Reform of government features two biggies: city employees can't be on council ... and moving municipal elections from odd years to even ones. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, is proposing Senate Bill 452 to make this happen. If I recall RR wasn't too fond of the latter due to worries about lack of attention on the local election if combined with state and fed. And frankly there's a lot of city employees in NW Indiana on city councils. Do they lose their rights because they are employees?
Looks like Munster messed up in the big flooding catastrophe last fall, and with the Governor and Pete Visclosky both pushing hard for a solution ... blaming a bridge may not be the best approach for anyone. Kudos to Hammond for helping and for bagging faster.
Town of Porter officials sound pretty frustrated to find that planning and zoning has been overlooked in the past. I think I remember something from last week about hiring an economic development consultant with Burns Harbor. Wonder if that will include planning and zoning too?
Big debate this week in Lake County over tax on restaurants to pay for busing. Sorry to say it that way, but it does kinda make the case against doesn't it? Talk about redistribution.
Gary played host to Distressed Unit Board, not sure of details so far.
New bill would force Porter County to stay in RDA for ten years, with only one chance to get out or else be fixed for another ten years. This does make sense due to bonding, understood. The Times writes on same issue here.
Republicans got spanked in 2008, let's be frank, and the financial disclosure forms show that they were targeting the county commissioner seat to put Bob Harper in the minority, and even though spending a lot of money ... Lost big. Why?
If I'm missing something important, political, or debatable ... put in comments please. Also, if anyone at the Republican Pow Wow last night wants to post an update .. go for it.
Friday, January 23, 2009
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