There's no doubt I love politics, but one key reason I do is because political debate can create better government and thus better communities for our families.  I'm proud of Northwest Indiana and want to tell stories about great things going on in our communities.   If you want to hear more, contact me, I'm always glad to tell our stories.

Political News in Northwest Indiana

With the election over, much of the angry talk is gone for the next year, and we can focus on positive good government debate and interaction here. It's been a while since I've done a general rundown of political news in the Region, if I've missed some stories, put in comments below and we'll graduate good ones to full posts this week.

From Merrillville Howard Fink promoted at Town of Merrillville

A hearty congratulations to my good friend, Howard Fink, with the announcement of his promotion at the Town of Merrillville to Town Administrator. It looks like he'll have the opportunity to move to full Town Manager in the future depending on the budget and the council's opinions of his work.

From Valparaiso - Valpo parks looking for pathway upgrades

Another good friend, Chuck Lehman has presented a proposal for reviewing the pathways thru Valparaiso. Even with budgets being tight, and property taxes capped by law, Valparaiso continues to invest in parks and recreation.

From Portage - Marquette Plan rewarded for excellence

"Accepting the award on behalf of the project sponsors was Mayor Olga Velazquez of the City of Portage, a board member of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission." I believe that this park and the Valpo busline into Chicago are the first visible effects on Porter County of the $3.5 million a year they send to the RDA.

From Cool story about the East Chicago Sewage Treatment Plant

You read that right.

East Chicago's sewage treatment plant works so well that salmon spawn in it's tanks!

People think that the environment is getting worse, but stories like this just go to show that, little by little, it is really a lot better than it used to be, all thanks to technology.

From Crown Point - The race for who will get new plant

"Mayor David Uran is noncommittal about the possibility of the county seat as a location for the future home of a Northwest Indiana garbage-to-ethanol plant.

Uran said he had the opportunity to see firsthand what the Lake County Solid Waste Management District would be voting on, and as a voting member, he wanted to take the opportunity to do so.

Uran called the plant "impressive" and "odorless."