05132016 - News Article - Davich: Lake Station mayor looks to brighter future, not shady past

Davich: Lake Station mayor looks to brighter future, not shady past
Chicago Tribune
May 13, 2016
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-davich-lake-station-new-image-st-0516-20160513-story.html

Lake Station Mayor Chris Anderson and David Schmelzer, vice president of the Lake Station Chamber of Commerce, had no easy answers for the same question they've been asking themselves for months.

What, I asked, can be done to improve the city's public image after years of negative publicity revolving around the previous mayoral administration?

"Every time we seem to remove ourselves from it, something pops back up in the newspapers," said Anderson, who took office Jan. 1.

The former city judge is referring to the highly publicized debacle of disgraced former mayor Keith Soderquist, who was removed from office last September when a U.S. District Court jury found him and his wife, Deborah, guilty of public corruption charges. Prosecutors alleged they improperly using campaign funds and the city's food pantry money and a jury in Hammond agreed.

"It's been a public relations nightmare," Schmelzer admitted.

Soderquist's sentencing hearing remains on the court docket in July, which doesn't help city officials' attempt to move forward with a new era and a fresh beginning. There will be at least one more wave of negative publicity against the city when Soderquist is sentenced.

In the meantime, Anderson is doing his best to learn the mayoral ropes. As he tied up loose ends in his personal life and law practice after the general election, interim mayor Dewey Lemley (the city's former mayor) held things together well, Anderson agreed.

One of his first campaign promises has already taken root. He insists on total transparency with city government actions. This includes joining the area's Shared Ethics Advisory Commission, which may appear more symbolic than anything but it's an important, tangible step for this long-dysfunctional city.

"In the short months since Chris has taken over, we've seen 1,000 percent more cooperation and interest in chamber-related functions. He's taken a position as honorary board of director and he has attended our meetings to get involved with our activities," said Schmelzer, 57, who, like Anderson, was born and raised in the city.

I sat down with Anderson and Schmelzer to see what's being done to repair frayed or broken relationships within the city. And what can be done to re-brand the city to Northwest Indiana and beyond.

Both men echoed Lake Station's official website mantra: "The city is focusing on its positives and building the future."

Over the past few years, Lake Station has been as divided and contentious as any other city in Northwest Indiana.

Some residents can't even agree on the city's name, which has early origins as a train stop station in Lake County – Lake Station – until it was renamed East Gary in 1908, to lure U.S. Steel mill executives. In 1977, the city was renamed again Lake Station.

Think about it. How many residents in other local cities have similar debates about the community's very name, let alone other more serious challenges facing them? This is what Anderson, Schmelzer and other city leaders are up against.

"At this point in my term, I'm more risk-adverse about making any big decisions," said Anderson, a soft-spoken man with a serious attitude. "I'm still trying to figure out the ins and outs of my new office."

He immediately instituted an open door policy with residents who have questions or complaints. They've embraced it to the point of a 25-page binder that Anderson has compiled with their concerns.

"I've heard it all," said Anderson, an attorney who focused on family law, not municipal law or political campaigning.

This was my first meeting with Anderson, a married father of four who left a good impression on me. He was candid, open to tough questions, and fully understood that he's just getting started.

He and Soderquist go back several years, when they campaigned together as Anderson first ran for city judge and Soderquist for mayor. They started as political pals but the relationship started eroding after Soderquist took office and didn't live up to his campaign promises.

I could elaborate more but Lake Station residents don't need to hear the sordid details again.

"We know our city has black eyes. We're trying to get off the mat," Schmelzer said.

"From the businesses we've talked to, they are noting a more open-door approach that the new mayoral administration is having," he said. "And the additional possibilities of economic growth in attracting new businesses, and better supporting the existing business community."

The city's population of roughly 14,000, according to the latest U.S. Census figures, is a close-knit community that knows most everybody's business, whether it's good, bad or petty.

Since Anderson began his term as mayor, I've heard only good things from typically critical residents about the city's changes for the better. It all starts with handshakes, renewing relationships and making introductions.

"Our board of directors is very excited to have Chris involved so, from our perspective, we are looking forward to more city-chamber business cooperation and partnerships," Schmelzer said.

Anderson's biggest challenge beyond a poor public image is a depleted city budget.

There has been talk of the city selling its water treatment facility – its biggest asset, Anderson said – to bring in new revenue.

"We're currently exploring this as an option," said Anderson, who's been researching the issue for several weeks.

On my latest radio show, Schmelzer said another challenge is that the 8-square-mile city is landlocked, with no large steel mills or major hospitals, for example, to bolster assessed valuation and tax revenue.

"There's a new feeling of optimism here these days," Schmelzer said.

The residents I spoke with agreed, noting that the city needs to amplify its best assets, such as small lakes for fishing, kayaking or paddleboats, the public swimming pool, easy access from major highways, and good-hearted, hard-working people.

As one longtime resident told me, "Mostly we just need our city leaders to keep their noses clean."