Plugged In LaPorte

I am the son of a mother who got pregnant with my brother at 15 years old, a father who built a successful concrete construction company that developed hundreds of acres of land into subdivisions and homes, a grandfather who was a Teamster who left this country only once (to fight in the Korean War), and a grandmother who worked tirelessly for many hours at American Home Foods on Fail Road. I am a religious leader who helped create a church community in downtown LaPorte with some of my closest friends, a nonprofit leader who believes everyone deserves dignity and community, and a community developer who enjoys nothing more than taking dilapidated corners of LaPorte and turning them into vibrant spaces that grow and flourish. I am a passionate dad, grateful son, middling pastor, and undeserving friend to some of the most extraordinary people who have ever walked this earth. I am a product of my parents and siblings, teachers and pastors, mentors and mentees, and the place and people I have called home for most of my life - LaPorte, Indiana. It's a city that I love.

LaPorte, Indiana, is a unique city at the intersection of urban vibrancy and rural charm. This duality resides at the heart of the city and exists within the tension of its future. Like many small Rust Belt cities, it seeks an identity different from the one it knew in its vibrant manufacturing past. Yet, it is skeptical and anxious about a future that looks different. Are we a manufacturing town doing our best to compete in this current tax-abated economic landscape? Are we a small lake town catering to and embracing the revenue of other Chicagoland tourists? What part do quality of life indicators play in keeping and attracting people to a place? When other cities of similar size struggle and decline to irrelevance, how does LaPorte create a unique identity faithful to the incredible people who have called this place home? At the same time, how can we also become welcoming to others who seek LaPorte as a place to belong? After all, we were all strangers here at some point.

A short time ago, my friends at the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership asked me to collaborate with them in creating a new podcast to discuss with area leaders, stakeholders, and business owners about their thoughts and experiences in La Porte. We have many positive developments in LaPorte, but there are also numerous challenges that we must address. Additionally, there are varying opinions about the direction of the city and the specific areas where we are achieving or falling short.

One of my passions is creating connections and community between people. Whether at State Street, the Pax Center, or through our community development projects, the goal is to minimize the distance between neighbors and enable us to better care for one another. This can only be achieved through communication, listening, and asking questions. I'm excited about our new podcast, Plugged In LaPorte. We recorded the first two episodes in February at the LaPorte Public Library's Exchange building. The first episode features an interview with Nick Minich and Craig Philips, who are involved in engineering and development projects for LaPorte. I also spoke with Erik Nelson (Workforce Development Coordinator for the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership) and Jen Goss (Director of College and Career Readiness for LaPorte Community Schools) about career pathways, which is a crucial focus in the education of middle and high school students in the state of Indiana.

In the second episode, released in two weeks, you'll hear a conversation with County Councilmen Randy Novak and Mike Rosenbaum. We will discuss bipartisanship locally and developments that will impact the county, including Kingsbury. Additionally, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jessica Granger, the driving force behind Thode Floral, one of LaPorte's beloved downtown businesses. We discussed the benefits and struggles of being a business owner on Lincolnway. In upcoming episodes, I hope to have more conversations about our education system, potential economic development, small business owners, and interviews with elected and unelected leaders and individuals.

If you're interested in what's happening in LaPorte, I encourage you to check out the first episode of "Plugged In LaPorte." PIL can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and almost everywhere podcasts can be found these days. And if you have a suggestion for someone to feature on a future episode, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you as we strive to create an experience that keeps all of us more curious, connected, and plugged in.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uu8DDH5ycpxYq75XnXjJg

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../plugged-in-la.../id1734439748

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9wSIjnHFEc

My Favorite Songs of 2023

For years, I have been creating a "best of.." music list that includes all of my favorite songs from that year. The only criteria are that the music must have been released during that year and that I truly enjoy it. Additionally, I can only choose one song from each album release.

Music holds great significance in my life as songs help define specific moments and bring clarity to my emotions. There are a few moments of my day when music is being played on a speaker or through my headphones. I often refer back to previous lists and am reminded of the phase of life I was in when those particular songs resonated with me. Therefore, this list not only serves as an end-of-year compilation but also reflects my current life. It features a mix of songs from various genres, including heartbreak, hope, and confusion.

Please let me know in the comments which songs I may have missed that should be included in the list.

SONG LIST:

• Ribbons - Ryan Beatty

• Fresh Tattoo - the Mountain Goats

• Orange Bottles - Wyatt Flores

• Growing Sideways - Noah Kahan

• Maybe Man - AJR

• Will Anybody Ever Love Me? - Sufjan Steves

• Beatitudes - JUDAH.

• What Was I Made For? - Billie Eilish

• Capital Karma - Manchester Orchestra

• I’ll Never Give Up On You - Death Cab for Cutie

• One Day You Will Fly Too - Aimee Carty

• Medication - the Collection

• Who’s Laughing Now - Durry

• C’est La Vie - Peach Tree Rascals

• Did I Mention I’m Sorry - Petey

• Op Shop Lover - grentperez & Lime Cordiale

• Ocean - Adam Newling

• Girl in a Coffee Shop - Zach Seabaugh

• You and I - SYML & Charlotte Lawrence

• Everything We Need - Wilfred

• Hold Your Light High - Terrible Sons

• Let Go - Jolé

• If You Love Me - Northwest Stories

• Harder to Fake It - Hollow Coves

• We’re All Gonna Die - Joy Oladokun & Noah Kahan

• Chicago - Fort Frances

• Christ is Lower Still - The Porter’s Gate

• God & Prozac - Chris Renzema

• I Remember Everything - Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves

In Defense of Public Defense

For justice to be fair and equitable, communities require qualified and unbiased members of the judiciary, prosecutors, and public defenders. Three years ago, I was selected to serve on a three-person panel overseeing the public defense program in LaPorte County. Just last week, the board began interviewing potential candidates to replace the current Chief Public Defender, Craig Braje, a significant matter within our local legal community. As the general public may not always recognize the importance of public defense and its impact on both the country and the local community, it is important to explain why this aspect of our civic structure deserves attention.

The United States Constitution, namely the Sixth Amendment, guarantees certain rights to those facing criminal charges. However, it was only in the groundbreaking ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright by the Supreme Court in 1963 that these rights were extended to apply at the state level as well. In this case, Clarence Gideon was charged with felony breaking and entering in a Florida state court. He was denied a court-appointed lawyer because state statutes only provided free legal representation in capital offense cases.

As a result of Gideon v. Wainwright, there was a significant shift towards fairness and balance in the criminal justice system. It provided a tool for judges to assist those unable to afford legal counsel in a community, placed a greater responsibility on lawyers to provide legal services, and created a need for local and state funds to support public defense. As is often the case with government initiatives, public defense was an unfunded mandate. The repercussions of this clarified Amendment demanded action.

The administration of public defense systems varies by state. In Missouri, a centralized state public defender's office with regional branches assigns attorneys to cases and receives funding from state allocations. On the other hand, in Indiana, the responsibility for public defense falls on county-level entities overseen in collaboration by the state. This includes a local board known as the Public Defender Board, which consists of three appointees - one chosen by the county commission, one by the county judiciary, and one by the state Public Defender Commission. "The duties of the board include holding at least four annual meetings, creating a strategic plan, and selecting a Chief Public Defender. If a county chooses to participate in Indiana's funding and oversight system, the cost will be split between the county and the state. LaPorte County has chosen to participate, but Porter County has yet to.

The importance of these arrangements cannot be overstated. LaPorte County allocates approximately $1.4 million annually to public defense. This investment may be concerning when considering the cost of defending those accused of criminal acts. Providing adequate legal defense is not just about seeking justice for the defendant; it is also crucial for the victims and the community as a whole. Regardless of financial status or social standing, everyone has the inherent right to a fair and just trial and competent legal representation. Insufficient support for the public defender system can compromise the integrity of the judicial system and violate fundamental human rights. It can also lead to significant costs in cases of wrongful conviction and settlements. It is the responsibility of our society and community to protect these fundamental principles and ensure that every individual receives a fair trial.

Because he had to defend himself, the poorly educated Clarence Gideon lacked the experience and knowledge to navigate the American legal system. He was sentenced to five years in prison for breaking and entering based on false testimony from a supposed eyewitness. However, after appealing to the Supreme Court and receiving a public defender, Gideon's conviction was overturned when his lawyer proved that the testimony was erroneous and did not occur as claimed. Clarence Gideon deserved justice, and I am grateful to live in a place that strives to ensure that even individuals convicted of crimes can receive it.

A February Conversation with John Lake

John Lake is the Prosecuting Attorney for LaPorte County. In this episode of SOUND OFF, he talks about no-knock search warrants, making sense of the bail system, the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, and more. 

CREDITS: Nate Loucks (Host), Jeff Wuggazer (Editor), Dennis Siddall (Producer), John Lake (Guest)

SOUND OFF is a community conversation show that airs every Monday and Friday on 96.7 the Eagle in LaPorte County, Indiana. SOUND OFF is a Spoon River Media production.

Life in Babylon (Daniel 1)

A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
The news can be difficult to listen to and to read.
When that news relates to faces we know
And to voices familiar to us,
It becomes all the harder to hear.

Lord God,
We ask you to hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart.
Protect them, we pray;
From violence,
From political gamesmanship,
from being used and abused.

Give, we pray,
the nations of the world the courage
and the wisdom
to stand up for justice
and the courage too,
to dare to care – generously.

Lord in your mercy,
Take from us all,
The tendencies in us
That seek to lord it over others:
Take from us those traits
that see us pursuing our own needs and wants
before those of others.

Teach us how to live in love
And dignity
And respect – following your example.
In your name and for your sake,
Amen.

SERMON

Should people look down on you for being a Christian?

Matthew 10:21-22 NRSV – Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Or, should Christians live such good lives that people are blown away by their kindness and generosity?

1 Peter 2:11-12 NRSV – Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.

POINT: Faith is not about escapism, but faithful engagement.

POINT: They said no to something, to hold on to values they believed were better.

The first precondition of being called a spiritual leader is to perceive and feel the falsehood that is prevailing in society, and then to dedicate one’s life to a struggle against that falsehood. If one tolerates the falsehood and resigns oneself to it, one can never become a prophet. If one cannot rise above material life, one cannot even become a citizen in the Kingdom of the Spirit, far less a leader of others. - Vladimir Solovyov, in his eulogy of Fyodor Dostoevsky (1881)

Question: What cultural norms do you abstain from because your faith calls you to a higher standard?

POINT: Sometimes you have to be different to make a difference.

We are living in the kingdom of the world while trying to live by the Kingdom of God.