Tax Woes for Gary Indiana

Originally posted 2008-12-10 08:05:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, and Whiting Indiana are cities that will have to make adjustments to business as usually, but these same cities especially, Gary want the state officials to believe it will take four years for the city to cope with 30 million in tax caps.

I find it curious that according to the petition to advisory board Gary is quoted as stating that “Gary faces fiscal devastation that will affect not only its residents but surrounding communities and the state as well.”

Wow, Gary is concerned about surrounding cities, but when this legislation was in the works Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago did not attend any meetings to discuss changes or cut the fat of city Government when recent governmental studies showed there was room for such a cut. 

In addition, the City goes on to stated that major components of the city will be effected negative to include its bus agency, sanitary and storm water districts and Gary/Chicago International Airport.

The City goes on to paint a picture of loom and doom by stating that 800 employees would have to be laid off and included in this layoff will be 250 policemen and firemen.  With the latter statement, the City is wanting a life line to be throw to the City that has misappropriated several million maybe even billions of dollars.  I say no.   

Elimination of police and firemen is not an option, but the three cities Gary, Hammond, East Chicago can look at combining the service.  This option would be more feasible.

Outsourcing trash pick up is another option. 

Closing the jail may be a viable option.

As for the Gary Sanitary District, this same Mayor just voted and implemented a 85% increase in Gary Sanitary costs to residents.  The 85% was not over a period of time but effected immediately, but with this increase there was no mention of improvement to the lift station on Grant Street that is obviously over limit on it movement of wastewater not was there was a mention of how to improve the excessive amount of flood that the City experiences when it is a drop of rain. 

Lastly, I think that the airport needs a plan to may it profitable.   Why hasn’t the official approach Chicago and talk about becoming the three airport for Chicago and develop train service right from the planes to Chicago via the South Shore.  There needs to be a study to determine if air riders would concern flying out of Gary.  Gary has to content with the reptition of the city.  An image change may be implemented before the airport can have a feasibility plan for being profitable. 

However, I find it curious that the very things that are not being provided well are the things that they claim will be lacking if they do not get the same funds.  I also find it curious that now there is a plan, but they need four years to implement. 

I say denied on the four years.  Gary, you have had over 20 years to figure this out.  I think that the citizens are tire of paying for misappropriation of funds.  It is time that the City’s feet be held to the fire.