[ChickenCityRoller]

If you would like to view LaPorte county government as it should
function, please visit: http://www.alco.org/index.php/alco-tv/113-...unty-commission

for a video feed of today's meeting, with the board actually opening
and READING ALOUD bids for projects (If only this had happened with
the Nexus Group).

Newly elected Commission President Ken Layton came to his first
meeting today ready to work for taxpayers.

Attorney Craig Braje, is with the law firm Nelson, Braje and Janes in
MC. Below is an excerpt from Lawyers.com regarding his experience:

Craig V. Braje (Member) born Melrose Park, Illinois, October 21, 1949;
admitted to bar, 1974, Indiana and Illinois. Education: Western
Illinois University (B.A., 1971); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1974).
Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award, 1972. Corporation Counsel,
City of Michigan City, Indiana, 1976-1979. LaPorte County Deputy
Prosecutor, 1979-1987. LaPorte County Public Defender, 1994—. Member:
La Porte County, Porter County, Indiana State, Illinois State and
American Bar Associations; Indiana Trial Lawyers Association; American
Trial Lawyers Association; National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers. Languages: English. Practice Areas: Civil and Criminal
Litigation; Personal Injury; Commercial Law; Real Estate Law; Family
Law; Domestic Relations Law; Medical Malpractice.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Craig? What is the deal with Scott? Why the difference with the two threads?

[ChickenCityRoller]

The man's name is Craig. The other thread is the Job's on the line thread. This is the official Friedman is gone thread.

[Roger Kaputnik]

I will go along with that! Now hear ye: THIS is the official disFriedmanisation thread.

Now to get the rest of the nomenklatura out!!!!!

[kharris]

Craig? What is the deal with Scott? Why the difference with the two threads?

Sorry ... provided wrong first name.............

[Roger Kaputnik]

bump

[ChickenCityRoller]

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=20124

County ousts Friedman

Craig Davison
For The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - The La Porte County Commission ousted Shaw Friedman as legal counsel for 2009 during its first meeting of the year Tuesday.

The commission selected the firm Braje, Nelson & Janes LLP of Michigan City to replace the prominent La Porte attorney and his firm, Friedman & Associates P.C., of La Porte.

Commissioner Mike Bohacek, who made the motion for Craig Braje and his firm, said it was time for a change.

"I felt it was time for a fresh set of eyes," he said after the meeting.

Friedman and his firm have represented the county for 20 of the last 24 years.

Braje, who has practiced law for 35 years, said his firm was asked to interview for the position.

Bohacek said the commission interviewed multiple firms about the position.

Braje has also been a city attorney for Michigan City, public defender for the county and deputy prosecutor.

Friedman said in a statement he was honored to serve the County Commissioners and that he intended to call Braje to offer his congratulations. Friedman also pledged a smooth transition.

He said his firm has worked hard at keeping settlements and judgments to a minimum, and they tried to give taxpayers the biggest bang for their buck as possible.

Friedman said he was proud of, among multiple cases, the success in litigation involving NIPSCO, rates and services.

The commission made several other appointments at the meeting.

All department heads in the county were retained. Barbara Huston said they made that decision because department heads were doing a "fine job."

They also made several appointments to boards in the county, most of whom were reappointed.

The commission, with new commissioner Ken Layton, also elected officers. Huston was elected president and Bohacek elected vice president.