Our Next Sheriff?

You just have to love Lake County Politics!  Some get indicted, some seemingly get away with it.  Amazing.

Ex-Lake clerk returns $29,000 in pay dispute

By Bill Dolan – bill.dolan@nwi.com, (219) 662-5328 | Posted: Saturday, February 6, 2010 4:25 pm

CROWN POINT | Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot has returned $29,948 to the county after being told he improperly pocketed as county clerk.

Lake County Attorney John Dull issued an opinion Friday that Philpot needed permission from the County Council to divert $24,704 to himself between 2004 and 2009. Dull said Philpot should repay that amount along with $5,243 in interest that would have accrued since 2004.

Philpot, who left the clerk’s office at year’s end to become county coroner, presented the clerk’s office with a check for $29,948 late Friday afternoon, according to the county auditor’s office.

Philpot began giving himself bonuses from the Clerk’s Child Support IV-D No. 428 Fund, which is federal money the state distributed to county clerks as an incentive to enforce the collection of court-ordered child support payments.

State officials said this week the money only can be used as salary bonuses with council approval. Council members said last week they were surprised to learn Philpot received the money because they never approved it in any of their budgets.

Elected officials and employees have received few across-the-board raises in the last six years, but Dull said Philpot helped himself to $3,101 in 2004, $3,146 in 2005, $4,249 in 2006 and $14,206 last year. He took no payments from the fund in 2007 and 2008.

Dull said Philpot apparently took the money last year on the advice of Hammond attorney David Saks, whom the county paid to provided the clerk with legal advice. Saks stated in a written opinion in November 2008 that Philpot could give himself the money in the same way hundreds of other county employees receive so-called supplemental pay.

The supplemental pay comparison was faulty and state law requires Philpot to receive council approval to increase his salary, Dull said, adding that Philpot should repay his salary bonuses in addition to $5,243.39 in interest that should have accrued over the years in question.

Saks acknowledged Saturday he made a factual error in his advise to Philpot. He said Philpot returned the money once Dull rendered his opinion.

Philpot, who has indicated he might run for sheriff this year, didn’t returned telephone calls requesting comment.

County payroll records indicate Philpot also paid another $16,000 to two top managers and more than $10,000 to another 11 employees. Dull said the council approval requirement only applies to Philpot’s pay.

Are Republicans ready to govern?

Jeff Bergner of the Weekly Standard has an excellent article in this week’s issue.  It is well worth the read.

Can Republicans Govern? – Not unless they change The Narrative

Hammond Redevelopment Commission Changes

New Blood Stirs Bad Blood

A little controversy took place this week when Councilman Markovich’s nomination of Leon Gamino to the Hammond Redevelopment Commission approved by the city council. The surprise nomination, as the Times article put it, really has ruffled the feathers of Councilman Kalwinski who’s reappointment to the commission, Rosemary Wojdyla, was defeated. I am sure there is some behind the scenes “stuff” going on but I really don’t care. What I do care about is that a good person, Rosemary Wojdyla, was left off the Redevelopment Commission.

I have no problem with any councilperson nominating whoever they want but they need to back up their nomination. I really do not believe this was done. Let’s look at the rationale for nominating Mr. Gamino, who I am sure is a good man with the right intentions.

1. A resident familiar with the Robertsdale area was needed. (Ms. Wojdyla lives in North Hammond, not exactly far from Robertsdale)
2. Gamino’s background of working in the electrical field “could” be an asset (Perhaps it is, but how? An explanation is needed)
3. “With all the construction going on, you need somebody who knows about construction.” (Again, perhaps you do need someone with that background, but why?)
4. “It would really be nice to get somebody on the board who wouldn’t be a ‘yes’ vote and in someone’s pocket.” – Councilwoman Poland. (Ms. Wojdyla is in someone’s pocket? Who’s pocket? Where is the evidence? That is quite a charge coming from an elected official)

I think it’s time for some further explanation especially on the charge of Ms. Wojdyla being in someone’s pocket.

A Republican wins in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts will vote for Scott Brown tomorrow thus giving “Ted Kennedy’s seat” to the Republicans. Comments welcomed!

It’s not the Kennedy Seat – It’s the people’s seat!

New Year’s Resolution

I will be blogging again soon. Stay Tuned!!!

House

Sorry I have been away but the wife and I are buying a home and should be closing early this month. At that time the main offices will be relocating!

The Greatest Story

Cracking Down on Illegal Apartments

Hammond Cracks Down on Illegal Apartments

I applaud the efforts being made by the city to crack down on illegal apartments in the city.  I agree with Jim Callahan, Hammond’s Building Commissioner, that it helps stabilize the city.  Hopefully the city will keep on this issue bettering the city one block at a time.

McDermott up to his Old Tricks

McDermott Calls Arrest of Ally ‘dirtiest trick’

You have to love when the mayor of your city calls out the county sheriff, county police chief, and county prosecutor because a couple of his buddies were growing only “…five tiny pot plants…in their backyard” and your mayor thinks they are playing politics.

Whatever the case may be, it is clear that when the Mayor of Hammond is challenged or a close and “very, very powerful, very, very political” friends gets in trouble the Mayor is always quick to leave a nasty voice mail.  You would have thought he would have learned the first time.

It’s time for mature in leadership in Hammond.