Mixed year for GOP in Porter, LaPorte counties
NWI Times
December 29, 2016
It was a mixed year for Republicans in Porter and LaPorte counties.
While the GOP reclaimed control of the Porter County Council and the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners during the fall general election, they also saw one of their own — Portage Mayor James Snyder — indicted on federal bribery and obstruction charges.
Snyder, who has pleaded not guilty, said in a guest column in The Times earlier this month, "People who know me well, and even many who know me just in passing, are confident that there is no way the accusations leveled at me are true."
Nearly two weeks after Snyder was indicted, the FBI returned to interview Portage Police Chief Troy Williams, who said no members of his department were mentioned as being the subject of the continued investigation.
Porter County Republican Chairman Mike Simpson said Snyder is presumed innocent.
"I think he's done a marvelous job as mayor," Simpson said.
He said it's been an exceptional year for Republicans at the local, state and national levels, and that means exciting things are ahead at the county level.
"I think we're bringing a lot to the table in financial management and fiscal responsibility," Simpson said.
Dems lose council seat
Republicans won back control of the Porter County Council in November with the victory of newcomer Jeff Larson over Democrat incumbent Bob Poparad.
Republicans will have 4-3 control on the council come Jan. 1 and the advantage of Republicans maintaining a 2-1 majority on the Porter County Board of Commissioners.
Republican County Councilman Jim Biggs, who was elected to return as commissioner after being away for 16 years, said residents can expect to see some positive changes.
Biggs defeated Jeff Chidester, who heads up the county Democratic Party, to step into the post being vacated by fellow Republican John Evans.
Chidester said Hillary Clinton's big loss in Indiana had a trickle down effect on races statewide, including his own.
But he said Democrats lost only one seat at the county level (Poparad) and picked up a seat in the Statehouse.
"Overall, it's not as gloomy as some may think," he said.
County Commissioner Evans is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years of service to county government in that post and with the coroner's office.
Just a day after his peers bid him a fond farewell earlier this month, federal officials declined to say whether Evans remains a target of a criminal investigation.
The inquiry came from the Porter County Council after Evans asked to be reimbursed for $5,000 in legal fees associated with the investigation. The council was advised by its attorney that the law allows for elected officials to be reimbursed, but only if it is confirmed the investigation is over and no indictment is coming.
Changes in LaPorte County
Changes also appear to be in store in LaPorte County after Republicans took control of the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners.
Voters chose former County Councilman Richard Mrozinski, who recently switched from Democrat to Republican, over incumbent Democratic Commissioner David Decker.
Incumbent Democrat Dr. Vidya Kora was re-elected.
Decker was defeated just days after he was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident for a fender bender in a county annex parking lot.
Decker felt what he called the “Trump Factor” had more to do with his defeat than his arrest.
LaPorte County Democratic Chairman John Jones said the two major parties have volleyed control of the commissioners' office back and forth every few years.
Jones voiced confidence in Mrozinski, with whom he had once served on the County Council.
"He was a good councilman then, and I expect he will bring good leadership to the commissioners as well," he said.
Shaw Friedman, once chairman of the LaPorte County Democratic Party, appears on his way out as county attorney, a position he’s held for the past four years.
Mrozinski has said he will propose a salary for the position and bidding out the job, a move he believes will save the county as much as $100,000 or more each year. Until now, the commissioners have made the appointment and the attorney was paid on an hourly basis.
Mike Gonder, the chairman of the LaPorte County Republican Party, was selected at a party caucus earlier this month to fill a vacancy on the board of commissioners.
Gonder will serve the remaining two years of the term of Mike Bohacek, a Republican from Michiana Shores recently elected to the state Senate.
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