Porter County Politics

A roundup of articles - Northwest Indiana July 14th

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:54:00 +0000

I know many of you are reading the same papers I am, so I'll try to include a couple links to articles you may have missed this morning:

Illiana Expressway report released, with a west leg only so far. This seems to have those in southern Porter County most against the tollway calmed, but what about those in southern Lake County?

The City of Valparaiso pools over $700,000 for sidewalk replacement. Here's a question, what is the city paying to install these sidewalks? In the past it was quite evident that concrete and construction companies were pillaging cities and towns by over-charging, with the construction labor market weak these prices should be even less now right?

Crown Point and Winfield are preparing for the new I-65 interchange, still no plans though in Porter County for the increase in traffic or growth?

Opinion piece calls for City of Gary officials to attend Local Government Academy, first problem there is no Local Government Academy anymore and secondly who is going to pay?

A report from the Young Republicans National Convention in Indianapolis over the weekend, with some disappointing election problems, and lots of comments about YR's. One of our authors here is the local YR chair, and I hope he'll be writing his own update for our readers soon.

More on City of Gary trash dispute, while trash continues to pile up and neither the city nor GSD is picking it up.

And from LaPorte County, where the assessing and auditing function are having even more problems than Porter County these days, this public notice which eerily suggests that the DLGF is having to do the job for the county officers:

Notice of Public Hearing

on Department of Local Government Finance’s Performance of Annual Adjustment for 2009 pay 2010 property taxes in LaPorte County

The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (“Department”) has determined that LaPorte County has not made annual adjustments to assessed valuations required by 50 IAC 21 for 2009 pay 2010 property taxes. By law, when a county fails to make an annual adjustment to assessed valuations, the Department must perform that task for the county.

Pursuant to Indiana law, certified notice is hereby given that on Monday, July 20, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. (CDT), in Conference Room 2 of the LaPorte County Complex Annex Building, 809 State Street, La Porte, Indiana, the Department will hold a public hearing concerning its performance of the annual adjustment on real property.

Using data permitted by 50 IAC 21-12-1, the Department proposes to apply the following adjustment factors to assessed real property values in LaPorte County for 2009 pay 2010 property taxes:

Vacant Industrial 100%

Improved Industrial 101%

Vacant Commercial 100%

Improved Commercial 101%

Vacant Residential 100%

Improved Residential 97%

The hearing is open to the public. Anyone interested in participating in the public hearing is encouraged to attend and may speak or submit written statements expressing his concerns. Written comments may be submitted in advance to Brian E. Bailey, General Counsel, Department of Local Government Finance, Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Ave., Rm. N1058, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Signed this 2nd day of July, 2009.

Timothy J. Rushenberg, Commissioner

Department of Local Government Finance

Gary Mayor suggests council needs to step up

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:32:00 +0000

We tend to cover Porter County more than the whole region, but for the rest of our Northwest Indiana readers the battle over trash pick up in the City of Gary has become quite the circus.

Last week the City Council voted against a contract to out-source trash pick-up. The problem is that the cities trash pick-up department was disbanded already and now no one is legally able to charge for trash pick up in Gary.

Mayor Clay is suggesting that it's time for the Gary city council to step up and say what it is they want. (via Times)

Hitching to a Broken Wagon: Portage’s Mayor Olga-Velasquez Plays Party over People.

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Buckley) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:44:00 +0000

Traditionally a libertarian position, local Democrats have historically opposed projects ranging from building hospitals (which would cost the County literally nothing) to an extension of the controversial South Shore Line. Porter County Democrats even oppose repairing roads for which hard-fought Federal funds lie dormant. They justify this agenda by proclaiming themselves representatives of the people in opposing all taxes, while squandering millions of local tax dollars wallowing in their own utter incompetence by failing to get tax bills out on time. What is troubling most recently is the subject of this article: Portage Mayor should work for Portage

As Mayor of Portage, a Third Class City in Indiana, Mayor Velasquez’s charge is to find solutions to problems within her City’s limits. Unfortunately, however, she is allowing the partisanship of the local Democrats to control her agenda both in and outside her City. As a voting member of the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), Mayor Velasquez has an opportunity to work with other regional and community leaders to make a positive difference for Northwest Indiana. It appears, however, that she has chosen instead to give in to Bob Harper and the CAVE (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) agenda of her local party.

This is troubling for three (3) reasons. First, as alluded to above, a mayor’s job is to identify problems and provide solutions. Rarely should ideology enter into this equation. Rather, it entails the bricks and mortar of everyday life. One such problem Portage faces is the massive unemployment other communities such as Valparaiso are also dealing with. The ChicaGo Dash provides a much needed link to Chicago, the Region’s greatest economic engine in which many depend for daily transportation to and from work. Mayor Velasquez missed a major opportunity to provide daily transportation to Chicago for her residents. Instead of inquiring how to jump onboard and include the citizens of Portage in the ChicaGo Dash route, she instead chose to simply vote against it.

Second, with this vote Mayor Velasquez simply appeased Bob Harper and the anti-everything county Democrats. How can a mayor, with her unique understanding and advocacy of her city’s priorities, crumble to the intimidation Commissioner Harper is known for exerting and still provide for her City? To perform effectively, any mayor (or any legal advocate for that matter) must be prepared to stand up against any opposition in or outside of her party in order to preserve the maximum opportunity for the constituents that she represents. She failed as mayor here in allowing her party to dominate her decision.

Third, and most troubling, the ramifications of this decision will likely impinge upon opportunities for the City of Portage in the future. Voting down proposals made by other municipality-members of NIRPC will likely result in these municipalities voting down her own initiatives that could significantly benefit the residents of Portage.

Mayor Velasquez, your City has a well-established history of reaching across party lines to do what is right for your residents and to benefit the Region as a whole. I urge you not to continue down this path of partisanship and division—the very self-fulfilling prophesy that causes Indianapolis to look Northwest and laugh.

Surprise Sen. Bayh cares about property taxes

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:14:00 +0000

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN JOHN CURLEY (Lake County)

ON SENATOR EVAN BAYH’S PROPERTY TAX PLAN

Senator Bayh can smell a tough re-election challenge coming. Just months after voting for President Obama’s massive stimulus bill that has yet to result in any measurable increase in jobs in the Hoosier State, Bayh is proposing to make a federal income tax deduction on property taxes permanent.

The timing of this recent push is intriguing considering the 2010 campaign is right around the corner. Residents of Lake County have long been hard hit by property tax increases and Senator Bayh has yet to support Governor Daniels’ wishes to make caps permanent. Instead of stumping around the state in a desperate push to up his re-election chances, Bayh should convince his fellow Democrats in the Indiana Legislature to allow an up-or-down vote on property tax legislation as soon they next convene. Even then it would be long overdue.

The Noose Tightens; Murtha/Visclosky Donor Charged With Kickbacks in Federal Court

johnthedisciple@gmail.com (J.D. Long) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The Murtha/Visclosky Corruption and Kickback Scandal has begun to draw blood, as the Gary Post-Tribune notes today:

PITTSBURGH -- The former chief executive for a defense contractor with ties to Reps. Pete Visclosky and John Murtha has been charged with taking about $200,000 in kickbacks from a subcontractor.

Richard Ianieri, of Doylestown, Pa., was charged in a one-count criminal information filed Monday in Pittsburgh. He is accused of accepting two kickbacks of about $100,000 each from a subcontractor -- identified only as "K" -- while he was an officer of Coherent Systems International Corp.

Point of Order here: when the indictment refuses to directly identify the subcontractor, that means the subcontractor is cooperating with the authorities. When the CEO is only charged with a single count of the indictment -- that means he's cooperating too, and has cut a deal already.

Already looking bad for our boy Peter.

Ianieri donated at least $9,200 to Visclosky's campaign and political action committee, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. A spokesman for Visclosky's campaign didn't return calls for comment. Visclosky's offices were subpoenaed in May as part of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the defunct Virginia lobbying firm The PMA Group. The firm was one of the congressman's top campaign donors.

In an April 2006 news release, Murtha announced that Coherent and Kuchera Defense Systems were working "virtually as one company" on 14 contracts worth $30 million to develop high-tech military gear. At the time, both companies had offices in Windber, near Murtha's home base of Johnstown.

Kuchera, which has given ten of thousands of dollars to Murtha's campaign and political action committee, has been under scrutiny in recent months. The company, owned by brothers William and Ronald Kuchera, has received $14.7 million in Murtha earmarks in the past two years. It and another company, Kuchera Industries Inc., have received $53 million in federal contracts in this decade alone.

In January, FBI agents and Pentagon investigators raided Kuchera Defense Systems' offices.

Ianieri was president and chief executive officer of Coherent until it was sold to Fairfax, Va.-based Argon ST in August 2007, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ianieri was charged via a federal criminal information, which typically indicates that a defendant is cooperating with prosecutors.

Argon's CEO, Terry Collins, said in a statement that the company cannot comment on the criminal allegations because the actions happened before Argon purchased most of the assets of Coherent in August 2007. Though Ianieri continued working for Argon after the acquisition, he left that company in October, Collins said.

In April, the Navy suspended the Kucheras and their companies for "alleged fraud" including multiple instances of incorrect charges, along with allegations of defective pricing and ethical violations. Kuchera is appealing the suspension.

And we wish them the best of luck with that. Really. Although at the rate the tine men are falling around Murtha and Visclosky. you have to wonder which crooked Democrap will turn on the other one first.

Heh. Couldn't happen to nicer guys.

Previous Entries on The Visclosky corruption Scandal:

Visclosky Corruption Details Emerge; Continues to Refuse to Resign Committee Chairmanship

GOP Lawmaker Demands Visclosky Step Aside as Committee Chair

Democrap “Most Ethical Congress Ever” People Having Trouble Living Up To The Hype

More Democrat Corruption?: Visclosky Tied to Earmark Contributor FBI Raids; Murtha Connection Revealed

Northwest Indiana Moonbats Eat Their Own

Cross Posted At Alamo City Pundit

~Johnny~

Eyes on LaPorte County - are we next?

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:40:00 +0000

This week's portion of the story can be seen in the Times article today, where the state has threatened legal action against the new LaPorte County auditor.

Here's a little more of the story, and feel free to add details if you know them:

Assessors, similar to Porter County, had a hard time keeping up using the new trending system. Thus the entire assessment was thrown out by a court and they are having to go back a few years and start over. In Porter County the assessment was not thrown out but more than 1,000 properties are in appeal.
The auditor in Laporte County does not want to sign off on the assessments, perhaps believing that they are still quite wrong?
Now the state is ordering the auditor to sign off on the assessments or be prosecuted. An interesting challenge to our obviously antiquated system of running county government.

This just points out again the strong need for reorganization of county government statewide. The three commissioners stand idly by, since it's not their job to assess or audit. The Treasurer watches from the sidelines since he/she just sends out checks. The auditor can't tell the assessor what to do, or vice versa. And the council has no legislative authority, all they can do is withhold funds from the other county offices.

My opinion, it's time to look at totally changing the way county government is organized in the State of Indiana. A proposal:

Elect one county executive, who runs the county departments like a mayor runs a city.
Expand the county council in number (would propose one councilman per township in Porter County plus an extra in any township with a Class 3 or higher city), and give them the same legislative authority that a city or town council holds. I think in Porter County this would result in 14 council members. The county administrator would act as tie breaker only. The council would internally elect their own council president as they do now.
Those who feel that township government is the closest to the people, should appreciate that in essence each of those township trustees could run for this new council seat and stay close to the people. I have yet to talk to a trustee who is dying to perform poor relief for the rest of their lives.
An interesting side note, this would give greater incentive to forming a City of Duneland combining Chesterton, Burns Harbor and Porter. They could pick up a council seat and expand the council to 15.
Now here's a tough one, I would propose hiring not electing a county financial officer who would be responsible for assessments, auditing, bookeeping and payments. This would resemble the current system used by larger cities where the financial operations are conducted by an employee of the mayor.
Move sheriff to appointed by the county administrator, I can't see why this should be political
Eliminate township governments, rolling fire service to closest town or city (or districts), getting out of the cemetery and parks business, and elect a county trustee to provide poor relief from a central location in concert with other state and federal assistance programs. Electing the trustee should help those still concerned that budget problems could affect an appointed trustee. Although the funds would still have to be appropriated from the council, allowing some checks and balances.

Just a thought, and I'm sure from the commenting activity we've had this week, we'll get some vehement objection ... that's fine the debate is worthy and honorable.

A few things that have caught my eye that could make for good discussion...

mattersofopinion@yahoo.com (Travis Gearhart) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:19:00 +0000

I don't really have much as far as long articles or opinion pieces, but here a few things that have caught my eye that I think could get some good discussion going.

Sarah Palin: QUITTING?! WHAT?! Sarah, I liked your policies (not so much your stage presence, but that's a whole nother thing...) but to quite in the middle of your term as Governor? I'm sorry, but you might as well have tied a noose around the neck of your political career.

A second stimulus?! I don't even need to type out a long explanation. Let me put it this way: Harry Reid says its not a good idea. Mr. Lets Destroy the Housing Industry.

Michael Jackson is dead. He was more than likely a child molester, at the very least had strangers' children sleep in his bed with him, bleached his skin and had a white sperm donor as the father of his kids because he was (in my opinion) ashamed of his race, and named one of his children Blanket. Do we need to be putting this guy in such a positive light?

I've read several editorials in the Post-Tribune by are people talking bad about those of us with tattoos. What ever happened to "Don't judge a person by the color of his skin?" Full disclosure: I have a lot of tattoos, there fore I may be biased on this.

Al Franken was sworn in today. God help us.

Post Tribune editorial

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Somehow I missed this editorial last week, and though much argument back and forth on the RDA and RTA here on this site recently, I was surprised at the intensity of the opinion. One interesting thought voiced by many of our readers has been a challenge to Valparaiso to offer a pick up in Portage.

Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper, who seems bent on stopping most progress in the county, has now turned to meddling with individual communities.

Not content to halt forward movement at the county level, he's been pushing the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission -- successfully so far -- to stop money for Valparaiso's ChicaGo bus service.

The money would pay for buses that run between Valparaiso and Chicago each day.

Harper's concern isn't about county money, since none of it will be used to pay for the buses. All of the money comes from federal and Valparaiso sources

But Harper has concocted a future scenario where county residents will have to pay a tax to support the system, something that hasn't happened and in all probability will never happen.

And while Harper meddles in Valparaiso:

* The county fails to get out tax bills on time, blaming the state.

* The county has to buy more software for auditing and tax bills, blaming the previous software system.

* The county has failed to spend $1 million secured by Rep. Peter Visclosky to fix County Road 100 South to make it safer for residents.

* The county has thus far failed to find a money manager for the proceeds of the sale of Porter hospital.

Somehow, Harper has time to worry about something that hasn't yet happened in Valparaiso while county government has a dismal record over the last several years.

What's next? Will he find a way for Portage to stop paving roads? Will he end any efforts in Chesterton to add electrical power?

Or will he stop meddling and do his job at the county?

Economic Bill of Rights

mattersofopinion@yahoo.com (Travis Gearhart) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:57:00 +0000

The TEA Party in Valpo on the 4th was a great event, and once again a good turn out and a fun time. I spoke, as some on here may know, at that TEA Party, and the video is on my site, www.mattersofopinion.net. During that speech I talk about an Economic Bill of Rights, and as promised, I will elaborate. This is right out of the book "Common Sense Economics" by James Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, and Dwight R. Lee.

a. No government shall use its regulatory powers to take private property, either partially or in its entirety, for public use without paying the owner the full market value of the property taken.

In recent years state and local governments in particular have used regulations to take or control private property without compensation, even though the property owner had violated the rights of no one. The courts have generally allowed them to do so as long as a legislative body deemed that the action was "in the public interest" or that the taking did not deny the owner all uses of his or her property. This is an open door to abuse that must be closed.

b. The rights of individuals to compete in a business or profession and/or buy and sell legally tradable goods and services at mutually acceptable terms shall not be infringed by Congress or any of the States.

The freedom of individuals to compete in business and engage in voluntary exchange activities is a cornerstone of both economic freedom and progress. Price controls, business and occupational entry restraints, laws restricting the exchange of goods and services across state boundaries, and other government regulations that restrain trade should be prohibited.

c. Congress shall not levy taxes or impose quotas on either imports or exports.

The U.S. Constitution already prohibits the imposition of these trade restraints on exports. This prohibition should also be extended to imports. The freedom to trade is a basic human right, just like freedom of speech and freedom of religion. There is no reason why Americans should no be permitted to buy from and sell to whomever will give them the best deal, even if the trading partner lives in another country.

d. A 3/4ths approval of both Houses of Congress shall be required for all expenditure programs of the federal government. At least 2/3rds approval of the legislative branches of state government shall be required for the approval of expenditures by state governnments.

Remember, if a project is really productive, there will always be a method of finance that will result in everyone gaining. Thus, the super majority provisions need not eliminate projects that truly increase wealth. They will, however, make it more difficult for special interests to use government as a tool for plunder. They will also help keep the spending activities of governments as the local level where competition among governments provides a stronger incentive to serve the interests of all citizens.

e. A 3/4ths approval of both Houses of Congress shall be required before the federal government is permitted to borrow any funds to finance a deficit in its annual budget.

This will reduce the inclination of Congress to spend beyond its means.

f. A 3/4ths approval of both Houses of Congress shall be required for the federal government to mandate any expenditures by either State governments or private business firms.

If this provision is no included, Congress will use mandated expenditures to escape the prior spending and borrowing limitations.

g. The function of the Federal Reserve System (FED) is to maintain the value of currency and establish a stable price level. If the price level either increases or decreases by more than four percent annually during two consecutive years, all Governors of the FED shall be required to submit their resignations.

This provision would make it clear what the FED is supposed to do. If the FED establishes monetary stability, it is doing its part to promote economic stability and progress.

Now, I'm not foolish enough to believe that this would actually be PASSED. But it should be, and if it could be, we wouldn't find ourselves in near the kind of messes we have been in economically, including today.

Declaration of Independence

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Although not my favorite actors, they do a fine job on material they can't revise and adapt.

Disciples of No vs. Cities of Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:19:00 +0000

During the last few election cycles there has been a terrific amount of talk and analysis at the state and national level. Much of that analysis focuses on labels ... Red vs. Blue ... Conservative vs. Liberal ... Republican vs. Democrat.

A few thoughts, and obviously a debate for those that disagree:

Porter County is predominantly conservative. Many of our residents left Chicago or Lake County Indiana to get away from government largess and hyper taxation. The fraud and outright criminality of those former hometowns haunts many a local resident still.
Porter County residents are not extremely political. Where other regions may feature citizens actively engaged in party fighting, Porter County tends to feature moderate approaches and the political parties working together. I can remember being asked why Valparaiso wasn't fighting harder to get the Bass Pro Shops location ... and Mayor Costas calmly saying something about not wanting to derail a good project in Portage by stepping in and messing things up.
Porter County features lower property taxes than Lake County, but the tax caps passed two years ago will bring everyone to about the same level. Porter County did not have to cut as much from spending though since they were a lot closer.

So why all this banter about the Regional Development Authority? Why does this one issue bring about such intense debate and acrimony?

I have a theory: Although most of us are conservative, the rural residents of Porter County have very different positions on a vision for this county than do the municipal citizens. For further research see Disciples of No from rural resident Bob Wichlinski and A Man for No Seasons from Valpo Mayor Costas. Frankly the D.O.N of Porter County (Commissioner Harper) has run this county for 6 years and has an iron grip on fear. The fear of change, the fear of progress, the fear of growth leading to "them people." This fear plays well in a county where many residents moved from such political messes as Cook County Illinois.

If the cities of Portage and Valparaiso vote in the next couple months to retain the Regional Development Authority, to continue to collecting the tax which invests in the RDA $3.5 million a year but also reduces our property taxes, and overrules the county council ... we will see in glaring lights the problem and the opportunity. I applaud both Mayors for standing up for a great opportunity in the RDA, knowing full well that many outside the cities and towns disagree, but also knowing that they rely almost entirely on those same cities and towns for their economic well being.

The theory of "balance of powers" in the American experiment has been a constant tension for the last 230 years. When we don't like what the President does, we hope for the Congress to overule him. When we don't like what the Congress does we hope for the states to stand up to them. When bad laws get passed, we hope for the Supreme Court to strike them down. There is no shame in this tension, it is what makes our nation great.

Keep debating though, don't let anyone tell you to "hush" these are the debates that make us great. Happy Independence Day Porter County!

Top 50 twitter members in Northwest Indiana

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:57:00 +0000

50 tweeps to follow in NW Indiana

My July 4th #followFriday

It seems we all love a list, and twitter is like no other for making us want to rank and list. Here is my own list of Top 50 #nwindiana tweeps to follow. Obviously you can follow me too @daltonsbriefs

Go ahead and comment on who you think is missing, who should be included when I update the list next week. I did not purposely skip anyone, but I'm sure I missed some obvious important people from the region. Are you following them all? Have you gone to their blogs to subscribe so you can keep track of important posts? The order is random, but I did list number of followers.

Lastly, you'll note only one politician. Although a few have profiles they hold, none really use them to engage or retweet or even post links. Hopefully this will change next year.

@kathysipple 1,703 followers, organizer of first #nwitweetup
@davewoodson 2,103 followers, the one and only Mad Mortgage Machine
@fftmortgage 72 followers #mortgage broker
@safrin 495 followers #realestate
@kissmyaster 1,734 followers blogger Kiss My Aster
@bill_mitch 151 followers and a weather report for #valpo every morning
@nwiblogs 246 followers, sponsor of first NW Indiana blogger meetup
@nwi 1,605 followers, breaking news from NWI Times
@posttrib 323 followers, breaking news from the Post Tribune
@richschmidt 307 followers the Valpo Rev
@evelynbaycoffee 536 followers and first #nwitweetup
@aaronsimac 47 followers #insurance
@passtimes 257 followers and everyone's favorite neighborhood pub
@cendercompany 231 followers, municipal consultant
@chucklehman 542 followers, landscape architect
@mbstockdale 1,227 followers, Suncrest Christian Church
@allynpaul 1,078 followers, landscaper and blogger
@jonathonwthomas 788 followers tech/SEO fellow Blog Indiana 2008 attendee
@natfinn 2,225 followers
@chris_hedges 1,941 followers #attorney and original #nwindiana blog carnival
@myCMPS 3,462 followers, #mortgage broker (James Barath)
@iamfiction 127 followers
@livemercial 1,438 followers, many of the staff have profiles as well
@coachlee 2,135 followers
@tudorrestores 131 followers
@loan_guy 265 followers, #mortgage broker (Scott Swinford)
@lakenetnwi 223 followers featuring Lakenet NW Indiana
@cameronbanga 326 followers
@silcottshoes 1,576 followers and uses tweets for biz quite well
@finucane 315 followers
@nwireconnect 462 followers and local ning site NW Indiana Reconnect
@nwitweetup 203 followers this profile used to announce tweet ups
@cartronix 560 followers wireless services
@ValpoLife 543 followers, #valpo portal
@Valpocity 200 followers ... but they arent following anyone ... a mistake
@PorterGOP 179 followers, Joyce Webster County GOP Chair and Portage Trustee
@prayeramedic 951 followers, active long form blogger
@lybolt 528 followers, Joshua Lybolt head of NW Indiana SBDC
@bargainjane 162 followers
@bantafeedss 102 followers
@indianadunes 486 followers
@indiana_sbdc 484 followers
@goldentech 26 followers, host of first #nwindiana blogger meetup
@emc440 33 followers
@ktracycom 130 followers, probably biggest blogger by traffic in region
@mattsaliga 46 followers, Hammond focus
@wendeburbridge 104 followers, Lakeshore Public TV
@nwihomes4sale 28 followers, #realestate (Valarie Kubacki)
@railcats 211 followers, official profile for Gary Railcats Baseball
@primerealestate 107 followers, Mags Lybolt #realestate broker

The National Energy Tax mess

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Often our articles here on Porter County Politics become inside baseball, and very close to home. But on the national front there is a battle well worth watching on this proposed Cap and Trade or National Energy Tax law. The house has passed cap and trade, with 8 Republicans crossing over to support the new tax law, and now it goes to the Senate which features 60 Democrat votes now. The national energy tax is bad policy, and even worse for the economy.

From the office of GOP Leader John Boehner -

What You May Not Know About Speaker Pelosi's National Energy Tax
More Mandates, More Regulations, and More Costs Than Ever Before

Washington, Jun 26 - Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax is going to raise electricity prices, increase gasoline prices, and ship American jobs overseas to countries like China and India. This, we know.
It would be a bureaucratic nightmare overseen by a confusing web of government agencies that would take and redistribute trillions of dollars from family budgets and workers payrolls. This, we also know. Even Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) admitted in the Washington Post this morning that: “The truth is, nobody knows for sure how this is going to work.” How encouraging.

But what don’t we know? Here are some facts you may not know about Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax:

Homebuyers Beware. Trying to save up for a new home? You may have to save up a little longer for your purchase. The Democrats’ bill would dramatically increase new home costs by mandating California’s expensive new building codes for the entire nation. Immediately upon enactment, the Democrats’ bill would demand a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency for new construction. A couple of years later, the Democrats’ bill would require an additional 50 percent improvement. These numbers were chosen with no concern for cost to consumers or feasibility in implementation.

Homebuilders Beware. The Democrats’ bill imposes new mandatory regulations and civil penalties for homebuilders. If your state refuses to accept the stringent and costly California building codes, the federal government may assess penalties. And don’t get too comfortable with the new mandatory regulations because the Democrats’ bill allows for “consensus-based” codes to supplant those outlined in the bill. So, as soon as you’ve invested your hard-earned money to comply with the bill’s mandates, the rug could get pulled from underneath you. Translation? You’ll pony up more and more money.

Home Sellers Beware. Having a hard time selling your home? Here’s one more hurdle to jump: all homes sales are conditioned upon an energy audit and a new energy rating assessment and energy labeling program for your home that’s outlined in the Democrats’ bill. And if you thought you could improve your property with a fresh coat of paint and some granite counters? Think again! Now your home will be subjected to a new energy rating assessment and energy labeling program that will penalize you for older windows, original fixtures, and dated appliances. So the Democrats’ bill would bring down the value of your home!

New Lights No Matter the Cost. As early as 2012, the Democrats’ bill eliminates all existing lighting technology used in many outdoor lighting fleets (parking lots, stadiums, secured facilities like power plants and factories). Just as an example, switching to the mandated technology in the bill will cost one small utility about $30 million in annual revenue. So you now have to comply with the new mandates for new lighting? Hold the phone. It is not clear that a feasible alternative technology is available for every existing lighting application – regardless of cost – which could force some businesses to close.

The consequences of Speaker Pelosi’s national energy tax for families and small businesses are real. It will drive up energy costs, send millions of jobs to countries like China and India, and place an especially heavy burden on rural America. There is a better way. House Republicans have proposed the American Energy Act, legislation that represents the fastest route to a cleaner environment, lower energy costs, and more American jobs. The legislation would:

Increase environmentally-safe energy production on remote lands and far off our shores;

Promote the use of alternative fuels that will reduce carbon emissions, such as nuclear, clean-coal, and renewable energy technologies; and

Encourage increased efficiencies and cutting edge technologies to maximize America’s energy potential.

Today’s vote on Speaker Pelosi’s ill-advised national energy tax will have consequences for every American. It is a bad deal for America. And the American people will remember how their Members of Congress vote.

Governor Daniels wins budget standoff

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Update from Hoosier Access Video

While democrats postured and tried to pull money from state reserve accounts, and Republicans postured to try and get cover going into the all important elections next year - Governor Daniels once again did what he does best. He led

He said early on that $1 billion must be left in reserves, and that no tax increases would be used.

He held to those convictions in the face of a storm of legislation and amendments to break those very principles. Kudos to leadership, when many states are groveling at the Federal cash window, Indiana is not.

The article from the Times spells out some of the issues that arise in NW Indiana from this budget and issues that will definitely have an affect on the coming elections:

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana lawmakers departed the Capitol early Tuesday evening relieved they averted a state government shutdown with hours to spare, but few were happy with the two-year, $28.5 billion budget that Gov. Mitch Daniels promptly signed into law.

"If we don't vote to pass this budget, we are going to shut down this state, put people out of work," Sen. Luke Kenley, a top Republican negotiator, said after enduring two hours of complaints. "I'm going to ask you to vote 'yes' even though you hate this budget."

The spending plan, which also dangles a coveted bus and rail authority for Northwest Indiana, then cleared the GOP-ruled Senate on a 34-16 vote, with Sens. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, and Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, providing half of the four Democratic votes.

Earlier, Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, was the lone region Democrat in the House -- among 14 statewide -- to back the budget as it cleared the Democratic-led chamber by a 62-37 margin. She and Mrvan pointed to the $14 million included to complete Little Calumet River levees, which is expected to be enough to finish the 28-year-old flood control project.

"How could I not support that?" Candelaria Reardon said of the levee funding. "My schools overall take some hits, but it could've been worse."

Statewide, schools are set to receive average funding increases of 1 percent next year and 0.3 percent in 2011. But the School City of East Chicago stands to lose about $3 million in state funding by June 2011 because of declining enrollment, while Gary schools face a $13 million loss over the biennium.

"Every time we deal with a budget, I'm up here with the same sad song about what we're doing to urban schools and most specifically Gary Community School Corp.," Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, told colleagues during an 18-minute speech. "Most of you don't even care what you're doing to Gary, Indiana."

Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, also opposed the budget but initially was listed as not voting, a problem he blamed on a malfunctioning voting button. "It wouldn't let me vote 'hell no,'" he said.

Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, complained Republicans would not consider a land-based casino for her hometown, forcing her to settle for a summer study on gaming issues. Rogers said she considered printing T-shirts that read: "My legislator went to Indianapolis, and all she got back was a lousy study committee."

There was an anti-Indianapolis fervor amid the hours of floor debate, as lawmakers vilified the $8 million a year in state tax revenue the budget bill allows the capital city to siphon toward its deficit-ridden convention and stadiums authority.

Among the prizes secured for Northwest Indiana is a local income tax-backed transit district for Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties that won't become a reality unless voters in at least two of those counties sign off on referenda scheduled for Nov. 3.

Kenley, R-Noblesville, said the referendum requirement represents a challenge to region politicians to prove public support for the transit authority. The district, to be overseen by region mayors and county officials, could impose a proportional income tax of up to 0.25 percent in each member county to create a regional bus system for Lake and Porter counties, fund South Shore operations and finance rail extensions to Lowell and Valparaiso.

Region lawmakers, particularly Reps. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, griped that the referendum requirement was added at the last minute without their consent.

Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Odgen Dunes, agreed the referenda will force four county election boards to spend "a pile of cash" on what could be a fool's errand. She also assailed another budget clause allowing the Porter County Council's decision to withdraw from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority to be overridden by any two Porter County municipalities that wish to remain in the RDA -- at cost of $3.5 million a year to the county.

State Budget Details

Region stuff
-- $14 million to complete Little Calumet River levees
-- $3 million to begin planning work on a proposed $400 million teaching and trauma hospital for Gary
-- Allows voters in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties -- in Nov. 3 referenda -- to decide whether to create a regional transit authority that would impose a local income tax of up to 0.25 percent in each county to build commuter rail lines to Lowell and Valparaiso; create and fund a regional bus system for Lake and Porter counties; and take responsibility for funding operations of the South Shore commuter railroad, which runs from Chicago to South Bend.
-- Allows the Gary/Chicago International Airport board to privatize the facility through a lease running up to 99 years, with the profits to be sent to the city's general fund in installment payments.
-- Allows any two municipalities in Porter County to override the County Council's April vote to withdraw from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. If that happens, the county would have to continue $3.5 million RDA dues.

Budget basics
-- Spends $28.5 billion over two years: July 2009 to June 2011.
-- Maintains $1 billion in state reserves.
-- Incorporates federal stimulus money.
-- Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels signed it into law at 7:05 p.m. region time Tuesday.

"Like any compromise, this budget has its defects, but it meets the fundamental condition I laid down in January and every day since: to limit total spending enough to preserve our surplus and thereby protect taxpayers against the tax increases happening in virtually every other state," Daniels said in a statement.

Schools

-- Statewide, school districts get an average funding boost of 1 percent next year, 0.3 percent in 2010
-- "Trigger" would guarantee schools get half of all new money if the state revenues beat current projections for the next two years.
-- Gary Community School Corp. projected to see a 3.6 percent funding loss next year and another 4.1 percent drop in 2011 because of shrinking enrollment.
-- School City of East Chicago projected to see 2.4 percent funding loss next year and another 3.2 percent decline in 2011, also because of shrinking enrollment.
-- Creates a pilot program for a Web-based "virtual" charter school that can accept up to 200 students statewide next year and 500 in 2011.
-- Does not limit the establishment of new charter schools.
-- Allows charter schools to apply for state technology loans.
-- No longer requires charter schools to repay state for first-year start-up funds.
-- Allocates $2.5 million a year to fund private school scholarships that Hoosier can donate to on income tax returns.
-- Maintains funding for English-as-a-second language programs at $7 million a year.
-- Flat lines adult education funding at $14 million a year.

Higher education
-- Keeps university operating funding essentially flat, with federal stimulus money offsetting state cuts.
-- $30 million for student services building at Purdue University North Central.
-- $33 million to replace Tamarack Hall at Indiana University Northwest.
-- $20 million for construction at Ivy Tech Community College campus in Gary.

Other
-- Delays start of statewide property tax reassessment one year, to July 2010.
-- Lake County assessor must submit cost estimate and get County Council approval before appealing tax values the state places on region steel mills and BP Whiting Refinery.

The Conservative Papers, Part VII: Book Review of Mark Levin’s “Liberty and Tyranny”

johnthedisciple@gmail.com (J.D. Long) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Mark Levin, radio talk show host and lawyer, has the #1 rated book on the New York Times list (until this week) for the last few months, as well as one of the top rated books on Amazon as well.

It is an incredible book. I had briefly thought about doing a series of articles about "What It Means To Be Conservative." Levin puts anything I was thinking of writing to shame, and quickly. This is a book that I find myself underling passages, writing notes in the margins, and re-reading over and over again. Levin's analytical mind and quick wit are razor-sharp, and finely honed into a tool of mass destruction of liberal foolishness.

Consider this excerpt from one of the first pages of Levin's book:

Have you ever seen Conservatism framed so ably and aptly, not to mention succinctly? Levin does this type of pockethole categorization nimbly and deftly, with the greatest of ease.

If you consider yourself conservative, this is a book you MUST have, and soon. It not only defines a conservative's views on a virety of issues, it contrasts with Liberals views and why (which Levin defines as "Statists" -- those who worship at the altar of the all-powerful State) and defines how we can, and must respond to Liberals arguments.

You will actually cheer reading this book -- it's that good. (I had to stop taking it to work because I was disturbing patients reading it.)

Most Highly Recommended!

Previously, in "The Conservative Papers":

Part I is “Dr. Thomas Sowell Explains The Stimulus – Briefly”

Part II is “TCOT and Tea Party Coalitions Present ‘Bill Of Federalism’ to Convene Constitutional Convention”

Part III is “Why am I a friend of Israel?”

Part IV is “Dick Morris Gets It Right; It’s The Conservatism, Stupid!”

Part V is “How to Defeat Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules For Radicals’”

Part One is HERE and This is Part Two.

Part VI is from American Thinker: “How to Deprogram a Liberal in One Year Or Less.”

~~Johnny~~

California: Too Big To Fail?

mattersofopinion@yahoo.com (Travis Gearhart) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:19:00 +0000

"While the deficit only affects the state, California's deepening economic malaise could make it harder for the entire nation's economy to recover.
When the state stumbles, its sheer size — 38.3 million people — creates fallout for businesses from Texas to Michigan."

This is from the AP, and I have some problems with the many innuendos of the article. The article suggests that California needs to be bailed out and that if California goes under, the rest of the US economy will as well. This simply isn't true.

While I'm not going to argue statistics and predictions in the amount of jobs that would be lost, I will say this: businesses and states alike HAVE to fail when they are being run inadequately or at a loss in order to ENSURE that the bad business/government practices don't spread like cancer into the rest of the economy/states. Let me put it this way. A couple of friends of my wife moved there a year ago(to California), and left a message to my wife saying they love it there because it's just so darn liberal. Hmm... it's interesting, isn't it? Liberal states are looking at raising taxes and fleecing the workers to give to the looters, to borrow Ayn Rands' phrases, while conservative states are typically in the black or at least much better off. Correlations? I think so.

The article goes on, '"California is the key catalyst for U.S. retail sales, and if California falls further you will see the U.S. economy suffer significantly," said retail consultant Burt P. Flickinger, managing director of Strategic Resource Group. He warned of more bankruptcies of national retail chains and brand suppliers.'

This statement is only partially true. The rest of the U.S. economy WOULD get some hammering, but once again, this IS A GOOD THING. Sound business practices would take over where restrictions and meddling with the markets have failed us, time and time and time again. SOMEBODY would step in and buy up these businesses (if the government would ALLOW them to). The only problem is that now-a-days if you are a successful business man who follows the rules and runs the business like a business and not a kindergarten class, you become a villainous heartless sleazebag trying to screw the poor. But in that same vilification, in that very same breathe, that person (probably a liberal, but who knows) would be talking about how the economy needs to be fixed because people are losing their jobs. You can't have it both ways. You need the "rich capitalist pigs" to give out jobs. Its not class warfare, its not pseudo-slavery, its the way things work. Too often common sense gets over looked in favor of bleeding heart welfare.

I went a little off track, but I think I got my point across. LET CALIFORNIA GO BANKRUPT! DON'T MAKE THE REST OF US SUFFER BECAUSE OF ONE STATES STUPIDITY! While the government passes cap and trade, universal health care, a possible third stimulus package, hell, even LIGHT BULB regulations, the businessmen that literally carry the worlds economy on their shoulders are looking at one another and wondering: Is it worth it? What exactly WOULD happen if the Atlas' shrugged? I shudder to think. I've said it before, I've agreed with Rush Limbaugh when he said it, I hope all of this fails. I hope that people get tired of the bail outs and over-regulation from both parties (often so called conservatives have passed more regulatory bills in the past than liberals have) I will be speaking at two Tea Parties, one on July 4th in Valpo and the other July 18th in LaPorte, and this is just a prelude. I encourage everyone on here to make it to at least one of these Tea Parties and tell our government to stop this irresponsible meddling.

Oh yeah, once again, the point of the post: LET CALIFORNIA GO BANKRUPT.

DemoCraps Stonewall Indiana Legislature (Again); Try to Shut Down Gov’t & Blame Repubs (Again)

johnthedisciple@gmail.com (J.D. Long) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Just like President Clinton did During the early 1990's to Newt Gingrich; so Goes the Indiana Democrap Party today:

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mitch Daniels warned Friday that all nonessential government functions -- including casinos, the lottery, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and state parks -- will close at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday if state legislators can't agree on a budget by the June 30 deadline.

Daniels' remarks came in response to comments made the day before by House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer that the special session might not end by Tuesday, and could, in fact, go beyond July 21. The Democratic-led House and Republican-led Senate have been at odds over key items in the budget, including education, Indianapolis' Capital Improvement Board, which oversees the city's sports and convention venues, and gambling.

And there's the nut of the problem right there. Speaker Bauer has a royal mad-on with Governor Daniels, in particular about Daniels' rejection of the Stimulus Funding, and isn't about to compromise with someone he thinks is making him look bad.

Plus Bauer hasn't had an original idea in years . . .

Daniels said since the legislature has not approved a budget, and the House has not voted on a contingency plan already approved by the Senate that would allow bills to be paid until a new budget is approved, he would have to go to what he called "Plan C." He said only emergency services and agencies such as state police, Department of Correction facilities and Department of Natural Resources conservation officers would continue to operate.

Also continuing to operate would be state schools, prisons, and mental hospitals. Unemployment benefits, welfare and child support payments would continue for those already eligible.

However, most other state functions would cease to operate and government employees would be furloughed. Road construction would stop, no tuition payments would be made to schools and no financial aid given to college students. BMV branches and state parks would close, as would casinos and horse tracks, which are required to have state regulators on site at all times.

And when the State parks, the casinos, and the Horse tracks close down in the heart of summer, how long until the voters start screaming?

Daniels pointed the finger at House Democrats, who he said are stonewalling the process.

"The Senate is ready, the House Republicans are ready, and I'm ready to finish and go home. We are waiting only on the House Democratic leadership, which hasn't budged an inch, and has wasted a lot of time and taxpayer money this week," he said.

Jack Ross, executive director of the independent Legislative Services Agency, said the state has not been in a similar situation since 1887, although it narrowly avoided one in 1993, when it passed a budget just five minutes before deadline.

For Boyd Gaming and Harrah's Entertainment, both based in Las Vegas, this would be the second time in three years that a legislative impasse would force the closure of one of their casinos. Boyd's Borgata and Harrah's casino both took financial hits when New Jersey shut down all nonessential government agencies in July 2006.

And here's what should be terrifying Bauer; all the casinos in Indiana by statute are Casino Boats. You piss them off, they'll sail off to Illinois or Ohio -- and they're in no mood to lose money. How many jobs will be lost if the casinos weigh anchor for more friendly climes?

The Senate passed a two-year budget that spends $28.5 billion over 2010 and 2011 and retains $1.225 billion in reserves, as requested by Gov. Daniels. It includes $1 billion in federal economic stimulus money. The House passed a one-year budget that spends $13.8 billion with no stimulus money included. It leaves a $1.25 billion surplus, according to Crawford

Sounds like somebody's in desperate need of a conference committee. Also sounds like Governor Daniels needs to get the word out -- but fast!

Go, Mitch, Go!

~~ACP~~

Why can't they just pass a budget?

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:52:00 +0000

As many of you know the Indiana legislature couldn't pass a budget during the regular "long" session and now is mired in the final week of a special session. The Republican dominated Senate has passed a 2 year budget, which follows the dictates of Governor Daniel's desires to protect our rainy day funds and hold the line of spending. The Democrat dominated House just can't seem to get even close, passing a one year mess that spends far too much money that we just don't have.

Two starkly different state budgets have been proposed in the current special session of the General Assembly - a two-year budget by the Indiana Senate under the leadership of President Protempore David Long that follows the guidelines of Governor Mitch Daniels, and one-year budget by the Indiana House as directed by Speaker B. Patrick Bauer. A spreadsheet analysis of each budget can be found online at http://www.finplaneducation.net/senatehouse_ssb_0911.htm.
(from Hammond Tax Payers)

The biggest problem I see is that very very few Hoosiers care. They figure this is just more political in-fighting and don't pick up the phones or email their representatives.

Some (Brief, Hopefully) Thoughts on Michael Jackson, For The Record

johnthedisciple@gmail.com (J.D. Long) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:42:00 +0000

I'm sure by now you've heard that Michael Jackson has died. Me, too.

I thought I'd offer what few thoughts I have of the guy who grew up (almost) next door to me.

Michael and his brothers grew up in Gary Indiana, which is about ten to fifteen miles as the crow flies from where I grew up in Valparaiso. The two cities are literally night and day. Valparaiso was then a lily-white farmer's county seat in Porter County; Gary was (and still is) an urban blight-ridden decaying city in union territory, sitting at the feet of the U.S. Steel mill in Lake County.

So you can imagine our surprise when the band at our winter dance in 7th grade was the Jackson Five from Gary IN. The jacksons at that time were still working the "chitlin circuit" up and down U.S. 20 between Gary and portage, and they would frequently turn up at anything from strip shows (as the musical accompaniment) to VFW dances and . . . school dances, in our case.

"Good Lord -- those boys are negroes!"

But then they started playing, and frontman Michael started singing with that incredible voice of his; and when the band started their moves, we were awestruck. It was right around that time their first Motown hit came out, and I pointed this out to my friends at school, who adamantly refused to believe they were the same group.

I still have my yearbook from Ben Franklin Junior High with the Christmas dance poster in it. It clearly says "The Jackson Five" on it.

Michael was a poor kid from a poor town with little opportunity. His Dad Joe was a crane operator in the steel mill who was a frustrated, failed musician who was living vicariously through his kids. Joe drilled those kids over and over and over and over again in their music and their dance routines until they could do them in their sleep. And if they couldn't Joe beat those routines into them -- literally. he beat them bloody many times.

So if you wonder why Michael had all the plastic surgery and looked so weird, maybe he just didn't want to see the face in the mirror that had disappointed his father -- and earned him so many beatings -- for so many years.

You'll never hear this song again without thinking of that kid in the mirror:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtWIx2zLtk]

And for the record; I still to this day don't believe Michael molested any kids. He may have been trying to live his childhood through others, but molesting? Sorry, I don't see any of the signs or telltale clues. I don't think it happened.

And Michael was six months younger than me; so this is kind of freaking me out.

That's all.

~~ACP~~

Olga and Harper go after Costas

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:33:00 +0000

Having won elections and battles against Republicans countywide, Commissioner Harper and the mayor of Portage set sights on Mayor Jon Costas. Costas was shooting for an infusion for purchase of buses for Valparaiso's Chicago Dash bus service. Staying the course on anti-growth or regional connections, Harper moved quickly to shoot down the request.

No, I know some of our readers are anti-tax and anti-regionalism as well. So I won't spend a lot of time discussing the merits of regionalism or RDA or even NRPC. But I will comment that this is the first time we see Portage's Mayor aligning with her party since the ill-fated "Murphy Plan" last year. She was aligned with Mayor Costas in support of staying in the RDA, but now votes to shoot down bus purchases for Valparaiso.

A good political move for Olga?
The start of her re-election campaign, and trying to get the RDA off her back?

Referendums for more school building fail

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Soundly, and with little fear, voters denied school systems in Northwest Indiana the ability to borrow money to build large new facilities.

Boone Grove, in Porter Township here in Porter County, featured a landslide against the referendum of 74 percent "against" raising property taxes to build facilities. I found it a little odd that in the face of a large referendum for his school system Superintendent Nick Brown was out of town. He either knew the referendum was dead, or is already searching for another job.

Boone Grove Referendum is today

noreply@blogger.com (briefs) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Care to guess the result and place in the comments below today?

Here's the article from the Post if you need a refresher

My guess? 60-40 against and the school system will need to move into phase two options for easing the over-crowding. Although I might point out that with little or no new construction the least two years, even the projected over crowding may be overstated.

Free Speech: BACK IT!

mattersofopinion@yahoo.com (Travis Gearhart) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:47:00 +0000

Recently, David Letterman told a tasteless joke about Sarah Palin, along the lines of Alex Rodriguez knocking up Sarah Palin's daughter. Sarah Palin shot back (rightfully), condemning him for talking about her 14 year old daughter in that manner, going as far as saying that he was condoning rape and underage sex.

Now, lets take a step back here a moment and analyze this whole confrontation piece by piece. Letterman is a comedian and tells what he considers to be jokes. His writers obviously messed up the daughters, and he should have been more sincere in his apology (he apologized, but basically made it into a joke). I don't blame Palin, since she has come under attack repeatedly when she is now not a major player. The election is over, people. Lay off her freakin' family. If I was her, and somebody was saying those things about my daughter, I'd do a lot more than give a strong public statement. I'd cuss him out dare him to have me on his show....but that's just me, I guess.

Now, the problem that I have is this: executives at CBS are talking seriously about pulling Letterman. As a conservative pundit (however minuscule a role I may play) I will/am condemning this action, and I hope to start hearing from more famous (much, much, much more famous) talking heads doing the same. Otherwise my interest in them will die very quickly. Especially when they were all complaining (rightfully) about the Fairness Doctrine. What does that show the people listening/watching those shows? They all talk about a double standard with the media, and I agree with that: now I surely hope that they don't do the same. Otherwise they WILL lose my ratings.

Visclosky Corruption Details Emerge; Continues to Refuse to Resign Committee Chairmanship

johnthedisciple@gmail.com (J.D. Long) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:37:00 +0000

Two things are becoming apparent in Indiana's Lake County Congressional district: (1) that Peter Visclosky (D-IN) is hip-deep in the muck of congressional sludge with Pennsylvania's Murtha. and (2) it looks like we've found the multi-million dollar funding source that's allowed this very blue congressman to stay in his seat in a very red state -- and it didn't come from his constituents:

It's too early to tell where federal investigators will take their probe of U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky and his top campaign donor, The PMA Group, but the congressman has already cut off at least 20 private, for-profit companies from his political clout.

Those companies, whose employees and political action committees donated at least $684,000 to Visclosky's campaigns, landed about $45.3 million in congressional earmarks secured by the congressman in fiscal years 2008 and 2009, records show.

Visclosky pledged earlier this year not to seek further earmarks cash for for-profit ventures. He made the promise after news broke of an FBI raid at the offices of The PMA Group. The defunct Virginia lobbying firm's employees gave at least $290,500 to Visclosky's campaigns and political action committee, and Visclosky's congressional and campaign offices have been subpoenaed.

Nearly three-quarters of the for-profit companies that accepted earmarks money from Visclosky in 2008 and 2009 had ties to PMA. Still others on that list are smaller ventures based in Northwest Indiana with no connection to the firm.

Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said the Merrillville Democrat is moving in the right direction by cutting off private companies from his earmarks wish-list. "Congressman Visclosky appears to be recognizing the gravity of the situation," Ellis said.

Most of the companies that landed earmarks dollars from Visclosky in 2008 and 2009 didn't return calls from the Post-Tribune.

Seven have offices in Indiana, and five of those appear on a list of former PMA clients. The rest are spread out across the country, from Kingstown, R.I., to San Diego, Calif. Their specialties range from military vehicles to cybersecurity to vaccine development to nuclear energy.

No company took in more earmarks money from Visclosky in 2008 and 2009, records show, than NuVant Systems, which accepted $4.9 million. Advanced Concepts and Technologies International LLC, and 21st Century Systems Inc., each took in $4.4 million from defense spending bills. All three have worked with PMA, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Records show the money accepted by Texas-based Advanced Concepts, a military management firm, was meant for a "photo catalytic oxidation demonstration for water reuse."

NuVant's money was meant for a "direct methanol fuel cell - battery recharger program," according to the records. The cash for 21st Century Systems, which specializes in computer data systems, was used for "intelligent distributed command and control."

Sierra Nevada Corp., which now lists a location in Fort Wayne, once had offices at the Purdue complex. Sierra collected $2 million in defense spending in 2008 for "U.S. Army Future Force ELINT." The firm specializes in "providing high technology electronics, avionics and communications systems," according to its Web site.

Ritvo added that Visclosky's key committee assignments also mean he must sometimes decide to fund projects that are in the best interest of the entire nation.

"The ultimate deciding factor is whether it's the right thing to do," Ritvo said.

And the calls continue to accumulate that the "right thing to do" would be to resign his committee chairmanship until this matter is resolved.

Not that Viscolsky's doing THAT, either. talking and doing are so frequently two different things in Washington. however, it will be interesting to see what the voters of Lake County think in 2010.

Heh.

(Cross Posted at Alamo City Pundit)

~~ACP~~

The 'City Beautiful Movement' in Valparaiso, IN

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Ordway) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:44:00 +0000

Vale of Paradise, a critique of policy in Valparaiso

The attached (PDF) article is a 35+ page academic analysis and critique of Jon Costas and his administration's performance during his first term as Mayor of Valparaiso, IN. This work was produced by one of my good friends at Valparaiso University, Political Science Professor, James Old (with Alan Bloom). I believe this piece gives us a strong understanding of what Valparaiso was, is, and will be tomorrow.

My reasoning for posting this blog is to boldly answer concerns of Valparaiso residents who deem Costas' change (development) bad for the long term viability of the community. My post also goes out to challenge those who believe that Valpo's urban renewal plan will cause a large migration of unwanted residents (deemed "those people") to the community.

I copied the abstract and introduction to the article below. Please read the entire piece and comment.

The South Shore Journal, Vol. 2, 2007, pp.30-68.
“Reconstructing the Vale of Paradise:
A Return to the City Beautiful Movement”
Alan Bloom and James Paul Old

Abstract: Since the election of Jon Costas as mayor of Valparaiso, Indiana in November
2003, his administration has embarked on an urban renewal program that fits—for better
and for worse—squarely in the tradition of the City Beautiful movement of the early
twentieth century. Like earlier proponents of the City Beautiful movement, the Costas
administration has implemented urban renewal policies that have emphasized commercial
development, beautification, civic culture, efficiency, and health and fitness. The
administration’s plans include some initial successes, particularly its efforts to use civic
institutions to revitalize rundown sections of the city; however, the city’s policies also
share some of the drawbacks of the City Beautiful movement, by emphasizing the
benefits of upscale commercial development while overlooking the housing needs of
lower-middle class and poor residents of the community.

Reconstructing the Vale of Paradise:
A Return to the City Beautiful Movement

Valparaiso is an affluent and growing community of around 27,000 residents
located in Northwest Indiana. While the economy of Northwest Indiana historically has
been dominated by steel mills and other manufacturing industries, Valparaiso has had a
somewhat more diverse economy. The city has more “white-collar” jobs to offer than
most other cities in the region, partly due to the presence of Valparaiso University and
numerous medical facilities, such as Porter hospital, in the city. In recent years, the city
and surrounding Porter County have experienced a strong wave of residential and
commercial development. The city government has responded to these trends, especially
since the election of Jon Costas as mayor in November 2003. The city has taken
advantage of this period of growth by annexing new residential developments and
attracting new business to the city; however, it also has embarked on an urban renewal
program to revitalize and beautify its existing commercial districts and to enhance public
space within the city.

The best way to understand the Costas administration’s notion of urban renewal is
that it fits—for better and for worse—squarely in the tradition of the City Beautiful
movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.1 By way of temperament
and policies, Costas is a neo-progressive Republican who believes that government can
and should improve communities by helping to re-shape their physical environments so
that they are ennobling, and thus, like his predecessors in the City Beautiful movement,
2
he has begun to implement urban renewal policies that have emphasized commercial
redevelopment, efficiency, beautification, the central importance of civic culture, and
health and fitness. Yet, the Costas administration’s policies are vulnerable to the same
sorts of criticisms voiced by detractors of the City Beautiful Movement: the approach to
city planning is excessively top-down, commercial interests are given more attention than
those of lower-income residents, and the policies cater narrowly to the lifestyles of higher
income, “upscale” residents to the exclusion of others who live in the city. To be sure, the
administration, which is much more concerned with practical outcomes than with theory,
has not self-consciously followed either this earlier model of city planning or any more
recent model. In particular, the administration’s policies are not consistent with the ideals
of recent urban planning models, such as New Urbanism and New Pedestrianism, which
try to blend residential and commercial space and to address environmental issues
induced by urban sprawl.2 Ultimately, both the successes and the missed opportunities of
Valparaiso’s renewal policies demonstrate that the city’s approach is securely in the City
Beautiful tradition. The greatest strength of Valparaiso’s plan for urban renewal is its
emphasis on the role of civic institutions. Indeed, each area slated for urban renewal will
be anchored by a specific major civic institution in the city, an approach which will
enhance the possibilities for both greater economic prosperity and an increased sense of
community. The primary weakness of the administration’s approach to urban renewal is
that, ultimately, it is too narrow. As with earlier City Beautiful efforts, Valparaiso’s
leadership has focused primarily on improvements in the physical environment that will
aid the more affluent members of its community. Unfortunately—again in the City
Beautiful tradition—while the administration successfully has reached out to commercial
3
and civic leaders to develop a plan for commercial beautification, it has failed to address
the pressing housing needs of lower-middle class and poor residents of the community.

Vale of Paradise Report