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http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../news/news4.txt

Two battle it out for 6th Ward

By Jason Miller, The News-Dispatch

Phil Jankowski has made a name for himself during his first term as the Michigan City Common Council's 6th Ward representative.

He's gone after the spending habits of the city's Sanitary District and has battered Park Department and board officials over perceived spending issues, alleged nepotism, alleged racism and cronyism.

His opponent in Tuesday's Democratic primary thinks Jankowski should be drummed out of office for those reasons.

“Some council members routinely demonstrate they lack communication skills and lack the courage to deal with people directly,” Tom Thomas said. “This is unprofessional. The lack of courage to admit being wrong, and the lack of ability to work with department heads - which some members have shown repeatedly - are also unprofessional characteristics.”

Thomas, owner of the marketing firm Lighthouse Industries, has joined a chorus of other challengers looking to replace Jankowski and 2nd Ward councilman Paul Przybylinski, who challengers say are unprofessional.

The two have come under fire for their perceived displeasure with the Park Board and Sanitary District, and for what challengers have called poor communication skills with department heads, businessmen and the public.

Jankowski, vice chancellor of business at Purdue University-North Central, defends his efforts to root out issues he sees within the departments.

“It is unfortunate that speaking the truth may be viewed as unprofessional,” he said. “It is my duty to challenge a city department that provides false information, wastes or gives away my constituents' money, makes millions of dollars in errors, hires one of its own board members as a financial consultant, misrepresents minority employment status and gives lucrative contracts to family and friends.”

While the two candidates disagree on Jankowski's methods of governing, both agree that the city's North End should be turned into a more vital area.

Jankowski said any redevelopment must take into consideration the natural surroundings.

“The North End could be redeveloped to provide great entertainment for residents and visitors, as well as increase our tax base,” he said. “Redevelopment should include recreational, residential, and commercial components. Care should be taken to retain the natural environment of the lakefront area.”

Thomas agreed, saying the North End has the potential for several projects at once.

“Eighth Street to Franklin Street, up to the lakefront, should have continuous projects in motion,” he said. “We have an opportunity to add hundreds of millions of dollars to the tax rolls, combining residential and retail/commercial development. Why wouldn't we want these new monies to supplement (casino revenues) and enhance city services?”