Tuesday, March 29, 2016
03292016 - News Article - Humane Society puts Porter County on notice - Hobart site won't take Portage's animals once facility is built
Humane Society puts Porter County on notice
Hobart site won't take Portage's animals once facility is built
Post-Tribune (IN)
March 29, 2016
www.newsbank.com
Officials with the Humane Society of Hobart have given formal notice to the city of Portage and the Porter County Animal Shelter that once the county has a new shelter, the Humane Society no longer will take in Portage's animals.
The letter notes that it's been "many years" since the Humane Society signed a temporary agreement to assist with animal control in Portage, and the city was asked in December to begin making plans for another place to take their animals.
"Now that Porter County is building a new shelter, this is the perfect time to say that the Humane Society will no longer provide animal control services for the City of Portage once the new facility is built," the letter states. "If the city of Portage will not be using the Porter County Shelter, please make plans for a facility of your own or another entity."
The letter says that the Humane Society will continue serving Portage for the time being "but this contract with Portage cannot go on indefinitely as this was supposed to be temporary."
Officials with the Humane Society could not be reached for comment.
As plans for a new county animal shelter move forward with a tentative spring groundbreaking and completion early next year, Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South, said county officials are in ongoing talks with the city of Portage about being included in the new shelter, and City Councilwoman Sue Lynch sits on an advisory panel for the new facility.
"We don't have a contract hammered out yet but I think all sides are in agreement that we have to be working together," Blaney said, adding the shelter is being built to handle the additional animals from Portage.
The letter, which was signed by Hobart Humane Society Director Brenda Slavik, Board of Directors President Laura Labadie and Treasurer Carol Konopacki, was sent to Porter County officials dated Feb. 18.
Unlike other Porter County communities, Portage has its own staff of animal control officers and has long been taking its animals to the Hobart shelter instead of the county facility.
Portage will retain its animal control officers under the agreement being worked out with the county, Blaney said. "I think we're all expecting Portage to be there from Day 1."
County officials have long considered the existing county shelter, at 2056 Heavilin Road, outdated and too small to handle the number of animals the no-kill shelter receives, and it is not large enough to handle an influx of animals from Portage at its current size.
The new shelter, on Indiana 49 between the Porter County Sheriff's Department and the Expo Center, is expected to be 10,000 to 12,000 square feet with room to expand, according to a request for proposals released in late February by the Board of Commissioners.
Monday, March 28, 2016
03282016 - News Article - Hobart gives notice to Portage, county over animals
Hobart gives notice to Portage, county over animals
Post-Tribune
March 28, 2016 - 4:04PM
Officials with the Humane Society of Hobart have given formal notice to the city of Portage and the Porter County Animal Shelter that once the county has a new shelter, the Humane Society will no longer take in Portage's animals.
The letter notes that it's been "many years" since the Humane Society signed a temporary agreement to assist with animal control in Portage, and the city was asked in December to begin making plans for another place to take their animals.
"Now that Porter County is building a new shelter, this is the perfect time to say that the Humane Society will no longer provide animal control services for the City of Portage once the new facility is built," the letter states. "If the city of Portage will not be using the Porter County Shelter, please make plans for a facility of your own or another entity."
The letter says that the Humane Society will continue serving Portage for the time being "but this contract with Portage cannot go on indefinitely as this was supposed to be temporary."
Officials with the humane society could not be reached for comment.
As plans for a new county animal shelter move forward with a tentative spring groundbreaking and completion early next year, Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South, said county officials are in ongoing talks with the city of Portage about being included in the new shelter, and City Councilwoman Sue Lynch sits on an advisory for the new facility.
"We don't have a contract hammered out yet but I think all sides are in agreement that we have to be working together," Blaney said, adding the shelter is being built to handle the additional animals from Portage.
The letter, which was signed by Hobart Humane Society Director Brenda Slavik, Board of Directors President Laura Labadie and Treasurer Carol Konopacki, was sent to Porter County officials dated Feb. 18.
Unlike other Porter County communities, Portage has its own staff of animal control officers and has long been taking its animals to the Hobart shelter instead of the county facility.
Portage will retain its animal control officers under the agreement being worked out with the county, Blaney said. "I think we're all expecting Portage to be there from Day 1."
County officials have long considered the existing county shelter, at 2056 Heavilin Road, outdated and too small to handle the number of animals the no-kill shelter receives, and it is not large enough to handle an influx of animals from Portage at its current size.
The new shelter, on Indiana 49 between the Porter County Sheriff's Department and the Expo Center, is expected to be 10,000 to 12,000 square feet with room to expand, according to a request for proposals released in late February by the Board of Commissioners.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Monday, March 21, 2016
03212016 - News Article - Pence signs police body camera video regulation bill
Pence signs police body camera video regulation bill
Associated Press
Mar 21, 2016
NWI Times
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/indiana/pence-signs-police-body-camera-video-regulation-bill/article_b4978289-0ec6-5bc3-86bb-c991563d0755.html
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed a bill giving law enforcement agencies authority to withhold some video recordings from body cameras.
The law signed Monday will allow police to withhold video under some circumstances. If a person challenges a decision to withhold video, the law enforcement agency will be required to prove in court that releasing the video would harm someone or influence a court proceeding.
People depicted in video, or the family of a depicted person who was killed, will be allowed to view a recording at least twice but would not receive a copy under the measure.
The bill garnered support from both law enforcement agencies that had argued burdensome regulations would deter body camera use and open-records advocates who pushed for greater police transparency.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
03202016 - News Article - EDITORIAL: Cantrell ruling dulls teeth deterring political corruption - ROBERT CANTRELL
EDITORIAL: Cantrell ruling dulls teeth deterring political corruption
NWI Times
The Times Editorial Board
Mar 20, 2016
nwitimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-cantrell-ruling-dulls-teeth-deterring-political-corruption/article_ab6d49c0-4359-5de7-9d30-16e8b0e739ad.html
The fox will continue laying waste to the hen house as long as the farmer employs toothless guard dogs to watch over his chickens.
Such a system devoid of consequences is really no different than serving the chickens up on a table set conveniently for the hungry fox.
In a sense, that’s the table Hammond federal court Judge Rudy Lozano set earlier this month when he essentially allowed disgraced Lake County political operative Robert Cantrell to purchase an early release from his criminal punishment.
Cantrell was sentenced in 2009 to 6 1/2 years in prison for using his former job in the North Township Trustee’s office to steer contracts to a counseling firm in exchange for cash kickbacks. In other words, he committed a pay-for-play crime against taxpayers.
Cantrell completed his prison term but also was supposed to spend three years on supervised release, a system to monitor convicts after their release from federal prisons.
But earlier this month, Lozano agreed to release Cantrell after serving just 13 months of the three-year period of supervised release. Cantrell was allowed to pay the remaining $3,647.87 of the $68,000 in restitution he owed taxpayers for his crimes, and the convicted felon was released from the rest of his sentence.
According to court records, Lozano told federal prosecutors he didn’t feel requiring Cantrell to remain on supervised release would have any greater deterrent effect to committing such crimes in the future.
We couldn’t disagree more.
Lake County wears the mark of political corruption like a scarlet letter because of the more than 60 government officials convicted of crimes against taxpayers during the past few decades.
Cutting Cantrell loose early — just because he paid the monetary portion of his sentence — sends the wrong message to any public officials abusing, or thinking of abusing, the public trust.
Every tooth of the law must be brought to bear in fighting the scourge of public corruption in Northwest Indiana. In Cantrell’s case, the court system just knocked out a few of those pearly whites.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
03132016 - News Article - Judge hands Cantrell early release from court supervision - ROBERT CANTRELL
Judge hands Cantrell early release from court supervision
NWI Times
Mar 13, 2016
nwitimes.com/news/crime-and-court/judge-hands-cantrell-early-release-from-court-supervision/article_219ff0fb-f480-5ce4-872b-3154b04f51b3.html
HAMMOND — Disgraced former North Township Supervisor Robert Cantrell won an early release from court supervision last week after paying his restitution in full, U.S. District Court records show.
Judge Rudy Lozano on Thursday granted Cantrell's Feb. 10 motion for early termination of supervised release.
Lozano wrote in an order filed Tuesday he agreed with the U.S. attorney's office that Cantrell's criminal conduct was substantial and extensive, but he was not convinced requiring Cantrell to remain on supervised release would have any greater deterrent effect.
The judge said he would grant Cantrell's motion if he finished paying restitution within two weeks. On Wednesday, Cantrell paid the remaining $3,647.87 of the the $68,000 in restitution he was ordered to pay, court records say.
Cantrell spent five years and two months in prison for political corruption.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
03092016 - News Article - Judge says Cantrell must pay up to end court supervision - ROBERT CANTRELL
Judge says Cantrell must pay up to end court supervision
NWI Times
March 09, 2016
nwitimes.com/news/crime-and-court/judge-says-cantrell-must-pay-up-to-end-court-supervision/article_703d3422-7f26-5000-8895-fd12c5c0dfcd.html
HAMMOND — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered disgraced North Township supervisor Robert Cantrell to finish paying restitution within two weeks if he wants an early release from court supervision.
Judge Rudy Lozano wrote in an order that he'll grant Cantrell's motion for early release after he receives confirmation the 74-year-old has paid his restitution in full.
Cantrell on Wednesday paid the remaining $3,647.87 of the the $68,000 in restitution he was ordered to pay, court records say. The U.S. attorney's office responded with a motion to end garnishment because the debt was paid in full.
Cantrell was sentenced in 2009 to 6.5 years in prison for using his position in public office to steer contracts to a substance abuse counseling company in exchange for cash kickbacks. He also was found guilty of insurance fraud for “deceptively procuring” township-funded health insurance coverage for two of his children and filing false income tax returns.
He served five years and two months in a federal prison and about 13 months of a three-year term of supervised release.
Lozano wrote he agreed with the U.S. attorney's office that Cantrell's criminal conduct was substantial and extensive, but he was not convinced requiring Cantrell to remain on supervised release would have any greater deterrent effect.
Lozano also found Cantrell presents a low risk of recidivism.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
02052016 - News Article - Talking politics on Lake's last filing day - ROBERT CANTRELL
Talking politics on Lake's last filing day
NWI Times
Feb 5, 2016
nwitimes.com/talking-politics-on-lake-s-last-filing-day/image_cc2d2618-4f89-5b73-8f6d-d01abdffc0e4.html
David Uzelac, Robert Cantrell, Lake Recorder Mike Brown, Lake Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr. and New Chicago Town Councilwoman Sue Pelfrey talk politics outside the county elections board.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
03022016 - News Article - Sewage, trash fee hikes approved in Portage
Sewage, trash fee hikes approved in Portage
Carole Carlson
Post-Tribune
March 02, 2016 - 10:59AM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-city-council-st-0303-20160302-story.html
Portage residents will see their sewage and trash fees increase by a combined $15 in June.
The City Council begrudgingly, but unanimously, approved two rate hike ordinances Tuesday, saying the city's infrastructure must be improved and maintained. It marked the first sewage increase in 20 years.
"I've sat on the council for 20 years and we have eroding pipes and all kinds of issues," said Councilman Mark Oprisko, D-at-large. "You can't go 20 years without raising operating or labor costs."
Mayor James Snyder said city officials examined several studies before deciding on a proposal that is coupled with a nearly $10 million bond issue to address serious infrastructure issues, including construction of a $3.8 million sewage interceptor on the north side of the city and $2 million in improvements at City Hall. The increased sewage bills will help pay the bond issue.
"We went through several studies because this is not easy for us to do," said Snyder of the rate increases.
In June, a monthly bill will jump from $23.50 to $32.50 for a single family. In subsequent years, the rate will increase 50 cents per month. Officials said the 50-cent inflater should help avoid large rate increases. The rates will be examined in three to five years.
Trash bills will increase from $12 to $18 per month, including a 25-cent-per-month inflater beginning in 2017.
A few Portage residents opposed the increases.
"This is a little alarming to me, many of us in Portage are senior citizens. If I'm lucky, I have one bag," said Patricia Resheter of the trash increase. Senior citizens will receive a $3 monthly discount, if they register with the city.
Snyder said the costs associated with trash pickup are in personnel, not the volume of trash collected. In past years, Snyder said the city offered workers pay increases by deferring needed sewer maintenance and line rehabilitation.
Councilman Collin Czilli, D-5th, said the rate increases surprised him, too, until he studied the issue. "Nobody likes an increase, but you can see we're improving the system. If we don't improve now, we'll have to pay later."
03022016 - News Article - Former LaPorte County auditor embezzlement nets 7-year term
Former LaPorte County auditor embezzlement nets 7-year term
Mar 2, 2016
NWI Times
HAMMOND — A former chief deputy auditor for LaPorte County was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for embezzling $150,000 in government money and defrauding her elderly father-in-law out of more than $600,000 so she could gamble.
Mary Ray, 68, of LaPorte, also was ordered by U.S. District Judge Jon Deguilio to forfeit $137,249 and pay $801,315 in restitution, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
Ray was convicted Sept. 17 of two counts of theft of government money, two counts of making false statements on a tax return and seven counts of mail fraud.
Ray embezzled more than $150,000 from county coffers from September 2011 to December 2012, while she worked as LaPorte County's chief deputy auditor, prosecutors said. She made false statements on her federal tax return by not reporting the embezzled funds.
Ray also defrauded her father-in-law, an 86-year-old disabled veteran, out of more than $600,000 that he entrusted her to oversee, prosecutors said.
Evidence presented at trial showed Ray used the money to gamble at casinos, prosecutors said.
03022016 - DOJ - Indiana LaPorte County Deputy Auditor sentenced to 84 months for Embezzling Government Funds, Tax Fraud, and Wire Fraud
Indiana LaPorte County Deputy Auditor sentenced to 84 months for Embezzling Government Funds, Tax Fraud, and Wire Fraud
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-county-chief-deputy-auditor-sentenced-84-months-embezzling-government-funds-tax-fraud
A former chief deputy auditor for LaPorte County, Indiana, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for embezzling over $150,000 from the LaPorte County government, tax fraud and defrauding her father-in-law out of more than $600,000, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David A. Capp of the Northern District of Indiana.
Mary Ray, 68, of LaPorte, was also ordered to forfeit $137,249.59 and pay $801,315.66 in restitution as part of her sentence, which was imposed by U.S. District Judge Jon E. Deguilio of the Northern District of Indiana. On Sept. 17, 2015, Ray was convicted of two counts of theft of government monies, two counts of making false statements on a tax return and seven counts of wire fraud.
According to evidence presented at trial, from September 2011 through December 2012, while she served as chief deputy auditor for LaPorte County, Ray embezzled more than $150,000 from county coffers and underreported her income on her U.S. Individual Tax Returns by failing to report the embezzled funds. Evidence at trial also showed that Ray defrauded her father-in-law, an 86-year-old disabled veteran, out of more than $600,000 in funds that he entrusted her to oversee. The evidence also demonstrated that Ray used the illegally-obtained funds to gamble at casinos.
The FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Board of Accounts. Trial Attorney Peter Halpern of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald J. Schmid of the Northern District of Indiana prosecuted the case.
03022016 - News Article - Federal prosecutors fight Cantrell's bid to end court supervision - ROBERT CANTRELL
Federal prosecutors fight Cantrell's bid to end court supervision
NWI Times
Mar 2, 2016
nwitimes.com/news/crime-and-court/federal-prosecutors-fight-cantrell-s-bid-to-end-court-supervision/article_86a75be5-eaaf-5150-99b1-ee2e60f8a0d3.html
HAMMOND — Federal prosecutors said in a court filing Monday that Robert Cantrell's criminal conviction was but "one more sordid chapter" in Lake County's history of public corruption and the former North Township supervisor should serve his full sentence of supervised release.
Denying Cantrell's motion for early termination of supervised release "would have the greatest deterrent effect," Assistant U.S. Attorney Orest Szewciw wrote.
In addition, Cantrell still owes about $4,200 of the $68,000 in restitution he was ordered to pay after he was found guilty of four counts of honest services mail fraud, three counts of insurance mail fraud and four counts of tax fraud, court records say.
Cantrell's attorney, Kevin Milner, dismissed the government's objections in a reply filed Tuesday.
"There are some things that one can rely on with certainty," Milner wrote. "Every Chicago winter it snows. Republicans and Democrats will always bicker. And the government will always, in its patented robotic fashion, oppose any motion made by a defendant that seeks even an iota of compassion."
Cantrell served five years and two months in a federal prison and rewarding him for his good behavior and compliance "hurts no one," Milner wrote.
Cantrell was sentenced in 2009 to 6.5 years in prison for using his position in public office to steer contracts to a substance abuse counseling company in exchange for cash kickbacks.
He also was found guilty of insurance fraud for “deceptively procuring” township-funded health insurance coverage for two of his children and filing false income tax returns.
Cantrell was sentenced to three years of supervised release and began that term Jan. 9, 2015, according to court records.
The U.S. attorney's office urged Judge Rudy Lozano to deny Cantrell's motion, in part, because his "criminal conduct was substantial and extensive" and "the victims of his crime were the poor who relied on the North Township trustee's office for assistance."
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
03012016 - News Article - Portage OKs rate hikes for trash, sewer fees
Portage OKs rate hikes for trash, sewer fees
Joyce Russell joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222
Mar 1, 2016
NWI Times
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-oks-rate-hikes-for-trash-sewer-fees/article_bcc99b42-e855-5b4b-bd4d-45efcbfa0d4e.html
PORTAGE — The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved an overall $15 per month extra to residents' utility bills.
Approved was an increase of $9 per month for monthly sanitary sewer service and $6 per month for trash service.
The increases also include an annual increase of 50 cents per month for sanitary sewer services and 25 cents per month for trash starting in 2017. The approval will increase overall monthly bills, which include stormwater fees, from $47 to $62 per month. The increases will be effective with the June bills.
Few Portage residents attended the public hearing on the rate increases at Woodland Park. Four who spoke said they were against the increases.
The four felt it was too much at one time. They also said they felt it was unfair that older residents had to pay the same rates for both services as larger families.
Council members defended the increases.
"Over the past month we've had a lot of dialogue," Council President Mark Oprisko said.
He said the city is facing eroding pipes and other issues.
Portage Mayor James Snyder said the last rate increase for sanitary sewer service was 1996 and costs continue to increase to provide the service.
"We have to get our systems up and running," he said.
He also told residents the increase in trash fees will make the service self-sufficient.
The increase in the sanitary sewer fees were proposed to support a bond issue for improvements.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)