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
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.
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 Discussion About Indiana's Local Income Tax
In this episode of SOUND OFF, we talk about the proposed Local Income Tax (LIT) increase for LaPorte County. The proposal would raise the LIT from 0.95% to 1.45% and include necessary money to raise wages for emergency services (police, fire, EMS, etc.) Some listeners believe providing a better salary for first responders is essential, but the county and city governments should find other avenues for revenue rather than raising taxes on citizens. Some believed that the corporate tax rate shouldn't be lowered in Indiana as proposed and instead be used to help fund police and fire departments throughout the state. However, many believe that the LIT increase is necessary. Listen to the full episode to hear more about what SOUND OFF listeners believe should happen.
In this episode of SOUND OFF, we talk about the proposed Local Income Tax (LIT) increase for LaPorte County. The proposal would raise the LIT from 0.95% to 1.45% and include necessary money to raise wages for emergency services (police, fire, EMS, etc.) Some listeners believe providing a better salary for first responders is essential, but the county and city governments should find other avenues for revenue rather than raising taxes on citizens. Some believed that the corporate tax rate shouldn't be lowered in Indiana as proposed and instead be used to help fund police and fire departments throughout the state. However, many believe that the LIT increase is necessary. Listen to the full episode to hear more about what SOUND OFF listeners believe should happen.
Listen below:
CREDITS: Nate Loucks (Host), Jeff Wuggazer (Editor/Producer)
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.
Indiana, what do we value?
All my life, my father has repeated this axiom, "If you want to know what someone values, take a look at their pocketbook." While that's not true in every circumstance, there is some truth to it. If we value the development of children and education in Indiana, we should be willing to compete with the states that are compensating their educators far more than the Hoosier state.
LaPorte, Indiana is not as rural as the towns featured in this VICE News segment, but we share some similarities with these communities. Recently, I heard a story about the differences that have happened in the last 10-15 years in the number of applicants for a gym teacher position. In the past, there might be 15-20 applicants. Now, they are lucky to get 4-6 candidates.
Last year, research published by Indiana State University suggested that of the 220 districts that responded to the survey, 91 percent reported experiencing a teacher shortage. What is causing the shortage? According to their data, a combination of factors including lack of pay and high turnover. To illustrate this sobering reality, the U.S. Department of Education said that in Indiana, inflation-adjusted teacher pay has fallen since the 1999-2000 school year to the point where teachers now earn almost 16 percent less than they did two decades ago.
All my life, my father has repeated this axiom, "If you want to know what someone values, take a look at their pocketbook." While that's not true in every circumstance, there is some truth to it. If we value the development of children and education in Indiana, we should be willing to compete with the states that are compensating their educators far more than the Hoosier state.
Over the last year, in helping a small team of teachers and staff at our local elementary school achieve certification and develop curriculum, I witnessed the incredible lengths that educators, staff, counselors, and administrators go to provide every student with a thorough and efficient education while also working to bolster a child's social-emotional well-being.
It's late nights and early mornings. It's pressure from administrators and parents to meet standards that are not always well-defined. It's processing stories of trauma and chaos with a child while trying to create environments of inclusion and embrace (but, don't forget about those education standards!) It's being scapegoated when something in a school doesn't work, but also being asked to do more with less each year. It's being told that "we need to stop teaching to the test!" while being handed new requirements for the next test. It's recognizing that they can make more money in another vocation, but holding strong to the unrequited joy and satisfaction when a child gets "it" for the first time.
We need more public school teachers. We need better-paid public school teachers. And, not for the sake of the educators; for the hope of a healthy and adjusted society. If you want to know what someone values, take a look at their pocketbook.