Weatherization Will Keep You Warm This Winter

The winter season has just began, but the winter natural gas rates and its increases are not far behind, so instead of allow those bills to drive you out of house and home contact the agencies below to find out if you qualify for weatherization of your home.

Both homeowners and renters are eligible for both programs.

Gary Neighborhood Services

300 W. 21st Ave., Gary

(219) 883-0431

Metro Corps of Gary Inc.

839 Broadway, Gary

(219) 886-3155

United Neighborhood Organizations – M.L. King Center

4802 Melville Ave., East Chicago

(219) 378-9810

United Neighborhood Organizations – Bessie Owens Center

4001 Alexander Ave., East Chicago

(219) 391-8478

Love Center

4619 Melton Road (U.S. 20), Gary

(219) 938-8085

Lake Station Center

275 E. 29th Ave., Lake Station

(219) 963-0261

Greater Hammond Community Services

824 Hoffman, Hammond

(219) 932-4800

Porter County Community Services

1005 Campbell St., Valparaiso

(219) 464-9736

Ross Township Trustee Office

24 W. 73rd Ave., Merrillville

(219) 769-2111

South Lake County Community Services Inc.

1450 E. Joliet, Suite 202, Crown Point

(219) 663-0627

You may be wondering what is weatherization and how does it keep you warm.  Weatherization consist of the windows, doors, furnace, attic, etc.  It is anywhere that unwanted air can get into the home.  When you use the furnace in the winter and your windows and doors are not properly sealed then you are letting money flow out the window.  The weatherization contractors come to your home and evaluate those items for you and with the help of a grant of up to 6500 per home they caulk leaking windows, weather strip doors, replace or repair a furnace, and/or insulate an attic or walls.

If your home is drafty or your NIPSCO bill is too high contact one the agencies to find out if you qualify for a savings on your NIPSCO bill of up to 500 to 600 dollars after work is complete.

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It Is Time To Make A Stand

Is your NIPSCO bill and the potential rate increase getting you down? Is the property tax increase making you want to move to another state?
“Revolt at the State House”

There is something you can do.  For the NIPSCO bill, you could voice your opinion to the regulatory commission.  For property taxes, you can join the

Join the citizens of Indiana in a Revolt at the State House on March 25, 2009 at 11:30 am. 

Never before does a citizen need to make a stand and voice his or her opinion. 

Why is this important?

Well, the legislators willingness to incorporate a two percent circuit breaker should be all the evidence needed to say that even the legislators knew the property tax reassessment and trending was unfair.  However, if you still need more evidence, let’s examine.

The homestead exemption went from 35,000 to 45,000 after a few citizens or should I say a whole organization like Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors and citizens of Lake, Porter, Marion, and other counties complained at the state house.

Still need more evidence.  Some cities and counties received demands to cut the fat out of their government i.e. get rid of Hummer (Gary) due to high tax rate.  2007 Gary’s tax rate was 9.62.  2008 Gary’s tax rate is 7.62.  2008 East Chicago’s tax rate is 9.62.

I am willing to bet that the high tax rate coupled with NIPSCO’s proposed electrical rate increase in some way contributed to the surge in unemployment rate in Northwest Indiana.

If accountability is important to you then stand with citizens of Indiana on March 25, and let legislators know “yes we can” have a lean government and still get all the services that every citizen pays his or her hard earned money for.