Politics, Lake County style
NWI Times
Apr 25, 2015
nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/politics-lake-county-style/article_cee89cf2-237d-5817-9ff3-be6efe254d23.html
CROWN POINT | Running for public office in Lake County is a full-contact sport.
Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist was recently asked at a Times candidate forum about public corruption charges alleging he gambled at a casino with money donated to the mayor's campaign organization and a city food pantry.
"I have pleaded not guilty. I have the right to run for public office as do these other candidates. I will be found not guilty," he responded.
He's back
Robert J. Cantrell, an East Chicago political operative, is back in the game, according to City Councilwoman Gilda Orange and Jesse Gomez, an East Chicago school board member and veteran Democratic precinct committeeman.
Cantrell, often described as a brilliant but mischievous political strategist, recently finished a federal prison sentence for tax fraud and a kickback scheme involving government contracts.
Orange said she has received calls of Robert Cantrell working out of the East Chicago law office of his son, John Cantrell. "I don't care who he is helping, but he's gotten out of jail and come back to do the same thing. It is just a shame," she said.
Gomez similarly complained about Cantrell's apparent involvement in the spring primary. "I have mixed emotions about this. I'd like to out the guy, but I don't want to make him a rock star."
John Cantrell, Robert's son and a trial lawyer, responded that his father "has the right to support anyone he wants to. It's my office. I can support whoever I choose. I'm supporting someone who is running against Gilda and somebody who isn't Jesse Gomez's relatives.
"I was born and raised in East Chicago. I am a business owner. I have family members who live in the city. It is in my best interests to help choose the best candidates. The people who are complaining need to stop crying and start campaigning harder."
Read the sign
Lake County Councilman David Hamm, who is supporting Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s re-election, lamented last week, "Yard signs are stolen in almost every election."
He said the thieves are rarely caught and almost never prosecuted, but he thinks the scale of this illicit practice has reached a new low.
"We've had to provide about 1,200 replacement signs for those that may have blown away or were stolen. Those signs cost $4 apiece. Tom is lucky because he raises a lot of money. It's not the money, it's the principal," he said.
Hammond City Councilman Homero "Chico" Hinojosa, who is challenging McDermott, told The Times in an email response, "We are experiencing many calls from supporters saying that their 'Chico' signs are missing.
"I ask the homeowners if I can put up my sign rather than surprising them with it. Many homeowners that I've been talking to say that McDermott never asked to put up his signs. Maybe no one is stealing them. Maybe he should have asked the homeowner if he can put up his sign. If they are accusing the Chico for Mayor campaign of taking signs, that is ridiculous."
Hamm said McDermott advises his campaign workers not to steal signs and would ban them from the campaign if they were caught do so.
She wants her name in lights
LaVetta Spark-Wade, one of seven candidates for Gary's Common Council 6th District seat, complains one of her opponents, Dwight A. "Twin" Williams is getting top billing, not on the May 5 Democratic party ballot, but on the marquee of The Glen.
The former movie house on Ridge Road in Gary was converted to a live performance theater with federal and state grants obtained by State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, and his African-American Achievers Youth Corps. non-profit organization.
She believes The Glen shouldn't be flashing "Elect Dwight Williams" on the electronic sign above its front door, since political endorsements are forbidden by federal non-profit organization rules and the group's own bylaws.
Williams, who is Smith's nephew, said, "She doesn't know what she is talking about."
He and Smith said the theater doesn't get involved in politics, but does rent its electronic sign to anyone, including political candidates, as a way to generate revenue for the group's educational programs.
Williams said, "It's like a billboard. She could rent it, too, and has been told so," Williams said.
Spark-Wade said she did try to rent it, but was told Williams has it tied up until Election Day, May 5.
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