Rudy:  Ramblings & Rumblings
  2011 Reports on matters pertaining to Gary, Indiana and Mayor Rudy Clay's running of the "Steel City"

  Go To:  Archived 2010 (Jun - Dec) Rudy Report
  Go To:  Archived 2010 (Jan - Jun) Rudy Report
  Go To:  Archived 2009 (Jul - Dec) Rudy Report
  Go To:  Archived 2009 (Jan - Jun) Rudy Report
  Go To:  Archived 2008 Rudy Report
  Go To:  Jacko Jabber (Reports on matters relating to the demise of Michael Jackson)

Mayor-Elect Proclaims
Florida Courier - Sharing Black Life Statewide
By the Gary Crusader Staff, Special to the NNPA from the Gary Crusader -
[27 Nov 2011]

Earlier this month, police learned Stanley convinced the Board of Works to eliminate the rank of captain and cut other ranks by 25%, immediately.  The police department has seven exempt ranks, including the chief, deputy chief and five commanders.  Two captains can retain their rank, but those positions will be gone after they retire.  "This was done with no consultation with us," Stout said.  Stanley said the number of supervisory ranks was established when the department consisted of more than 400 officers.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   Well, I guess that 3² times is not a charm when it comes to Gary chiefs of police?

It's Herzoner'
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Carole Carlson
[8 Nov 2011]

Former Gary School Treasurers Charged with Theft
Compiled From a nwi.Times Report by Carmen McCollum
[19 Oct 2011]

GARY -- Following an Indiana State Board of Accounts review, two school treasurers at Gary schools have been charged with felony theft in separate incidents involving stolen cash from extracurricular accounts.  Each faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

The Lake County prosecutor's office charged Annie L. Moore-Gilmore, 62, with the theft of nearly $90,000 during her tenure as treasurer at Roosevelt High School.  According to the probable cause affidavit, Moore-Gilmore admitted she began working as treasurer in August 2004.  She said sheleft the corporation in February, 2009 as a result of an illness caused by the stress of her job.  She admitted to taking the missing extracurricular money and spending it, the affidavit said.

The report said she did not put any of the missing money into her bank account.  She said there was no reason for taking the money other than to say that spending the stolen money gave her a "euphoric high" or release from the stress of her job.  She told authorities no one else was involved in the theft.  The affidavit states she expressed relief the situation was over and expressed a desire to pay the money back using her retirement annuity.

The second case involved a special investigation of the Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts.  The Lake County prosecutor's office has charged Charlotte Rowan, 54, with the theft of $55,529 in extracurricular money.  The affidavit says Rowan began her job at Emerson in October, 2006 and was suspended on May 29, 2009.  Rowan did not provide any explanation to the State Board of Accounts or to prosecutors regarding the missing money.  According to the affidavit, Rowan reiterated she wasn't properly trained to carry out her duties at the school.  While not admitting to stealing money, Rowan expressed an interest in repaying the funds.

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A jury acquitted the charged Emerson Treasurer, Ms. Rowan, of the allegations in a three-day jury trial last week.  Defense Attorney Scott King said the acquittal was more than merited after the jury heard evidence in the case.  "We also intend to file a petition to expunge her record," King said.  "She has a long history of very positive employment.  These allegations have injured her.  We are gratified the jury returned this verdict." 

In the other case, King said Ms. Moore-Gilmore, who was accused of stealing nearly $90,000 from Roosevelt's extracurricular fund, pleaded guilty Friday.  She will be sentenced Nov. 17.

Gary Approves Loan to Redo Gleason Golf Course
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Michelle L. Quinn
[11 Oct 2011]

GARY - The Gleason Golf Course back nine is going to get a badly needed rehab shortly, via an interfund loan.

Robinson said she is glad the golf course has been deemed "an emergency" in need of repair.  "This is one of our gems, and we need to be able to save it and generate income," she said.  "Since 2008, I have had people tell me we really need to do something."

Servicescape of Michigan City will start the work within a week upon the Common Council approving the loan, Alexander said.  The loan will be repaid through the Park Fund levy once taxes come in.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   What makes this story of note is the fact that, unless I am mistaken, the back nine of Gleason is part of the land Rudy is giving to Joe Jackson for his theme park; if/when Joe ever gets his act together, which is more than doubtful.  If it so valuable, pray tell, why is the city giving it away?

HUD Suspends Gary Community Development Director
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Michael Gonzalez
[5 Oct 2011]

GARY Federal Housing and Urban Development officials on Tuesday suspended Jacqueline Drago-Hunter, head of Garys Community Development department, from handling any federal funds.  In a letter from a HUD official, Drago-Hunter was suspended for her October 2010 federal indictment for her suspected involvement in an alleged real estate fraud scheme.  Her suspension from handling federal money began Sept. 30.  The letter indicates Drago-Hunter can appeal the suspension.

The letter of suspension reads:

"I have determined that your immediate suspension is necessary to protect the public interest. "The Indictments allegations evidence the Government faces a serious and immediate risk of harm if you are permitted to continue doing business with it."

Gary Dreams Of Economic Comeback
Compiled from a Chicago Tribune Report by David Elsner
[18 Mar 1990]

If an O`Hare-style airport were to be built in Gary, Charles Archibald probably would be able to look up from his front yard as the planes were coming in and see what the passengers had for lunch.  Archibald`s tidy brick home in Gary`s Ambridge neighborhood-nestled between a busy highway overpass and a commuter rail line-would lie about a mile from the end of a runway of a proposed third regional airport.  Archibald doesn`t mind.

That kind of attitude has not been much in evidence on Chicago`s Southeast Side, where neighborhood residents who live equally near a proposed airport site there have been loudly protesting the possible disruption of their lives.  But this is Gary, a city that has been down for so long that just about anything looks like up, including a noisy, congested airport.

"No, I`m not upset about an airport. We can use the jobs," said Archibald, who was forced into taking early retirement four years ago from his steel-mill job.  According to one study, an airport eventually would bring with it up to 122,000 new jobs, counting related development.  That would more than offset the loss of 30,000 area jobs, largely in the steel industry, over the last decade, which has devastated Gary and created a deep and racially segregated pocket of poverty in the otherwise healthy fabric of northwest Indiana`s economy.

Airport Not Gary`s Only Attempt to Strike it Rich -

Last week, Mayor Thomas Barnes unveiled plans to break ground in August on the first phase of a $100 million "marine Disneyland" to be constructed on mountains of slag owned by the USS Gary Works.  The project eventually would include boat slips, sports and convention centers, an aquarium and fish farm, hotels, golf courses and retail shopping.

It is the same land that had been envisioned for gambling casinos, which was touted as another economic savior until the Indiana legislature scuttled the proposal last month.  But if the legislature can be persuaded to change its mind, Barnes said, the casinos still could be built on islands in the lake, in conjunction with the marina development.

"I think everyone has been somewhat surprised by the audaciousness of our plans," said Donald Thompson, Gary`s director of economic development.  "Because of these things, people already are beginning to regard us differently and realize that we can be more than steel.  The telephone calls I would get before this would ask, "What`s the crime rate in Gary?  Is Gary a good place to live?"  "Now the calls I get say, 'I need six acres of land for a plant.  What can you do for me?' or, 'I`m thinking of building some condos.  What`s available in the way of block grants?' "

Allegiant Air Bails Out of Gary Before Takeoff
Compiled From a Post-Trib Staff Report
[28 Sep 2011]

A planned news conference Wednesday to unveil Allegiant Airs plans to begin passenger service between Gary/Chicago International Airport and Las Vegas was abruptly cancelled Tuesday night, crossed up by railroad tracks that stand in the way of runway expansion.  Allegiant Air spokeswoman Kristine Cooper late Tuesday said the company did not plan to make an announcement on Wednesday, calling any mentions of a deal "premature."

Interim Airport Director Steve Landry, in a news release Tuesday evening, confirmed cancellation of the air service announcement.  "Allegiant informed the airport today that, despite their internal analysis conducted during the last several weeks, operational limitations of their aircraft and the railroad at the end of the runway prevent moving forward with the Gary-Las Vegas route at this time."

The problem with the railroad tracks at the northwest end of the main runway is one the Gary airport has been trying to overcome with a $153 million plan to move the tracks and expand the runway.  The Canadian National Railway tracks on the embankment carry trains to and from Kirk Yard.

The loss only seemed to hasten the urgency for the airport to get the runway expansion finished by its scheduled 2013 completion date.  Landry said the railroads Canadian National, CSX and Norfolk Southern received letters earlier this week sent from 10 U.S. legislators urging action, and negotiations are ongoing.

"This deal clearly shows theres an interest by airlines in Gary," Landry said.  "It shows that we need to increase our focus on getting the railroads to sign off on the contracts and keep pressing on."

Gary/Chicago Airport Passenger Service Timeline -

Nov 1999:  Pan American Airlines makes its inaugural passenger flight out of Gary/Chicago Airport.

Jun 2002:  Pan American ends its passenger service at Gary, blaming a downturn in the economy after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Oct 2002:  Gary lands deal to house all of Boeing Corp.s corporate fleet.

Feb 25, 2004:  Southeast Airlines kicks off passenger service with a flight to St. Petersburg, Fla.

Jun 2004:  Hooters Air of South Carolina begins making flights in and out of Gary airport.  The airline is operated by Pace Airlines.

Dec 1, 2004:  Southeast Airlines shocks passengers by announcing an end of service in Gary.

Jan 2005:  Days before ATA Airlines is set to start flying out of Gary, ATA ends service.

Dec 2005:  Hooters Air ends flights from Gary.  The airport says it hopes they will return.

Dec 2006:  SkyValue USA announces it will begin passenger service to Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Fla., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and St. Petersburg, Fla.  The flights will be three times weekly.

May 2007:  SkyValue cancels service.

Mar 2008:  Skybus Airlines first flight from Gary/Chicago International Airport to Greensboro, N.C. takes off.  The air service lasted less than a month.  Meanwhile, there are rumors of a Mexican airline, vivaAerobus, coming to Gary, but the deal never is finalized.

2012 Gary Budget Bleak
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Michelle L. Quinn
[28 Sep 2011]

GARY The state-appointed financial adviser speaking too soon about funding sources has left the city in a bigger budget jam than anyone expected, Controller Celita Green said, but shortfall can and will be managed.

Green and Chief of Staff Arlene Colvin presented the 2012 proposed budget to the Finance Committee at its Tuesday night meeting. The numbers are bleak, to say the least. The budget for the nine city tax funds which include the general fund, parks department, debt service and cumulative capital development is $63,302,740.

The levy portion of the projected 2012 budget was estimated at $32,339,723 by the Legislative Service Agency in 2008, Green said, but weak tax collections have brought the actual levy number down to $26,968,579; a $5,371,144 shorfall. The citys net levy, or what it needs to collect in property taxes, meanwhile, is $28,369,631.

PFM, the firm hired in 2008 to help Gary with its finances, told the city that in order to cover the shortfall, it would be able to shift $5.7 million from the Gary Sanitary District once it released its levy. What they didnt tell the city, however, was that there is no state provision that allows the city unit to take the GSD money; as such, the money will be released to all the city taxing districts instead of to the city unit.

Making matters worse, the $5.7 million GSD levy amount was also a 2008 estimate. The figure is actually closer to $3.7 million.

Finance Committee Chairwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd, shook her head. "It amazes me that they have no mechanism for this they just throw up their hands," she said. "You have to laugh, because otherwise youd cry."

Green said the city will go through the excess levy appeal, which should net a one-time sum of $2.5 million. It has also spoken to state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, to work on legislation that will allow the GSD money to go directly to the city. If they dont prevail, the city will need to cut $1.1 million from its budget.

"Its been just a string of things weve had to deal with, but well get through it," Colvin said.

Auditors Question Gary's Ability to Stay Afloat, Again
Compiled From a nwi.Times Report by Dan Carden
[23 Sep 2011]

INDIANAPOLIS | For the third consecutive year, state auditors say they don't know whether Gary will be able to "continue as a going concern."  The State Board of Accounts, in an audit released Friday, said reductions in city revenue because of property tax caps that are now part of the Indiana Constitution mean Gary cannot just cut its budget, but must grow its tax base if the city is to remain in business.  "The amount of budget reductions that would be required for the city to fully implement the current tax legislation raises substantial doubt about the city's ability to continue as a going concern," auditors said.

Mayor Rudy Clay said the Steel City is doing everything it can to lure new businesses and residents.  "Gary, Indiana, will continue to be a going and growing community.  They don't need to lose any sleep over that," Clay said.  "In fact, we've have more businesses open up in Gary in the last four years than we've had in a long, long time."

Since 2009, the city has been permitted to charge the highest property tax rates in Indiana to bring its bloated budget in line with tax-capped revenues.  Gary's tax cap exemption ends in 2012.   At the same time, Gary has cut spending from $63 million in 2008 to $40 million this year by requiring employees take 10 unpaid days off, reducing benefits and overtime, and minimizing utility costs.

Separately, auditors questioned how the city handles revenue earned at the Genesis Convention Center and noted several record-keeping discrepancies.  In response, city officials said they will revise procedures to align with state law.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   Rudy's reign shall definitely leave its mark on the Steel City; More like a stain!

Gary Bucks Crime Trend in 2010
Compiled From a nwi.Times Report by Marisa Kwiatkowski
[21 Sep 2011]

Gary Crime Statistics

	2009	2010
Population	95,219	95,219
Murder	49	53
Forcible Rape	47	60
Aggravated Assault	276	301
Burglary	1,493	2,358
Larceny Theft	1,069	2,013
Motor Vehicle Theft	846	1,002
Source Gary P.D./F.B.I.

Statistics show Gary's most significant crime increases were in its number of larcenies and burglaries.  Gary went from 1,069 larcenies in 2009 to 2,013 in 2010. Its burglaries rose from 1,493 in 2009 to 2,358 in 2010, figures show.

Campbell took partial responsibility for Roosevelts decline, while also saying accountability to extends to every administrator, school board member, schools employee, parent and student.  [<= This sentence looks as though it was written or proofread by a Roosevelet grad!]  "There is one thing I never step away from, because the buck stops here," she said of herself.  "But, all of us must own some part of the failure of Roosevelt, of Roosevelts not making the types of gains the state required."

As a takeover school, Roosevelt will be removed from the school district and per student state aid will go to EdisonLearning, beginning in the 2012-13 school year.  The fee for EdisonLearning will be negotiated by the state.

No one wanted to see Roosevelt taken over by the state, said School Board President Darren Washington, but the news is not necessarily bad.  Bringing in an outside management company brings new eyes to the school.

But, like other board members, Washington said he had questions about Edisons track record in other school districts.  "The state should provide someone that has a very strong reputation for turning schools around. Dont use us as guinea pigs."

Washington said Gary schools have been plagued by leadership problems.

State of Indiana to Take Over Troubled Schools
A high school in Gary on the list
Compiled from a WBEZ.org Report by Michael Puente
[25 Aug 2011]

Indiana's top education official proposed Thursday that the state assume control of four troubled high schools and a middle school in what would be the state's first takeover of underperforming public schools under a 1999 law.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett said he had mixed emotions in asking the State Board of Education to approve the takeover of a Gary high school and three Indianapolis high schools and a middle school.  But he said the step is necessary for the students' sake.  The schools have been on academic probation for five years due to poor test scores.

The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote Monday on Bennett's proposals.

Bennetts first stop was in Gary, Indiana, to announce a proposed takeover of Roosevelt Career and Technical Academy, a high school with about 1,600 students.

"Its a difficult decision.  But I can be very sad and forlorn; you can be very sad and forlorn or we can look at this as how I can begin the conversation," Bennett said.  "My interest is a new beginning for this school."

Bennett said he just wants to make the schools better.  Closing them, as the law allows, isnt something he wanted to do.

"This is not about blame, this is about the future," Bennett said.  "Our intent is to use everything we have in this state to restore these schools to what they should be for the students in these communities."

Bennett said hes proposing Roosevelt be operated by a private firm from New York City called Edison Learning.  The company operates schools on the East Coast and in Chicago.

Gary schools superintendent Myrtle Campbell expressed shock and sadness over the takeover, especially in light of ongoing changes at Roosevelt.  At a special meeting of the Gary School Board on Thursday evening, Campbell wondered if Edison Learning can do a better job with Roosevelt than the district.

"We are doing our research to see where they are located.  We know of some places, Chicago, and we know they have not always been successful," Campbell said.  "So, there has to be some guarantee from that company that they can actually bring about the change that we would like to see in the district."

Dr. Eugene G. White, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, has threatened to sue the state if it moves to take over schools in his district.  He urged the corporation's commissioners in an email Wednesday to begin legal action against the Department of Education.  "It is truly time to stand up for our children," White said in the email.  The commissioners are scheduled to meet Friday night.

Under Bennett's proposal, the four Indianapolis schools and the Gary school would be run by school management firms that will evaluate each school's performance for the remainder of the current academic year.  Starting in the 2012-2013 academic year, those companies would take over full operation of each school and receive the state's per-pupil aid for each school.  Bennett said that if the Board of Education agrees, the companies would receive a one-year "transitional" contract followed by a four-year operations contract to run each school, with benchmarks to chart school improvement still to be determined.

Charter Schools USA and EdPower are the two school-management companies Bennett wants to run the four Indianapolis schools.  He recommended that school management company Edison Learning operate the Gary school.

Indiana's schools are placed on probation based on the percentage of students who pass statewide tests.  A 1999 law allows the state to intervene if a school has not improved its test scores after five years on probation.

Bennett said Thursday he considers that five-year time frame too long and that lawmakers need to put more pressure on underperforming schools to improve.

Gary to Seek 1% Income Tax on Nonresident Employees
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Michelle L. Quinn
[23 Aug 2011]

GARY Employees who dont live in the city especially those in public safety will see 1% of their paychecks taxed, if the Common Council has its way.

The council is expected to approve a resolution to request authority from the Indiana General Assembly to impose a 1% nonresident local income tax at its Aug. 30 meeting.  Money collected from that tax will go toward infrastructure repair, Council Attorney Clorius Lay said at the Tuesday evening Finance Committee meeting.

Council members started talking about the idea well before Assistant Lake County Police Chief Dan Murchek and Lake County Officer Robert Klasner filed suit in Lake County Superior Court last week, Lay and Finance Committee Chairwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd, said.  And now that the suit has been filed, theyre not convinced in any way to support it.

"Ive met with the Lake County Assessor (Hank Adams) and Lake County Attorney John Dull, and the lawsuit seems to be more PR than reality," Lay said, noting that the officers are filing on behalf of themselves and not a taxing entity.  "Theyve failed to exhaust all administrative remedies, and itll likely get thrown out of court."

If the General Assembly allows the city to impose the local income tax a provision that came out of Option Tax debates in 2007 it would collect between $15 million and $20 million, Brown said.

Gary would be the first city in the state to impose such a tax, Brown said, noting that the states 91 counties are doing the same.

The city income tax would affect some 55% of the citys public safety employees, as they make up the largest part of the citys employees, Brown said

Gary Sanitary Director Hired by City as Contract Attorney
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Mike Gonzalez
[17 August 2011]

GARY Rinzer Williams, director of the Gary Sanitary District, last week became a practicing lawyer, representing the city and handling a few private cases.

Williams, who passed the bar in February on his third try, was hired on contract to represent the city in code enforcement, small claims cases and other matters, said corporation council Susan Severtson.

"I went to school to be an attorney, and this is an opportunity," said Williams, who completed law school six years ago, adding he began handling some private cases earlier this month.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   Holding a law degree, I feel I am qualified to provide some meaningful input on this matter (I have taken, and successfully passed, state bar exams in IN-1973, OH-1973 and WI-2000).  This sure sounds like a "quality hire" to me?  3 attempts in 6 years to pass the bar?  The guy is must be a legal scholar!

Roosevelt Fails to Make the Grade; State Sanctions Coming
Compiled From a Post-Trib Staff Report
[22 Jul 2011]

Roosevelt Career and Technical Academy is the sole Northwest Indiana school facing some form of state intervention after the Gary high school failed to demonstrate enough academic progress this year.

The arer four other region high schools that, like Roosevelt, were in a fifth year of academic probation.  However, Calumet High, Hammond High, Morton High and East Chicago Central made ample improvement to avoid intervention.  In all, 18 schools across the state had just completed their fifth year on academic probation.

Darren Washington, president of the Gary Community School Corp. board of trustees, said he was not shocked by Friday's announcement.  "There is no surprise that Roosevelt didn't make the grade," Washington said.

Roosevelt is one of seven schools entering a sixth year of academic probation; the six others are Indianapolis public schools.  Schools reserve the right to appeal their placement, but if a school falls into a sixth straight year of failing to make sufficient academic progress, state law requires the Indiana State Board of Education to act.

Both Washington and Gary Community School Corp. Superintendent Myrtle Campbell are advocating for the State Board of Education to allow the Gary Community School Corp. to revise the schools improvement plan, which may outline changes in procedures or operations and professional development.  Campbell feels that option gives the school district the ability to maintain local control over Roosevelt with continued support from the state.

Campbell said the school district had many challenges to overcome at Roosevelt and that research shows it often takes three years to transform a school.  Campbell called it "an almost impossibility to do (a transformation) in one year."  "We have to deal with the school climate first and foremost.  You can't get children involved in learning unless we change the attitude.  We also had to work with teachers as well, so everyone had a sense of accountability and ownership of what needed to be done in that school," Campbell said.

Gary has applied for a grant that will allow the school district to use a more heavy-handed approach to improve Roosevelt, called the turnaround model.  The model crafted by the U.S. Department of Education would require replacing at least half of the schools staff.  Last school year, the district used the transformational model at Roosevelt, which is a softer approach, but did require the replacement of Roosevelt's principal.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   The question becomes one of to where will the 50% of staff who are removed from Roosevelt under the turnaround model be reassigned?  Sending them to other schools in the district (known as the "dance of the lemons) does not solve the problem;  at best it merely camouflages it, at worst it exacerbates it!

Jackson Deal 'Fairly Dead in the Water'
Compiled from a nwi.Times Report by Christine Kraly
[5 Jun 2011]

According to Krusas, it won't.  The plan likely stalled after the Indiana General Assembly rejected a land-based casino in Gary, she said.  "I think that the whole project was predicated on (a casino)," she said.  "We all have great ideas, but if you don't have the money to do the development without any assistance, then all it is is an idea."  Councilwoman Carolyn Rogers, D-4th, said a Jackson venue "absolutely" should be a Steel City priority.  "It doesn't have to be this project, but there needs to be something in the city of Gary," she said.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   And this should come as a surprise to whom?

Gary Gab - Random Region Reports
Compliled by GDY
[18 May 2011]

U.S.P.O -

"We saw improvement in instruction from our last visit in March," Kwiatkowski said in an email.  "The school has identified many of their problems and is now working on an action plan to make significant changes in the school, but there is still a lot of work ahead."  Roosevelt students must make considerable improvement on End of Course Assessments in English/Language Arts and mathematics, which are being given over the next few weeks.  Last year, 14 percent of students passed the English/Language Arts section, which needs to be boosted to 38 percent by the end of this semester.  In math, students must improve a dismal 11 percent passing rate to 31.8 percent.

Gary Primary Vote Tallys
Source - http://www.lakecountyin.org/cms-host/voters/microvote/2011PrimaryElectionResults/LakeElecSumm%20.htm
[4 May 2011]

In Tuesday's primary election Gary Democratic voters chose incumbents in all but the District 2 council contest.

District 2 challenger Michael L. Protho defeated current Gary City Council member Shirley A. Stanford by a narrow vote margin (1035 - 841).  The 57 year old Protho is a 35 year employee of the Gary Community School Corp., and was a precinct committeeman in the 2nd district for 14 years.

Incumbents also won the Democratic primary for Gary City Court judge and clerk for the city of Gary.  Deidre L. Monroe received a resounding victory in her race to keep her position as judge of the city court over Darnail Lyles.  City Clerk Suzette Raggs also handily defeated challenger Clorius L. Lay by a huge majority of votes.  In each race the rough totals were 11,000 to 4,000.

In the mayor contest a paltry 19,741 votes were cast for all candidates!  Of that total number, Freeman-Wilson garnered 11,364 votes, which equals 57.57% of the total.  Her chief rival, Regan Hatcher, received 6,872 votes or 34.81%.  Rudy, on the ballot even though he had officially withdrawn, received 185 votes!  All the other mayoral candidates collectively pulled in 1,320 votes.

Jim Nowacki, in his council-at-large bid received a mere 2,490 votes, or 5.57% of all votes cast.  The leader in this contest, Kyle W. Allen, Sr., racked up 9,145 votes for a 20.44% share. The other two winners in this contest were incumbents Roy Pratt and Ron Brewer.

Primary Election Day-2011
Commentary by GDY
[2 May 2011]

Brown Defends Gary to Indiana House
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Dan Carden
[25 Apr 2011]

But Brown said Gary's current problems are caused by outsiders and "supply and demand."  "Young white kids from the suburbs find their way into the projects of Gary, Ind., at midnight, any given night, to buy drugs," Brown said.  "As a result of that we found that young men in Gary want that trade; so they kill one another to get those suburban dollars.  "If you all didn't come in there, we wouldn't have half of our problems," Brown said.

No Relief for Gary Taxpayers as State Lifts Caps
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Chelsea Schneider Kirk, and a
nwiTimes.com Report by Dan Carden
[14 Apr 2011]

Instead, Gary property owners will continue paying the highest tax rates in the state -- but for only one more year.

The DUAB recommended tax levies for the city of Gary and three other Gary taxing units translate into a 25% addition to the state's property tax rates.  That means a Gary homeowner this year will pay a property tax rate of 1.25% of assessed value, with rental properties paying 2.47% and business and industrial properties paying 3.68%.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay thanked DUAB for once again granting relief.  Gary successfully sought relief from the board in 2009 and 2010 as well.  "Gary is not the only city that is distressed," Clay told board members at Wednesdays meeting in Indianapolis.  "We are the only ones who came to the proper place."

This year is the final time Gary can go to the board because voters added permanent tax caps to the states constitution.

Even with this years relief, Gary faces significant challenges, said DUAB staff member Cristopher Johnston.  He brought up Garys 2010 census numbers and how the fall in population could impact the citys ability to receive grants.  "The city should challenge the status quo in how it delivers services," Johnston said.  The report makes note that cuts of around $5 million to $7 million are still needed for 2012 and mentions the city clerk, court, city council and fire departments as places where Gary could look to trim.  "These are necessary services," Johnston said, "but can we deliver them at a lower cost in the future?"

Along with Gary, the Gary Sanitary District, Gary Stormwater Management District and Gary Public Transportation Corp., petitioned DUAB.  For 2011, GPTC had asked the board to add $1.1 million. It expects it will receive $180,000.  Gary Sanitary District had requested $6.1 million and received a $3.7 million levy.  The district also had to adjust its levy to transfer $2 million to the city.  Gary Stormwater petitioned for a $641,668 levy, but the units request was lowered to $538,405.

Clay Backs Freeman-Wilson
Compiled From Post-Trib Reports by Christin Nance Lazerus and Michael Gonzalez
[13 Apr 2011]

Clay to Announce Endorsement
Compiled From a Post-Trib staff Report, and a
nwiTimes.com Report by Bill Dolan
[12 Apr 2011]

Another Gary Murder Hits Close to Home
A GDYNets Commentary
[9 Apr 2011]

This latest tragedy is yet another example of the truism, "One can never go home."  It brutally reinforced the sad reality that the home I knew and loved has ceased to exist.  I attended Riley School, where the murdered woman's body was found.  The suspect, prior to his arrest, was reported as living with his mother in her home in the 800 block of East 44th Av in Glen Park.  The address of the Glen Park home in which I was born, raised and retain fond memories of was 825 E. 44th Av.  It subsequently turned out that the supect was living a mere 2 doors down, at 841 E. 44th Av.

Rudy Not Seeking Re-election
Compiled From a WBEZ Report by Michael Puente, and
a Post-Trib Report by By Mike Gonzalez and Jon Seidel
[8 Apr 2011 ]

Attorney Hopes to Trim Gary Mayor Candidates
Compiled From a nwiTimes.com Report by Bill Dolan
[3 Mar 2011]

U.S. Steel-Gary Works Propels Chicago Area to Top
Compiled From a nwiTimes.com Staff Report
[3 Mar 2011]

In its annual Governor's Cup awards released Tuesday, Site Selection magazine ranked the Chicago area as the No. 1 metropolitan area in the U.S. in corporate facility expansion projects in 2010.  The magazine cited U.S. Steel's investment of $220 million to modernize its Gary Works facility.

U.S. Steel's investment in Gary helped the Chicago area lead the nation in rankings for economic development projects.

The magazine cited U.S. Steel's investment of $220 million to modernize its Gary Works plant.  The investment involves the first large-scale commercial application in the U.S. of a continuous process for making a coke alternative.  "It allows us to replace existing coke batteries with new technology and improve the environmental performance of the facility," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Courtney Boone said.  "The first phase will involve two modules."  The first two modules are expected to begin operating in November.  When complete, the modules will produce about 500,000 tons of the coke substitute.  In all, 500 construction jobs will be created during the work.

Indiana ranked ninth among states for number of new economic development projects in 2010. Indiana's ranking is up one spot from last year.

Clay Loads Ballot to Guarantee Victory
Compiled From a Post-Trib Letter to Editor
[26 Feb 2011]

Clay:  Gary Won't File Bankruptcy
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Michael Gonzalez
[25 Feb 2011]

And The Horses Are At The Starting Gate
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Jon Seidel
[19 Feb 2011]

And Then There Were Only 13 Gary Mayor Candidates
Compiled from a nwiTimes Report by Bill Dolan
[18 Feb 2011]

No Land-based Casino
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report By Jon Seidel
[17 Feb 2011]

Health-care Officials Rip Gary Snow Response
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Mark Taylor
[14 Feb 2011]

Gary Suffers From Chronic Shortage of Doctors
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report By Mark Taylor
[13 Feb 2011]

Gary's Loss
Compiled From a Post-Trib "Op-Ed" Column
[11 Feb 2011]

A Cause and Effect Analysis
Excerpt From a Post-Trib Column by Raymond Dix
[29 Jan 2011]

When people lose jobs they tend to move to a place where they believe they will be able to find employment.  Communities like Gary lose people who are inclined to work, become homeowners/stakeholders and raise families with similar values.  To some degree and over time, the hope necessary to maintain a positive outlook diminishes with each passing generation.  People who have lost hope also lose the desire to maintain healthy communities.

Rusted Out:  Clay Says City Has Many, Many, Many More People
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report By Jon Seidel, Chelsea Schneider Kirk and The Associated Press
                 and a nwiTimes Report By Marisa Kwiatkowski
[11 Feb 2011]

How to Assure Rudy is Re-elected
A GDY Op-Ed
[30 Jan 2011]

Former Assessor Challenges Own Assessment
Compiled From a nwiTimes.com Report by Bill Dolan
[29 Jan2011]

CROWN POINT | Former Calumet Township Assessor Booker Blumenberg may be unhappy with high taxes on his Gary home because its real estate value was poorly assessed -- by his own employee.

County Assessor Hank Adams said Blumenberg only has himself to blame since the assessment was the result of Blumenberg's own work.  Voters elected Blumenberg to assess all homes and businesses in Gary, Griffith and unincorporated Calumet Township from 1990 until he left office last month.

Members of the Lake County Tax Assessment Board of Appeals expressed astonishment at their Friday meeting over Blumenberg's letter protesting that the assessed value of his residence was "improperly derived and applied contrary to ... state law."  Adams said of Blumenberg's complaint, "He's apparently saying he did everything wrong.  He was the township assessor.  Why would he (as taxpayer) disapprove of what he approved (as township assessor)?"

County records indicate Blumenberg's home is worth more than $182,000 and that his tax bill last year was $3,979, although he didn't pay it. His total tax delinquency from previous years is more than $9,900.

Blumenberg, who didn't appear at the meeting, didn't return a telephone call Friday seeking comment. Board members postponed action on the matter.
_________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   It can only happen in da' Region! 

Gary Mayor Hopefuls Know Bankruptcy
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Jon Seidel
[28 Jan 2011]

GARY -- At least three of Gary's declared mayoral candidates have filed bankruptcy in the past.  Each says the bankruptcy has no bearing on their ability to manage finances of the cash-strapped city.

Bankruptcy filings can be found in the federal district covering Northern Indiana for Ragen Hatcher, Robert L. Buggs Sr. and Jeffery Tatum.  Hatcher is considered a major contender for the mayor's office.

Hatcher acknowledged her bankruptcy came after an investment deal in Indianapolis failed.  Two houses she owned there went on tax sale in 2006.  Marion County records show she owed about $15,000 at the time.  "I was faced with filing for bankruptcy on two of the properties," Hatcher, an at-large member of the City Council, said.  "However, I continued to maintain and pay all personal debt."

In her Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, Hatcher, daughter of former Gary Mayor Richard G. Hatcher, said she was making mortgage payments on properties in the 200 block of North Gray Street and the 2200 block of Bellefontaine Street in Indianapolis.

According to Marion County records, Hatcher took possession of both properties in 2002.  She owed $4,966 on the Gray Street property when it was purchased on tax sale in September 2006.  The Bellefontaine property, where she owed $10,514, failed to sell during the tax auction.  It was deeded over to the city of Indianapolis.

"This will not affect my ability to manage city budgets," Hatcher said of her bankruptcy.  "In having to maintain the integrity of city finances, it is imperative to have the ability to make difficult decisions that will create financial stability."

Records indicate Lake County properties in Hatcher's name have delinquent tax bills amounting to at least $2,428, but she said that's because she recently purchased them on tax sale.  She provided tax deed orders indicating taxes won't be due on those properties until later this year.

Tatum, who entered the mayor's race Tuesday, filed a voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in 1998, records show.  Tatum, a Gary police officer, said he was forced into bankruptcy when Gary failed to pay medical bills as it had agreed to under his insurance plan.  He said he was hit with multiple lawsuits at once.  "I couldn't afford to, basically, live," Tatum said.

Buggs filed his voluntary Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition in October 2006.  He said he did so to prevent foreclosure on rental properties he owned that had been overassessed.  He said he later won appeals on those assessments.  He also said there's "nothing negative" about a bankruptcy filing.  "Circumstances happen to people sometime," Buggs said.
_________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   I do not know whether to take solace in the fact Ragen Hatcher is not living off of her daddy's money, or to be more than concerned that Ms. Hatcher thinks the "Circle City," not the "Steel City," is the Indiana town worth investing her dollars and efforts?

Odds Bad for Land-based Gary Casino
Compiled From a nwiTimes.com Report by Dan Carden
[28 Jan 2011]

INDIANAPOLIS | Gary's hopes for a land-based casino may have been dashed Thursday, one month into a four-month legislative session.

Speaking with reporters, Senate President David Long (R-Fort Wayne) said he is not likely to allow a committee hearing on Senate Bill 41, permitting a Gary inland casino, until Majestic Star comes out of bankruptcy.  Majestic Star, the owner of Gary's two casinos, filed for bankruptcy reorganization in November 2009.

Hopefully, New Gary Will Rise From the Ashes
A Post-Trib "Letter to Editor"
[23 Jan 2011]

Gary is fiscally bankrupt.  However, under current state law, Indiana cities are not allowed to file bankruptcy.  Senate Bill 105 will change that.

Gary is out of money.  It cannot afford to provide its citizens with basic civil services and, due to constitutional tax caps, Gary cannot generate enough revenue to continue to exist.

Gary is now dead, and as the dead cannot bury the dead, I would welcome a state-appointed manager to do the job.  Our elected officials have allowed the diseases of ineptitude, corruption, cronyism and patronage to become terminal.

Gary has been on Distressed Unit Appeals Board life support, and last fall the voters pulled the plug.  A state-appointed undertaker is needed now.  I say R.I.P., Gary, you always will have a special place in my heart.

Perhaps with oversight from a state-appointed emergency manager, a new and better city will rise from your ashes, but first we can be sure that the very people who put Gary in the grave will try every trick in the book, including the race card, to poison the citizens against any "state takeover" of Gary so they can continue to feed on the corpse of this once-great city.

City Council candidate Tony Walker's recent use of slavery era terminology when discussing Senate Bill 105 underscores the truth that no one seems willing to confront.  The truth is that racism killed Gary.  Racist whites who fled Gary following the election of its first black mayor share the blame with racist blacks who ever since that election have insisted that Gary should always remain a black-dominated, black-controlled, black-oriented city.

It should be noted forever that the disease of racism was to blame for the death of the City of the Century.

Cullen B. Daniel
Gary

Gary Mayoral Campaign Reports Show Disparity
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Jon Seidel
[22 Jan 2011]

GARY -- Campaign finance reports for Clay, Freeman-Wilson and Ragen Hatcher were released Friday by Lake County.  A pair of front-runners in the race to knock Rudy Clay out of the mayor's office have a combined $859 for their campaigns, records show.  Clay's campaign has $72,537.  "That means he has a war chest," Karen Freeman-Wilson, one of the two challengers, said.

The reports show Hatcher for Gary had $93.89 on hand at the end of the reporting period. Karen (Freeman-Wilson) for Gary had $765.11.  Saba Mohammed also signed up to run for the office this week, but county officials said they don't have a report to release from that campaign.

Four businesses exceeded their maximum amount of donations to the Committee to Elect Rudy Clay in 2010, according to the mayor's report.  They were Alex Metz Sewer Inc., which contributed $2,500, B&W Security Agency Inc., which contributed $2,500, Hasse Construction Co. Inc., which contributed $2,250, and TRI Inc., which contributed $2,500.

Indiana law restricts those donors to $2,000 a year.  Nathaniel Williams, the treasurer of Clay's campaign, said the excess $1,750 has been refunded to the businesses.

In all, Clay's campaign said it took in $131,150 in 2010.  Freeman-Wilson's campaign said it took in $7,015 during that period.  "You certainly must have funds to run a campaign nowadays," Clay said.

Hatcher's report detailed activity between Oct. 8 and Jan. 15.  Her campaign said it took in $1,100 during those months.

Among Freeman-Wilson's contributions were donations of $1,000 each from Roosevelt Allen Jr., Charlie Brown and Bernard A. Carter.  Hatcher took in $750 from donors in Chicago and South Holland, Ill., and Muskegon Heights, Mich.

Hatcher said money won't decide the campaign.  "Talking directly to the people is the best way to get the word out," Hatcher said.

Clay Ditches Hummer
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Jon Seidel
[22 Jan 2011]

GARY -- Rudy Clay says he's losing the Hummer.  "It's become political," he said.

Gary's mayor has been driven around town in a taxpayer-funded Hummer H3 for nearly five years, ever since he took office.  Few of his decisions have drawn quite as much public ire, but Clay has defended it with equal passion.  "I've got one of the cheapest SUVs on the highway," Clay said in 2009, "and it's like the world is coming to an end."

Now, with the primary election just months away, he said he'll soon start using one of more than 100 fuel-efficient cars purchased by the city with a $3 million federal stimulus grant last year.  Most of those new cars are Ford Crown Victorias used by the Gary Police Department, but Gary also purchased 12 hybrid Ford Escapes.  "I will be giving the Hummer up," Clay said.  "That's the bottom line."

The fate of Clay's Hummer isn't clear.  He said Friday morning he planned to give it up when the lease ends.  But Gary's finance department said the city is leasing the car with an option to purchase.  With one final payment on Dec. 24, the vehicle will be the property of Gary's taxpayers.

Clay said he'll probably sell the 2009 Hummer back to the dealership from which it was purchased.  The dealer is willing to buy the car back for market value, Clay said.  If that falls through, the car could remain in Gary's fleet.

The mayor took lots of heat for his choice of transportation, but he's insisted it was an economical choice when compared to the 2003 Ford Expedition used by former Mayor Scott King.
_________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   It does not sound to me like he is giving up the Hummer, if he is going to keep using it until next Christmas?

Lieske Licked:  Ends Race
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Jon Seidel
[18 Jan 2011]

GARY -- Jack Lieske says he's withdrawing from the race for Gary mayor, blaming an "unwarranted and ruthless" attack by a former campaign worker.  "I have no choice," Lieske said.

If elected, Lieske said his administration's initiatives would have included a major university, a lakefront marina and green housing for the disabled.

"I am deeply saddened that the city of Gary had an opportunity never seen before with the resources that I have developed over the last three years that will never be implemented," Lieske said.  "My entire goal was to empower people to take back their city, and because of one self-serving person, these initiatives will not become reality."

Illinois resident Traci Bismonte distributed a resignation e-mail addressed to Lieske's campaign manager last week.  In it, she said Lieske is not a Gary resident and hasn't set up a bank account to collect campaign contributions.

Lieske immediately denied all of it, saying Bismonte is disgruntled and has a personal vendetta.  "There is nothing that is true in this e-mail," Lieske said Friday.

Bismonte stood by her correspondence Monday.  "It is not a character assassination," Bismonte said.  "I simply told the truth."

Lieske's withdrawal comes just as the official kick-off of the campaign nears.  Wednesday is the first day candidates seeking office in this year's election can file for a spot on the ballot.  The deadline to do so is noon Feb. 18.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay has said he will try to keep his job in this year's election. Attorney Karen Freeman-Wilson and City Council member Ragen Hatcher have said they will run against him.  Lester Lowe, Richard Nash and LaVetta Sparks-Wade have also said they'll be on the ballot.

Gary Officials Should Share in Financial Woes
Compiled From a Post-Trib Ed-Op
[18 Jan 2011]

Before the city of Gary lays off another firefighter, authorizes another dime's worth of fees on its residents or shuts down children's parks, it needs to cut from the top.  The mayor and City Council should enact that symbolic gesture and give a good whacking to their own salaries, to acknowledge they really care and really can lead.

Despite a nominal pay cut, Mayor Rudy Clay makes $135,250 a year.  That's more than Gov. Mitch Daniels is paid.  Taxpayers should demand to know why, and what they get for it.  The nine council members each makes $27,530 annually.

The DUAB said Gary's council budget was three times larger than council budgets for South Bend and Evansville.  Why does the council need all that cash?  In South Bend, for example, the council doesn't have a staff.  If a council member needs assistance, a worker in the city clerk's office provides support.  Why can't that work in Gary?

Gary leaders need to be versed in making prudent, intelligent budget decisions.  They've shown little proclivity for it, thus far.  It took Post-Tribune stories exposing their cross-country travel excursions on the city's dime to stop that practice and to stop a "grants" fund in 2009.

Despite the criticism from DUAB members and in places like this one, there's still a disconnect between fiscal reality and Gary's leaders who should be developing reasons for people to move to Gary, not leave it.

So far, the exodus is winning.

Casino Funds Gary's Ace in Hole?
Compiled From a nwiTimes.com Report by Lu Ann Frankilin
[15 Jan 2011]

GARY | In light of the city's continuing financial crisis, Councilman-at-large Roy Pratt hammered home again Friday that the Majestic Star casinos owe the city millions of dollars in user fees based on an agreement forged in the mid-1990s.  That agreement states that Majestic Star I will pay the city 3% of its adjusted gross revenue each month, while Majestic Star II will provide 4% of its AGR, Pratt said during a news conference in council chambers at City Hall.

The money could help the city function, prevent further layoffs and department closures and keep the city out of bankruptcy, he said.  "We haven't been paid in 2 1/2 years," Pratt said.  "Gary is the only city with a riverboat receiving absolutely nothing."

How much money the casinos owe still isn't clear.  Pratt sent inquiries to various entities Monday, including the Indiana Gaming Commission seeking figures about what Majestic Star owes and what has been paid.  The commission asked for an extension until Jan. 22 to answer.

Mayoral Candidate Claims He's Targeted
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Jon Seidel
[15 Jan 2011 ]

GARY -- A man running for mayor says he's become a political target after a campaign worker slammed him in a resignation e-mail this week.  Jack Lieske also said someone tried to burn down his home on Christmas Day.

Gary Residents Decry Request for Bailout
Compiled From a www.wbez.org by Michael Puente
[7 Jan 2011]

Richard Barnes has had it when it comes to hearing about property tax relief for his hometown of Gary, Indiana.  Barnes traveled to Indianapolis Friday morning to urge members of the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals Board not to allow Gary to collect another $11 million in property taxes from homeowners and businesses.  "Property tax relief for the city is tax payments for residents," Barnes told the board. "The time has come to provide relief for the residents, not the government."

During this final go-around, some on the DUAB wonder if Gary is doing all it can to reduce expenditures.  Board member Mark GiaQuinta of Fort Wayne was shocked to learn that Gary city council members earn annual salaries of $26,000, among the highest in the state.  He said it should be cut.  "I think it would be very beneficial to the community and to all of you personally to announce a dramatic decrease in your salaries."

Near the end of the citys presentation, several residents had harsh words for their hometown including Jim Nowacki, a longtime critic of Gary city government.  "The reason the city cant function under the tax caps is because of waste, corruption and the scandalous abuse of the authority given to them," Nowacki said.  "I want the board to understand that this (Gary) is a nonfunctioning unit of government and not grant relief.  What you have here is not simply a unit of government that is in distress.  Youve got a unit of government that is a corrupt criminal enterprise."

Clay Says He's Right Man for Job
Compiled From a NWITimes.com Report By Lauri Harvey Keagle
[7 Jan 2011]

GARY | Rudy Clay will ask Gary voters to give him another term as their mayor.  Clay made the announcement at a Thursday morning news conference in a meeting room adjacent to the mayor's office at City Hall.  "I work 24/7 to make Gary a better city," Clay said.  "That renders me the best qualified person to bring jobs, hope and quality of life (to Gary). ...  We are prepared, we are experienced, we are proficient, and we are ready."

In a speech rich with the metaphors the career politician is known for, Clay said he plans to make job creation and restoring the tax base priorities.  "Gary needs a mayor that's already been in the cockpit and flew the plane," he said.  "You've got financial turbulence on one wing over here, lightning over here. ...  We have the best mayor right here now.  I don't even know what all the fuss is about."

Clay has come under fire for the city's dire financial situation throughout his tenure as mayor.  Most recently, city officials delivered layoff notices to 34 firefighters Dec. 27, blaming the move on 2011 salary budget cuts they expect will be required by the Distressed Unit Appeals Board.  The state board granted the city $21 million in relief from tax caps in each of the past two years.

Still, the city's property tax revenue has been cut in half since the tax caps were instituted.  "We've been able to streamline city government," he said.  "I think that's great. I  think that in 2012, we will be one of the few cities that'll be prepared for property tax caps because we were one of the few cities creative enough to go to the (board) and get help."

The city plans to appear before the board again Friday.

In addition to property tax revenue losses, the city also has lost revenue because of the bankruptcy of the Majestic Star Casino.

Clay was quick to point the finger of blame at previous administrations for the city's financial woes.  "After the abrupt resignation of the former mayor (Scott King), we inherited a city that was financially drained," he said.  Clay said on his first day in office, he was handed a $4.5 million NIPSCO bill, $900,000 water bill and $30,000 cell phone bill.

"A small city like Gary, Ind., reduced spending $62 million," he said.  "There is no city in America the size of Gary that could reduce spending $62 million and still keep the doors open, but we did."

Other successes Clay pointed to included using federal funds to demolish 101 abandoned buildings, paving 22 streets with $2.8 million in state funds and putting 96 police squads on the street with federal dollars.

There have been nine police chiefs during Clay's five year tenure in office, including the late Thomas Houston, who died in prison in November after being convicted of violating the rights of a man accused of burglarizing his home.  Clay insists that in spite of the turnover in the top cop's seat, firefighter layoffs and a high crime rate, "public safety is the No. 1 priority in our community."

Mercy Hospital Attached to Gary Police Station Hit, Cops Say
Compiled From a NWITimes.com Report By Pete Nickeas
[6 Jan 2011]

GARY | A Gary police officer heading to shift change early Thursday morning reportedly spotted two men tossing duffel bags from a window in the vacant Mercy Hospital attached to the Gary Police Department.

Police say they were stealing scraps from the building. Inside the bags were tools, and near the window where one man was standing police found freshly cut copper pipes and old electrical motors, said Lt. Sam Roberts of the Gary Police Department.

The man inside the building fled when the officer started asking questions, Roberts said. The other, Robert Lee Burns, 43, of Gary, was arrested and charged with burglary. He had an outstanding warrant for driving while suspended, Roberts said. More officers searched the building, but couldn't find the second man.
_________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   What does it say about a city, or its residents, that citizens have no fear in burglarizing the building attached to the Gary Police Station?

Councilman Pratt Calls for Meeting, Cites Potential of Subpoenas
Compiled From a NWI.com Report by Rob Earnshaw
[5 Jan 2011]

GARY | Gary City Councilman Roy Pratt, D-at large, announced a Jan. 14 meeting at City Hall "so we can get information that we do not have."  He threatened the use of subpoena powers to get answers from the powers that be while speaking of the city's woeful state of affairs at Tuesday's council meeting.

His call for better understanding of what lies ahead financially for the city comes in the wake of the layoffs of 34 city firefighters and Majestic Star Casino's bankruptcy filing.  Bankruptcy filings show the casino owes the city more than $10 million in gaming subsidies, and the city claims it's owed another $25 million to $30 million in local property taxes.  "Here we are laying off firemen, (and) we have a major employer who owes the city millions of dollars," Pratt said.

Pratt said the council will send letters with questions to Mayor Rudy Clay, City Attorney Susan Severtson, the Indiana Gaming Commission, the city's bankruptcy attorney -- and maybe even Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Gary to Host Black Film Fest in Feb
Compiled From a Report By Sergio @ http://www.shadowandact.com/?p=36366
[5 Jan 2011]

As I always say there can never be enough black film festivals, and now you can add Gary Indiana to the list of cities with their own black festival.  The Gary International Black Film Festival will be held from Feb.11-13 with all films screened at the Glen Theater.

Though its unclear from the website for the festival if this is the first time the festival has been held in Gary films such as Night Catches Us, I Will Follow, Night.Fighter.Boy will be screened, and feelers have been put out to get The First Grader and Kinyarwanda as well. (Boy if they get those films thatll be a real coup!)

'Urban Genocide' Way of Life on Gary Streets
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Lori Caldwell
[3 Jan 2011]

GARY -- The names and numbers change from year to year.  Even the cities Gary gets compared to when looking at homicide rates are different.  But this remains the same:  homicide victims, mostly young, black men, die in this city at a higher per capita rate than any other municipality of similar size.

No longer listed in the major cities of 100,000 or more residents, Gary appears to rank first among cities with a population between 50,000 and 99,999, which is the next grouping used by the FBI when releasing its annual Uniform Crime Report.  Although data from every city in that population range was not available, none of the cities with reputations for high crime rates reported numbers close to Gary's 54 violent deaths for 2010.

In 2008, with 40 homicides, Gary reached a low not seen for decades.  In 2009, 50 people died violent deaths.

'NO ONE WANTS TO GET INVOLVED'

Violent Crime Unit detectives say they often know who committed the most heinous crimes.  But people who could help solve a case won't cooperate by providing even an anonymous call.  Sgt. Larry Robertson said he and his co-workers get frustrated when they start asking questions and get blank stares from people who could provide even basic information.

"People of Gary should ask themselves why the communities around them don't have this level of criminal activity," Bond said.  "Urban genocide will continue until those who are brave enough actually stand up and do the right thing," he said.

Robertson said criminals who commit one homicide with no repercussions are likely to do it again.  "If they've killed before, they will kill again.  But now the blood is on the hands of the witnesses who walk away.  That's how I look at it," he said.

Sparks-Wade Enters Mayor Race
Compiled from a Post-Trib Report by Michael Gonzalez
[2 Jan 2011]

GARY -- Businesswoman LaVetta Sparks-Wade, a former division manager for the state's Child Protective Services, on Saturday threw her hat into the increasingly crowded race for mayor.  Sparks-Wade told several dozen followers at a West Side church she is not a politician, which separates her from the pack, and she promised to revitalize the city.  "We'd like to return to the days of old when one could graduate high school and get a job here in the city," she said.  "In my administration, our No. 1 priority will be jobs."

Sparks-Wade, who grew up in Gary and attended public schools before attending Tuskegee University in Alabama, was a 15-year CPS employee and manager before leaving to run her own consulting business, Integrity Solutions Inc.

The official filing period opens the third week in January.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   It seems to me that Rudy has to be drooling over the number of primary challengers?  The more that enter the fray, the less number of votes he needs to prevail.

Clay's Time as Mayor Must Not be Allowed to Continue
Post-Trib Reader Commentary
[2 Jan 2011]

It's time to take out the trash in Gary.  Rudy Clay must go.  He has not earned another term in office as mayor.  He has been an extremely poor and ineffective mayor. I t is time to excise the cancer known as Rudy Clay.  It is malignant and is a particularly virulent strain.  It must be removed before it spreads.

It is time to flush the toilet in Gary, but make sure the lid is down, as things in Gary have a way of coming back up.

Seriously, Gary residents:  Be proactive, and let's get rid of Clay in the next election.  Any other candidate of your choice is a better choice.  The future of Gary depends on it.

Ramon Romantico
Gary

Clay said the decision to remove Ward was painful, but he declined further comment, saying he can't get too deeply into what is a personnel matter.
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[COMMENT -GDY]:   And how believable is Rudy on this one, one has to ask?