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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...28260104850.txt

Mayoral candidates differ on issue of city raises

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, October 2, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Michigan City’s three mayoral candidates vary on the issue of offering city employees raises.

With a Common Council meeting regarding the raises looming Tuesday night, Ron Meer, Third Ward councilman and Democratic mayoral candidate, says he will support a small raise for employees at this time, but in lieu of future raises, benefits in the health-insurance plan must take center stage.

“More important (than raises), early next year health insurance has to be addressed aggressively,” Meer said. “We need to make it less out of pocket and less of a deductible, as well as creating a better pension plan.”

Republican mayoral candidate Keith Harris also says it is time to offer city employees a raise after four years without one, but to do it “in a responsible fashion.”

*
Meer and Harris, however, differ in the way they would make that happen.

“We can do that through the riverboat money,” Meer said. “We are safe to use up to 25 percent of that for day-to-day operations.”

But Harris said that “would be the wrong way to go about it.

“That is not a guaranteed source of income,” he said, offering an idea to “identify waste and inefficient spending across the board” through an evaluation of every city department.

“That is where we could find the revenue to give raises,” he said. “There are always ways to cut spending.”

Independent mayoral candidate Nancy Moldenhauer says it would be better “to keep wages steady,” as opposed to “having to lay off employees in every department.”

She notes 11 percent of the city is unemployed, with many more “underemployed.”

“If we continue on our current spending course based on projected revenues, our city will be in serious debt in three years,” she said.

In lieu of raises, Moldenhauer proposes all department heads “look to providing job related growth and development opportunities.

“I’m committed to expanding Michigan City’s tax base by supporting the growth of companies currently in our city and attracting new business and industry, especially high-tech and green, so such challenging choices become a thing of the past.”

While the Democrat and Republican candidates disagree on riverboat funds, Harris agrees with Meer that the “city needs to do much better on the insurance plan.

“That will be on top of the list of things to do” if elected mayor, Harris said.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...07196474812.txt

Gamut of issues dominates forum

Greg Tuel (far left), Krueger Neighborhood Association president and forum moderator, reads a question Thursday night to mayoral candidates Keith Harris (from left), Nancy Moldenhauer and Ron Meer. Photo by Tim Moran
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, October 7, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Mayoral candidates Keith Harris, Ron Meer and Nancy Moldenhauer tackled everything from the future of the parks and the South Shore realignment to the utilization of green space and neighborhood concerns during Thursday night’s candidate forum.

Krueger Neighborhood Association hosted the event at Krueger Memorial Park. KNA President Greg Tuel served as moderator. He began with a question for each candidate on the KNA’s public statement that any “northern route” of the South Shore line should be eliminated because it would “threaten the character and integrity of the neighborhood” by having the tracks run through the heart of the Krueger neighborhood.

“It’s an issue we are very interested in right now,” Tuel said before the forum.

While each candidate reiterated their stance against the 11th Street route Harris, the Republican candidate, said would close off 17 city streets and Moldenhauer, the Independent candidate, suggested would remove about 100 homes, each had a different vision for what could work.

*
Meer, the Democratic candidate, said “further variations” of the northern route could be considered without sacrificing green space. That scenario, he said, would “spur redevelopment” and allow train riders to be in walking distance of the city’s top features.

But Moldenhauer said any route that takes away green space “probably needs to be eliminated,” noting it is most important to decide “who the train is for.” She said if it is for the people of Michigan City, the CSX plan, which would ride through the south end of town near Al’s Supermarket, would work best “to serve both northern and southern city residents.”

Harris also said the “ideal plan” would be the one “least intrusive to city residents,” offering the possibility that the tracks remain where they are for some time because of a current deadline Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has with the plan for realignment to be completed three years from now.

Meer said if that were the case, the city would “still need a state of the art station in that location,” and that Michigan City could begin to market the uniqueness of having a train running parallel to traffic.

Parks

Meer and Harris disagreed on the possibility of private development taking place at Washington Park, while Moldenhauer said any development near Lake Michigan should only happen in the areas “where trees have already been cut down.”

“There should not be any private development in the park so we can preserve the natural resource our residents and visitors can enjoy,” Meer said.

Harris said “the right kind of private-public partnership” could be successful in luring additional visitors, noting that private business “already exists” in that area.

Employment

All candidates showed strong opposition when asked about the possibility of laying off city workers.

“Adding to our unemployment and underemployment would be a major problem for the city,” Moldenhauer said.

Harris said it’s “the last thing we need to do,” adding, “We will be able to identify enough wasteful areas of practices to cover expenses without using riverboat funds.”

Meer said the city needs “all the workers we have,” while opposing Harris on the use of riverboat funds for day to day operations.

He said limiting the spending of riverboat funds would allow the city to build up reserves “in case any funding is taken away.”

The North End

Meer and Harris differed on talks of reverting Franklin Square into a two-way fare.

While noting the potential parking issues in the arts district, Meer said he “would be in favor of exploring two-way traffic, with signage (directing visitors to the lake) that could go a long way.”

“Washington and Pine streets should also be reverted to two-way traffic,” he added. “It would bring us all to and from the lakefront.”

Harris said two-way traffic on Franklin “would be a mistake.”

“With the obstruction of the library and other buildings, I do not see a purpose there,” he said. “The northern flow on Pine Street and southern flow on Washington also works fine as is.”

Moldenhauer called the matter “a safety issue” and showed concern for the downtown shops and galleries that would “lose parking” if the street were made two-way.

Bus service

Harris and Moldenhauer addressed a question from the public on the possibility of enhancing bus service.

Harris said while seven-day service “would be nice,” the city first needs to find a way to be able to fund it.

“We need to find ways to have smaller buses and run with flex schedules,” he said.

Moldenhauer said if there are any employees unable to get to work, “we have a major problem in our community.”

She said if elected mayor on her “Green City of Northern Indiana” platform, the idea of buying electric buses would be considered.

Administration changes

While Harris said it is still “premature” to plan any governmental changes, Meer said he is “aware of the shortfalls of various department” and the “lack of cooperation because of the lack of leadership.”

Meer also noted he already began looking at possible candidates to fill positions that will become vacant regardless of who is elected.

[Southsider2k12]

Links to each candidates interviews with the Chamber.

Keith Harris
http://library.constantcontact.com/downloa...ses+CHAMBER.pdf

Ron Meer
http://library.constantcontact.com/downloa...ses+CHAMBER.pdf

Nancy Moldenhauer
http://library.constantcontact.com/downloa...nsesCHAMBER.pdf

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...60787637527.txt

League sponsors candidate forum

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, October 15, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The League of Women Voters of La Porte County will host a candidate forum for all mayoral and council candidates beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Common Council chambers of City Hall.

The forum is open to all members of the voting public.

Betty Lou Nault, president of the League of Women Voters, says the format will be similar to that of earlier debates at Elston Middle School and Krueger Memorial Park, except with the addition of at-large, first ward and sixth ward council candidates.

”Our reason (to hold the event) is to help the public make an informed decision on who they choose to vote for,” Nault said.

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The majority of the questions will be submitted by the audience before being screened by members of the League of Women Voters.

They will be directed mostly to contested candidates, Nault said.

Nault said the League membership may also have questions of their own.

Unopposed candidates in the city election for the second ward, third ward, fourth ward, fifth ward and city clerk seats will be introduced and invited to make a brief statement.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...3a066777854.txt

Candidates in Sixth Ward raceshed light on area’s key issues

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, October 23, 2011 5:57 PM CDT
Editor’s note — This is part of an ongoing series profiling city candidates in the November election.

MICHIGAN CITY — Michigan City’s Sixth Ward is its largest in terms of area. It is also the largest ward in terms of candidates in the city’s upcoming general election.

With no incumbent seeking re-election, Republican Mike Gonder, Democrat Chris Schwanke and Libertarian Mark Lindborg vie for the council seat now held by Phil Jankowski. Gonder and Schwanke responded earlier this week to questions about issues facing the city and the Sixth Ward.

Gonder, campaigning with his “Moving Michigan City forward” slogan, works at Sullivan-Palatek as its industrial sales manager and has served on the La Porte County Economic Redevelopment Commission as its secretary for two years. He also has been the Michigan City election chairman for the Republican Party on the La Porte County Republican Party Central committee and a four-time Indiana Republican Party state delegate.

*
Schwanke, who says the Sixth Ward “has been the forgotten ward of the city for too long,” has been a member of the Historic Review Board for more than 15 years, now serving as the board’s vice chairman.

Repeated attempts to contact Lindborg were unsuccessful.

N-D: What would you say is the No. 1 issue facing the people of the Sixth Ward, and how do you plan to address that as its councilman?

Schwanke: Jobs are always a hot topic. I have stated for a long time now that the (Indiana) 212 corridor is prime for development with industrial parks at either end. We need to aggressively market these areas to a diverse blend of industry as well as retail. This is an issue that is consistent throughout our city. What is important is what the residents feel to be issues within the ward. Bus service is one, as well as our inner city park, and lighting that improves the safety within our neighborhoods. I plan to stand up for the residents and give them the best service that they could have. The Sixth Ward has been the forgotten ward for too long.

Gonder: Unemployment is a concern in my ward, and what needs to be done is the obvious, “job creation.” I will get this done through tax incentives with existing businesses, as well as promoting new development within our existing industrial parks. There are 39 different industries within the Sixth Ward that we can assist to help grow the economy, provide jobs and stabilize city finances.

N-D: What is the most important issue the city faces in regard to the possible relocation of the South Shore line?

Schwanke: This question is premature as nothing has been decided as of yet. We first have to understand the needs of NICTD, and figure out how the residents of Michigan City can benefit the most to achieve the federal requirements that have been put in place.

Gonder: There are not enough facts to make an informed decision on the relocation of the South Shore yet. Whether relocation is necessary or the South Shore stays where it is, I will advocate that any plan requires the least negative economic impact and disruption to the residents. In addition to that, I will also advocate that wherever it is relocated, the entrance to Michigan City via the South Shore has to be clean, attractive and welcoming. Just as important, this transition cannot disrupt current businesses in place.

N-D: Should the city accept the former YMCA as a gift and attempt to turn it into a community center?

Schwanke: The city could accept this as a gift and then decide if a city community center is feasible to operate. This facility, if done correctly, could be a way to market the wonderful city we have. Whiting, Ind., has a similar facility and it works there. If not, this could be a piece of property the city could use to leverage a developer to that property for development of senior living or some other private development.

Gonder: We need to take a look at all of the ramifications of accepting this piece of property. What strings will this “gift” come with? Until a solid bid is in place to see what it takes to rehab the YMCA to bring it to code, and until we get an actual estimated annual cost of maintaining this facility, it would be unfavorable to the taxpayers of Michigan City to just go ahead and rehab this building just because it was a “gift.” If in fact after we evaluate that the rehab is financially feasible, then we need to ask ourselves, what do we want to offer in a community center and what will it cost to maintain? Keep in mind that the YMCA failed. On the flipside, if we decide that it is not financially prudent to rehab and make it into a community center, then I would be in favor (as long as there were not any strings attached) of demolishing the facility and getting bids on building a new Park and Rec building which the YMCA location may or may not be the place to build it. If it is decided that it is not the right location, then I would be open to selling off the land to a developer for affordable residential or assisted living housing, medical uses, rehab facility, etc. We need the land on the tax rolls. It is difficult to make a final decision on what to do with this property until we know the exact costs of rehabbing, etc.

N-D: Would you support the Sixth Ward citizens if they were in favor of increased bus service to the ward?

Schwanke: As I have said for along time now, the Sixth Ward has been the forgotten ward of the city for too long. This is one of those things that proves my point. I will fight for all residents of the Sixth Ward to get what other areas of the city already have.

Gonder: There is definitely a concern with some residents regarding the lack of bus service in the Sixth Ward, specifically in the Green Acres and Tall Timbers areas of the city. I was told that a survey was implemented a while back that tried to take in hand this very issue. The response to the survey, so I am told, was almost non-existent. I would support increased service and routing as long as it made financial sense. Currently, there is a dial-a-ride program in place for those who need public transportation, and I would have to look at the participation of this program to assist in my decision making. If the numbers are there, I would advocate and support additional routing into the Sixth Ward, including the variable-route plans that are discussed.

N-D: What is a better investment in the long run: bettering the city’s image through improvement projects or allotting a yearly appropriation for raises for city employees?

Schwanke: Our city is only as good as the people working in our city departments daily. They are the front line of our city and very important. They have to be taken care of first, period. With that being said, a balance of both can be achieved through continued efficiencies in the city.

Gonder: As your councilman from the Sixth Ward, I realize that my No. 1 responsibility is to be financially responsible and to be the holder of the purse strings. I support both improvement projects and employee raises as long as the funds are available. By making improvements and improving the appearance of the city, we will create an image that will draw tourism and hopefully new residents. The flipside is that our city employees are our ambassadors to the community. If the employee is happy, that resonates to the visitors in our town. It’s all about repeat business. When we open the door to visitors with kindness and have a product to offer, they will want to come back and they will tell their friends about our little gold mine on Lake Michigan called Michigan City. It’s all about moving Michigan City forward. There is nothing more that I would love to see than getting Michigan City back on track to be a first class city.

N-D: What is Michigan City’s best feature?

Schwanke: The people of Michigan City are the best feature. We are a fortunate city with such diversity. Items we have including, in no particular order, Lighthouse Place, Washington Park and Zoo, Blue Chip Casino, Amtrak, the South Shore and all of the development that has taken place on South Franklin Street. Most surrounding towns have nothing to compare what Michigan City has to offer.

Gonder: In addition to the people of Michigan City, our lakefront and beaches and all the activities that are offered throughout the year are Michigan City’s best features. The Trail Creek corridor project will enhance what we have. Talking with many business owners in the Sixth Ward and across the city, we need to do a better job at promoting Michigan City as a four-season city, not just a summer town. We need to build off First Fridays as well as offer winter sports, which is where the Trail Creek corridor project comes in. We can and will make Michigan City a 24/7/365 four-season first class city.

N-D: Why do you believe you are the right person to represent the Sixth Ward?

Schwanke: I have been involved in Michigan City government for over 15 years now. It is time for me to step up and represent a broader range of Michigan City residents. I care about our city and the citizens of Michigan City. I will bring my extensive customer service experience to the Sixth Ward residents and the city of Michigan City. I have lived and been involved in the Sixth Ward since 1992.

Gonder: I am the most qualified person to fill the Sixth Ward seat. As a lifetime 52-year resident and family man of our fair city, a product of our school system and a graduate from Rogers High School, combined with being a local businessman in the community of Michigan City for over 30 years, my political ties downstate — both Republican and Democrat — as well as within the region will keep me connected, which will help to get projects completed and goals achieved. That in itself goes to show you that I can and will work with anyone and get along with anyone, regardless of party. I will bring leadership with integrity. As my campaign slogan goes, it’s all about “moving Michigan city forward.”

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...47685427126.txt

Riverboat funds dominate forum comments

At-large council candidates Tim Bietry (from left), Joe Doyle and Don Przybylinski, all Democrats, and Republican Brian Schroll listen to a response from one of the Sixth Ward candidates at Thursday night’s forum. Photo by Tim Moran
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, October 21, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Thanks to a candidate forum organized by the League of Women Voters of La Porte County, all contested Common Council candidates had the chance to voice their opinions Thursday night in a public setting for the first time during the 2011 campaign at City Hall.

And all seemed to agree on one idea – using more riverboat money for day to day operations is not the best plan – although Republican candidates were more opposed to the idea than Democrats.

Democratic First Ward candidate Richard Murphy said the riverboat was created in Michigan City to give the town an “economic tool to dig us out of the rut we were in.

“We cannot balance the city’s budget on the casino,” he said.

*
His opponent, Republican candidate Kevin Walsh, said riverboat funds are like “a carcass that sits while the political jackals dance around and peck at it and claw at it for pet projects until nothing is left from it ... It doesn’t seem to be a benefit (right now) for the community at-large, but more for projects within certain areas.”

“Michigan City needs to operate as if those funds are not there and for emergency uses only,” he added.

Another Republican candidate, Sixth Ward hopeful Mike Gonder, said the funds need to go back to being used only for “rainy days.”

Gonder’s opponent, Democrat Chris Schwanke, said money from the riverboat used for day to day operations should be “cut off if possible.”

At-large Democratic candidates Don Przybylinski and incumbent Joe Doyle did slightly disagree.

While Doyle said the current council lowering the amount used for day to day operations to 20 percent was a good start, but “could be taken further,” Przybylinski said leaving it at 20 percent is “permissible.”

At-large Democratic candidate Tim Bietry said it would be “unwise” to use what he called “soft money” for general expenditures.

At-large Republican candidate Brian Schroll compared it to “bonus money” one would get from a job, and that the city should use it as such.

“You would not use that for your daily budget, so the city should not either,” he said.

Council candidates addressed numerous questions from the audience, one being tied to the preservation of green space in the city, with more specific regards to Moon Valley and the Trail Creek Open Space corridor.

Schroll, while noting the town “needs to prioritize,” said he would support the preservation of green space if the city had the funds to do it.

Schwanke and Walsh agreed efforts to support Moon Valley should be done with private funds only.

“We should not fund that as a city,” Schwanke said, while Walsh added the Trail Creek plan presented at a public meeting two months ago seems like “a terrific plan.”

Przybylinki said he is “totally in favor” of supporting green spaces, and that it “adds to the quality of life and attracts people to the area.”

Doyle warned that “we need to be careful of how much property comes off the tax rolls.”

Candidates differed on the importance of increased bus service, offering various ideas to allow access to residents now cut off.

Schwanke said he would “fight for the residents of the Sixth Ward” to have the same services as the rest of the city, while Gonder said an evaluation on “how many people” need the service needs to be done before adding anything.

Walsh offered the idea of “staggering the work force” that already exists to extend the service hours past 9 p.m.

Murphy said grant money would be needed to “reorganize our sources for more efficiency.”

Bietry said while “everyone wants bus service,” the city does not have the financial resources to extend it.

While it was a first chance for many of the council candidates to reach the public, the city’s three mayoral candidates had a chance to reiterate some of their stances, while also taking a look into new issues not discussed at previous forums.

One of those was Michigan City Public Library’s location, and how important it is to remove the building to open traffic from Franklin Street to Lake Michigan.

Republican Keith Harris, Democrat Ron Meer and Independent Nancy Moldenhauer were asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how important that would be.

All agreed it should not be a priority.

Harris said the cost would make the project “prohibitive,” and that the relocation would take a vote from all library constituents, which are not limited to Michigan City residents.

Moldenhauer said on the “list of priorities, that would be pretty low.”

“We need to be more concerned about developing into a green space community. Communities that are not doing this will fall behind,” she said.

Meer said he would put the importance “at a 1 or a 2.”

“Instead,” he said, “we should be looking at changing the traffic flow on Pine and Washington streets to make them two-way and putting up better signage.”

While admitting the library placement was “a bad idea,” it is not a deterrent for people looking for the lake.

The candidates were asked which “unpopular decision” they would be able to make as mayor.

Harris said the worst-case scenario would be to reduce the work force, but that would only be done as a “last case.” Moldenhauer said creating a vision, and then seeing residents “want to stay in the past,” would be the toughest statement to make.

Sixth Ward Libertarian candidate Mark Lindborg did not attend the event.

[Southsider2k12]

Anyone else as shocked as I am?

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...b1015666745.txt

Councilman thanks Sixth Ward residents

Published: Friday, October 28, 2011 11:07 AM CDT
I would like to thank the residents of the Sixth Ward for giving me the opportunity to represent them as their councilman for the past eight years. It has been an honor to serve.

The voters of the Sixth Ward have an opportunity to vote for one of three candidates to be their Ward representative. I ask that you support the Republican candidate, Mike Gonder. Mike has a proven record of accomplishment as the industrial sales manager for one of the most successful businesses in the Michigan City area. He also has documented experience in economic development, having served two terms on the La Porte County Economic Development Commission. I have known Mike for a number of years - he will do a good a job representing you and making sure your concerns are heard and acted on.

Phil Jankowski

Current Sixth Ward Councilman

*
Michigan City, IN

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...b6782777050.txt

Thwart the political sign thieves – vote on the issues, not the signs

Published: Thursday, October 27, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
If calls to the News Dispatch are any indication, there are a lot of people here having their political yard signs taken out of their yards.

And they are hopping mad about it.

They want us to do stories about their candidate’s opposition and how it’s obvious that workers for the opposition are stealing the signs. They didn’t see who did it but their neighbors are sure it was someone working for the candidate whose name isn’t on the sign.

But when you ask who it was who took the sign, they don’t know.

*
Granted, the removal of political yard signs is theft from private property.

But it could also be kid’s pranks, no one really knows.

In the meantime, here’s a thought.

Do you think anyone wins an election by simply posting yard signs saying “vote for me?”

If you truly believe the voters make up their minds on who to vote for by deciding that this candidate’s lawn signs are better than the opponent’s, or how many of the lawn signs are out there, or whether a candidate even has lawn signs, you are mistaken.

Political lawn signs do one thing – they jog a voter’s memory that an election is coming up and they need to get informed about the candidates. The sign itself cannot tell the voter why a candidate is a good choice. It just reminds people that a candidate exists for a particular race and that the election is coming up in November.

So we hope you are planning to vote on Nov. 8 and that you’ve considered more than just a candidate’s yard signs before casting your ballot.

And for those of you who have complained about stolen political yard signs, go get another one and put it up in your yard. Anyone who wants it removed will have to make another trip. And you can keep doing that until they get bored with the disappearing sign game and eventually leave your sign alone.

[Dave]

Anyone else as shocked as I am?

Isn't endorsing a member of the other party generally political suicide?