to some of our local politicians including Mayors Tom McDermott, Jr. and Rudy Clay.  All to no avail.  As a matter of fact Tom McDermott, Jr. called me to tell me he would have nothing to do with me helping NWI campuses.  I played the tape of his message on the air for NWI citizens to really understand what I have been dealing with in fighting to end this institutional racism.

I now call on the NWI legislative delegation during this session to amend the law to reflect the demographics of 2007 and the addition of Purdue North Central in NWI.  I further call on them to ensure that the laws are followed and the administrators of Indiana's two major universities end their tradition of institutional racism.  More than anything they must insure that NWI has full and total control over its own campuses and tax dollars being returned to us.  The end of this racism and the development of NWI is in their hands.

Lowery Recognizes NWI's Biggest City Mayors as Bums

Tom McDermott, Jr., Mayor of Hammond, George Pabey Mayor of East Chicago, and Rudy Clay Mayor of Gary were missing in action when it came to the implementation phase of the Good Government Initiative.  I have had my differences with the study and its costs; but now that it is done and offers some serious alternatives to reduce government cost to the taxpayer, it deserves a fair hearing from all elected officials.

Those who were not there and did not care are nothing more than BUMS, to paraphrase Yogi Berra of the NY Yankees.

Along with Yogi Berra, Dr. Dan Lowery seems to be joining my perception.  Here is his quote from today's (01/27/07) NWI Times Newspaper:

Dan Lowery, vice president of academic affairs at Calumet College of St. Joseph, said of their absence, "I call this studied ignorance. It is an intentional not knowing. It takes real effort to be unengaged. They think they can wait people out. I hate to think an election loss is the only thing to threaten them."

Saving tax money and increasing the efficiency of service is what government and being a public official is all about.  Otherwise what is your value to the citizens which you serve?  Nothing.  That should be the voters response to the non-attendees at the conference.

One of the central problems is that one of the non-attendees, Tom McDermott, does not have any opposition in his upcoming election.  I would argue that this is not the result of the good job he has done but rather his sellout to the financial interests of Crown Point and his drive of a competitive middle class out of Hammond.  The sad part is that he should know better with his claim to a higher level of education than his other two cohorts.

McDermott's problem could be that he was teaching his class between 9 am and 12 noon.  At least that is the excuse.  In the past he has had people take his place in class when he needed to be away.  He still could have attended at least half the meetings and shown his support for reducing the burden on Hammond tax payers.  This shows the real problem with a public official holding multiple jobs.  McDermott said when he took an adjunct teaching position at PUC that this would not get in the way of his governing and service to the people of Hammond.  He was wrong.

East Chicago and Gary were badly served.  Sadly this is not new and will continue until new people and thinking emerge from those cities.  Or truth be told, they are declared bankrupt, which they are, and let an outside entity govern them since they have shown they cannot govern themselves.  These cities have had over forty years to achieve something and they have achieved nothing.  When is enough, enough?  Dr. Lowery calls them ignorent.  They are because ingnorant is when you do not know that you don't know.  That is our three mayors.

Like Father Like Son, Tax Delinquent Bums

With all the problems and issues arising from the current tax property fiasco, it is of interest that the McDermott family is shafting the municipalities and county by not paying their property taxes.  This must be a family habit.  This is not surprising given the proclivity of the son to follow in ALL the father's footsteps.

According to the County records the father, Tom McDermott, Sr. is in arrears on his property taxes for over $40,000.  That is not chump change people.

Here is the specific details from the Lake County Records:

Lake County Tax Information

Now at over $40,000 in property tax non-payment, you and I know that this is not the only financial dive the father is taking.  Where else is he in debt and how has he schemed to get it payed off?  He certainly has no legal means of supporting his habits that anyone has seen.  Could he be looking to fund his way through his son's position?

Now the problem with the son is that he also has property tax problems.

Family habits die hard, or not at all.  If any of you think that Tom McDermott, Jr. interest is the City of Hammond then the joke is on you.  He cannot even insure that his own family takes care of the basics of paying property taxes.  As a matter of fact, he still has a delinquent property tax payment overdue from his time in legal practice with John Cantrell.

I wonder if the rest of the citizens of Lake County can get a $40,000 plus forgiveness to pay their property taxes when they feel like it.  Or do you have to be connected to the political mafia of Hammond or the financial mafia of Crown Point?  I do feel sorry for the rest of us citizens who have to carry the burden of these dead-beats.

Anti-Semitism is Alive and Well in Hammond

It is truly a sad day when one finds out that the city where one's parents are buried is rife with anti-Semitic behavior.  Here is the story: 

Hammond_Jewish_cemetery_vandalized.htm

Although there was some minor damage to the non-Jewish cemetery across the street, as usual, the major damage, for at least the third time was to the Kneseth Israel Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery.  Thank G-D that my parents graves were not desecrated.  I cannot say that for others.  Some beautiful old, over 75 years old, head stones and grave markers were turned over (more than the 11 reported according to my count) and graves were trampled and desecrated.  One suspects that the only reason Jewish individuals and places of worship are not attacked is because most have left Hammond.  Let us not forget that it was only four years or so ago that Congregation Beth Israel on Hohman was severely desecrated with Nazi graffiti and hate slogans.  Congregation Beth Israel has since relocated to Munster.

The sad fact is that the Mayor of Hammond has not said a word about these acts publicly nor has he gone to the Jewish community or cemetery to show support in confronting this racist behavior.  I even listened for some word on his radio show this morning -- nothing.  Why not?

Is it possible that McDermott's attitude toward Jews is consistent with the anti-semitic attitude of one of his most ardent supporters, who is also one of his political appointees, and potential new city hire?  Steve Fowler, an ardent supporter and advisor, a political appointee, and potentially a new city worker, of Mayor McDermott, Jr., continues to utilize my middle name, which is Hebrew, in a condescending and anti-semitic manner whenever he can on the WJOB discussion board, The Times discussion board, as well as in his comments in my blog. 

The Mayor has neither condemned the anti-semitic behavior of people in his city nor has he condemned the anti-semitic behavior of his adviser.  What is sad is that this adviser, Steve Fowler, works for the County, he is rumored to be moving to a full time Hammond city job, and McDermott named him to the Hammond Sanitary Commission from which he draws a monthly stipend/salary.

It is certainly time that Hammond clean its house of anti-Semitism.  From where I sit, it needs to start with the Mayor's house and his advisers.

Anti-Semitism Remains

For those of you who may have read the replies of Fowler in the comments to my previous post one should note that as a true anti-Semite he shows that he can make things up about a Jewish person very quickly.  This is what anti-Semites do; they accuse someone Jewish of having power that they, in reality, do not have. 

I suspect that he also keeps a copy of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in his desk drawer.   There is as little truth and accuracy in what he says about me as there is in the "protocols." 

What he does not mention is that the Jewish Cemetery is hit constantly more than others and that is know by the Hammond police.  Desecration of a Jewish cemetery is by definition a hate crime and anti-Semitism.  Why was most, by far, of the damage done only to the Jewish cemetery?

I rarely use my middle name, except for religious reasons.  Fowler is one of the very few people who certainly has access to it.  One of the few place in Indiana it is available is in the office Fowler works at where my father's estate papers are filed, the Hammond County Clerk's probate office.  How else have you abused your oath?

The Times on their own decided to block my last name when false accusations against me started appearing on a regular basis on their discussion boards.  One could have used Maurice or Mo or Eisen or even "that guy I hate."  I guess using professor, which I earned through the evaluation of my peers would have been too much for Fowler because of his dis-like for Jews.  But no, the only name he could find to use is the one that is not even known by some of my closest friends, Moshe, and is solely linked to my religion.

Since he has shown his hatred of me derives from my religion, the City of Hammond or any public entity should clean its house of such "stuff" as soon as possible.

US Attorney Deserves Better from NWI

On Friday, 01/12/2007, Rich James usual Friday editorial column ran.  James wrote about the the nomination of U.S. Attorney Joe Van Bokkelen to a federal judgeship.  If I had not read the column myself, I would not believe that someone could write such criticism of the one person who has effectively brought some level of civility and lawfulness to the public arena of NWI. 

For those who did not see the column here is a link to it:

Van_Bokkelen_Judgeship.htm

I had often been told that James is "in the pockets" of the Democratic powers that be, but I always gave him the benefit of the doubt.  His column on Van Bokkelen, though, looks like the rumor has legs.  What James said about Van Bokkelen could only be done by an individual that is so partisan, so "in the pockets" of the Democratic powers, and so blind to the basic thievery that has been going on by public officials in NWI, that it goes beyond mere partisanship.  James should rename his column "The Weekly Democratic Stump."  By the way, were was Rich James over the past twenty-years when he could not find a white-collar political crime to criticize? 

The essential argument of the piece is that Mr. Van Bokkelen is being rewarded for his partisan attack on the Lake County Democratic Party.  For example, the reason given for Van Bokkelen even becoming the U. S. Attorney for the Northern District is "the lure of being in a position to dismantle the Lake County Democratic Party was too much to turn down."  There is neither evidence that this even went through Van Bokkelen's mind nor that it even went into his consideration of any of the work that he has done as U. S. Attorney.

Quite the opposite.  Mr. Van Bokkelen has been the only saving grace for NWI in its pursuit for some ethical political basis.  True, he has been at the center of making a dent in a criminal enterprise called the Lake County Democratic Party; but, who has ever complained about that.  Only the criminals themselves.  Now extraordinarily, these same criminals have a defender in their corner in the editorial columns of the Post-Tribune.

Several years ago I sat at a meeting of a number of Democratic candidates and city and town chairmen from Lake County.  In this meeting, the former Lake County Democratic Chair Steve (Stig) Stiglich gave the same argument about what the U. S. Attorney and also Steve Carter the Indiana State Attorney were doing: "This is not about crime (theft, extortion, ghost-pay-rolling, voting irregularities, etc.) this is solely a partisan attack of Republicans against the Democrats."  And why is this occurring?  Stig's answer was because the Republicans are in power and they can.  He further argued that this is what the Lake County Democratic Party needs to sell to the voters.  Essentially what they sold to the voters is that this is not about the criminal enterprise called the Lake County Democratic Party, this is about partisan politics and and Republicans have no sense of humor.

Even many of the people in the room did not buy this story.  But now we have James re-inventing this story and weaving it into an explanation for why Von Bokkelen was nominated to the Federal Bench.

It is truly insulting and accurately reflects what is wrong and continues to be wrong in NWI and in particular Lake County.  Rather than thanking a person who has truly made a difference in NWI ethical behavior and reinforcing both the government's action and the fact that the citizens of NWI will not accept the kind of behavior that over 35 people have been convicted of, we have Rich James showing the worst side of NWI by turning the conviction of thieves, liars, and charlatans into a partisan meaningless act.

For the citizens of NWI who care about its future, I want to thank Mr. Van Bokkelen for his hard work and effort in correcting the cesspool that is NWI Democratic Politics.  He is really going to be missed.  The history of U. S. attorneys in NWI has been far from stellar.  They have usually been as effective as Bernie Carter in shutting down political crime.

To the Dutchman, "Joe we in Lake County are really going to miss your effort; but our best wishes go with you as a judge.  We hope that your successor will keep up your honest and effective tradition."

Black Community to Challenge McDermott

Not surprisingly minority communities are a strange and unfamiliar territory for the Mayor of Hammond, Tom McDermott, Jr.  The reason for this is that most of his support and comfort level is predominantly from the white community, in so far as real support exists.

In spite of all the promises and programs that were presented when he was a candidate and during his early years as mayor, none have trickled down to the minority communities of Hammond.  Maybe McDermott thought that the RDA was going to impress the minority community of Hammond when they take the train to Valparaiso.  Maybe it was the "College Bound" program, which is specifically targeted against Hispanics and Blacks because it excludes renters most of whom are minority citizens of Hammond, would make minorities think well of Hammond's Mayor.

Or maybe it is the much vaunted Cabellas that is going to help the minority community.  There are a lot of the urban Blacks and Hispanics who are into bow hunting.  These are the ones who are going to rush out there and improve themselves with the new Cabellas' minimum wage jobs thanks to McDermott, Jr. and his father.

The African-American community in Hammond may finally be arriving at a smart decision.  Rumors currently floating around knowledgeable circles are predicting that the African-American community will put up someone against the Mayor in the primary.

Their thinking is that first, anyone running will be more acceptable as a Democrat than Republican McDermott.  Second, a Black candidate only has to get the Black vote and a decent percentage of the Hispanic vote resulting in the Republican Junior having real trouble. 

Does it guarantee a win against McDermott?  The Black community recognizes no; but they feel there is little to lose since Junior has been less than valuable to either the Black or Hispanic community.  And given the change in demographics it also is an approach that could win for the minority community.  Then the Hispanic and Black community will really be able to control their own future in Hammond.

McDermott Turns Deaf Ear to Low-Income Citizens

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott, Jr. on his radio show turned a deaf ear to low-income Hoosiers and small businesses.  Essentially, he told them to "go-to-hell."  How did he do that?  By expressing a complete lack of caring in regard to their economic conditions, i.e. inability to pay for his exorbitant budget.

First, he rejects the 2% cap on property tax in favor of an income tax.  It does not matter if the tax is a local Lake County tax or an increase in the Indiana State income tax, they both are regressive.  Regressive means they hit the poorest of our community the hardest. You pretty well pay it on your first dollar and everything after that.  The people who are hurt the most and benefit the least are the people in our society who can least afford it. 

That should not be a surprise coming from McDermott who many individuals -- in their conversations with me -- have characterized as narcissistic and "full of himself."  The last people who he would care about are the low-income and the poor; those who can least help him make more money. 

Who was it who thought of him as a Democrat?  Now he is showing his true colors.  I am fully disgusted that anyone in this great State of Indiana allowed him to even set foot in any Democratic domain.  All you Democrats out there, so called, who supported him should be ashamed of yourself for what he is about to do to the people who depended on you.  McDermott, Jr. does not even pass the test of a "compassionate conservative."

The mayor out of hand dismisses the 2% cap on rental properties.  The only NWI politician to recognize the need to hold the line on spending and the 2% cap is Commissioner DuPey.  Again the Mayor in his usual selfishness is telling the low-income to "shove it." People who own rental properties must pass on the property tax to their renters.  Otherwise logic tells any intelligent person that they will go out of business very quickly.  Who predominantly rents in NWI?  The answer is low-income citizens.  Why should they carry the burden?

When a Hammond small business man called the radio show to appeal for a 2% cap on business because he is being driven out of business, the Mayor had no sympathy.  The caller informed the Mayor that he is currently paying 5% property tax on his business.  The Mayor's indifferent answer was that he should consider himself lucky for having a 2% cap on his residence and quit griping.

Not only is this mixing apples and oranges indicating the Mayor's complete lack of business and economic awareness; it also indicates a Mayor completely out of touch with the small people.  Who is it that owns small businesses?  You and me, our parents, that is who owns them.  It is not like the big five businesses in NWI that have a slew of lawyers and lobbyists for special legislation to protect them.  Small businesses are protected by their local Mayor. 

Well Hammond's small people and small businesses have all been thrown over by the so called Democratic Mayor.  That is the true embarassment of NWI.

NWI Politicians Want to Continue Milking the Public Financially

Lake County is facing a disaster of its own making.  By the year 2010 the 2 percent property tax cap will not only apply to residential property but will also be extended to rental properties in 2008 and then to businesses in 2010. 

Lake County taxing units overall will lose about $280 million.  After decades of promises to cut their budgets, these taxing units will be forced to stop fleecing its citizens and businesses. 

This is uniquely a Lake County problem.  Porter County is projected to loose $380,000 by 2010 – manageable.  The next closest problem is Marion County with a $57 million shortage by 2010.  Marion County is twice the size of Lake County and has NO gambling revenues.  I am sure they will solve their problems without resorting to confiscatory tax measures.

It is Lake County’s elected officials who are crying, “The end is near, the problem is unsolvable.”  Approximately three years ago in one of my early writings, I indicated that the Lake County Commissioners had one member with sufficient fortitude to act like a man and that was Lake County Commissioner Fran DuPey.  This was when she stood up and said no to Mayors Duane Dedelow of Hammond, Robert Pastrick of East Chicago, and Scott King of Gary.  That resounding no was to the passage of a Lake County income tax.  She specifically told them there is no way she was willing to support a new tax until they get their own financial houses in order.  Man that is telling it like it is.

Now we are back again with the same situation and thank God we have the same Commissioner standing up to the Mayors, although now it is Tom McDermott, Jr. of Hammond, George Pabey of East Chicago, and Rudy Clay of Gary, and the other elected officials who have changed nothing over the past four years to address putting their financial house in order.

It is only going to be DuPey’s courage that is going to save the citizens of Lake County from confiscatory taxes.  The politicians will accomplish this by either dropping the 2 percent cap or finding a bunch of new taxes to burden us.  Particularly popular is the idea of fleecing citizens throughout Lake County to pay for the governmental bloat of Hammond, Gary, and East Chicago.

This is twice now that DuPey at critical times has stood up for the citizens of Lake County, even ones not in her district.  The sad fact is that in another two years Commissioner DuPey’s term will be over and she has indicated she will not run again.  Who is going to stand for the citizens?

Not George Pabey, who just sold East Chicago for $100,000 to keep John Aguilera from running against him.  How about an ethical stand from Mayor Tom McDermott, Jr.?  The chief investigator from Chicago’s Better Government Association’s, in personal correspondence to me regarding the Cabella’s deal said that “it is at best highly unethical.”  This same McDermott also raised his budget every year and insisted on a personal raise. These have been the norms in NWI political circles; Fran DuPey has been the exception.  Future politicians elected by the voters of Lake County must be able to govern not to just be pretty boys and girls.

All the citizens of NWI need to vote in less of the Pabey’s and McDermott’s and more of the DuPey’s.  If we don’t the downward spiral of Lake County will continue unabated.

 

The politicians and civic leaders that NWI needs are the ones that can solve problems not create them.  The Pabeys, the McDermotts, the Clays, and their unelected cronies have only caused a disaster through their ignorance and mediocraty.  Ignorance is defined as when you do not know that you do not know.  They have no idea how to get out of their own mess.

The solution is two fold cut spending dramatically and simultaneously increase the assesset value of Lake County.  Neither of these programs have they even made the slightest dent in.  As a matter of fact it is the opposite.  The spending is going up geometrically and the assessed value is droping relative to inflation and the politicians' hunger for more public money to waste.

The only solution is to vote the incumbents out.  There is not one good reason for keeping any of them in office.