By MARGARET L. WILLIS

The theoretical long-term economic benefits of an additional South Shore line don’t outweigh the immediate additional tax burden on local residents in the minds of at least two Burns Harbor town council members.

A request for a resolution in support of the new South Shore commuter line to Valparaiso and Lowell from Vince Galbiati, of the Northwest Indiana Forum, was voted down last Wednesday by a 2-1 vote by the Burns Harbor town council.

Mike Perrine advocated for the expansion, which would entail a new tax on Lake and Porter County residents. “It would reduce congestion at the train here,” he said, “and I agree there’d be a long term economic benefit.”

Jim McGee said he does not like to vote to raise taxes.

Resident Jim Constantine told the council “I, for one, would not appreciate our taxes being increased and our town seeing no benefit.”

McGee passed the gavel to Bernie Poparad to make a motion against the resolution of support for the new South Shore line. Poparad seconded the motion and then voted Yes. The vote was then Perrine No, McGee and Poparad Yes. Richard Bolinger was absent as was Louis Bain, who is currently deployed in Iraq with the Marine Reserves.

Posted 11/20/2007

By PAULENE POPARAD


Voting 9-0 Thursday, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s Executive Board voiced NIRPC’s support for expanding the South Shore commuter line from Hammond to Lowell and Valparaiso with the big question left unanswered: who’s going to pay for it?


“I think there’s a train coming, but it’s not the South Shore. It’s going to be a wreck and a taxpayer revolution. I think you’ve pushed them just as far as you can push them,” warned Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper.


The resolution, adopted previously by the Northwest Indiana Forum, also urged federal and state legislators to support enabling legislation to finance and build the $1 billion West Lake rail extension, approximately $350 million likely to be funded by an as-yet unknown local source.


Some of those who voted for the resolution and additional NIRPC members called for public hearings and a ballot referendum on West Lake.


Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas moved to adopt the resolution. “This is a time of opportunity. We’ve been talking about this issue literally for decades. We want the rewards of economic development but unless you make an investment, we can’t realize the rewards.”


A consultant has estimated West Lake would mean a net gain in Northwest Indiana employment of over 26,000 jobs, many in higher-paying downtown Chicago, increasing personal income here by $600 million to be spent locally. West Lake also could encourage spin-off development and intermodal connectivity in the region.


According to Executive Board and Porter County Council member Mike Bucko, the NIRPC resolution encourages legislators to enact legislation and stops there. “It puts it on their head quite honestly to come up with something everybody can agree on.”


Co-chair State Rep. Terri Austin, Anderson, in a video webcast with NIRPC, said her Joint Study Committee on Mass Transit and Transportation Alternatives has discussed a framework for new transit districts possibly funded by an incremental sales tax. “I just don’t have enough specifics to talk about it yet.”


State Rep. Ed Soliday, Valparaiso, said legislators are looking for what’s the right tax and investment vehicle for a reasonable solution with accountability and transparency “ This is a regional issue that’s expanding to a state issue.” Austin agreed the solution crafted for Northwest Indiana will be a model for other areas.


Executive Board member Kevin Breitzke, Porter County Surveyor, said although NIRPC’s resolution itself is fairly innocuous, the devil is in the details and financing the dark cloud hanging over West Lake. He said he would prefer a referendum on it take place next year, and that NIRPC’s Full Commission would have voted on the resolution.


The 53-member commission may get that chance Jan. 17.


The Executive Board vote came over the objection of and following extended comments by Harper, a NIRPC Full Commission member. He told reporters he probably will make a written request forcing reconsideration of the Thursday vote at the Jan. 17 meeting.


Harper generally supports West Lake, but he expressed concern that a non-elected agency will be given taxing authority to raise $350 million in construction funds and additional millions in annual ridership subsidies for West Lake; the same authority might take on funding expansion of regional bus service and redevelopment of the Gary/Chicago Airport, he predicted.


Too many would be taxed so too few could ride the South Shore, according to Harper. He said only about 800 Porter County residents are regular commuters. “Spend a half a billion dollars and maybe take 800 more people?”


Costas, whose city this year began limited bus service, said, “We’ve got to think collectively; we’ve got to think regionally.” He said 80 percent of Valparaiso voters polled support West Lake and 59 percent said they would pay $10 a month to support it. Harper said Porter County taxpayers are being stretched thin now and can’t take much more.


He also charged the Forum failed to gain widespread West Lake support after taking its case to local counties, cities and towns recently and is using NIRPC to convince legislators there’s regional consensus when there isn’t. “For you to decide you know better than all these elected bodies to get something on the record without sufficient thought is wrong,” he told the Executive Board.


Replied outgoing board chairman LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris, “I don’t think this is someing NIRPC has rushed into in any way.”


At one point Breitzke asked if Costas was willing to remove his motion. “No, my motion stands,” said Costas, adding that U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, Merrillville, supports West Lake and is poised to secure $500 million for it.


NIRPC executive director John Swanson said the South Shore carries 14,400 riders per day taking perhaps 7,000 fewer cars off area highways daily. He said West Lake even further would reduce harmful emissions, stating that Lake and Porter counties are severe non-attainment for federal clean-air standards.


NIRPC staff later confirmed both counties are designated moderate non-attainment and Indiana has requested that U.S. regulatory officials redesignate Lake and Porter to attainment.


A statement released by Northwest Indiana Forum leadership said it’s understandable that change like West Lake can cause fear and resistance, however, by not seeking innovative, dynamic changes the region remains economically vulnerable in light of its heavy reliance on the steel industry.


Michigan City Mayor Charles Oberlie said while supporters rally around West Lake there’s still a need to address inadequate development on the existing South Shore line where in his city trains operate along two public streets and there’s no high-level boarding platform for disabled riders.


After the meeting Harper said if West Lake is touted as being a magnet to attract economic development, why hasn’t the existing South Shore attracted business in north Porter County? He said the county Plan Commission already is working on zoning initiatives and a corridor study to promote greenspace and attract compatible economic development.


In addition to Bucko, Breitzke, Costas and Morris, voting for the pro-West Lake resolution were Executive Board members Wanatah Clerk-treasurer Stephen Mockler, LaPorte County Councilman Jerry Cooley, Trail Creek Town Councilman Ron Lombard, Whiting Mayor Joseph Stahura and Griffith Town Councilman Stanley Dobosz. Highland Clerk-treasurer Michael Griffin and State Rep. Chet Dobis of Lake County were absent.




Posted 12/14/2007