Disqus - Friends of Nancyf

Re: An early look at 2010 - Northwest Indiana elections

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:28:23 -0000

Can you give us a link to that database? That would be a very useful tool, far too many voters get to the booth still unaware of who's running, what they stand for, what the issues are, and what the jobs even pertain to.

Re: An early look at 2010 - Northwest Indiana elections

daltonsbriefs — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:44:45 -0000

Thanks for the link Meaghan, but I think we better only list people who have officially announced exploratory or full fledged candidacy. I'll be glad to send Kevin a note to see if he's taking a serious look at running against Pete though.

Re: An early look at 2010 - Northwest Indiana elections

daltonsbriefs — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:09:15 -0000

thanks pundit, I think Vicki is running as a Democrat correct?

As a general announcement, if you have links to candidates' sites or facebook fan pages, I'll try to start adding those too. Eventually would like to have all the candidates listed, with links to their pages, so that those who aren't political addicts can find information and contacts. Anyone have a great page for State Rep and Senate maps so people can even figure out who their rep is?

Re: Time for regional tourism collaboration

daltonsbriefs — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:32:17 -0000

So Pete would you prefer the bed tax go away completely, or be redirected to economic development, or be used in a regional effort to market NW Indiana? Those are the three proposals I've heard recently.

Re: Background for a Letter of Correction to the Recent Harper Letter of Half Truths

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:14:31 -0000

Now now, of all the posts for you to question our editorial policies this one is your least favorable argument. Someone takes Commissioner Harper's positions and one by one gives another side to the debate, that's exactly what I wanted this site to accomplish. Long winded posts copied from other national blogs on the relative merits of the Federal Reserve or Gay Marriage are boring, I'm glad to see active participation by the RLC, Democrats, Union Members, elected officials, tea partiers, patriots, Republicans, and even that dreaded Valpo crowd.

I have edited posts featuring foul language, and will continue to do so because my kids read this site.
I have no problem with anonymous posters, and of course I know who everyone is, and continue to protect those identities. When someone wants to "out" themselves that's their decision, not mine.
I personally post in my own name every time.
Cross posting is not only allowed it is encouraged, so that we can all find other great sites.
Lastly, one person's gossip is another person's conspiracy theory and a third person's attack on freedom worthy of debate and concern

Re: http://reasonbellpundit.blogspot.com/2009/10/our-1000th-post.html

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:08:23 -0000

Thanks Rob, we orginally started out as merely Porter County Politics, and then political issues and candidates became more regional in scope and we widened our name to Northwest Indiana Politics. I too am hoping for more readers, commenters, and even authors from the surrounding counties as we move into the highly contentious election cycle of 2010.

Re: Tea Party Attendence Dies as NWIPs Focus on RTA

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:47:57 -0000

Bonnie, beware the tendency to litmus test conservatives with your favorite definition. Some conservatives are pro-life, some believe the government should stay out of everything including the doctors office. Some conservatives are anti-tax, others believe that flat taxes or consumption taxes should be created to eliminate property taxes and income taxes. Some conservatives are for regional consolidation to make government more efficient, others would move all government to township level under the theory that it is closest to the people. Some conservatives are for economic development and the use of tax abatements, others believe this favors the out of towner and is a disadvantage to the local business. Some conservatives would prefer keeping Gary a nitemare and separate from the rest of us, others would suggest that as Gary goes so goes the entire region.

See how complex conservatism can be when one litmus test is propounded as as the "only" true and right position? One hard thing about governing, is the need to balance all those tensions and choose the best fit ... then even more complex is explaining that right balance to citizens who are tired of being fooled and defrauded by their elected officials. Tough, even tougher to find leaders willing to do it for free or for peanuts. Think of the masquerade in front of us even now, the current county power-wonks crying foul over the RTA referendum, while fiddling the tune "what's property taxes got to do with it?"

You have some great examples of leaders though right now, Mayor Costas and Senator Charbenneau, incoming Treasurer Bucko and Joyce Webster as trustee, Councilmember Blaney and the Porter town council. Don't discount how difficult the decisions they have all been forced to make during the last 7 years of Democrat autocracy in this county.

Don't shame your party, perhaps shame on the group that is using you right now to do their dirty work. Let's agree that the RTA will fail. Let's agree to disagree that the RDA is a great tool in the hands of the right leaders, and Bill Hanna and his team have the right ideas. Then let's work together to change the county from the top down, with a demand that leaders step up and be leaders or get out of the way.

Re: Tea Party Attendence Dies as NWIPs Focus on RTA

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:07:38 -0000

Thanks for commenting here as well Faith. I must have missed the comment where Kevin Tracy was maligned or referred to as more than one of your speakers. Kevin's political/issues site is probably the most active blog in NW Indiana, and has been constantly under attack from democrats and socialists and worse. There was even a rumor and facebook group recently that suggested he may step up and take on Rep. Pete Visclosky himself.

I have posted your official response as a separate post and am glad to hear that the GOP meeting went well last nite. As I've talked to Republicans over the last couple weeks I've heard a lot of mixed feelings about Porter County and its direction.

First, they like you really don't want another new tax. Basically as conservatives we would prefer to stay away from new taxes. This referendum will ill timed, costing us $120,000 just to perform, and will fail.

Second, though they are pretty frustrated with the current leadership of our county. We've lost a ton of jobs, many in construction, and the current leadership was brought into office 7 years ago under the banner "anti-developer" and "anti-growth". There is no doubt that they won ... they crushed the developers and they stopped all growth. I guess many of us fear what the next phase of the 1960's rollback may include. I don't want to live in a county with gravel roads as one commissioner suggested we return.

Third, the RDA is not the RTA. Many conservatives support the RDA, the RDA leadership under Bill Hanna, and the economic development efforts they are struggling to perform. Mr Harper has worked overtime to tie the RDA to this referendum and I'm afraid has duped many a patriot into believing his stagecraft. When considering the irony of "Oscar's" pseudonym perhaps the Great and Mighty Oz was apt. Who is working behind the curtain?

Keep up your efforts at fighting the growth of government and waste and fraud. Support the leaders that are willing to try new things, to privatize, to create jobs with private industry and investment, to work with faith based organizations, to collaborate where so many have taken mediocrity as an easy way out. NW Indiana deserves better than many of the leaders we've been saddled with.

Re: Phile This Under Polanski

wolfsbayne — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:37:17 -0000

heh. why thank you, ma'am!

Re: NWI Times Holds Symposium on RDA at the Porter County Expo Center September 22, 2009.

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:29:47 -0000

On tourism, I think the lion's share of the Inn taxes collected come from Valparaiso and Portage. Therefore one line of reasoning would suggest any refunds from elimination of overhead in a regional merger should be returned the communities of origin. Sure, if Duneland could start developing Hotels to maximize tourism along the beachfront then that would change quite a bit ... but so far I think the environmentalists have thrown their bodies in front of that potential economic development bus.

Re: NWI Times Holds Symposium on RDA at the Porter County Expo Center September 22, 2009.

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:38:43 -0000

Streeter, you have more historical perspective than I, but I have heard leaders in Porter suggest they would be open ... as an outsider to the Region, I can't tell you how odd it is to have Porter and Chesterton basically sharing the same location and trying to stay separate. It would seem the cost savings in staff alone would make it worthwhile.

I'd have to do some digging into the thought on Burns having a great tax base, with the business taxes now capped at 3% that may be less of a benefit than it was in the past when we could tax the mills into oblivion.

Now, on Valpo and Portage choosing the head of tourism, great point, the new City of Duneland should share in that choice. The lakefront is an embarrassment so any effort to clean it up, redevelop it, even letting large portions return to marshland should be supported by everyone in the County. IMHO

Re: NWI Times Holds Symposium on RDA at the Porter County Expo Center September 22, 2009.

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:49:52 -0000

Hey Pete, aren't you named Fat Pete as a shot at Pete Visclosky, the guy who is pushing the marquette plan so hard? Aren't the "real" conservatives against even federal money being used to reclaim the beaches and lakeshore because if we didn't take the money then our federal taxes would go down? Hmmm.

It sounds like you're mellowing in your old age Pete. Now you want a better lakeshore even though businesses will never pay to clean up their own messes?

Re: NWI Times Holds Symposium on RDA at the Porter County Expo Center September 22, 2009.

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:15:18 -0000

Porter County won't be a tourist destination until the beach front is reclaimed for homes and parks. Surrounding steel mills and heavy industry with swamps (otherwise known as wetland protected areas) won't appeal to many people to drive here for a weekend. I have to compliment the Town of Porter and Town of Burns Harbor for working to plan a reclamation of their beachfront, using RDA and state funds, to begin that process. Sorry to slip in a pro-RDA comment, but that project would never happen if little towns were left to themselves.

On an aside, a comment I've mentioned before, Burns Harbor and Porter and Chesterton really should merge into the City of Duneland and then if Porter County is still sitting on it's hands they should take the RDA seat that is currently empty. Don't they share sewer, schools, fire, and many other services already? Who's against the merger?

Re: Teabagger Turned Senator!? Richard Behney Throws Hat in U.S. Senate Race.

daltonsbriefs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:10:47 -0000

Banning parties and banning former politicians from voting has worked well in Cuba, Venezuala, Iran, and North Korea at capturing and keeping dictatorial control for the last couple decades. I don't think you are serious, but merely trying to suggest your frustration with a "win at all costs" philosophy that gives us vapid candidates who can raise money but can't accomplish anything once they arrive in office. Understood, but be careful because some people may think you were serious in your desire to implement draconian rules for elections.

Re: NWI Times Holds Symposium on RDA at the Porter County Expo Center September 22, 2009.

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:34:55 -0000

Good thought on the kill switch, and tying it to the retirement of bonds issues against the income stream guaranteed by our political leaders, now changing their minds. I'd be in favor of an out period when Porter County could get out in say 2020. Then again in 2030.

Hey by the way Pete, you mixed up your stories, the tourism board thing isn't from the RDA. The tourism board wanted to use less money on paying the bills for county facilities, but the county council wouldn't let them. Then there was the rumor that Porter County and Lake County would merge, eliminating $800,000 in overhead and letting some of that money get sent back to Valpo and Portage for econ development. That got shot down because once again many here in Porter County want nothing to do with regional collaboration with Lake County or its leaders.

I even posited that one way to make this merger happen would be to have the Mayors of Portage and Valpo choose the head of the new regional tourism board ... of course no one in Lake County liked that idea. Funny how it worked with the RDA!

Re: Checks and Balances on Property Taxes

daltonsbriefs — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:51:25 -0000

Agreed, the politicians saying this is too hard need to resign. But I do think that an estimated billing process would let elected officials dodge the completion of their jobs. What if 3 or 4 or even 5 years went by while they were working on assessments and budgets, but they could still bill us "estimates"? The process that exists now puts pressure on the local official to do their job, or they can't bill us ... take away that pressure and they'll gladly bill us and eternally postpone doing the job required by state law.

Re: Teabagger Turned Senator!? Richard Behney Throws Hat in U.S. Senate Race.

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:49:27 -0000

questher, I beg to differ. I was on the founding leadership team for the National Tax Day Tea Party, and the Indiana question became a regular problem, frankly our Indiana groups weren't working well together. I have since left all the tea party leadership coalitions, worried that far too much energy is being spent arguing national issues and too little on local elections.

The Indy leaders are well known for having a hard time getting along with others

Re: Analysis: Liberty & Porter County

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:41:55 -0000

Thanks for commenting Joel, I don't think all our posts end up uncivil, mainly the ones where two commenters start sniping each other. I'll follow up on Chris' "do you want pre-2003 valpo" question and suggest that there are some who do want pre-2003 Valpo ... or better said they want the whole county to go back to pre-1980 because it was more safe, more controllable, and sadly more white.

You'll note I didn't refer to any one group in that comment on purpose, because no legitimate group believes or sanctions that type of thought but it does lie underneath many of our pro vs. anti-growth arguments here.

In relating this debate to a friend, who doesn't do the 'internets', I suggested that the real quality we most enjoy from our great leaders is that of vision. Vision is that plan put in images and thoughts allowing us to see something of ourselves and our community that we couldn't see on the surface. Mayor Costas had vision in approaching us as Valparaiso, and perhaps Northwest Indiana's, most known leader. He saw a downtown that wasn't a burned out mess, he saw an East Lincolnway with a new vitality, he saw a diversity and ethics commitment, he a community with a rainy day fund and less staff. I won't go on an on.

Government can provide a vision, and really those political leaders that cannot should be tossed from office as hangers on pursuing insurance or worse.

Re: Teabagger Turned Senator!? Richard Behney Throws Hat in U.S. Senate Race.

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:58 -0000

After more than one request to change the title, and subsequent language, I have done so. Chris knows that I try really hard not to censure anything, a small change with little or no effect on the overall point he's drawing in the debate.

Re: Teabagger Turned Senator!? Richard Behney Throws Hat in U.S. Senate Race.

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:50:25 -0000

Agree that Stutzman is the best choice out there right now. I have said here and in other locations that Dan would be our best chance of knocking off Pete Visclosky, he can raise money and wouldn't have the NW Indiana negative label hanging over his head (since both candidates are from the region). Can't comment on RLC pins at Lincoln Day, but it sure wouldn't surprise me. Once the RLC began to retool itself as less a Ron Paul group and more a "return Republicans to their roots" group they grew even quicker.

I think the concern with Behney is that his group works quite hard to distance themselves from the Republican party, then when he wants to run for public office, all of a sudden he's a Republican.

Re: Teabagger Turned Senator!? Richard Behney Throws Hat in U.S. Senate Race.

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:15:55 -0000

Hey "name" we don't delete posts or comments here unless they use foul language. There is absolutely no secret in my working alongside James and the First Financial Trust Mortgage team in Portage. I'm proud to say we've built one of the best mortgage operations in the state, working diligently to help people acquire and finance their American Dream.

You will also find that those who have the guts to use their own names, and don't hide behind anonymity, are welcomed even if they don't agree. We encourage active debate here, thus the more than 20 authorized writers on the site. Many of our writers even disagree with each other, but we all tend to find engagement and debate worthy.

Now to your attacks on the GOP establishment. Lake County is it's own world, a place where Republicans are in the minority and hard pressed to some political seats in the southern parts. Porter County has been a very conservative county, with mainly Republican leadership. About 7 years ago Democrats won big, and took over control of the commissioners, assessor, auditor, and ultimately treasurer and the council. The property tax problems lay in their hands. The tax bills ... the county hospital sale ... the Unified Development Ordinance ... and any other anti-growth efforts are all on their hands. They voted to join the RDA, and then later changed their minds and caused this need to spend a ton of money on legal bills.

Republicans in Porter County need to work together toward growth and job creation. Rep Soliday and Sen Charbonneau represent us well, and although none of us will agree on everything, they do a terrific job as pretty new leaders on our behalf. Have you read the Senator's SB448? A great piece of conservative legislation passed this year.

Re: Teabagger Turned Senator!? Richard Behney Throws Hat in U.S. Senate Race.

daltonsbriefs — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:24:02 -0000

A good question, and one that may not apply statewide. Here in NW Indiana the Patriots (formerly NWI tea party) and the Republican Liberty Caucus have become quite close, most of the speakers at the northwest indiana events have been active RLC members. In that RLC members tended to also be supporters of Ron Paul in 2008, and there are still some a bit miffed about the Ron Paul supporters attempts to throw Indiana's support to Ron Paul in a state convention maneuver instead of following the dictates of the primary ... there is some concern by some in Republican circles. I think both the RLC and the Patriots have come a long way this year in reaching new grassroots activists, many who have never been involved politically. Kudos to their efforts.

I can see that some of these beefs are still hanging over all of us, but frankly in 2010 it's time to work together. In Porter County alone we have multiple types of Republicans who need to work together to win elections and clean up our sorry excuse for county government. In Lake County the effort is even more deep seated and difficult. Much of the Porter County "conservative" angst about the RDA and Illiana and South Shore and buses comes from people who definitely do not want Porter County to ever get to the stage that Lake County finds itself.

Re: Lake County Council President not running again

daltonsbriefs — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:38:13 -0000

Has this been communicated to Larry? He probably doesn't read this site.

Re: Indiana AG Issues Opinion on RDA Withdrawal

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:39:19 -0000

Brad, we were represented by our state representatives and state senators ... I say this only to refute those who want to suggest some form of taxation without representation. We are represented at the state, and in some few cases the state allows the local government a say. Removing a board member from the RDA merely made it harder for us to get any investments in Porter County from the $3.5 million were sending every year.

The AG makes a great case that even if the council were to find a way to get out of the RDA, two local communities in Porter County could turn the tables (and that's not hard to predict since Town of Porter and Portage would be at the front of the line) and the $3.5 million would still go to the RDA. The county council merely puts themselves in the position of being uninvolved, we're sending the money anyway.

Re: Property Tax caps labeled "cap gap"

daltonsbriefs — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:35:47 -0000

Ah, a regular comment by those in government budgeting "we need property taxes because they are more stable" Step back and think what that means. In tough times government has no need to cut their budgets or staff size, because they can pile on property tax payers. If the property taxes don't get paid, the property can be seized at tax sale, and the mortgage company of course will buy the property ... and pay the property taxes. I agree government has no incentive to desire an end to property taxes, but taxpayer do. I may sound radical, but I think government, like businesses, should expand and contract with the economy.